http://disqus.com/by/JerryL/enFri, 04 Sep 2009 03:31:52 -0000http://theonda.org/articles/2009/08/31/appstores-are-stupid-fads#comment-15959653<p>The handset market today is fractured - you have different hardware running different operating systems and supporting different apps. I can't buy an iPhone app and run it on my Blackberry, so while I agree that openness will overcome walled gardens (eventually - like how the stock price of a company will 'in the long term' reflect its value), there would seems to be money to be made in the short term for platform specific app stores.</p><p>I'm curious about your thoughts as to why the Apple App Store will thrive as opposed to the clones who are headed for an early death. Or rather, why you think the other clones can't (eventually) duplicate iTune's ease of use and train the seals (uh, users) to buy apps on impulse, etc. Is there a secret sauce involved, or is it just Steve's ability to generate hype and excitement? :) </p>JerryLFri, 04 Sep 2009 03:31:52 -0000http://theonda.org/articles/2009/08/29/sustained-long-term-rd-is-the-only-way-out-of-this-economic-mess#comment-15959175<p>I really enjoyed the thoughtful points brought up in the BW article - thanks for sharing it. Here is another one from around the same time frame from NY Times for your readers(<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/business/16unboxed.html)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/business/16unboxed.html)">http://www.nytimes.com/2009...</a> - this one quotes an expert as advocating a 'coordinator' and 'integrator' role for corporate labs, a direction that HP Labs is quickly moving towards.</p><p>Also, I wouldnt characterize HP Lab's grant solicitation as an 'online contest'...</p>JerryLFri, 04 Sep 2009 02:59:56 -0000http://theonda.org/articles/2009/02/02/what-aspiring-mass-customizers-can-learn-from-lego-factory#comment-6464209<p>A while back, I had wanted to create a custom Lego kit of our remodeled home as a gift for my wife, got stuck trying to design the house with the software, meant to set aside some time to learn the tool, and never got around to doing so. Thanks for the thoughtful review of the product - hadn't seen many of them on the net... Sounds like if I don't care about the cover art, and if I can put the pieces together without instructions (big if in my case), it is worthwhile going thru the hassle of designing something...</p><p>Curious what you made and how long it took to do the design from start to finish. </p>JerryLSat, 21 Feb 2009 06:11:56 -0000