Notations For the W-End (Special Edition): On #Strength

One of the daily "must reads" for us here @ #Outsiders is a Minute with Maxwell that +John Maxwell 's organization publishes daily.    Our team settled on this for this special edition of "Notations For the Week-End" to underscore how anything can be possible to achieve a "Vision of the Possible" as our team embarks upon a new week: 

Today's Word of the Day STRENGTH Dear Friend, Today’s word is “strength”. I am overjoyed to be with Sonja Jones, who was a contestant on the hit reality show, “The Biggest Loser” and lost 144 lbs. Sonja is the perfect example of strength. Every day she has to do something that is not natural, fight a battle, change her habits, become disciplined, and find and use inner strength. No matter what your battle is or what you’re trying to achieve, you can find the resolve and make a positive change. Find your strength. Use it. If Sonya can do it, you can do it. Click the image, watch the video, leave us your comments and then pass it along to others, and together we can enrich the world. Enjoy! Your friend, John C. Maxwell Click Here to Play Video Inspire someone else by sharing today's message. http://johnmaxwellteam.com/2015-strength

The Friday Musical Interlude: Oscar Peterson Plays "Mirage".....

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders.   We hope all enjoy this selection from our Artist of the Week, Oscar Peterson as he performs:  Mirage:

Notations From the Grid: On our #BluePlanet

Our team has been "on the prowl" despite our initial guidance to "scale back" our work as we prepared for Daily Outsider 2.x, we have decided that it is critical for us to continue on-going development.

It has been quite a day in our World on the political front.     One of the more interesting things we saw was the awarding of the Blue Planet Prize to Professor Jeffrey Sachs.   As we hope to have comments on it soon, we wanted to share this "newsflash from the grid" on the true state of our World: 

"Either we will change our ways...or they will be changed for us" http://t.co/VoFrFNFO @guardian #blueplanetprize

— Green Cross Denmark (@GreenCrossDK) February 21, 2012

Notations On Our World: #Visionaries at the forefront of creating a "Vision of the Possible".....

We have been hard at work on "Daily Outsider 2.x" but the journey is not stopping by any means!!!   As our team was on the "prowl" for the day on the "Daily roundup", it ran across this that was on +The New York Times NYtimes Now App that was such a beautiful Story.  It is about those at the forefront of change to truly work to create a "Vision of the Possible" and we wanted to feature it here.

It is such a joy to be witness to history here in #outsiders.....

NYT Now: Five Visionary Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World

Read more…
Download NYT Now on the App Store

An #Outsider Newsflash: An Update Re: #Outsider 2.X

Our team has been working on "Daily Outsider 2.x" for a number of weeks now as the Daily curation and development has continued.   Over the next two weeks, we would be "scaling back" our Daily Columns/Updates to focus on assessing the current state and gearing up for Daily Outsider 2.0 during the First Week in November.   Our team will continue on-going development of the following:

• The Daily "Twitter" Curation at @DailyOutsider
• The Friday Muscial Interlude
• The Daily Update (From our Founder)

We are grateful for all the support and very excited about the opportunity to serve as we look to a future that is ever so bright:

Notations On Our World: On the Transformation of Technology w/Windows 10 & #Dell

One interesting company that seems to have had a "second life" is Microsoft.    Between the new Surface Book and other innovations, it seems to be on all cylinders.

As we continue to be amazed at Microsoft's "Second Life", we also have been quite amazed at what has been done with Windows 10 and the statistics published and available through one of our daily "must reads" here at #outsiders: +Business Insider : 

Windows 10 is the fastest-selling version of Windows in at least a decade 

Microsoft needed a hit with Windows 10, and it looks like it's got one.

According to statistics from NetMarketShare, compiled here by Statista, Windows 10 is now on 6.6% of all desktop computers accessing the web. Not surprisingly, that's a lot faster adoption than Windows 8, which was poorly received.

