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So now everyone and their dog has an ‘App Store’.  The death of the Internet aside, these online stores are missing the whole point of going digital.  The biggest cost of products today is the delivery and packaging. The actual cost of development is pretty meger compared to al the rest. This while online capitalism is killing itself fr companies who just don’t get it.  And it truely astonds me when I see a company that was born in the Internet age and would be nothing but obsolete if the Internet ended as we know it.  I’m looking at you VNC.

Case in point:

VNC is short for Virtual Network Computing. Their software allows you to remotely control another computer anywhere in the world, given a decent internet connection.

Somewhere between 1 to 2 years ago, you could go to their website, download the software and get started.  It was all free and it worked remarkably well.  It became a geks best friend as well as a beloved tool for remote computer support.  Now if you go to the site, you have to jump through all kinds of hoops ahd give up all kinds of personal information t get to the download page.  Sure, it’s easy enough to fake the details but what a pain.  Still, it’s free and works just as well.

Fast forward to mobile computing….tablets and smartphones.

All these gadgets have ‘app stores’ where you can download all kinds of ‘apps’. They aren’t as powerful as PC programs due to the limitations of hardware (relatively speaking of course. My Galaxy Tab 8.9″ has 1000s of times more power than a C64) but you don’t need them to be. There are all kinds that are free as well as paid apps. I am all for companies trying to make an income but this is where there is a MAJOR disconnect for manycompanies., like VNC.

Let’s compare the PC version to the App version. The PC version is free. The App version is almost nine bucks. Huh? They do the same but one costs and the other is free. Hell, if anything it should be the other way around because doing remote viewing on screens of a smartphone and tablets is kind of painful when you are calling down the equivalent of a 23″+ screens.

So, what does this have to do with them missing the point of modern capitalism? Remember when I said there are all kinds of free apps as well? Guess what, there is a free version of VNC made by someone else. I am pretty sure that there are some technical and legal reasons why such alternatives are available so let’s put that aside for now.

I want to show definitive proof that VNC has missed the boat. Here is a screenshot of my Android App Store showing VNC app (keeping in mind I am in South Korea, price is in Won, divde by approx 1000 to get US/CD prices):

10,000 sales. That is nice to see. That is nearly $85,000. A decent programmer won’t cost you that much in a year so safe to assume they are making OK money at this.

Now the alternative.

1,000,000 downloads! 1 freaking MILLION! Most people, if they are smart, will opt for a product made by the same company who made the PC version of their software. Obviously when said company decides to charge more than is necessary they miss the boat.

Let’s put forth a crazy idea here. Let’s say that the company understands that mobile computing is here and is stupidly powerful and popular, and actually recognized this fact (I hope I don’t need to remind you of ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS) and decided to only charge $1 for their software. Now do the math…..that’s ONE MILLION DOLLARS!! Gee, do you think tht might make them happy?

OK,OK, so maybe not all one million people will pay, regardless of any cost. I will take a VERY conservative 1%. Now do the math……that’s $100,000. Still more that what they made. 1% is MORE than a fair number.

Three words for ya. Missing. The. Boat.

But wait, there more.

Apple. They ate just as bad. I bought a $25 card t actually go throuthe process of buying from iTunes so I knew ow it worked. I was so thoroughly disgusted with the pricing I saw there I immediately left the iTunes store on my system and did something else. How the hell can they justify charging the same price as a physical DVD or Blu-Ray?! I don’t get any of Tue bonus features k none of the Easter Eggs, zero commentaries and definitely no inserts/pullouts. Fuck them.

Two years later and that credit is STILL sitting in my account.

And the corporations wonder why places like ISOhunt and The Pirate Bay not only exist but flourish with such stupidity.

Oh yeah, before you Apple Fan Boys try and point out that Apple is making money, feel free to do some research into marketing and realize that you’ve been rooked into sounding pompous for saying that “OhI just downloaded that on iTunes”. I’ll laugh when I tell you that I downloaded the same thing but got all the extras for free….actually I won’t. I’ll just not and spend my money I saved from iTunes on more important things…..like a trip to Indonesia or something.

(FYI, I implied the ownership of VNC and used the software name as opposed to the company)

That’s right Hamilton, the games you idiots (plural to include Bob Young & gang) lost is going to York U. Congrats on being so petty and immature that you guys can’t settle differences.

Shame on Bob Young for trying to tell a City how to develop.

Shame on Hamilton for letting this go so long so that it became a bigger issue in the first place.

I think it’s great that HostCo yanked the event from Hamilton. They at least had the balls to keep their shit together, make a decision and stick with it.

I won’t be surprised that no stadium gets built at all at this rate and leave all you fools whining and pointing fingers instead of building Hamilton to be the great City it can be.

Maybe I’ll come back to Hamilton, maybe I won’t. I certainly don’t care for the attitude it has regarding itself.

So I’m selling this 1992 Chrysler Dynasty. Here is what I get from my Marketplace posting on Facebook.

Damilola James July 31 at 9:26am Report
HI, a friend is interested in buying this car from you ,kindly let me know if this car is still available for sale she resides in turkey …so i have to pay you for her….and i will be paying you cash….but you will have to do the shipping to her in turkey…. if this is okay by you kindly let me know …i am a busy lady…no time for plays.

dammy

So not only is this obvious to just about anyone with half a brain, that this is a scam, it is also even dumber because of the car being sold.  So I just _had_ top reply….

Tell ya what, I’ll be a nice guy and give you 24hrs to close/delete your account before I report it to Facebook security you stupid scammer.

