Oct 11, 2017 | Computer technology, News
We saw many disaster unfold in recent weeks. So most recently, we have the Santa Rosa fires that killed 17 people, and destroyed whole neighborhoods. But how can drones play a part? Disaster drones: Can they save lives?
There is a drone company they call Cy Phy Works. Their locations are in Danvers, MA, about 25 miles north of our Boston computer service shop. So what do disaster drones do? First of all, they take pictures of the disaster area. This is important because they help relief efforts deliver accurate help to the right communities. Furthermore, these cameras are 30x zoom and can survey tens of miles per trip. For example, they took pictures of areas Hurricane Harvey flooded and were able to get the help to desperate area.
Also, for the recent fires, they can use disaster drones to show firefighters which communities need the most aid. But that’s not all. These drones can also deliver medical supplies and other aid. Some supplies could even include instructions for people to help themselves before help arrives. And of course, the drones can get directly to an emergency site. In most cases, they can get there just as fast, perhaps even faster, than first responders can. Obviously, they will work with emergency personnel. This is about saving lives, not a ‘who can get there first’ competition.
Cy Phy Works recently ran tests throughout the Boston area. During our busy times, like the Fourth of July, they provided surveillance with the Boston Police Department. By all accounts, these tests were a success. These drones couldn’t have come at a better time. For the last six weeks or so, we have been bombarded by disasters. And yes, I talk about the bad technology and IT service can do. But once in a while, we should be reminded of what good our industry can do. In this case, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. As a New Englander, it gives me great pride to know my state came up with this drone. Do you think this disaster drone can save lives?
Oct 10, 2017 | Computer technology
What if our Boston computer service shop had a secret underground site in…say…Antarctica? Wait…but that wouldn’t make sense. Why would anybody need computer servicing in Antarctica? So I’m rambling on because apparently, there is a secret Snapchat site.
This secret Snapchat site is in Lehi, Utah. It’s about 30 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City. We think they built this because they want to build hardware and apps far away. In this case, far away means the competitors and cut throats of Silicon Valley and other tech hot spots. But what about jobs and manpower?
That’s why they’re looking to BYU (Brigham Young University) to fill that supply. Also, Snapchat hit the jackpot in Utah before. Because BYU students founded Scan.me, a QR coding site. Before too long, Snapchat acquired Scan.me, and turned it into Snapcodes. Then there is IM Flash Technologies. That’s a semi-conductor factory that is in Lehi. Snapchat already told tech media they have a small team in place. Also, they are looking to hire in the local area. The want ads are out. And Snap has had success in Utah before. Can lightning strike twice?
But here is the more pressing question. Is this a trend that’s showing up through all of tech? I ask that because Amazon is looking for a city to place it’s new headquarters. It’s not going to be anywhere near San Francisco, Oakland, or Cupertino. Yesterday, I wrote a blog about how Silicon Valley seems to be in moral meltdown, and gave various reasons. Are even tech companies seeing it? Yes, some believe Snap chose Lehi because they don’t want prying eyes in California looking and copying. But I think there’s a deeper motive here. Let’s face it: Silicon Valley isn’t America’s sweetheart anymore. In fact, some Americans look at that place as an evil elitist pit. I’ve talked to some who feel that way. Is this it? Are tech companies leaving Silicon Valley slowly but surely?
Oct 6, 2017 | Computer technology
Private equity and IT service/technology do a strange dance. Some compare this dance a modern day gold rush. Also, it looks like the two dance in sync. Let’s look at technology and private equity.
For example, private equity firms up their investments in tech companies. Furthermore, they did so in a short period of time. Such firms invested $43 billion in tech in 2015. But in 2016, they invested over, $148 billion. That’s over three times as much. Then there’s this scenario: Firms often invest in companies that aren’t doing well, or just getting off the ground. That’s especially true with venture capitalists. Also, look at how tech companies are buying out each other in recent years. Private equity firms may or may not want a piece of that.
Then there’a another dance between technology and private equity. That is the rapidly changing pace of the tech industry. For example, back in 2005, nobody had a smartphone, or apps. As recently as 2010, nobody had Uber or Lyft, or Airbnb. But now, we can’t imagine our lives without these things. So it’s easy for private equity firms to invest from one big thing to the next. Because there is always going to be a ‘next big thing’. This trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Then there are the equity firms that are there just to buy out struggling tech firms. These companies include Vista and Insight Ventures, among scores of others. Then there’s the debate of a company going public. Yes, there is more security and backing there. But more often then not, tech companies like anyone in computer servicing depend on bubbles not caused by Wall Street. Also, when a tech company goes public, they have all sorts of demands to put up with. I see the relationship between technology and private equity going for a very long time. There’s too much tech innovation to go around just for private equity firms to quit. They may quit on certain companies, but not on the industry itself. Where do you see it going?
