The UsefulTechnology Blog : Salmagundi

The End: this blog leaps over to Windows Live Spaces

Allister_Frost — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 11:00:00 GMT

I've decided to move my blog to a new home on Windows Live Spaces. I hope you'll move with me.

My new blog URL is http://usefultechnologyblog.spaces.live.com/.

To subscribe to the new RSS feed, simply click this link: http://usefultechnologyblog.spaces.live.com/feed.rss.

Thanks for being with me on TechNet. See you on the other side.

That Windows Vista Packaging

Allister_Frost — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:12:00 GMT

Here's the clever bit about the new packaging. It opens like this:

Very neat!

Windows Vista and 2007 Office system packaging unveiled

Allister_Frost — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 04:44:00 GMT

Oooh, it's shiny and new. Announcing the new packaging for Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system. I quite like it. Do you?

Bring YourSELF to Work

Allister_Frost — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:47:00 GMT

Yes, it's true: tomorrow is Bring YourSELF to Work Day 2006. In case you're feeling confused because you bring yourself to work most days anyway, take note of that clever capitalisation of the letters S, E, L and F. As the campaign leader says:

Nothing should be simpler than being yourself at work and yet for many of our colleagues this represents a major challenge. Some would find it altogether too confronting; worried about their personal demons, what others might think, that they may be judged, etc. It's true that people can be judgemental, but none of us should allow ourselves to be held back by that.

You owe it to yourself and those you care about to become more fully self expressed in all the areas of your life; and your example can encourage them to be the same.

Perhaps they should call the campaign "Be Yourself At Work" to save on all those expensive capital letters.

Nonetheless, their campaign cause is very worthwhile. Nothing destroys creativity and the feeling of self-worth more than not being true to your real personality. So remember tomorrow: have a go at chilling at work, show your true colours and be a bit human for once. You might find people like the real you more than the guy who normally turns up for work.

Check out their website at http://www.bringyourselftowork.com/, especially the Ideas Page if you need some inspiration. Not sure about number 16...

Voluminous Venti

Allister_Frost — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 16:37:00 GMT

Sunday, sitting in Starbucks.

Note to self: a venti-sized mug of coffee is too large to drink comfortably without a catheter.

The brainless way to win a £4,000 digital makeover

Allister_Frost — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:26:00 GMT

What is a Personal Computer?

(a) A microcomputer whose price, size and capabilities make it suitable for personal usage

(b) An elongated yellow fruit that grows on trees

At least the questions aren't quite as simple as that but your brain still won't get out of first gear to answer the Get Safe Online competition that is now open on their website. The prize is a £4,000 digital makeover including a 42" plasma HD TV and a Hi Grade Media Centre PC. Nice! The compo's only open to UK, Channel Island and Isle of Man residents and runs for this week only. Enter now and (don't) put your grey matter to the test!

Windows Live Local - now even better

Allister_Frost — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:00:00 GMT

My regular reader will know how much of a fan I have become of Windows Live Local. While Google Earth was very quick out of the blocks in 2004 after they acquired Keyhole Corp, it's now looking a bit creaky in comparison to the much improved, if absurdly named, Windows Live Local. The thing I love most about Windows Live Local is that it just works from your browser: no giant application to install and no update patches to apply. And it just keeps getting better as this latest post on the team's blog reveals.

In the 4th major release they've added people search, the ability to draw over custom maps, send details by text to your mobile phone and even more Bird's Eye imagery. Some of this only works in the US for now but it's only a matter of time before this advanced functionality is extended to other geographies. Go have a play.

Software: it's everywhere you know - even in Frinton

Allister_Frost — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:59:00 GMT

I'm just back from a short break at everyone's favourite sunshine destination: the North-East Essex coast! I was amused by the continued mass hysteria raging over the planned replacement of the famous railway gates at Frinton-on-Sea with automated barriers. Here, in the unlikely event that you've never seen them, are what the town's mayor claims to be Frinton's world-famous gates:

Some protesters are stating that they think the new unmanned barriers will be less safe due to the inevitable problems with software. But if they stopped to think about it they'd realise that, as Steve Lamb points out, software is everywhere: controlling the crossings, the signals, the trains, the platform announcements, even the jet fighters controlling the skies.

If people are really worried about the safety risks associated with software compared to the risks of human error they'd be well advised to stay at home, disconnect themselves from the mains electricity and only venture out when the funeral director arrives with their coffin. Mind you, now I think about it, that's what many people in Frinton do anyway. Maybe they're on to something...

Teasippers, Limeys and Rosbifs

Allister_Frost — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 10:06:00 GMT

I am all of the above. And if you're English you are too. I've just discovered this fascinating list of colloquial ways to address your fellow citizens of the world. And before you start using any of these and upset someone, bear in mind that they probably have a special word for you too ;-)

Dubious words emerging from Microsoft

Allister_Frost — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:51:00 GMT

What's going on? We seem to have a swathe of dubious sounding product names emerging from Microsoft just recently. There's the legendarily bad "OneCare" (careful how you say that), we've "SmartArt" in the 2007 Office system, and IE7 is now "RC1" which is a harsh description at the best of times. I know the IT industry is renowned for generating dodgy-sounding product names but Microsoft seems to be doing more than most to maintain this reputation.

Smile! You're on a Speed Camera!

Allister_Frost — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:22:00 GMT

I'm fascinated by the human relationship with technology and how one helps shape the other. A recent example that got me thinking came after the Thames Valley Park Security team installed a speed camera on one of the roads approaching the UK Microsoft Campus. But this wasn't one of those widely despised 'Greed Cameras' that collects money from every motorist exceeding the speed limit. This was a happy/sad camera that displays an electronic smiley face whenever you pass at less than 30 miles per hour. If you go too fast though you will incur the wrath of the sign and see a very sad face instead.

