Chumby

The Chumby is an alarm clock and more for geeks. Is it a tool or a toy? While I do not own a Chumby, I can see how this device has real utility. It can serve as an alarm clock, calendar, news reader, stock ticker, sports caster, digital photo frame, radio or weather reporter. Since my mobile SmartPhone charges next to my bed at night I use it for most of these functions. If not for that this product is very tempting.

Tablet Computers

Tablet computers are fully-functional notebook computers with an interactive pen and pen sensitive screen. You use the pen directly on the screen as you do a mouse to select or drag or in place of a keyboard to hand write notes and communications. My tablet of choice is the HP 2170p. Convertible models, such as the HP 2170p, have an attached keyboard and look much like a conventional notebook, except you can rotate the screen 180 degrees and lay it flat over the keyboard for a familiar reading and writing postion similar to a notepad. The following are benefits or features to consider.

• The tablet form factor provides a single, portable note taking device.
• Using Microsoft OneNote is a great tool for note organization. It is more than a simple tablet note taking tool. Microsoft provides tips for OneNote use with the tablet computer.
• Converting handwriting to text is a time saving feature.
• The tablet provides excellent mobility. By following other mobility and portability practices, my tablet provides access to notes, as well as any other information I need in meetings or on the road.
• With a tablet computer you can bypass note taking and assign a task immediately in a task manager such as Outlook Tasks or send an email inquiry. This is point of request action or service.
• While in meetings the computer provides quick and easy reference via the corporate network or the web.
• It is possible to go paperless. Instead of carrying materials between the office and home or bringing materials to meetings, with electronic documents your entire briefcase or office becomes the tablet.
• Having your computer with you is a great time saver if you have down time between meetings or during a meeting.
• The form factor is simply a great mobile computer.

Consider changing how you work. The best tools can make a difference.

What Innovators Can Learn from Hollywood

Are you an innovator, preservationist or side liner? The podcast, "What Innovators Can Learn from Hollywood", by Scott Kirsner, Columnist for the Boston Globe provides an interesting perspective on technology innovation.

Technology innovators sometimes expect that users will embrace new ideas and new tools with open arms. In reality, most innovations are met with hostility and indifference, and it can take a lengthy campaign to persuade organizations to change the way they work. In an illustrated spin through Hollywood history, journalist and author Scott Kirsner will demonstrate how innovators like Pixar, George Lucas, and Bing Crosby have changed the movie industry while facing enormous resistance. He also describes the three kinds of people that exist in every organization and some of the key reasons people tend to rebel (or go into a shell) when confronted with a new piece of technology.

Identity 2.0

Watch a compelling and dynamic introduction on Identity 2.0 and how the concept of digital identity is evolving. The topic is interesting and the presentation style is even more interesting and clever.