Happy 5th!

 

Five years ago this past Saturday (8/8) one of the best things ever happened. I would not trade the highs and lows of the past five years for anything.

Well crap in a hat . . .

I missed a week of blogging. Well, almost a week and a half. There really wasn't any specific reason other than I just was not feeling it. On top of that, I broke my New Year's resolution to publish one blog post each day of the year. I think I was doing pretty good.

Why a resolution to restart the blog after a multi-year hiatus? Well, for one, it's part of my personal initiative to get better at writing, research, and controlling online content related to me. Some regular readers may remember that I posted last year on Facebook about killing my LinkedIn account. Since then, I've terminated the following accounts: Flickr, Yahoo, Twitter, Lyft, AOL/AIM, Trillian, Trello, Vimeo. Code Academy, Flipboard, Glassdoor, ImageShack, Khan Academy, PayPal, WordPress, and uTest, among others. Fairly soon – possibly around the release of Visual Studio 2017 or the Windows 10 Creators' Update – I will be killing my Facebook account. I've already started the process by "in-liking" almost all of my pages, removing all of my interests, and unfollowing a lot of people. "Why," you ask? I don't know. Maybe a prior post provided the spur. All I know is that Facebook is not a place where I care to be.

Deleting all of these accounts and focusing on the blog is my way of controlling what is out there about me. I can control the content and context of the blog and the posts therein. I will write up a post later on this week explaining the reasoning behind this blog and the URL I chose.

As of right now, I'm still on Facebook. In a few weeks, the only ways to get – and keep – in touch will be via this blog, Google+/Google Hangouts, e-mail, and telephone/texting.

Oh, and I promise I will fill in some of the blanks from the "missing week!"

May your luster never dull, and your wires never cross!

I Don't Get It

What do people have to gain by antagonizing my dog? From the neighbor behind me threatening her, to assholes on bicycles, and shitty kids who really should know better, Trellis gets all kinds of flak when she either goes out the backyard to do her business or when we are out on our walks.

I don't know. I'm just frustrated, sad, and furious at the moment.

Software Issues and their Impact

Describe at least two software issues (open-source, upgrades, software bugs, copyrights/licenses, global support) and how these issues impact users and organizations.

Two issues that immediately caught my attention were software bugs and freeware/open-source software.

Software defects prevent software from accomplishing what it was designed to do. These defects can result in performance issues, data loss or data integrity issues, or incompatibilities. Software defects are an inevitable part of development. No software will ship one-hundred percent bug-free. The wide range of different combinations of applications, hardware, et cetera can lead to defects being discovered that would otherwise not be. Software bugs can be a source of many problems for companies as they could result in loss data, lost productivity, and increased costs to fix or work around these defects.

Software defects often go hand-in-hand with upgrades. Software upgrades have benefits and drawbacks. The most immediate benefit to upgrading is the ability to use the latest features and newest technology. On the other hand, users may need to learn a new way of working or navigating the software, especially in the case of Windows 8. Upgrading to any new version right away can also expose the user to defects that the manufacturer might not have found. Many companies have policies in place that delay upgrading until the software manufacturer releases a service pack or "point-one" version of the software.

Freeware, free software, and open-source software can be a source of confusion to many end users. Freeware is software that is distributed at no cost. However, users may be – and often are – bound by licensing restrictions, such as not being able to use the software for commercial or "for-profit" purposes. Such licensing restrictions often discourage businesses from using this software, no matter how beneficial it might be.

Open-source software, as its name implies, is software that is distributed along with its source code. This allows users to study or modify the code. Users can also redistribute the code or companies can use part of the code in its own software, as specified in the BSD and MIT licenses. Open-source software is typically distributed for free or at minimal cost. However, open-source software may not come with support guarantees and can carry a higher total cost of ownership (TCO). Additionally, some open-source software – typically Linux-based software – is not available or not compatible with Microsoft Windows. I should point out that open-source software is not always governed by the GNU General Public License (GPL). There are other licensing schemas available, such as the BSD license and the MIT license, which I mentioned above.

Free software – also called libre software – is software than can be studied, modified, and used without the typical licensing restrictions. Free software is typically licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). The biggest drawback to using the GPL is the licensing itself. If a software company includes GPL-licensed code in a software product, that company is legally bound to license their software product under the GPL. In some cases, simply including a copy of GPL-licensed code on the same media – even if it is not part of their software – may result in legal issues. This restriction alone can discourage companies from using free software.

