Using Computers to Empower Curious Students
Earlier this week I posted about a low cost computer called Raspberry Pi and how the benefits of cheap computing are enormous. At a $25 price point you’re able to be curious, try new things, and make mistakes without costly consequences. Its high upside and low downside. A few days later the NY Times ran [...]
Low Cost Options to Develop Computer Skills
Six years ago a project launched called One Laptop Per Child with the aim of creating an inexpensive low power laptop for children in third world countries. They’ve sold over 2.5 million units at a cost of around $200. That’s success. Having computer skills enables upward mobility. Another endeavor is launching at the end of [...]
One Long Corridor or Beautiful Design, Uniqueness, Perseverance, and User Engagement
Beautiful Design, Uniqueness, Perseverance, and User EngagementHave you ever been in a building with long halls that stretch and then turn. It always seems to be well lit where you’re standing and dim where the turn is. And when you reach the turn the new corridor looks the exact same? The exact same. And these are the times when no one [...]
September 2011 Jobs Report and Wages
Revised to a gain of 210,000 jobsHere are the job market and compensation numbers for September 2011 (based on the job report): Net gain of 103,000 jobs in the month (final revision to a gain of 210,000 jobs) – Analysts expected an overall gain of 65,000 – Private sector payrolls increased by 137,000 – Private sector service providing industries added [...]
August 2011 Jobs Report and Wages
Here are the job market and compensation numbers for August 2011 (based on the job report): No change in the month (revised to a gain of 57,000 jobs, also close to the original estimate) Analysts expected a median gain of 60,000 jobs or about half of July’s total Private sector payrolls increased by 17,000 —Private [...]
The Right Formula for a Startup
A Company Demonstrating InconsistencyEvery week there’s a story about a sure thing startup in the news. The idea is usually the hiding in plain sight kind, where it’s such an obvious opportunity that you’re amazed no one has thought of it before. A can’t miss. Unfortunately, many of these companies turn out to be Tuesday morning commutes – [...]
Reflecting on a Job Market – Employee and Employer
To gain significant wealth in the US you have to take significant risk. Usually that means starting your own business or being on the ground floor with someone who is. The individuals who put their neck on the line deserve the spoils of that risk. The last three years proves the fittest survives in business. [...]
6.5 Graphs Outlining the US Economy
I’m in a room that’s 8 feet by 10 feet. It’s just me. There’s a small box playing loops of TV shows, but I’m ignoring it. The temperature is 95 degrees but its cold in here. And I have a lot to think about. I know I’m going to pay for it. Situations like this [...]
When Ideas Come Together
I sit here and type. Sometimes I have inspiration and sometimes its a slog. I do it because I love when ideas come rushing in. It’s like the end of the Usual Suspects when everything comes together. Its powerful and rewarding. Good mysteries are fulfilling because we have to hunt for clues. They are rarely [...]
Split Personalities – Tax Breadth and Tax Depth
We seem to have split personalities when it comes to the news and our politics. In the news we hear about natural disasters and the sour economy. In politics we hear about the failings of the President and the deficit. Why are these two voices talking about different subjects? The truth is they are talking [...]