Who the hell is dumb enough to think that a 1992 Dynasty is worth shipping _anywhere_? Seriously!

So, like I said. 24hrs before I report your account.

Have a nice fucking day.

Sincerely,

The love of your life, Don

I added the last bit as I was able to see her last update on her profile (“Where are you my love?”) without even being her ‘friend’.

Funny, it seems ‘she’ changed her security settings now and gee, look at that….all the guys who posted to her wall are from Nigeria….

Click to hear: The Not-Very-Specific-News

I grew up in the North End, James & Burlington. I’ve seen quite the changes over the last 40 some-odd years. I see some of the hugest potential of any city sitting right at my doorstep……real estate, employment, creativity, all the makings of a great city and place to live.

But there is a problem and as always, it boils down to self-serving politicians(and that means people who are political in nature, not necessarily those who are political by appointment). The world is going through some pretty big growing pains right now and I believe it’s for the better. People need to be starving before someone’s sheltered world view is awakened. People need to be bombed before others realize that it’s really is a bad idea. And now we have people who get paid stupid sums of money for really joe jobs compared to the bigger world of business.

Now given the current economy, a newspaper article with the title “Wages doubled for some bosses” should be A CLUE. Let’s list some of the facts shall we?

Hamilton Health Sciences president and CEO – Murray T Martin.  In 1999 the position paid $339,000.  Our buddy Murray joined in 2001 and as of last year his pay was $705,811.69.  For those who need the math done, that is an increase of 108%!  When was the last time any job you worked hard at, grew (at the expense of your clients) and more than doubled your salary?

Let’s look at what’s going on:

Ontario has already lost 56% of the number of hospital beds per capita since 1990. The Ontario Hospital Association has not calculated recent cuts. Still, Toronto East General Hospital cut its physiotherapy, pain, audiology and cardiac rehabilitation clinics. Hamilton Health Sciences Centre will perform 1,200 fewer surgeries next year and cut 140 jobs, along with closing 50 beds — and these are only a few examples of the effects of cuts.

Fewer surgeries??  I’m pretty sure that the $366,811.69 increase in Mr. Martin’s pay would help get a few more surgeries and supplies needed…..

St Joseph’s Health Care president and CEO – Dr Kevin P. D. Smith.  In 1999 the position paid $311,079.47 and as of last year he raked in a whopping $704,016.11.  That’s 126% increase.  How you like dem apples?  Need I quote the above cutbacks again?

McMaster president – Peter J George.  In 1999 his position paid $240,499 and last year he was making a handsome $536,474.  123% increase.  A nice little quote from his page “He was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, on July 1, 1995.”  I wonder if he voted ‘yes’ on raising his pay every year for 10 years?  Wouldn’t you love that ability?  What is also interesting is that he is being replaced this year.  I’m pretty sure his retirement package will be more than 90% of what Hamiltonians make after 15 years of service any where….

I can hear the cries of my accusations now.  ”They work for that pay.  They are responsible for hundreds of thousands people every year.  They have done all kinds of good for Hamilton.”  Yeah, like sinking millions into renovations and making things look pretty.  ”But if the position doesn’t pay, there’ll be lesser talent running the place and if it doesn’t look good there’ll be less people willing to get help.”  What??  You telling me that Mr George would not be happy with only $300,000 for running a university?  Seriously?

I wonder if any of these places Boards look at the real world.  Ever heard of Google? How about CEO Eric Schmidt?  Do you know how much that little company made last year?  $4,265,430,000,000.  That’s profit AFTER expenses (and yes the number of zeroes are correct).  Do you think he isn’t responsible for influencing the lives of BILLIONS?  How much do you think he makes? Surprise, he just CUT HIS PAY IN HALF to $245,322 (USD).   Something else you should know.  There were two guys who founded the company, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.  These are the two brains behind that which is Google.  Can you take a wild guess at their salaries?  I bet you won’t even come close.  $1.00.  Yes, the number of zeroes are period are correct.  This would ALSO BE A CLUE  And guess what?  They’ve been making that for the last 5 years!  Guess who else makes a whole whopping $1 salary?  Steve Jobs.  You know, that guy who started that little fruit company called Apple.  There’s a whole list of such people.  That’s not to say they don’t make money in other ways related to their company, we’re talking salary here while the list of local money-bucks do include some taxable-benefits.  Regardless, their pay is way out of line.

So, the next time you are sitting at McMaster waiting for hours for your child to see a doctor in emergency, keep in mind how well the ruling body of the HHS thinks the CEO is doing and his $700,000+ salary.  I’m sure you’ll find it comforting.

Smokes, castration and “Nope, no extras here”

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Magic Brownies!

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http://www.900chml.com/Blogs/BillKellysBlog/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10052161

Are you kidding me? With all the other stuff out there to be concerned about about, they have to pick on a local business??? These are people who haven’t the foggiest clue about economy and society. This is NOT the 50′s where a woman would never dare wear anything that revealed a shoulder lest she be labeledlabelled a ‘lady of the night’ or somesuch.

Have these people even paid attention to the way the Catholic girls are ‘dressing’? They certainly show more skin than some stupid sing ever will! Not saying that it’s wrong but merely pointing out an obvious sexual demonstration compared to a frickin sign.

I suspect that it was some fat chick who couldn’t afford the belly dancing lessons so has taken it upon herself to campaign against such wanton display of sexuality.(see http://media.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/238063/916229.png) You’d think that the store put out a red light for business….sheesh. Hell, I’ll donate one just for kicks!

Canadians have much to learn about how the world really works.