Wing Tang Wong

Knowing What You've Got... And What You've Don't Got

If I were to ask just a random person on the street about Monster cable, they probably would have heard of them. They are a well marketed company that produces a lot of cables. They also produce various portable music player accessories, kits, and their price tag implies top quality stuff. Many people swear by them, others would rather just buy bulk and be done with it.

Now, if I were to ask those same random people on the street, whether they have heard of Blue Jeans Cable, they would probably not have. However, they are also a fine provider of quality cables, and are actually well covered in the audiophile world.

Both companies make cables for rather standard ports and connections. Sure, there are differences here and there, but for the most part, most of the proprietary stuff is specific to how the companies produce their cables, compositions, etc.

So, while it wasn't much news that Monster Cable issued a cease-and-desist letter to Blue Jeans Cable, it WAS news when it turns out that the president of Blue Jeans Cable, Kurt Denke, used to be a lawyer.

This is something that many other sites have reported on and is actually quite amusing to read, as it can serve as cheap education in how not to release the legal hounds... until you've done some digging.  read more »

• Gizmodo's Coverage
• Audioholics Coverage ( This is where I first read the article! )
• Engadget Coverage
• AudioJunkies Coverage

It Starts With Opening One's Mouth...

Let's face it. We're creatures of habit. No matter how well we think we are pro-active and establishing strong lines of communications... we can always do better. Usually, much better. Whether in the workplace, at home, or just when you're out and about, communicating is a key part of life. And it seems that the majority of people take a pretty laid back approach to it.

Learning to talk as a child is hard. But it was only one of a few things that truly occupied your attention. Learning to talk as a teen is hard. But that is because of the social and cultural pressures that are present. Learning to talk as an adult is hard. This is due to the fact that we are busy with so many other things.

So, when do we really learn to talk? To communicate?  read more »

What Does Amazon's Current Initiative Mean To Independant POD Authors?

That is the question I've been asking myself.. and of Lulu.com's live chat support folks. When asked directly, whether Amazon/BookSurge will be printing my book, I received a very round about answer, essentially stating that books sold through Lulu.com will be printed by Lulu's printers, while books ordered through the distribution chain will be handled by the distribution chain printers, which Lulu has partnered with.

After some 15-20 minutes of chatting with a service rep, I could not get them to mention or answer anything directly, about Amazon. Which... is what one would expect, when you consider that it seems the contractual agreements between Amazon and any POD that has signed n with them states they are essentially prevented from talking about the relationship, either directly or indirectly.

Yes, as a customer and as a writer, I'm certainly feeling the warm fuzzies...  read more »

What would you do?

Let's say that you are faced with a really tough problem:

• Release product that isn't really ready to get off the ground, but at least will provide support for both Windows and Mac platforms?
• Delay one version, so that you can release it right in the long term?

This dilemma is one that Adobe was faced with, regarding Adobe Photoshop CS4. They have a 32bit version out for both Mac OSX and Windows. However, for their new 64bit version, they only have a Windows version. The reason? Because the API they were planning on using, 64bit Carbon, was going to be delayed. This left them with an abrupt forced requirement to port code over to 64bit Cocoa. Hmm... have you seen the CS4 application? It's huge. That's alot of code.  read more »

Amazon's Buy Button

If you are a writer or someone interested in publishing, either through a vanity press or a print-on-demand publishing house, this is something which might be of interest to you. It certainly is, to me.

Amazon, a company that is nearly synonymous with online books sales, has recently decided to pull the trigger on a business strategy, which has writers and publishing houses getting twisted in private places. Their own POD(Print on Demand) fulfillment printing service, BookSurge. The issue at hand?

This quote from Writer's Weekly best describes the situation:

Reports have been trickling in from the POD underground that Amazon/BookSurge representatives have been approaching some Lightning Source customers, first by email introduction and then by phone (nobody at BookSurge seems to want to put anything in writing). When Lightning Source customers speak with the BookSurge representative, the reports say, they are basically told they can either have BookSurge start printing their books or the "buy" button on their Amazon.com book pages will be "turned off."
- Writers Weekly

Yes, it is somewhat problematic, when you consider that it takes quite a bit of time and effort to convert books. That Amazon's BookSurge might cost more and present less options than other POD(s). There is also the issue of this being a monopolistic move, which some industry groups may not be too happy about.

In either case, it is definitely something that has many small/mid-sized publishing houses in a stir, and the larger publishing houses, quietly considering their legal options:  read more »

• Writers Weekly
• Publishers Weekly
• Book Browse
• Amazon Damage Control PR Post

They Start Younger and Younger...

Let's face it. The last generation had to deal with the current generation, and the current generation is now dealing with a new generational wave of intelligent and young admins. How young? Try 11 years old.

Yup, you heard me right. 11 years old. Check it all out at the following news links:

• Network World Coverage
• Hard OCP Coverage
• Slashdot Coverage

Let's face it. The next generation is young and eager to take on the challenges that we currently face. And to be quite honest, a part of me is comforted to know that there are bright young lads taking on the challenge in a constructive manner! I'm cheering these new admins, who will be earning certification degrees before they earn their high school diploma.

In my mind, if we have individuals like this young student able to grasp and apply the concepts we are using now, then we have much to look forward to in the future. There is, in fact, a "standing upon shoulders" effect in play, not just in technology, but in the skills and abilities of people as well.  read more »

An Issue of Customer Service Follow Through

Let's face it. You will have bad customers. You will have customers that challenge your understanding of the concept of minimal intelligence. You will have customers who are angel customers. You will encounter all this and more... at the beginning, middle, and end of your relationship with a customer.

In my case, it started out on an angel basis with one of my insurance providers.

Where you see me now, is at the end. I am no longer an angel customer. I'm one of the others.  read more »

So.. What Am I Signing Away Today?

That is something I wonder about, each time I sign an NDA agreement, hiring contract, purchase order, package receipt, or sales receipt. Just... what am I signing up for... and what rights am I signing away?

Like many folks, I typically will give something a good long read and try my best to make heads or tails of it. And, like most folks, I will derive a very simplistic understanding of the written agreement and go with it. Seriously, does anyone REALLY read and parse every line of their electronics store agreements? Do you? Really?  read more »