Patrick McMahon's B-Log

This Week In Startups Episode 13

2009-08-31T09:11:00.008+10:00

Welcome everyone,

This is a blog review of This Week In STartups I'm doing because I'm addicted to this show.

We are up to episode 13 in this podcast. The Podcast focuses on creating and setting up start up companies. Hosted by Jason Calacanis.

See the website for details: twist

OK so first my general thoughts on this episode.

The Good

Cool competitions. You got me hook, line and sinker. yes I took the bait!
The Ask Jason was a great way to help people solve problems with there business. Hardware was one of the topics.
Very uplifting and really gives you a motivation to put things out there.
Very educational for people who are just getting started.
Teaches you how to think like other real entrepreneurs.
The guest was great, good to actually hear a non-college student doing great things in business. [my idea] 99designs would be awesome if I could choose designers from with in my location or a certain location. this would keep business local which is something I'm passionate about. (maybe this is done. but I couldn't find it just browsing)
News comments are cool, Good to hear the feedback on news and the why/why not's
Homework is nice fun activity. usually about achievement and things. Watching a movie (I'm lazy and never do it)
Dead Pool is a great segment, it's good to see that companies that have a good idea can still fail, and to understand why could help any new start up.

The Bad

Ads/Crowd sourcing for the first 20Min's annoyed me in this episode, Jason your good at it. but it got me thinking why am i spending 20Min's listening to you trying to get people to twitter post and write reviews. If it had of come after the first segment I would have felt I got something out of it. which makes it worth something to me. Not at the start.
There is a few minor technical difficulties with music playing, and the intro bits for segments a bit long or wrong timing. This will get better over time. nothing worth spending a lot of time worrying about. Just thought i would add it for feed back!
Show is very long, and can drag at points. I don't mind myself but I can see people missing a lot of great info just because there is to much fluff.
News can drag on. maybe 2, 3 comments shorter would be nice. Which would mean you could get more news stories in. (One of our TV stations is doing a similar thing the show is called 7pm project. They only have 1 or 2 comments per news item.)

The Review

Jason is a charismatic person and has a great voice, very easy to listen to and seems like a fun loving type of guy. He is direct and to the point. Brutally fair and full of energy. This show is for people with a bit of time on there hands, it does go quiet long. This does mean its packed full of views and recommendations for you new start up company, do's and don'ts. Jason is a very smart guy who knows how to sell. We all learn a lot from this guy and he is giving it to us for free.

The show follows a set of segments, starting usually with Ask Jason.

Ask Jason is where a start up business that has a question or problem they cant fix themselves. Jason will give them a few answers to those questions. really good for learning. He talked about hardware this episode.

Second segment in this episode was shark tank. This was were a couple of people called up and pitched there company to Jason and his guest: Matt Mickiewicz, Great segment was really informative on how to sell your product. we were able to see that sometimes a good idea is ruined by it's presentation and Jason explain how to fix that for this caller.

Next we had the interview with a live guest. The guest this time was Matt Mickiewicz from 99 designs. It was good to hear from someone so inspiring and very young. Like me he has not been to college(its called university here in Australia) its nice to see that it is possible to be great with out this. Actually seeing someone interviewed was inspiring. I know there is a lot of people that have made huge businesses and never been through uni. But to watch someone actually talk about it is really inspiring.

next was the News, the news is good not as informative for new start ups but lets you know whats generally happening on the web. sometimes they talk about smaller start ups. I usually tune out when twitter is mentioned. so I miss most the news.

Dead Pool is next. Cruel, maybe but really its a topic I think people would be scared to attack. It's perfect if your looking at how not to do things and how to remain in business by looking at some of the mistakes others have made. Basically Jason takes you through companies that have failed.

Last is Rate the Show: which I'll do now. To explain how I came to this vote:

I always start at 5/10 (the middle)

+1 for Competitions

+1 for Content

+1 for Helpful Information

+1 for Guest (he was exactly like I am, and it confirms I can do this)

+1 for New Segment Shark Tank

-1 for First 20mins of Selling (give me some content first, then rave for 20min)

-0.5 for length and Fluff

-1 for Technical Issues

From my Calculations i get 7.5/10. easily could be a 9.5/10 when tech and ads stuff get integrated a little better which i think will come in time. I mean its your 13th show and your this good! that's awesome.

