The Crowdfunded Dream: Ubuntu Edge

Ubuntu’s homepage 5-days ago

Every army needs that seemingly hot headed “cowboy” who is not deterred by danger, risk and competition. He is the soldier you send to the top of the mountain so as to check if the coast is clear before you decide to engage in battle. He is the visionary. The brave one. The revolutionary soldier.

After a whole week of speculation about the sudden 4-day countdown found on the Ubuntu website on Thursday we were finally appeased as to what this “line where two surfaces meet” thing was all about.

The Ubuntu Edge project.

This project is an Indiegogo crowdfunded smartphone prototype that runs on the Ubuntu mobile OS (Linux based operating system). An OS that we were introduced to at the beginning of the year, the most evolutionary aspect about this OS was that you could shift into the desktop OS as soon as you attached the device to a monitor. Right afterwards (a month later), they announced the tablet version of essentially the same OS except it was designed specifically for tablets. Although Canonical had a great idea in mind, the OS was still a bit rough around the edges. Luckily, Hope was restored to Canonical when they announced that Ubuntu Touch would be stable by the end of May.

They then promised to ship some hardware by October. Yesterday, we saw the fruits (or seeds?) of that promise take form.

Take Revolutionary Form, at that.

According to the Indiegogo page, the device is said to pack:

The Fastest multi-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
Fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal display
8mp low-light rear camera, 2mp front camera
Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
64 x 9 x 124mm

Dual boot Ubuntu and Android

The big feature that I actually believe qualifies this device as a revolutionary stepping stone, is the new dual-booting ability of the device. The smartphone (yes, let’s not forget that this is merely a phone) can dual-boot to the Ubuntu Touch OS and/or the popular Android OS. And let’s not forget that once you plug in that monitor- that means you have a full on dual-bootable OpenSource Linux PC! With the engine specs listed above- it would be a pretty powerful PC too.

I think that Canonical needs to be given praise not just for becoming our fire-runner but also for their impeccable commitment and work ethic. I mean how efficient are these guys???

In 7-months they gave us: a new mobile operating system highly distinguished from those in its class; they then furthered this innovation by leaping this OS to the tablet market and then brought a revolutionary piece of hardware which could maybe even replace the Laptop?

Linux: an ode to my Love

kNerdArt tribute to Linux

Yes, the above piece of kNerdArt may seem a bit silly but really Linux was exactly that for my old netbook and I- a savior. Now, i’m not about to give you another overly-geeky account about the benefits of using Linux as opposed to that old WINhag. No, this is merely a layman’s account of a personal experience with the operating system.

I had been using Windows all my life till I decided to upgrade from my ancient laptop to a “cleaner” less-ancient netbook. I bought it refurbished from bid or buy for an extremely convenient price. Part of the reason why it was such a bargain was because it didn’t have an operating system installed… yet.

And I thought: I’m broke, I need to fire-up this computer and I’ve always wanted to try this Linux thingy. Long story short:

The installation was a Dream!

Everything was easy, personalizable and very quick.

Linux opened up a whole new world to me. A world that was not bound by great programs that you end up relying on only to find that the trial is almost over and you now have to buy the full-version (“I thought this was the full-version!!”). Linux/open-source software isn’t all free (price) but the beauty about the open-source nature of the software projects is that any great programmer can offer a cost-free, perhaps, more improved alternative of the very same software.

Best part is, unlike Windows, upon starting-up Linux for the very first time- all my needs were taken care of. The OS was already bundled with the necessary software (eg: the office suite LibreOffice).

As for the drivers…
Linux Mint (like most of the other distributions) has a built-in driver set or rather the ability to automatically download and install the required drivers (ie: for your webcam, Ethernet, printer, scanner, Wi-Fi etc.).

Image Courtesy of satyriko.deviantart.com

The Software Center.
Here, I’m able to download as many apps as I’d like and the process seems to require much much less! Every installation in the center is merely a click away!

Image Courtesy of news.softpedia.com

The Minimum requirements.
Windows 7 requires a minimum of 1000 Mhz processor with 1GB of RAM, while Linux Mint 15 requires a minimum of 700 Mhz processor with 512MB RAM. So on my little 10″ netbook, this made the World of sense. Also, if your’e planning on reviving an old computer… opt for one of the Linux Distros (distributions)- you won’t regret it.

