Do you remember when most Emmy award nominations went to the big 4 networks (ABC, NBC, CBS FOX)? I remember when Fox wasn’t even in the equation. Then cable TV shows got heavily recognized (Sopranos, Sex in the City). Now, the star of the 2013 Emmy Awards may be Netflix.
Netflix hit it big this morning when Emmy Award nominations were announced. One show, House of Cards, hit the jackpot! They ?won nods for best drama, best lead?actor in Kevin Spacey and best lead?actress in Robin Wright. It also received nods for outstanding directing, best casting, best cinematography, best editing, and best musical composition. Netflix comedy Arrested Development did well. They received nods for outstanding editing and music composition for a comedy, and Jason Bateman got a nomination for best lead actor in a comedy series. Keep in mind it’s only been five years since Internet shows were allowed to take part in the Emmy process.
This is huge for Netflix, and it’s viewers. I usually watch Netflix to keep up with shows that I miss or shows I want to watch again, and of course, movies. But for all these nominations for two shows is phenomenal. Now imagine if they win at least some of these awards, especially the big ones. This is a reason for tech lovers to watch this year’s show. If they win (and the competition isn’t that rigorous, you know what I’m saying?), I can see the tide turning. Maybe it already is. Can you see shows leaving mainstream TV and coming to Netflix like an exodus?
Don’t know if you know this, but 80% of people working in computer technology are men. But women are definitely making their mark in this field. Let’s pay some of?them tribute.
10.Radia Perlman: She’s been called the mother of the Internet. She’s known for her revolutionary innovations and creativity, especially when it comes to making a better Internet.
9. Safra Catz: Born in Israel, she’s the CFO of Oracle, the third largest software maker around today. She’s been an executive there since 1999.
8. Sophie Wilson:?She designed the Acorn Micro-Computer and the ARM Processor, and is still very active in?the?company she helped create.
7. ?Meg Whitman: Not only was she the president of Ebay for 10 years, she’s now the CEO of Hewlett-Packard and ran for California governor in 2009.
6.Sophie Vandebroek: She’s the chief technology officer of Xerox and president of the Xerox Innovation Group. These innovations run from software to fast food.
5. Melody Meckfessel: She’s the heart and soul behind Google’s engineering, and is credited for?making that team together.?It is said, “If there’s no Google engineering, there’s no Google.
4. Susan Wojcicki:?Speaking of Google, she’s the vice-president of advertising and production management. According to a 2012 Forbes article, she’s one of the most powerful women in the world.
3. Ursula Burns: She’s the president and CEO of Xerox. She’s the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 Company and the fourteenth most powerful woman in the world.
2. Marissa Meyer: She helped get Yahoo off the brink and turned it back into a major Internet powerhouse. The culture in the office changed, it’s buying out other Internet businesses and it’s on it’s way to a whole new level.
1. Grace Hopper: Though she’s been dead for 21 years, her contributions are just as important today. She was one of the first computer programmers ever and first compilers of computer language.?During her later years, she was a great ambassador to her field and eager to lecture younger generations. Where would we be without her legacy?
It’s funny how corporations are distancing themselves from the NSA surveillance scandal and PRISM. They know many Americans are outraged at these actions. I think Yahoo is getting that.
Yahoo is asking US courts to release files that clearly reveal Yahoo?was vehemently opposed to the government’s demand to read people’s email and do other surveillance acts without the people’s knowledge or approval, or without proper search and seizure warrants. In 2008, Yahoo lost a case in which they tried to stop this kind of surveillance. Until very recently, they couldn’t even reveal it was the company that lost the case. Civil libertarians say if Yahoo can release these files, then we’ll know more about what our government is up to, especially the NSA and FISA and organizations of that kind. One?Yahoo blogger said, “I think there are better ways to protect the rights of U.S. persons who may be affected by this surveillance.”?Yahoo is just leading the charge. Other Silicon Valley corporations are also challenging secrecy and spying rulings.