Ten (10) Books that have Affected Me, Pt. 2

Continued from yesterday's post.

1. The Death of Superman - This is not (technically) a book. However, it did reignite my love of comic books and my appreciation for the medium.
2. A Practical Guide to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux - This served as my introduction to the GNU/Linux operating system via Fedora. I saw a world beyond Windows for the first time. I took two classes that utilized this book, classes which took me to my limit of technical knowledge. I'm not ashamed to say I still use GNU/Linux to this day, thanks to Mark Sobell's excellent work on this text.
3. Rescuing Jesus from the Christians - Remember when I said I wanted to find alternate perspectives of different mythologies? This book is part of that. Part of my curriculum at Indiana Wesleyan University involved writing several research papers in preparation for my capstone project. I wanted to find an alternate perspective on Christianity that had a historical basis, yet remained compatible with the Bible. This book was the springboard for that project.
4. Batman: To Stalk a Specter - This short novel did for Batman what The Death of Superman did for comics in general: it reignited my interest in the character. Plus, we get to see Batman actually doing some detective work and utilizing a network of citizens. This book also fundamentally shaped how I view the character.
5. Why Software Sucks...and What You Can Do About It - This book started me on the path to being a software tester.

So there you have it: ten books that have affected me in some way. Feel free to make your own list if you haven't already.

Ten (10) Books that have Affected Me, Pt. 1

So, there's a bit of a meme going around where you are supposed to list ten books that have affected you in some way. No one's tagged me yet, but it's too good of an exercise to pass up. The rules are simple: "Don't take more than a few minutes and don't think too hard. They don't have to be the 'right' books or great works of literature. Without further preamble, here is part one of my top ten list:

1. The Bible - For better or worse, the Bible has to be on the list. I grew up in a Christian household (Baptist on my mom's side, Catholic on my dad's). The Bible has always been part of my life, still colors how I perceive the world and everything in it, and perhaps always will shape my outlook on many things.
2. The Lord of the Rings - The Lord of the Rings kindled my love for the fantasy genre. The book attempts to capture the awe-inspiring, epic feeling of stories like Beowulf and King Arthur. I loved reading the book in school, and I still do. As I got deeper into the genre, I realized, though, that Tolkien was an awesome world-builder but a mediocre storyteller.
3. Dune - What love The Lord of the Rings kindled in me for fantasy, Dune did for the "science fiction" part of "Sci-Fi/Fantasy." Frank Herbert's world was - in many ways - more epic, sprawling, and mysterious than Tolkien's Middle Earth. Herbert was a master world-builder and a gifted storyteller. The Dune series always has something different to show me each time I read it, despite the rather meandering nature of the final books, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune.
4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Siege - This is not my first exposure to Peter David's works, but it is my most memorable. This came out shortly after DS9 premiered. The first several episodes left me cold on the series. This book convinced me to give DS9 a chance.
5. The Mists of Avalon - This was recommended by a former co-worker at Huntington Bank. This tale of Arthurian legends from the point-of-view of Morgaine sparked a desire to find alternate perspectives of different mythologies. It also served as a reminder to keep an open mind when interacting with people of different backgrounds and faiths.

Friends to the End . . .

I lost a friend and a friendship yesterday.

I cannot say that I am surprised. We've been drifting apart for quite some time. I'm not sure whether it was the distance, me not being there at times, or him shielding himself and pushing me away. All I know is that after 20 years, we are no longer.

I won't say that it didn't hurt, or hasn't been difficult. I honestly do not know what I'm supposed to feel in the end, though. Right now it's a mix of shock, sadness, befuddlement, and a bit of "whatever will be, will be."

I do hope he finds the peace he's looking for. I do hope we get the chance to reconnect someday.

I love you, bro.

John 1:1-14

What is the implication of John's discussion of light as it relates to human beings?

John's discussion of light is rooted in human beings being created in the image of God. Being created in the image of God gives human beings the unique capacity to reflect God. According to Samuele Bacchiocchi, "the image of God is associated not with man as male and female, or with an immortal soul given to our species, but rather with humankind’s capacity to be and to do on a finite level what God is and does on an infinite level" (paragraph 22). Human beings are part of – and a reflection of – God's light, but God is the true Light.

What is the implication of John's statement that people did not understand the light? Why might he have used the word understand here when he could have used other words?

