TECH SOFTWARE: EMAIL’s reply all

Monday, January 14, 2008

FROM A RECENT EMAIL

***Begin Quote***

We’ve had a “national outbreak” of the “reply all” virus.

It’s really not a virus. But it might as well be.

It’s when, to get off a distribution, some poor soul — usually in a fit of pique — does a “reply all” and says “take me off the list”. Others respond with a “reply all” to either chime in about getting off the distribution, or castigate the transgressor. If the distribution list is really large and / or there are lots of computing centers involved, it can create an overwhelming “fire storm” of messages that can overwhelm an infrastructure.

It usually takes some one in Leadership saying politely “shut up”, or the equivalent, to stop it. I’ve appended an attempt to damp it.

I just thought you’d want to pass along a warning about the use of “reply all”.

Lest it be followed with the “pink slip” virus. :-)

***End Quote***

I don’t blame people. I blame poorly designed software.

How hard would it have been to say “Confirm reply all to a distribution list”?

# # # # #


TECHNOLOGY: unmanned seaplane became a dolphin toy

Thursday, January 10, 2008

http://www.livescience.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=080104-flying-fish

LiveScience Video
Dolphins Play with Unmanned Seaplane

***Begin Quote***

Built for DARPA, this unmanned seaplane became a dolphin toy! Credit: Univ. of Michigan/ DARPA

***End Quote***

Kool!

Now how much did that gang have to steal from the taxpayer to make a “dolphin toy”?

Argh!

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: PicMarker watermarks

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9842728-2.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Webware

Hands-on
PicMarker watermarks, keeps your photos safe from evildoers
By Josh Lowensohn – January 7, 2008, 5:03 AM PST

***Begin Quote***

The correct attribution for online photos is a touchy subject.

***and***

Maybe one of the simpler ways to keep your photos and videos moderately safe from incorrect attribution is watermarking. I’m sure you’ve all seen it before, but if not, it’s basically layering on a semi-transparent line of text, or image over a spot in a photo. Some folks put it in a corner, and if they’re really worried, will place it all over the photo. A new service called PicMarker has set up shop to help people accomplish such a task, although instead of having to rely on a desktop software application, anyone can watermark up to ten shots at a time right in their browser.

***End Quote***

Interesting?!?

Now what can I use this thing for that it wasn’t intended to accomplish?

Social networking?

# # # # #


TECHNOLOGY: Cars that drive themselves

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8U0M82O0&show_article=1

GM Researching Driverless Cars
Jan 6 06:25 PM US/Eastern
By TOM KRISHER
AP Auto Writer

***Begin Quote***

DETROIT (AP) – Cars that drive themselves—even parking at their destination—could be ready for sale within a decade, General Motors Corp. executives say.

***End Quote***

Well, I’d welcome that.

Having driven in Florida and had elderly relatives that can’t drive, or shouldn’t be driving, yet still need to get around, a driverless car would be a boon.

How about a driverless taxi?

Imagine the commute to work where you weren’t driving, but reading. Like an exec in limo?

An idea who time has come. Let’s roll it out now!

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: Add a connection on Emurse?

Monday, January 7, 2008

http://www.emurse.com/invite

EMURSE

Join XXXXX’s Network

***Begin Quote***

XXXXX would like to add you as a connection on Emurse. By connecting with trusted friends and colleagues, you will always have access to their most current resume and contact information!
Are you already an Emurse member?

***End Quote***

Wow!

A resume distribution service, which I recommended, has added a social networking component.

Why?

It’s now not enough to do your one thing well; you have to chase wildly any wisp of an idea (like little children playing soccer who follow the ball all over the field?).

Strange!

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: WD Anywhere Access

Sunday, January 6, 2008

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=340

Western Digital 1TB My Book World Edition – Ethernet (10/100/1000) Network External Hard Drive – WDG1NC10000N

***Begin Quote***

Add this unique remote-access storage system to your wired or wireless network and you’ll have a surprisingly simple and secure way to access data and photos at home, in the office, and anywhere in the world–even when your local computer is off. The included RAID software makes it easy for you to take advantage of RAID mirroring for extra data protection.

Product Features
WD Anywhere Access™ – This storage system and all the files on it are always accessible when you need them, even when your local computer is turned off.*

***and***

*Due to unverifiable media license authentication, the most common audio and video file types cannot be shared with different users using WD Anywhere Access. A list of the non shareable file types can be found here.

***End Quote***

Excuse me, who made you the “license” police?

