Category Archives: Reviews

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I’m often asked what I’m wearing on my wrist (it’s a Nike FuelBand) and then folks chime in with “ah yes, my friend has a different one” which then leads to a discussion of the pros and cons of the various fitness trackers out there.

I’ve been happy with the FuelBand1 just because its an easy measure. And with any tracking (weight, calories, time spent watching TV) until you measure, you don’t know how to adjust your behavior.

So, to folks who want to learn more, I recommend: reading the article at The Wirecutter comparing the various fitness trackers, start tracking, and then adjust your behavior accordingly.

  1. It has broken once but was promptly replaced. For what it’s worth, my daily goal is 3,000 “fuel” and I’m on a 34 day streak. I walk to and from work every day which is about 3 miles round-trip. ↩
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The Week is one of the most underrated magazines out there. I’ve been reading the paper version for years now so I’m very excited to see a well-executed weekly magazine done on the iPad. If you’d like a series of quick read articles on well-balanced issues and stories from the US and the world, check it out. It’s the only news source I need anymore these days…

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Scott Berkun’s latest book is available for download for free over the next day or so. He’s a great author (Making Things Happen is a must-read for project managers) and moving into the self-publishing realm. Spread the word and support good books!

Google+ Project invitation system is broken by design?

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I have a few observations about the introduction of [Google+](http://www.google.com/intl/en/+/demo/) to the social space. A lot of people are clamoring about it but, even as of last night, not nearly enough of my “friends” are on it yet. So what’s going on?

First, a social network launched by such an internet powerhouse should not be held back in this day. Sure, there can be bugs and beta qualifiers, but the network effect is already matured over at Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc. Launching a network needs to allow people to quickly and easily have someone and all their friends join in order to gain immediate traction.

Second, the first people who do actually join within the first week after the announcement are power users and super nerds because they know other power users. Of course, this is by definition: early adopters join early and others are expected to tag along later.

Third, I don’t see mainstream users jumping on after the early adopters because once you hear about it, you want to try it. If you’re told you have to wait, the social network has just missed its opportunity to be relevant. Think back to Google Wave, the first and *only* people who received invitations and joined were the early adopters and widespread usage didn’t catch on.

But finally, maybe this is all the point of Google+? Only power users and nerds are expected to use this and Google thinks they can really capture the social space of the individuals who don’t enjoy Facebook or find Twitter a bit limited. In a world where Facebook refused to use the word “Blog” to describe the “Notes” app, the fact [Google used the phrase “nerding out” and “geek out” to describe sharing things](http://www.youtube.com/embed/MRkAdTflltc) is quite telling…

DigitalOne raid by FBI: Instapaper vs. Pinboard

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I couldn’t help but compare the two reactions to the (potentially overreaching) raid by the [FBI on DigitalOne’s datacenter in Virginia](http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/sites-rebuild-after-f-b-i-raid-on-data-center/). In short, the FBI ceased a bunch of servers in a bust on Latvian crime rings in which two unrelated web services were affected.

Here’s an example from [Instapaper’s blog](http://blog.instapaper.com/post/6854208028) by Marco which rambles on suggesting the FBI may or may not have our data, our passwords may or may not be safe, he is going to make some changes soon, and takes a vindictive pause regarding the datacenter lessor (not the physical owner of the space):

>I’m not convinced that [DigitalOne] did everything they could to prevent the seizure of non-targeted servers, and their lack of proactive communication with the affected customers is beneath the level of service I expect from a host.

Compared to Maciej’s well-organized update at the [Pinboard blog](http://blog.pinboard.in/2011/06/faq_about_the_recent_fbi_raid/) which answered the tough questions: Are my bookmarks safe? (Yes) Does the FBI have my data? (Legally, not likely) Is my password safe? (Yes and no) And concludes with the following:

>**How can I get my data off of Pinboard and close my account?**
>
>Use the [export page](http://pinboard.in/export/) to grab your bookmarks, then send me an [email](mailto:[email protected]).

