Catching Up ....

Hi All .... have been so busy and so many new things that I just don't know where to start, but start I must ... so here goes ...

The posts I had made on the presentation and mind maps most recently all worked and we are actively engaged in forming a company to solve some big environmental issues, it was the presentation using the mind maps and ideas that started this and allowed for creating an understandable framework ... in fact, I created several mind maps on the fly using my trusty MindManager Pro 7 that captured the essence of a discussion (Chinese group, so the visual nature of the map created a quick understanding) and furthered the negotiations .... mindmapping is INVALUABLE when trying to create or convey thoughts or processes ... the visual nature of the presentation with short descriptive branches is a wonderful tool.

Another saving solution was the creation of a meeting map ... I showed this earlier, but what I did was create a map with links to all my docs and even web sites that might enter into a meeting, then I kept it up on my Thinkpad X41 tablet while in discussions ... there were two times in Japan while discussing a proposal that I was able to bring up the background document on my screen and share and annotate the pdf's on the fly ... this is an essential tool as it allows for the flow of the conversation and the ideas with full recall of anything that you need ...

Now here are some teasers of coming attractions ... there are updates to some of software programs that I am testing now ... we are reaching the point in web based applications that they are a viable alternative to the desktop .. and in some cases are even functional without an internet connection to allow you to work .. this is the holy grail from my point of view and I am very excited to be testing the new wave that is coming ....

I am also now with the success of the negotiations needing to collaborate with a far flung group ... I have always been following this project management aspect and will now implement using tools available today to work on a new paradigm for future delivery .... This new paradigm is to implement a virtual office for collaboration ... I feel that this is the next big step on the internet, creating interactions that will allow for collaboration and sharing more like the conventional office and social environment .. this would create space where people can interact socially (virtually) ... this element of interaction is essential and is lacking in present solutions today. We are attempting to create this space in Second Life ... I will post more on this shortly ...