Palyul 11th Lineage Holder
His Holiness Drubwang
Pema Norbu Rinpoche
H.H. Penor Rinpoche's Centers
Hong Kong
Macau
Phillippines
Singapore
Taiwan
U.S.A. - East Coast
U.S.A. - West Coast
Other Links:
Center Directory
Forums
U.S. Retreat Center 2007 Kalachakra Program
We are located around the globe,
providing the facilities for
learning and practicing
the teachings of the Buddha.
Our main site will help you find the Palyul center closest to you and will introduce you to our teachers, their teachings, and teaching schedules.
Our mission is to uphold and preserve the teachings of the Buddha through study, practice and activity. Our goal is to make the teachings, particularly in the Palyul Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, available to all.
Our centers offer a complete course of study, prayer, and meditation practice for those who wish to follow the path to freedom. Our retreat centers offer places to focus on practice. Click for a guide to Palyul center locations around the world or select a center website from the menu at left .
Namdroling Monastery's "Golden Temple"
The Namdroling Buddhist Vihara, known locally as "Golden Temple," was inaugurated in 1999. Its vast prayer hall is home to the Tibetan Buddhist prayer and practice of Namdroling Monastery's monastic community.
To find out about the Golden Temple, please visit http://www.namdroling.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Register for Palyul Ling email updates
Help Palyul Activities - donate using PayPal:
Read Guidestar information on Palyul (login required).
Palyul Administrators:
- Log in Here for Email
- Log in Here to Manage Your Account
New to Buddhism
Resources:
New to Tibetan Buddhism
Teachings Students (Academic)
Learn about:
The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism
The Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
Guru Rinpoche
The Biography of HH Penor Rinpoche
Palyul Centers
Traditional seat: Palyul Monastery, Tibet
Namdroling Monastery, South India
Visiting Namdroling Monastery, South India
Retreat centers: Palyul Ling, New York, USA
Centers Worldwide
Experienced Students
About Ngondro
About Offering
About Sangha
About Three-year retreat
Meditation for Guru Yoga
Palyul Students
Most recent advice
Teaching schedules
Update your mailing address
Summer Retreat Monastic Studies
Buddhist College at Ngyagur Nyingma Institute
About becoming ordained
© 2006, Palyul International. All rights reserved.
Please do not copy any pages on this site without permission and attribution.
Privacy Policy
Friday, April 6, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Apple, Microsoft, Dell Futures
Every now and then Forbes Magazine comes up with lists we like. Of course, we’re Americans on this side of the ponds so we like lists.
We want to know who’s on top, who’s on the bottom, and who’s the challenging underdog (what other country has a cartoon charater named… UnderDog?).
The latest Forbes list is a celebrity profile of handwriting. We all know how scientific handwriting analysis is, right? How about the handwriting of our favorite computer people?
Here’s my list and it’s about the same as Forbes’ list: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Martha Stewart and a few others. What does the handwriting say about each? What does the handwriting say about the future of computing?
More than you might suspect. Forbes had handwriting expert Sheila Kurtz give us the skinny on rich and famous signatures.
Bill Gates
Kurtz notes, “The small hooks at the end of the “t” and the “i” indicate a writer who is tenacious, holds on to beliefs, doctrines, ideals. Hmmm. Illegal corporate behavior is OK? Who knew?
She also pointed out that Gates’ “t” bar is close to the top of the “t” but not higher than the “t.” That means Gates’ goals are “ambitious and higher than may seem practical.” Duh.
Michael Dell
The Texas computer maker is known for being quick and efficient. Dell’s handwriting is reflective of that trait. Kurtz says Dell has very sharp “needle points” on his “M,” which means he’s quick to pick up information, processes it fast, and (my commentary here) loves to poke at more innovative competition.
The handwriting expert reveals a softer, sensitive side to the ascerbic robot Chairman of the Dell Empire. Kurtz says Dell’s swollen capital “D” reveals a sensitivty to criticism.
Imagine how the poor billionaire feels about the criticism of the Dell DJ and it’s performance against the iPod.
Warren BuffettHow about the Second Richest Man in the World™? Warren Buffett’s signature is revealing, too, but doesn’t have much to do with computing other than Bill Gates is his buddy.
Kurtz says the savviest investor in the world is “very emotional and impulsive” because his script slants toward the right.
In fact, the “e” in Buffett is so “muddy” according to Kurtz, that Buffett is closed minded and new ideas are not often welcome. “He does things his way.”
When you’re richer than 95% of the worlds countries, having things “your way” is probably not just a Burger King slogan.
Steve Jobs
OK, you’ve waited this long. How about the head honcho of Apple Computer? CEO Steve Jobs made Forbes Top 200 Billionaire List and makes Forbes’ Handwriting Analysis List, too.
The hired handwriting analyst found it interesting that Jobs does NOT capitalize the first letters of his name (e e cummings, anyone?).
Hmmm. Analysis? None. Kurtz doesn’t have a clue what that means. “Could it be low self-asteem? Maybe. Could it be that he doesn’t let his ego interfere with his understanding? Perhaps.”