A conscious effort was made to keep the export functionality available although the remainder of the bookmarking service was degraded due to the lost server. This simple sentence reminds users how they can quickly re-take ownership of their data and disassociate with the service that may have lost their trust

Pinboard has actually continued to win so much more of my trust than any web service I’ve used to-date. Kudos, [Pinboard](http://pinboard.in).

23andme for adoptees

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There has been plenty of coverage of [23andme](http://23andme.com), lately[^1]. Like any self-respecting nerd (I took three years of biology in high school) I had my own DNA analyzed. If you’re not aware: you send a spit sample which is reviewed for known DNA markers to help identify traits, your propensity towards certain diseases and ancestry.

While I agree the ability to learn more about diseases (as an individual and the scientific community at-large) is an amazing step, I’m also interested in learning what was previously dismissed as un-knowable. Having been adopted at birth, I’ve only had a superficial understanding of my ancestry. Not knowing my biological family, I’ve had no insight into any history of diseases or traits, either.

For many people, they can say “grandma had Parkinson’s, and her sister did, too” and understand there is a chance they’re pre-disposed to this disease. Or people can look at their father and say “well that’s where these freckles came from.” Though incidental, these are experiences and conversations I’ve never had throughout my life.

It’s interesting to me how 23andme has closed a gap that some might not even be aware of. It’s helped shift knowledge back to the individual.

[^1]: I always point people to the WIRED article about [Sergey Brin’s search for a Parkinson’s disease cure](http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/06/ff_sergeys_search/).

Initial observations on Google Android

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I’m a huge fan of Google, it’s no secret. I finally found the opportunity to play with an Android device. I’ve used a first-generation iPhone exclusively since March 2008. I like change so I’ve taken a HTC Dream for a spin (using Cupcake 1.5) for the last two days.

I have a few quick observations that may or may not have been covered elsewhere:

 

  • The hardware is awful: I don’t know why phone developers are so terrible. They have been for years. Apple shook up the scene with a top-of-the-line expensive device and now it’s mainstream. It’s been over a year, why does everything still fall short (design, speed)? Just copy everything and at least pretend like you’re trying.
  • The software is awesome: I’m jumping into the game mid-stride with Android so what I saw out-of-the-box is very impressive (push notifications, background processes, video recording, etc.). But it’s arguably right on-par with Apple at this stage. Things like the notifications bar (I can see I got an email and text message and missed a call) and widgets (I can see the weather or the score of the Rockies game on the home screen) are like a breath of fresh-air coming from the very tunnel-visioned iPhone.
  • Slow slow slow: I don’t know if it’s the device, the software, or some mixture of both but it seems memory and speed are lacking. I’ll sit and wait for 5 seconds at a time just to watch an application pop open. Perhaps the background processes need a way that help the user protect them from themselves (yeah, I should open up 10 things at once, sure).
  • Awkward clicking instead of tapping: as of the writing, no pinch to zoom makes weird zoom levels that require a lot more tapping than a simple pinch would. This is software and hopefully Google will decide it’s worth sticking it in. It’s important to keep in mind, not all Android devices will have touch screens (televisions?) so it’s understandable.
  • The browser is hard for users: zooming, changing windows, opening bookmarks: all things I do often and require at least two-too-many clicks.
  • Application offerings are so-so: I’ve found a lot of great applications (tools, games, widgets) and I’m really impressed with what’s out there. There is a lot to be desired and lots of empty space to fill. Now is probably a good time to become a big player in a growing space.
  • No good media sync off-the-shelf: you have an SD card (awesome, removable storage!) but you lack the ability to sync with something like iTunes. You are forced back to the drag-dropping of files onto a drive. But if you don’t use this as a media device, no worries
  • The applications are as bad as the developer makes them: a huge criticism is the lack of polish on Android phones and in the applications. Sure, Apple hands you everything you need with their SDK, thus, you get a lot of nice UI elements for free. But, you get stuck with a closed system, an application “review” process, and a bunch of hoops. Android says ‘do what you want’. Think Facebook and MySpace: that profile page on MySpace looks only as bad as someone chose to make it.
  • More buttons means more depth: a lot of people look at the iPhone/iPod touch and see two buttons: ‘power’ and ‘home’. Though it may seem cluttered, the additional buttons on most Android devices (‘menu’, ‘back’, ‘home’, scroll ball, etc.) means more application depth. I can quickly scroll around a list with the ball. I can click and hold the ball (or my finger) to bring up more actions. Each screen can respond to a ‘menu’ button which allows you to stick things like “Settings” and “Refresh” somewhere where the user isn’t always faced with it.
  • Virtual keyboard and touch-screen is so-so: the original Android device only offered a keyboard (arguably much nicer to type on, I forgot about mobile keyboards! The tactile response virtual (on screen) keyboard is nice but the overall size seems small and tight. Oh, and the way I use my thumb on Android seems to ‘hit’ right below where I always intend to. Apple must do some calculating to shift those touches upward. (Put your thumb against a flat surface, the curvature means the top usually hits first and is immediately recorded as opposed to the overall footprint of the finger)..
  • Integration with Google Voice is nearly perfect: it’s not seamless, but close enough. I can send text messages from either my cell or my Google Voice number. I can set my calls to do the same. Maybe this way I’ll get everyone ‘switched’ over to my new, preferred number.
  • Additional Google integration: I don’t even know where I would to go change which Google Account is associated with the device. All I know is my calendar, contacts, and GMail are all there. No settings page, no picking ports.

