What We're Working On at Zumbi Mobile Solutions

iOS Development:

iOS is all the rage, but not for nothing. I've developed in Microsoft .NET as well as tried my hand at Android OS, and I must say that Objective C, while different from (even) C# and Java, it's easier to ramp up learning curve-wise once the general syntax differences are understood. The caveat (of course) is that one has had some Object Oriented Programming (OOP) experience. Still, interesting challenges abound designing a proof-of-concept app for a catering company.

Kindle Publishing:

With the feedback from our first foray into Kindle Publishing, we are in discussions to publish a sophomore title for the 2012 holiday season.

Remote Technical Support:

For the longest time, in my experience, customer support seemed a two-ring arena: enterprise and consumer support. The latter ring appears to be morphing into two. The first ring remains the traditional paradigm of a technical experts helping a not-necessarily trained or experienced end-users on consumer products (e.g. mobile devices). The second ring leans toward fan-based product support (or technical sales support, for you business majors), where the end user had a history or expertise and affinity with a particular brand or product sector as does the individual providing the support. 

There are opportunities for both support providers and consumers. Providers have opportunities to create niche value propositions, and consumers have a wider menu of support packages to choose from.

Have You Lost Your Edge?

Today's church sermon revolved around the Bible scripture found in 2 Kings 6:1-7. This is where the prophet Elisha recovers a servant's axe head from the water by tossing a stick where it descended.

The pastor shifted to illustrating the axe head as a metaphor for our passion or skill-set. More importantly, not being able to succeed without sharpening ones axe head. The problem, he went on, was what happens when one has lost his axe head, or edge. Here are somethings to ask yourself if or when that happens:

1. Where did your edge fall?

2. When did your edge begin to get dull?

3. What are you going to do to get your edge back?

There Are Cat People and There Are Computer People

Once upon a time if someone had told me, so and so has eight cats, I would have reacted like, o_O (e.g. think Mr. Spock's raised-eyebrow expression on Star Trek).

Looking around my home office just now, I've counted one desktop computer, one net-book, three laptops, and four mobile devices. That's almost like having nine cats, except three of the aforementioned computers and mobile device are dead. o_O, big time.

Your e-Year in Review

Your e-mail "sent" folder.

Freedom Is The Elbow Not Bending Outward

That's a Buddhist quote I read in a magazine a decade ago, although I don't remember who it's attributed to. I was reminded of it when I came across a Christian scripture I had highlighted.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." - 1 Corinthians 10 (KJV).

I found the latter easier to explain to others than the former.

Grounded (2011)

Collective Subconscious Production's GROUNDED. The 2011 Boston 48-hour Film Festival entry.

3 and 9 Life Lessons

1. Whatever or whomever you believe in must be at least able to sustain you through life.
2. People make time for what's important to them.
3. There is a special place where the end of logic and the beginning of faith meet.
4. It's our relationships that keep us warm and alive.
5. Have kids, even if it's only for a Saturday afternoon, the rewards are astounding.
6. Sometimes, even when you're right, it's better to let the scenario play out.
7. Find something, or better yet, someone, to love.
8. Calculate, risk and win or lose, but if you love it, keep playing the game.
9. Take pictures, because one day, that's all you may have left of a friend.
10. Give.
11. Learn what Peradventure means.
12. Get your affairs in order.