Don’t let the title fool you

The Millionaire Fastlane by M. J. DeMarco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really wish I had read this book when I first started out in business. It contains so many of the things that I have discovered to be true over the years but would have loved someone letting me know ahead of time and saving me the heart ache. I also found the no nonsense style of writing very appealing.

At first glance, the title of the book can be deceiving. Put those fears aside and read it, you’ll be glad you did. This is a book that will challenge your perception of being financially successful and give you a practical formula to what brings results.

As with many successful ideas you’ll probably have to go against the grain and do things differently from what is generally accepted. This is where this book will challenge many misconceptions and provide recommendations on what really drives success.

For some, the book may be very confronting and this could perhaps turn readers away. However, in many respects if you really want to be successful you need a jolt to make you think, to challenge the path you are on and help you understand what you want to achieve.

Being a fan of the four hour work week I was a little disappointed that it was referred to in a negative light. However, upon further consideration I accept that many people do not understand the principles it espouses. The same could be said of this book which covers many similar concepts but in a different way. Neither book encourages ‘quickie’ solutions, they challenge the reader to understand what they want and how to practically achieve it.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book and have included as one of my preferred business books to revisit on a regular basis. I found that it provided excellent information as well as solutions that you can implement. It is certainly easy and enjoyable to read.

Don’t let the cover fool you, this is a must read book for anyone who truly want to achieve the freedom to live their dreams. The book isn’t about short cuts or fantasies it is about doing the hard yards but doing them in practical and intelligent manner.
View all my reviews

You can obtain this book through my Amazon affiliate store at:

http://astore.amazon.com/c00ef-20/detail/B004BDOUAI

Any sales provides me a small commission that I put back into obtaining books to review.

Book Review

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Enterprise Applications on Windows Phone 7 by Todd Spatafore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I must preface this review by firstly saying that a copy of this book was provided to me free of charge to review and secondly I am not a developer. I would also say that in many respects the demand for such a book would be limited given the current poor penetration of Windows Phone 7.

That said the book does achieve what it sets out to achieve, basically. I view this book as more of an introduction of what is possible rather than a deep dive into creating Windows Phone 7 SharePoint applications. My expectation was that the book would focus more heavily on the Windows Phone 7 application development but it was disappointed that it spent a significant amount of time running over the basics, especially of SharePoint.

As a general introduction to both Sharepoint and Windows Phone 7 I think the book really hits the mark, especially when it comes to Windows Phone 7. However, I felt that it should go deeper, which may be an incorrect assumption on my part. I am left feeling that there is so much more that could be achieved but this book doesn’t quite take me there.

I would certainly commend the book as a great introduction to Windows Phone 7 and what is possible when combined with SharePoint. However, I’m puzzled by which audience it is aimed at. If it is developers then the book probably doesn’t go deep enough. If it is for SharePoint users then the Windows Phone 7 parts add a distraction.

In summary, the book is an excellent introduction to the world Windows Phone 7 and the integration possibilities with SharePoint. However, it is not something designed for the hard core developer looking for a deep drive technical reference.
View all my reviews

You can purchase the book at – https://www.packtpub.com/microsoft-sharepoint-2010-enterprise-applications-on-windows-phone-7/book

Unfazed

I found the following article via the Sydney Morning Herald app on my iPad but for some reason it doesn’t appear in the online version (or at least that I can find). Which is strange, but here it is with my commentary below:

JULY 27, 2011

Customers unfazed by spike in computer glitches, survey reveals

FATIMA KDOUH

THE inconvenience caused to bank customers by meltdowns in information technology does not appear to have had an impact on levels of customer satisfaction with the big four banks.

Figures from the most recent survey of consumer attitudes by Roy Morgan Research continued on an upward trend of 1.2 per cent in June, with 75 per cent of customers saying they were satisfied with their bank despite a recent spike in system glitches across all four banks.

The latest system failure at Westpac, which delayed the processing of payments, was being blamed on a ”corrupt file”.