 

As of right now, with a mix between the hardware offerings and software, I’d give the overall experience a 7/10 (iPhone is an 8, Blackberry Pearl is a 5).

It wouldn’t take that much to knock Apple off it’s throne; in fact, it’d be better for everyone. I’m rooting for Android but likely sticking to Apple. We’ll see if the costs outweigh the benefits in the next few days.

 

Originally posted at posterous

Rethinking food and farms: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

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I finished reading an eye-opening book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I feel it's a must-read for every American. Barbara and her family moved to her farm and lived entirely on the local production for a full year.

You may not agree with them, you may not understand them, you may not appreciate them. I put myself in all three buckets before reading this book. But being exposed to the ideas presented is worth everyone's time. I'm a believer.

We've all heard about how farming has changed (moving to big corporations) and how they destroy the environment (gas emissions from farm animals, lack of crop rotation destroying soil). But what is less appreciated is how we can change things by eating and growing food closer to home.

Though awareness is growing, this book has helped make it clear why we should change our habits:

If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That’s not gallons, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big difference

Also gaining awareness is the fact that we rely so much on just a handful of crops. Corn is in nearly every item we buy at the grocery store. From the sugar in soft drinks, to the feed that fattened up our chickens. History has shown this isn't a good way to live:

History has regularly proven it drastically unwise for a population to depend on just a few varieties for the majority of its sustenance. The Irish once depended on a single potato, until the potato famine rewrote history and truncated many family trees. We now depend similarly on a few corn and soybean strains for the majority of calories (both animal and vegetable) eaten by U.S. citizens.

I find it interesting that the more 'affluent' society becomes, the less good food we eat. We shift from water to soft drinks. We go from eating local fruit to munching on kiwi and banana year-round…

Because of this book I'm looking forward to trying new, local, organic fruits and vegetables. I'm excited about a shift in my diet and a new appreciation for food. Again, I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Some useful resources:

Posted via email from Devin Reams

Book Review: I Will Teach You To Be Rich

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I was trying to come up with an attention-grabbing title for this book to make sure nobody skimmed past. Frankly, I couldn’t decide between “great personal finance book” or “the greatest personal finance book.” Then I realized, the title sells itself: Ramit Sethi will teach you to be rich.

Ramit Sethi is a brilliant guy (he hired me once or twice) and there’s no doubt in my mind that he is, indeed, rich (you have to be to live in San Francisco). Insert one more joke here about him being Indian. Seriously, I’ve been a long time reader of his blog, aptly titled, I Will Teach You To Be Rich and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.