John spoke of "understanding" in the sense of comprehension. For example, Jesus used parables throughout His ministry. Those with understanding comprehended the meaning behind the parables, whereas those without understanding did not. Just because someone can see, hear, or otherwise perceive something does not mean they understand it. John's use of understanding implies a deep, comprehensive knowledge.

What does John mean when he talks about the world?

John is referring to the world in a couple of contexts. First, he is referring to the physical world and everything in it. Second, it refers to the world system. That is, the political and social systems in place in the world then and now.

What does it imply when John says that God came to his own?

This is two-fold. First, it means God came to the world, humanity (as a whole) in particular, which is His creation. Second, God came to the Jewish people, who are His covenant (or chosen) people.

Sources:

Bacchiocchi, S. (n.d.). The Old Testament View of Human Nature. Retrieved July 8, 2014, from http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/immortality_resurrection/2.htm

E-Waste

What concerns have been raised over e-waste?

There have been many concerns raised over electronic waste (e-waste). The main concern involves the use of heavy metals and materials like mercury, lead, and PVC plastic. When electronics products are thrown away, these materials can leach into the ground and cause serious environmental issues over time. Sometimes non-salvageable components of these products are burned, especially in third-world countries. This creates toxic smoke which enters our atmosphere and causes illnesses in the short term and long-term environmental effects. Another concern is the use of child labor in dismantling used electronics and manufacturing new electronics products.

One of the biggest – perhaps the biggest – contributor to e-waste is the idea of "planned obsolescence." Planned obsolescence involves deliberately manufacturing a product to become obsolete after a period of time. Many critics use Apple as an example, but all electronics manufacturers are guilty of this at one point or another. I’ve pasted a link to the Wikipedia article, which gives an excellent summary of the concept. There are some excellent links near the bottom of the article to resources that go into greater detail.

Another concern – not specifically related to e-waste – is the amount of other waste generated as a side effect. For example, most electronics devices use batteries of some sort. Batteries contain toxic materials such a cadmium, lithium, and alkaline. In addition, there is the packaging. Many companies have taken steps to reduce the amount of packaging, but the sheer volume of electronics devices purchased today nearly negates that effort.

What actions can electronics manufacturers take to address the e-waste problem?

Many manufacturers – such as Nokia and Apple – offer "take-back" or "buy-back" programs that offer consumers the opportunity to recycle their old devices when they are no longer needed. More manufactures can adopt similar programs or provide similar incentives to their customers. Many manufacturers could also discard the notion of "planned obsolescence," and build products that are meant to last longer. Many manufacturers are also designing their products with less amounts of hazardous material and making them easily recyclable.

Manufacturers aren’t the only organizations that can take action. Travis mentioned in his thread about local communities organizing a "recycling day" that gives residents another option to recycle their old electronics. However, these events are only held a few times a year. Major retailers can also contribute. Best Buy already offers a "buy back" program. Imagine how much e-waste could be recycled if all Wal-Marts across the country offered a recycling or "take-back" program in their stores!

What laws, if any, do you think are necessary to address this problem? Why?

I think there should be laws to provide incentives for companies to manufacture their products with fewer hazardous materials. There could also be laws to provide incentives to consumers that recycle their old electronics. The government has offered such incentives in the past to taxpayers who have made their homes energy-efficient. Why not expand those incentives to encourage recycling electronics products?

Make or Buy?

What are some advantages and disadvantages of purchasing versus developing software?

The main advantage to purchasing software versus developing it is the cost savings to design, develop, and test the software. If a company – or a consumer – purchases software, there is a reasonable expectation that it has been tested and functions the way the developer intends. However, this is not always the case. Conversely, no pre-packaged software ever does what every user wants. As a result, users have to change settings, add customization options, or resort to purchasing additional software to accomplish their goals.

Developing software has its advantages, too. If a company develops its software in-house, it can be sure the software meets expectations. One unexpected advantage is if the software benefits the company – and could benefit a company's customers – the company may be able to sell that software and realize an additional profit.

Another advantage to companies developing their own software is the concept of "dogfooding," where companies use their own product in production to demonstrate its capabilities.

As an aside, I think free and open-source software have an advantage over proprietary software when it comes to companies developing their own software. Companies can reap the benefits of having pre-packaged software, which saves on the development and design costs, and customize that software to fit their business processes.

What is important to include in the contract with a software developer?

