clock ... watching time, the only true currency » Amazon http://www.pencoyd.com/clock A journal from John B. Roberts Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:20:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 Was Tuesday Google hiring day? http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2007/05/24/google-hiring-day/ http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2007/05/24/google-hiring-day/#comments Thu, 24 May 2007 13:27:52 +0000 John Roberts http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2007/05/24/google-hiring-day/ I got two emails on Tuesday from Google. Seems like Jeff Barr, whom I know a little bit got similar recruiting emails. Coincidence that all of this happened on Tuesday?

Unlike Jeff, now at Amazon, I’ve never spoken to Google about working there, so there was less dissonance, just surprise. Although I have several good friends at the company (and appreciate the referral) and a lot of respect for many of Google’s products and services, I’m captivated by my current job…and that was my reply.

I’m just thrilled to be in Jeff Barr’s class. ;-)

]]> http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2007/05/24/google-hiring-day/feed/ 0 Saturday links, inbox edition http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/saturday-links-inbox-edition/ http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/saturday-links-inbox-edition/#comments Sun, 03 Dec 2006 04:42:33 +0000 John Roberts http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/saturday-links-inbox-edition/ I’d like a clean inbox to start next week, so it’s time to pull out the tidbits which raised themselves up above the del.icio.us level of interest, and into the “I should check this out” tier. Of course, I really haven’t given these much attention, but if I put them up here, at least my personal e-mail inbox and conscience will be clear.

Oldest stuff first…

  • Antisocial media reminds me why I love the Internet. Even as I curse the extra burden of self-service sometimes, I really treasure not having to talk to someone to complete every transaction.
  • Jon Udell’s screencast about Dabble DB is still something I want to check out. Data without visualization is useless…but data without structure can’t even be visualized, so I’m curious whether this service really extends the power of databases beyond the software developer, or provides an online service for the software developer.
  • A new free physical map of the United States is worth noting. I don’t need one (or have room for one), but just in case you do. Actually, you would do well to just visit Raven Maps and pay the reasonable fees for them to mail you one of theirs — fantastic stuff.
  • NextBus sounds great, but I’m not sure it will change how/when I take the bus. Still, I’m pleased to see that NextBus now has more lines in San Francisco, including some I take more often.
  • Amazon: Utility computing power broker is a CNET News.com article from three weeks ago about how all these new web services may be a good business for Amazon. Not news, really, but I’m a fan.
  • Via The Map Room, I learn about the rules for NFL TV distribution. Doesn’t change my viewing habits, but the imposition of geographical boundaries on a media world which erases boundaries remains interesting. How long can these now-artificial limits survive?
  • This flashlight does look like a Cool Tool.
  • I know an Oklahoman who might enjoy these maps.
  • Asteroid’s Revenge (Flash game) has an amusing premise, although it won’t occupy you for long.
  • Via Slashdot, I learned about the BusinessWeek.com slideshow (crank those pageviews for the media model!) on how LEGOs are made. Or you can read the article.
  • I think SUNW is worth keeping an eye on, financially.
  • The team at silicon.com in the UK lauched atlarge.com this week. The original concepts for this site were discussed while I was still at CNET Networks. I’m glad to see the champions behind the idea did not get discouraged, even if they were delayed. The goal? “Read and write about internet access, at the airports of the world.” This is a functional site, not a media site, and it’s well done. It does need a bit of a jumpstart, of course. I don’t travel much, or I would do my part. I know I am often curious about what will be available for access, since I’m not yet an EVDO customer.
  • I’m annoyed that by waiting just two days after getting the email, I was too slow to even get into the lottery to get an entry for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon next June. I should have known, but damn. Last year, I got in the lottery, but did not get an entry. Didn’t even get that far, this year. And I’m really not interested in the Wildflower Triathlon in May, which just opened entries.
  • While my message board research did not continue in public (mostly because I’m usually too tired to blog when I get home), I will say that I need to dig into Vanilla Add-ons over the next few days. I’ll detail more at some point.

Time to step away from the computer on a Saturday night.

]]> http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/saturday-links-inbox-edition/feed/ 0 My first Amazon.com order: December 17, 1997 http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/my-first-amazoncom-order-december-17-1997/ http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/my-first-amazoncom-order-december-17-1997/#comments Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:03:06 +0000 John Roberts http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/my-first-amazoncom-order-december-17-1997/ Chad Dickerson asks “What was your first Amazon order?”

So I went into Amazon, flipped back through my transaction history, and found two books I ordered on December 17, 1997. This is back when Amazon mostly sold books. ;-)

The two books were The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Men Against the Sea and Full-Time RVing : A Complete Guide to Life on the Open Road. Both were Christmas gifts; I’m pretty sure the latter was for my sister, as support material for her Airstream. Not a big seller, but still available. I can’t remember which family member received The Perfect Storm. Oh well. Good book (and movie), all the same. And still for sale, new or used.

Since Christmas is approaching once more, and I’m not a fan of shopping, I wouldn’t be surprised if I make my first Amazon.com purchase since June (the pre-order of Beautiful Evidence).

Thanks, Chad, for sparking this walk down memory lane. Nine years later, I’m still a customer, albeit a sporadic one.

]]> http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/12/02/my-first-amazoncom-order-december-17-1997/feed/ 3 Amazon.com is making the right moves http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/11/05/amazoncom-is-making-the-right-moves/ http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/11/05/amazoncom-is-making-the-right-moves/#comments Sun, 05 Nov 2006 23:03:30 +0000 John Roberts http://www.pencoyd.com/clock/2006/11/05/amazoncom-is-making-the-right-moves/ Speaking of Web 2.0… the only reason I would want to be at that conference is to hear Jeff Bezos speak. I think Amazon Web Services, and their other efforts to re-use their existing infrastructure across the web (and the real world, including shipping centers) is the most impressive change in how business works I’ve seen in years. BusinessWeek’s cover story was called “Jeff Bezos’ Risky Bet.” I’d put my chips on the same number. And I’m not much of a gambler. Only time will tell, but I’m convinced Amazon is both well suited and well positioned to become an even bigger force in both the business of technology and the technology of business. The latter is the big score. I think this is akin to the introduction of eBay in its ability to create new types of businesses, of all sizes, which could not have existed before.

Amazon has already had to build its own “river” of infrastructure; now they are opening it up to all “boats,” from entrepreneurs on inner tubes to businesses with barges. It’s not just about books anymore.

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