Could it be that Steve’s just in a simple “Think Different” mode all the time?
Kurtz says that Steve’s slashed dot (SlashDot? )SlashDot? over the “j” in Jobs indicates a serious “tendency toward sarcasm.” Steve can “wound with his words, if he chooses to do so.”
Surprise? Who knew?
What’s all this say about the future of the respective computer companies? Absolutely squat. It’s Friday and I can get away with a little literary license regarding subject matter. It’s my site.
Oh, how about recently released feline felon Martha Stewart?
Handwriting expert Kurtz says the hook at the beginning of the “M” in Martha “indicates a strong desire to acquire money, fame, power and more.”
Duh. Oh, and those hooks on the “a” and the “t” and a few other letters? Kurtz says that “signals a person who olds on tightly to whatever is acquired.”
That explains the prison time in exchange for making saving $60,000 on a bad stock.
Our thanks to Forbes Magazine for another in a long line of lists. Click Here to get the whole list of Handwriting of the Rich and Famous.
Oh, one more thing. Because I’m sure you’ll scour the list and then wonder and ask friends, no, I’m not on any of Forbes’ lists.
Apple’s Leopard Strategy: Screw Microsoft, Kill Dell
This week Apple’s Leopard Strategy became more clear and it seems to have less and less to do with Microsoft and Windows Vista. In fact, looking underneath the covers it would appear that Windows Vista may run just fine on Apple hardware along with Leopard (if that’s what a user wants), even though they increasingly may not need to go that route.
In looking at the detail coming out of the Apple developer’s conference my conclusion is that while Microsoft may be a target for the purpose of publicity and media, from the standpoint of competition, Apple is putting the cross hairs more appropriately on companies like Dell. This is where they should have been from the very beginning.
If you’ve been watching the latest Apple Ads and if you’ve noticed what Steve Jobs said, you have probably realized that Apple isn’t really positioning directly against Windows anymore. In fact, it is starting to feel more and more like Apple is a way to get a better Windows experience. They even go so far as to promote Windows on the Mac, something they have done poorly in the past but, with the benefit of both Apple and third party software, are increasingly doing very well.
If you look at Microsoft products like the Windows Media Center edition, these products are progressively becoming more like two products in one. With the many flavors of Windows Vista, that sense of multiple OSs on a single platform will be increasingly promoted.
On the desktop the Apple platform is a bundle of applications, much like Microsoft Office, but focused more on media. It hardly competes with Media Center right now, and seems targeted at the usage model that is as complete for entry level media content creators as Office is for business users.
Now Windows users will never, as a group, move away from the applications and user experiences they are used to. However, most aren’t doing media creation yet. This is expected to change. Thus, if Apple can give these users the Windows experience they need with the media creation experience they want, then Apple can make these users comfortable with both platforms. The resulting strategy could, for once, grow their installed base significantly.
This is the Dell surprise, because companies like Dell can’t do this. If this works, then a level of differentiation will be established that virtually all of the OEMs are looking for, however with the exception of Apple none will be able to accomplish.
Granted this is initially only a consumer play, it could have parts that will resonate with education as well. Business won’t be as easy, but we’ll leave that and Apple’s flawed anti-Open Source server strategy for another day. Today we’ll focus on the positives.
Screwing Microsoft
Microsoft is focused like a laser on the European Union right now and needs a strong example of interoperability with a UNIX or Linux vendor to drive the point home. What better company for that than Apple? Plus, Microsoft is incredibly likely to be willing to help Apple in any way to make their platform work seamlessly with Microsoft’s offerings.
However, Steve Jobs is the master of being your best buddy while planning to stab you in the back. His biographies are filled with stories that do more than suggest that if he wants what you have, you’d better grab it and run for the hills. HP’s ex-CEO was the last to learn this lesson very painfully with an iPod partnership that should never have happened.
So, while initially Apple will likely promise Microsoft that their OS is safe, the actual plan will probably be more like this: once customers are comfortable with the Mac UI, they will gradually train them to use the MacOS exclusively, and then use the then very robust emulation technology to run a declining number of Windows applications without running Windows.
Of course this depends on Microsoft not seeing the plan coming and, given the history between the two firms, Microsoft will probably be skeptical to begin with. But, even seeing it coming, given the European Union problem what can Microsoft do about it?
Saving the 4th Quarter
Another of the primary reasons Apple isn’t being forthcoming about Leopard is the fear that if people get too excited about a product coming early in 2007 they will stop buying in 2006. So, Apple is intentionally not telling you about the great multi-media features in the new product, the security enhancements that will make the existing line obsolete, or the massive jump in application performance on what will be a fully optimized product on the then current Intel hardware.
Certainly you’ve been left in the dark about enhancements that will increase notebook performance and battery life, allow you to seamlessly move between 802.11n, WiMax, and Cellular data networks, and even more quickly create peer-to-peer relationships on the fly.
