Category Archives: Business

Barnes and Noble’s new Nook Considered (From a Distance)

Posted on November 3, 2009 by paul

 I don’t think I’ve ever been, nor do I think I’ll ever really be, what hardcore tech types and marketing gurus like to call an “early adopter.” I tend to adopt late, if I bother to adopt at all. Let … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Business, Gear | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Puerto Rico Diary 1: Puerto Rico Para Gringos*

Posted on October 24, 2009 by paul

 So we’ve just returned from Puerto Rico. Armed with the knowledge of a week in the Commonwealth, I feel fully qualified to offer this travel guide for your time on the Island of Enchantment.   We’d been warned 1,277 times (conservative … Continue reading →

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Iceland: Aluminum, ELF, and Elves

Posted on March 5, 2009 by paul

Paging Mr. Tolkien: I have to admit that before the total collapse of Iceland’s banking industry–and with it, very nearly, the collapse of the country itself–I thought that their principle export was Björk. How wrong I turned out to be. … Continue reading →

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Clay Shirky: Here Comes Everybody

Posted on May 27, 2008 by paul

“Thus, the distinction between author and public is about to lose its basic character. The difference becomes merely functional; it may vary from case to case. At any moment the reader is ready to turn into a writer. As expert, … Continue reading →

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At Your (Self-) Service

Posted on April 22, 2008 by paul

A recent article on MSN.com tells of the rise of self-service checkouts and kiosks. If you listen to the marketing people–and somebody’s got to be listening to them, given that everything from gas stations to doctors’ offices now offers self-service–this … Continue reading →

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The Golden Age of Wireless

Posted on April 17, 2008 by paul

The April 12-18 issue of The Economist has an intriguing special section on wireless telecomm that you can read here. The series’ premise—reduced to ridiculous simplicity—is that the technology has had an enormous impact on the way we live, work, … Continue reading →

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Work and Circuses

Posted on April 12, 2008 by paul

Disgruntled employees are a dangerous lot. Just ask the postal service. Or ask the guy who, inspired by equal amounts of frustration and creativity, one day decided to staple a ham sandwich–on a paper plate, no less, with a napkin set … Continue reading →

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Wal-Mart: Not the Root of All Evil, Just One of the Branches.

Posted on March 28, 2008 by paul

Those who think that Sam Walton’s spawn needs to be taken down a peg or two will no doubt be heartened by the news of a recent court ruling stating that Georgia native Charles Smith should be allowed to continue … Continue reading →

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The smartCar: This Car Ain’t Big Enough For the Both of Us

Posted on March 27, 2008 by paul

When Gary Numan sang, “Here in my car, I feel safest of all,” he probably wasn’t singing about the smartCar. This reeeeeeeeeeeeealy tiny jalopy has been available for years in Europe, and it’s finally getting a full roll-out on these … Continue reading →

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