Automated e-mail greetings can be a hoot. Sorry for the spamming this New Year, it seems like there was a ferret stuck in my email (outbox) and a single line of text was shoot of for way too many recipients.

But hey, we are thinking about you guys, and looking forward to see you again one day.

I found this software about a year ago, and it has always come in handy when needed.

When I started using it, there was only 3 versions: Free, Pro and Tech Support. Now there are 10! It goes without saying that LogMeIn is obviously doing rather well for itself, and the reason for this is probably because it does what it’s supposed to with such little hassle.

I will be looking a the free version, as this is all the average home user will ever really need. Quick, easy, and simple remote control over your home machine from another machine, from your laptop when you’re near a hotspot, or anywhere that has internet access.

You have to sign up for a free account, and then download the software for any machine you want to control remotely.

You can enable and disable the remote control from the machine that the software is installed on. Once installed, it remains in the system tray, and even runs at start up. Although there is no setting for start up, it can always be disabled by using a start up manager like Start Up Delayer (or just simply kill/disable the service).

LogMeIn can go full screen and even sync clipboards with the remote machine and the host machine. Another very useful function is the ability to sign in and out of user accounts while still remaining in control. If your connection is slow, or you’re taking up lots of bandwidth, you can even lower the resolution and colour depth, making the remote connection faster.

Although there are so many versions, this one is just right for the home user. Although, as with every remote access app, you have to leave the machine on at home. No problem if it’s your server though. If you’re after free and simple remote access, then this is what you want.

Please read this article, and review your email structure. Emails is the best solution – sometime its also a problem.

Once in a while (this situation also occurs) is that the IT-Supplier market a solution as the standard of the future – and promise to deliver solutions with extensive support and manpower to support the client in the future.

This “first mover opportunity” – where the client is promised opportunity to mold the content of the solution – is something to be very careful off.  If the solution is of such a value for your organization – that you would be interested in funding the development alone – then please proceed.

If you find the above mentioned situation scary (to be single identify to fund the solution) – then proceed down the proven path – and change your procedures according other suppliers solution – you may not get the state of the art, but you won’t run out of money (if this solution isn’t your generate a tremendous value in your core business).

Basically, being the first mover isn’t bad – but it takes a tremendous amount of money and a lot of guts.

Once in a while (this situation also occurs) is that the IT-Supplier market a solution as the standard of the future – and promise to deliver solutions with extensive support and manpower to support the client in the future.

This “first mover opportunity” – where the client is promised opportunity to mold the content of the solution – is something to be very careful off.  If the solution is of such a value for your organization – that you would be interested in funding the development alone – then please proceed.

If you find the above mentioned situation scary (to be single identify to fund the solution) – then proceed down the proven path – and change your procedures according other suppliers solution – you may not get the state of the art, but you won’t run out of money (if this solution isn’t your generate a tremendous value in your core business).

Basically, being the first mover isn’t bad – but it takes a tremendous amount of money and a lot of guts.

During my work as IT-Consultant there have been several occasions where a project has been de-railed, and the discussion has always been – whose responsible (ie. Blaming someone) and who is innocent.

Basically, the discussion is not always that simple. In these situations – it’s always an advantage to look behind you (in the project phases) and investigate the reason for this “de-railing”.

Most of the cases I see one of the following patterns – and I do believe that this is not unusual:

The client is un-clear of his requirements.

The client has engaged the IT-Supplier (or his internal IT Department) in a project, which has a much unclear definition. The client customer didn’t do his homework and did not investigate the opportunities.
How often has it happened – that a project was established, and development begun; even before the final design specification has been completed.

It is amazing how often this situation occurs – and even more amazing that both customer and supplier engage in a project of delivery – in the name of good relationship – Just to find out that expectations and deliveries are not aligned.

Overselling the IT-Solution

Once in a while (well – quite often) I see the IT-people “overselling the solution” to establish a scenario where the software can be used.
In many cases – certain common sense and simple changes in procedures can solve “the mystery” and leave you with a more streamlined IT-installation and money in your pocket.
Does the supplier have an interest in selling such a solution into your scenario – I am not quite sure they have (although many will take the chance to push in another solution).

A client that is not content with the solution – or even worse a client who later in the stage identifies that the vendor has pushed in the solution – although it was not relevant will find himself in a situation where everyday will be a fight.
It’s basically counterproductive, and will in the end just resolve in a bad relationship situation – and the damage can be worse than the onetime profit generated.

