Discoverse http://discoverse.com my discoveries. posterous.com Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:17:00 -0800 How to Balance the Finnish Government Budget http://discoverse.com/how-to-balance-the-finnish-government-budget http://discoverse.com/how-to-balance-the-finnish-government-budget

[I posted the following in Finnish on a Facebook comment thread of one of my favorite reps in the Finnish Parliament. I thought the topic was interesting enough to share in my blog. I have enhanced and added to the original comment to build the right context.] 

To win the fight against slow bankruptcy of the government through destructive spiral of debt, we need to use drastic measures rather than slow and late tax increases and spending cuts. Given the current dire situation, I think Finland's best chance to win is in aggressive pursuing of rapid digitalization and automation of all possible administrative tasks. I am not only talking about back-office automation, but also offering of all possible government services online as soon as possible. We already have a good start with electronic tax filings and some other government services, but there are plenty of things that can still be completely automated.

An aggressive digitalization strategy would have the following positive effects:

  1. Every Finnish citizen would learn to use e-services and computer technology early on because of this broad commitment by the government. Access to computers for poor and elderly can be offered in specific locations, including public libraries.
  2. Finnish software developers would have plenty of new, government financed projects, contributing to the building and nurturing of local software engineering talent. However, this time around, government sourcing managers should be tough enough to require top notch software quality and state of the art technology.
  3. Finland would remain at the forefront of government usage of technology, which would provide an opportunity for Finnish e-government application startups to succeed in international competition. This will be made possible by the hard-nosed sourcing managers that accept only state of the art technology.
  4. Algorithms combined with online services will eventually eliminate the need for many, many government workers, drastically reducing the operational cost to run the government, both at municipal and state level.
  5. High speed internet access for all citizens would remain a priority for the telecommunications regulators and lawmakers, which would help to push and keep the whole country in the cutting edge.

What do you think? How big of an impact can we make with this approach?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:04:00 -0800 How To Manage Privacy in a Transparent World http://discoverse.com/how-to-manage-privacy-in-a-transparent-world http://discoverse.com/how-to-manage-privacy-in-a-transparent-world

Today, I had a fascinating discussion with a friend of mine. We were having discussion about Facebook, and how we now live under the constant surveillance of multiple entities. Credit card companies, social networks, email providers, advertisers, store chains with their loyalty programs, governments and analytics tools, mobile phones... they all watch our behavior. The amount of data we leave behind creates an astonishingly clear trail. In front of the data and algorithms, we are completely naked.

And now to the fascinating part: My anonymous friend said that he decided to fight back. He had long since given up on the idea that someone can stay invisible under the all-seeing eye of the internet. So he turned it around.

More than a year ago, he started sharing stories and links on his social profiles that had absolutely nothing to do with him. He started randomly clicking on ads that did not reflect his personal desires. He visited web pages that he wasn't a single bit interested on. Eventually, he created scripts that make random posts at random intervals from various sources to disguise his awake hours, location and other private information.

In summary, he exists as himself everywhere in the web, but none of any analytics tools, cookies, programs and algorithms have any clue who he is, where he hangs and what he wants. It is simply impossible to know him without being his personal friend.

This is where we have arrived. The only way to fight the constant surveillance is to create enough noise to disguise the signal of our behavior. There's no other way to hide anymore.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:30:29 -0700 Robert Scoble interviews Walkbase http://discoverse.com/robert-scoble-interviews-walkbase http://discoverse.com/robert-scoble-interviews-walkbase

Walkbase is my latest portfolio company, working to provide room-level location context for applications. We are looking for more Android application developers as launch partners. Contact me at mikko at walkbase dot com if you are interested.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Wed, 11 May 2011 07:32:11 -0700 Alf Rehn speaking at AaltoVG http://discoverse.com/alf-rehn-speaking-at-aaltovg http://discoverse.com/alf-rehn-speaking-at-aaltovg
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Entrepreneurship stories before BBQ.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Wed, 04 May 2011 04:25:04 -0700 Mini Seedcamp in Stockholm http://discoverse.com/mini-seedcamp-in-stockholm http://discoverse.com/mini-seedcamp-in-stockholm
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Panel on funding options. As it is Scandinavian, everyone is related somehow.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:38:22 -0700 One of the most fascinating studies I've read http://discoverse.com/one-of-the-most-fascinating-studies-ive-read http://discoverse.com/one-of-the-most-fascinating-studies-ive-read As of late I've been highly interested in the data-driven future of applications and how intelligent algorithms will win over user interfaces just because they remove the need for user interfaces. This article in WSJ about using phones to understand and predict human behavior is a testament to a future where machines will predict what we want to do.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704547604576263261679848814.html

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:47:16 -0700 Bill Nguyen explains Color http://discoverse.com/bill-nguyen-explains-color http://discoverse.com/bill-nguyen-explains-color SAI has a good interview with Bill Nguyen. I agree with Bill that AI is the next frontier in the battle for relevance and winning user experiences.

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Color Founder Bill Nguyen: Why You're All Wrong And This Really IS A $41 Million Idea:

http://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-bill-nguyen-qa-2011-3?op=1

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Fri, 25 Mar 2011 05:30:41 -0700 Donna Novitsky talking about entrepreneurship http://discoverse.com/donna-novitsky-talking-about-entrepreneurship http://discoverse.com/donna-novitsky-talking-about-entrepreneurship
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Aalto Venture Garage seems fairly packed today.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:57:25 -0800 Social Games Panel at Google http://discoverse.com/social-games-panel-at-google http://discoverse.com/social-games-panel-at-google
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Massive crowd. The event was organized by Peanut Labs - Kudos to Nomi, Ali and others for putting it together!

