Category Archives: Interesting stuff - Page 2

Microsoft vs Apple – stock prices compared over time

Posted by on 2011/06/23 No comments

I came across some interesting information comparing the history of Microsoft and Apple’s stock prices during the years. It contains a number of dates on a scale with major events or milestones for both companies plus what their stock prices were at the time. Apple might have struggled in the beginning but recently they have been soaring to extreme levels while Microsoft’s has been static for most of the last 10 years – despite some good products that were released in those times (Windows 7, Kinect etc.)

I’m not going to draw conclusions about the information – you can judge for yourself. If you are working from Microsoft then you’d probably be a bit worried though.

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How to make you computer talk at start-up

Posted by on 2011/06/14 No comments

If you want to try some different.

http://microsoftfeed.com/2011/how-to-make-your-computer-talk-at-windows-7-startup/

Now you can set it up to greet you – ‘Hello Dave. I’m HAL 9000..” hehe

Duke Nukem not so fornever

Posted by on 2011/06/10 No comments

Well, apparent the almost impossible has happened. For years it was black listed as just vaporware but now finally after years of waiting my copy of DNF is on its way.

I played the demo and was just semi impressed – actually, the only part that really impressed is that it was released at all and playable but… lets not beat down the king while he’s rising! You don’t play a game like this because it is better than other games – rather because it is a classic.

Now only the courier company must put some speed inside their delivery vans!

Soon it should be time to chew a$$ and kick bubblegum!

 

[Update: so the courier made it – perhaps he was chased by an pig alien… hehe]

Microsoft buys Skype

Posted by on 2011/05/11 No comments

Just in case you haven’t heard (like if you’re living under a rock or nuclear bunker hehe), Microsoft has bought Skype for something ridiculous like $8.5 billion! I’m sure some Skype execs are happy and heading to the new car sales agents already… 🙂

Things could get real interesting in the Internet communications and collaboration business. However, keep in mind that Skype was struggling a bit the last while and Microsoft don’t have a good track record of turning failing procured assets around – but spending so much money on something means they must have a plan (or are very stupid which I doubt).

As long as your Skype phone don’t start blue-screening it should be ok 😉

Who shot first? Han or Greedo

Posted by on 2011/04/21 No comments

This is a Star Wars universe ‘issue’ – mostly for the ‘fanboys’ as they’re called.

For years now there has been a debate whether Han Solo or Greedo shot first. In the original movie Greedo apparently shot first but in the remastered versions of the movie Mr Lucas had it changed so Han shot first. For the fanboys this is apparently a huge issue with endless debates. Only they will know why…

My take: who cares who shot first. Han won, get over it! If Greedo won the movie(s) would have been a whole lot shorter… 😉

IT salaries in SA

Posted by on 2011/04/19 No comments

I saw an article today about IT salaries in SA on mybroadband.

From the comments made in the article it sounds like there should be more opportunities around and companies should be looking around for more people (in IT) but it’s not quite happening.

The real interesting part is the table that list min/max and average salaries for various fields in IT.

The Cicada Principle

Posted by on 2011/04/18 No comments

If you have never heard of this then you’re not alone but after reading this you would understand it a bit better. Basically its about little insects called cicadas that lay their eggs so they hatch only every 7, 13 or 17 years depending on the specific species. In case you know something basic about math you’ll also notice those numbers also happen to be prime numbers…. apparently it helps them avoid their predators hatching every 2 ,3 or 4 years not to match up with their years exactly – or something like that.

Anyway, apparently the same principle makes for good web page (or any large surface) background making algorithm by using simple small colors and have them repeat in such a way that it still looks ‘naturally’.

Read more here..