Some important things to include in the contract with the software developer include:

1. Service and support – If my software does not function correctly under certain circumstances, or there is a bug discovered, what are the developer’s responsibilities? Should they make a fix available at no cost? What is the ideal response time for any support issues? How soon can I expect a resolution to any support issues? What would be the developer’s responsibility if any data loss or data integrity issues result through use of the software? What is considered an “inappropriate” use of the software or what would violate any licensing agreements?
2. Training – Will the software developer provide training or make any training available to the end users? Is the documentation on how the product is intended to function?
3. User Acceptance Testing or Trial periods – Does the software developer offer a trial of their software?
4. Is the software secure? It’s almost impossible to guarantee complete security as there will always be defects in the software and improvements in hacking methods. But does the developer respond to security concerns in a timely manner? Has the developer knowingly released the software with security issues?
5. How much does the software cost? This would include up-front and maintenance costs over the life of the software.

More IWU Homework

How can young people murder each other without remorse?

I chose this question because it hits fairly close to home for me. If you peruse the news stories on Cleveland.com, you will see at least one murder story a week. Most of these stories involve teens and people in their twenties, either as victims or perpetrators. Although I will try to keep race out of the subject of this post, a large percent of these murders involve young, African-American men.

My search led me to the following sites:

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1174.cfm

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090430/articles/904304004

http://askkissy.com/2011/10/2-men-arrested-for-murder-in-las-vegas-why-do-young-black-men-kill-each-other/

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200910/why-kids-kill-parents

What does this page reveal about our culture’s attitude toward human life?

Part of this trend of young people murdering each other is the fulfillment of prophecy, as Paul detailed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV):

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

This verse provides a litany of symptoms. The cause however, is this: human life is no longer seen as beautiful and valuable. To expand on that statement, no one sees others as valuable save him or herself. Think about what Sagan said in the first week, that nothing in the universe has any intrinsic value relative to anything else. Secular humanism teaches that man is no more than an evolved animal. We see this sort of behavior in today’s business world, where people move up the corporate ladder at the expense of their co-workers and families. We see the consequences of this mindset play out on the evening news every day.

Basically, it all comes down to one fact: Human life is not valuable.

Is there any dissonance between what we believe and the way we act?

I think there is a huge dissonance between what we believe – or what we say we believe – and how we act. Many corporations promote work/life balance, but ask workers to work overtime and sacrifice energy to get that next project done. Gang members are taught that they are all brothers, unless one of them goes against the flow, then he is nothing. Many Christians are not immune, either. They preach “love thy neighbor,” yet they do not practice it.

Are there underlying questions and assumptions behind these current issues?

There are several underlying assumptions, yes:

• Most young people murdering others tend to be black. This is not the case, particularly with cases like T.J. Lane.
• Most young people who murder others are bullied or abused. Although this is true in a few cases, such as the T.J. Lane case mentioned above, some come from good homes with caring parents.
• The killers come from poor or low-income families. Again, true in some cases, but not always. Take the Menendez brothers as an example.

Some questions asked include:

1. Why did no one see the warning signs?
2. What could drive someone to kill without remorse?
3. How can we ensure this doesn’t happen again?

If There Is a God

EDIT: I found the video.

This post was part of my homework for Indiana Wesleyan University in response to a recorded lecture Harold Kushner gave. If I can find the YouTube video, I will edit this post to include it. Specifically, my response to this video had to answer the following questions:

1. How important is this problem for you?
2. What do you think of Kushner’s answer to the problem?
3. Have you found other ways to address this issue?

This was my response to the video:
Parts of this video were hard for me to watch, particularly the portion about the young man who was killed by a drunk driver and buried on what was supposed to be his wedding day. I had not thought that speaking in such a manner was teaching people – even subconsciously – to hate God.
The problem of good people suffering needlessly is – I suspect – important to everyone in some degree or another. I’ve had to deal with it when I lost my job last year and earlier when a friend committed suicide. The question of "Why do bad things happen to good people?" is a fundamental question, even if it is the wrong question.
I liked Rabbi Kushner’s three-fold approach:

• The natural world makes no distinction between good and evil. This is something I had not considered when I’ve asked myself that question.
• How do we respond to someone who is suffering? Simply say "I'm sorry" and be there for them. I can attest to that being the most appropriate way more often than not. One of my friends is currently going through a rough time due to an incorrect medical diagnosis that resulted in a drug regimen that’s probably caused more damage to his body than it was intended to fix. I do not know what to say, so I just let him know I'm there and listen as he vents his frustration and hurt.
• Sometimes the "why" is not a question, but a cry of pain. That bit reminded me of a quote by John Hagee in his book, Day of Deception. On page 155, he says:

Hey, it’s all right to say, "Things are not going right. We're in trouble." It's all right to say "I'm hurting." It's all right to say, "I'm a Christian but I still need somebody to pray with me or I'm going to lose control."