Argh!

Would have bought one on the spot, but for this minor after-though kowtow to the RIAA!

NOT RECOMMENDED!

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: LinkedIn’s magic millions

Friday, January 4, 2008

FROM AN EXCHANGE ON CREATING LINKEDIN ACCOUNTS

*** begin quote ***

Perhaps this is the answer to the “quantity” types. You too could have
a few thousand meaningless networking contacts. And, at the same time
help LinkedIn reach 100 million accounts.

*** end quote ***

From: XXX
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 7:46 PM
Subject: LinkedIn’s magic millions

Wicked :)

*** my response ***

Glad you like that idea.

Can I interest you in the 10, 100, 1000, or our 10,000 contacts plan. I figure I can put up a script that will generate them as a service to our “quantity brethren”. What should I charge? $1/contact? 2?

Maybe I can have a pseudo identity with a pseudo army of contacts?

You really shouldn’t encourage me. Next I’ll have a deck and start looking for VC money.

:-)

Happy New Year,
fjohn

# – # – #

I wonder what an army of ghouls is worth. Time to update the taxonomy. What do spies call their alternate identities?

# # # # #


TECHNOLOGY: The Philosophy of technology lock in

Friday, January 4, 2008

In considering moving to an ultra light, my current subscription to verizon wireless broad band rears it’s ugly head. (It’s already in my doghouse for its recent poor performance in AC.) New notebooks offer a Verizon wireless broadband, but you can NOT swap in your existing plan. And, the plan is tied to that specific platform. Argh! If I sign up for another two years (an eternity in the technology world), then they give me a “free” usb dongle. Hah! Like I can be fooled by “free”. No more than I am by “unlimited”. Argh! What to do, w2do, w2do, what do I do?

# # # # #


TECHNOLOGY: You Can’t Copy

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/RIAA-Says-You-Cant-Copy-Music-To-Your-Computer-90566

RIAA Says You Can’t Copy Music To Your Computer
Even when you’ve legally purchased the CD that it comes off of
02:04PM Saturday Dec 29 2007 by KathrynV

***Begin Quote***

They say that even a copy made on to your own computer is considered unauthorized. The Arizona man that they’ve accused of this crime has refused to pay the RIAA fines and the issue is heading to litigation.

***End Quote***

I think we have really now thrown down the red cape in front of the bull.

What kind of “barbara streisand” is this?

I have cassette tapes that I paid through the nose for and they say “tough”.

Well, I say we boycott them.

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: Digital Nuisance

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/1060

Resolve To Not Be A Digital Nuisance In 2008
January 1st, 2008

*** begin quote ***

Improving communication is key to our career success, right? Here are 08 things for ‘08 to help us communicate better on the digital playground.

*** end quote ***

One can only hope that one avoid annoying people. After all, we need them to do the “heavy lifting”.

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: SPOKEO is ghostly; it tracks you?

Sunday, December 30, 2007

http://blog.spokeo.com/?page_id=128

***Begin Quote***

1. Is Spokeo another social network?

No. Spokeo is a friend tracker (or a reader for the Open Social Graph) that automatically brings you friends’ updates across the Web. You cannot send messages, create profiles, or interact with others. Learn more about how to track friends.

***End Quote***

This looks like another JIGSAW or SPOCK type engine.

Hmm?

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: More characters for our professional endorsements

Saturday, December 29, 2007

>PLEASE give us 500 characters for our professional endorsements!

May I suggest a tiny url as a continuation to what you really want to say?

*** begin quote ***
Joe Jones is a real gem. Blah blah blah
(continued at http://tinyurl.com/yo6d5y)
*** end quote ***

That uses up your last 31 characters, but you have an unlimited amount of space somewhere.

With Google pages, ISPs, WSPs, giving the stuff away it shouldn’t be a big deal?

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: that circle-R next to the LinkedIn logo

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

http://www.trademork.com/in

12.27.07 | No Comments

On December 11, 2007, business networking company LinkedIn Corporation filed to protect the trademark in in relation to their popular business networking website.

*** begin quote ***

So, you thought that circle-R next to the LinkedIn logo was only for the whole name. Well, now it appears it applies to just the “in” part. The abbreviated LinkedIn logo (seen in the above link) is now showing up on sites across the web, including that of a prominent Presidential candidate (scroll down), and on LinkedIn’s own merchandise. Makes sense. With one little word and a cute Web 2.0 logo, everyone in the world can see that you’re “in” the club, “in” the know…and just plain “in”.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

LinkedIn groups are basically under the bulls eye.

