As users of any device, the more we use it the more sophisticated we get. As we use it more and more we see the limitation of design and wish for features that would extent our user experience. This is true especially with software and knowledge workers. That is were you can see where Google stands out.
Like many users when I am researching a topic on the Web you want to store urls, clips etc so that you can summarize your findings and then use them to form a more cohesive picture of the area you are investigating. I would do this using Microsoft OneNote or just Notepad or MS Word. It was a work around not a solution.
Futher my requirement changed – I work from 4 -5 different computers and want access to the same set of notes, as I move from one computer to another, so I was looking at how I could do this. Voolla! I found Google Labs – Google Notebook. Very easy to use does what I was expecting it to do.
Google is anticipating its user’s evolution and software needs. No wonder they are able to keep top of mind awareness – anticipate and innovate.
I recently enjoyed listening to Guy Kawasaki in person at the Cleveland TechSync, which is trying to foster regional economic growth and tech innovation. His talk was good, he is a good speaker and has a wealth of experience (as he put it – ” I know too much”!).
I love the efforts going on in this region – helping young and upcoming entrepreneurs with resources that would make it condusive to start a company in this region. But as Guy highlighted in the talk, the main focus should be on education and specifically engineering which will drive innovation. Everything else will follow.
Case in point: Ford vs Toyota, the latter has great products and very little in “employee discounts”. This month it overtook Ford as the No.2 in terms of sales volumes. If you look around there are several such examples – iPod, BMW, Sony, etc that stand true to this test. Great products “that have depth – Guy” will shine and emerge victors (as look as they do not really really mess up other aspects of the business).
I think the sure way to improve the region is to invest in school and university. Start from ground up..teach kids math and science and let them think freely. Honestly I have taught some freshmen classes, the students are totally ill equipped when it comes to simple mathematic. Not their fault really, in a culture where geeks are projected as freaks or looser (ridiculous)
Once they are nurtured, their quest for knowledge will drive them to find ways to acquire it – be it college or real life. The next best thing is to make the local universities worth aspiring for and not having to loose these smart kids to the Yales and Harvards.
Easier said than done, however it begins with leadership and the aspiration to challenge the status quo, which I think is present in North East Ohio. So what are we waiting for?
I was surfing and found this interesting presentation - How to finish your damn PhD.
Funny yet very true.