I worked on a project recently that was a bit different than the norm for me. The website is a directory of new and used buses for sale. In addition to buses, they also list limousines, motorhomes, trolleys, parts, and even have an employment directory. The business charges for some listings, but not all types. They also charge for certain enhancements to a listing. A few more dollars to add a few more photos for example.

We decided to create a virtual currency to help people purchase and renew listings. It is called BusBux. The idea is they can buy x amount of BuxBux and use that to renew listings, add photos, etc. This way the only actual credit card transaction is the purchase of BusBux, not for a $2 photo addition, or a small renewal every month. This adds quite a bit of flexibility in pricing for the client and end user.

Virtual currency is a hot item in the online game world right now. How soon until it makes more of a foothold into the general business market?

For those not following the tech sphere you are missing out on some very interesting times. Facebook is becoming, or has become, the biggest website property on the planet. It is also facing a lot of backlash about its privacy stance. Apple is at the top of its game releasing fantastic consumer products, and is also facing a fair amount of criticism from many angles plus significan't mobile OS competition. Web standards have replaced religion as the new most contentious topic to debate. I am loving every bit of it.

At the same time we see some very interesting technology trends. The smartphone world is blowing up. Apple dominates the chatter, but is under heavy fire from Android which is growing quite rapidly. Apps have become the hot new thing, however most never see profitability. The future of apps is in contention, with Apple betting the farm with a walled garden and app store focused on apps, and Google creating a whole new operating system that does away with apps entirely (everything is a website).

There are many questions regarding the future.

Will Facebook keep it together? They are seen by some as biting the hand that feeds them by scaring users with privacy missteps, and forcing game companies to use their new virtual currency. Many regard Facebook as an indestructible force, but remember, MySpace was in their position not all that long ago. Giants can and do fall.

Is Apple's strategy a good long term strategy? Apple protects it's customers, and its revenue. You can't buy any app unless through their app store. And Apple approves every app. This is normal course for phone companies. Until Google came along. Google has changed the model, and is rising rapidly. Will Apple's model survive? Will Apple's heavy handed approach to Gizmodo, Adobe and other vendors end up with long term consequences? Will apps pan out as what users really want? Remember the time you went to a software store to buy software? How many software programs do you buy now? How many have you replaced with websites (gmail, google docs, mint.com, etc). Is the focus on mobile apps a short term blip or simply a natural course of action for the medium? How does HP's purchase of Palm change things? What about Windows 7 Mobile?

Is HTML5 actually what people think it is? Will it be adopted by a majority of browsers (and consumers) any time soon? Can't we all just get along? HTML5 isn't ratified, and wont be for many years. Even the video tag, which would be so very useful, is in contention. FireFox and WebKit use different video codecs, and IE doesn't currently support it at all. And that is just one tag of HTML5. HTML5 support on mobile devises is much more robust. Most new mobile smartphones use webKit and so at least offer the same supported feature base. What about H.264 video? It isn't an open standard. People must license its use. But it has become the most popular codec for HTML5, and is used in Flash. Speaking of Flash... Much of what Flash can do, isn't doable in HTML5. At least not yet. But Apple doesn't want to support Flash, and others are calling for its head. So what are developers to think? Do consumers really care? When do we get to start arguing HTML6? Why doesn't anyone argue about Silverlight or JavaFX these days?

Interesting times indeed. While I may, at times, express frustration at some of this I am actually quite in love with it. Innovation is moving at such a rapid pace simply going on vacation puts us behind. Just wait until we get to the really interesting stuff. Facial and voice recognition becoming a part of gesture support in devices. Images appearing on any surface or in mid air. Biomonitors embeded into clothing or even mini tattoos. Chemical sensor inputs into mobile devises. Could we finally have a real tricorder?

What questions about the future do you have? What future technology gets you jazzed?

I will admit I don't know all that much about autism or Asperger Syndrome. What I do know I have learned through meeting interesting people who either are diagnosed with it, or have family members that are.

What I didn't know is that only about 20% of those with Aspergers are employed. My friend Isaac is trying to change that here in the states. Enter Autelligent Laboratories. It is an organization attempting to counter the specific difficulties encountered by their community and leverage their strengths.

Check it out and spread the word to those you think may be interested.

So I am sure many of my blog readers are wondering:

Just what would happen if I left my Prius running all night?  Would it kill my battery?  Would my cart just auto shut off at some point?  Would it explode?  Would it make annoying noises and embarrass me in front of my neighbors?

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I meant to blog about this before (details below).  I am not privy to what the special live event will be sharing, but I have my guesses.  I suspect this is happening at user group's around the country, so if you haven't already look up a group near you and check it out.

Site Note: Faye from NH group mentioned to me that RSVP'ing is a good thing.  They buy food and such and it helps if they know how many are coming.

If your heading to the NH group, I will see you there.

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I recently had to under go a process of setting up our company with google apps or otherwise known as google for domains.  It is a really powerful set of email tools, however for those already using email it isn't as simple as we would wish it for moving everyone over. 

Here are a couple of things to expect:

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If you use MS Instant Messenger (windows live messenger) at all be careful not to fall for a bad link which installs a virus.  You will be IM'd something like:

Hey, isn't this YOU??   http://mainmsn.com/images/viewimage.php?=[my email here]

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I recently was invited into the beta test for new start up Notchup.  They are a job search site with an interesting twist.  People create profiles and companies search those profiles for interesting candidates.  As a candidate you provide a public price of how much money it will cost to be interviewed.  Thats right, you can charge for an interview.  Think of it as a way to get back at those employment agencies that waste your time and deliver nothing.

Creating a profile was very easy.  In fact there is a handy import utility to suck the data from your linked in account.  It can also bring in your linked in contacts and invite them (which I DIDN"T do).  Once done you set your price (I set mine at $250) and you are ready to go.

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The RC for SP1 of Vista has been released today.  I wont bother with the RC, but am looking forward to getting the final SP.

Lots of people are talking about the compatibility issues with Vista, and how the RC doesn't really fix many.  I haven't had issues with that (though I am sure they exist).  My main issue has been performance with basic tasks.  Specifically copy/extracting files and hibernate.

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