Trust no one! Ever.

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: GReader sharing flap!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

http://slashdot.org/~Felipe+Hoffa/journal/191246

http://groups.google.com/group/google-reader-howdoi/msg/876a2302bc71b433

GReader sharing flap!

***Begin Quote***

Message from discussion New Feature: Sharing with Friends
The group you are posting to is a Usenet group. Messages posted to this group will make your email address visible to anyone on the Internet.
Your reply message has not been sent.
Your post was successful

AnnaB
View profile
More options Dec 22, 8:03 pm
From: AnnaB
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:03:45 -0800 (PST)
Local: Sat, Dec 22 2007 8:03 pm
Subject: Re: New Feature: Sharing with Friends
Reply | Forward | Print | View thread | Report this message | Find messages by this author
This is going to sound like hyperbole, but this new feature has
actually RUINED CHRISTMAS for my family! I sent a share a few days ago
that I thought would only go to a few politically-like-minded friends.
I didn’t realize that because I had chatted with him in GChat, it
would also go to my brother, who is of a different political
persuasion. When he received it, he sent a snide, angry email about it
to a large group of our family members. I sent him an email (I’ll
admit, not the nicest one I’ve ever sent) asking him not to talk about
me behind my back and recommending that he stop reading my feed if the
posts were going to make him so angry. He called me a nasty name and
told me that if I can’t take a little ribbing, maybe we shouldn’t talk
anymore at all, including at Christmas Eve dinner. My whole family has
taken sides over this divisive political issue, and several of them
are not speaking. I kid you not, this is threatening to break up my
family at Christmas.

***End Quote***

In case you missed the latest GREADER “feature”, that’s what you get with web-based software — no change control; no feature control; AND it may happen without you even being aware of it.

Sigh!

# # # # #


TECH HARDWARE: OLPC hardware on order

Sunday, December 23, 2007

In my spare time (ha!), I have decided to “learn” the OLPC. It just has some tremendous potential. Under the G1G1 program, I should have mine shortly. I figure I can be at least as good as the Thrid World child who gets one. Maybe not. The child has time, motivation, and focus. Maybe I can do almost as good? :-)

# # # # #


SERVICE: SPOCK presents some challenges

Thursday, December 20, 2007

*** begin quote ***

From: Nadine
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 5:31 PM
To: reinkefj
Subject: Fw: Ferdinand Reinke has requested your trust on Spock

Hi fjohn,

I received the following email regarding your Spock request. I’m not a user. If you are, do you recommend it and why?

*** end quote ***

OK, SPOCK is of interest (as I’ve blogged about) that is a “sponge”. It “sucks up” publicly available info, (somewhat like JIGSAW), and makes it available. Unlike JIGSAW, you can “claim” the account and make sure what it says is accurate. Leaving it alone, just leaves a collection point that is “untended”. In these days of digital dirt, I am a fan of taking any control I can of anything that will let me. I’m afraid this is just another something that you need to “tend”?

# # # # #


TECH SERVICE: KODAKGALLERY recommended but one caveat!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

***Begin Quote***

From:
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 10:08 PM
To: Reinke’s Catch All Email
Subject:

{Extraneous Deleted}

Are you happy with using the Kodak page as a way to send pics? I bought a new Kodak camera and the upload/set up a photo gallery the Kodak page looks pretty simple.

*** end quote ***

Kodak is a name brand. There is one hidden trap. It’s dead drop simple to put the pics in, print, and share. BUT to get hi rez out, you have to join their “premiere gallery” for 25$ year. (50$ if you want a discount on reprinting I don’t print that much.) Then, you can DOWNLOAD a high rez version of the pics you put in. Otherwise, you’re uploading say a 5meg version, but can only download a 5k version. And, they do promise to keep your pics archived for an annual purchase of some number of dollars (One print order of $10? I think)

So I think Kodak sums up: (1) cheap photo archive; (2) cheap prints (probably cheaper than doing it yourself); (3) a neat one button fix of pics; (4) a central place for all your pixing activities. On the theory that you should never depend upon any ONE point of failure. I suggest that one should upload photos, fix ’em, hirez download them, and then send them to a gmail account (i.e., one message per “album”) with the album name in the subject line.

Also, since scanners are so cheap, old pics should be “captured” in the same way.

I’m thinking of the NOLA flood and SanDigo fires. Bet those folks wish they had such.

