Article Published - New technology - friend or foe?

My monthly Simplicity article on Training Zone.co.uk is published today – comments on the Training Zone Site welcomed!

Click here to access the article and to comment

Simplicity Wins Again!

In my reading matter I came across a story today that Munich-based software company Codemart was awarded the Innovation Prize 2008 of the SMB Initiative for its web-based mind-mapping tool MindMeister.

I am not into IT in a big way but what I loved most about the press coverage of this story were the following two extracts;

“The simplicity of the solution as well as the clear end user benefits convinced us“, said Prof. Dr. Carsten Felden, professor for Information Economy and Business Informatics of the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg at the reward ceremony.

And this absolute gem - I promise I didn't write it!

"Codemart is a privately held software development company specializing in highly usable web applications, mainly built on the Ruby on Rails technology. Our team of skilled nearshore developers provide top quality services at attractive rates. Committed to the “less is more” principle, we think that in software, like in most things, simplicity is the key to success."

Amen to that - you won't find me disagreeing!

Amazing how quick time goes by don’t you think?

I remember starting Simplicity Blog in January 2005 – almost three years ago. I wasn’t sure how it would go and whether or not I would keep it going.

I have written 734 postings - an average of 5.02 posts per week. Not bad – almost one posting per day and I’m pretty pleased with that output.

I’ve also looked at comments and discovered I've had a total of 2253 comments – the most for a single post is 19 comments (4 times)

I like messing around with numbers ….

My Blog will never create business and frankly that has never been my intention. I just love the banter and discussion the Blog creates.

I have made friends with many people from all over the world and without Simplicity Blog I doubt that would have happened.

Hope you continue to respond so brilliantly with your comments on Simplicity Blog. I have taken notice of readers comments over the last 34 months and tried to adapt the content in the light of readers comments.

I’m looking forward to hitting 1000 postings sometime around Christmas 2008

As a matter of interest this is what I wrote on my first posting on 22 January 2005:

Blogging - Is this the new way to make a difference?

I love communicating and Blogging is the latest way of doing it. Isn't it wonderful how we can now share thoughts instantly with like minded people from all over the world about how organisations are led and how things need to change?

Jane - our new friend

We have just invested in a Tom-Tom satellite navigation system for the car.

It is wonderful – you are reading a piece from the only person I know who got lost in a supermarket car park.

I once missed a motorway junction on the way back from the north down to Birmingham so I carried on to the next junction, turned round only to miss the same junction yet again. Much to Annie’s relief I got it right third time!

Jane is now our permanent friendly voice in the car and even I cannot get lost … or can I?

We will see. It is still early days.

Jane also warns us of speed cameras and speed limits - another useful addition in my armoury.

Technology is amazing.

The Joy of the Web

Here is a picture of two of my great 'virtual friends' that I have yet to meet.

Felix Gerena (left) from the Basque Country (Spain) and one of my two co-authors of the book ‘Three Amigos with One Message’ met my virtual friend of 5 years Tom Asacker (right). Tom is a very high profile US Marketing Guru.

The pair met last week in Boston, USA whilst Felix was in the States on holiday.

Felix kindly sent me this photo and also gave me his permission to publish the picture.

I am in awe of the positive power of the modern technology and one day I hope to meet both Felix and Tom in person.

Felix also met another mutual Blogging friend Steve Sherlock whilst in the Boston area.

The web may have its critics but as far as I am concerned it has only positives if you look only for positives.

Felix has his own Blog called Brand Soul but at present he is having some problems with Typepad and hopes soon to put the photos on his Blog

Felix Tom and Steve - 3 fine gentleman - I am proud to know you all.

Good to be Back

This is my latest Simplicity Audio Blog with a brief update on where we have been for the last few days; some thoughts about the joys of e-mail and - of course - the prospects for Manchester United this weekend!

This one runs for 3 minutes and 8 seconds.

Happy listening!



MP3 File

Have a good week!

Owing to a busy schedule I won’t be able to post much this coming week on Simplicity Blog and so it will probably be Friday 16th before another post appears.

Here is the latest Audio Blog. This one lasts 3 minutes 21 seconds



MP3 File

Hero Johnny inspires England!

Johnny Wilkinson - an outstanding England sporting hero at last!

This is my third Audio Blog trial. It is 4 minutes and 10 seconds long

I hope the quality of this recording is better – I have recorded this one through my PC using Skype.

I feel like I want to pursue Audio Blogging as a result of this trial. In future I will aim to publish two Audio Blogs each week to complement my written Simplicity Blog postings.

I mention in the Blog the success of England Rugby Union Team who yesterday beat Scotland and Johnny Wilkinson was the star of a memorable England win. Click here for more on England's success.



MP3 File

Thanks for feedback - Learning as I go!

Thanks - I have had some great feedback about my first Audio Blog yesterday and I have tried to take on board all of the constructive comments for this second trial.

This one is 4 minutes 21 seconds. Let me know your feedback.

MP3 File

Does this sound ok?

I am going to try some Audio Blogging - this might be fun! The phone line is not a brilliant connection and you will need the volume well up but hopefully it comes across reasonably clear. I'm sure you will let me know either way! This clip is 3 minutes and 4 seconds long

Photos Back!!

Double Success!!

Posting photos seems to work now with Picasa but still not with Blogger.

And Manchester United won tonight 4-0 against Watford to stay top of the Premiership and six points clear of London 'billionaires' Chelsea!

Blog Technology Update - Still no pictures

I have just sent my 9th e-mail to Blogger Support but still I can't post photos.

So far the only reply I have had was about five days ago - a standard reply that referred me to 'known issues' and various group discussions about Blog problems. I found no one with the same problem.

Not very good customer care in my opinion.

I am a determined sort of person and I do not like to give up on these things. I am re-sending my e mail every day at least once. I figure they will eventually get fed up with me and take the trouble to reply. If not I will keep on trying. I like Blogger as a provider so I don’t want this to become a battle.

APOLOGIES

I am having problems publishing pictures on Simplicity Blog.

I have e-mailed Blogger Support to find out what the problem is. So far no reply.

I love publishing pictures as I think it adds something to the Blog - hopefully we will be back to normal soon.

Skype TV Next?

I am not a technology expert.

In fact I am pretty useless understanding technical aspects of the modern technology. I just love using the stuff.

We use SKYPE regularly and have free internet phone calls with friends in America, Spain, Canada and of course back home here in Britain. These are a mixture of business and personal calls. We can have up to four people on line all over the world for conference calls and it is all free through SKYPE. Yes I said FREE!

Please don’t ask me to explain how it works - I don't know - just take my word for it. If you need to be convinced just download the software free at this site(click here) and try it yourself.

Anyway... moving on ...

It seems now that SKYPE are getting into Television and although this report (click here) on the BBC News website says that it probably won’t catch on I am not so sure.

I think we should watch that space ... my money is on SKYPE making a success of it.

Who knows I may be able to watch telly on my PC while I am working!! .. Yes I know I should get out more.