That's my review! This Week In STartups Team I hope you liked it. I tried to be fair, I can say I love the show and it's helped get me excited about creating my own business. I have about 5 in mind at the moment.

Jason if you do actually spend the time to read this.

I was wondering if I could ask a question?

If I get investors to invest in my business. What happens if it fails?

Will I be left paying them back millions for the rest of my life?

Do i give them a failed business and walk away?

Do I have to run away to another country change my name?

Just to cap off. This is a must watch show for anyone who is even interested in start ups. From the angel investors to people wanting to create a start up or even join an existing small company or start up.

Love it so much! Jason your a legend!

Cheers,

Patrick McMahon

Google Chrome OS

2009-08-18T22:54:00.002+10:00

Hi guys,

Looks like a leak of some pictures of a screen running Googles Chrome OS.

this seems fake to me as you could easily do this in 5 mins in photo shop. :D but nice effort.

might be concept designs. let me know what you think!

http://mashable.com/2009/08/15/google-chrome-os-screenshots/

thanks to pcword.com for the article

Cheers

Patrick

Google Chrome OS

2009-08-10T10:13:00.002+10:00

This seems awesome,

I cant wait to see this. I'm thinking of starting a Podcast or dedicated blog. Probably start with a blog just on Chrome for the moment, and then on Chrome OS as it evolves.

Maybe focus on some of the problems etc.

Also I might focus a little bit on the android OS as this is another of Googles Operating Systems.

Here is some initail reading for you to check out!

Google Chrome - Download a new browser

Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.
http://www.google.com/chrome

Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS
7 Jul 2009 So today, we're announcing a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome — the Google Chrome Operating System. It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html

Go have a read, i'll be back after the break! (haha always wanted to say that!)

Haze

2009-06-15T10:09:00.006+10:00

Haze,

Just to make a one player review of this game called Haze.

Haze is a Co-Op PlayStation 3 game (could be on other console, don't know, don't care!) Haze is about a group of soldiers that are in yellow suits and basically get power ups to make them faster and see better (enemies glow) this is called Nectar, and you have a limited amount.

I started playing this game on a Friday night, it was an easy couple of hours over the weekend that was not as fun as I had hoped. way to short, even though we died every 2 secs and the loading times are crazy. This game still only took probably max 4-8 hours, Half of this was loading times. the screen size was crazy, it was vertical split! the game was not anything special, in fact Half-Life 2 type graphics in my opinion. well maybe better, but come on only just, and how old is Half-Life 2! Also the Demo had Horizontal Split screen, Real Game has Vertical? come on that is false advertising in my opinion!

Setting, of which there was none!!! OK you can definitely switch your demo was one way, your real game the other. If someone says you can. well to bad, it was not easy, I even googled it with no results. Other settings, I know they didn't want to put sensitivity in but to bad, its a must! Way to hard to play with out setting how fast you like to turn. For new Players like me its to hard to get used to the way this game plays. So you just get killed every corner. I mean your trying to learn maps, your trying to learn weapon impact and reload rate, your trying to learn run speeds and ALSO you have to learn how to turn and shoot! its crazy and makes this game almost a trade in game!

Story line was really good I liked it, I wont ruin it for others but it was generally interesting. More Half-Life 2 type of game story, there was a bit, but needs more. What i mean by this is have scenes while your playing. lock people in rooms and then make them listen to the people talking, explaining stuff. I love this sort of thing. make sure its obvious. maybe have you talk to people, move to movie displays of things then come back discuss, etc, etc.

Not for me though, I wont be trading this game in. I loved the boost stuff, minus the sensitivity of the mouse, which should be excluded, or maybe just boost it at what level we set it. something like that! I'm not a game designer but this was why I'm not playing the game any more. I'm keeping because I think Haze 2, could be excellent! Spend money on graphics make it beautiful. Keep the story line interesting, its paramount to a good game! make it probably about 2 times the length. NOT to long, but definitely longer than this one was! If its interesting it wont matter! I'll want to come back and play if you keep me interested or wanting more.

last of all and just to stay on my soap box. Fix the settings problems as i said above.

