Noble's eye http://nobleackerson.com jo0 see what i saw? posterous.com Tue, 01 May 2012 06:39:16 -0700 #win http://nobleackerson.com/win http://nobleackerson.com/win
Media_https0i1picplzt_drlut

Taken with picplz.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:51:25 -0700 Of horses and amps http://nobleackerson.com/of-horses-and-amps http://nobleackerson.com/of-horses-and-amps
Media_https0i1picplzt_zrnbh

Taken with picplz.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:27:38 -0700 Untitled http://nobleackerson.com/124945725 http://nobleackerson.com/124945725
Media_https2i1picplzt_fcjyt

Taken with picplz.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:39:00 -0700 1.21 Gigawatts Later and Marty's Still Stuck in Traffic http://nobleackerson.com/121-gigawatts-later-and-martys-still-stuck-in http://nobleackerson.com/121-gigawatts-later-and-martys-still-stuck-in

12_-_1

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:54:00 -0800 Weekly Schedule http://nobleackerson.com/weekly-schedule http://nobleackerson.com/weekly-schedule

Shufflin

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:53:00 -0800 The Google+ Filter Bubble - Results Tampering. http://nobleackerson.com/the-google-filter-bubble-results-tampering http://nobleackerson.com/the-google-filter-bubble-results-tampering

+Google+ team please be advised, at this moment I believe someone(thing) is tampering with Google+ Trends.

Tampering-with-results
Take a look at these Search Trend results: If some company (who will remain nameless) just filed their initial public offering, wouldn't that company be listed on that trend as well? It seems odd because for the last 18hours every post was about this specific IPO. 
In the past Google has emphatically denied the accusation of manually curating search results when accused by Governments etc. Employees like +Matt Cutts defends his company and I tend to take his side because his explanation comes across as honest. _ Plus I like the guy, I've met him personally, he's very down to earth and he radiates honesty_ :-)

+Google+ should reflect some sense of civic responsibility by staying pure with the results it presents us. The service starts to loose the trust of its users when results become clearly inaccurate. ( I'm not talking about results tailored to me either ) Keep this platform free of the politics and keep it open. Please.

The term 'filter bubble' here relates to a Ted Talk regarding the Google Search and Facebook skewed/tailored search results. I generally disagree with that since it over simplifies the issue and doesn't take into consideration some of the steps Google has taken to present relevant and sometimes unfiltered information on a subject. See image:

Filter_bubble

This "filter bubble" fear gives all of us pause and we begin to look at alternatives like DuckDuckGo.com for our search needs. (Though ironically that search engine also uses Google/Bing/Yahoo results) Check out the traffic spike that occured after Google's recent Search+ Your World Launch. 

I care about this subject because I am a Google Apps for Business reseller i.e. I sell Google+ and all these Googley services to my customers for money. My reputation is on the line.

#rant

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:43:00 -0800 Smart Home Project (Part 2: Heating and Cooling) http://nobleackerson.com/smart-home-project-part-2-heating-and-cooling http://nobleackerson.com/smart-home-project-part-2-heating-and-cooling

Part 1: EV and Smart Meter :https://plus.google.com/u/0/109854785137745177366/posts/bTPTcazeBDB 

How many IP addresses at home does it take to make me happy? Tons apparently. Just to name a few: currently running off my wireless network:
+Home security system,
+Various gadgets & toys,
+TV/AVR/GoogleTV/Boxee etc
+Computers peripherals,

+Test transceivers for smartmeter, test boards etc,
+Some 240v appliances and now 
+Thermostat.

The Nest 
The Nest Thermostats got delivered today. A set of pliers, a level, sandwich and an hour later, my home thermostat is "self aware" and can be controlled from anything i own with an internet connect. The idea is to reduce energy and its cost at home, measure and share my energy consumption.

Read more about Nest~ www.nest.com

Thoughts on the device
+$250 - This thing costs way too much for a hermostat. Hopefully cost savings pays for it over time.
+'Purrrdy' - Very sleek and intuitive to use.
+Android/iOS - They launched it with popular native and web apps right off the bat
+Zigbee FTW - HVAC joins my home ecosystem. Perfect addition to a home automation project. 
+API - Would be nice. For now it does everything I need it to, except the ability for me to pull my own data from it. Time.

I'll try to make this part of a "You can't improve what you don't measure" on-going series:
Part 3: Zigbee and putting it all together.
Part 4: Data and savings if any.
Part n: Solar home?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:07:00 -0800 My travel stats for 2011 http://nobleackerson.com/my-travel-stats-for-2011 http://nobleackerson.com/my-travel-stats-for-2011

Tripit-2011 Dsc_0519 Csc_0399 Dsc_0638 Dsc_0881
See the full gallery on Posterous
Trips: 15
Days: 49
Distance: 25,513 mi or 41,059.19 km
Cities: 21
Countries: 4

That's just a tad bit over the circumference of the earth (40,075.04 km). I will be doing another lap next year and Latin America, Austrailia, Africa, Russia and Western Europe look pretty ripe for a visit. 

