First, the updates and points of discussion:

1. Microsoft is suing companies left and right

2. Yes, they (might) own most of the copyrights/patents for the essential technologies in software development.

3. Microsoft has managed to overpower companies that invented or produced a technology that people use and really enjoy, but now has to stop its production because according to Microsoft the technology infringes the terms of intellectual property rights.

Lately, Microsoft is getting better in suing companies - better than improving their own technologies. I understand the scope of intellectual property rights, how it can protect a company and destroy an idea or invention. Let's say that Microsoft has won in most/every IPR case, can this company be able to deliver the technologies they kill?

If they can - good. I'll stop the hate.

If they can't, which apparently is the current situation, then Microsoft is just getting richer, while some of use are getting dumber.

Of course, Microsoft still dominates the PCs and/or servers with their system and application softwares. But if we're going to talk about the web and mobile arena, I think they have failed to evolve together with their target audiences.

Well, Microsoft hasn't really been known as a company of innovation, Apple takes on that job really well. It's like Microsoft is still in beta testing mode after a decade of web and mobile evolution. 

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GREAT THING TO HAPPEN AND I'M STILL WAITING."

Have you used Microsoft's search engine - Bing!? You know the search engine that has a fancy page layout but fails to deliver the results that you really need? I check it from time to time to see if it's still alive. Honestly, I'd rather use Yahoo! than Bing. But, Microsoft was able to buy that system too, probably now they understand what went wrong while analyzing Yahoo!'s source codes and network infrastructures.

Come to think of it, Microsoft now owns two search engines, but most of us are still using Google. They have the money but it seems they don't have the right people to invent the things WE NEED.

Have you seen a Windows Phone powered smartphone yet? My sister bought this huge smartphone - HTC HD7 - and as usual the graphical user interface is great, I was blown away when I first saw it, but when we tried sending files via bluetooth it failed to detect my Android phone. Sure, games look better in Windows Phones but check out the battery life! If you want to last a day while executing multimedia apps I suggest you buy an extra battery or don't ever, ever forget to bring the charger.

How about the fees in Windows Phone development? $99. You'd demand that amount without any guarantee of returns in investment. AND, WORSE HAVE YOU CHECKED THE MARKET SHARE OF WINDOWS PHONES?

As a developer, would you be inspired to create apps because of 10% market share?

Oh, and don't forget the maps...ok, I'll be kind here...it's a work in progress too.

It appears that Microsoft is creating a huge hindrance in reaching the full potential of (technological) user experience, by slowly killing other technologies that they fail to invent or produce.

And that's what worries me, on a small scale. But if you really think about it and imagine the future, you might feel the urge to scream out of frustration.

In your phone do the following:

• Go to ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Wireless and Networks’
• Tap on ‘Mobile Networks’
• Choose ‘Access Point Names’
• Press ‘menu’ button and select  “New APN”
• In the “Add/Edit Access Point” screen you will mostly type the following values for these fields:

1.       Name: myglobeconnect

2.       APN: http.globe.com.ph

3.       Proxy:  <should be blank>

4.       Port:  <should be blank>

5.       Username:  <should be blank>

6.       Password: <should be blank>

7.       Server:  <should be blank>

8.       MMSC: <should be blank>

9.       MMS proxy: <should be blank>

10.   MMS port: <should be blank>

11.   MMS protocol:  Wap 2.0 <select the default value; leave as is>

12.   MCC: 515

13.   MNC: 02

14.   Authentication type: select ‘None’

15.   APN type: either type ‘default’ or ‘internet’

If it doesn’t work instantly you might want to go to an area which has a strong signal. You could also turn off your phone, remove the battery and turn on after a minute and try reconnecting by turning on "Mobile Network" in the "Wireless and Networks" screen; or try doing a long press on the power button and tap on "Mobile Network" to either turn it on or off.

You can always delete the APN presets of your phone if you like and set a new APN. You can return these anytime, while on the APN’s screen press the ‘menu’ button and select ‘Reset to default’. Warning: this would delete all the APN changes you had made.

You will see this icon when you've successfully connected to the mobile network.

Fee: PHP 5.00 for 15 minutes

For my next two articles, I would discuss how to use your HTC Desire (or Andoid Froyo) as a USB modem or a portable WI-FI hotspot.

(image source: IT Project Management, 5th Edition; Kathy Schwalbe; Cengage Learning)

The three-sphere model of systems management deals with the business, organizational and technological aspects and/or issues related to the project that should be defined and considered in order to select and manage projects effectively and successfully. In terms of addressing its advantage on the business side, a project should supplement or serve as an answer to the business goals; whereas, the technological sphere should state the proper hardware and software issues to be resolved. As for the organizational aspect, matters involving the stakeholders should be taken into full consideration. If the project manager would be able to point out as early as possible the aforementioned issues and integrate it to the project it would definitely aid in determining if an organization should invest and produce the project.

In my previous job wherein I worked as a web developer, I was given a task to convert a static website of a magazine into a dynamic PHP website; what prompt the management to engage into this project is the fact that the web has become more sophisticated and that there has been a major shift of “print” audience to the internet. You’ll find below the business, organizational and technological issues of the said project.

Business issues:

1.    Would the website be the medium in response to the impact of the internet in a publishing company?
2.    Would the website supplement the magazine in terms of advertising?
3.    What will the project cost the company?
4.    What would be the impact of the website to the sales of the magazine?
5.    What would be the cost of maintaining the whole system for the website?

Technological issues:

1.    What operating system, server platform, scripting language and database should be used?
2.    What will be the server and desktop specifications?
3.    Does our current network setup allow employees to develop this project, or do we need an upgrade?
4.    Do we have the right internet connection to support this project?

Organizational issues:

1.    Do we have the existing manpower to develop the project?
2.    What would be the impact of the website to the magazine’s print division?
3.    How will the website affect our print audience?

In my opinion the most important issues are from the business and organization spheres, since these two primarily follows the business philosophy – it would definitely be pointless if a project fails to meet the endeavors either on the business or organizational side – it’s doomed to fail if that is the case. Among the three, I guess the technological issues are the easiest to resolve.

I received this email from GlobeLabs, probably because of the Google & Globe Workshop we attended a few weeks ago. Anyway, I am sharing this to everyone:

***

Mash-up Globe and Google APIs to build commercial worthy apps!

Globe Labs is giving out five (5) one-year Globe DSL subscriptions or Tattoo packages for the first five apps slated for commercialization.

Ownership of apps submitted remains with the developer and all submitted apps have equal chance of commercialization.

Deadline for submission of applications is on August 15.
 
Make your great idea into a real app, then monetize it! For more details, visit the Globe+Google Mashup page in the Globe Labs portal.