Google Chrome OS: Opening a vein in Redmond

I need to study it some more, but here's my first take on Google's Chrome OS announcement (link). I think what they’re really saying is:

"We want to bleed Microsoft to death, and we've decided that the best way to do that is give away equivalents to their products. By creating a free OS for netbooks (the only part of the PC market that's really growing) we hope to force Microsoft into a Clayton Christensen-style dilemma. It can either cut the price of Windows in order to compete with us, or it can gradually surrender OS share.

"By using Chrome to set a standard for web applications, we also help to make the Windows APIs less relevant. So even if Microsoft manages to hold share in PCs, its OS franchise becomes less and less meaningful over time."

That helps to explain why Google would be pushing both Chrome and Android at the same time. If you're really serious about running a logical OS program in its own right, you'd try to rationalize those two things. But if your top priority is to commoditize Microsoft, then you don't mind pushing out a couple of overlapping initiatives. The more free options, the more pain caused.

The next question we should all ask is whether Chrome-based netbooks will take off. I'm skeptical, especially in the near term. Most people buy netbooks to run PC applications. Linux already failed in the netbook market because it can't run PC apps, and Chrome OS won't run PC applications either.

But in the meantime, Google can put more price pressure on Microsoft, and maybe that's the real point.

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME

IN GOLD COUNTRY! I include this out of sequence blog to illustrate how "way leads on to way" when I'm loose enough to let life push the surprise button. My friend Mary and her consort Jim invited me up out of the valley to gold country. Heavy rain caught me midway and I paused at this photo spot for chocolate and a nap---ended up staying the night.

Mary has influential friends and thought the world ought to hear about my wonderful trailer. One phone call and the TV guy shows up.

Bingo! I'm at focus, answering questions like a 15 minute celebrity. The backdrop is Mary's landed estate and nearby manor house. (deserving of a separate blog) Isn't it odd that she would find my tiny house of interest?

Mary's an expert at this and soon has me elucidating the vagabond lifestyle.

In we go--explaining bath and potty arangements; peering deep -- my 50 storage compartments filmed for posterity. Jim's too busy computering to make an appearance.

For two days they wined me, dined me and gave me computer instructions. I depart feeling a touch special. Good friends have that effect on me. They direct me to the town of Angel's camp, famous for------

Bronze placques embedded in the sidewalk celebrate champions.

Couldn't resist showing you this: the largest crystal gold nugget ever found--worth millions! Displayed in a nearby winery.

Randy Philosophizes: My friends make me rich--in countless ways. The nicest thing about me is that I let them.

WHERE DOES A KODGER SLEEP ?

THE NIGHT OVERTAKES HIM-------EVERYWHERE AT HOME
This blog entry is in response to e-mailers requesting details of my vagabonding style. So here in fair sequence are photos of my sleeping spots for the last 30 days.
May 30/31 I slept on the north bank of the Rogue River just outside Gold Beach, Or. Quiet and lovely--spent the day walking and blogging.

5/29/09 Brooksville, Or (out of sequence) Here is a perfect example of "seaming"--camping exactly between two entities so neither knows to which you belong. The house is unoccupied and the freight company has not marked its territory

I'm skipping Coos Bay Casino because I've shown it elsewhere. (stayed a total of 9 days there) This is where I parked for the night on a dead end street in Bandon, Or 6/7/09. The nearby car wash and adjacent motel camouflage me.

Spent three days and nights here during the chainsaw carving contest--a lot that no one seemed to use--only a block from the action.

One of the five places I slept in Reedsport---across the street from the festival.

Across from the Port Authority and near the Moose Lodge. (I was invited to stay in their lot for free but chose to move around)

6/21-22-23/09 I stayed in the Florence, Or. Indian Casino lot alongside 10 of my WIN friends.

(took this shot of my neighbors rig)

6/24/09 I slept in this quiet pocket of a the quiet little town of Mapleton. Decided to go there and wander around town as a mysterious stranger. Did so much of the next day engaging all sorts of interesting people. Was invited up into a super tree house---but that's another blog.

Stayed here the night of 6/25/09 about 5 miles south of Noti, Or alongside this abandoned railroad. Super spot--walked the tracks like a real hobo--Oregon is so unbelievably beautiful---lingered 24 hrs here.

6/26/09 Slept in an industrial district near Target store in Eugene, Or.

6/27-28/09 The back lot of Valley River Mall. Photo does no justice to this the finest free parking spot in America. Not shown is the passing Willamette river, bicycle paths, arched pedestrian bridge, nearby rose garden and of course the amenities of a big mall and theatre. Security personnel make you welcome---for two days.