Now, call me a crazed lunatic, but I really like seeing a smiling face in the morning. So much so that I now find myself deliberately slowing down on the approach to the camera so I can guarantee myself of some smiley feedback and enjoy every short second of our brief passing relationship. And one day when I was travelling a little too fast I found myself filled with regret that my 32MPH had made the camera sad. I even thought about go past once again so I could make it smile once more. (Even I think that's weird.)

But what intrigues me is why do I feel this way? It's a speed camera for heaven's sake! Why should I care whether it likes me or not? It has no feelings, no memory. And it's extremely unlikely that our relationship will ever go any further. Besides, I'm already married...

Yet the smiley face gets me every time. It's so instantly recognisable as human that I feel some empathy with what the camera is trying to do. A sad face reminds me of the possible consequences of driving too fast. A happy face reminds me that I'm a nice person, the sort of person that happy people would like to know.

There's a very profound insight into the human condition buried within the smiley speed camera experience. We instinctively respond to certain triggers. And every product designer and marketer should be aware of these triggers so their technology solutions can work harmoniously with our hard-wired human minds.

You Need to Get Out More

Allister_Frost — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 19:22:00 GMT

It's Friday. And Steve Clayton writes today about how his Out of Office message has taken on a personality all of its own. Mine has too. We all get so many "OOFs" that the very least you can do is inject a little life into your own message. In the spirit of sharing, my most recent OOF is below. I received several blank emails from people just wanting to read my OOF. Weirdos. Some people really should get our more often ;-)

Hot diggety dog! I'm now out of the office until 14th August sheltering under a brolly at the Great British Seaside. I'll do my best not to check emails on my Windows Mobile Pocket PC but I cannot promise I won't have the occasional lapse. You'll have to wait until I'm back to join my wife in telling me I shouldn't read work emails while on holiday.

Who else might be able to help? LK's my right hand woman (email her at [email removed]) and for all other queries "The Other Superwoman" NT ([email removed]) is a goldmine of information. Bill Gates (billg@microsoft.com) probably also knows the answer to your question but he sometimes gets a bit busy so is unlikely to reply before I'm back.

BLATANT BLOG PLUG: Are you struggling to cope with multiple out of office replies? Enjoy one of my blog tips with my compliments! Get it here.

Warning: This Out Of Office message may contain nuts.

What will your next OOF say about you?

Big Moon over Walton

Allister_Frost — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:38:00 GMT

That was a big moon over the North Sea the other night. And it's amazing what you can do with a point and click camera these days. Thought I'd share this calming little photo as we enter another busy working day.

Save the Blog: Vote Now

Allister_Frost — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:34:00 GMT

Contrary to one correspondent's theory, the lack of recent postings here is not evidence of my having been seized by British Anti-Terrorist Police. I agree that the liquids I carry onto aircraft may have a dangerously high alcoholic content that could blow your mind but I doubt they'd do much damage to a plane. No, I've simply been on holiday to the Great British Seaside. My contact with the Information Superhighway and this blog was temporarily severed, but my mastery of sandcastle construction has moved on a notch or two. The good news (or bad depending on your point of view) is that I'm back now.

After this short absence I should be chomping at the bit to share some words of Useful Technology wisdom. But I'm sorry, I can't. I'm feeling rather queer. Don't panic: that's what my grandfather used to say when he was feeling unwell. In fact, I've been so queer that I've been off work today. And during my waking hours lying in bed I've been wondering where to take my blog next.

As my regular reader will know, I love sharing tips on how to use Outlook and cope with email overload. But my new job at Microsoft has more of a marketing communications flavour to it. I now find myself thinking about different things like how Windows Vista will change our attitudes to technology and how advances in mobile devices will shape our digital world.

So the question on my lips—and almost certainly not on yours—is what should I write about on my blog?

Among the options under consideration are:

Tips for a successful blog
Marketing cool technology to consumers
Web 2.0 and the software as a service revolution
Brilliant design wot I love
Why I have 2 million hits but get so few comments on my blog
And, of course, the old chestnut: Outlook and Email Survival

Like any half-decent marketer I'm turning to you, my customer, to figure out what I can do better. Please let me know where we should go together by sending me an email using the, er, Email link above or leaving a comment by clicking the, er, Comment link down there. And if you like my blog, please click the Like It? button over there on the right to tell a friend.

Many thanks for your input. I'm off for a lie down. G'night.

[UPDATE: Feeling better now. And yes, I goofed. I had the 'anonymous comments are blocked' setting switched on, which explains why so few people commented previously. I've fixed it now, so comment away]

Shameless Self Publicist Makes Useful Technology List

Allister_Frost — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 08:47:00 GMT

Congratulations to Blake Handler (yes, that's his real name) for the most shameless self-publicity move ever in the history of blogs!

Blake has been the victim of a regularly changing URL for his MSN Spaces (now Windows Live Spaces) Blog. Which has made it difficult for his readers to remain in touch. Frankly that's a shame, because Blake's blog houses some jolly useful stuff.

So what did Blake do? He wrote out to everyone he's ever been in contact with in the blogosphere and begged (Blake's word, not mine!) them to add a link to his new blog location.

And it worked! Here's my link to Blake's extraordinarily long post of the Ultimate List of Free Windows Software from Microsoft.

Now you know what to do on that annoying day that sits between Thursday and the weekend: download over 150 free things from Microsoft, all with the compliments of Blake's list. Good work Blake!