Seamus Phan 潘俊嘉 | inspire+inform

Get coding, before obsolescence bites you

ed — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:39:51 +0000

The break-neck speed of acquisitions today rival the heydays of the dotcom era, before the dotcom era crashed. While we dance with many social and mobile media technologies, we must also be prepared for the inevitable.

As a social media and mobile developer, I have to be up to speed with many of the available technologies and platforms today. At the very least, I have to at least try the viable and prominent platforms and technologies once, to discern if they are indeed worth my time and investment, either to use for our own needs, or for clients.

Back in 1996, when we first developed Internet websites for clients, we dabbled with Macromedia Shockwave (Director and Flash). We determined that they would be nice to have, but not essential. Nonetheless, we equipped ourselves with in-house development capabilities, so that we were able to provide our clients with those extended capabilities, if needed. Macromedia got acquired by the giant Adobe, and up until recently, Flash was still very much in use. Then HTML5 took over and Flash got on the kerb of the road. I have tried for example, timeline animation with Flash (before) and with HTML5. I must admit HTML5 is much simpler to learn and use, and compatible with modern browsers on desktops, tablets and smartphones without the need for plugins.

Again, in the same era of the Internet dotcom boom in the late 1990s to early 2000s, Java was “the” programming language. Everywhere we turn, we had to deal with Java in one way or another. Many enterprise to web-enablement apps ran on Java, and we too, had to learn Java to be able to provide that capability for our web clients, if needed. Although frankly, as a developer since my teens (BASIC, FORTRAN, C, HyperScript, Java, Perl, PHP, HTML, etc), I didn’t like Java at all.

Over time, more competitive languages came into prominence, especially with the popularity of Apple’s iPhone®, which required XCode (zero connection to any Java – it is Objective C). With the recent documented security vulnerabilities, web browsers can be configured to disable Java. I have since removed the Java plugin entirely on my office network, just in case. One less worry on my mind as a sysadmin.

Now we are in the social media boom, rivaling that of the dotcom boom in the 2000s. But of course, to every technology boom is the crash soon after, so you and I, as practitioners, we are surely aware of that and preparing for the inevitable. The signs are there. You know it when acquisitions get white hot again.

Oracle just acquired Involver, a nice social media platform I have dabbled with briefly. It was on the back of my mind for projects, but this morning, I received an Oracle mass email. It talked about its acquisition of Involver, and that the “legacy” social management platform and apps will be decommissioned on July 1 2013. I haven’t the opportunity to get fully acquainted with Involver yet. What a pity. But no worries, there are other paid social management and monitoring tools I have already signed up with.

So, the crux is, I have taken great pains to learn development and programming languages, from low level to object oriented, perhaps partly out of interest as a geek, but also from a necessity to be equipped. If you learn to code, you can build your own tools, and obsolescence becomes something you can control.

One of the revelations I have read in a book, which resonated with my life philosophy, was “Who moved my cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It is a must read for this generation, where the economic climate is shaky, employment is at best shaky, and the future uncertain even by the most optimistic analysts.

There is even a nice website code.org (a non-profit, with some technology luminaries on the advisory board), which aims to equip kids to code. Start them young like I did. It will really help them.

Therefore, be equipped. Learn as much as we can. In a technologically enabled world, learn to code. And yes, even CXOs should learn to code, as I have written before.

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Copyright 1987-2013 Seamus Phan. All rights reserved. KCKY4SWAWCX4

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Respect of authors and their intellectual property

ed — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:44:35 +0000

Imagine the mild surprise when you find not one, but a long laundry list of your articles copied, and stripped of credit mention.

I am always open to sharing what I know with people, especially in meaningful, intellectual exchanges that enrich both parties. While I believe in sharing my resources, I would also hope that the recipient would reciprocate with respect.

I was a little surprised when I chanced upon a local website that copied one of my articles, without attributing any credit mention of the authorship. What’s strange is that many other articles on this website had their authors mentioned specifically. Why the difference?

I went through page by page on this part of their website, and found, not one, but a long laundry list of articles reproduced verbatim, most of which had NO mention of the authorship, and only a few had a cursory pointer to the source.

Unlike those who bark and sue at the slightest instance, I assert my full copyright and authorship and simply ask that those who wish to reproduce the content contact me before posting. It is as simple as that. I don’t ask for money either, because I make my money the hard way – laboring.

