My favorite piece of tech is a light switch.
Odd, probably to some, but let me explain.
A light switch (read this part literally) is a device whose user-interface is about as simple as it comes - it's either off or on. A 1 or a 0 to you binary types. There's no maybe, there's no other options. But the trick isn't the switch, it's what it does..it brings light to a room. A simple enough trick that no one is ever confused by it, reads a manual or has to go take a course to figure one out. It's elegant in a U/I sense.
Behind the scenes, it's a complex little box with varying wires, poles and an ability to complete or continue circuits. But that's what makes it great - none of that is presented to the user. All the 'detail' is hidden and just handled. You want local light ? Just touch here.
Most other technology we interact with is not as elegant. We're presented options and a requirement to configure thing to achieve a desired response. A close parallel to light is sound..a radio. At it's absolute simplest as well, touch the on button and music or other noises fill your space. But that's if the antenna is picking up signals, which you sometimes have to manually adjust or fine-tune. And we're all fussy about volume, so that adjustment needs to be made too. If you start to look at a more advanced home stereo system, I'll admit confusion on the latest Hi-def theater receivers and how to operate them optimally for sound, let alone hook them up correctly.
Which brings me to the cloud. We all know the cloud right ? It's where all of us will have all of life's information available to us, on demand. It replaces local storage of data, which as a design feature offers local accessibility (only). The cloud is the next wave in IT enablement - an area not reknown if we're honest with ourselves about elegant design (and I'm not talking Bang & Olufsen type design).
At this somewhat early execution phase, we are at a critical juncture I might suggest. Someone can go to one end of the design spectrum and realize the Cloud should just "be" available to us everywhere with whatever interface device we have; or they can make it hugely tailored, and customizable. Make it so it's like having to configure a server in the real world.
Which way is best ? I'm not going to venture an opinion too obviously here, except to offer that this is a critical point - and one we'll all live with for a long time, so choices here ought to be carefully considered. There are design options coming forward, and the smart money isn't on those early adopters of technology happy to write C++ code to enable a degree of usability in their newest stuff. The market says light switch.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Fear
What are you afraid of ?
Spiders, needles, heights, being unemployed, being single, being married or appearing foolish or perhaps all of the above..
I put forth that fear is good for us. It warns us away from various forms of stupidity, and acts as an intellectual brake when we might do something that's ill-conceived.
Too much fear though - when living in fear...that's not good. That's hiding and the trick as always is to know the difference. I'd also put forth engaging our fear a little isn't a bad thing either as we grow as people in the process.
Try it, challenge your own fears within limits and you will feel very alive.
Spiders, needles, heights, being unemployed, being single, being married or appearing foolish or perhaps all of the above..
I put forth that fear is good for us. It warns us away from various forms of stupidity, and acts as an intellectual brake when we might do something that's ill-conceived.
Too much fear though - when living in fear...that's not good. That's hiding and the trick as always is to know the difference. I'd also put forth engaging our fear a little isn't a bad thing either as we grow as people in the process.
Try it, challenge your own fears within limits and you will feel very alive.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
It's the Single Best Thing I've ever Done
I came out with this statement, quite without thinking yesterday. I wasn't even really something that needed to be pondered for me, seemed like something I just knew. I've been thinking about that automatic response since saying it, and have analyzed 'how I really think about it'...but my conclusion remains the same.
If I step aside from my emotional bias for a moment, it's an interesting thing to have said out of the blue. Even more interesting is the fact I wouldn't have consciously acknowledged this, had I not been asked the question. It started me wondering what else I feel this way about, and what that says about where we hold those things most dear to us.
Clearly you can see the lead up to the question I'd pose to you - but if you don't mind for a moment, this isn't about you, it's about me.
When asked the question that prompted this response, a number of options did pop through my head - my jobs, relationships, accomplishments and the usual stuff. I did a micro-second validation of the answer that I instinctively knew to be right, but it really did only take the time it takes to blink. And while I answered the question with the answer above, I did hear another's perspective of the conversation repeated back afterward, and the 'add-on' joke that I also offered got the spotlight - not my statement above, which raised more interesting thoughts about how some of the most important things we say aren't heard.
