Category: Technology

Ah, Google Maps! How Hard You Can Fail!

Carl Setzer

I spent a little time today reviewing my map timeline on Google Maps. I noticed that, one fine day a little while ago, Google (via my Samsung) mapped me traveling from Marysville, WA to Scottsdale, AZ in about 10 minutes. If my calculations are correct, that meant I traveled at 7,594 miles per hour or Mach 9.9. Now, maybe I somehow developed superpowers, but I would think I would’ve noticed. Maybe the acquisition was traumatic, like Logan/Wolverine, and I just blank out my super-powered moments. Or, perhaps, there’s some glitch in the matrix? Or, I guess, perhaps something was worked out with my phone’s GPS.

Marysville, WA to Scottsdale, AZ in 10 minutes
Marysville, WA to Scottsdale, AZ in 10 minutes

Social Media, Platforms and Control

Carl Setzer

I’ve been kept in the loop about the different groups encompassing the #StopeHateForProfit initiative and their meeting with Facebook a few days ago (here’s a recap of the situation if you need it). Other folks have written about Facebook’s strategy and risks, so I really have nothing to add there. However, one element has given me pause. What happens if the site collapses?

No, I don’t think that Facebook is going to fail simply due to this issue. However, there are a huge number of challenges that Facebook faces, from privacy to a lack of public accountability.  All of that makes me wonder what the breaking point will be? Ultimately, I believe Facebook’s Waterloo will be a combination of all the issues facing it, along with the natural conservatism that comes with huge success and an IPO, and the creation of a challenger. And I have something of a fatalistic view: that the end will come for it. Not that it will suddenly vanish. It’s a well-run business. However, I expect it will simply fade from relevancy once the new thing appears (i.e.: MySpace).

For me, this speaks to the importance of having my own website, my own place on the interwebs. One where I control everything. My own personal brand, I guess. Mainly, though, where my presence is independent of decisions made by some random group of individuals.

I realize that, in many ways, this is a fantasy. This site is hosted by a company, built on WordPress…external factors that I don’t have much control over. However, I can move my site to another host. I can port my blog from WordPress to some other platform if need be. Everything on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc, will simply vanish if those sites end.

Now, maybe this makes sense as I’m currently studying web development and design. As I was told many years ago, “having your own domain is the height of being a nerd” (I own that with delight). So, I guess this might be my inner geek. But I see deep value in having my own site, using it as a hub to the rest of my internet presence. And I see the value for you, too.

Life & Career Update

Carl Setzer

Update in the life of Carl: this Friday will be my last day at my current job. Though tinged with sadness (great people to be missed, though a commute to Bellevue I rejoice in leaving behind), I move forward. After exploring some re-training options, I plan to study Web and Application Development at Edmond Community College. Though still ironing out details, this path excites me. With a gap in my time starting next week, I plan to spend time catching up as many people as I can. Friendship: life’s best present.

Watch “Inside The Awesome New VW Camper “California”” on YouTube

Carl Setzer

One of my dreams: driving around the country exploring backroads, diving deep into the unique culture of small town America.

I generally picture this while driving a VW bus. And though I delight in the old Kombis, this van featured here brings so much modern coolness, I’d be hard pressed to pass up one. If I had the budget.

Anyway, tis a dream I’ll entertain more.

A Look At BrickCon 2018

Carl Setzer

We spent this early afternoon at BrickCon. It’s hard, really, to imagine the scale of this event. 100s of exhibitors, 1000s of attendees. Swarms of people. As much as I delight in the creations, it’s also a bit exhausting to meander and jostle with so many people. I enjoyed myself, but after an hour and a half, we were ready for lunch at the Armory and a nap. I could hear the grand food at Skillet calling my name. Always a happy thing.

Below are a few photos from the day. I hope you enjoy!

A fun and full day around south Snohomish county today

Carl Setzer

A fun and busy day. It started with the Edmonds School District Foundation’s annual 5k. My wife ran it, and I walked. Ran into gobs of friends, which is always a delight. Said wife was happy with her time, and I was pleased to have most of my FitBit steps done before 9:00 in the morning. All great things.

Next was trying to get some new contacts ordered. Ugh! My wife’s insurance changed to EyeMed, which has been a royal irritation to my gluteus maximus. And, thus, this element of the day turned out unsuccessful. Next weekend, I’m sure.

Oil change, lunch, and the gym. Fun, effective, and boring as hell to read about. Next!

We went to see my friend Eugene Capon and Scobot speak about XR/VR/AT. Got some good ideas I want to flesh out. I’ll also go down and check him out at Seattle’s YouTube fair next month.

Mountlake Terrace’s homecoming was tonight! Had a few details to iron out for that. JC Penny at the mall to the rescue.

The dance was fun. The kids enjoyed it. My wife and I went to Edmonds, walking the waterfront and then grabbing pupus/tapas.

Tomorrow, we’ll make our way down to Seattle and BrickCon. That will be awesome. Looking forward to it. .

Meet The Dogs Of Amazon

Carl Setzer

Just stumbled upon this post on Amazon’s website: “Meet The Dogs Of Amazon“. I was reminded of my brief stint with Amazon.

Back in the mid-90s (est. 1996) I did one temp project with them, back when Amazon was located on 2nd Avenue, close to Pike Place Market. I helped build a call center. I set up the dumb terminals for the inbound call reps. Not the most challenging work. I just pulled a monitor from a box, added the keyboard, pinged the mainframe, then off to the next one. It was just a few day project.

During my intro, I was given a tour of the building. On one floor, there was a corgi and his human. Every hour or so, the human threw the ball down the hall, the corgi chased it, repeat. I thought it was pretty amazing. It was my first experience into a more relaxed office environment. Eye opening and rather life changing. And my first experience with tech culture.

I’ve been fascinated ever since.

The Future Laughed At Me This Weekend

Carl Setzer

My wife and I were at a sandwich shop. I had cash in my wallet (which I often don’t), so pulled out a twenty. I’m aware of all the costs a small business absorbs with digital transaction, so was thinking it would be nice. And it was, but they were a bit puzzled. They didn’t have the change on hand to break the bill. And, very politely, asked if it was ok to pay via card. Which, of course, was fine by me.

It did strike me, though, as a sign of the changes the economy has gone through. When I managed cashiers, I had to make sure we had able cash and coins to make change. HAD TO! Running of of change was a huge failure, and pretty much ruined our ability to do business. Credit cards were a small fraction of transaction, most being cash or check. And now, I get the impression that the incident above almost went down like “oh, yeah, I should’ve hit the bank and got cash. Oops!” Followed by a “meh”. Maybe I’m wrong, but I got the impression cash was something of an inconvenience.

I expect many of these small business folks are simply embedding the costs of e-transaction into their model. So many people I know, myself included, rarely have cash any more. It’s probably far easier to let paper currency go the way of the dodo.

I guess it’s time to, finally, set up my Google or Samsung pay apps. Maybe even buy some Bitcoin!

Maybe….