What We're Working On at Zumbi Mobile Solutions - 2013

Mobile Development:

Our sophomore iOS app (our first, DTCcater^TM was released last fall), MotrAide^TM, currently in development, is slated for a second beta release this Fall. With this project, I was able to indulge my love of maps using the Google Maps API. Although, Apple being (well) Apple, threw me a curve ball with the disappearance of Google Maps with the release of iOS 6. You all know by now how well that turned out.

The death of Apple has once again been greatly exaggerated though. Despite the media pundits chagrin with Apple, and Apple's slightly lower market share compared to the beginning of this year, I'm still quite bullish on Apple. In fact, I'm saving my lunch money for the iWatch, whenever that comes out. Besides, Google Glass would be redundant for me, as I refuse to wear contacts.

I still hear the siren calls of Android, Window Mobile, and Blackberry, and in that order. However, it's important to, "say no to a thousand things," to quote Steve Job, in order to focus for optimum results and success. Still, I couldn't resist and I'm now running Windows 8 on a beat up, left for dead, what used to be called tablet PC, laptop. Plus, I'm currently taking the Android SDK via Eclipse for a test drive.

Kindle Publishing:

After rethinking our approach to our second Kindle ebook  project, and shuffling completing priorities, the revised project is on our road-map for Winter 2013.

Enterprise Technical Support

Demand continues to increase for skilled technical support services for enterprise systems. As these system become more distributed, complex, and dependent on third party platforms, the ability to adapt as quickly as possible to the needs of organizations and their customers, while leveraging our core competences is even more important.

Obama on the Aftermath of the Trayvon Martin Verdict

I held off blogging on the verdict because I did a lot of thinking, introspection, and wondering on the past, present, and future of race relations in America, including my own personal history. Like a lot of people I know, a cooling off period was useful. I believe President Obama's speech summed up the sentiments well, and is a good touchstone on where to go from here. Check it out, and let me know what you think about how we move forward individually and collectively.

Navigating The Storms of Life

More raw sermon notes, from the iPod:

Family Matter 2013: Storms

A storm can be to your benefit.
Press into the storm.
We lose sight that The Lord is with us through the storm. 

"Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them,  Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.  And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them,  Where is your faith?  And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." (Luke 
8:22-25 KJV)

God wants us to exercise our faith with the storms that come. 

1. Do not be intimidated by the storm, use the storm to your advantage. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do now. The storm is a test. Go where God wants you to go despite the storm. There will always be storms. Let God figure out how He is going to resolve the storm, because the resolution is beyond our comprehension. 

2. Give up controlling the situation to God. Focus on what you do know, not what you don't know. Keep your spirit strong. 

3. It's the word of God that gives us peace. Get into the presence of God.

4. Don't be bitter. Encourage people in the storm. 

5. Persist and persevere for you have a destiny. God says, "I have given you everything, you will overcome." Storms do not last forever. There is a due time and an appointed season to reap. 

6. Don't forget the storms you've already been through.

Occupy Brazil?

I have been ruminating over the protests in Brazil over the last week or so, not sure what exactly to write. I watched Bebeto play at the older-than-me Maracanã stadium in 2000, and saw the massive renovation of Mineirão stadium in 2012. I been to Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and Brasília across the years, and have experienced Brazil and Brazilians change over that time. I've seen the rich, the middle, and the poor, up close. Like in a lot of places, things over time have become better for some, not so much for a bunch of others. Still, I'm surprised it took this long for such a public outcry. I guess like my dad always said growing up; when you've had enough you say when.

 

Lyrics in English courtesy of Crimson.

"iOS 7 Is Like Getting A New Phone You Already Know How To Use"

iOS for the car - WWDC 2013

That's a quote from the iOS portion of Apple's 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference, I listening to this afternoon. This sums up why I believe Apple gets its customers in particular, and device users in general, in ways the pundits don't.