The bank, which has recently embarked on an ambitious, $2 billion computer-system upgrade, insisted yesterday the failure was not a result of any scheduled computer revamp.

The latest headache for Westpac customers is one of a long list of upsets for bank customers in recent times. In April, NAB customers were left unable to access their pay after a processing failure. In May, ANZ customers were unable to access their online accounts and, a month later, a technical error prevented Commonwealth Bank customers from using their online banking accounts.

The Commonwealth and NAB are undertaking billion-dollar ”core migration” upgrades of their computer systems, and the Commonwealth is well ahead of its rivals.

But ANZ, which has more modern core systems than its rivals, recently said it would not invest in major upgrades of its existing computer technology.

The upgrades are complex and involve replacing technology that in some cases is decades old, making teething problems like those experienced of late inevitable.

– My comments –

So why is that relevant? Well, to me it indicates that for all the sensationalism about service level agreements and uptimes with cloud computing it seems, from the above anyway, that most people are willing to put up with glitches.

There seems to be this belief that moving to the cloud should guarantee 100% uptime. If it involves technology and if it involves human beings then there is always going to be the chance of downtime. Much the like the banking systems detailed above, such large system are much more reliable in the cloud but they will never be perfect.

The key here is:

“does not appear to have had an impact on levels of customer satisfaction”

Why? Because most customers understand the complexity of these systems and expect issues now and again. Sure, there is a point when enough issues will start impacting their levels of satisfaction but I’d say that if this is the case with banks why won’t it be the same for cloud computing? And why are all these pundits screaming about the unreliability of moving to the cloud? Simple, you get more attention for sensationalism than you do for reality, although reality wins out in the long run. So too will cloud computing. Customers don’t expect it to be perfect but they are happiest when the costs are kept down, which is what moving to the cloud is doing to the cost of technology for most businesses. For that reduction in price most are prepared to tolerate ‘glitches’.

Book review–Zero day

Zero Day by Mark Russinovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Certainly a great read, even more appealing if you are into technology. Mark is well known technology expert who has turned his hand to also writing a novel with great effect. Some of the technical aspects and insights in this book come directly from his experience and skill.

The books is easy to read and enjoyable by any audience who enjoys thrillers. I found the first part of the book really engrossing however I felt that this wasn’t quite matched by the the second half. It was at this point that the plot expanded beyond its initial focus to be something that I felt was taking the well trodden path of global terrorism which it possibly did not need to take.

Unfortunately, I felt that widening the story to include these aspects moved the book beyond the realm of reality and little and made it feel cliché. Overall it was still page turner as I became in engrossed with learning the conclusion of the events. Even thought the whole plot is plausible I just felt talking it down the path of the ‘war on terror’ didn’t allow it to stand apart from similar books.

However, that said, I still highly recommend the book as something reader will enjoy. You’ll probably also enjoy it even more if you are into technology as the quality of subject matter shines through here. It makes a great modern day thriller and I reckon a feature movie can’t be far away.
View all my reviews

If you plan on purchasing this book, and you liked my review, appreciate it if you could do so through my Amazon store at:

http://astore.amazon.com/c00ef-20/detail/B00457X7XQ

helps me in a small way to buy more books for review. You’ll find all my top reading recommendations for business, technology, fiction etc at:

http://amazon.ciaops.com

No axe sharpening here

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
– Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President).

I’ve always liked this ‘productivity tip’ from old ‘honest Abe’ but have got to say that I don’t see many people heeding it.

On of the things I remember once that someone said about why Bill Gates was so successful was the fact that he woke up every day absolutely petrified that his competition was catching him. This drove him and his business to achieve so much and still be a bell weather of the technology industry it is today ($23 billion profit on $70 billion in revenues).

When I look around I see people doing the same old things, the same old ways. I see it many times when you try and help someone understand the potential that SharePoint could bring to their business. Many are simply not prepared (or willing) to invest the time to learn how to potentially do things better (no axe sharpening here mentality).