While I am appreciative that someone found these articles useful enough to reproduce, the least the site owner could do was to ask for permission in writing (as stated on our site).

My nasty experience, as with many authors out there have equally discovered, propagation of news content is not necessarily a good thing. By keeping the content within one’s own site, it is easier to keep uncouth and runaway comments in check, and moderated. This is important in today’s trigger-happy world. It is a rational and sensible self-protection, no hard feelings.

The discrepancy in crediting other authors and not ours just seem a tad strange, to put it nicely. We may be small, but we are no less deserving of our authorship, and certainly deserving of full mention and linkback just as other authors do, a minute token of appreciation to point potential business at the content provider for sharing their insights and expertise.

I trust the moderator (who goes by the name “Avatar”, with no real name or identifiable details, although I have filed the necessary details) who posted the aforesaid content would be professional and respectful enough to remove the content promptly.

These are the infringements on that website (I found a 45, yes, FORTY-FIVE):

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/235-Tenure-and-youth-–-there-is-no-shortcut

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/340-Apprenticeship-and-the-mastery-of-life

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/369-Wisdom-of-parting-ways-with-customers

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/410-The-sales-and-service-blackhole

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/443-How-great-is-your-marketing-program-Think-fried-rice

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/485-3-ways-to-owning-content-like-the-big-shops

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/525-Chinese-painting-and-what-it-means-to-marketing

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/526-Met-a-Doppelgänger-We-may-not-be-unique

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/571-Publish-or-perish-–-the-new-world-of-careers-and-business

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/572-Creativity-and-innovation-–-may-the-child-lead-us

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/573-See-that-young-man-helping-someone-Recruit-him!

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/598-Your-brand-is-all-about-consumer-confidence

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/626-Pottery-and-the-skilled-hand-–-Communication-and-practice

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/627-Public-Relations-trends-and-beyond

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/706-Grooming-authentic-salespeople

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/707-Optimizing-paid-earned-and-owned-media

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/708-Toxic-employees-under-the-microscope

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/751-Business-sustainability-lessons-from-Taiwan

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/775-3-tips-to-avoid-failing-spectacularly-in-marketing-events

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/779-3-great-friends-and-the-value-of-customer-service

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1052-Branding-and-marketing-and-baking-a-good-cake

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1053-Self-respect-and-business-competitiveness

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/709-Success-comes-through-the-long-form

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1220-Karate-etiquette-for-business-and-careers

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1302-Innovation-through-the-abyss-of-challenges

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1303-In-life-and-work-wait-your-turn-and-earn-it

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1766-Leading-or-Branding-without-wing-mirrors

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/245-The-camera-does-not-make-the-photographer

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/778-Tip-on-getting-the-Chinese-input-back-on-the-Mac

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/942-Tips-for-simple-cuts-only-video-editing

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/1057-My-top-10-apps-for-PR-and-Communication

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/710-Smartphone-video-journalism-for-everyone

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/965-SEO-does-not-replace-quality-or-branding

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/940-Simple-and-effective-communication-for-tech-products

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/776-Conforming-WordPress-sites-to-display-non-Latin-characters

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/749-Open-source-apps-for-businesses-you-and-I

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/505-Analytics-Useful-but-don’t-go-overboard

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/503-Keeping-pace-with-the-changing-tech-media-scene

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/338-Fans-SEO-Focus-on-great-content-first

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/282-Organic-reach-and-media-ownership

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/261-Quality-content-for-Web-social-and-mobile

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/232-Ad-free-social-network-with-an-open-API-Try-App-net

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/228-Huge-web-graphics-It’s-the-Web-not-print!

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/941-Communicate-like-a-well-mannered-poet

http://infringingdomain/showthread.php/486-Are-you-a-maybe-or-a-has-been

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Copyright 1987-2013 Seamus Phan. All rights reserved. KCKY4SWAWCX4

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Wrestling control or staying afar

ed — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:23:36 +0000

Is it wise to imagine that we can always wrestle control from others to serve our objectives, or should we discern who we should be close to?

I have had some deep discussions with loved ones, on whether one should imagine that he can wrestle control from powerful entities in order to reach one’s own objectives, or should we discern and then distance ourselves from such powerful entities knowing that we are mere mortals and that we are only capable of wrestling with our own actions?