 
Microsoft has seen the light as other players are also scrambling to adapt to the new realities.   Microsoft has seen the "light" on the cloud with OneDrive and its' associated services.   Others are not standing idly by either especially as Dell just pulled off the biggest deal in Tech as it agreed to buy EMC for $ 67 Billion Dollars.    The new reality is here and now.    As we went to press, Fortune's Alan Murray published this which was quite interesting to note:

October 13, 2015

The Tweet of the Day yesterday came from Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz, who asked: "Someone please explain why HP is splitting up while Dell and EMC are merging despite the fact they are in exactly the same business?" Good question. HP CEO Meg Whitman sent a memo to staff predicting the Dell-EMC merger would result in "chaos." In a statement released publicly, HP said: "This is a real opportunity for HP. Two of our largest competitors are attempting a highly distracting, multi-year merger, just as we are launching two new, focused companies. The massive debt burden Dell and EMC are taking on undoubtedly means that they will have to radically reduce R&D, and integration inevitably will create disruption as they rationalize product portfolios, channel programs and leadership." That's strong stuff. But there are clearly two sides to this debate. HP's split is partly to satisfy public investors who like focused investments - something privately-owned Dell won't have to worry about. A question for Whitman: would HP have split if it had had a private option? Worth noting that when we asked Fortune 500 CEOs earlier this year whether their company would be easier to manage if it were private,84% said "yes." Meanwhile, Joe Tucci's exit from EMC will come with a big paycheck. Equilar calculates that the company's change of control provisions mean Tucci could walk away with $27.2 million. Enjoy the day. I'll be spending it with Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Washington, where I'll ask another big tech competitor, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, what she makes of the Dell deal. Alan Murray @alansmurray alan.murray@fortune.com

Interesting times indeed......

View of the Week: On Climate Change....

We experienced a heatwave in Orange County, California (our Home county) this weekend.   This is as we are in the midst of October and supposed to be on the "cool side".   Other parts of Southern California experienced triple digit tempreatures--although we're supposed to be witness to "rain".

This timely thought from +TED was quite on target as our World continues to be witness On the profound challenge of climate change.    For the Vision of the Possible to be sustained and enhanced, the admonitions discussed here must be embraced--The question is whether the courage is there to do it especially as the countdown to the Paris Conference is at hand:  

Imagine the hottest day you've ever experienced. Now imagine it's six, 10 or 12 degrees hotter. According to climate researcher Alice Bows-Larkin, that's the type of future in store for us if we don't significantly cut our greenhouse gas emissions now. She suggests that it's time we do things differently—a whole system change, in fact—and seriously consider trading economic growth for climate stability. Watch »

On the Eve of A New Week: On #Dreams......

It is the eve of a another week here in the #Outsiders network.    Our team chose this from +Jonathan Huie that goes to the heart of the mission of "Visions" and the broad objective we've had for Outsiders which we hope serves as an inspiration for all:

Enthusiasm is not the same as just being excited.
One gets excited about going on a roller coaster.
One becomes enthusiastic about creating and building a roller coaster.
- Bo Bennett

If you have zest and enthusiasm
you attract zest and enthusiasm.
Life does give back in kind.
- Norman Vincent Peale

The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age,
which mean never losing your enthusiasm.
- Aldous Huxley

Onward!!!

Notations From the Grid: Thought For the Week

Our team ran across this which we wanted to share that underscores a simple notion of how a "Vision of the Possible" can be made possible.     This is ever so true know as we reflected upon and reported on the horrific day in Turkey yesterday in our Ordinary Faces Channel:



Our team could not help but wonder who will be this generation's Ataturk.

Notations For the Week-End: An #Outsider Newsflash On On one our Kickstarter "backed" Projects

We have been on the "prowl' awaiting the arrival and testing of one of the projets we've backed on Kickstarter.    We wanted to report on the latest we have received as we await the opportunity to get our hands on it and starting working away and putting it through the "Trials".

Interesting times....

