Google Wave preview

There is a certain degree of hype involved in any new technology announcement, but Google Wave is definitely an interesting development. Basically, this is an online communication/conferencing/collaboration system built on what Google promises to be open software standards. This is apparently not just a standalone product, but also a way for third-party developers to create compatible applications to work with and within Google Wave (think about how TwitPic works with Twitter, for a basic analogy.) I was especially interested in the concurrency features (allowing multiple users to simultaneously work on a single document without getting in each others way, for instance) as well as the Robot (for automation) and gadget (for application integration) functionality. Also, I had not fully appreciated the gap in performance between the JavaScript engine used by Internet Explorer as opposed to the faster JavaScript engines used by Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Here's the link to the article on Ars Technica:

Turning the tide: a hands-on look at Google's Wave

Friedman's speculation on "The New Sputnik"

I don't always agree with Friedman, but I think he has a point here. Maybe GM should start thinking about building small-scale wind turbines to help charge the Volt? Switching to electric vehicles isn't going to be a magic conversion: the scale of battery recycling and electric power production will have to increase. Unfortunately, most American companies (as well as the various levels of government) seem VERY reluctant to put any money into upgrading their infrastructure, let alone keeping it maintained.

From the New York Times:

OP-ED COLUMNIST

The New Sputnik

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

Published: September 27, 2009

China is embarking on a new, parallel path of clean power deployment and innovation. It is the Sputnik of our day. Unfortunately, we’re still not racing.

Let us see how well this SMS updating works. And then back to Exchange Server 2007 studying.

Starting off

Well, I don't have much to put here at the moment, but that's largely because I need to study for my Exchange Server 2007 test tomorrow. I can report that I did have a great lunch at the Beachside Restaurant in Goleta today. You really can't beat the location and view there.