Android OS: First encounter

My first encounter with an Android operated device was back in June this year. It was a Samsung smartphone (forgot the exact model). I didn't own it but I had the chance tinkering it for a while and just like that, it made a lasting impression on me. An excerpt from Samsung website about their lines of smart phones describes Android subtlety yet concisely by my own comprehension (only the last statement though):

"...is an open-source OS based on a modified Linux kernel. It employs Java and Google-based Java libraries in running its applications. It has large community of developers writing applications (“Apps”) which makes it one of the more compelling platforms to date."

Who started it? Google? Not exactly. I will leave Wikipedia to delve into that detail and most of the rest. But one interesting fact that amused me in a bit is the version flavor of the OS; it follows an alphabetic and peculiar code-naming convention. The earliest version I actually know of in phone models that exist to date is Cupcake (v1.5) and Eclair (v2.1) (e.g. Samsung i5700). Followed by the widely-popular Froyo (2.2) version at its boom months ago. Next is Gingerbread (2.3) -- currently my phone version (LG P500). Then came Honeycomb (3.0) -- I haven't seen one. And the latest, Ice Cream Sandwitch (4.0).

Reminiscent of the experience when I first got hold of that Android powered Samsung phone was the feel and excitement while I was exploring it, which specifically led me to a number of game titles developed for it. One of which was "Medieval Castle Defense".

Now lame as it might seem, what has this game got anything to do with the Android topic?

Android, ergo, this game is:
1. easy to play/use but sophisticated
2. enormously fun (just tweaking the phone settings is quite a past-time, lol)
3. portable (e.g. Android being open-source is not exclusive to a particular phone brand).
4. free (same as #3)

But wait a sec, I'm not trying to compare this with iPhone's IOS.... yet. So that's gotta be in another topic. For now I'd just say, Android makes my life easier and happier (in a dif'rent way).

More on Android later.

The Beginning

I've decided to create a separate blog dedicated to my IT exploits. I realized that having one will allow me to chronicle, as the title goes, my undertakings in this vast and fast changing world of IT. Being a professional for 15 years now, I have been exposed to a lot of ITs growth (pun intended). Downside, my exposure has been limited to my present employer's account and personal day-to-day discoveries.

So for now, the topics I'd like to cover are IT solutions that are on-going and/or prospective specific to my environment. Of course, this blog is in no way meant to expose the IT infrastructure of the entity that I pledged to secure & protect in the first place. Also, this is not meant to recommend anything of sorts tech related, although there are probably bits and pieces that are worth sharing or learning from as I go.

Here are some of the topics I'd expect myself to write about:

- Server operating systems (more of Windows, a bit of Linux)
- Desktop operating system (Windows, a bit of Mac OS)
- Mobile OS (android, a bit of IOS)
- Business solutions (ERP, BI)
- Desktop & mobile apps
- Firewall (Fortinet)
- Antivirus
- Network / wireless solutions (routers, access points etc)
- Virtualization (VMWare)
- Software services (NMS, helpdesk system etc)
- Storage & DR Solutions (EMC Avamar, EMC SAN etc)
- Utilities
- Games

I wish to keep on and continue to extend my endeavor & enthusiasm in this field that I chose where I hope to get better no less. But to set the record straight, I'm no expert in this field. I just happen to be of no interest in any specialization because I believe it limits one's flexibility. I even skipped the chance of free certifications probably due to lack of confidence or I have no free time at all. Some of the certifications I find though are just paper. It's sad to be known that even this can be now be faked or work-arounds exist to easily get them (leaked exams etc). Anyway, the so called experts (true or not) are found everywhere after all. In fact, we can reach them in just a couple of search strings and through a bit use of common-sense. (hint: G--g-e)

Lastly, in the hope of keeping me sane from the demands of "it", this blog finally came to exist.

ArnoldO