John Dvorak made these comments last week, so they're already old news, but still interesting and worth mentioning on this blog.
In Europe there is an unusual phone called the Neonode that employs a
touch screen in much the same way as the Apple iPhone, and it's more of
a fashion accessory and conversation piece than anything else. I'm
thinking the iPhone will go that same way and just become an iPod with
benefits.
Later John poses the following great question, How do you bring out a product, use a name that isn't yours, copy the
idea of a major competitor that is constantly accused of copying your
ideas, and get off free of criticism?
His answer? The reality distortion field. Check it out.
Now I work with a bunch of Mac enthusiasts, and they all suffer from this. These guys are smart, creative, witty, non-technical, non-nerds, right-brained, artsy-type folks. Maybe they're just more susceptible to being sucked in and assimilated as the new cross-bred, Intel-Mac Super 'Borg. I find it amazing that they were able to get away with spending most of a day listening to and then discussing MacWorld. I couldn't do that and be productive, but then again I do a completely different type of work. Their work requires this constant collaboration, feedback, and bouncing ideas of each other. I sit outside their group and sometimes wish I was included because it is cool stuff! My work requires that..sometimes...to a degree. I admit that I don't understand them because I am left-brained. If I did let myself in, they'd probably kick me out. Did I mention I'm currently reading a math book?
Now to be fair, I did spend a day at the Vista/Office launch where I was learning, networking, and working on the organization of a new Portland user group. So am I being sucked in and assimilated by the Microsoft 'Borg? No. I was once a Linux/Perl junkie. I have perspective. I look at technology, tools, solutions, requirements, risk-mitigation, where we've been, and where we're going.
And this leads us to the $64K question, if I'm not a Microsoft 'Borg, what kind of 'Borg am I? It should be noted that answers of "nerd 'Borg" will be soundly rejected. 