For the last couple of months, I've read articles about the demise of Apple (yes again)...if it doesn't release something phantasmagorical, tomorrow; like the iFaucet. Yes, a bit of hyperbole on my part. One of the things I've learned from Apple, but before that in the schoolyard, is that there will be folks in life that want to goad you into a fight, or push you do something before you are ready, able, or willing to. If peer-pressure doesn't work, the next steps involve taunts, jeers, and political spin. When this occurs, it's even more important to do you, as Russell Simmons would say. I'm glad Apple, is being Apple.

I'm neither an Apple, nor a Google, nor a Microsoft, nor a Blackberry fanboy. I own at least one of each type of device, but for different purposes. To me, that's one of the great rewards of competition in the marketplace. I get my ease and efficiency of use from Apple, navigation and ubiquitous cloud integration from Google, works-with-most-of-the-stuff-I-already-know from Microsoft, and no-frills effectiveness and durability from RIM (now Blackberry).

I still like my iPod Touch 4. It's considered antiquated to a lot of people, although it's only 21 months old. I still use it everyday; from listening to LL Cool J's, Rock The Bells, to app quality assurance testing. When I bought it, it ran iOS 4.x. I eventually updated it to iOS 5.1, and was an early (for me) adopter of iOS 6.0.1. I also picked up some nice features along the way, like iMessage with iOS 5.x and better integrated social media sharing with iOS 6.x. I was worried I may have to retire my iPod Touch to an expensive chess tutor for my daughter.  Now I'm curious to see how long I can keep bringing my iPod back into the future.

Resolving The Family Problem

My dad doesn't volunteer wisdom to me often, but every time he has, it's been on point. Not sure on the attribution on the following but here goes:

A father left 17 camels as an asset for his three sons. When the father passed away, his sons opened up the will. The will stated that the eldest son should get half of 17 camels while the middle son should be given 1/3rd (one-third). The youngest son should be given 1/9th (one-ninth) of the 17 camels.

As it is not possible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, The three sons started to fight with each other. So, the three sons decided to go to a wise man.

The wise man listened patiently about the will. The wise man, after giving this thought, brought one camel of his own and added the same to 17. That increased the total to 18 camels.

Now, he started reading the deceased father's will.

Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 camels.
1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 camels.
1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 camels.

Adding this up: 9 plus 6 plus 2 is 17 and this left one camel, which the wise 
man took back.

Moral: The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is to find the 18th camel.

Memorial Day - What Am I Supposed To Remember?

That question is from a movie I watched today called, Memorial Day, starring James Cromwell. On Memorial Day in the United States, we remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in military service.

Calendar-wise, it marks the unofficial start of Summer, and so a lot of folks go to the beach, have barbecues, and so on. Many attend parades to honor those fallen veterans, and others pay their respects at cemeteries and veteran monuments all over the country. Some try to do all of the above.

When I was a kid, I fell more into the beach and barbecue camp. Once I became a veteran, I found myself more and more asking myself, "what am I supposed to remember?" It never came in those words, but those words best capture the sentiment. I've never seen real combat. No one I knew personally (that I'm aware of) ever died in combat. Still, as someone who has served, all soldiers, past, present and future, are my comrades. I don't have to have known them personally, or even tangentially. All that is required is that they took the same oath I did.

I'm not much for parades, so I found myself at Oak Grove Cemetery paying my respects to some one hundred or so World War I veterans from Medford, Massachusetts. My habit as of the last few years is to see if I recognize a last name. It's a small world, so maybe I know one of their descendants. I think I might have today. Even if I didn't, so what?

After watching the movie, I too found myself looking at the "souvenirs" (for lack of a better word) of my time in the military, and more importantly the stories behind them.

While not all Americans are veterans, every American who isn't, knows, is related to, has seen, or is somehow connected to a veteran. These non-veterans may have never though to ask, "what am I supposed to remember?" If they are haven't, one day I pray they will.