HP Dream Screen Photo and Music Player

While I have not played with this product first hand I like what I see from the printed and video press on this device.  Sure it will not do everything that a full blown media server, multi room audio or home automation system can do, but I like the fact that it is another device that brings media servers to the masses.

While one would like for distributed audio and video to be more widely accepted, the fact remains that most of the public is just catching on to it.  Over the past several years the category has grown with items such as the AppleTV and Windows Media center as well as other servers. but the main interface for these products is the TV screen.  Most customers don't  want to turn on the TV just to listen to music.  Sure a good custom installer can add a remote that would control these devices without the TV, but that is costly and it does not help the general public who does not know about custom installers.

For the average person (and even me for smaller usage areas) this is a good device and will expand the world of custom installation and bigger systems.  Start them off with the basics and then the big systems will be asked for by more and more.

Make A Comeback | Billy Cox Championship Sales Blog

Set backs are always tough to deal with, but in these down economic times it can be even more difficult.  Being winner requires bouncing back as we do not always win.  Biily Cox has some inspiration to help you bounce back from any down situation.

Read the blog @: Make A Comeback Billy Cox Championship Sales Blog

Olive 4HD | High Resolution Music Storage

While most media servers allow for lower audio bit rate files to be played, the Olive 4HD can store and play back 192kHz/24-bit audio.  It is refreshing to see that someone is making a media server for true audio lovers and not just the masses.

Read the rest at Home Entertainment: Olive 4HD Home Entertainment

Sperm Whale Explodes...

This is a little of subject, but thought that it was very interesting and something to share.  While transporting a sperm whale to be examined for science, it exploded and made a mess of a downtown area.  According to the story, this is not a rare occurrence and happens more then we are told.  The reason for this phenomenon is that whales internals hold air to help them survive in the pressure of the deep water.  Being out of the water, there is no water pressure and hence the skin simple can not handle the internal pressure.


Very interesting.


WARNING: the video is very graphic and should not be watched by everyone.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/wild/3464/Overview/?source=4003#tab-Videos/06221_00

Inspirational Video 091127: Power of Decisions and Action

Another great video from Billy Cox, get in the game and make things happen...

Product Alert 091126: Defective Chinese Drywall Corrodes Wiring

If you are a CE Integrator, electrician, home builder, contractor or just a DIYer, be sure to read this article.  The consumer product safety commission is warning that imported dry wall is causing copper wiring in walls to corrode due to the materials it is made from.  Just one more thing to worry about when constructing or modifying a home...

 

Report: Defective Chinese Drywall Corrodes Wiring - CE Pro Article from CE Pro

Inspirational Video 091125 - Get Back Up, Nick Vujicic

We all experience set backs in our lives that make us feel like it is the end, this has happened more and more with the economy.  When we fall we need to remember to Get Back Up and stop thinking of the start and focus on the end result for the future.  This video shows us that even if we are in a bad situation, we can Get Back Up and make the best of a bad situation.

Are You Prepared for CES??

CES is fast approaching and Wright Technical Solutions is available to make the show a smooth one for your company. We understand what it takes to prepare for such an event as CES and know that internal resources can be overburdened with extra work in order to be prepared. Don’t let the short time frame or lack of staff prevent you from making this CES a success for your company.

Find out how WTS can help you avoid the frustration and be prepared:

http://wrighttechnicalsolutions.com/CES2009.aspx

Inspirational Video 091118 - Billy Cox :Follow Dreams

Staying focused on your dreams is important to success in work and life, when times are tough and you are down, remember to stay focused in order to succeed. 

Original Post: Stay Focused on Your Dream

Wright Technical Solutions Updates Phone Number

Wright Technical Solutions has a new phone number to make calling in easier..  The new number is toll free @ 888.407.9211.  The contact us page has been updated to include a new "Ring Me" button to call from the site.

Check it out @ : http://wrighttechnicalsolutions.com/ContactUs.aspx

How Not to Drive a Bugatti Veyron

Wonder if the warranty for a $1 miilion car covers this??

You would think that if he can afford the car, he can afford a boat.

Texan drives $1 million car into marshes - Weird news- msnbc.com

Technology and the Church: Automatic Holy Water

The church has turned to technology to help with the increase in the demand for holy water.  With the current swine flu epidemic, churchs all over the world have an increase in the amount of people praying and accessing holy water.  Churches in Italy have installed automatic holy water dispensors like the sinks we see in public restrooms.  It is pretty interesting to think that the church is turning to science to help with religion.

Posted on: msnbc.com Tech Watch under High-Tech Holy Water

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

GUI Creator Donates Proceeds to CE Pro in Need

In this day and age we seem to hear a lot about how bad the world is and how people do not seem to care about their fellow man.  That is why it is good to see a company helping out a friend and colleague in a time of need.

