LOL… Look closely at the picture then you will get it.

There are many IM clients out there.  How to manage?  I used to run the native software for each.  Too many interfaces.

I gave Digsby a try.  I notice some slowdowns… did some investigation.  Appears I had my settings to share my laptop as found by PC mag.… good for research … not good for my IM client. 

I’m currently trying Astra Trillian which scales from a simple multi-service IM client into a destination to manage and interact with e-mail, social networks, adn photo sharing. Of course, it's also a slick, modern gateway to instant messaging, and supports the most services of any client.  Trillian (free, or $25 for Pro version) has 250 features, giving Digsby and Meebo a run for its money.

I was sitting in a coffee shop, grabbing a bite to eat – trying to find the place where I was going to meet some friends. 

I was at Highland Coffee – they had free wireless.

Bring up Google maps – where am I?  What was that positioning software that worked off geolocation for triangulation? 

Geosense for Windows

Windows 7 introduced the new Sensors and Location platform that would let Windows automatically respond to environmental changes sensed by light, orientation sensors, or GPS chips.  This makes your computer more aware of its surroundings and change itself accordingly.  The location platform is especially interesting, as it brings the potential of automatic location based search and maps to your PC.  Unfortunately, most laptops today are not equipped with GPS chips.  Thanks to Geosense, however, you can still use the location platform.

Geosense uses IP lookup, WiFi and Cell tower triangulation, and more to find your location as accurately as possible.  Geosense lists itself as a sensor in the Windows Sensors and Locations, so once you’ve installed it, all location-aware applications and services will be able to pickup your location from it.  Please note that Geosense only works on Windows 7 Home Premium and higher, as Windows 7 Starter doesn’t include the Sensors and Locations platform.

When it is finished installing, you are ready to use Geosense.  First, lets make sure Geosense is enabled.  Enter “Location” in your Start Menu search, and select “Location and Other Sensors”.

Here you should see Geosense listed as a sensor.  If it is not enabled, click the check box beside it and click Apply.

Location-aware Google Maps

A location aware application is a Google Maps app available from the Geosense site.  This will automatically open a Google map at your current location, so you can easily search for directions and nearby businesses.  This was very useful at the coffee hotspot to pinpoint my location.

Conclusion:

Geosense and the Windows 7 Location Platform gives you a great way to make your mobile computing experience even more interesting.  Geosense brings location awareness to a much broader audience than previously possible, so watch my blog for unique and innovative uses in the near future to see my ideas on situation awareness.

The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am.

A few members noticed that my last few blogs were motivational.  Here is another one that hit home this week.

Thank You for listening.

Work is not man's punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.

Motivational words to enjoy each step of your journey.  

Thank You for listening.  Brian.

The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had many run-ins with swarming.  From research to getting things done – if you can get a group of people to work like an ant nest – wow… what can be accomplished?

The power of the swarm.  It’s hard to see what one ant can do.  But together ants can do some marvelous things.

The birthday problem.  In a line of 23 people, there is a 50% chance two people will share the same birthday.  With 57 people, there is a 99% chance at least two people will share the same birthday.  This is important because we share more than just birthdays. We also share opinions and ideas.

But we don't always share the SAME ideas, or the SAME opinions, just as not everyone in the group will share the SAME birthday.  The more people there are in a group, the more complex the relational networks become.  The harder it becomes to get people together to do something. This is why the larger a team becomes, the harder it is to determine strategic direction.

Swarms are not crowds of sharers, because they are about achieving something in particular. But swarms are not mobs, because they are not one-time events but ongoing relationships. 

Swarms are visionary, relationally-connected, self-organizing, adaptive, open, transformational, rapidly-multiplying structures. 

The common link is a "hub" person - a highly connected person of influence. You'll see in any large swarm (or network or crowd or mob) that some people are only lightly connected--they only have a few friends--while others are heavily connected and seem to know "everybody".  This balance provides for relational intimacy in a small group and connections to the wider group.

If you are starting a project, a group, or a company, reflect on the swarm concept.  Start with a small tightly knit group with a shared vision.  Group members can interact with other swarms to meet needs – fill in items that the local swarm requires. 

How big will your hive get?

Thank You for listening.

Blogging, tweets, journaling, writing and what it takes to make me effective.  Until I was into my doctoral studies, writing was something I did after thinking.  My thoughts were kept in my mental diary and pieces were delivered for whichever requirement I had to meet.  Call it a school project, work project, or something for family/friends.

Part of understanding comes from writing.  “Writing is thinking”.  I’ve found that writing is thinking; let go – forget punctuation and grammar – and just keep the pen, pencil, or keyboard moving.  Something worthwhile may surface and don’t throw out what is written – since I’ve been writing papers and blogging, the worthwhile items surface over time. 

At first, I would have a set time when I would write.  Now, my typical procedure is free-write; reflecting on an idea/thought as quickly as possible to keep the cognitive development flowing. 

So find a safe place to journal.  I like using my blog.  I have public pages and private pages which are searchable.  My public pages have increased my level of engagement with others and has made a difference in my learning.

Thank You for listening.

With a new year approaching, it’s good to reflect and get motivated.  Do you need some words of advice, some items that will help you focus, and some energy to turn things around? 

Seth along with 70 big thinkers have shared their ideas in a free ebook to help you head into the new year.  It’s free, download it here and visit Seth’s write-up here.  Need some fresh reading for the holidays, Here’s a lens with all the links to books by the authors.

Happy Holidays.

[local copy of “What Matters Now”]  

are little ideas that no one killed too soon.

Thank You for listening.