I find that in my line of work there is a continual tension between the need for control and the desire to enable. Part of me wants to standardise everything so that we have less technology that is easier to manage and support. The other part of me doesn’t want this at all. It wants … Continue reading Unfolding plans 43 – these apparently intractable positions of standardisation and liberty
Unfolding plans 41- trying to address a big issue within the ICT industry
Have you ever felt out of your depth? I have, many times. Indeed I quite pride myself in that my comfort zone is to be outside of my comfort zone. This morning I felt out of my depth though and not always in a comfortable way. I was chairing a group meeting what I hoped … Continue reading Unfolding plans 41- trying to address a big issue within the ICT industry
Unfolding plans 39 – self-organising work environments
I’ve talked about Sugata Mitra’s School in the Cloud idea before. It’s more than an idea as it exists and has proven to deliver benefits. Following a visit to Newcastle University’s Culture Lab I met up with Dr James Stanfield to talk about how we could learn from this approach. I am interested in using … Continue reading Unfolding plans 39 – self-organising work environments
Unfolding plans 35 – If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it.
I’m fed up with road works. If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it. Road works means that they don’t. Every journey I make seems to be severed with multiple interventions by the highways people, local council and utility companies. Every road is dug up. My retinas are burnt with the reflected … Continue reading Unfolding plans 35 – If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it.
Unfolding plans 34 – our runaway thoughts
Our thoughts are like trains on a track. They trundle along in whichever direction you send them. Backwards and forwards they go, trapped in their linear travels. They are very hard to stop are our runaway thoughts. Sometimes we come across a branch line, a quiet siding where we can let our thoughts and dreams … Continue reading Unfolding plans 34 – our runaway thoughts
Unfolding plans 31 – the concept of separable verbs
Learning a language can be hard especially if you are fluent in your mother tongue. Foreigners speak in different ways. They construct their sentences in ways that seem alien to the English speaking world, with strange word order and an ill-defined use of the definite article. What’s the matter with them? I’ve been struggling with … Continue reading Unfolding plans 31 – the concept of separable verbs
Unfolding plans 28 – tech in meetings
Some people get really hung up about tech in meetings. It grates on them that someone can be tapping away on their laptop, tablet or smartphone and give the impression that they are not paying attention. I’m not one of them. It doesn’t really bother me. It just seems to be the way things are … Continue reading Unfolding plans 28 – tech in meetings
Unfolding plans 27 – a bit of town planning
Digital, is it a curse or saviour? I mentioned last year that a group of us had come together to see if we could use online technologies to help with the regeneration of Stanley. I’d put a report together to try and generate some interest and this week it was my opportunity to present it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 27 – a bit of town planning
Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
There are those that tell and those that ask, apparently. No human system is so binary yet most of us fall towards one end of the ask or tell continuum. We may prefer to ask but from time to time find the need to tell. We may feel that we ask when indeed we are … Continue reading Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
I’ve noticed a subtle change. Services are coming to us asking for help. The drive to use technology is growing at pace. I don’t know if austerity has helped but it has certainly sharpened our focus. As the cuts have gone deeper and deeper there is an increasing realisation that we can’t do the same … Continue reading Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 