Business, Technology, You

A Decline Group Rips Copper

ssh — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:43:54 +0000

On January 27th, I led another Over the Hill Gang group around Copper Mountain Resort. We skied the 4″ of new powder from the east side to the west, enjoying more than 13,000 vertical feet of terrain and lots of pow-pow.

I’ve posted the tracks from the day here.

The snow is finally arriving at Copper

Copper Mountain Resort, 26 January 2010

ssh — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:52:06 +0000

Today, I guided a “Groom Zoom with some bumps” group for the Over the Hill Gang at Copper Mountain Resort. We skied a bit over 16,000 vertical feet entirely on the western side of the mountain. You can find a recording of the runs we took by clicking here.

The snow is finally arriving at Copper

Windows 7: Should You or Shouldn’t You?

ssh — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:27:03 +0000

Microsoft’s newest operating system is officially available today. Windows 7 has long been available for those willing to use beta software, and so many people have already experienced what is likely to be Microsoft’s most successful operating system release ever.

Since I have been using it for a while both on test machines and on all of the Windows virtual machines on my Macs, I will have a number of blog entries reviewing specifics about Windows 7 new features and altered approach to the user experience. Right now, though, you may want to know the simple answer to the question, “Should I or shouldn’t I?”

Windows 7 released today

I’ll give you those short answers: If you are using Windows Vista on your computer today, upgrade. Windows 7 is what Windows Vista should have been but wasn’t. It is faster, has fewer annoyances like the intrusive security dialogs, and provides a significantly better overall experience. Besides all that, the upgrade path to Windows 7 is very clean from Vista, so you should have a seamless experience.

If you are upgrading from Windows XP, however, the answer isn’t as simple and the path is not as seamless.

First, depending on the computer you’re using to run Windows XP, it may not be capable of running Windows 7 with all of its features. Microsoft lists the minimum requirements for running Windows 7 as these:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

In addition, for some features, Microsoft says that the system requires:

Internet access (fees may apply)
Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
Music and sound require audio output

In addition to all of these, Microsoft also says, “Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.” All of this information is on the Windows 7 System Requirements page. To see if Microsoft thinks your system is suitable to run Windows 7, you can run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

The point of all of this is that you want to understand beforehand what limitations you are likely to experience, and whether or not it makes sense to upgrade your existing computer. A better approach may be to purchase a new PC with the appropriate hardware capabilities to best run Windows 7.

The upgrade path feeds into this, since there isn’t an official upgrade path to Windows 7 from XP. In fact, while you could upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista and then upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7, such a path is foolish. Don’t attempt it. You’re two options are:

Install Windows 7 alongside Windows XP
Wipe your hard drive clean and install Windows 7

While wiping your hard drive clean may seem drastic, for most people who want to continue to use their old hardware, it’s the best path. The better path is to bite the bullet and buy a new system, maintaining your old system long enough to make sure you’ve migrated completely to it.

Insights into Travel

ssh — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:37:50 +0000

Since I’ve been traveling so much for so many years, I often forget that knowledge I take for granted isn’t necessarily well-known. So, at the request of a few readers of this blog, I’m going to give you insights into traveling that I have learned over the course of the million or so miles that I’ve flown over the past 20+ years.

These days, since I live in Boulder, Colorado, I fly United almost exclusively. For the past three years, I’ve flown enough that I am a member of United’s highest mileage-based status (Premier Executive 1K or just “1K”). Status with an airline is a useful characteristic, giving you access to the highest level of customer service that the airline offers. Depending on the airline, that may not be all that great, but it’s almost always better than what those without status receive!

Airlines roll out the red carpet for elite fliers

During the next few months, most US domestic airlines are offering a “Double EQM” offer to help you get status. “EQM” is the abbreviation for “Elite Qualifying Miles” and refers to the miles that are credited to your frequent flier account. With the frequent flier programs doubling your EQM for flights for most of the rest of the year, you may find yourself at a higher status than you otherwise would have, giving you access to benefits that you might not have had before.

Visit your airline’s web site to see if they are offering a double EQM program, and make sure that you register if they are.

Let me know your questions and comments about travel, and I’ll add them to the items I’ll address.

Blessings,
ssh

PS For some great insights into travel and specific advice, check out the FlyerTalk forum.

Where in the World am I?

ssh — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:29:53 +0000

What is this?

The Great Circle of my summer

You may have wondered just what has been going on, since I had typed on this very blog about how I was planning to re-engage with it, let you know what’s going on, and generally communicate more.

Then, I went silent. This graphic outlines part of the reason.