Stats by tripit

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:41:00 -0800 Contributing to the #macecop madness http://nobleackerson.com/contributing-to-the-macecop-madness-37775 http://nobleackerson.com/contributing-to-the-macecop-madness-37775

Leon-pepper-spray

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:13:52 -0800 Waiting on momma to finish bathing. http://nobleackerson.com/waiting-on-momma-to-finish-bathing http://nobleackerson.com/waiting-on-momma-to-finish-bathing
Media_https0i1picplzt_nmgkc

Taken with picplz.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:29:00 -0700 I survived #z5k http://nobleackerson.com/i-survived-z5k http://nobleackerson.com/i-survived-z5k
Zombie 5K Run

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:02:00 -0700 Smart Home Project (Part 1: Smart Meter) http://nobleackerson.com/smart-home-project-part-1-70138 http://nobleackerson.com/smart-home-project-part-1-70138

Linked into the smart grid

Dsc_0381 Dsc_0380 Volt 11_-_2
See the full gallery on Posterous
I made the move to further reduce my energy costs at home. As of last May I rarely ever go to the gas station so more savings there.


How does it work? 
I own an EV and until now I get a flat fee bill, an approximate $0.05/day increase since I got my car. This smart meter knows that I charge my car at night and so I only get billed for the wattage that I use vs. the flat fee we've always received.
http://www.dom.com/about/environment/electric-vehicle-plus-home-pricing-plan.jsp

Now I'm looking at Android@Home, x10 alternatives for true 'future-home automation' nerd-dom. Tying in my home security, appliances, light switches etc. http://www.smarthome.com/

Over the next year or so I'll be upgrading ports, fixtures etc and hopefully looking for dashboards like http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/ to enjoy some data porn. Too bad Google nixed the power-meter servicehttp://www.google.com/powermeter/about/ I'll keep you updated on these projects.

Discuss on Google+ 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:54:00 -0700 Shady 2.0 cypher http://nobleackerson.com/shady-20-cypher http://nobleackerson.com/shady-20-cypher

This is what I call a cypher.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:59:00 -0700 Incredible Speech By Wall Street Protester "End The Fed" 2011 http://nobleackerson.com/incredible-speech-by-wall-street-protester-en http://nobleackerson.com/incredible-speech-by-wall-street-protester-en

This guy is awesome, please share this video and if you can get involved.

via ifttt

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:13:00 -0700 The most interesting browser http://nobleackerson.com/the-most-interesting-browser http://nobleackerson.com/the-most-interesting-browser

Chrome-mimitw-background

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:37:00 -0700 Booty Work Video ~ T-Pain http://nobleackerson.com/booty-work-video-t-pain http://nobleackerson.com/booty-work-video-t-pain

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:55:00 -0700 My case for Google TV http://nobleackerson.com/my-case-for-google-tv http://nobleackerson.com/my-case-for-google-tv

I love my Logitech Revue: It shouldn't be compared to a Roku or Windows Media Ctr or Apple TV or ...you get the picture. Its different because as every competitor in the game are approaching bringing media to your home from a set top box angle ( you know, Input button -> click the one labeled DVD2 on your TV). Google as always is approaching this with a blue ocean strategy. Google is a search company monetized by ads, so naturally they're more interested in bringing the internet and apps to our homes. This is a vastly uncontested market hence the blue ocean reference. They slap a search layer on top of your TV.

I am of the opinion that Google TV isn't as bad as most claim. The UI a bit old but its simple, compared to Comcast or Fios, I'll live with it until the upcoming update.

Google TV is an add-on to your television content not an add-on to your TV. This is its strength, its purpose is to help you find your television content. Its also search done right for the first time on TV.

Google TV sucks because...
I have the Revue, its the best big screen content discovery tool, a simple podcast streaming device, the perfect complement to my Android phone. I hear the biggest complaint is that there is no content. Really? Type the name of your favorite actor(ess) and it queries Netflix, Amazon, your cable TV service and the web for his/her content. That point normally comes from someone who has never used a Google TV device, or they're basically "using it wrong." 
integrated TV/Netflix/Amazon etc. content the possibilities are endless. Google TV closes the android ecosystem loop. 

What they got right:
* TV is an App: Google managed to extend my 50" TV making my TV more than just well a TV, my cable content is just one of many things. 
* Android/Honeycomb: Coming soon, and I can't wait.
+Games: Right now if I were into that type of stuff, i'd be playing G+ or HTML5 based games on there. Android games are coming soon, and I wonder whether casual gaming will ever cause me to reject the sound of my xBox.
+Android @Home: Home automation magicary coming soon.
+ Youtube Remote: Little known feature if you have an Android/iPhone. It has something called Party mode: Invite your friends to connect and watch together!
* Search
* Internet Video (Amazon, HBOgo Netflix, Youtube...)
+ Sharing: Sling content from your phone/tablet to your TV

Gtvlogo

The revue isn't selling and Google TV has a bad rap because Google sucks at putting their weight behind it. Get it together people.
Thats all I have to say about Google TV.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:13:06 -0700 Voltage http://nobleackerson.com/voltage http://nobleackerson.com/voltage
Media_https0i1picplzt_yfvgj

Taken with picplz in Mount Vernon, VA.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:44:30 -0700 Uprising. http://nobleackerson.com/uprising http://nobleackerson.com/uprising
Media_https2i1picplzt_swgue

Taken with picplz.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:14:00 -0700 Demitri in Mexico http://nobleackerson.com/demitri-in-mexico http://nobleackerson.com/demitri-in-mexico

Dsc_0039

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/49562/lordnoble.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1gLl8Teknm1 Noble Ackerson Noble Noble Ackerson