A personal review of some Star Trek swag I have lying around.

I have a few Star Trek things sitting on my desk, in drawers, or around the house. This isn’t really a review as much as it is an excuse for me to talk about them. This is important since the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery is only 3 days away and I am getting anxious about the whole thing. Don’t think of this as a buyer’s guide as much as me, dreaming up an excuse to talk about Star Trek in anticipation of the new show.

What is a developer evangelist?

Much like asking what is the right way to develop software there are as many answers to that questions as there are people. But, developer evangelism or product evangelism has become a staple of companies wanting to reach a specific demographic in a particularly noisy marketplace. They speak, they listen, they code, they help, they advocate: but, what are they, really?

Software lessons from a hybrid

About a month ago, I was in the camp of rolling my eyes at hybrids on the road. To me their motivation was to save the planet. Well, it’s a big planet and a few hybrids aren’t going to supplant the egregious impact of a single volcano’s eruption. But then I started calculating my monthly spend on gasoline. My oversized sport utility vehicle and my turbo-charged crossover were fun, but expensive.

It’s easy math; a hybrid with a pathetic 13-gallon tank can drive farther than both of my other cars combined. Even though nothing is really created equal, hybrids have advanced enough generations for most to be similar enough that the brand you buy is mostly preference and price. I do some serious driving, so I decided to treat this adventure like a science experiment.

Merriam-Webster finally gives me what I have been asking for!

Listen, I love the English language as much as the next red-blooded American. A waiter’s improper conjugation and tense use can ruin a message for me, just like it can you. But if there’s any grammatical rule that has forced me to rethink my religious insistence on word choice, it’s this one:

Common Copyright Mistakes

Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the US Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.

• WRONG:
  If an image is on the Internet/Bing it is in the public domain
• WRONG:
  If there is no copyright notice, I don’t need permission
• WRONG:
  If I don’t profit from the use, I don’t need permission
• WRONG:
  If I remove the image after notice, I don’t owe any money
• WRONG:
  If I alter the image X% I don’t need permission
• WRONG:
  If I only use a part of the image I don’t need permission
• WRONG:
  If I only include a hyperlink and click it to show the image I don’t need permission

15 Easy Ways to Screw Up Your Next User Group Talk. And, a little advice.

In college, a millennia ago, I spent a summer serving Philadelphia’s inner city children with Bart Campolo. As a leader, he was an effervescent, tireless motivator; an excellent writer as much a speaker. As he verbalized his process he forever transformed my approach to public communication.

He explained two reasons for communication. The first, information. This practical, utilitarian task comes up from time to time, but isn’t the reason the world needs excellent communicators. It simply set a level across participants. If you were successful, people knew more. It’s as simple as that.

5 gadgets that have changed my life

I think I am pretty high tech. I have an electric blanket, I listen to internet radio, I carry a smartphone, I stream movies to my television, I talk to my car, and I’m a Technical Evangelist – it’s part of the job description.

Sorting out the chaff

As time passes, I buy and throw away gobs of technology. Lots of it is fun. Lots of it sucks. For example, I purchased the Google ChromeCast. Oh, the fun of talking to my television from my computer. It’s in a closet now. Useless. This article isn’t about gadgets that are fun but useless. This article is about life-changing gadgets.

Diamonds in the rough

By now, I have started to settle in on some key technologies that have changed the way I live. Made it better. Made it easier. Things that, should I lose them for any reason, I would immediately replace them. Essentials.

Charmed, I’m sure…

Oh, I know what you are thinking: “How can I contact Jerry?” Well, wonder no longer. Here’s my card for your armory. If you have a problem - if no one else can help - and if you can find me - maybe you can contact: me. Don’t share this with ANYONE. This is for you, and you alone. :)

Why you should stop asking “Why?”

The Director is responsible for calculating the trajectory of long range ordinances on warships. His shells can travel like a freight train more than 20 miles in minutes. He accounts for ballistic conditions like wind, gravity, weather resistance, and even the corellas effect (which is Earth’s rotation). His accuracy can bust an enemy bunker. And, his mistake can vaporize friendly troops. When he adjusts his guns, he does so deliberately and with extreme subtlety.  In fact, near microscopic adjustments to the gun’s pitch will shift the target zone by several miles. Today, computers called Auxiliary Predictors do this work. As a result, fewer antacids are stocked in the shipboard infirmary. But the concept remains the same.