Plus, Kodak handles ANY jpeg. So, any important docs can be put into a jpeg and put on the Kodak site. (Cute huh?)

# – # – #

RECOMMENDED with that one caveat!

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: Unresponsive because the email address was … strange!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

FROM AN EMAIL ABOUT “LIVELINESS”

*** begin quote ***

I don’t know about the other 63% of your contacts, obviously, but as for myself, I didn’t respond because the email address was V2Y2R0N27RHJ6Y and even though the message looked authentic, that email looked hokey.

*** end quote ***

OK, point well taken. I’m going to be moving my emails off Comcast and onto my own domain (i.e., reinke.cc). In the spring, I’ll test again and see if that makes a difference. :-)

# # # # #


TECH SOFTWARE: KompoZer web editor

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

http://portableapps.com/apps/development/nvu_portable

 

KompoZer Portable 0.7.10 Revision 2 Released
Submitted by John T. Haller on December 5, 2007 – 6:35pm.

***Begin Quote***

KompoZer logoKompoZer Portable 0.7.10 Revision 2 has been released. It’s the popular KompoZer web editor bundled with a PortableApps.com launcher as a portable app, so you can edit websites on the go. This new release fixes a small bug that would cause a single file to be left behind on certain PCs. In addition to the full install package, there is a small upgrade package that will upgrade an existing 0.7.10 install. It’s packaged in PortableApps.com Format for easy integration with the PortableApps.com Suite. And it’s open source and completely free.

***End Quote***

Free!

# # # # #


LUGGABLE: VWBBIE is giving me more trouble

Monday, December 17, 2007

Again, trying to use Verizon Wireless Broad Band VWBBIE is balky at best today.

For those who saw my problems last week when it was rainy and foggy, today is clear and cloudless.

So, I think this may be the end for VWBBIE! No sense spending good money for a productivity tool and have it hinder productivity.

# # # # #


TECH HARDWARE: BroadbandAccess service

Monday, December 17, 2007

***Begin Quote***

Dear Verizon Wireless Customer,

Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are sorry to learn that you are having difficulty with your BroadbandAccess service. We are happy to assist you with your question.

We apologize your BroadbandAccess connection is disconnecting and you are unable to pull up an IP address and you have spotty DNS resolution. We are currently not aware of any outages and you should be able to connect to the Internet. We have provided a guide to inputting the DNS on your computer.

Configuring Domain Name Server (DNS) addresses

Please be aware manually programming Domain Name Server (DNS) addresses is not a permanent solution to the issue you are experiencing. If this resolves the issue, please contact our Wireless Technical Support department at 1-800-922-0204 to escalate this issue so we can have a permanent solution.

Windows XP
1. Disconnect from the Internet.
2. Close any open applications.
3. From the Windows desktop, select Start > Programs (All Programs) > Accessories > Communications > Network Connections.
4. Right-click the appropriate network connection (e.g. NationalAccess / BroadbandAccess).
5. Click Properties.
6. Click the Networking tab.
7. Ensure that Type of dial-up server I am calling is set to PPP: Windows 95/98/NT4/2000, Internet.
8. Ensure that Internet Protocol TCP/IP is checked, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) then click Properties.
9. Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected.
10. Ensure that Use the following DNS server addresses is selected, enter the following DNS servers then click OK.
Preferred DNS : 66.174.95.44
Alternate DNS : 66.174.95.43
11. Click OK .
12. Close the Network and Dial-up Connections window.

Windows Vista
1. Disconnect from the Internet.
2. Close any open applications.
3. From the Windows desktop, click Start > Connect to.
4. Right-click the appropriate network connection (e.g. NationalAccess / BroadbandAccess).
5. Click Properties.
6. Click the Networking tab.
7. Ensure that Internet Protocol TCP/IPv4 is checked, select Internet Protocol TCP/IPv4 then click Properties.
8. Ensure that Use the following DNS server addresses is selected, enter the following DNS servers then click OK.
Preferred DNS : 66.174.95.44
Alternate DNS ; 66.174.95.43
9. Click OK .
10. Close the Connect to a network window.

If your connection is constantly dropping, then the first item to check is your signal strength indicator. Please make sure that you are receiving 2 bars or more of signal. If you are receiving less than 2 bars, then you may experience problems with the connection dropping due to a weak signal.

If you are getting a strong signal, but the connection is still dropping then there may be a network issue in your area; however, we need to ask you to perform some preliminary troubleshooting steps. This will not guarantee a consistent Internet connection but it should allow your connection to perform to its’ full potential.

