Working Smarter

What would it be like to suddenly be a lot smarter? One day you realize that you have access to a plethora of information that previously you didn’t even know existed. You view and listen to this new medium for awhile, and you come to understand that you don’t have to be a spectator; you can contribute to this sea of knowledge. You participate; you wade in, and…. you swim. You are not just seeing and hearing a sea; you are now a part of a vast ocean, yet you are very near to anyone in the water, feeling and affecting the currents as you converge and collaborate. Welcome to the world of social media.

In its infancy the internet was used primarily as an encyclopedia, a means of accessing information; then it became possible for average people to create and distribute content. Now, through social media, people are able to share knowledge, collaborate and develop plans and solutions.

Facebook has emerged as the social web site of choice. Seventy three percent of adult profile users have Facebook accounts; in May, Facebook, had 450 million users and is adding a million new users each day (read more at Pew Reports).

The enterprise of today must navigate in a complicated world with enormous demands for knowledge. It is increasingly difficult for employees to acquire and retain all of the knowledge they need to perform their jobs in the dynamic work environment of today. Facebook can serve as a useful tool in maintaining and accessing a network of knowledgeable contacts, enabling one to benefit from the “Wisdom of the Crowds.”

It would be interesting to learn of specific Facebook profile attributes or applications companies might be using to develop a network of knowledgeable people.

College Aps

Have you ever checked the Universitie's library collection, accessed the faculty directory, or found yourself on the campus map…using smart phone aps? You will... If you check Apple’s iPod App Store you’ll find a suite of eight software applications developed for Northwestern University. The aps where developed by Terribly Clever, a software development firm started by four Stanford undergraduates, that had created similar software for Stanford University. Terribly Clever was acquired by Blackboard while developing the Northwestern aps, and is now known as Blackboard Mobile. The applications let users check the library collection, find staff or students in a directory, or find their self on a campus map using their smartphone’s gps.
Incoming freshmen at Abilene Christian University receive their choice of an iPhone or iPod courtesy of the university. Student’s take their devices to class, where they plug into an iPhone/ iPod interface to access a course file-sharing program. Professors use their iPhones to take attendance and send e-mails to absent students to which the students can reply. Students can also use a polling function to submit answers to questions in class.
Blackboard Mobile now has completed software deployments for more than twenty universities and has more in development. It is only a matter of time before college aps are as much a part of student life as laptops.
To read more Connected Planet

Femtocell?

Another emerging technology with practical applications is the femtocell. Have you ever used your broadband connection to improve your cell phone coverage, received a text message when family members arrived or left home? You will….thanks to the femtocell. The femtocell acts like a personal base station allowing a few authorized cell phone users to connect; the femtocell retransmits the signal over the owner’s broadband network saving minutes and money on the cell network. This might not sound like a big deal, but 26% of the population of the US have coverage issues at home or work. The ability of the femotocell to recognize devices entering and leaving the femto zone opens up numerous possibilities. The Femto Forum is currently trying SMS alerts, which can be activated by events in the femto zone. Family members arriving or departing a zone could activate a trigger which could send an SMS message, turn the thermostat up or down, switch lights lights, or notify primary care givers. Developers envision the femtocell as a major catalyst for allowing the cell phone to become a primary home network controller.


For more info Connected Planet

Network Locks

In our February 20 post we looked at some technologies from the early 90s that evolved into practical applications that we use every day. In the February 24 post we mentioned how sometimes technology developers focus on the latest and greatest and miss the practical; they don’t develop what is truly useful to the consumer. I don’t think the Apple wheel is on anyone’s wish list, but in these next few post we’ll look at some technologies that are practical and will find their way into our everyday.
Has your house ever sent you a text to let you know someone is trying to get in? Have you ever sent your house an im to let someone in? You will.... You can now buy a wireless door lock for $200 at home improvement stores. The lock links to a wireless bridge in the house, which connects to a monitoring center over a broadband connection. The service, which cost about $13 a month, can be expanded to include home monitoring equipment, remote light switches, and thermostat control, all monitored and controlled over the network.

Read more at Connected Planet

Just because we can doesn't mean it's a good idea

The Latest and Greatest

I wonder how many people will see this video and actually believe Apple has developed such a product, or even try to rush out and buy the “latest and greatest.”It’s hard to say what technology or innovation people will embrace. Texting still amazes me; yes, I can see where it can be useful from time to time to send a text when you don’t need an immediate, reply or it is not convenient for you or the other party to talk, but Alexander Bell and all phone people since have worked hard so people can talk as if they are side by side, and now everyone wants to type out a messages. I've seen my teenagers ride in the backseat, plugged into their ipod and texting while a friend rides beside them doing the same thing. Are they texting each other? Is that progress? How is it impacting verbal skills? Just because we can doesn't mean it's a good idea. Now Micro Soft is pushing soft phones (software phones on the computer)more here. Do we really want our pc to be our phone? Do we want to point-n-click to answer and dial? How do you feel about sharing your headphone with everyone who needs to use the ‘phone’ in your office? What if you don’t notice and your pc updates while your own an important phone call? Do you get as much satisfaction out of slamming a mouse as you do a phone receiver (and will PETA get you if you do slam your mouse)? Maybe this convergence of communication platforms is a good thing; maybe one device will be able to serve all our communication and computer needs. What will it look like: a mini pc, a big blackberry or iphone, how about a pilot’s helmet with a hud display and com links? Just because we can doesn't mean it's a good idea. What so you think?

Are we there yet

1993 - 1994 Commercials
- In 1993, all the innovations in these commercials were dreams on the horizon, new and exciting. Many of them are common place now, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, conveniences like gps, video on demand, and online purchases. What I find really amazing is that the technologies presented in these futuristic commercials that aren’t in use today, have been superseded by more useful technologies. Compare the distance learning center to what we know today, or the phone booth (you can hardly find them anymore; we all have portable communication devices). As the communication and IT industries continue to converge they're making good on a lot of promises, changing the way we communicate which is changing the way we do business, educate, and socialize. The baby in the commercial, now a junior or senior in high school, can’t imagine a world that is not online, a life without facebook, itunes, and online banking. I wonder which of today’s innovations will be part of everyday tomorrow.

Press 2 for tech support

We want effective tech support. We also want to provide it. Many phone problems and internet/computer issues can be resolved over the phone or through telnet; it increases customer satisfaction and can save us the expense of rolling a truck to the customer’s site. What can we do to provide good tech support? We need to be knowledgeable of the equipment, programs and tools we are trying to work with. Of course no one can be all knowing so it is good to have access to, and know your way around some good “cheat sheet” and reference sources, including other people. Here are some guidelines I use.
•Assure the customer that you are going to try and help them resolve the issue
•Assume nothing
•Ask systematic questions, is the power light on, is the modem plugged in to the jack and the computer……..
•Attempt the quick fix first unless there is a really, really good reason to look elsewhere, reboot the modem, recycle the power….
•Ascertain the status of the equipment and the need or ability for further troubleshooting
•Access and apply your resources
And sometimes.....you just have to punt.