You see, this is the Great Circle map of my flights since I last completed a post here on the blog. I’ve created a few, but they are all still in draft status. I’ve been spending my time on airplanes, on calls, and in-person working with clients in locations in the western hemisphere. I’ve logged over 31,000 miles just since July 15th!

That said, I’m going to change my posting strategy and get posting frequently.

The content will likely be shorter, but I have been thinking about so much that I think you’ll enjoy learning! So, let me know what’s on your mind, and let’s get started.

Tomorrow, I’ll be recording a special interview with my good friend Chuck Sproule. Chuck is an inventor, a martial artist, and has incredible research insights into how our bodies work. We’re going to produce some products from that call that I’ll tell you about soon.

Drop in a comment and let me know what’s on your mind. I have a few technology and business reviews coming up, too.

Blessings…
ssh

Doing the Right Thing

ssh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:42:15 +0000

Last night as I was the last one up and the house was quiet, it hit me. I remembered. I had forgotten up until that point with all the craziness of the day, but there is was, entering my thinking and kickin’ me in the gut:

Tomorrow is the day.

And that tomorrow came this morning. After a bright-eyed breakfast, our sweet Daisy puppy went with Mom and Megan to the vet. Yes, it was just routine surgery. Yes, she’ll be fine. But you know what? That didn’t really matter. I still hated to do it. We all did. But, it was the right thing to do.

Sweet Daisy puppy this morning

There she was this morning, before her trip to the vet. Tonight, of course, she’s been sleeping since she got home. Her tummy’s been shaved. It’s a bummer.

But, it was the right thing to do.

Often in life you are faced with questions about what to do. Will you do the easy thing or the right thing?

As Terry and I talked about Daisy this evening, she reminded me: “When we do the right thing, it can be hard. The outcomes, though, are the best.”

And as usual, she’s right.

To YOUR success,
ssh

One Number to Rule Them All…

ssh — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:21:11 +0000

A couple of months ago, my iPhone rang. I was in the Boulder Bunker, my basement home office, and as often happens, the call quality there was a problem. I scrambled up the stairs so I could still hear my new client, and then paced in the back yard as I talked with them so that the call quality would be good enough.

I’d rather be in the office, though, where I have everything at hand.

There are a number of other things I can suddenly do, like easily screen my calls, send them to voicemail (and when they leave a message, Google Voice will transcribe the message and send me an email), record the call, and more. Google Voice has been around for a while, but Google is opening it up so you can get an account if you want. (The Google Voice site is here: https://www.google.com/voice – as I’m typing this, they haven’t gotten it opened, but they have announced that they are going to do that.)

If you are comfortable with web pages and are willing to spend a bit of time to get it set up, it’s worth it. Check it out.

To YOUR success,

ssh, your Geek Whisperer

PS I’ve done a recent review on the new iPhone 3GS, the iPhone OS 3.0, and the Palm Pre that you can find on my blog: http://bit.ly/1alUid

I’d rather be in the office, though, where I have everything at hand.

Today, that call would be different. I’m using Google Voice for my in-bound phone calls, and it really makes a difference. When you call my Google Voice number, my iPhone, my office phone, and even my home phone will ring, all at the same time. If I’m traveling, my temporary office phone will ring. I pick up the most convenient phone, and I can even change phones mid-call. That means that, for example, I can switch from my office phone to my iPhone during a call with you and then head out to a meeting without interrupting the call and without you even knowing I made the change.

There are a number of other things I can suddenly do, like easily screen my calls, send calls to voicemail (and when they leave a message, Google Voice will transcribe the message and send me an email), record the call, even listen in as someone leaves a message and pick up the call if I want to, just like you can do with a home answering machine… and more.

Google Voice has been around for a while (it was originally called Grand Central), but Google is opening it up so you can get an account if you want. (The Google Voice site is here: https://www.google.com/voice – as I’m typing this, they haven’t gotten it opened, but they have announced that they are going to do that.)

If you are comfortable with web pages and are willing to spend a bit of time to get it set up, it’s worth it. Check it out.

To YOUR success,
ssh, your Geek Whisperer

More Focus, More Posts

ssh — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:00:03 +0000

I was sitting in my office today between calls thinking about how challenging it is to do all of the things that I’d like to do. In fact, at least some of them are impossible to get done! I can’t do everything.

There are projects like Mark Joyner’s new business coaching that I’d like to explore and compare to what I do with my clients.

There is even just getting posts done to my blog and emails sent to my email lists.

