MindManager Web could be The Answer …

Chalk this one up to technical difficulties … over the last few days I have been having problems with my Vista based X61 tablet and so have been exploring my alternatives to getting things done with my needs …. well, I didn’t really have time this happened to really explore how the new MindManager Web works … I need to tell you this really ROCKS …

First of all, I took the application into a chrome window and split it off so I have a quick launch icon to fire it up … by doing this, it has the feel of opening a desktop app and the interface is really slick … the flash based web interface is slick, fast and responsive … you can virtually create anything you could do on the desktop in your browser … it really feels like a MM8 Lite …. all of the important controls are there and the application really gets out of your way … no thinking needed, just go for it …

Then I really found out the sweetspot on this app … on the upper right corner in small icons is the absolute most significant part of this … see the circled items for instant meeting and chat … well, I enabled instant meeting, and now you can simply put in an email address and the invite is gone … I sent it to my other machine and the magic happened .. there was my screen on the other machine in all it’s glory … it was like the remote applications that we have all seen on web conferences, etc .. but this also allows you to simulate a laser pointer to highlight sections, and even better for working with collaborators, you can allow editing from the remote machine … this is incredibly easy to use and makes for a significant step to using the map for collaboration … fully web based, this application will allow you to download maps to your desktop machine or simply use the web and this app as your computer in the clouds … I am anxious to see how this will work on a netbook … if any of you out there have one, let me know how it works …   

Creating a Quick Boot for the Road …

I have been watching all the new inroads being made by the “instant” on pc schemes that  are part of new hardware being placed on machines … here is an alternative to that hardware based solution with a software based system that will get you down to a very quick boot time for all those instances where all you wanted to do was quickly get on your email or on the web.

Presto is a linux variant that allows for boot into it from the boot sequence on windows machines … because it is basically linux under Ubuntu, the sytem will allow you to run firefox, skype, open office (Microsoft Office 2007 compatible) …

Installation is simple and operation even simpler … you can go to the presto site to download the trial download that will work even after the period (but the hook is the sessions can only be 10 mins in length) or purchase the full license for $19.95. 

After waiting for eternity for my vista boot, a 15 sec or so transition to the desktop and the net seems like an “instant” to me … 

PS .. waiting for Windows 7 RC coming next month which promises faster boots and longer battery life … now that is progress

Defining a Pathway to Success

It seems that there has been in recent times great amounts of discussion on the importance of success in light of the troubling times we are in.  Innovation does not follow a simple path, but a path can help innovation … I have attempted to illustrate this idea by putting together a simple map showing how you could take an idea to the next step and put simple framing around it ..

The map shows how you would take an idea and attempt to define it as a starting point … visualize what the end point would be and deconstruct to doable chunks or milestones … remember though that this is a dynamic process … innovation or processes have a life of their own … failure is a big part of success as long as you learn from the failures …

The iterations or tasks are done by building, testing and refining … failure defines the refining and the loop continues until you are ready to move to the next phase.  The end point is simply another beginning and success or failure is measured by several metrics.  The modern measure is the effect of the change or product on Society, the Environment, and finally the Profits of your Company.

The iPod of Web Conferencing …

I got an email this morning announcing the rollout of version 5 of Dimdim … this is a web based conferencing tool on steroids … designed as open source, this web app allows users and small companies to have at their fingertips many features that were the domain of the big and expensive web conferencing applications …

Dimdim allows for really strong voip connection, but also has dedicated line call ins so those who wish can still conference with their phones … it has the screen share and video feeds, presentations and whiteboards and chat by text implemented in a slick easy to use interface …

There is a free edition so you can try it out with the limits being up to 20 people with pro version that allows 50 people for $19 per month and the enterprise system for up to 1,000 people … note that there is a system built as a “virtual classroom” for education for less than $200 per month ….

With the ease of getting on the net now and things like the netbooks with video cams installed, this app could be the portal to many interesting and truly impactful meetings without having to drive or fly to a location … take it for a spin and see if it works for you ….