Recently, Google and Verizon have been trying to direct the Federal Communications Commission to remove net neutrality protections for wireless internet connections that Verizon provides. In effect, this would allow Verizon to create and regulate the delivery speed of internet sites to its users.

By regulating the delivery speed, those internet sites like Google's Youtube could be served up to users more quickly than sites that haven't paid a premium in[...]

Just as I was about to write this blog, I remembered that I needed to check my Facebook news feed for new posts from friends and family. I also needed to send a text message to one of my colleagues about an upcoming project and get his feedback. I absolutely had to check my Outlook calendar for any appointments I might have scheduled for today. Oh, and I was going[...]

I realize that this statement sounds backwards, but the fact is, email overload and multitasking do make you less productive at your job. Intel, the computer chip maker, estimates that email overload can cost large companies as much as $1 billion a year in lost productivity.

How is this possible? Aren't these supposed to be tools that make you more productive? It has more to do with interruptions to your thought[...]

Recently, I received an email supposedly from UPS about a delivery problem relating to a package shipped around Christmas. The email return address indicated it was from a manager at parcel delivery@ups.com.

Since my wife routinely sends Christmas packages to her son in California, I thought it was legitimate. The email instructed me to open and print the attached invoice file so I could go collect the package.

When I[...]

If Rupert Murdoch has his way, you won't be able to Google a headline and get all the story links available for that news piece. According to Mr. Murdoch, "We need to do a better job of persuading consumers that high-quality, reliable news and information does not come free. Good journalism is an expensive commodity."

Murdoch's comments were repeated by other media executives at a recent Federal Trade Commission workshop that[...]

Since the internet became the go-to place for research, finding information, entertainment and socializing every business large and small has tried to come up with the best approach to branding, product recognition and monetizing their company's presence on the web. It doesn't appear that anyone one or any business has really figured out how to do this effectively.

Even the giants like Facebook and Twitter haven't cracked the code on how to[...]

 In a recent interview, Bill Gates was asked what the next big thing in computers and software might be. His answer was that it would be all about how humans interact with  computers and other digital devices. Frankly, I am not sure what kind of interface I would want in my next computer and/or phone. I hate using my notebook computer's keyboard and use a third party wireless keyboard and[...]

 Since the recession began, California's budget deficit issues and double digit unemployment rates have a lot of people wondering if the state can continue leading the nation in technology and innovation. Ask most Californians, and they will tell you they don't believe their state is quite ready to throw in the towel. In fact, their ability to innovate will not only play a role in their recovery, but in America's[...]

 In the beginning there was normal reality. What you saw was what was there. Then there was altered reality, but that was in the sixties and you needed a competent drug dealer to ensure you could return from your trip on Transcendental Airways. Next came virtual reality and if normal reality didn't do it for you, then you could create your own virtual persona and be as cool as you[...]

Last week, I began this series on the secrets to building a billion dollar web property by giving a brief analysis of the early development of Facebook and Myspace. I discussed how their visions and value propositions morphed over time. I stated that the number one secret of their success was user engagement. And yes, your vision and value proposition will determine the level and frequency of user engagement, but[...]