It’s New Year’s Eve, and while I’m not the type to make resolutions, today does provide an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.
Simplification was one of my priorities in 2008. In general, I try to live relatively minimally. However, it does require a concentrated effort to identify those things which are unnecessary or inefficient. I eliminated many sources of both mental and physical clutter, which allows me to focus on things that truly matter.
My engineering background, combined with a general curiosity, causes me to constantly brainstorm new ideas. At times, this can be overwhelming, if not tempered by a degree of focus. Thankfully, I’ve been able to maintain focus and have made steady progress on the projects I’m undertaking.
I intend to carry this momentum forward into the new year. With continued determination, and a little luck, 2009 should present some exciting opportunities.
Thank you to my family and friends, both new and old. I wish you all a Happy New Year!
After a couple days of working through Apple’s infamous App Store bureaucracy, the latest version of Google Mobile App is available. The feature everyone is raving about is, of course, the ability to lift the phone to your ear and simply say what you are searching for. I’ve installed it on my iPhone, and it is pretty slick.
One of the more interesting articles I came across in the days preceding the release, was on Technologizer, which asked How Long Does Google Baby the iPhone?
I am, however, fascinated by one thing about it: The fact that it’s debuting on the iPhone. It’s the second interesting Google app to do so in recent weeks. (Google Earth made its mobile premiere on the iPhone back in late October.) The iPhone is a terrific platform for mobile apps, so there’d be nothing noteworthy about this except for one thing: Google has its own terrific platform for mobile apps, Android.
The answer to the question, in my opinion, is simple: as long as iPhone is a first-tier mobile platform (read: forever).
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Veterans’ Bond Act of 2008
Summary:
This act provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million dollars ($900,000,000) to provide farm and home aid for California veterans. Fiscal Impact: Costs of about $1.8 billion to pay off both the principal ($900 million) and interest ($856 million) on the bonds; costs paid by participating veterans. Average payment for principal and interest of about $59 million per year for 30 years.
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Redistricting
Summary:
Changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Establishes multilevel process to select commissioners from registered voter pool. Commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party. Fiscal Impact: Potential increase in state redistricting costs once every ten years due to two entities performing redistricting. Any increase in costs probably would not be significant.
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Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Bonds.
Summary:
Authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund, to help consumers and others purchase certain vehicles, and to fund research in renewable energy and alternative fuel vehicles. Fiscal Impact: State cost of about $10 billion over 30 years to repay bonds. Increased state and local revenues, potentially totaling several tens of millions of dollars through 2019. Potential state administrative costs up to about $10 million annually.
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