It's also okay to be angry at God. It's okay to have doubts. What matters is how you react to those doubts. I remember an episode of Reba where her son-in-law refused to go to church because he lost faith in God. She told him her story, ending it with "He [God] waited for me when I was mad at Him." Despite being on a secular television show, that brought home a truth for me: God waits for us. We may struggle, but God struggles with us, helps us through it, and waits for us.
I went through and skimmed the book of Job. I will certainly be reading it in-depth. Job 35:1-8 brought home another point: God will do just fine, no matter what we do. If we sin, we don't injure Him, we injure ourselves.
One part I had trouble with was that Satan orchestrated these tragedies against Job. I would say, "But why would God let Satan do that?" The answer – if it can be called that – came to me via two ways. First, I re-read the beginning chapter and noticed that God had Satan on a leash, so to speak. God kept Satan from attacking Job's health, then later kept Satan from taking Job's life. The second was Bob Larson's book In the Name of Satan. In this book, Larson detailed some of his encounters with the demonic. He illustrated that demons exist to destroy what God created, and that includes human beings. Many times, he noted, demons perform evil acts just because they can. However, they are still subject to God. It may not sound comforting, but I took a measure of solace in that.
Another additional reading that helped me through a difficult time was James Dobson's book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense. The book helped me realize that even though I am going through tough times, God is with me and I need to trust in Him.

Technorati Tags: Bible,Faith,Personal,Thoughts,YouTube,Harold Kuchner,Indiana Wesleyan University

Another PSA

Leaving the Microsoft Ecosystem (Preview)

Inspired by this post from Brad Sams on Thurrott.com.

Shuttering the Microsoft Band/Health platform may be just the spur I need to exit the Windows ecosystem entirely, as I have been slowly leaving Windows behind. I've left the Lumia ICON on Verizon for a Nexus 6P on Project Fi and traded in my Surface for a Pixel C.

My Band has been refusing to charge, and neither Best Buy nor the nearest Microsoft Store have stock handy for a replacement. I've since bought a Fitbit Alta (and, later, a Charge 2) and resurrected an Asus ZenWatch for testing purposes.

The only remnants of Microsoft's ecosystem at this point are my desktop, personal laptop, and the few apps I still use on my phone.

When automation goes wrong

http://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/559

This scenario came to pass for a co-worker and myself. Our attempts to automate some manual tests uncovered a configuration issue that resulted in test data being fed into the production environment. In this case, a patient, said patient's medical record, and a prescription order for a controlled substance – in this case Oxycodone – for said patient sent to a local Walgreen's pharmacy.

Another reason why automating tests at the GUI level is not as easy as it seems . . .

Time to Clean

So I spent most of today clearing out and hiding many anti- and pro-Trump posts from my Facebook wall. Kind of how I did the same for Hillary, Bush, and Obama. The sheer hypocrisy from both sides does not surprise me, but the venom and vitriol do.

Reconciling Inconsistencies

Hebrews 13:8 says that God "is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 1:12 states that "You [God] remain the same, and Your years will never end." Yet He brings change, as written in 1 Corinthians 15:52: "at the last trumpet . . . we will be changed." Romans 12:2 states "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind."

So this is where I'm struggling in my faith: a God who thrives on change, and drives change, yet is unchanging.

Technorati Tags: Faith,Personal,Thoughts,Bible,Change

Life Goals: Attend QualityJam

One thing I wanted to do this year was attend QualityJam, QASymphony's annual user conference that talks "about the future of software quality" and other software testing topics. Unfortunately, the lack of funds prohibits me from attending this year. The conference spans two days – usually Tuesday and Wednesday – in April. I priced everything out, including: round-trip flight from Cleveland, three-day hotel stay, conference registration, transportation, and entertainment. All told, everything would come out to around $2,500.00 to $3,000.00 for roughly three days.

I priced out a Monday morning or early afternoon flight down and a Thursday morning flight back. I wanted flights outside of the actual conference dates to have a chance to decompress and explore the area where I would be staying. I would be checking into the Westin Buckhead hotel in Atlanta on Monday afternoon and leaving on Thursday morning.

