Internet of Things

In short, it is the network of anything that can be connected to the internet that will give and receive information. The potential and implications of this type of technology are huge. It is estimated that the internet of things will be a $6 trillion market by 2025. The basic idea is connected devices being able to send information to cloud services which will then be processed and a response will be sent back that tells the device to do something or refrain from doing something that it was programmed. Think of a sprinkler system that does not turn on at its usual morning time because it is going to rain in two hours. These are features that are going to be useful and are being developed in order to save time, energy, and money. It will not be something like being able to turn on the dishwasher from your mobile app. It is going to be more along the lines of the furnace knowing to decrease the temperature when everyone is out of the house based on cell phone GPS or alerting the user via text when it is time to change the filter. The possibilities are endless and it is going to be exciting to see where we will be headed in the next ten years with this Internet of Things.

Wind Trees

These turbines look like tree from a distance and they are perfect for urban settings. Created by a French company, these Wind Trees are three meter tall generators that can generate about 3 kW of power. The leaves are the micro turbines that can rotate. It does not sound like much but several of them in an urban setting can help offset the energy used in homes, street lamps, and to charge electric cars. There is another 12 meter prototype that is being developed which will cost about $35,000 so it is not quite available for the average consumer but many industrial architects are taking notice. Obviously, this type of technology is not the first nor the last. There are plenty of structures that are "green" and even have solar cells. The best part is that these systems are being connected to a network and internet as well as mobile applications. We can then collect data and further analyze how to best use the systems to generate more energy and decrease the impact that humans have on the environment.

Information Overload

This is the new year and you might be wondering where we are headed as far as tech goes. First of all, your smartphone will know more about you than even you know. It might be getting closer to a point where it will anticipate what you are going to do or want. Even now, the mobile applications are using our data as currency. There will also be more things that are connected, which means that they will be able to collect even more data. Secondly, there is more demand for better security. Everything that can be hacked, will most likely be hacked. I think we need to broaden this definition as well. Yes, data will be stolen and there is always the second step of it being used. It goes beyond data though. A hacker that wants to do harm can achieve it by manipulating lights, creating outages, and just wrecking havoc in general. There is really no such thing as privacy anymore and people will live in fear of being exposed because we will still remain people and suffer the human condition.

Keeping Those Dreams Alive

I am not going to sugar coat it for you, you will hit walls, people will tell you that your idea is not good enough, that even you are not good enough. There will be mountains. It is going to be up to you for either move them, scale them, or tunnel through. You are the one that has to make the decision to keep going even when it gets hard. Keeping that dream alive can be hard but there are some rules that you can follow to never give up. You have to keep in mind that no matter your age, you have a lifetime to succeed. You could even change careers several times, going from lawyer to teacher to web development professional. The possibilities only increase, you just have to be willing to take that leap of faith. There is always going to be more opportunities. It is just as important to be patient because long term success takes time and just does not happen overnight. You have to realize that we are a lot strong than we give ourselves credit for so when the going gets tough, do not lose confidence in yourself and strive to only compare yourself to yourself. If there is failure, take it as a lesson and move on. Just remember, the night is darkest before the dawn.

Tips For Sunnier Days

You should try some meditation mobile applications. It will give your mind a rest which will result in being able to function at a great level. Do not take life--or yourself too seriously. It's possible to find humor in virtually any situation. It's okay to laugh at yourself--nobody's perfect. Now that we have established that no one is perfect, it is of worth to say that one of the most important things you can do is to forgive. Having a grudge is like holding hot coals in your hands. You are the only one that is getting burned the longer you hold them. And just as important, forgive yourself. This outlook is useful when you are investing in relationships. Take the time to let the people in your life know that you love them, even in the hardest of times. Along with that, comes honest being the best policy, always. Focus on creating the life you want. Take care of your family and yourself. Do not judge. We all have the right to live our own lives in the way we intend to--which includes you.