So now that the public know what’s going on, at least to an extent, of course Internet companies are distancing themselves. Can you blame them? And I think they’re being sincere. Remember, the NSA and other gov’t agencies came to them, not the other way around. Why do you think the courts are fighting to stop these files from being revealed and these companies are fighting to release them? But I am a little afraid of what could be revealed if these files went public. Think about what we already know. What secrets will these files teach us and how less confident will we be in our gov’t and corporations?
Remember Apple maps? That was probably the biggest flop in smartphone history. Now, Google wants to try their hand at a new map.
Google is introducing a new Google Maps app?coming to Android and Apple. Note they just released some Google Map design for Apple devices last year. I keep telling you tech based stuff you got last Christmas might be obsolete by this Christmas. If you’re a travel lover like I am, you?can explore hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, attractions, and other sites without even typing. I still find it creepy that my device knows what city I’m in.
There’s also a navigation app that gives you better routes in case of bad traffic. I know where I am, that will be extremely beneficial! There’s a review site where not only can you read reviews before you go, but you can post reviews after you go. Some people brag about Zagat, but I prefer to use more review sites, and not just take one as the gospel truth. Not only that, you can find discounts through this app. But Latitudes and check-ins will not be no longer be apart of this new app.
Well, it’s good to keep improving on what you have. And sometimes it’s good to leave well enough alone. But I’m trusting Google Maps to deliver the goods, based on their history and what I’ve seen of this already. There’s been times when I traveled and really depended on Google Maps get me out of some binds. What do you think of these new upcoming apps?
Melody Meckfessel has gone beyond just another woman engineer. She oversees the engineering team that puts programs together at Google. Meckfessel says of her team: “If these systems don’t work, Google doesn’t work.” Think about that. Though Google still majority male run, a woman?named Susan Wojcicki runs Google’s ad department, and she’s one of the most powerful women in the world. But back to Meckfessel. The team she oversees?does tasks from compiling software codes to testing tools. Like Mayer of Yahoo, colleagues say?she had a way of bringing the office together?during a time of office turbulence. They?praise Meckfessel for her people skills and getting this critical team on one?accord.
I have another reason to like Meckfessel. She’s not the stereotypical engineer or geek. I doubt you’ll see this mother of a 4-year-old locking herself in the basement playing dungeons and dragons. She’s also a wine maker in?Northern California’s Napa Valley region.?While?wine and software sound totally different, she?sees great similarities between her Google position and her Chardonnay Meskfessel creation. She says?wine and?software?take lots of experimentation. She says she won’t serve what she won’t drink herself, so she won’t allow any software that she won’t use herself.?So with motherhood, winery and software technology is there anything she can’t do?
Happy Birthday five-year-old! On July 8, 2008, the Apple App?Store was officially launched! Remember when the phrase ‘There’s an app for that’ was a pop culture?saying, kind of like Paris Hilton’s ‘That’s hot’ back in the early 2000s? Well, now there’s an app for everything; so?it’s a forgone conclusion there’s an app for that.
Speaking of which, Apple is celebrating by?making costly apps go free. Do you like games like Infinity Blade 2?or Where’s My Water? For a limited time, these are two of the games you can get for free. Okay, you’re not a game person. There’s a free app for you too. Do you like to add small text to those magnificent photos? Then the Over app is yours and free. Are you experimenting with the thing called cooking? There’s an app called How to Cook Everything. It has over 2,000 recipes and they can all be yours free of charge. Are you learning geography. Barefoot World Atlas?will help you with that. They’re other suddenly free apps at your disposal as well.
I must hand it to them. This is a great way to celebrate. If you think Infinity Blade is too violent, then give your kids the?Where’s My Water game? Okay, Where’s My Water might be a little preachy about the environment, but it’s still a fun game to play. And with that How to Cook Everything app, I can finally perfect my mac & cheese and be the hit of that next potluck or party. But the phrase ‘limited time only’ keeps hitting me. So what free app will you take advantage of?