Oct 5, 2017 | Computer technology
Are you tired of traffic? We work in computer repair and have techs on the road every day. So we get it, traffic is horrible. But airplane maker Airbus could have a solution. Meet the aerial taxi.
They call it the CityAirbus. They also shape the aerial taxi like a drone. The CityAirbus made great success on the ground. But now, they’re doing tests in the air. It uses vertical takeoff and also has four rotors. Furthermore, it will take four people at a time, and connect between major city train stations and airports. For example, if you want to commute from New York’s Port Authority bus station to JFK airport, CityAirbus can do that.
So here are some more facts. The maximum speed is 80MPH. Engines contain eight propellers. Direct drive engines control those propellers. It has 4 batteries, 140kw in power and 110kw in energy. Reports say the CityAirbus already has routes planned out. Battery electric tech can power these flights. Not only is Airbus making these flights, but they got stations as well. They include charging and battery unit decks on the ground. They also make it possible for more of these to fly in the future.
So when do they expect the first aerial taxi to be in service? Not in 2030, 2025, or even 2020! There is talk the first CityAirbus will be ready to accept passengers next year, 2018! Somehow, I can’t get the Jetsons theme out of my head, but this could become a reality. Yes, IT service can service your commute in the sky. That would certainly reduce traffic on the ground, which is great. Look at these statistics of how long Americans spend in traffic these days. It’s alarming.? Will CityAirbus end, or at the very least, curb the problem? Or will this aerial taxi cause clogging in the air?
Oct 2, 2017 | Computer technology
Yes, IT service and computer technology does wonders for us. And yes, computer servicing opens jobs and solves problems. But is any technology worth our worship? Some people think so. Are people worshiping AI?
So meet Silicon Valley multi-millionaire?Anthony Levandowski. You may know him because of his lawsuit with Google. Google accused Levandowski of giving Google’s secrets to Uber. However, Levandowski is doing something even sillier. He started his own church. But this isn’t any church or religion you grew up with. He calls his church Way of the Future.? He is the CEO and President. His God is artificial intelligence. Or as we call it: AI.
Furthermore, Way of the Future’s mission is to…”develop and promote the realization of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence”. He also wants computers to pass humans in intelligence. That’s one reason he worships AI. They already filed papers with California. They state, and I’m paraphrasing, their purpose is to worship AI and to contribute to a better society. So they’re next step is to file IRS papers to make Way of the Future tax-free. But he’s not the only one who believes in this. Back in 1999, Ray?Kurzweil wrote a book called?The Age of Spiritual Machines. He also believes computers and robots will be gods. Kurzweil also believes human beings are about as good as parasites.
Listen, I believe in the First Amendment and Freedom of Religion as much as any American. But this is what concerns me. When we give computers this much power and put them on a God like pedestal, that’s not a good thing. Here is why. This mentality gives us permission to took at our fellow human beings as almost nothing. Look at the US job situation. Employers would rather hire robots than give human beings a wage increase. Heck, you even have customers who prefer the service of robots over humans. Now, you have a Silicon Valley elitist promoting AI worship. Are people worshiping AI? Would you worship AI?
Sep 30, 2017 | Computer technology, News
The photos and stories are heartbreaking. So you all know Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. As of today, most citizens there still can’t get smartphone or Internet service. But thankfully, IT support companies are helping out in various ways. This is a report on technology, Puerto Rico, and Maria.
Cell phone providers AT&T and T-Mobile now have a registry. This registry includes the phone numbers of family and friends in Puerto Rico. Then, when they can get cell service, they registry tells them family and friends in the US are trying to reach them. So far, over 12,000 people are in this registry. Then there’s Tesla. They’re sending their Powerwall battery systems to Puerto Rico. In fact, they’re sending hundreds of them. Keep in mind over 90% of the island is without power, and could be for months. Furthermore, Tesla already has their people there to install these systems. Facebook vows to send teams to deliver emergency telecommunication services. Also, Facebook is donating over $1.5 million dollars to relief efforts. They’re doing everything they can to get Puerto Rico back online.? They can even use their drone service to help.
This is an all hands on deck situation. This includes those in computer repair and all other tech fields. For the few computers that are running, they’ll be needed to keep those systems going. Lives are on the line. And I’m glad tech companies are there to help. These are just a handful of examples. For example, here is what Apple is doing. And the situation affects so many. In our computer service shop, a client came in and had to cancel his trip to San Juan. Last time I checked, he’s running a food and water drive to help get supplies down there. So this is the situation all over the land when it comes to technology, Puerto Rico, and Maria. What can you do to help?