No Viruses Baby!
“Viruses – Viruses and other malware continue to be a constant headache for windows users. Combating viruses is not only time consuming, but also expensive when we talk about using Windows in a large scale production environment. Moreover, there is always a need to purchase expensive antivirus software with yearly subscriptions, punching additional holes in your pocket.
Linux on the other hand has significantly less number of viruses, so you are considerable less likely to get infected.
In fact, I am yet to hear this from a friend or a fellow systems administrator, that they are using Linux, and that it has been infected! am sure most administrators or users must have had a similar experience.” – abstract from the Techluminati article Linux vs Windows.

Protection Courtesy of bablotech.com

After almost 2-years using this operating system, I can be sure to say that I will not be leaving it anytime soon. It just doesn’t make sense.
Linus Torvalds created a system that is built for ease, convenience, speed and freedom- I’m for ALL of that and MORE!

Come and join our Open Life– Where we are governed by one another as friends, not Big Brother

Office Utopia: Benefits of Working from Home

Courtesy of Kristen Rivoli Interior Designs

Wake up. You take that seemingly long awaited yawn and feel your whole face expand. Tiredly reaching out for your door handle, you manage to open it. You start brewing a replenishing cup of coffee. Still with your eyes half closed, you sluggishly manage to drag your feet about 6-more-feet and eventually sit on your chair. You reach for the power button and… you’re at work.

This is my Utopia. I have always wanted to work from home, since childhood. I could imagine the pleasures of walking around half naked while attending to a business call; or reading up an “important”office document while taking a dump…
These were the thoughts of my curious and insanely ambitious teenage-self. In 2012, I managed to get a job (part-time) as a project manager for a property company wishing to expand- digitally. The projects were not very difficult, this allowed me to work from home; live my dream- it was amazing. That experience became part of the reason why we plan to run ZooLoo Concepts from home like we always have… except this time we plan to make it more official. Yep, soon we’ll be calling on to Bob the Builder for some advice on… hammering nails?

A survey summarized in the Microsoft whitepaper, Work without Walls, puts to light the advantages of working from home from the employee point of view:

10) Environmentally friendly (23%)
9) More time with family (29%)
8) Less stressful environment (38%)
7) Quieter atmosphere (43%)
6) Eliminate long commute (44%)
5) Less distractions (44%)
4) More productive (45%)
3) Avoid traffic (47%)
2) Save gas (55%)
1) Work/home balance (60%)

List adopted from Forbes

The above benefits can also apply to you, as an entrepreneur. The parental factor of improvement in the above list seems to be costs. People would be spending less on time, gas and stress and spend more on family, productivity and feeling good.

Could explain how the late Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were so productive…

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in the first Apple “office”

Introducing: “The Catalyst between Robotics and Raspberry Pi”

Image courtesy of Rapiro

“RAPIRO is a cute, affordable, and easy to assemble humanoid robot kit, which comes with 12 servos and an Arduino-compatible servo control board. It is designed to work with the Raspberry Pi and its camera module.”- Rapiro

My obsession with #RaspberryPi innovations continues…

Today, it’s a cute little robot that can be programmed for more than just fun. You can program this little manto manage your calendar, wake you up and even to make you a cup of coffee. I keep saying this but honestly: the progressive elements that this credit card sized device has made available to society are just sooo immense!

The other day I came across a picture of what looked to be a portable LibreOffice suite powered by the Rasperry Pi

Turned out to just be a really cool LibreOffice cover for the device

Point remains, this device is going to elevate us to the next level of technological innovation!

Keep your eyes open for more developments

What’s so relevant about being relevant?

Courtesy of: http://www.shareyourride.net/

How relevant is YOUR startup?

Up to this stage I haven’t been completely clear about what ZooLoo is actually all about.
Well, if we were to over simplify our purpose it would be: staying relevant.

Many companies try to tap into a market that has already been tested and defined. They want to do this by creating similar products (as those currently available) and maybe add their own significantly jaw-dropping “spice” to it. This is not a bad thing given that your particular outlook on the line of business is a far more relevant one than your competitors. There is no point in deciding to venture into the expansive bread business but only plan to add one more slice of bread in your brand’s loaf and expect that to set you apart from your competition. Quite frankly, I don’t give a shit if there’s one more slice of bread in the loaf. For starters, I have most of my sandwiches made using an even amount of slices (2, 4, 6… You get the point). So adding 1 more slice of bread will honestly just cause an unnecessary imbalance in my life (wow, that was a petty argument).