In wrap up. Buy this game, you might enjoy it and to tell you the truth for $40AUD it was probably a cheap weekend of entertainment. Just a little frustrating.

Cheers,

Technoicon

Cloud Computing

2008-11-10T09:07:00.002+11:00

Hi,

Just thought i would start a blog about cloud computing.

Basically with all the press from the Microsoft PDC, and there announcement of Azure and Cloud Computing OS. Cloud computing has taking another step forward.

I think this is a move in the right direction. and here is why.

Virtual Servers: Today you are finding more and more people are moving to virtual servers instead of multiple servers, means that servers are now very portable. and easy to create new ones for testing and also backup!

They also provide you with better resource sharing, which means lower energy cost and less faults with hardware as you now only have 1 or 2 servers instead of 6 or 7.

With this much easier to manage server inviroment it means that services have a much better up time and companies that run these servers do not need many staff. so saving costs.

Web Applications: With the current adoption of web applications. with Web Mail, Google Doc's and now microsofts push for Windows Live and Online Office. may more people are becoming more open the doing there docs online. I do this for a few reasons:

I can access all my documents/emails from any computer ANYWHERE! flexibility like that is great.
I can share any document/email with anyone who is also on any computer anywhere.
I dont have to backup my files. they are always there, and always will be.
I can keep a local copy if needed. also when offline is fully able to edit all files in google docs that will make it perfect as i will never have to keep a local copy i'll just keep and "offline" copy which i can also edit.(google docs)
you can store the SAME file in multiple folders (google docs) and infact they are not ever folders they are basically tags and sub tags.

Being a computer tech guy, one of the biggest problem with local/static files has always been that you cannot easily access the files you need unless you carry them around with you. which a usb key can help alot. except i seem to break them all. I was always looking for files, searching shares i made on my computer. never having any order. Plus only being able to save it in one location then making multiple shortcuts just made things messy.

The only problem i can see is that the service for what ever reason blocks you or goes down. both of which wont happen on your local computer.

this will not be a problem when Offline/sync is done 100% properly, which by that i mean in the background, with out you noticing if you are offline or online, it wont matter you always have access to your files.

With these to things in mind. Virtual Server and Web Apps. I beleive this is the basis for Cloud computing. I think the way it should work, is just like dumb terminals/thin clients. basically have a very small OS. that runs a GUI which is kind of like a browser. but also have files that you can access, like my computer which is a app that lets you control your computer then all files are stored online with online storage OR and a must, network share. this way people can keep there private files offline on there own server.

Also i would like to see it work like google chrome apps do. i only found this feature yesterday and now I am back using google chrome, they new version is stable.

I beleive google is going to be making an OS. they have done it with andriod and i think the way they will shape andriod will be to move everything in a online type setup. add this to the great features of google chrome, put a linux back end on it and away you go.

I'm probably rambling on now. but my idea for the past 5-6 years was to scrap the traditional File system, and instead have a tag like system, that could tag files or anything, and then only show the tags how ever you wanted!

this is basically what google docs does.

some of the limiting things will be: Games, Video recording, Music making/recording.

I think cloud computing really needs to be all files stored in the cloud not all processing power done in the cloud.

games could still be loaded locally, but only games that interact online.

