The Digital Rambler

A moments pause

2011-10-06T07:20:00.001+01:00

Steve Jobs was a guy with a vision. That vision was planted long ago. In 2005 he did a talk
At Stanford University, to the graduates that year. My oldest Dave shared this with me last year, I am now sharing it..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc&feature=youtube_gdata_player you'll find it posted everywhere today, I do not apologise for re-posting it.

Flag in the ground

2011-04-20T10:13:00.001+01:00

Recent press coverage of the Socitm "Flag in the ground" roadmap of public services reform, has me thinking about the "Islands of success":

Governance
Procurement
Legal compliance information sharing
HR
Identity and Authentication
Networked services
Media and communications
Security, privacy and information management

Plenty to think about in time for the
Spring Conference!

Moleskine app

2011-04-20T10:08:00.000+01:00

Well it's finally arrived, to go with the new range of accessories, the Moleskine app!

Bow you can carry the spirit of Moleskine on your iPhone! Thanks to TravelDave for the tip......

Islands of success

2011-03-26T10:10:00.001Z

Thinking about the Socitm routemap 2015, I'm thinking about islands of success. The government ICT strategy will be published very soon, that will have key components which will need implementation methodologies, that's the challenge!

We'll develop a rich picture which will explain it all. Still not to late to comment on the Socitm strategy consultation via www.socitm.net

Swiss Army Volcano stove

2011-02-19T16:34:00.000Z

Presenting in a different way

2011-02-09T20:45:00.001Z

I love presentations, actually I spent too much of my life writing, and presenting.
I've discovered a lovely new way to present information http://prezi.com/
give it a go!

TOGAF - the jewel in the crown

2011-02-09T20:25:00.002Z

I've been looking at the TOGAF enterprise architecture model. It's a brilliant way to build components in
a standards based way. Why it's not as famous as PRINCE 2 I do not know, watch this space.....

Dealing with "and" time management for today.

2011-02-06T18:48:00.000Z

Wouldn't life be simple if we could deal with things sequentially? No chance of that, so along comes and.... there are all sorts of solutions, Getting Things Done, Time Manager, Franklin Covey & The Pomodoro technique.

The recent book i've been reading do it tomorrow, looks at things from a very practical perspective. I really like the idea of closed lists, that equates to looking at standard processes or procedures, building templates and then completing them.

The real beauty of templates is they are consistent and can be improved. My weapon of choice now days, is Omni outliner. For general organisation and control, Omni Focus is fantastic and even has a GTD Guide for using it. There are a range of excellent little video clips on youtube about omni outliner and problem solving.

Teas made the ultimate geek retro must have?

2011-01-31T22:54:00.001Z

Well @traveldave www.traveldave.co.uk brought me a teas made, not even my birthday yet. Apparently the the latest Dad retro must have. The interesting thing is, there are whole websites for teas mares, they calle them reassures stateside, see: http://www.teawaker.com/ suddenly, you don't feel sad, because someone has gone and built a whole website, put it on facebook and even tells you where you can buy the little milk pots on Amazon.

The implication of that is that you can order your books, tea bags and little milk pots right off Amazon! So where to next, the bedside fridge? The teas made cookbook?

Extreme teas made cook book, I guess pot noodles, cuppa soups, tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc. It was bad enough with the vintage pick nick sets see: http://www.applecroft.co.uk/bandalasta/picnic.htm but that's another story.........

iphone bluetooth keyboard

2011-01-28T17:50:00.001Z

cool or pointless? I now have have micro bluetooth keyboard fo the iPhone¡ i think cool because sometimes it will help with typing and thumb management.

Also brings back memories of my still missed bellied psion 5 the best PDA ever.

Collaboration Software - now critical?

2011-01-25T10:03:00.001Z

We still seem to regard collaboration software, Huddle etc. As a nice to have, yet across the Public Sector, we are pushing channel shift, encouraging staff to work from home and for citizens to use the web.

However people working from home if they are knowledge workers, MUST have collaboration tools to discuss, sythesize and innovate.

So the world od Skype (Internet driven) and Webex are far more necessary than you might realise.

We're still not seeing a big take up on these technologies and the need for them. This must change within the framework of secure information sharing.

Internal externally accessible collaboration software is no longer a nice to have!
Mark Brett
Mobile: 07720 101 733
www.brett.info

Reading some home truths

2011-01-23T15:00:00.000Z

Currently reading an excellent book on time management, called Do it tomorrow by Mark Forster, in it he explains a number of home truths about time management, he calls them his principals;

Have a clear vision
One thing at a time
Little and often
Closed lists
Reduce randomness
Commitment v interest
What do we need

All of these are explained in detail and really make you think about what matters!

Apple TV - I get it

2011-01-23T13:33:00.001Z

Last week, I brought an Apple TV. Not sure why, but me being gadget boy, I have a reputation to uphold!

Well, I got it home, utilised the HDMI cable that came free with the Nokia N8, very disappointed with that, save that story for another time.

So fired up the ATV and off we went. Dead easy to configure into the wireless, iTunes, MobileMe and YouTube.

Spent Saturday evening flipping through carols YouTube films on various tech subjects and podcasts. There is something different in watching this content on you TV, it feels more social and relaxing.

Very good way of absorbing content and finding new an interesting distractions!

So top marks, none that even relies on your laptop. You can also stream content from your mac etc. And buy/rent content from iTunes. Enjoy!!