Background

Three years ago the wife of a friend and former colleague of mine was diagnosed with bone cancer, since then she has experienced the loss of a leg and part of her hip.  In an effort to make life easier the Chris Bauer and his wife Angela decided to sell their home and build one that is more handicap-accessible.  To help with some of the costs involved in this, Chris and Angela's friends have set up a website to raise money.  In addition an article was published in CEPro to let the CE industry know about a friend in need.

Good People to the Rescue

Guijaboard.com a website that creates and sells graphics and templates for user interfaces is donating proceeds to help out the Bauer's.  With the purchase of these templates you are not only getting a great product for your customers, you are helping out a family in their time of need.

Links to Sites

Original CEPro Article

Guijaboard.com CEPro Article

Tema Angela Website

Guijaboard.com

Inspirational Video: 091108-1 Billy Cox Motivation

Powerful words to inspire greatness in yourself and your team.  What he says is true and are words to live by, they are part of being a winner in life and in business.

Posted on Billy Cox Championship Sales blog and YouTube @ BillyCox01

The Art of Visual Thinking : The World :: American Express OPEN Forum

Intersting article, Visual Thinking is needed in all aspects of business and life.  I beleive highly in this and have use this concept through out my career and my life.  There have times when I have lost site of this due to situtaions and the culture of people around me, and when I have my performance has suffered.

With the world in the current state it is in economically we need more Visual Thinkers at all levels of business and life.  If we look at some of the big acheivements of the past few decades we can see visual thinking in areas for advancements in technology such as smart phones and Hybrid cars.  Our lives are enriched when this occurs and the world becomes a better place to live and work...

The Art of Visual Thinking : The World :: American Express OPEN Forum

Instant Concerts from EMI

We live in a wonderful time, with the internet and digital media formats our favorite recordings and movies can be beamed to our homes at a moments notice.  However, we have to wait sometime after the recording in a studio, at a concert, or filming of a movie to enjoy it in our homes.

EMI has a resolution for that..  Called Abbey Road Live, EMI will make concerts available for purchase through various formats directly after the concert has ended.  Imagine going to a concert and then being able to listen to it when you arrive home.  This sounds extremely cool to me...

Read the complete article from EMIs site...

EMI The Latest News The Latest News EMI launches ‘Abbey Road Live’

Why crutches may soon be relics of the past | Health Tech - CNET News

I came across this article on CNET and thought that it needed to be shared.  I reallt like to see technology used to better our lives, and this is an idea that makes that happen.  We need more advanaced free thinking people in this world, if more people were as creative and forward moving the world would be a better place.

Why crutches may soon be relics of the past Health Tech - CNET News

The Business of Integration

As integration companies are formed and grow it is easy to lose site of the operations sides of the business. Sure there are plenty of ways to run a business, and there is a lot of duties to be performed, but how what tasks are needed and what is the right way of doing them?

Running a technology service business is very different from other businesses, the proper operations for others is not necessarily true for the integration company. Technology people are generally more creative and more knowledgeable than the average worker and need to be managed in a way that does not prevent good performance. The attached article shares some advice from Custom Integrators on some do's and don'ts that may not be known by everyone.

I particularly like the part about project management, this is a term that has grown in business and while I understand the need for the skill, it has turned into a way to micromanage employees. Micromanagement is not a good practice in general, but especially not in a technology development or service environment. The creative free thinking flow of ideas required for proper operation is limited when micromanagement exists. I will talk about this in the future.

For now read the attached article as it has some helpful tips on proper opertaions of an integration company.

6 Secrets to Success - CE Pro Magazine Article from CE Pro

Don't Mess with the Mouse

Being a huge fan of movies and having been a bit of an art buff as well it is will come as no surprise to you that I love Disney and everything that Walt has created.  Back in school I would read everything about the man and of course his beloved mouse, the mouse we all know and love, well at least think we know.

Mickey may be seen as the cute cuddly everyone friendly icon for the happiest place on earth, however Mickey was originally created with a slightly darker element and was even kinda rude in the early days.  This mix or light and dark is at the heart of Disney and everything that Wlat believed in.

Being such big fan of his true nature I was pleased to read about a new game for the Wii that brings Mickey back to his original nature.  I look forward to the release of this game when it comes out.

Bringing back Mickey Mouse's dark side Geek Gestalt - CNET News

Most Popular Stories in CEPro - October 2009

October 2009 was a busy month for Consumer Electronics and CEPro had plenty of articles on varying subjects. It was a month filled with acqusions, new store concepts, Walmart announcing installations, and of course new products. The attached article lists the top 10 stories in CEPRo according to it's readers, they are very imformative and entertaining.

The future for CE is looking pretty bright...

Multiroom Audio, Horrific Wiring Top Focus - CE Pro Article from CE Pro