These are my basic thoughts. Not very structured sorry. dont have the time.

cheers

Technoicon

Links:

http://www.microsoft.com/azure/default.mspx

http://docs.google.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/web/content.aspx?id=microsoft-will-float-cloud-os-this-month

2008-08-19T09:47:00.000+10:00

On Server Machine

To install on a Server Core installation, you must perform the installation from a command prompt. Run the following command:

Start /w ocsetup Microsoft-Hyper-V

Restart the computer

Shutdown /r /t 0

get the comptuer name

hostname

Rename the computer

netdom renamecomputer <oldcomputername> /NewName:<newname>

Restart the computer

shutdown /r /t 0

Enable remote desktop for Vista

Cscript %windir%system32SCRegEdit.wsf /ar 0

Enable remote desktop for XP

Cscript %windir%system32SCRegEdit.wsf /ar 0

Cscript %windir%system32SCRegEdit.wsf /cs 0

To get the IP Address run ipconfig. This will enable you to setup DNS records for you new server

ipconfig

On Client Machine

To add the IP Address to the DNS server.(see other doco for how to add static DNS Records in your dns server)

To allow a Vista workstation to resolve the hostname, If there is no DNS server. You need to put the hostname in host file on the vista workstation.

Start > All Programs > Accessories

Right Click Notepad

Run as Administrator

Click Continue when prompted by the UAC

File > open c:windowssystem32driversetchosts

Add this to the bottom of the file <ipaddress> <computername>

On Server Machine

To allow authentication Create an account with the same user as your Vista logon.

net user <username> * /add

enter password (must be the same)

net localgroup “Administrators” /add <computername><username>

To Create Windows Update Scripts.

notepad

Save the following files:

c:\windows\system32\WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs

Set updateSession = CreateObject("Microsoft.Update.Session")
Set updateSearcher = updateSession.CreateupdateSearcher()

WScript.Echo "Searching for updates..." & vbCRLF

Set searchResult = _
updateSearcher.Search("IsInstalled=0 and Type='Software'")

WScript.Echo "List of applicable items on the machine:"

For I = 0 To searchResult.Updates.Count-1
Set update = searchResult.Updates.Item(I)
WScript.Echo I + 1 & "> " & update.Title
Next

If searchResult.Updates.Count = 0 Then
WScript.Echo "There are no applicable updates."
WScript.Quit
End If

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Creating collection of updates to download:"

Set updatesToDownload = CreateObject("Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl")

For I = 0 to searchResult.Updates.Count-1
Set update = searchResult.Updates.Item(I)
WScript.Echo I + 1 & "> adding: " & update.Title
updatesToDownload.Add(update)
Next

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Downloading updates..."

Set downloader = updateSession.CreateUpdateDownloader()
downloader.Updates = updatesToDownload
downloader.Download()

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "List of downloaded updates:"

For I = 0 To searchResult.Updates.Count-1
Set update = searchResult.Updates.Item(I)
If update.IsDownloaded Then
WScript.Echo I + 1 & "> " & update.Title
End If
Next

Set updatesToInstall = CreateObject("Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl")

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & _
"Creating collection of downloaded updates to install:"

For I = 0 To searchResult.Updates.Count-1
set update = searchResult.Updates.Item(I)
If update.IsDownloaded = true Then
WScript.Echo I + 1 & "> adding: " & update.Title
updatesToInstall.Add(update)
End If
Next

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Would you like to install updates now? (Y/N)"
strInput = WScript.StdIn.Readline
WScript.Echo

If (strInput = "N" or strInput = "n") Then
WScript.Quit
ElseIf (strInput = "Y" or strInput = "y") Then
WScript.Echo "Installing updates..."
Set installer = updateSession.CreateUpdateInstaller()
installer.Updates = updatesToInstall
Set installationResult = installer.Install()

'Output results of install
WScript.Echo "Installation Result: " & _
installationResult.ResultCode
WScript.Echo "Reboot Required: " & _
installationResult.RebootRequired & vbCRLF
WScript.Echo "Listing of updates installed " & _
"and individual installation results:"

For I = 0 to updatesToInstall.Count - 1
WScript.Echo I + 1 & "> " & _
updatesToInstall.Item(i).Title & _
": " & installationResult.GetUpdateResult(i).ResultCode
Next
End If

c:\windows\system32\WUA_SpecificUpdate.vbs

Set updateSession = CreateObject("Microsoft.Update.Session")

'Get update title to search for
WScript.Echo "Enter the title of the update: " & _
"(e.g., Update for Windows Rights Management client 1.0)"
updateTitle = WScript.StdIn.Readline

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Searching for: " & updateTitle & "..."

