Alex Rollin's blog

Be there!

Dates: Friday, March 9 to Tuesday, March 13
Website: http://2007.sxsw.com/interactive/

http://groups.drupal.org/sxsw-interactive-2007

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I was in a long discussion yesterday with some peers about this subject. In general, few organizations that I work with, most of which are under a core of 25 or so staff people, produce data apckages with processes that require more than a few total steps while including a couple of iterated steps.

Document (Artifact) Creation Process:

1. Initial Proposal Draft
2. Proposal Review (Version Control) (Some Group Permissions/Roles/Control here)
3. Proposal Update (IIterate from "2" - Review) (Change Review Group)
4. Proposal Decision (Often New Group Permissions/Roles/Control here)

Then:

1. Initial Implementation Draft
2. Implementation Review (Version Control) (Some Group Permissions/Roles/Control here)
3. Implementation Update (Iterate from "2" - Review) (Change Review Group)
4. Final Implementation (Often New Group Permissions/Roles/Control here)

A lot can be added to this, but generally speaking, what I have found in my work is that without clear guidelines from the first set, and sustainable resourcing for the second, things don't get done.

Also, from my experience, the actual 'density' or capability+resilience of a group/organization/individual/(entity) is the total strength of these processes as the backbone of the entity in concert with the use of technology for scale effect.

As an excercise, I will offer to you what I offer to a host of my clients: if we focus on doing something really really well, and the processes that underlie successful, replicable execution of an operation, then replicate the process so as to execute on an expanded operation, another that we really, really well, we will succeed and stay focused without becoming spread too thin. In fact, most of the successful folks I work with have started to look at the entity functions as 'campaigns' for this reason. Campaign meaning the true definition of a 'project,' from the "Project Management Body of Knowledge" book, " A Project is a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service." A "campaign" definition adds in, I believe, the social aspect, saying in effect, that the project contains some amount of exposure and interaction with or expectation from the public/market/"outside"/non-"i" entity. The unique product or service then becomes a component of 'operations' which are distinct from projects because they are ongoing and part of the transcendant mission and prupose of the organization.So, an entity has a buildout something like the following.

Entity Buildout Process:

1. Definition of general mission and vision with outline of Targeted Operations and Projects in process to achieve them.
2. Outline of initial (1st) unique service or operation to be achieved (and operationalized)
3. Project plan to accomplish unique operation's repeateable performance (operationalization)
4. Execution of Project

Then:

1. New definition of Mission and Vision to include new operations and new Project Directions
2. Iterate from "2" above

These may seem simple, but agreement on the simple structures leads to the ability to make more complex ones.

I would not recommend needless complication of these, but instead move forward with simply "filling out the form" and and on into project fulfillment which leads to expanded operations. Right now, accomplishing massive amounts of work on a website will not 'solve' anything, but having some clear expectations on which usable pieces will need to be built into the first project so that everyone can feel like saying
"Hey, we have executed our project project, and now we have an operation we are committed to fulfilling on regularly (daily, weekly), this is happening, let's invite others in and maintain focus on our next project which will expand our operations."
Isn't what what we are looking for, anyways?  Why not focus on what we want to happen, then?

Skype 3.0 Beta is now available for download. This is a groundbreaking release, and I highly recommend getting started with it so as to become familiar with the new features.

http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/skype3beta.html

Here's a collection fo 3 videos documenting the 48 hour League of Tech Voters Code-A-Thon in Austin TX. So many people in the world get a little flummoxed with technology, but this video shows the human side of the nerds who write the code that makes yourfuzzy logc microwave cook a baked potato just right, or perhaps the guy who wrote the script that backs your school's database up so that the 25,000 records in it aren't deleted accidentally to be lost forever.

Not only are they human, in fact, but just like most humans, they can be enticed to work for a good cause with simple things like appreciation, good music, and food.

