Class #13 -- Our enterprise

This entire class was dedicated to an entrepreneurial challenge. The class was split up into groups and each group had about 40 minutes to come up with a new idea/concept that would integrate technology (somehow)...the idea had to be presented in 3 slides to the class. The catch is that each slide would advance in 40 sec. The pressure was on.

My group came up with an application that would project out the benefits/risks to your body of certain types of behavior. For example, how would it improve my health if I ate an apple everyday for the next 6 months? How about if someone quit smoking -- what would his/her lungs look like? The concept is designed to be informative for sure, and also could be a motivator for people looking to improve their health, lose weight, etc.

Initially the app would be offered direct to consumers for a fee, but eventually we would partner with a company like Jenny Craig or Lifetime Fitness...that's where the big $$$ would surface.

The class had some good ideas, but our team won. So apparently the class liked the idea. Dorothy seems very interested in making this idea happen, so I look forward to using it someday if she decides to run with it!

Class #12 -- Did you know?

Lots of crazy facts and figures tossed around during this class. I have to say the quip about knowing the temperature after counting cricket chirps was the most intriguing. When Doug gets into the numbers about data and information (Moore's Law) in today's society, I am always in shock. As information multiplies right before our eyes, the people that can harness it and manage it will win in the end. If you can't manage the amount of information in this world, it won't help you.

The class is winding down now. One more class Tues and then the final on Thur. The final is shrouded in some mystery at this point. Not much information on how it will be structured or what to expect. Oh well. You do your best and move on. The class has been rewarding and informative...and fun to attend. Can't do better than that.

Class #11 -- Security

Well this class was certainly a grim topic. While we're all out blissfully cruising the internet without a care in the world, there are "bad guys" all over the info superhighway trying to make life miserable for the law-abiding citizens just trying to buy a book on Amazon. As with any other endeavor in life, there will always be criminals that impede on an otherwise enjoyable experience. The sad part is that these bad guys often stay just a few steps ahead of the authorities trying to catch them...oh well. Some things will never change.

On the topic of internet security...one positive that has surfaced is for companies like Symantec...big $$$ in keeping people confident and safe. Most people don't have the expertise (or sometimes common sense) to keep their private information private. That's where Symantec or Norton steps in with their service. And as the bad guys get more sophisticated, net security companies will continue to cash in. So that's one positive.

The class is starting to wind down now. I have really enjoyed the "unscripted" aspect of the class and the anti-textbook sentiment that Doug created. Life is truly more than a textbook/case study, so I'm glad he has stepped out of the box. The inputs from the class day-to-day have been very thought provoking. Now for the test -- guess we can't avoid having one of those. Doug was very vague on the test content, so who knows what we'll get. He's not out to fail us, that's for sure.