Set updateSearcher = updateSession.CreateupdateSearcher()

'Search for all software updates, already installed and not installed
Set searchResult = _
updateSearcher.Search("Type='Software'")

Set updateToInstall = CreateObject("Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl")

updateIsApplicable = False

'Cycle through search results to look for the update title
For i = 0 To searchResult.Updates.Count-1
Set update = searchResult.Updates.Item(i)
If UCase(update.Title) = UCase(updateTitle) Then
'Update in list of applicable updates
'Determine if it is already installed or not
If update.IsInstalled = False Then
WScript.Echo vbCRLF & _
"Result: Update applicable, not installed."
updateIsApplicable = True
updateToInstall.Add(update)
Else
'Update is installed so notify user and quit
WScript.Echo vbCRLF & _
"Result: Update applicable, already installed."
updateIsApplicable = True
WScript.Quit
End If
End If
Next

If updateIsApplicable = False Then
WScript.Echo "Result: Update is not applicable to this machine."
WScript.Quit
End If

WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Would you like to install now? (Y/N)"
stdInput = WScript.StdIn.Readline

If (strInput = "N" or strInput = "n") Then
WScript.Quit
ElseIf (stdInput = "Y" OR stdInput = "y") Then
'Download update
Set downloader = updateSession.CreateUpdateDownloader()
downloader.Updates = updateToInstall
WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Downloading..."
Set downloadResult = downloader.Download()
WScript.Echo "Download Result: " & downloadResult.ResultCode

'Install Update
Set installer = updateSession.CreateUpdateInstaller()
WScript.Echo vbCRLF & "Installing..."
installer.Updates = updateToInstall
Set installationResult = installer.Install()

'Output the result of the installation
WScript.Echo "Installation Result: " & _
installationResult.ResultCode
WScript.Echo "Reboot Required: " & _
installationResult.RebootRequired
End If

To run the windows update Script

cscript c:windowssystem32WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs

then follow the prompts

Now you need to setup the client to allow the Auth.

On Client Machine

Enable the firewall rules on the client for WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation). From an elevated command prompt, enter the following: netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)” new enable=yes Make sure the command it successful and responds: Updated 8 rules(s). Ok.

This step creates a firewall exception for the Microsoft Management Console application (mmc.exe). From an elevated command prompt, enter the following: Netsh firewall add allowedprogram program=%windir%system32mmc.exe name=”Microsoft Management Console” Make sure the command is successful and responds “Ok.”

You cannot copy and paste these because it wont work, it has something to do with the " marks. (you can just delete and readd them)

To Grant Permission for WMI to make a call back from the server to the client. from the start seach box, run:

dcomcnfg

click allow when prompted by UAC Expand the tree down through Component ServicesComputersMy Computer

select My Computer, right-click, choose properties

select the COM Security tab.

Under Access Permissions

Click Edit Limits

Select “ANONYMOUS LOGON” from the list of users

make sure Remote Access/Allow is checked in the permissions area. Click OK and OK again, and close Component Services.

You should now be able to Connect to the Windows 2008 Core Installation Hyper-V via the Hyper-V Manager in Windows Vista.

Note: Windows Vista must have Service Pack 1 Installed and Update for Windows Vista (KB949758) or Update for Windows Vista x64 Edition (KB949758) Depending if you are running X86 or X64 OS.

No Credit to Me, but a little more details and has more options:

Windows 2008 Server Core with Hyper-V

Server Configuration

Show interfaces:

netsh interface ip show interfaces

Add an IP address to interface:

netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.30 255.255.255.0 192.168.0.1 1

netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.1

Check IP configuration:

ipconfig

Rename server:

Netdom renamecomputer %computername% /NewName:NewName

Changing workgroup name:

Wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" call joindomainorworkgroup name="NewWorkgroupName"