The following factors can affect your connection:

* Structural Restrictions – For example, the inside of a building can limit the signal received from the tower. If you move near a window, you have a good chance of increasing your signal; however, this would depend on how many miles you are located from the nearest wireless tower.

* Network Service issues – You might be on the fringe of the network and this might cause you to lose connection. Please visit the link below to view the broadband coverage for your location.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=NEWREQUEST

* You may be using an old version of the VZAccess Manager. Please visit the link below, if your current version of VZAccess Manager is lower than the one listed on the site then uninstall VZAccess Manager and replace it with the one offered on the website.

http://vzam.net/

You can verify you current version by following the steps below.

1. Launch VZAccess manager
2. Click on Help on top bar
3. Select About VZAccess.
4. This shows the VZAccess Manager Software version.

In order to insure the most up to date coverage area for your PC card, we recommend that you update your PC cards Preferred Roaming List (PRL) once per month. Please follow the steps below to run the VZAccess Manager Activation wizard on your computer to update your PC card’s PRL.

1. Launch VZ Access Manger
2. Select “Options”
3. Select “Activation”
4. Click “OK” when “Activation Successful” Message appears

* Your connection might have become corrupted. Please follow the steps below to delete and recreate the connection.
. Go to the Network connections on your Computer.
. Delete the Broadband/NationalAccess Connection.
. Safely eject the PC card.
. Restart your Computer.
1. Within the VZ Access Manager, select “Options”
2. Select “Run Wizard”
3. Select “Next”
4. Select “Detect WWAN device only”
5. Select “Next”
6. Select “Next”
7. Select “PC Card”
8. Select “Next”
9. Select “Next”
10. Once device is detected select “Yes”
11. Select “Next”
12. Enter the 10-digit cell number if not auto populated 13. Select “Next”
14. Select “Do not make copies of any of my dial-up accounts”
15. Select “Next”
16. Select “Next”
17. Select “Run VZ Access at startup if you want the software to load every time you start your PC, otherwise leave unchecked.
18. Select “Finish”

* Also, Venturi may be the cause of the problems you are experiencing. Venturi is compression software that installs along with VZ Access Manager. It is designed to improve the apparent speed of the connection using compression and normally works fine on most PCs but can have adverse affects under certain conditions.

Please follow the steps below to disable Venturi compression via the VZAccess Manager interface.

1. From the Windows desktop, locate and double-click on the VZAccess Manager icon 2. From the top menu, select “Tools”, then “Preferences…”
3. Click on the Venturi tab
4. Uncheck “Compress and accelerate WWAN connections” to disable Venturi compression 5. Click “OK”

If the performance improves after disabling Venturi, please follow the steps below to uninstall this program.
1. On your PC click “Start”
2. Click on “Control Panel” icon
3. Click on “Add and Remove Programs”
4. Locate Venturi and select “Change/Remove”
5. Follow Prompts to finish uninstall

If you are still unable to stay connected to the Internet, please contact the Wireless Data Technical Support department at your convenience. Our representatives are available 6 AM to 11 PM Central Standard Time, 7 days a week and may be reached by dialing: 1-800-922-0204 and selecting option number 3.

Speaking with you in person is the only way to ensure that we have investigated all possible factors that may contribute to the behavior you have described. Our support technicians will obtain the necessary information and then escalate to our next tier of technical support to ensure a timely resolution.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.

Sincerely,

Olukemi
Verizon Wireless
Data Technical Support

If you have received this e-mail in error or are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this e-mail and deleting it and all copies and backups thereof. If you are the intended recipient and are a Verizon Wireless customer, this response is subject to the terms of your Customer Agreement.

Original Message Follows:
————————
I have spent the better part of two days playing with it. It is disconnecting for no apparent reason. Failing to pull an ip address. And, spotty dns resolution. Is it me or is there a general problem with the service?

***End Quote***

# # # # #


TECH SOFTWARE:Toucan to sync, backup and secure files on your device

Monday, December 17, 2007

http://portableapps.com/news/2007-11-21_-_toucan_1.2

Toucan 1.2 Released
Submitted by Steve Lamerton on November 21, 2007 – 6:18pm.

***Begin Quote***

Toucan 1.2 has been released. Toucan is a tool for advanced users that allows you to sync, backup and secure files on your device. This new release includes a number of small improvements as well as AES encryption (read on for important details on decrypting existing encrypted files). It’s packaged in PortableApps.com Format for easy use from any portable device and integration with the PortableApps.com Suite. And it’s open source and completely free.

