Disqus - Friends of reechard

Re: About Afghanistan…

Karoli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:21:56 -0000

I'm not a fan of crop substitution, but it's worth noting that in 2001 (when the Taliban was in power), the opium exports dropped to nearly zero. That proves to me that a strong government (not necessarily totalitarian, but strong) can influence the opium trade in a negative fashion. In a 2009 survey done in June, over 80% of Afghans said they had faith in the Afghan Army, and over 70% in the Afghan police. That tells me that there has been progress in training and raising local support for a strong government. Karzai, in my opinion, is not the strongest leader Afghanistan could have. He is, however, what they've got for the time being. The question is whether or not a counterinsurgency effort could build the Afghan army and police force to a point where, when combined with strong leadership, they could actually be successful at self-governance and eradication (or at least, strong diminishment) of the opium trade in favor of other moneymaking ventures.

I totally agree with you about the cultural aspects being important and being a strength Obama has on his side. One of the reasons I wrote this post was a) to start a discussion about the different aspects of this decision and b) to make the case that if he does choose to send additional troops, it's a decision made within the frame of a cultural understanding. He's a very intelligent man who is listening to all sides of the debate. I don't believe he will just willy-nilly send troops in there without a plan, a goal, and a timeline.

Re: About Afghanistan…

Karoli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:06:20 -0000

My problem is that much of what has happened over the past 30 years is the clear result of a chaotic and self-serving American policy there. We support them before we don't. We neglect them before we pay attention before we neglect them again. Until 2005, we had a real opportunity there, but because the Bush administration deemed Iraq more important than Afghanistan, they simply didn't pay attention. Combine that with the commonly advanced meme that it's an ungovernable country (it's not), and confusion reigns.

Really, for me, the question is whether we can undo some of the damage done, and in the process, use leverage in Afghanistan to stabilize the region.

Re: Telecommuting Should Be An Option for Everyone

dcfemella — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:23 -0000

Telecommuting is becoming more and more apparent to companies. However, as with many things, people are resistant to change. With cloud computing and the pressure to "go green," I think telecommuting is going to start becoming increasingly more popular.

Re: So What if I’m Single?

dcfemella — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:20:45 -0000

Haha! That is how it is when I am trying to explain to my aunts the difference between the two as well. They look at me like I'm talking a different language.

Re: So What if I’m Single?

dcfemella — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:02:45 -0000

It seems like it infects every major city. One of the reasons why I don't understand why everyone is acting like I'm someone who needs sympathy when in cities, people usually remain single longer.

Thanks! =D

Re: Hey Toronto, Want To Reduce Traffic? Invest In Telecommuting

dcfemella — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:42:02 -0000

I can't find it. I get the actual INC magazine and it was in there. I meant to say Fried from 37Signals. haha

Re: 10 Crucial Social Media Widgets To Improve Content Traffic And Awareness

Corvida — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:39:04 -0000

Thanks for the tip Mark. I added into the post.

Re: My Thoughts on Posterous as a Lifestreaming Platform

krynsky — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:26:54 -0000

Ileane, thank you for the kind words and sharing the story.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:36:09 -0000

Awesome points. Congrats on building the best Twitter app on the Android platform, by the way. I'll keep with it.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:24 -0000

When we play the YouTube videos (same video, same UI) the ones on the Palm Pre, the HTC Touch, the iPhone are much higher resolution than the ones that play on the Droid. Yes, they are NOT "true HD" but they are very sharp and very good looking. Not on the Droid. They look like ass on the Droid.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:04:20 -0000

This is a major reason why I bought one. I think Apple needs competition. That's healthy for all of us. So, totally agree with you on that point.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:52:21 -0000

Hah, I don't like Wave so I've been ignoring that. But I think you are right on. Google is making big plays to stick its foot into enterprises. Microsoft better watch out here.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:50:34 -0000

It's not quite that simple, though. Google has a better platform-building team and approach. This is why Android has come in late into the market and already gotten more than 10,000 apps built for it (something that Microsoft, Nokia, Palm and others have failed to do, by the way). The platform eventually wins. Or at least that's been true so far. That beautiful Mac? It was cloned "enough" by Microsoft and Microsoft's superior platform approach led it to 90% marketshare. Being beautiful and usable is NOT enough!

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:45:17 -0000

That said, my new Toyota Prius has a very good GPS system, so I don't need turn-by-turn the way other people might.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:44:44 -0000

Ahh, yes, I just forgot about that. We talked about Google's Maps in the podcast. I'll add that as another good thing about Droid (turn-by-turn directions and street-level views rock on the Droid).

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:42:15 -0000

Mark: yes. That's why I feel Android is Windows 3.1. It's ugly. But you can see the future is going to be very bright. Developers ARE supporting Android in a big way. It's their second platform, I've been interviewing a ton of them.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:38:12 -0000

Another good point I should have made in my article. No, the Droid can't do simultaneous voice and data (I believe this is due to the EVDO network that Verizon uses). Good points about getting service in rural areas. I don't use a phone in rural areas very often.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:36:30 -0000

I'll switch my iPhone over to Verizon too if it goes. The network is noticeably better in Half Moon Bay. Ironic, too, because I know of a major Apple exec who lives just down the road from me.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:35:33 -0000

As to Symbian, that OS is not up to the standards of Android. But Symbian will be the market share winner for a long time (Nokia sells a ton of single-chip phones to emerging markets that don't even know what a web browser is).

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:34:39 -0000

Weird, on Facebook (the Web page, not the app) the double-click on photo thing wasn't working for some reason. Very frustrating. The zoom control did work, though.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:32:38 -0000

I don't think Android will pass iPhone unless something spectacular happens next year and I don't think it will. Everyone in China says Apple has locked up the best supply chain, so building a better device than Apple isn't in the cards. That said, I'd expect Android to grow faster percentage wise than Apple next year.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:25:31 -0000

I live in a small town with 14,000 people. Here Verizon is a LOT better than AT&T.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:24:39 -0000

These are good reasons to stay! Thanks, I was hoping I'd find more of them because I sure feel like returning this and know I need to keep it to stay up-to-date on Android.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:22:58 -0000

Ryan: wrong question. Because if market share mattered we'd all be on Nokia.

Re: The Droid fails AS A PRODUCT when compared to Palm Pre and iPhone

Scobleizer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:18:16 -0000

Oh, absolutely! Even Apple fans who would never consider switching have to love the competition. Why? It will force Apple to get better. The screen on the Droid really shows that Apple needs a push. Wow is that thing beautiful!