I believe it's important though that I specifically understand the ramifications of what I said, as it does represent something hugely intimate and personal to me. Other people we all have to admit to ourselves, tend not to care so much about some of the things we hold dear. (That's not a criticism, just a fact of life)
So, here I was, sitting in the empty room that is my brain, and wondering about all this, and adding to it by considering how important it was that this thought is formalized and communicated. I've clearly decided (via the act of publishing into the ether) that it is important. And if you'll forgive some self-indulgence, I'm writing this for me today, not you. You see I want to mark this spot, and celebrate what I felt as I rather like the whole idea and suffer as we all do from some pride-sin. (you can get the man out of the church, but it's harder to get the church out of the man).
The question I was asked for those of you who've indulged me and read this far..?
What did I think of being a Dad, posed by my daughter.
If I step aside from my emotional bias for a moment, it's an interesting thing to have said out of the blue. Even more interesting is the fact I wouldn't have consciously acknowledged this, had I not been asked the question. It started me wondering what else I feel this way about, and what that says about where we hold those things most dear to us.
Clearly you can see the lead up to the question I'd pose to you - but if you don't mind for a moment, this isn't about you, it's about me.
When asked the question that prompted this response, a number of options did pop through my head - my jobs, relationships, accomplishments and the usual stuff. I did a micro-second validation of the answer that I instinctively knew to be right, but it really did only take the time it takes to blink. And while I answered the question with the answer above, I did hear another's perspective of the conversation repeated back afterward, and the 'add-on' joke that I also offered got the spotlight - not my statement above, which raised more interesting thoughts about how some of the most important things we say aren't heard.
I believe it's important though that I specifically understand the ramifications of what I said, as it does represent something hugely intimate and personal to me. Other people we all have to admit to ourselves, tend not to care so much about some of the things we hold dear. (That's not a criticism, just a fact of life)
So, here I was, sitting in the empty room that is my brain, and wondering about all this, and adding to it by considering how important it was that this thought is formalized and communicated. I've clearly decided (via the act of publishing into the ether) that it is important. And if you'll forgive some self-indulgence, I'm writing this for me today, not you. You see I want to mark this spot, and celebrate what I felt as I rather like the whole idea and suffer as we all do from some pride-sin. (you can get the man out of the church, but it's harder to get the church out of the man).
The question I was asked for those of you who've indulged me and read this far..?
What did I think of being a Dad, posed by my daughter.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Purging
When we've eaten something bad, we purge. It isn't pretty, but it's the best choice to make in that situation. It can save our lives.
When we've had too much to drink, we purge then too. This self inflicted purge often means we're much better in the short-term after our alcohol-induced judgment gives way to the rising sun of a new day.
Sometimes we need to emotionally purge as well. Get rid of those things, relationships, roles and expectations others thrust upon us (or we do to ourselves) when we know ultimately they aren't good for us. This is the most difficult type of purge, as it requires a step into the unknown - being single again, finding a new job, or re-defining yourself in a way others can newly appreciate.
For this latter type of purge, you need courage, and a willingness to fail. This may sound scary, but we all learn from our mistakes, and insulating ourselves from mistakes creates a false sense of comfort and security. Embracing the risk is at the heart of what makes life worth living and helps us grow.
I'm on the verge of a purge (wait until that's a famous movie line, and come back here to recall you read it here first). It's frightening and exciting, adventurous and unclear and is what I know I need.
It's not for everyone, but I encourage to look at where you might purge. Look to where you feel staleness and bitterness have crept into your life and make your own choice. Because that's the key difference between food poisoning and something emotional in your life that requires a purge...choice. Don't shy away from it as the end result can be the same.
When we've had too much to drink, we purge then too. This self inflicted purge often means we're much better in the short-term after our alcohol-induced judgment gives way to the rising sun of a new day.
Sometimes we need to emotionally purge as well. Get rid of those things, relationships, roles and expectations others thrust upon us (or we do to ourselves) when we know ultimately they aren't good for us. This is the most difficult type of purge, as it requires a step into the unknown - being single again, finding a new job, or re-defining yourself in a way others can newly appreciate.
For this latter type of purge, you need courage, and a willingness to fail. This may sound scary, but we all learn from our mistakes, and insulating ourselves from mistakes creates a false sense of comfort and security. Embracing the risk is at the heart of what makes life worth living and helps us grow.
I'm on the verge of a purge (wait until that's a famous movie line, and come back here to recall you read it here first). It's frightening and exciting, adventurous and unclear and is what I know I need.
It's not for everyone, but I encourage to look at where you might purge. Look to where you feel staleness and bitterness have crept into your life and make your own choice. Because that's the key difference between food poisoning and something emotional in your life that requires a purge...choice. Don't shy away from it as the end result can be the same.
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