Mikko

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:26:00 -0800 I don't understand US carriers' 4G hype http://discoverse.com/i-dont-understand-us-carriers-4g-hype http://discoverse.com/i-dont-understand-us-carriers-4g-hype

Every self-respecting smartphone maker, maybe with the exception of Nokia, released new 4G phones last week at CES 2011. There was a bubbling hype around the new "superfast" data networks enabling new levels of productivity and entertainment to ever-so-mobile people.

But there's something wrong with this hype. The largest US wireless carriers have cut their 3G data transfer quotas across the board and offer currently deals like "1GB of data transfer for $50/month" (example from USB data plan for laptops). For the users of latest HD-video capable smartphones this is a joke. One Gigabyte of data per month does not allow you to stream a single movie from iTunes, let alone stream or upload your own HD videos to the cloud. And this 1GB of transfer capacity is supposed to last for a month? 

The main reason for carriers to limit data transfer must be in their inability of scaling the wireless networks to the demands of latest phones and the data-intensive use patterns of smartphone users. Why do I say inability? Because I've seen it done better elsewhere. I'm currently splitting my time between US and Europe, and have been recently re-introduced to my native Finland's wireless carrier service. Mobile broadband is a commodity there with typical monthly plans for unlimited data transfer at the highest speed of the network available for less than 15 euros a month. The networks seem to have so good coverage that many people have opted in using mobile broadband as their primary internet connection at home. I've had Skype voice and video calls from my iPhone 4 in moving train over 3G network in Helsinki. Good luck with that in San Francisco.

I think it is scandalous that carriers hype up the super-fast 4G network speeds, but at the same time throttle the data usage to a level that can be regarded as a sad joke. Why would anyone have any use for, say 20Mb transfer speed if they can use it only for 10 minutes a month before running over the limit? Are the carriers hoping to rip people off by charging $30-50 for every GB transferred when other countries are providing unlimited data traffic at similar speeds for less than half of the first GB cost in the US?

But there is hope. This data transfer limitation of major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T may open a fantastic opportunity for smaller rivals such as Sprint and T-Mobile to gain market share by offering lavish data plans for users with fixed monthly fees. I truly hope they use this opportunity to change the tide and get Americans back on the mobile information superhighway.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:41:16 -0800 Motorola CEO announced Atrix 4G Android phone http://discoverse.com/motorola-ceo-announced-atrix-4g-android-phone http://discoverse.com/motorola-ceo-announced-atrix-4g-android-phone
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Atrix 4G is the first smartphone to the market that has dual core processor. That means it's a mighty powerhouse of a pocket computer.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:29:00 -0700 Gaming panel at Slush: Kai Huang, Tero Virtala, Mikael Hed http://discoverse.com/gaming-panel-at-slush-kai-huang-tero-virtanen http://discoverse.com/gaming-panel-at-slush-kai-huang-tero-virtanen

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All of them have seen tremendous success in different areas of gaming: Kai with Guitar Hero, Tero with Trials HD for XBox Live, Mikael with Angry Birds for iDevices.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:16:44 -0700 Marten Mickos keynote at Slush 2010 http://discoverse.com/marten-mickos-keynote-at-slush-2010 http://discoverse.com/marten-mickos-keynote-at-slush-2010
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Building Big Biz is the topic.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:58:03 -0700 Noah Kagan waving hands on stage http://discoverse.com/noah-kagan-waving-hands-on-stage http://discoverse.com/noah-kagan-waving-hands-on-stage
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At Virtual Goods Forum in London.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:56:20 -0700 Performance Advertising panel at Inside Social Apps http://discoverse.com/performance-advertising-panel-at-inside-socia http://discoverse.com/performance-advertising-panel-at-inside-socia
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Lisa Marino, Adam Caplan, Alex Rampell, George Garrick, Jim Bobowski in a panel moderated by Jay Weintraub.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:28:15 -0700 Evolution of games industry http://discoverse.com/evolution-of-games-industry http://discoverse.com/evolution-of-games-industry
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Sebastien De Halleux talks at Inside Social Apps conference.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:09:27 -0700 Orrick Monetization Panel with Offerpal, Zong, gWallet, Playspan and Trialpay http://discoverse.com/orrick-monetization-panel-with-offerpal-zong http://discoverse.com/orrick-monetization-panel-with-offerpal-zong
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:39:42 -0800 Germans poking fun at iPad http://discoverse.com/germans-poking-fun-at-ipad http://discoverse.com/germans-poking-fun-at-ipad
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Here are some innovative new uses for iPad, picked from German edition of Financial Times.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:25:52 -0800 Vivio's coming Poland HQ http://discoverse.com/vivios-coming-poland-hq http://discoverse.com/vivios-coming-poland-hq
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Vivio's growing Szczecin team will move to this building in April. The office space is currently being renovated for us. The new space is only 100m away from our current offices.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:20:56 -0800 Szymon having some cake http://discoverse.com/szymon-having-some-cake http://discoverse.com/szymon-having-some-cake
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Szymon Nieradka is the head of production at Vivio. He runs our studios in Poland.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/32634/Photo_8.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PYVFqa2NMt Mikko Alasaarela alasaarela Mikko Alasaarela