Daniel Ho’s Musings

Daniel Ho is a fairly common name it seems. So before we get started, let’s clear up any misconceptions…

This Daniel Ho is a Toronto, Canada based:

- Father and husband
- Business Consultant
- Geek
- Serial entrepreneur
- Investor
- Amateur photographer
- Avid cyclist
- Cook
- Lover of books
- Slave driver of technology
- Bon Vivant
- Gadabout

Daniel Ho is or has been:

- Entrepreneurial whiz kid
- Fad promoter
- Science nerd (yes, he has won science fairs)
- Lab rat
- Operator in fat rendering plant (worst job ever!)
- Professional photographer
- Professional beer lab tech
- Professional accountant
- Director of Finance
- Amateur classical musician
- Inventor
- Expert on La Pavoni espresso machines
- …

This Daniel Ho is NOT…

- Grammy winning Hawaiian slack key guitarist
- The guy on Discovery TV trying to “save you from domestic perfection!”

Blogging is a way to hang a text shingle to the world that says “Here’s me and what’s on my mind” By reading this blog, I’m hoping that you get a sense of who I am and what I’m about. As well, it is a way to keep in touch with friends and family.

See my LinkedIn Profile for the current deal on the business side of things. Here’s a quick rundown…

Matrix Meridian Corporation

I’m the Managing Director at Matrix Meridian Corporation. We’re a Toronto based business consultancy specializing in information technology initiatives. What this means is that I manage a team of biz nobs and geeks. Together we provide research, strategy, implementation, and support services for computer related matters. Our real interest lies in the application of powerful new technologies such as Web 2.0 components, Ruby on Rails, AJAX, Social Networking, Collaborative Computing, etc. to fill the needs of our clients. While we have large financial institutions and government agencies as clients, we also have a growing practice involving various non-profits, and labour unions.

Take a look and let me know if you think we can work together.

The Learning Guys

This is a blog that I started with Paul Dillon, the original Learning Guy. Together we talk about breakthrough ideas, current trends, and innovative best practices in learning. The idea of this blog stemmed from the realization that Paul and I spend a lot of time talking about our ideas in learning, new media, social media, gift economies, etc. Why not blog it and see if we can get more input into our dialogs.

Geeky Interests

Computers and Technology, of course. Yes, don’t laugh…I’m a card carrying member of the IEEE and a Ham Radio Operator.

Photography. I used to be a big film buff, but now I’m addicted to digital. Photo.net is one of the best online photography resources. I also check Nikonians as well (no, I don’t have anything against Canon for all you haters out there!)

Pavoni Europiccola espresso machines. This is the how-to page that I created almost a decade ago, and I’m STILL getting email from other owners. It is probably time to update the site. [10/08/20 – I just did update it! Take a look here.. How to Use a La Pavoni Manual Lever Espresso Machine

Watches. Yes, wristwatches. I know it is archaic but there is something comforting about having a well running mechanical timepiece on your wrist. That said, I am a bit fond of nice quartz watches too. Don’t tell any of the watch geeks out there that I said that! Timezone.com is probably THE authoritative source on the web…not to mention the fact that they are one of our long-term clients.

To supplement my geeky interests, of course I have geeky blogs. There is Coffee Gurus and Cooking Gurus.

Rules That I Try To Live By (besides the Golden Rule that your parents taught you as a child)

GIVE VALUE by helping other people achieve their goals and dreams.

BE PASSIONATE and LOVE what you do.

BE THE BEST at what you do.

Establish LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS with everyone.

HAVE FUN everyday.

Home

I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my long suffering wife, kid and a couple of cats (although the kid is angling for a dog…apparently a REALLY BIG dog!)