Google I/O Developer Conference

11 04 2009

I just signed up for the upcoming Google I/O Developer Conference @ Moscone Center May 27th and 28th.  For $300 bucks how can you go wrong?  Most conferences are well over $2000.

If you plan to attend, let me know and we’ll grab some drinks after the show.





My Life with a Kindle 2

11 04 2009

I’ve had the Amazon Kindle 2 for just over a month now and its about time I jot down a few notes about my experience.  Here are the things I like …

  • Compact — smaller than a standard hardcover book
  • Readability — very easy on the eyes
  • Wireless Access — this is killer for me.  I get the New York Times everyday, every morning without having to step outside.  Plus, I can download whatever newspaper, book or magazine where ever I might be.  This is convenience.
  • Upload documents — I’m able to email the Kindle 2 documents that might want to read on the road.  This is great because I kill less trees and my backpack is 1/3 the weight.
  • Battery life — I’ve had no problems with running low on juice — unlike my iPhone 3G.
  • Cheaper books — I like saving money
  • Ability to consume more information — there is something to be said about having that if I have more information at my finger tips, I’ll consume more of it.  This seems to be true for me.
  • Eco-Friendly — not sure if they are made with some toxic plastic but I sure am using less paper

Here are things I don’t like:

  • Larger screen — I never use the keyboard at the bottom — make the screen bigger
  • Touchscreen — not sure how that would work with a digital ink screen but I still want it
  • Color screen
  • Give me blogs for free — they charge me money to read my favorite blog
  • Text-to-speech is over rated — I never use it.  I prefer to listen to a podcast or Ted talk.

Overall, I’m a fan and would recommend it to others.





Where is everyone?

11 04 2009

Well, it’s been a while since I posted to my blog — this seems to happen when i start a new job.  At the end of last year, I joined DigitalGlobe as their Director, Software Engineering running their office in Walnut Creek.  DigitalGlobe is the world’s leading provider of high resolution commercial imagery and the only company operating a constellation of sub-meter commercial imaging satellites.  You probably have recogized some of DigitalGlobe’s imagery within Google Earth and Google Maps.  Here is a link of my old home in Connectitcut with some of our imagery.  The lake labeled Candee’s Pond which resides on our property was actually renamed “Renato’s Lake” when I was 8 years old.  I guess the town had not updated their records yet.

In more recent events, DigitalGlobe satellites captured the North Korean rocket launch in mid-flight.   Here is a large image and here is a large overview image, both of them available on the company website.

I would tell write about what I’m working on but I would need to kill you.  In all seriousness, its probably one of the most unique challenges I’ve ever faced building software and wow, is it cool stuff.  You’ll hear more about it in the coming months.








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