But, whatever. At least I know how much I would need to save for next year and add this to my list of goals.

Technorati Tags: Personal,QASymphony,QualityJam,Software testing,Life Goals

Wearable Wish List

There has been a bit of chatter around the Web on wearable devices over the past year, particularly with smartwatches and smartwatch-like devices (such as fitness trackers). 2016 was not a great year for wearables: Google delayed the release of Android Wear 2.0, Fitbit devices – particularly the Charge 2 and Flex 2 – did not sell as well as expected even with generous discounts, several OEMs have discarded plans to manufacture smartwatches, and Apple has not released the sales figures for the Apple Watch. I posted on Facebook about Microsoft's shuttering of its health platforms and the Band being the spur to leave the Windows ecosystem. To date, I have pretty much done that. That is for another post, however.

As far as wearables go, there has been a bit of buzz as we close out the month of January. Android Wear 2.0 is getting released next month. Fitbit has acquired smartwatch manufacturers Pebble and Vector. This short "wish list" of sorts is spun out of that buzz. It is a bit biased towards Fitbit, as that is my current wearable of choice. Without further ado:

1. Tighter integration with virtual assistants. Android Wear 2.0 will bring the Google Assistant to the wearable space. I am looking forward to seeing how Google positions wearables within its vision of a "more personal Google." Microsoft's Band and Health platform had (have?) tight integration with Cortana. However, with the Band being shuttered and Health's future cloudy, this seems like the perfect time to build out an integration between Fitbit and Cortana.
2. The ability to import data into the ecosystem of choice. This is primarily targeted at Fitbit. I have several years worth of data in Microsoft's various health platforms (Health, Healthvault, MSN Health & Fitness). I would love to be able to import that data into either Fitbit or Google Fit without having to use yet another app as a workaround. This takes on more urgency as integrations between these various platforms fall by the wayside.
3. Replace the phone for most tasks. I would like to see smartwatches with cellular connectivity become more affordable so I can accomplish minor tasks such as responding to notifications without having to rely on my phone. Also, I'd love to see them available on networks other than AT&T and Verizon.

So there you have it: my short wish list for wearables in 2017. What would you like to see happen in the wearable space, if anything?

References

Android Wear 2.0 is launching next month - The Verge. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/11/14245336/google-android-wear-2-february-launch-smartwatch

Fitbit continues to beef up smartwatch efforts with acquisition of Vector | Ars Technica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/01/fitbit-continues-to-beef-up-smartwatch-efforts-with-acquisition-of-vector/

Fitbit ending Microsoft HealthVault integration on September 12th - MSPoweruser. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mspoweruser.com/fitbit-ending-microsoft-healthvault-integration-september-12th/

The Future Of Microsoft Health Is Foggy - Thurrott.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thurrott.com/hardware/80034/future-microsoft-health-foggy

Microsoft disbands the Band: fitness device pulled from stores, no Band 3 this year | Ars Technica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/10/microsoft-disbands-the-band-fitness-device-pulled-from-stores-no-band-3-this-year/

Microsoft drops Windows Phone version of its HealthVault app | ZDNet. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-drops-windows-phone-version-of-its-healthvault-app/

Microsoft ejects Windows Phones from their HealthVault - MSPoweruser. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mspoweruser.com/microsoft-ejects-windows-phones-healthvault/

Microsoft Health app on Windows and Android has been rebranded as "Microsoft Band" [Update]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-health-app-on-windows-and-android-has-been-rebranded-as-microsoft-band

Report: Fitbit tried to buy wearable arch-rival Jawbone. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/12/report-fitbit-tried-to-buy-wearable-arch-rival-jawbone/

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Microsoft Health,Microsoft Band,Fitbit,Android Wear,Smartwatches,Wearables

Long-term Wish

The map above is a typical layout for a new complex of townhome apartments that recently opened up not far from me. This is very close to my ideal home layout, as everything more or less flows in an order that makes sense to me. If I had the means and wherewithal, I would build a house that matches this layout.

There are a few things I would change, though:

• Change the walk-in closet of the master bedroom to a closet similar to the second bedroom and use the space gained to add a shower to the en suite wash room.
• Add windows to the bathrooms.
• Eliminate the fireplace.
• If I had the yard space, I'd add a small sunroom off the dining room (10' x 10').
• I would also add access to a patio in the back yard via a sliding door in the sunroom.