Generally, if you want to do better than what you get paid to work you need to invest your money. The more risk you take, the more potential reward you receive is as true as it’s even been. An intelligent business person works out the minimum risk for the maximum return. Again, I see very little of this out there at the moment.

Seems to me that most people’s poor time management skills and planning don’t allow them the time to invest (or sharpen their axe) in making things better. They are constantly putting out fires complaining all the while that things will improve. Reminds me of another cliché that seems to be truer now than it ever was:

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing yet expecting a different result.

So many businesses and individuals I see complete the same processes over and over again without any mind as to how it could be improved. With no mind to how they make it more efficient, they are doomed to make the same mistakes. When asked, they’ll cite the fact that they don’t have enough time. To me this is simply insanity of the highest order because unless you make time you’ll never get time. Simple stuff.

I used to be worried about my competition. I used to worried about finding more business opportunities. But from what I can see, someone has left the door to asylum open and many can’t find their way home. I’m happy to help of course, for a fee and that’s just fine by me!

To understand Google read this

In The Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives by Steven Levy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really like books that give you a history of a business. I especially like books that give you a history of technology businesses because they are usually so current. This is exactly the case with this book.

Many have heard about what makes Google tick but this book take your behind the scenes from day one and reveals what makes the place tick. It demonstrates how Google is really an extension of the personalities of Sergey and Larry. Reading the book helps you to better understand why Google does the things that it does and its whole approach to business. This is extremely beneficial given that fact that most people use a Google product every day.

The book is well written, easy to read and very entertaining as it takes you through the history of Google, dwelling on the major moments and products that have made it the colossus that it is today. It is very interesting to see how major products like Gmail grew from extreme small, almost hobby like projects into the features of mass culture they are today.

Most importantly of all it it gives you fantastic insight into the way Google thinks, how it make decisions and most importantly what it sees its mission in the world. As they say, knowing is understanding and with this book you’ll certainly be more knowledgeable about what makes Google tick.
View all my reviews

CIAOPS Office365 bootcamp

Following hard on the heels of my SharePoint bootcamp is the much requested Office365 bootcamp. You’ll find all the details and registration at:

http://www.ciaops.com/bootcamp

but it is running on Wednesday the 17th of August in Sydney at North Ryde RSL Club from 8.30am – 5.30pm. I’ll be covering all about Office365 and how to integrated into networks (especially SMB style networks).

What I am also considering is running the content also as an online webinar series over a few sessions. You could attend live or just view the recordings. I’d also make the recordings available to those attending the full day’s bootcamp.

If you are interested in an online bootcamp let me know how you’d like to see it run. Would 8 x 1 hour sessions be better than say 4 x 2 hour sessions? I’m all ears, so please contact me via (director@ciaops.com).

Apps for when you are driving

I have come across the following two apps that function on devices that maybe of benefit to those travelling around via car.

1. Trapster.com
This app allow you to track road hazards. More importantly it allows you to track things like red light and speed cameras, school zones and mobile police radar traps. It also allows the tracking of accidents and allows you to enter anything you see to share with other users.

I think the most handy feature is the fact that it warns you both audibly and visually about an upcoming ‘hazard’. I find this very handy when travelling during school zone times as a n audible prompt that a zone is approaching can be very handy as well as saving you getting fined.

2.Waze.com
This is free GPS that works on most devices. It offers the standard stuff like turn by turn navigation but what I really like is the ‘community’ idea where users can report road issues and have that alert other users.

I have only been using this for a short while but it seems to work pretty well. I like the concept of getting ‘rewards’ and ‘points’ for contributing to the information. However, I will say that it is very easy to get distracted by trying to contribute and should only be done with caution. It is probably as bad as SMS’ing while driving so don’t do it! However, when you are stuck in traffic letting others know to avoid the area is a great concept.

What I have found that works well is to run Trapster and then let it run the background with the audio prompts about hazards while having Waze open for navigation. I’m sure there are plenty of features of both of these apps that I’ll discover over time but I gotta say they are working for me.