Interesting take on rich vs uber rich. I grew up in an area with a lot of that 90th-95th percentile group but everyone seemed to believe they were "upper middle" class. The "rich" people were the few at the very top making millions more.
A family making 250k/year is doing very well, but when they look at someone making a few million - they don't group themselves in that category.
I also wonder if this is reinforced by the numerous 'reality' tv shows that document the uber rich lifestyle. Even in a town full of people that are well above average, no one is living like those top 1-2% of earners and therefore don't consider themselves rich.
He doesn't seem to draw any solid conclusions but instead has started a blog to keep the community updated with actual numbers. The title is "Day 1" even - unlike some articles which are trying to draw out grand conclusions on the App Store.
It is interesting to see the type of numbers the developers are seeing. They tend to be promising and I look forward to analysis as more and more users update and Lion is released.
And, are we informed now? Can we make more intelligent decisions based on these data? It doesn't have to be a peer reviewed article but ~100 sales for one dev in one day doesn't tell me anything.
I don't have access to anyone else's data. Apple only publishes relative sales rankings, as in: "sixth highest-selling app in category XYZ". (Apple has also told us that there were a million downloads during the first day, but that's even less useful than my number...)
That's why I felt that there is some general interest in publishing these numbers, as it gives other developers an idea of what level of sales is actually taking place on the Mac App Store. At least I find it interesting to know that ~100 units / day is enough for a solid position on the Top Paid list in the Graphics & Design category.
I listened to an explanation of this earlier (I will see if I can find documentation) -- the blackbirds travel in extremely large flocks and follow a leader very tightly (much closer in proximity to each other than most birds). The birds travel at night and can be disoriented by things such as fireworks, lightning, or other flashing lights. If the leading bird is disoriented, it could cause the bird to fly directly into the ground, a building, or any other large bird-killing object. This leads to an almost lemming-like mass suicide of the flock.
I also believe that it has been documented to have happened fairly regularly. The numbers I heard today were 16 times in the past 30 years there has been a mass death of over 1000 birds.
With minimal use, the first issue I had was that the tags to the left of the post (Link, Article, etc.) drew my eye and I found myself only skimming through those instead of the titles.
Second, clicking on the title of a LINK post takes me to the comment page where the only way to get to the link itself is the small link button next to the name. Seems like it should link directly to the article or at least the comment page should have a summary and/or link that is easier to find.
Between programs like OCW and Khan Academy, how long can education costs continue to increase at their current rates?
I can't imagine students in the future accepting paying $50k? $60k? more? per year when the opportunity exists for inexpensive and high quality programs online. Maybe a lower cost hybrid program would work (to allow for better peer and faculty interaction) or at least the acceptance of an online degree. Probably not immediate future - but I imagine that changes to our higher education system will come.
Presumably at places like MIT the credential value of a degree is still worth a lot, particularly for those looking for careers in credential-reliant sectors such as academia, but one wonders for how long second- and third-tier institutions with low or no credential value can continue when excellent and free programs like this are so widely available.
I asked this of a friend who went to SVA in New York for graphic design. He said that the real benefit of an excellent, yet expensive, college, is in learning from real people and having the course tailored to the current situation. He said the students, while talented, weren't any different from those at another college. Sure, you can learn how to design by yourself, and many of the greats have, but it's much more efficient to learn from a master.
Feedback, really. A good college is partially about good company, and partially about great professors.
Right now there's a ton of information, but it's tantamount to books, and PBS videos. Once there's an online college, to help guide the student through the material, there'll be a real revolution. Until then, OpenCourseware will strictly be for those who know where they're going.
I agree completely. I'm a CS student at MIT and I've used OCW here and there to supplement courses or to fill in when I've missed a lecture, etc. It definitely helps and it's nice to have all those resources. I think it's a great service. But honestly, I think the value of my education comes from being around tons of people who are really brilliant (and make me feel dumb heheh). Seeing a problem set online and working on it by yourself is way different than working with a group of people and seeing how they think and gaining new perspectives. Also, of course, going to college is far more than just the in-class education. There are research opportunities, competitions, etc... and the social aspects obviously. I also have the option of going to office hours, talking to TAs/professors, etc. Interaction is what's lacking in OCW but maybe that's something that will happen in the future.
I completely agree with you .. several times i've been in debate with my friends (and they just dont get it) that cost of education is going to go lower and lower (and not higher as it is surveyed & assumed) - the only thing that would matter is quality of teachers/teaching environment ...
i think it's great startup idea to create an online college based on open courseware and conduct virtual classes and group sessions to help students - also eventually offer degrees ...
Depending on the degree, you can wind up getting access to things you don't get through OCW alone. As a biology student, I was able to get involved in research and help with tagging & tracking elephant seals, and when I switched to engineering I got access to thousands and thousands of dollars in equipment and software, among other things.
The resources of a full-on University are part of what make it worthwhile, at least for science-y degrees.
My friends and I did a "Beard-tober" a year ago -- no shaving for the entire month of October. It didn't change my life - I just looked like a guy with a light colored and somewhat patchy beard.
Try growing one for a minimum of six months. It takes dedication and courage. At the very least, it's a great social experiment. You'll encounter prejudice, admiration, and endless hours of fun like the guy in the link!
Also noteworthy: the type of girls I meet when bearded are of a very different type than the type I meet when not bearded. (not better or worse, just a whole different experience)
Particularly when I keep my beard tuned to "vaguely edgy".
Of course you'll have to learn to put up with lots of looks of disapproval, and old ladies holding their purses tighter around you, but that is worth it in its own right too.
Their Strategy Department is found to the right of the Office of Public Relations which is down the hall from their Search Engine HQ and their Research Lab for Unicorn Care.
Still no way to set read/write permissions on a user-by-user basis? Makes it difficult to manage my less tech-saavy sales reps when they are always editing and moving files around.
A family making 250k/year is doing very well, but when they look at someone making a few million - they don't group themselves in that category.
I also wonder if this is reinforced by the numerous 'reality' tv shows that document the uber rich lifestyle. Even in a town full of people that are well above average, no one is living like those top 1-2% of earners and therefore don't consider themselves rich.