Powerful entities are often admired or feared, and there will always be different social behavior around them.

The paradigm of David and Goliath comes to mind. The story was that the humble David took on the big and powerful Goliath, and won. Yet, the paradigm of David and Goliath can also be translated to real life, in different approaches and outcomes.

Some people would gravitate to these entities to feel affiliated with, and by perception, part of these powerful entities. Not surprisingly, some people prefer to associate with the big, rich and powerful, while despising those in need. Imagine the story of David and Goliath, and imagine what would have happened if David were to submit to the will and might of Goliath.

Some other people may become competitive and attempt to fight for a place of their own against such powerful entities. The fight is not necessarily predestined in any manner in real life. For example, the humble one may win the fight against the powerful entity, at least for a period of time. After all, no win is permanent, and no winner remains so forever. The humble one may also fail miserably and face dire consequences, even death (physical or metaphysical). In the story of David and Goliath, David took on Goliath and won. The real world is not so straightforward.

There is yet another road less traveled. Should one be near a powerful entity, especially if such an entity is a serpent capable of great evil and great damage, or worse, have exhibited such behavior already? If we imagine ourselves to be a mere David with nothing in us to win a fight with (taking the real world and the competitive marketplace rather than a supernatural scenario), would we, or should we, enter the ring?

A wise man can discern, and then decide if the wise move is to enter the ring with a great statistical chance of winning a fight against a giant, through wit and skill, and absolute knowledge of certain weaknesses of the giant. A wise man can also discern and decide that there is lousy odds and he has no better skill or wit to disarm the giant, and the wisest decision is to distance himself from the ring, the farther the better. This is survival above pride.

Sometimes the best option is to allow humility to the fore and take a step or many step backwards. As the Chinese saying goes, “三十六計，走為上計.” The meaning behind this battle strategy is that in some situations, retreating or even admitting defeat, may be the wisest move, as long as one can survive, there will be another opportunity to regroup and advance again.

So, in life, as with marketing campaigns or running a business, there are always many options and decisions. Mere bravado without wit, or pride before expertise, can all land one in very difficult situations. One need not be merely cowed by sheer tainted might, nor confront such might with needless damage and ill will. Retreats are not always cowardly, but with discernment, they may be the wisest battle strategy.

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Copyright 1987-2013 Seamus Phan. All rights reserved. KCKY4SWAWCX4

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Humility against meaningless feuds

ed — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:43:56 +0000

People are ruled by emotions, no matter what we imagine. Emotions are fearsome beasts that we try our best to keep under control, but they do raise their heads now and then. We cannot allow them to become uncontrollable.

I was watching an old movie “Changing Lanes” with Samuel L Jackson and Ben Affleck, about two people who crossed paths in an unfortunate manner, and ended up on a journey of hatred and destructive actions. The story ended on a good note where the two people realized the futility of hatred, and reconciled.

The movie resonated with me very much, especially when I experienced the brunt of a few people’s destructive behavior in 2004.

The year started out just fine, and I was happily prodding along the year on a good note. However, sometime in the middle of the year, a senior executive of a non-profit got into the media limelight, where some people implied that a greater sense of expenditure transparency should be explored. My blog too, published a couple of questions about this story (merely questions).

The next thing I knew was that I was slapped with a nasty legal letter. His board and him were rather unnaturally aggressive in their approach to the whole matter, and the only option for me was to publicly apologize through the public media (including TV) and so on. I did, against the wishes of my family, and it would appear this bunch of people “won.”

Strangely, life is a finely tuned balance of Divine design, and the bunch of people were eventually put into microscopic scrutiny and the judiciary process, and subsequently wore the shame of judgment and then punishment. I was vincdicated. I was merely a collateral damage in their insecurity, but nonetheless, my personal professional business was in ruins.

But, again in a strange twist of fate, two great things happened to me despite my apparent ruin and humiliation. One, I found out who my real friends were, and who were mere pretenders. It saved me the trouble of tending to the pretenders from then on. Second, I found my calling and my purpose in life, and as some of my dear friends and my family knew, the rest was history.

