Two graphs that explain most IT dysfunction (Part II)

In Part I, I described two graphs that I think help explain much IT dysfunction. I also noted that, typically: People in group A will often talk to and solicit advice from people in group C. (think VC or CEO talking to technical guru) There are relatively few people in group C. (some companies might not have anybody internal in group C- they hire consultants or read expert opinion) Most of the people who actually have to implement and maintain new technologies are in group B. Clearly there are lots of gradations between A & C & B, so I am using the groups as a convenient way to refer to the extremes. In the case of group B, the extreme is people with relatively-solid technical credentials but who are very cynical about technology and are very risk-averse. There are a few things that one often finds with group B: ...

June 29, 2005 · 7 min · gbilder

Two graphs that explain most IT dysfunction (Part I)

Inspired by reading about other people’s blogging weaknesses, I’ve decided to finally get this one off the back burner and post it. I’m pretty sure that this isn’t original, but I started thinking about this way back in 1996 (pre-social-bookmarking) and I’ve lost my pointer to whatever influenced it. Anybody who can set me straight- I’d appreciate it. So here goes. There are two graphs which, when seen together, explain a hell of a lot about various forms of dysfunction that you see in the technology world. ...

June 22, 2005 · 3 min · gbilder

The lazyweb works

After my trash-talk about “uber-geeks”, Leigh Dodds picked up the “Subscribe To My Brain” challenge and produced this within hours. He even produced a button, which -as everybody knows- automatically turns beta software into a production service… It turns out that Phil Wilson, was working on a similar concept and Danny Ayers was thinking along the same lines. And I am happy to say that the phrase “subscribe to my brain” seems to have turned into a mini-meme (Play Austin Powers theme tune here, start maniacally laughing). ...

June 20, 2005 · 1 min · gbilder

I want to subscribe to your brain

The other day I was talking to a former colleague and I was trying to explain how I have gradually switched to using an assortment of social content tools as my primary mechanism for finding relevant and authoritative information on the web. With these tools, I can subscribe to an assortment of RSS feeds produced by people who I trust and think of as authorities in their respective subjects. In short, I said, “I can subscribe to their brains”. ...

June 14, 2005 · 3 min · gbilder

Social bookmarking as telltale

Subscribing to my friends del.icio.us bookmarks has turned out to be a great way of keeping in touch. Seems it might be time to send a condolence card… David just bookmarked the following: Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode Posted on: Tue, May 3 2005 2:49 PM What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X) Posted on: Tue, May 3 2005 2:49 PM Using Disk Utility and fsck for file system maintenance in Mac OS X ...

May 4, 2005 · 1 min · gbilder