digital thoughts

home

adventures

digital.thoughts

jonmck FAQ

résumé
résumé

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
d.business cards

Why atoms instead of bits?

I am beginning to despise atoms, ground up pieces of wood, and other forms of matter that plague my life with complexity. Business cards are the worst for me. When I receive a business card I enter it into Microsoft Outlook and then promptly throw it away. What a waste. I can only imagine how many business cards are thrown away each day.

Why can't my Palm Pilot instantly receive a persons information immediately without the use of atoms?

PDA are moving toward this, but not fast enough for me. I want to pass a business card to anyone that has another digital device by pressing a button. I don't want to worry about if they have a Palm Pilot, or Windows CE device.

Why can't that d.business card be active?

If I change information on my d.business card, that information should change for everyone that currently has my business card in their digital device. Maybe a central reference point for all information about me. Whether that be my server at work, or a computer at home. Maybe my PDA is a server out on the net for that information.

d.traffic lights

For the most part, a traffic light performs its job well. But why can it not perform better?

The traffic light should know how many vehicles came from the previous traffic light so that the moment the last vehicle passed by, the light would change for the other direction.

Why are traffic lights independent?

Traffic lights should be on a wireless network where they talk with one another.

Why not install a laser sensor into that traffic lights pole to detect a vehicle passing by?

That information should be centrally gathered for analysis for future improvements and should be available to other traffic lights for improved traffic flow.

d.car stereo

Why is the sounds of what is playing on my stereo in my car limited to what CDs I have, or radio stations that are available in my area?

We have all grown to love streaming technology first introduced by Progressive Networks' RealAudio. That technology is not limited to physical wire. Car stereos need to become more digital in nature. Able to receive a network transmission. The possibilities are endless for music selection. The CD then resides on a server and for a price per play I can play that CD anytime I wish.

Radio Stations become global. I'd love to listen to an Australian talk show while driving to work. Or maybe a BBC news report about Africa.

d.universities

Why the need for a physical location for a university?

Any newly built "university" is expected to be finished, in five to ten years. The "new student" for the most part will be interacting digitally and not be at a physical campus.

Why be prevented from attending a university simply because of proximity?

I simply would love to go to Cambridge, then Harvard maybe mix in University of Colorado with graduate studies at MIT. I don't see a reason to physically go to these campuses when I simply want the knowledge.

Is it really smart to invest money in building a physical location?

A tremendous online presence can be built with a very small portion of what a building costs to build and maintain. Online in many ways is more convenient and allows for the student to change how they learn information rather than be expected to learn the way a professor teaches.