Changing your mind.

Well, basically – this relates back to the first scenario – I don’t know what I want ? The worst scenario – since it does require what I have been told is called “to be adult”.. Basically – to take responsibility for the situation.

he scenario: The client changed his mind – he contacts the supplier with major (or many) change request to the project – simply to try and change focus in the project – instead of just admitting the situation – closing down the old project and resolve what is possible to resolve.

Instead of taking the blow (for the failed project) the war between the supplier and customer engages – and in the end the result will be a broken relationship. Neither party could be interested in this – as an alternative dialog, and change of scope.

But it’s quite amazing how of this situation occurs, and no one “is to blame”…

One of the things that have been preventing me from upgrading my (2004) decent camera is that I haven’t kept up with the technology. As cameras have advanced in features and the megapixels have increased, my desire for studying the dozens of models has not been present. So last month I did some homework and I finally made the buy.

I am no photo-pro or a wannabe that wants to submit photos to anyone hoping for a future paycheck. My needs were simple – I needed something for pictures of the kids, family life, etc. Regardless of your intentions, here are a few tips that really stood out to me and helped.

New gadgets’ won’t stay interesting: This one is obvious, but before you even begin looking for a camera, you have to come to terms with yourself regarding WHAT you will do with the camera. I always believed that owning a great camera would lead me to taking more pictures. Trust me, after the infatuation stage, the love dies and your sweet camera will sit in the closet. Don’t overbuy believing you will change. If you don’t have a love for photography, you don’t need the Mercedes of cameras!

Bigger may be better, but..: This was easily the toughest thing for me to comprehend. While you could indeed by an SLR (Single Lens Reflect) you have to understand that while the picture quality is great, the convenience is not because they are a bit larger. If your SLR is not always with you, you are most likely stuck taking pictures from your mobile phone (which are generally pretty bad). Again, know the goal here. If you want to carry a camera 24×7, consider the size and the likelihood that you are going to haul something with you.

Megapixels: More is simply not better. Oddly, I spoke to dozens of store clerks at EL-Giganten and stores similar and I was told 100% of the time that more megapixels = better pictures. I think a better equation would be more megapixels = higher price! Based on my unofficial research, this is a myth and findings are supplemented here and here. As someone that was a rookie camera buyer, this was an interesting and irritating piece of info. By the way, if you haven’t already, I would highly recommend you read the links withing this point.

Digital Zoom: Ignore it and focus (not a pun) on Optical Zoom. To explain this in a sentence, Digital Zoom is the camera doing guesswork as you zoom whereas Optical Zoom gives you a true representation of what you’re pointed at. Digital will result in fuzzy prints, especially as you blow up pictures.

As I said, I am still not an expert. I am just a guy that did some homework. Here a a handful of links that I found buried on the internet that you should add to the list of recommended reading before dropping a paycheck on a camera.

How to Buy a Digital Camera – A 9 Step Guide
25 things you must know before buying digital camera
Digital Cameras: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know
Buying a Digital Camera Help and Tips

Through all of this, the item that killed me is that Megapixels and Digital Zoom are labeled in bold on brilliantly designed decals on a ton of cameras. In fact, I would challenge you to ask the EL-Giganten guy what these really mean. I’d bet you result will be the same – -” the more the better”. Based on my study, that’s absolutely false.

In the past, being a good organizational man or woman was key to career success: obey your boss, respect the hierarchy, and put in your face time. The web changes everything, including what you need to do to succeed.

This article is worth the effort – and point towards how to see the Web Economy.

There is a short update om Jeff Han, who makes the amazing multi touch interface. Jeff has founded the Perceptivepixel company. The website is just a front page with a cool presentation and not much else.

Better keep this stuff in mind, what he is doing – It is the future. I don’t think many of us can disagree.

I am not really sure how to explain this.

In this demo, Jeff Han shows off (for the first time publicly) a high-resolution multi-touch computer screen that may herald the end of the point-and-click mouse. The demo, which drew spontaneous applause and audible gasps from the audience, begins with a simple lava lamp, then turns into a virtual photo-editing tabletop, where Han flicks photos across the screen as if they were paper snapshots

No it isn’t that it is so techie that it doesn’t make sense, rather I am speechless. For those of you who watched Minority Report and were drooling over the glooves Tom Cruise wore to control the computer, this is a must see.