23 International C.H.I.P.ping: Much Fun Wow! Posted by Next Thing Co.

Dearest Kernel Hackers (and others interested in international shipping logistics), Two weeks ago, we proudly announced that we shipped our first batch of Alpha C.H.I.P.s. Over 900 units to 57 countries in one fell swoop. C.H.I.P.s are in kernel hacker's hands. Our forums are filling with tons of feedback and ideas.  But the fact remains... We still have over 100,000 discrete units to deliver to almost 40,000 people in 97 countries over the next seven months. A dress rehearsal was essential.   HOW C.H.I.P. SHIPS C.H.I.P. will touch many hands before it gets to yours.  Our factory in Shenzhen to our shipper in Hong Kong through customs in your country to your national mail carrier to regional shipping centers to final last mile delivery. Let’s take a breath and take a look at some early results. HOW WE DID... C.H.I.P.s arrived. C.H.I.P.s were flashed.  But we were not without hiccups.  Our logistics partner promised an average of 7-9 days transit time for delivery. Some Alpha C.H.I.P.s arrived before that. Some arrived within that estimate. Some arrived later. A handful have yet to arrive. 1) Our shipper prioritized batches with shorter journeys, which resulted in a much wider range of delivery dates. 2) Shipping integration tests resulted in tracking data becoming available later than promised.  This meant no individual shipping notifications were sent to backers and tracking data was sent to NTC instead.   WHAT WE’RE DOING We’ve been working closely with our shipping partner to get rid of these hiccups. Tracking issues have been sorted and every KHB has been sent a tracking number, regardless of whether or not you have received your Alpha C.H.I.P.  For most of KHBs, it will confirm the obvious: you have your C.H.I.P. For others, it will estimate the arrival of your C.H.I.P. If there is still confusion, shoot us an email atahoyahoy@nextthing.co. GETTING BETTER! We can get better. We need to get better. Fortunately, we are getting better. Lucky us, we have a chance to prove it. Alpha C.H.I.P., batch 2 is heading your way early next week. What’s changing? Check out this list... Better communication between NTC and our shipping partner. We’ll be receiving updates at each step of the way. Like GI Joe used to say, “Knowing is half the battle.”  Better communication between NTC and you!  Now that we’ve been through this once, we’ll be able to update with accurate shipping estimates.  Improved communication between NTC and you!  Now that we're better linked to our shipper, we can send tracking numbers much sooner, eventually automatically, upon shipment. Even better improved communication between NTC and you!We’re here for you across our support channels: bbs.nextthing.co,ahoyahoy@nextthing.co, @nextthingco. (we also still have a close eye on the kickstarter comments and messages)  We're always trying to break our response time records. So that's our shipping situation, in a bit more than a nutshell.  This first shipment was meant for feedback between NTC and our shipping partners AND our backers and NTC.  Feedback is crucial to us getting this right by December. Don’t hesitate to give us your two cents at ahoyahoy@nextthing.co. SO MUCH BUSINESS TALK...LET'S GET EXCITED! The 9 dollar computer is a thing that is happening! Tweet us your C.H.I.P. progress @nextthingco!. Watching you flash, hack and experiment is legitimately awesome.  Your excitement is why we’re pushing this giant rock up this giant mountain. So keep it up! Thanks for your patience. You are, in fact, the best. M.M.M.T.C. (much much more to come) hearts - Everyone at NTC (especially Ari) Ari. Maven of International Logistics.

The Friday Musical Interlude: Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland"

It is Friday here in #Outsiders and once again time for the Friday Musical Interlude.   Our team chose Earth, Wind & Fire as the Artist of the Week.     In spirit of our "Visions Channel", we hope all enjoy "Boogie Wonderland" and remember to always Dance as we embark on another weekend:

Notations On Our World": On the Changing Tech Space w/#Dell

Ever since Dell went private, it has been "kind of" laying low as it worked to dramatically re-orient itself.   One of the most interesting developments we've been tracking today is a bold move by Dell to buy out EMC and its' stake in VMWare.   Michael Dell led a private Leveraged Buyout of Dell with Silverlake Partners and now they're trying to bring EMC into the fold.  EMC has been a partner of Dell for years and it can fit reasonably well with Dell's Server Business.

We first saw that EMC was in play as we saw VMWare's valuation exceed that of the company that gave it birth: EMC.    The valuation is pegged at $ 40 Billion.     This is as Dell is plotting a move to spin off its' Security Business, Dell SecureWorks, in a IPO that is slated to be worth about $ 2 Billion Dollars.