If I resorted to aggressive offense or defense during those trying times, I might have gone on a war path and who knew, there could be more dire consequences for them, and also for me. Yet, I chose against all apparent counsel, to retreat and with humility submitted to mere might. But as I retreated, my sight was opened and illumined, and my path brightened. My life became so much more at peace, and I discovered that jewel of great price, of affirming the meaning of life.

Life can be a journey of difficult decisions, and often demand thoughtful and compassionate deliberation. The most direct and most apparent of decisions may often backfire, and the gentlest and most humble of decisions, especially if borne out of compassion and love, often yielding the greatest of intrinsic rewards.

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Never be discouraged by naysaying bystanders

ed — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:40:34 +0000

Have you ever been told you will amount to nothing? Have you ever been told your best plans will fail? Have you ever been told to pursue things that matter in the world? Fret not, my friend, for your life is yours and yours alone. Do your best and ignore the naysayers.

Recently, a loved one told me how a young man was chided by a very senior executive with a curt remark equivalent to the effect of “young man, get lost.” The motivated young man was momentarily taken aback, but he bounced right back and said that he was not demoralized, but recognized that he is merely young and he will get somewhere some day.

Coincidentally, I told my family that I have been told more or less the same thing. I was a young man then, just fresh out of the army, and jobless. I applied for hundreds of jobs, whether they were advertised or not. In many of the interviews, I called up the companies “cold” and managed by persuasion and persistence, to get at least an interview.

I took my paltry portfolio and went for this particular interview. This senior executive told me roughly the same things, “Young man, you’ve got nothing there. Your portfolio is nothing.” Being mildly autistic (on hindsight), I was not perturbed, but thanked her nonetheless. This similar experience confronted me time and again, including interviews with many other senior executives of this large organization.

About 8 years later, I was a fast rising executive with extensive and proven field experience in digital publishing, creative direction, business development, and training. I was in international marketing at that time. I was invited for an interview with another arm of that large organization I once relentlessly pursued when I came out of the army. I went in, but their offer did not meet my expectations. I declined.

Respectfully, the tide has turned, and I have managed to struggle against many prejudices and odds, to emerge as much of an achiever as I defined it. Rather than simply listen to naysayers tell me how lousy I am or how lackluster my skills are, I relentlessly and aggressively pursue my areas of interest, to hone my skills, to deepen my industry knowledge, and to study hard for them, traditionally or non-traditionally.

At the end, I am accountable and responsible for my own journey, not anyone else. Mere talk by bystanders is not going to add, or subtract, from what I need to or feel compelled to achieve. And the world cannot define what it, through the majority, pushes whatever agenda of its own on me. My life is very much my own, and my journey has to be walked by myself.

For you, or I, we all feel inspired by some things in life. We all feel a strong leaning to do something, and in many instances along the journey, we decide that we need to do something for others, for the world. Do not be dissuaded by many arrogant, dispassionate or disillusioned people that serving others rather than pursuing material goals is a bad thing.

If you feel compelled to pursue social or community service, do it. If you feel inspired somehow to pursue a higher calling, do it. If you feel passionate about the arts, hone your skills, allow your talents to flourish. If you feel the urge that you must break out of the corporate mould to take on the lonely and risky path of entrepreneurship, go for it.

We live our lives to the fullest, and simply sitting back as a bystander will not turn whatever dream we have, small or big, into any fragment of reality. The pursuit of any dream will never be a walk in the park, know it. It will be hard, we will falter and fall, we will bruise and get hurt, but never be discouraged, and especially never be discouraged by others who are mere spectators. Take every step in our relentless pursuit of living life to its fullest meaning, as a lesson in humility, as a lesson in strengthening, as a lesson of refinement. Life is a crucible that refines us and we muster all we are and all we have to be refined into gems.

We have all heard of the familiar proverb, “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.” I try my best not to judge another person’s journey as each of us have challenges.

I have walked my life journey with near death at birth, conquering many physical and health challenges, and life’s many puzzles, and am still walking. If someone, old or young, has not walked in my shoes for even a mile, then he or she, has no reason to criticize my journey. I am perfectly at peace at the paths I have walked, and the choices I have taken in my learning, careers, and business. They may seem simple to many, but I am content.

At every pause point you can find today, or any day, ask yourself, “am I content that I have done my best in pursuing my life’s goals, my learning and my work?”

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