Published November 30th, 2005
in Misc.
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I own a BMW M3 (E36). I bought it a year ago because I wanted to get into race car driving. I haven’t taken any racing lessons yet because the day of my first scheduled lesson I had to go and fight a speeding ticket, can you believe it? And the driving school season is over. In the meantime I have been racking up parking tickets, had my car towed twice and this past weekend someone keyed (scratched the entire side of my car with their key, on purpose!) my car!
It could cost as much as $1K to repaint the side of the car. Why would anyone vandelize a car…needless to say I am very upset, angry and frustrated. As much as I want to keep my car its becoming very expensive. The next day I signed up for monthly indoor parking, that too is expensive. I don’t know what to do. On one hand I love driving and the freedom it offers. I love the instant response and gratification I receive from a fast car. I love being in an isolated environment when I know I have complete control. Its so much different from family life or running a business or even investing where you make a decision and have to wait, sometimes years to see if it was the right decision. Maybe this is what I like about fighting too?
I can’t imagine not being able to drive it, even if its only once a week. On the other hand I am coming to the realization that financially it might not be the wisest choice. I’m torn.
Published November 25th, 2005
in Family.
I spent this Thanksgiving with my family in New Jersey. This is only a few weeks after complaining that my family needs to get together more often. I guess someone was listening!
There were a lot of people yesterday. I couldn’t keep count. There could have been 30 people easily. I got to see my sister, who is in college and North Carolina. I spent time with the cousins I grew up with that now live in Virginia.
Everyone thought I lost weight, which is probably true. The past month or saw I’ve lived on a diet of McDonalds, street food from the guy that cooks on corner near my office, and the Falafel place near my apartment. I keep telling myself I’ll eat healthy when things slow down a bit but for now I need my food fast and convient.
I felt at ease with my family and was able to relax and enjoy myself in a way I haven’t been able to in awhile. I was happy to see children play and it reminded me of when I was small at family events and I realized I had transitioned in life. The kid from long ago was gone, the aspiring young adult was gone. I have grown. I found myself telling the kids “I’ve got my eye on you!” and lecturing my cousins on how one establishes a firm handshake. More suprisingly, they listened. I’m a different person now.
Published November 22nd, 2005
in Entrepreneurship, Technology and FON.
If you want to see a interesting dynamic try marketing a new business. It’s tough. My team at SecurityLab are talking to people about a managed Secure Computer service. The idea is that whenever you are on the Net your communication will be encrypted. I’ve been told the Secure Computer concept is too “technical” for the general public. I don’ t think thats the case. I think most users will understand “no one can listen to your calls” “no one cant intercept your email.” That’s a marketing issue but technically it can and will be built.
Now I’m personally preparing to launch FON in America. Basicly its the ability to have your home internet everywhere in the world. Accessing hotspots around the world will be like accessing your hotspot in your home. You pay one price for access at home and have it around the world.
A good business person needs to be able to convince people that it is possible to build the unthinkable. So much is possible but many people don’t want to believe. For example, I could build Nuwere Cellular next week and offer GSM service to all of America and it would cost me nothing to setup. Sounds unthinkable? Its not if you setup a MVNO. Now you know its possible.
By the end of 2006 FON could have the largest network of hotspots in the world. Sound unthinkable? Think again. By the end of 2006 more then 1K people will be paying SecurityLab to make their home computers and laptops more secure. Sound unthinkable? Think again. It won’t be easy, but being hard is what makes it fun…
Published November 21st, 2005
in Technology and American Voices.
I am wondering if there is a market and need for a conference focused on minorities in technology? I think there needs to be a conference that brings together minorities in technology. This would include Hispanics, African Americans, Indians, Asians and even Caucasians working with minority groups.
The first purpose would be to discuss how to build technology that helps them bring services to their communities and the public in general. The second and more important is to create a networking event where minorites can meet and touch skin with other minorities in technology. Maybe new business ideas will be developed, maybe new friendships, who knows. But I think there really has to be a event where we all can just get together in a room and talk. The conference obviously wouldn’t be limited to minorities.
Published November 20th, 2005
in Uncategorized and FON.
Martin V. has sent out a call for arms. He’s looking for ISP’s who want to partner with FON. WIth the deal new users would have the option of joining the FON network.
Why would ISPs want to do this? For two reasons. The first one is that before you are FON ready your offer is something like “a ton of bandwidth for very little money”, after you are FON ready your offer is “pay for bandwidth at home and roam the world for free with FON” (Linus) or “milk your wifi” (Bill) For the consumer is the same 20/30 euros/dollars per month but the offer is radically improved at 0 extra cost to you the ISP. Now the OTHER very important reason for ISPs to sell their dsl/cable/wifi routers FON ready is that FON shares revenues made from ALIENS (users of FON hotspots) with the ISPs so you can turn all your customers into additional revenue sources for you, the ISP.
FON has already signed up two major ISP’s and allows users to download the software from the FON website (in English next week) if it keeps up its existing pace FON will become the largest WiFi provider in the world in a few months!
So tell your ISP to join the network! Or if you run a ISP contact Martin and he will set you up.
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