***End Quote***

And, free!

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: never ever use your current employer’s email in LinkedIn

Sunday, December 16, 2007

FROM A LINKEDIN CONTACT ABOUT “LIVELINESS”

*** begin quote ***

I decided to perform a small test of my own today… by simply sending out recommendation requests to those people I have actually worked with (as opposed to all the recruiters that are in my network). I’ll et you know the final results… but I’m already getting replies from people who have taken over colleagues email addresses at companies asking me who I am!!! Not a real good sign.

*** end quote ***

Amazing what you find out when you look!

Here’s another reason why you should never ever use your current employer’s email in LinkedIn.

I rant about this all the time. Not your current employers! Not your ISP! Not gmail, yahoo, or whatever! It has to be from your own domain name.

Like “reinke.cc”!

No excuses. No reason not to. You’re supposed to be a pro, professional, it can be done for well under $100 bucks a year. It’s probably in the 60$/year range. That’s a little more than a dollar a week.

There’s no excuse for it.

# # # # #


LINKEDIN: “Ron Paul” is also on LinkedIn

Sunday, December 16, 2007

FROM AN MLPF EMAIL

>Re: Hilary For President
>Posted by: “Verdegem, Luc”
>Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:58 pm (PST)
>Sorry for this question,
>I was just wondering why there are not more “smart” politicians that use

Interesting.

“Ron Paul” is also on LinkedIn. I’m one of “his” loons. But, I would know more think of doing the old Star Trek Vulcan Mind Meld with that pseudo person

(I have to update my taxonomy of “Trolls you find on LinkedIn” with a new one “political alter egos”! — POLITICIANS. Sort of the opposite of ABILLGATES that high value target. This is imho a low value target.)

LINKEDIN: Updated taxonomy of LinkedIn “identities”
https://reinkefaceslife.com/2007/11/29/linkedin-updated-taxonomy-of-linkedin-identities
http://tinyurl.com/25b5mw

Those have to be a violation of the LinkedIn TOS, contrary to the spirit of LinkedIn, and injecting your politics into an inappropriate venue. IMHO.

I can’t see any upside to doing this. What’s next? Linking to your favorite cartoon character.

(Shaking my virtual, not virtuous, head in amazement.)

# # # # #


TECH SOFTWARE: INTERRUPTON to measure how distracted you are?

Saturday, December 15, 2007

http://www.workingcogs.com/interruptron/

Interruptron

***Begin Quote***

In the attention economy, what matters is your attention. Modern life is plagued with interruptions, some self-imposed (do you have a popup that lets you know when new mail arrives?), some not (phone ringing, people knocking on your door). The axiom is simple: your productivity is inversely proportional to the number of interruptions per hour. There exist psychological research that proves that doing two tasks -A,B- in an alternating sequence -ABABAB- is a lot harder than doing them on batches -AAABBB-. This is called task switch cost. Some research on economics proves that the same concept –switching tasks often is bad for productivity- is true organizations.

This is so simple it’s staggering. We thought: well, we don’t know how often we are interrupted, but we should! That’s how the interruptron was born.

The modern knowledge worker has a very short average time between interruptions. Some estimates are as low as 10 minutes. We need to be aware of when we have been interrupted and try to stretch time between interruptions as much as possible. Also, it’s important to be aware of when we are floating into ‘unproductive time’ and have some method to nag us back to work. This is the goal of the interruptron. Run it always, and you’ll have a good gasp of where your time goes.

***End Quote***

It’s impossible to get any serious thinking done in the office with all the noise and interruptions. This will just help you quantify it. Now if it could just get you into the “zone”.

Donation ware, so how big a risk can it be?

# # # # #

text


LINKEDIN: LinkedIn is dysfunctional

Saturday, December 15, 2007

*** begin quote ***

Please note: You are now required to enter an email address to send invitations from this page because several recipients of your invitations indicated they don’t know you. This safeguard is in place to prevent users from receiving unwanted invitations from people they don’t know. Customer Service can remove the restriction at anytime once you indicate that you understand this policy.

*** end quote ***

I don’t know what they are talking about. I don’t invite ever since Linkedin instituted their dumb “5 I don’t knows and your suspended”. I only accept invites.

The funnier think is that I am not, nor have I ever been, what they hate … an “open” networker.

?

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