5/29/09 Here's where I am tonight---don't know exactly where--Somewhere in West Eugene, Or. I pulled in to watch the news and take a nap--decided to stay. You can see if you look closely that my satellite dish is in stealth mode tonight--covered with a black plastic bag. (doesn't block reception)

RANDY COMMENTS: I pass my days in the loveliest places imaginable but nightime, after 10 or so requires that I find a sleeping spot. Being "invisible" as I am makes this really easy--rarely even thinking ahead where I will sleep. When the time comes, I merely cast my eyes about or take a short walk---inevitably discovering at least two suitable places to sleep. I've developed a keen intuition for locating quiet, inoffensive nooks perfect for passing the night.

Even if some benefactor paid for me to stay in an official campground, I would prefer my system because it's more interesting. To camp as I do is to nightly push the "surprise" button, ordering up from mother destiny something unexpected. Peering out of my darkened trailer I see wonderful, awful, sometimes incredible sights---surreptitous lovers embrace between storage containers----twice I've seen brutal fights---often I see curious cats slinking about in the shadows---several have made the daring 4 foot leap from my camper shell to the top of my rig--then stare at me through my clear vents; In Idaho once, I swear, I saw a man give a wild raven a drink of his beer from his hand.

And I hardly need mention that each night I sleep in the adventure zone means $10 or more in my pocket not spent on campground fees. Every three months I'm at least a thousand dollars ahead---4 thousand a year and 40 thousand this past decade. I can afford campgrounds--I just enjoy this game and prefer to slink about with the cats.

Two videos for mobile app developers

Just a quick note to let you know about a couple of informational resources for mobile developers.

--Motorola is starting the online publicity for its upcoming Android-based smartphones. They did a brief interview with me, asking how mobile app developers can distribute their software (link).

--Elia Freedman of Infinity Softworks did a great presentation on his experiences selling through the iPhone App Store, and the lessons he has learned. It’s well worth watching the video here.

It's best to watch both of these, and think about them, before you develop your mobile app.

A CONVERGENCE OF CREATIVITY

THE BUZZING SUBCULTURE OF CHAINSAW ART

PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED

My readers will recall that I stumbled accidently into this town and into the very heart of what would soon be a CREATIVITY VORTEX. I woke amid a hundred giant log sections like these--to be apportioned to an influx of carving artist from around the world--Japan, Australia, England, Germany, Canada and the USA. The action begins in a week---no problem--I'll wait--I am a master at amusing myself.

The big day arrives and I select this nice guy, Steven Higgins (posing here with baby brother) from Northport, Wa.(artbysandoval@yahoo.com) whose first day "quickcarve" I will document for you. Here are the rules: The artist must work alone. He has one hour and fifteen minutes to complete his piece. A loud horn starts and stops the action. The works are gathered into the event tent and auctioned off at 5:30 each day. The artist gets 25%---75% pays for the festival.

(there's more to the story---I'll reveal shortly)

Steven begins! Note he has an array of saws--all super sharp--to work with. He may also use any additional sanders, drills or woodworking tools he chooses. The big saw slices this western cedar like butter. All carvers and almost all festival goers wear earplugs or their equivalent.

First 15 minutes! He needed no picture for reference--measured nothing--just sawed away like a madman. Rarely have I seen such focus.

Second 15 minutes.

Third 15 minutes.

One hour!

Only seconds before the horn sounded.

This was the day's winner--carved by Steven's mentor, Mark Colp of Lakeport, Ca. It sold for $600. Steven's was second at $450. I hope you are as astonished as I am that anyone could do this masterwork in 75 minutes.

This eagle was third at several hundred dollars.

Now for the remainder of the rules: Each carver is given a log section to work on during the remainder of the 4 day festival--His "showpiece". This he or she (There was one lady carver) gets to keep or sell as they choose. Judges select the overall winner and eventually 10 carvers are selected nationwide for the grand carveoff in England---where the really big money is. Steven now 27 has been all over the world doing this. It is his career. Now I will show some of the three day carvings. (more than 25 altogether--this is a sampling of their creativity)

An Indian and a cowboy stalk each other.

Mountain man and friends!

Nude on a bearskin rug

This was my favorite!

Steven's three day piece--Bear in the middle of a waterfall during salmon run.

I think this was the best workmanship.

Just before the auction Sunday, this master carver showed what can be done in only 30 minutes with a block of ice--a lovely swan.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: This is a fascinating and sizable subculture like hundreds of others such as motorcycling, horses, sex, gambling, boating, religion, RVing, etc. Each of us likely participates in several. (would you believe there is a mule group in Tucson, Az)

Finding and participating in a uniquely appropriate subculture is important to my happiness.

Like most humans I tended to DRIFT, sadly downward, into merely "convenient" subcultures where I "made do" and "got by." I trapped myself with groups that were not a good fit ---and thus "lead a life of quiet desperation." I drifted into religion--for 3 years--a bad fit. When I found my own--vagabonds, philosophers and Unitarians--My joy and creativity shot upward. Have you found "your people" yet?