LOTV (League of Tech Voters @ http://www.leagueoftechvoters.org/drupal/ ) is making a powerful statement by putting together this code-a-thon solely for the benefit of citizens and non-profits. It's really amazing. Why not get your church group to organize one in your town? I'm not kidding. It's in the public's best interest.

So, what do I see? How could you do this yourself? Let's see here:

Get in touch with a cause that needs software; i.e. everyone and everything on the planet.

Help that group by finding out a few of the things they need, in common.

Set a date.

Find a location. You'll need coffee, power, bathrooms, and wireless internet (or wired). There's a few other things that will help, too, but this is a start. (Check the end for a list of desires, and why this event was so great!)

Let your local community know. Publicize on Craigslist.org, and Barcamp.org, as well as finding local connections throguh Meetup.com (don't likey much).

Watch these videos for additional hints on what to do right! Leave comments at the end please! Let's get this going in Washington DC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDORj0syyE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf8rtfrAeME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKhURJXgE40

It's true...IE7 has been released and is being pushed to Windows Desktops worldwide by the ever invasive Windows Update. I swear, every time Windows pushes an update my machine gets slower. It's amazing! It's like an anti-progress engine!

At any rate, you probably didn't realize that something so radical could come from Windows Update. A Browser upgrade? It's really been years since the last time, and it really, really really is about time. IE6 is quite possible one of the longest overdue pieces of software the web has ever known. It has LITERALLY been slowing the development of the internet itself because of the tremendous burdens Microsoft has placed on developers andesigners by issuing such an incomplete, poorly implemented, and all around lousy product. If you don;t know what I'm talking about...just be glad. If you know what I'm talking about, then you know what I'm talking about.

Oh, BTW, in casy you didn't know, you can only get IE7 if you are running Windows XP.  BTW, this is a really bad idea. 

So, IE7 is here. And for eevryone in the webdesign business, you might have been wondering how this is a good thing when in fact all it really means is that there is yet another crappy Microsoft product that will have 85% deployment that we have to support even though it doesn't work correctly.

Well, I just installed the new 14mb IE7, and I am also running Internet Explorer 6, because, for the next couple of months at least, until I stop hearing "IE7? What's that?" I have to assume that I will be designing for 3 browsers now, Firefox, IE7 and IE6.

This is a special slimmed down version of the browser. It doesn't do everything. You can't accept IE6 cookies or anything like that...it's literally just there so you can preview your designs and web coding in IE6 and 7 and Firefox, 'cos you know you love your work, and you want everyone to see it.

1) Install IE7, say bye bye to IE6.
2) Reboot.
3) Make a new folder: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer 6\
4) Visit Evolt.org: http://browsers.evolt.org/?ie/32bit/standalone
5) Download ie6eolas_nt.zip: http://browsers.evolt.org/download.php?/ie/32bit/standalone/ie6eolas_nt.zip
6) Extract the Zip file you download in #5 into the folder you created in #3.
7) Create a shortcut to the executable you extracted in #6
8) Contain excitement at how much work Microsoft makes us do in order to clean up the mess they have made of the browser.

Every year my ears get attentive as Black Friday approaches. I don't love shopping, but I do love gadgets. So, here's my gadget picks for the year. We'll keep adding to the list over time, so check back.

Web Cam Pick of the Season:Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision

Logitech promises vastly improved image quality in this webcam because of its new lens, which is all glass. They aren't kdding. The image quality is superb, approaching that of Hi-8 videotape up to 960 x 720 video resolution and the interpolated 4 Megapixel still image size of 2304 x 1708 pixels.

Installation of the Logitech QuickCam 10 software is simpler than earlier versions, with a much cleaner interface. My tests were conducted on a laptop running a Pentium M 1.6 Ghz CPU. Logitech suggests a Pentium 4 at 1.4 Ghz as a minimum, 2.4 Ghz recommended. They aren't kidding. The Pentium M 1.6 Ghz is somewhat underpowered and recorded video is a tad jerky, though Logitech's software does a commendable job of "tweening," making the jumpiness far less annoying than it might otherwise be. I must stress that this is a limitation of the computer I used for testing, not the Logitech UltraVision.