Photo: Devin Reams, Ramit Sethi, Jon Otto, Noah Kagan

More than just a book

This book serves as a six week, step-by-step guide to:

  • reducing debt,
  • using credit cards,
  • eliminating fees,
  • maximizing earnings,
  • automating finances,
  • allocating assets, and
  • reducing spending.

If these all sound like scary things, don’t worry, Ramit will hold your hand the entire time. His cheeky, informal writing style sounds more like your best buddy chatting about money than some writer on a soapbox trying to impress you with big words. This book is easy to read, follow-along with and teaches you all the things about finance you wish you had known when you were in your 20s.

Crash course in money

I took two personal finances classes in academia: one in high school and one in college. The former taught me lessons like: how to write checks (I don’t use paper checks anymore) and how to balance a checkbook (I use Mint to track that information). The latter taught things like: the importance of owning real estate (we all know how that turned out) and how to manually complete your 1040 form (I use TurboTax for that). Point being: traditional finances courses and books aren’t doing you a lot of good.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich cuts through the noise (Jim Cramer, anyone?) and gives it to you straight: start saving now, don’t invest in individual stocks, real estate isn’t the best investment, banks sucks, but despite all of this, feel free to spend lots of money (on the things you love). If you disagree with any of the previous statements, you’ll love this book.

Bottom line

Though I’m biased, I do think this is a must-read for anyone, especially anyone under 30. Plus, I have the benefit of hindsight: the book already hit Amazon’s #1 best seller and is still #1 in personal finance.

If I could walk up to each of my friends and slap them with a copy of this book I know it would make a huge difference in their lives. Seriously, I want all of my friends from school to read this book now. Pick up this book and start acting today. It’s not hard stuff, and even the simple things like setting up automatic monthly payments have huge benefits: you’ll never ever pay a late fee again. You’ll never have to remember to set aside money for investing. Simply asking for an increase in your existing credit lines means you can raise your overall credit score saving you hundreds of thousands of dollars in financing (if you buy a house or car).

Enough said: go buy I Will Teach You To Be Rich.

Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior

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UPDATE: If you’re looking for a free copy of the book, head on over to okdork.

I finished reading an awesome book that’s about to come out: Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior. These book comes from the same guy (and his brother) that wrote The Starfish and the Spider.

Ori and his brother take another Tipping Point slash Freakonomics approach to this book which is very successful and very good at communicating complicated concepts. By using stories I’m able to quickly grasp the idea, and then I have a vivid application of the concept that I can turn around and use to share with others. This is the kind of book you read today and talk about with everyone you run into for the next three weeks.

The main point of the book is that we are often drawn to doing dumb (irrational) things and making decisions that make no sense… but in reality, they do. These are some of the concepts that can help us understand why people behave irrationally:

  • We fear a loss: if we sense we’re going to lose something, we’ll do everything we can, and make stupid choices, to try and reverse it (even if we know it’d be smarter to give up and accept the small loss now). Example: stock market.
  • Incentive can actually deter us: Our brain makes a decision based on either the intrinsic (do the right thing) or extrinsic (give me $10) reward–but that financial motivation may backfire and prevent us from doing something. Example: your company wants you to find new business and you do because it’s a good challenge and develops your skills… but then they introduce a $50 reward–you decide that’s not enough incentive to sell new business.
  • We make a wrong decision if someone else does, too: studies show that it takes just one person to agree and then, suddenly a bad decision becomes a good one. A simple confirmation is all it takes. Example: crossing the street without looking when the guy next to you steps out.

Go read the book and you’ll realize, yes, this is what is going on all the time. It helps explain so many behavioral (and economical) decisions that, hopefully, the understanding of ‘sway’ can help you make better choices (about yourself, your products, your approaches, etc.).

Book Website: swaybook.com*
Amazon page: Sway goes on sale June 3, 2008

* Another book with an online (video-based) trailer. Very cool, and much better at explaining the book than I can. Check it out!