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tek ronin at JamesMcNamara.com

tek ronin follows trends in technology that affect the way we live in the 21st century, with emphases
on mobile computing and software construction.

Recommendations to Help You Prepare for a Credential ExamNovember 28

In our title link Sandy Farnan answers how to prepare for a PMI® credential examination in a recent PMI Community Post. I have been asked about my experience taking the Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential exam, so I'll summarize my thoughts here as well.

1. Plan before you commit.

When you apply and are accepted to sit for the PMP exam, you have a 12-month window to pass the exam with up to 3 attempts, before needing to re-apply. One instructor recommends "about 12 weeks preparation" as a balance between learning and diminishing returns. There may be a 3-6 week lead time to schedule an exam at a time of your preference. Apply no less than one month and no more than 9 months before you plan to sit for the exam.

In addition to the PMP, the PMI also offers the CAPM®, PgMP®, PMI-RMPSM, and PMI-SPSM credentials.

2. Find your peers.

2.(a) Become a member of the PMI and your local PMI chapter.

As a PMI member, you receive a discount on the PMP exam fee--but why not enroll in the PMI today and enjoy the benefits sooner? The local chapters of the P

VIA Unveils VIA OpenBook Mini-Note Reference DesignSeptember 2

"Taipei, Taiwan, 27 May 2008 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today introduced the new VIA OpenBook™ mini-note reference design targeted at the rapidly growing global market for ultra-portable notebooks."

It looks like it might stack favorably against the Asus Eee PC, which has also recently adopted an 8.9 inch display with its Eee PC 900 model.

Q: What should we call these things: subnotebooks, ultra-portables, netbooks, mini-notes?

Chrysler to Connect with new level of Advanced Wireless TechnologyAugust 31

Chrysler has announced its roadmap for integrated Cellular, WiFi, and WiMAX connectivity for "increased security and convenience."

For a closer read on what Chrysler's Uconnect Web system will bring you--and what it will cost--check out Marin Perez' article at InformationWeek, Chrysler's In-Car Wi-Fi Ready To Roll Aug. 25.

Q: Driving while surfing, or surfing while driving?

Picture: Uconnect Web Site blog

Palm scuttles Foleo companion device (A Message to Palm Customers, Partners and Developers)May 28

Ed Colligan, Palm CEO, delivered the news in a September 24, 2007 open blog message, "I have decided to cancel the Foleo mobile companion product in its current configuration and focus all of our energies on delivering our next generation platform and the first smartphones that will bring this platform to market."

The Foleo was announced in May 2007 as a mobile companion product designed to provide a readable screen and usuable keypad, to be used in conjunction with a smartphones or handheld mobile devices.

Q. Does the concept of a very portable deviced married to a slightly less portable companion lighten your travel worries, or does it weight you down?

My life as a dog: Adventures in RFID researchMay 28

"Adam Laurie lived a few Novembers as a dog earlier this year. By duplicating the RFID tags used to identify pets in the United Kingdom and sewing it into his watch strap, Laurie, an independent security researcher, re-created his dog's ID as a hacking exercise. However, this kind of virtual animal cloning could become a serious issue as industrialized countries roll out RFID-based systems to keep track of their livestock."

An interesting article that points out some potential effects of RFID cloning on the food chain. Although some RFID tags are encased in tamperproof casings, it is noted that none use encryption and some can even be touchlessly reprogrammed. With the risk of herds being destroyed due to detection of mad cow or other diseases, a monetary incentive exists for malfeasance.

Photo: West Virginia Department of Agriculture.