And speaking of CREATIVITY, here's a succinct definition: CONCEPT TRANSFER. ( get it? Creativity is simply mixing ideas---e.g. blend ink, ball and tube and voila you've created the ball point pen. Everyone has a head full of ideas and is hence capable of creating something new) I think creativity is one leg of the three legged stool of fulfillment: 1. Responding to our fascinations. 2. Waking up our creativity. 3. Becoming fascinating. (inspiring someone)

WALK A NEW STREET----ADVENTURES IN REEDSPORT, OREGON

Nightfall found me in some small town---time to settle in----I turned right, then left, trusting my instincts to find a home for the night. I parked in an open space among giant log sections, standing on end like Easter Island statues-----good enough! Squeezing behind a row of them, I go to bed---knowing in my bones--there's a story here! Turns out, I've stumbled into ground zero of a world championship chainsaw carving contest. I AM AMONG STATUES---TO -BE!
Contest starts next thursday, however,---- I'll wait. Meanwhile, I have a whole new town to explore.

My first acquaintance (Ed) who gave me the lay of the land---and water. (and told me his story: "fleeing from a drug-culture town-----I don't believe him! I've learned that people concoct a cover story for their circumstance--which story, in time and told often, convinces themselves and hardly anyone else. All cover stories are saying in essence--IT'S NOT MY FAULT--THEY DID IT TO ME. The hard truth of courage and creativity deficit is rarely admitted, even "superior me" doesn't always fess up readily. Few people lay claim to their inherent power, imagination and RESPONSIBILITY.) That's the Umpqua river behind him. Two more rivers converge here.

I found 3 more sleeping spots around town. This one I particulary like--it's near the action, quiet, apparantly rarely used. Who would guess that inside that nondescript box is a thriving lifestyle, speaking to the whole world and it to him. But I digress--

The point of this blog is to illustrate the experiences of a single walk last wednesday. ("kicking down the cobblestones---looking for fun and feeling groovy") I checked out this wall surrounding the town--flood controll---they had a scare some years back---got motivated. Of note is a backing levee on the other side---which New Orleans failed to include---and makes a nice walking trail.

Art deco style bridges sprinkle Hwy 101's Oregon corridor, the inspiration of a single man who wanted to put some beauty in his work.

Here's the underside of Reedsport's bridge---gothic arches and fluted supports.

Intriguing grove of dying trees----got the story later---everyone here knows why: Thousands of cormorants roost here--their poop coats and kills. (but specifically, is the fertilizer too much for the trees roots, "burning them" or is the coating on the needles the problem?--must find out)

A MOVABLE ISLAND-- That's how I think of live aboard boats. This one is anchoring free of charge here, a few miles inland, where the weather is coincidently much better. I've considered a lifestyle like this---have quizzed several who've done both RV and Boat living. Most think RVing is more stimulating and less stressful.

Red Hawk, Lakota Indian, master gardener, showing me his creation. He did all this behind his trailer park, expanding left and right behind his neighbors as they begged to be included in his project. Even the government gave permission for his garden to encroach on the levee. My friend Gail in Vancouver would love this. I stayed awhile appreciating the flowers, birdhouses, bridges, arches etc. ---An irrepressible urge to spread beauty. People like this make my heart swell.

And then---and then---I look up and there she is--just standing, what a thrill.

100 yds further, I'm shocked to see two bodies on a blanket---thought they were dead--not moving---took a photo--arm moved--they were sleeping--didn,t disturb them, though I ached for the story. I returned next day to find their bedding stashed in the weeds. WOW, this hurts me--the indignity . YEAH YEAH---I know they probably brought it on themselves. BUT HEAR ME AMERICA: WE CAN AFFORD AN INEXPENSIVE , DECENTLY COMFORTABLE SAFETY NET------EVEN FOR THE STUPID AND IMPROVIDENT.

My adventure here continues. You'll hardly believe what chainsaw artist can do in an hour and 15 minutes. And they will dazzle you with their 3 day creations. Stay tuned. (If I were religious, I'd think God led me to this tiny town---but I'm not)

Here's an appropriate poem from years ago.

WALK A NEW STREET

Walk a street that's new to you;

Notice what happens in your head.

Pulses of pleasure are released

Like bubbles in rising bread

Now some scientist has proven what

RVers knew was true:

Travelers feel a surge of Joy

Experiencing something new.

Endorphins are released, it seems,

When we see novelty.

Natural pleasure chemicals

Deep in our brains, you see

So now we know how to make ourselves happy:

Go do something new.

To generate fun just walk some "un"

familiar avenue.