Paying for productivity software

2011-01-22T18:23:00.000Z

The other day, Travel Dave sent me a link to the nerdgap.com blog, what a great read! I especially liked the the selection of tools. The key lesson here is that paying for a few good tools can really help your productivity and help you recover a lot of time.

Processing e-mail

2008-06-07T10:43:00.001+01:00

How to process e-mails. Don't reply to e-mail,process it. Using GTD principals. Delete all junk first.

Pile all non-sensative e-mail into a Gmail account. Use Gmail search tools. Deleting is good. You cans till search your delete box.

Your must set aside time to review tasks activities and e-mails.

Life Hacking

2008-06-06T10:29:00.001+01:00

So what's on my radar?

Well GTD, 4 hour week and lifehacking. Check it out on Wikipedia. Also indox zero.

More to follow, Googleapps is the way forward. Have a look at 43 folders, especially with gmail. Templates mail.app etc.

Fast text on blackberry!

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National WARP Conference

2008-06-04T11:31:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was the annual WARP conference (www.warp.gov.uk), the issues covered were many and varied of real interest

was the move towards expanding the warp into personnel and physical security, this fits nicely into the work going on looking at

data handling and Information Assurance in general where we're focussing on;

People
Places
Processes
Procedures

CPNI (www.cpni.gov.uk) have produced a lot of material around personnel and physical security see: http://www.cpni.gov.uk/Products/generalProtective.aspx

I feel a few white papers coming on and will add them to the list. White papers published to date are at: http://www.socitm.gov.uk/socitm/Activity+groups/Socitm+Information+Age+Group/Information+Assurance.htm watch this space, I'll be publishing material also on the National Local authority WARP website at www.nlawarp.gov.uk and on Business safe online, the SME security advice portal at www.businesssafeonline.com

National Projects Product Catalogue

2005-03-24T19:18:00.000Z

The National Projects catalogue has been published at:

http://catalogue.localegovnp.org.uk/

ODPM 10 Year vision for Local Government

2005-03-22T13:50:00.000Z

ODPM has just issued a press release at:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2005_0076

1. 'Securing Better Outcomes: Developing a new performance framework' is available from the local:vision section of the ODPM website at: www.odpm.gov.uk/localvision Other documents in the local:vision series, including 'The future of local government: Developing a 10 year vision are also available here.

2. As with other aspects of the local:vision process, there will be a series of opportunities to take the debate forward in seminars, workshops and meetings over the coming months. Any views and comments can be sent to: performanceframework.localvision@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

3. The product of that debate will be drawn together along with reactions to other local:vision documents over the next 12 months into a fuller strategy document.

4. A research report "Meta-Evaluation of the Local Government Modernisation Agenda - Service Improvement in Local Government" is published today. A copy of the report is available at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=5902&l=3 Key findings from the report are attached as an Annex to this press notice.Research Summary (29 K)

5. The joint ODPM / LGA Capacity Building Fund was launched in April 2003, as a 3-year initiative to support improvement in local government, through enhancing the skills, leadership and confidence of councils. 250 LAs have already benefited from support through national programmes, local projects or direct support.

6. The Spending Review 2004 announced additional funding of £150 million to extend the Programme to 2008. Today's announcement covers the allocation of £57m of this money.

7. The Capacity Building Brochure will detail progress on the Capacity Building Programme as a whole, building on the "key facts "brochure issued in 2004. Copies are available from: http://www.lga.gov.uk/Documents/Publication/capacitybuildingupdate.pdf

8. A separate press notice is being issued today on the signing of 20 Local Area Agreement (LAAs) pilots, the selection process for a further 40 LAAs and the payment of £93 million of Local Public Service Agreement reward grant. This is available from:
www.odpm.gov.uk

Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)

2005-03-20T19:09:00.000Z

I keep telling everyone about this song, here are the lyrics.........

Everybody's Free
(to wear sunscreen)

Mary Schmich
Chicago Tribune

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97... wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.

The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

You can buy it from:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JHTT/qid=1111345557/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-9549141-2198853

Angels and Demons

2005-03-20T09:11:00.000Z

What an interesting read Dan Brown's angels and demons is.............

One bit in the book:

Angels and Demons speech piece worth reading pp 418-425 Chapter 94 Really could be one of
the best sermons i've heard in a few years!

A few bits:

Cross bar latch - the next generation of the transistor.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" Arthur C Clarke 1962

"640k(of memory) should be enough for anybody" Bill Gates (Microsoft) 1981

"Computers in the future will weigh no more than 1.5 tons" Popular Mechanics 1949

WIKI webs - Watch this space they are going to be big, as will blogging............

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

To find out more about WIKI Webs see: http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WelcomeVisitors

2005-03-09T23:38:00.000Z

This is where I spend a lot of time........

First Blog

2004-11-20T22:35:00.000Z

It's interesting that with all my energy around Open source deployment, it's still difficult to find people that are able to develop in open source and even more difficult to plumb the stuff together!

PHP5 - Why's it so difficult to get the thing to work?

2004-11-20T10:43:00.000Z

Having previously downloaded foxserv (www.foxserv.net ), i've run up Apache,php & mysql quite nicely.

Foolishly i've been enticed into downloading php5, looks great the book says it should be easy to install, a few lines to tie it togther, looks like the php5_mod.c fine is missing!! question is does that file belong to php or to apache??

The search goes on. I've decided to only work on this an hour at a time, other wise you'll end up spending an afternoon on it! Watch this space, I will get it working......