The UI improvements that better make use of the then current enhancements in graphics technology are hinted at but you won’t see the real power until the OS is released when the true power of the visual experience can be a real surprise (and it is believed to be stunning).
If you get too excited about what is supposed to be an incredibly amazing product you simply won’t buy a new Apple this year. That wouldn’t be a good thing because Apple would like you to buy both years, if possible, and that means keeping you in the dark about what is coming. It is a typical Apple after all.
Of course I’m reading a lot into what Steve Jobs didn’t say at the Apple Developer’s conference, but read the coverage, go over what he did say, do you really think I’m that far off?
Apple’s Leopard Strategy: Screw Microsoft, Kill Dell
This week Apple’s Leopard Strategy became more clear and it seems to have less and less to do with Microsoft and Windows Vista. In fact, looking underneath the covers it would appear that Windows Vista may run just fine on Apple hardware along with Leopard (if that’s what a user wants), even though they increasingly may not need to go that route.
In looking at the detail coming out of the Apple developer’s conference my conclusion is that while Microsoft may be a target for the purpose of publicity and media, from the standpoint of competition, Apple is putting the cross hairs more appropriately on companies like Dell. This is where they should have been from the very beginning.
Embracing Windows (Initially)
If you’ve been watching the latest Apple Ads and if you’ve noticed what Steve Jobs said, you have probably realized that Apple isn’t really positioning directly against Windows anymore. In fact, it is starting to feel more and more like Apple is a way to get a better Windows experience. They even go so far as to promote Windows on the Mac, something they have done poorly in the past but, with the benefit of both Apple and third party software, are increasingly doing very well.
If you look at Microsoft products like the Windows Media Center edition, these products are progressively becoming more like two products in one. With the many flavors of Windows Vista, that sense of multiple OSs on a single platform will be increasingly promoted.
On the desktop the Apple platform is a bundle of applications, much like Microsoft Office, but focused more on media. It hardly competes with Media Center right now, and seems targeted at the usage model that is as complete for entry level media content creators as Office is for business users.
The Dell Surprise
Now Windows users will never, as a group, move away from the applications and user experiences they are used to. However, most aren’t doing media creation yet. This is expected to change. Thus, if Apple can give these users the Windows experience they need with the media creation experience they want, then Apple can make these users comfortable with both platforms. The resulting strategy could, for once, grow their installed base significantly.
This is the Dell surprise, because companies like Dell can’t do this. If this works, then a level of differentiation will be established that virtually all of the OEMs are looking for, however with the exception of Apple none will be able to accomplish.
Granted this is initially only a consumer play, it could have parts that will resonate with education as well. Business won’t be as easy, but we’ll leave that and Apple’s flawed anti-Open Source server strategy for another day. Today we’ll focus on the positives.
Screwing Microsoft
Microsoft is focused like a laser on the European Union right now and needs a strong example of interoperability with a UNIX or Linux vendor to drive the point home. What better company for that than Apple? Plus, Microsoft is incredibly likely to be willing to help Apple in any way to make their platform work seamlessly with Microsoft’s offerings.
However, Steve Jobs is the master of being your best buddy while planning to stab you in the back. His biographies are filled with stories that do more than suggest that if he wants what you have, you’d better grab it and run for the hills. HP’s ex-CEO was the last to learn this lesson very painfully with an iPod partnership that should never have happened.
So, while initially Apple will likely promise Microsoft that their OS is safe, the actual plan will probably be more like this: once customers are comfortable with the Mac UI, they will gradually train them to use the MacOS exclusively, and then use the then very robust emulation technology to run a declining number of Windows applications without running Windows.
Of course this depends on Microsoft not seeing the plan coming and, given the history between the two firms, Microsoft will probably be skeptical to begin with. But, even seeing it coming, given the European Union problem what can Microsoft do about it?
Saving the 4th Quarter
Another of the primary reasons Apple isn’t being forthcoming about Leopard is the fear that if people get too excited about a product coming early in 2007 they will stop buying in 2006. So, Apple is intentionally not telling you about the great multi-media features in the new product, the security enhancements that will make the existing line obsolete, or the massive jump in application performance on what will be a fully optimized product on the then current Intel hardware.
Certainly you’ve been left in the dark about enhancements that will increase notebook performance and battery life, allow you to seamlessly move between 802.11n, WiMax, and Cellular data networks, and even more quickly create peer-to-peer relationships on the fly.
The UI improvements that better make use of the then current enhancements in graphics technology are hinted at but you won’t see the real power until the OS is released when the true power of the visual experience can be a real surprise (and it is believed to be stunning).
If you get too excited about what is supposed to be an incredibly amazing product you simply won’t buy a new Apple this year. That wouldn’t be a good thing because Apple would like you to buy both years, if possible, and that means keeping you in the dark about what is coming. It is a typical Apple after all.
Of course I’m reading a lot into what Steve Jobs didn’t say at the Apple Developer’s conference, but read the coverage, go over what he did say, do you really think I’m that far off?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)