Author Archives: Daniel Hoang

Spreadsheets are fun. They allow a layperson to create some very powerful data models. There are limitations for extreme cases, but will suffice for an average analyst. According to IBM’s Spreadsheet Modeling Best Practice, a spreadsheet model should: Easy to use Focused on important issues Easy to understand Reliable These are my top recommendations basedContinue reading “Excel Spreadsheet Modeling Best Practices”

This morning, if you check for updates on your Mac, you’ll get Mac OSX Update 10.6.6. This includes a number of bug fixes and most notably a new icon next to your finder icon. The Mac App Store is live. After success with the App store for iPhone, iPod, and iPad, Apple is moving thisContinue reading “First Look at the Mac App Store, Lots of Potential for Success”

Photo by gruntzookiIt’s been a long time since I’ve played economist. It really doesn’t take much training because all economists don’t really know how to predict the future. Economics is all about assumptions. As we’re looking to buy a home in Seattle, WA, we’re finding that home prices are still expensive. There’s a big disconnectContinue reading “Home Prices to Continue to Decline – When Will We Reach Equilibrium”

No explanation needed. Go to informationisbeautiful.net for more great infographics.

Photo by Anthony AlbrightIn our digital word, it’s possible to never pick up a pen or pencil and write something. In fact, I recently found out that my handwriting is all but gone. Typing has replaced the typical letter writing. Even my hand markings are now digital with my tablet. One of my 2011 newContinue reading “Going Analog to Excel at Digital”

I often hear “this is the last book I’ll ever read” after someone is about to graduate. Schools force us to read an ungodly amount of pages. The real world forces us to read just the same but in a less structured way. It’s easy to differentiate yourself from your competition: read. It lets youContinue reading “Holiday Reading List”

I’m always interested in alternative energy. How can we power our many devices without plugging in. This is particularly important out in the wild away from a power socket. Solar Joos is a rugged solar panel with a lithium battery. It’s highly efficient at charging, even under a lightbulb. The enclosure is water proof andContinue reading “Review of Solar Joos – a rugged personal solar charger”

This is a great short documentary on letterpress printing.