Reboot for the computer name change to take effect:

shutdown /r /t 0

Status of Automatic Updates by issuing the command:

cscript %windir%system32scregedit.wsf /au /v

You can use Windows Update to patch Server Core, but you first need to turn it on using the following commands:

cscript %windir%system32scregedit.wsf /au 4

net stop wuauserv

net start wuauserv

This will use the default time of 3am to check for patches. If you want to force an update check, you can run:

wuauclt /detectnow

What updates are installed:

wmic qfe list

Enable remote desktop from Vista/Windows 2008:

cscript %windir%system32scregedit.wsf /ar 0

Enable remote desktop from Windows XP/2003 and earlier:

cscript %windir%system32scregedit.wsf /ar 0

cscript %windir%system32scregedit.wsf /cs 0

Configure the time zone, date, or time:

control timedate.cpl

Configure regional and language options:

control intl.cpl

Install Options

View role and optional feature package names and current installation state:

oclist

Install Hyper-V:

start /w ocsetup Microsoft-Hyper-V (case sensitive)

Update to Hyper-V RC1: (dont think this still applies)

Download update to Workstation http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=7edaa89f-9f64-488d-93c0-858d2d8799df&displayLang=en

Map workstation drive:

net use * \wkstshare

Copy Update to Server Core:

z:copy Windows6.0-KB950049-x64.msu c:Usersadministratordownloads

Install update:

c:Usersadministratordownloads>Windows6.0-KB950049-x64.msu

Remote Administration

Create user account for remote management on Server Core:

net user UserName * /add

Add to Local Group:

net localgroup administrators UserName /add

Check group:

net localgroup administrators

Enable remote management through firewall on Server Core:

netsh firewall set service fileandprint enable

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”Remote Administration” new enable=yes

netsh advfirewall set currentprofile settings remotemanagement enable

Install RSAT on workstation and Hyper-V Management Tools

RSAT x32 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9FF6E897-23CE-4A36-B7FC-D52065DE9960&displaylang=en

RSAT x64 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D647A60B-63FD-4AC5-9243-BD3C497D2BC5&displaylang=en

Management tools for Hyper-V Release Candidate 1:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949587

Wireless Point to Point Link AKA Radio Link

2008-08-12T09:20:00.002+10:00

Laser:
- Up to 1000 Mbps data rate
- Doesnt work in Fog
- Needs a fixed Building/Heavy masts
- 0.01 Degree of an angle for picking up signal

Class Licence Microwave:
108Mbps - operates in the 5.8 and 5.4Ghz ranges.
- Approx 20-25Mbps HALF DUPLEX Actual Speed
- 5.4Ghz could half link speed
- could run 2 x 108mb connections.
- Need Maintenance

300Mbps - Uses OFDM (which is basically 2 recievers, so that a signal is always picked up)
- Motorolla PTP-600
- Has Auto Channelling
- Approx 80-120Mbps HALF DUPLEX Actual Speed
- 8 Degree angle for picking up signal. so if it moves it will still connect full speed.
- Need Maintenance
- Performance is affected by line of sight and weather.

Self Regulating Licence Microwave:
1000Mbps - 1000Mbps Full Duplex Actual Speed
- 99.96% Avaliability, works out to approx 3 hrs a year min downtime. (will be used 2300 hours out of 8736)
- Runs on 70Ghz Range
- Greater than 10x the speed of 300Mbps
- Need Line of sight test
- Need Building Permit, Proper/New Masts, Engineering Permit.
- Need Maintenance
- 0.4 of a degree angle for picking up signal.

Basic outline of Wireless Point to Point Links.

I have been investergating this technology over the past few months. Basically what i have concluded is for our school the Self Regulating Licence Microwave would be the best and fastest.
as we dont need 100% uptime.

We will actually be using a mix of the Self Regulating Licence Microwave and Class Licence Microwave: 108Mbps. so that we can have full uptime, with just a slower speed when the main link is down.

:D

We use bridgewave.

short first blog!

Hope its helpful to someone!

Cheers
Patrick

Patrick McMahon's B-Log

This Week In Startups Episode 13

Google Chrome OS

Google Chrome OS

Google Chrome - Download a new browser

Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS

Haze

Cloud Computing

Wireless Point to Point Link AKA Radio Link