Is the PC dead?????

Here is an article from bnet about the "death of the PC".

http://www.bnet.com/blog/technology-business/microsoft-insists-the-pc-isnt-dead-8212-but-doesnt-really-believe-it/12455?promo=713&tag=nl.e713

As a heavy PC user and an iPad2 owner / user, at this point, I think the PC (well ... in my case, the laptop PC) is very much alive. I do a lot of typing (and using a full size screen and a full size keyboard).

There is an important place for smartphones and tablet computers - and both are going to increase in the marketplace; ....BUT ... I don't see the need and uses for PC's to disappear. Like the article said: "There are a set of important things that PCs do uniquely well, and they aren’t going away."

Ten Tips for leading virtual teams

Baseline Magazine recently had this on leading virtual teams:

http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Intelligence/10-Tips-For-Leading-A-Virtual-Team-897717/?kc=BLBLBEMNL08262011STR1

1. Recruit Quality - Virtual team members must be adaptable, self-motivated, accountable, and collaborative

2. Establish a Charter - Define long-term vision, short-term goals, standard operating procedures, individual roles, and channels of support

3. Set Communication Standards - Whether it’s a weekly progress meeting or response time for e-mails and texts, procedures must be clear and consistent.

4. Create an e-Room - That’s where project-relevant documents, updates on tech needs, team-wide communications, etc. are posted.

5. Cultivate Information-Sharing Culture - Send out industry reports, best practices suggestions, competitor updates, etc., to encourage knowledge-building.

6. Think In Plural - Increase team visibility, unity, and pride with accomplishment summaries to company managers stressing “we” achievements

7. Discourage Marathon E-Mails - Use bullet points, consider “no scrolling allowed” format. Concise communications keeps team members focused

8. Stress Strategy - Articulating benefits and objectives helps eliminate a silo mentality among virtual team members.

9. Identify Slackers - Look for long delays on inquiry responses, deadline lapses, unexplained MIA status

10. Slacker Intervention Tips - Approach problems head-on; specify accountability requirements in writing, review progress regularly.

Most (all?) businesses have to deal with teams - with outsourcing, many teams are not located at the same site - and even if they are at the same site, more and more are telecommuting to work. Virtual teams are 'now' - and learning to work with and manage virtual teams is very important!!!

A Change at Apple

Steve Jobs just announced (6:52 EDT - August 24th) that he is stepping down as CEO of Apple:

http://allthingsd.com/20110824/steve-jobs-resignation-letter-i-have-made-some-of-the-best-friends-of-my-life-at-apple/?reflink=ATD_yahoo_ticker#

I have grown up as a PC / Dell / IBM / person. I somewhat reluctantly went to the iPod for a music device a few years back. There are others on the market, but the iPod "IS" the definitive portable music player currently. (I go back to the Sony "Walkman" days of playing cassette music tapes on a portable device). The campus got me an iPad two years ago (and I have experimented with it - more in class); and yesterday I got a new iPad2 to experiment with. I want to write some simple applications - just to see if I can do it. (Ah, I digress from Steve Jobs). I also have a hand-me-down iPhone (without the phone service, so mostly an iTouch)

While I am NOT an Apple guy, Steve Jobs and the Apple people have been great developers, great marketers, and innovative. There has been a philosophy and approach that has been tremendous. (I remember reading an article a few months back about psychologists testing Apple people and their thoughts about Apple bordered on a religious experience).

I hope that his successor (Tim Cook in the article) and the company continue to be "Apple" in its best fashion - innovating, developing and marketing great products (that in turn cause the competitors to innovate and develop their competing products.)

IT jobs and startups

Baseline Magazine had an article on IT jobs and startup companies. Would you want to work for a startup - where the potential could be fantastic (can you imagine if you started with Facebook or Google in the early days and got stock options). Or would you rather work for an established company. Here is the article: http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Intelligence/Startups-Too-Scary-For-Many-Workers-781609/?kc=BLBLBEMNL08232011STR1

While I tend to be an entrepreneurial kind of guy, I'm not sure I would jump to a startup. (If you read the article age is a factor). My son-in-law worked for a startup (we might have that case study in class) - and got stock options and little more (that was before he was married to our daughter - so it was probably okay to have less security and more interesting experiences).

I'm a guy that likes some excitement, every day brings a new opportunity (and new challenges)!!!

What do you think?

Bruce

Using Audio Conferencing

Citrix company has this link to a "White Paper" on cutting audio costs: http://img.en25.com/Web/CitrixOnline/American_Cancer_Society_HiDefCorporate_cs%20(2).pdf

The internet is a 'disruptive technology'. Traditional phone services are threatened - as more and more people use VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol). You can have FREE phone service with Skype, with Google, and basically once you have Internet to your house - you have free IP phones. (We have Comcast at home and use the Comcast phone service).

A future disruption to phones is with mobile devices. Now AT&T, Verizon and other traditional phone companies are doing well, the shift is being made.

I think VIDEO calls will rapidly be the norm for corporate phone communication. The ability to view body language makes the communication stronger and better!!!