The visual resolution of this camera is simply stunning.

Don't spend any more time trying to make your old camera work. Video is the thing. The time is now. Get on the bandwagon and be prepared for 2007 with the best camera available.

Get it here Now> Check Price on Amazon

Camcorder Pick of The Season: Sony DCR-SR100 3MP 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder

The compact Sony DCR-SR100 30 GB Handycam Camcorder represents a breakthrough in digital home recording. With a 30 gigabyte hard disk drive that stores hours of video and hundreds of high-quality stills, a 10x optical/120x digital zoom, a built-in microphone that allows you to record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound, and many other features you'd only expect to find in the hands of professionals, Sony's DCR-SR100 will turn your home videos into instant classics ready for the big screen.

Hard Drive cameras are the new thing, and for good reason. They are here to stay. Record to the drive, and download the file in Minutes, not hours. Edit away, easily and cheaply with any number of video editing software suites.

While there is another model above this one, a high definition version, I recommend this one as your initial starting point rather than a lower grade model for 2 reasons:

1. This is the first model in the series to come with the mic attachment on the top of the camera. This allows you to add on additional microphones easily, such as a shotgun mic, easily increasing the quality of your audio.
2. Second the outputs from this camera are numerous, as opposed to simple USB, extending to S-Video and others.

Get it Here Now > Check The Price on Amazon

Headset Choice: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset

Designed specifically for the needs of notebook users, the Premium Notebook Headset features a behind-the-head, adjustable design that folds flat for travel. The perfect headset for PC calling, Internet voice chat, gaming, and music—including most MP3 players—it offers high-performance audio, a noise-cancelling microphone, and in-line volume and mute controls. The included Analog-to-USB adaptor allows you to choose the best connection for your computer system.

Everyone needs a headset because everyone needs to understand that everyone does not yet have a phone with unlimited long distance. Everyone who can afford to be needs to be available by Skype because everyone who can afford to be talking to peers and collaborators in another country needs to be prepared to do just that. Yesterday.

So, this is a slick headset, no one will laugh at you on video for wearing it, and you could find a worse quality headset, for sure.

So, get jacked in with a headset, and be ready, because I'm going to call you on Skype...tomorrow.

Get it Here Now > Check The Price on Amazon

Here's a little overview of what we do -- and who's doing it:

Open-source web development. Alex Rollin, our chief development rock star, and his team use the open-source content management system called “Drupal.” Not only is it in alignment with our highest ethical standards, but it allows you, the non-technical user, to publish content and media on the fly—without learning HTML.

Graphic design. Jeremy Stepp, our chief design rock star, has created branding and website packages for everyone from Fortune 500 companies to street promoters in San Francisco’s underground club scene.

Marketing. Sam Rosen, our chief “silver tongue” rock star, has ghostwritten for many of the internet’s top marketers, produced copy and strategy for national policy campaigns, and coached marketing teams at the Integral Institute, What is Enlightenment? magazine, and other leading-edge organizations.

Campaign marketing strategy. Our team has run the nation’s largest television advertising network, co-created one of the internet’s largest and most responsive affiliate marketing campaigns, and directed strategy for everyone from the fourth-fastest Inc. 500 company to a mom-and-pop ecommerce company.

No matter what the project, we want to work with people who wake up every morning to pursue their "Big It." If you've got one, then we want to know.

Oh, how exciting! I sooo missed this when it was in the theatres the first time around. What a sick little book this is....worth every penny for the 1st edition hardcover I own. So twisted.

And, do not miss the art in this photo here. This movie is only the second one made with 'roto-shop,' a brilliant software solution that 'tweens' frames while between 'roto-scoped' images. This creates a disturbingly strange look in a cartoon. This is the same process used in Waking Life, another winner.