We will be watching this very interesting development over the ensuing weeks as we just checked how EMC and VMWare were doing respectively courtesy of the data available thru http://www.bigcharts.com:

View of the Week: On the Situation in Washington (Brief Thoughts)

As our team finished a Newsflash earlier today on the chaos in Washington over the race to succeed the US House Speaker, we could not help but wonder about this admonition from President Wilson.  Embracing this admonition is quite crucial if anyone contemplates ever to create the ultimate "Vision of the Possible"--This is as the United States is faced with an impending Government shutdown and the Budget that has to be passed which will impact everyone world wide: 

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let our dreams die, but others nourish and protect them, nurse them through bad days till they bring them to sunshine and light ~ Woodrow T. Wilson

Thought(s) For the Week: On #Forgiveness

Helping someone is what life is all about.

- Willie Stargell 

You have two hands.

One for helping yourself,

the other for helping others.

- Audrey Hepburn

As our team continues its' on-going service, we ran across this courtesy of  one of our "Must reads" from +Jonathan Huie which we value highly and continues to sustain us to support in creating the ultimate "Vision of the Possible".   This is as we here @ #Outsiders remember the fallen who gave their life at the Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Kunduz and all the other selfless souls who go out of their way every day to serve and make a difference as they do.

Notations On Our World: On The Changing Face of Tech

Our World is changing before our very eyes.    These four leading "lights" of the Virtual World are at the forefront of creating content.   Although we're a bit "taken aback" as we here @ #Outsiders are in the "Content" and "Vision" business, we embrace and understand the future.




As we went to press, we were amazed by the commitment by Facebook on taking internet to the four corners of the World and as this very interesting article came out on the valuation of the leading brands on the Web today:

Report: 6 tech companies in world's most valuable brand top 10 Apple is the world's most valuable brand with an estimated worth of $170 billion, followed by Google valued at $120 billion, per Interbrand. Four other tech companies also made the top 10 -- Microsoft, IBM, Samsung and Amazon.Digiday.com (10/5), TWICE (10/5)

Apple is not on the "snapshot" we noted above--but they are innovating as a new report we saw on the Sydney Morning Herald noted about a patent for a "Smart Ring" having been filed.   Our team has just added its' name to the NFC Ring that we're due to receive in December.

Interesting Times.....  

Ethics & Humanity in Action: A "Virtual Visit" to Homeboy Industries

We recently "virtually dropped by" Homeboy Industries to see what was the latest as they were one of the inspirations behind us launching the Visions Channel here in #Outsiders.   This was amazing to be witness to as we hope to discuss this further over the ensuing weeks and months.....

Notations From the Grid: On #techwatch w/Some Interesting Developments on iPhone & Twitter

Apple, once again, has been breaking records.   We found it quite startling that this analysis was done by the team @ Business Insider on the true cost of the Apple iPhone: 

The parts in a new iPhone 6S cost Apple about $245 

Apple charges $749 for an iPhone 6S with 64GB of storage. But how much does it actually cost Apple to build the phone?

Teardown.com ripped apart a new iPhone to figure out exactly what's inside, and found that the total cost of components is $245, as charted here for us by Statista. The most expensive bits are the processors, followed by the touch screen. This does not mean Apple is making $499 in profit on each phone, though, as it doesn't include costs like manufacturing and shipping. 


We understand that--but it is so eye opening to see this in reality as Apple continues to break records.    It was also of interest to note that Apple's iPhone 6s is also almost waterproof!!!

We were also quite startled as we saw this: 


It will be interesting to see how the apparent CEO-Designate for Twitter, Jack Dorsey, will work to address this very challenging trend.

On the Eve of A New Week: Thoughts On Accountability....

We recently debated the idea of leadership and reflected upon the key requirements during our Daily "Curation" & "Planning" meetings for our properties.    We continue to reflect upon it as our on-going development work continues.

One of the key things we try and hold ourselves accountable to is this notion of "Accountability".  It was quite timely as our team received this from the team at the Business Source which we wanted to feature on Accountability which we view as central for any organization (including our own) to create the ultimate "Vision of the Possible":

Good leaders are problem solvers - that's obvious. But when we avoid conflict and don't hold people accountable --we become problem evaders instead of problem solvers. In this video, leadership expert Dr. Terry Paulson walks us through 3 powerful (and very practical) strategies to help you hold people accountable. The name of the video is "Effectively Confront and Hold Followers Accountable" and you can see it here. I hope you enjoy it! Best, Dan © The Business Source.com