Genie

Over the next few of months, I’d like to use the blog to chronicle two intrapreneurial projects. The first project involves creating a narrow broadcast to simulate a TV studio and the second project involves setting up a computer network with dual boot workstations featuring Ubuntu 9 and Windows XP.

Project 1 involves a workflow featuring the use of Adobe Production Premium CS4 bundle to create a digital video broadcast that will be shown in a large foyer using digital signage software to schedule or play the content. In addition, we plan to stream the same show on the Internet. We need to network with broadcast specialists to firm up workflow, industry standards, calibration of cameras, lighting, green screen and audio.

In Project 2, we are trying to set up an Ubuntu 9 server to support LAMP so we can explore Web2.0 technologies. Apparently, we need to install a web server like IIS or Apache HTTP to support our LAMP environment. We may need to partner with community colleges and network specialists to help see us through to the end goal which is to establish an internal network or “sandbox” to explore website design. We need to create an environment that supports dynamic web design and we hope to use php/mysql to start. Ideally, we’d like the server to support FTP, administration of user accounts and email. Alternatively, we may set up a Windows 2003 server and install IIS to support LAMP if the Ubuntu project fails again.

Both of these projects involve learning and teamwork. The success of the project depends on our success to network with people who can help us with “knowledge gaps” and our group’s focus.

It’s been a while since I worked on designing a website. The last project involved investigating Web 2.0 technologies, namely blogs, podcasts and vodcasts. The opportunity to use RSS to reach a captive audience remains a goal and it may come with “focus”. A few years ago, I watched a TV program where Peter Munk, founder of Barrick Gold, who discussed the importance of focus when embarking on an entrepreneurial venture.

I understand focus to be the prize or ultimate goal of an enterprise. It is the determination of the entrepreneur to design a creative reponse to a need, want or challenge through step-wise refinement. However, how does one step back from the venture and assess its financial well being before becoming emotionally hi-jacked by an “idea” or perceived success. How does the entrepreneur build the team, find the time and resources to succeed?

In a recent episode of Dragon’s Den, I observed how the dragons helped an individual understand that his online venture would not succeed because it did not have a large enough following or “community”. I learned that business is business and the focus must be linked to reality and a real and measurable demand. Demand is a community of want and need and it’s imperative to know your community or customer if you hope to succeed. It may become clear that after due diligence and study of the market that the dream should die and that the entrepreneur should wait for another day.

My father lives in a senior residence and I’m not convinced that people there are aware of the things they could be doing to enhance their lives.  Over the past two years, my father who is 85 has learned to surf the net, to use a microwave, to play darts and to try out an ancient exercise bicycle.  He gets a little dizzy when he steps off the stationary bike.  I don’t understand why seniors everywhere don’t have better exercise equipement and a better variety of activities.  Where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity!!

 This past Christmas, I learned about the wii and I played Rock Band with some young and old enthusiasts.  I like the drums but I have no rhythm.  My high school buddy had no problem on the drums because he played the drums in music class 25 years ago.  I was better on the guitar because I’ve been learning how to play guitar recently.   Later in the evening my second cousin showed me the other games one can play on the wii.  My mother-in-law, a former nurse, told me that the wii is being used for therapy and amusement in senior nursing homes.

 I decided to ckeck it out and it appears that the wii is a hit with seniors.  Check out these videos on YouTube:

 wii for active elderly:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZUSaFJ_vY4

 wii therapy :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XPjnv5ecPs

I figure it will cost $1000 to set up a good wii system with TV for the seniors.   The challenge will be to sell them and management on embracing some fun.

It’s finally over.  We’ve been watching the Obama-Biden VS McCain-Palin showdown for some time now and America found its voice and spoke courageously for change.  It looks like a new deal for the middle class where focus will be on domestic rather than foreign concerns.  It’s time for the US to lick its wounds and start to rebuild its foundation.  The soil is weakening and structures are beginning to crumble as their footings move away from the original footprint. 

 America needs to respond to Obama’s call, “Yes we can”, working together for a brighter and safer world.   The North American economies should consider investing in big domestic infrastructure projects to kick start the economy and remove us from a dependency on war as a way to achieve surplus.  The auto industry needs to get off oil and seek alternative fuels with the same urgency NASA put a man on the moon. 