How about this, rather make your particular brand of bread have no crust on the edges. Every kid loves it that way. Heck, even I like it better that way- therefore: your “game changer” becomes relevant. Thus, significant.

Reach for a target market that you explicitly understand, delve into the psyche of… Yourself.
That’s what ZooLoo is all about. We are a tri-factor of youthful awesomeness! We understand what our target market (varsity students and young professionals) wants because we are- them. We know what our target market would accept as “cool” because well… We Are Cool.

We are a lifestyle company aimed at creating innovative, relevant and smart solutions for the everyday aspects of Young South African Life. Innovative? My co-founder kicks ass when it comes to creating shit no-one would ever think of doing, not even under the influence of psychedelics! He is a psychedelic.

Relevant? If we want it, you probably want it too or you’ll eventually want it. Our team is so diverse that with only the three of us, we encapsulate the diversity existing within our niche market. Possibly also because we have split personalities (Check out Audio Skillz being his party self).
Smart? We use all the tools available for us in this current technological era. We always think “digital” when we start creating a solution. The Digital Space is where we (the youth) are everyday. Tweeting, messenging, listening to music, Facebooking and watching Gangnam Style on YouTube. So why use a hammer when I can use a nail-gun?

We do everything to ensure that we stay relevant and that we create products and solutions that keep in tune with this aspiration. Being online all the time is key, if you wish to stay in contact with your niche market. Staying in contact IS staying relevant. Once you start riding on the same wave as your market, your business will start encapsulating their needs, their wants and their desires.

Le Geek Bijoux

Jewellery has, for many years, been a way for a culture to express itself. It was a way that you could make your riches apparent, express your sense for the exquisite or even just to symbolize a significant period in your life. But one of the most common and perhaps most “primitive” of reasons for wearing jewellery is to convey one’s allegiance to… Anything.

From an allegiance to a certain tribe to an allegiance to a set of ideals and schools of thought. Catholic-Christians wear Rosaries; certain Zulu tribes wear animal skin on their wrists as “bangles” after certain rituals and South Ndebele married women wear neck rings as a sign of wealth and status

Courtesy of Wikipedia

So what do Geeks wear to symbolize their fraternal bond to Tech?

Fortunately, I came across a website that actually caters to our rapidly growing “revolutionary cult”. Boutique Academia offers a large range of products…

From “Print Hello.World” wrists bands

: To Ubuntu chains!

Boutique Academia is the perfect website for Geek Paraphernalia. Scoping through the website, I became heavily enthralled by the wonderful array of other Geek goodies!!!

circuit_cufflinks3__68498.1334080351.500.500

Circuit Board Cuff-links?

Now you can never forget the real value of Pi…. to like 7-decimals

After about an hour of ogling at the boutique, I found myself placing an order for the Ubuntu chain… sigh.

Interested in Learning How to etirW edoC?

It really isn’t as complicated as the title may suggest it to be.

Fortunately, there are so many established and emerging educational resources out there right now that offer great and easy-to-learn platforms for basic computer sciences. Most are especially suitable for those who don’t quite have deep pockets- or any pockets at all really. So now students can sign-up on these websites that operate on cost-free business models. Through these various schools, one can gain a basic knowledge of coding (whether it be Python or HTML or even CSS) and can, from there, progress towards another more advanced language and level of computer sciences- already having generated an understanding of the basic foundations of creating in code.

Here’s a list I’ve compiled to lead you onto the path of becoming a programming wizard:

For HTML coding (which is what is mainly used to build websites), I found that W3Schools has tutorials that are simple to understand even if you cant spell HTML. This site is also great if you just need quick assistance while stumbling upon a rock in your personal html code
For basic coding skills and understanding, I found that Coursera was the best. It is far more comprehensive and informational than its other “lighter” learning counterpart Codecademy. Which, I might add, has a pretty decent JavaScript course that doesn’t require you to download any software. Everything is “on-screen”

For Python and General Programming, this article gives you a great guide to get started with: How I Taught Myself to Code in 8-weeks!

Start coding and feel that child-like sense of creating again.

What Would Peter Thiel Do?

Peter Thiel is a very well known name in Silicon Valley for his major contribution to the current internet-revolution. He co-founded the giant online payment service PayPal in 1998 and got thoroughly immersed inside the tech-business world that is Silicon Valley. Immediately after selling PayPal to eBay for $1.5-Billion he started a global macro hedge fund, Clarium Capital.

