Tom's blog

Microsoft have done something cool

Check this out Microsoft Surface.

A few weeks back I wrote about a research team who were doing some stunning things with touch screens, producing some really intuitive user interfaces. Microsoft seem to be pursuing something similar with their Surface ideas.

I wonder how practical these sorts of interfaces actually are? For example, if you put the displays in public applications as Microsoft suggest here, how will they be kept clean? Protected from scratches? Saved from the drinks that are spilled on them?

I think their ideas around the linkage of a display area to a digital device are really innovative. Set down the camera, telephone, pda or similar on the display. The two magically discover each other and then you can drag and drop to or from the hot spot around the device to access it, now thats neat!

It really is very cool, but the opportunist in me can see a whole new set of customers for hand cleanser.

Technorati Tags: business, commercial, cool, microsoft, multi touch, multi-modal, surface, touchscreen, Video

How to get to "Yes!"

This is a question faced by everyone. Everyone has some kind of agenda, things they need, things they want to do, places they want to go. At some point we are all faced with the need to garner someone else's support or approval to continue on that path.

If you were to read many of the articles or books on the topic, a large proportion of them would advocate using some manipulative method or other, car-salesman-like tactic to get your way. (There is a reason car salesmen have a poor showing in the popularity contests)

I was reading another book by a fellow called Jeff Gitomer who advocates an entirely different approach. He proposes that the best way to move things forward is to establish a worthwhile relationship with the people who need to be part of your plan, that they actually want to support things (or buy things) and that they prefer to do that from people they know and like. Dr. Steven Covey describes this as expanding your circle of influence. Seth Godin suggests that you should associate yourself with people who are more likely to say "Yes"!

Isn't this basic psycology? I enjoy being around people who agree with me, it's a lot less stressful. But you know what, only being around people who agree with me has lead to some of the biggest rat-holes that I have ever been down.

Technorati Tags: collaboration, jeff gitomer, life, manipulation, Marketing, seth godin, stephen covey, yes

What is "History"?

I was reading the newspaper this morning on a early morning flight and there was an article talking about George Tenet's new book covering his tenure as the director of the CIA. The reporter Douglas J. Feith was somewhat skeptical of the story contained in the book, particularly with the events that appear to have been omitted, misstated, or incorrectly documented in the chronology.

This caused me to think about the overall question of what is history? This book is simply Mr. Tenet telling his side of the story, apparently cherry-picking events and facts to support it. In doing so, trying to adjust the populous recollection of the events that lead a country into war, with the end result of future generations looking upon him on a more favorable light. At the very least, it's a tome dedicated to the statement "It was not my fault".

The dictionary says: History

1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.
2. a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle: a history of France; a medical history of the patient.
3. the aggregate of past events.
4. the record of past events and times, esp. in connection with the human race.

But there is another aspect here. I read about this particular historical account in the newspaper and because of that got a fairly detailed (even if edited and biased) understanding, with reasoning, as to why Mr. Feith thought this particular historical entry, is not such a good one. Today, most people, won't get that understanding. At best they will get a very carefully worded, 30 second sound bite from a media conglomerate that may or may not capture the essence of the entry (or indeed be factual), but will undoubtedly cast an opinion.

I took a look at possibly the oldest statements of history around and the newest. The Bible. This book comes in a huge number of different versions, all subtly different variations on the same theme. This book in all of its variations is actually a very carefully edited selection from the writings of mass of authors, with only a very small, carefully chosen, carefully edited selection of the actual writings were considered "suitable" for inclusion. The other more modern example, Wikipedia. This modern collection of knowledge is amassed and edited so quickly (and should someone post an unpopular edit, be corrected with blistering speed), that it has very quickly become the de-facto statement of the populous knowledge for the latest generation.

It seems that our recorded history has always been a very carefully edited accounting of events, where in fact, the most popular, or the most marketed and controlled version will ultimately win the prize of longevity and thus becoming the accepted version of events.

Some supposed "historical facts" to illustrate:

Al Gore "invented" the internet.
Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
George Bush "won" to 2000 elections.
Bill Clinton "did not" have sex with Monica Lewinsky
The [7 fired] US Attorneys were doing a sub-standard job

See what I mean?

TC.

Technorati Tags: al gore, business, collaboration, Conservation, ecology, global warming, life, Marketing, Politics

Don Imus and an interesting double standard

Don Imus was fired. NBC decided to gently exit stage left and put a little space between the organization and the now radioactive, long time broadcast personality as advertisers started dropping like flies.

Now, Don really did make some pretty ignorant comments that shouldn't really have a place in any conversation and in all honesty, he probably should have been released many years ago by NBC, but this whole situation does expose a pretty interesting double standard.

First, if Howard Stern had made those same comments, not only would it have not made the news, but it would have been almost expected by the majority of his listeners. Second, if you have ever been exposed to a rap video on cable, the artists [if you would describe them as such] are using this kind of language and intent to support the multi-billion dollar industry. Why should we be surprised when it is almost considered a normal colloquialism?

Yet, Don Imus got fired. Perhaps every broadcaster or provider of entertainment should be taking a similar viewpoint to that of NBC, and make a bold statement to show that stereotyping, racism, sexism etc is unacceptable in public media by not carrying it or promoting it. But that would also mean turning away piles of cash...so I doubt it will ever happen.

TC.