Imagine the benefits from investing in infrastructure; new products, renewed urban landscapes, renewed entrepreneurship, a sense of pride in community, improved education and renewed optimism in a post-911 world.  The culture of fear and Homeland Defence has made us weaker and enabled media to suck us into a frenzy of negativism.

 Let’s turn on a light and read a book rather than watch TV.   Today, we embrace a ‘new deal’ of hope and optimism in a dark and troubled world.  In the past, we had faith to sustain and preserve us; In God We Trust.  Hopefully, things haven’t changed.  As for Obama and his team - no pressure. 

Have you ever tried to set up a server using ubuntu Linux?  Good luck if you plan to explore the world of Linux and you dislike texty looking DOS commands like pwd, ls, ls-la and so on.  How can ubuntu compete with Windows when they don’t take the time to bundle an EASY-TO-USE GUI interface for their server?  Also, most of us USERS don’t have the time to spend hours trolling through geek forums trying to find the gateway to the pandora known as OPEN SOURCE.  I think I’ll download America’s Army and create a character named Linux and see how it goes!

I beileve creativity is the ability to respond to a need, want or challenge in society.  Creative people find the mix of resources that respond to entrepreneurial opportunity.  A friend says, “The only people that are creative are pole dancers”.  I thought this was an odd response to my righteous definition of creativity which can be summarized as those who can “get er done”.   I suppose that pole dancers are creative and perhaps these ballerinas of lust are more skilled than creative.

 I’m at a loss for words because this topic is lame.  However, there are people that start off with the same destination in mind but only a few are creative enough to stand out.  For example, this use of RSS or blogging technology is a case in point.  If I was creative then I would find a way to get more subscribers.  It’s not enough to create a blog called Genie with a few well written posts to generate traffic.  In fact, the creative people would publish content that matters and might even generate a revenue stream.  Otherwise, we just do this stuff as an intellectual exercise and as another friend says, “blogs are mental masturbation”.  I’m not sure that was the purpose but she might have a point for the pointless blogs jamming up cyberspace.

So, you’re on for beers this week and you don’t have a cooler bag.  What do you do?  Buy a hockey bag with a cooler bag sewn inside to hold the 24 cans.  By combining the ideas of hockey and beer we get a new product idea: The Hockey-Cooler Bag.

• support CAW and the middle class
• buy RONA
• Some Big Box stores are “pimps” for child labour and unfair working conditions
• stop outsourcing our sovereignty and natural resources
• add value to resources here in Canada
• consumers can undo themselves
• Gens du pays!

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.  I think FDR must have been learning how to interface computers with microcontrollers, breadboards, LEDs, and capacitors when he uttered these famous words.  Recently, I’ve made a commitment to forge ahead and learn more about computer engineering and the design of integrated circuits.  At the heart of this study is the use of microcontrollers and upon further investigation one learns that these little black things with metal pins for legs run just about every device in our world today.

When society becomes dependent on something then it’s time to learn about the dependency.  We are addicted to chips.  In addition, the study of interfacing computers with microcontrollers can lead to new inventions and provide hands-on learning opportunites in computer science.  It’s good to know why your seat belt makes a noise and the light is on!

Do you know any good spots in TO?  Here’s my short list of the Toronto entertainment scene (Target Market : ages 30 - 50).  Share this list with friends at work and we’ll have a more complete list to work from next week:

Lounge (poser/great for people watching):

The Drake
The Ultra
Jazz:

Resevoir Lounge

Dance  (this needs work):

Easy on the 5th (expensive)
Shallow Groove (College St.)
Phoenix : Sunday nights : 80’s night (could be a blast - never been)
Whitby: Tap, On the Rocks, Lava Lounge
Oshawa: The Tartan Tavern
The Docks (never been)

Ajax/Pickering: Havana Nights, Juke Box

Pub:

Allen’s (Danforth)
Rebel House
Rivoli

Different/Alternative:

Cameron House, Queen St.
BSC, Queen St.
Ciao Eddie’s, 489 College.