In 2004, he became the first outside investor for Facebook- investing $500 000 into the company for a 10.2% share and a seat on the board of directors. In 2012, he managed to sell over 16-million of his shares totaling in a sale of more than $1 billion in shares.

But other than just Facebook, he’s made various early-stage investments in companies/startups such as: Asana, Big Think, Friendster, LinkedIn, Quora and many others. Most of these companies have played their own individual and significant roles within the greater startup -ecosystem that currently exist: “From” Friendster spawned Myspace which was then superseded by Facebook. Also “from” Friendster spawned a new kind of social networking website, aimed at professionals : LinkedIn. And from Facebook came… well everything else! I guess it’s safe to say that Mr. Thiel has or has had his finger in almost every pivotal-startup-pie.

So I’ve given you a brief introduction as to who Mr. Theil is- but why mention him today?

I have recently started to read a collection of class notes in the form of “startup essays” taken from his StartUp Classes. I found that Judicata, the blogger/student delivers his lessons in an easy, comprehensible and vivid “study-guide” manner that makes learning from these paraphrased essays a breeze .

If you go on to Blake Masters you’ll be introduced and directed to the first of these notes and essays from the StartUp classes.

He also offers some great insight on:

Check out this light, startup-friendly learning base on Blake Masters

RIM says: “Former-BlackBerry users, here’s BBM for you runaway kids!”

(“The title above does not in anyway represent BlackBerry. It is not an actual authentic quote but a satirical outlook on the subject”)

Image courtesy of TechCrunch

This is an entrepreneurial lesson in pivoting.

The BlackBerry Messenger app has, for too long, been in the tender confines of its futile ancestral operating system- BlackBerry OS. This restriction served them well, in that consumers were drawn to the OS for its very stable, affordable, reliable and very secure instant messaging app. But as time went by, consumers became more aware of and thus very annoyed at the frailty of this operating system. Consequently, there had to be a switch (to Samsung’s ‘Galaxy‘ line maybe?)

The smartphone manufacturer is now saying that even if when you do switch-

you can still take your (only) favorite BlackBerry App with you.

Raspberry Pi- A Step towards the Future.

Relevant Comparison?
(Image courtesy of Tested.com)

The Raspberry Pi came to my attention earlier this year, so I guess I’m a bit of a late bloomer in this regard.

I was drawn by the fact that the project was started with such a genuinely relevant aspiration: programming the future. The project was initially launched so as to re-instill a hunger and excitement, within school children, to explore basic computer sciences.

For those who aren’t too familiar with this device, it’s basically a credit card sized single-board computer developed in the UK. For more info, click here.

Now, that’s a pretty tiny computer… Which means that it can probably be attached to thousands of other bigger (electronic) things.
And that’s where I believe the Raspberry Pi’s true gem is-

The potential for creation.

By allowing for such a device to be sold to the public and at such an affordable price (R449.00); the gap between ideation and creation is shortened dramatically!

Want to make a Linux powered media player? Go here.
Want to create your own home server? Go here.
Want to full automate your whole house? Easy, just go here.

All of this, with a single-board Linux computer costing less than $35!!!

(And some minor accessories)

LapDock as a Raspberry Pi computer

A great thing is that the open source nature of the project allows for users to pick up where they think others left off and share that to the community. Thus snowballing into this massive cultural-cycle of innovative iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration. The fact that this single-board computer is designed to run on Linux further increases the potential for this collaborative community of hackers which will lead us to the future.

Let us think back to the days of the Homebrew Computer Club. This was, in today’s terms, the physical 4chan for electronic enthusiasts. Geeks used to meet up to trade parts, circuits and information regarding the DIY construction of various computing devices. The club was originally spawned from a group of Altair 8800 enthusiasts who wanted to see what they could do with the machine. Through its newsletter, the computer club initiated the idea of the Personal Computer and helped members build original kit computers. And from this group,23 computer companies were built- including Apple Computer.

This group of Altair 8800 Geeks managed to change the course of history by creating the technological culture of today’s Silicon Valley. And The Valley is consequently at the heart of our current Information Technology renaissance.

I believe that the current excitement over the inception of the Raspberry Pi coupled with enough enthusiasm and exploration could fast track our generation into the next technological revolution.

This device is pivotal

Project ZooLoo

A Journey that follows the Road of an Entrepreneur towards StartUp Success. Here is my Journey.

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