As I sat and thought, though, I realized just how important it is that I let you know what’s going through my mind, so this blog and my email lists are going to get additional attention. You have my permission to bug me if you’re not seeing enough. And I’d love to hear from you on topics that you’d like to see me cover.

I already have a few technology and Internet items to get into posts, so they’ll come this week.

In the meantime, let me know what’s on your mind!

Thanks…

The Secret to 21st Century Capitalism

ssh — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:27:02 +0000

Last week I sat reading an email from one of the mailing lists that I receive. Some Internet friends and I have shared our lives on this list for well over a decade. From life and death to kids with croup, we’ve laughed and cried together. Maybe I’ll tell you more about the group one of these days, but for now, I’d like to let you in our conversation from last week: the changing face of business.

My friend Cindy Collins-Smith, the editor of Customer Relationship Management magazine who has had the opportunity to edit thought leaders such as Don Peppers/Martha Rogers, Chip Bell and Pete Blackshaw, among others, put it very well and succinctly:

Loyalty, not individual sales, is what will sustain [businesses] over the long term. [The] idea of maximizing profit at every point of contact is 20th century capitalism, not 21st. Successful 21st century capitalists will be looking for ways to build relationships with customers (audiences) over time, not just looking for immediate, short term profits.

This is a fundamental paradigm shift, and many businesses are missing it. In fact, many people are doing their level best to pretend that nothing has changed; that we’ll go back to the way things were. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Twenty years ago, very few people had heard of the Internet. Today, it is a staple of every day life from the streets of Manhattan to the mud walkways of Kigali, Rwanda. The world is smaller and more interconnected than ever before, and the process is accelerating. How will you respond to this brave new world? How you respond will determine the degree of your success.

Ten years ago, most businesses poo-pooed the Web. They didn’t see the value or the importance. While they were busy holding on to the past, visionary entrepreneurs like my friend and coach Matt Furey were creating Internet empires that would generate millions of dollars in sustainable revenue.

Today, we find ourselves at another juncture very similar to those turning points. Business is once again driven by relationships as it was a century ago. Now, though, those relationships are with like-minded people anywhere in the world. And today, the most powerful technology drivers are the social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and others.

Social media really is the wild west, though. Even those of us who have been involved in various social media for many years (for me, it started over 25 years ago!) are finding it work to stay on top of the ebbs and flows. Yet this is what you as a business leader need to do to remain competitive and to catch this wave. So get on it!

If you want some help, get it from someone who focuses on business first, not the latest gadgets and “cool sites.” A number of experienced business people have done just that and so I am working with them to build social media into their overall business strategy. It’s your turn.

To YOUR success,
ssh, your Geek Whisperer

PS Because my work with my clients is so hands-on, I can only take 3 more clients for the Social Media QuickStart program. Jump on it now!

Time is Money: iPhone 3G S, iPhone OS 3.0, and Palm Pre

ssh — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:55:18 +0000

In This Week’s Big Announcements, I mentioned that the Palm Pre, Apple iPhone 3.0 software, Apple iPhone 3G S handset, and Apple’s new MacBook Pro notebook computers were new products that were big on hype, but that you would want to consider what your business needs were before moving on any of them. In fact, I outlined a number of reasons for you to ignore the various products.

Now, I’m going to give you one reason to pay very close attention to a couple of those products, and ignore one completely for now.

iPhone OS 3.0

If you already use an iPhone, you understand the value of carrying a mobile computer. It’s more than a “smartphone,” and the Apple App Store has proven that there is a lot you can do with so much power in your pocket. The new release of software (iPhone OS 3.0) takes an already solid system and adds some additional capabilities that some will find compelling:

Cut, copy, and paste
Search
Landscape keyboard
Find my iPhone
Push notification for 3rd-party apps
MMS and tethering (although not on AT&T, yet… but, see below)

These are the advertised additions, but there are some additional capabilities that business people may find more compelling, including location information for incoming calls (or perhaps I’m the only one who can’t remember where every area code is), syncing of Notes between the iPhone and your computer, and wireless syncing of more information.

The iPhone 3.0 upgrade is a no-brainer for every iPhone user. Budget about half an hour to do it unless you have issues with your backup prior to the installation, in which case it can take longer. Most of those delays should be gone at this point, however.

iPhone 3G S

This was the surprise.

I downloaded the new software to my iPhone 3G as soon as it was available, so I had been able to use it for a couple of days before I picked up my iPhone 3G S on Friday morning. I had reserved a white 32 GB phone so that I could tell it apart from the 3G that I’ve been using for a year, since another member of my family will have that black one. While it took longer at the Apple Store than it should have due to some confusion about who was grabbing the unit from the back, I had it set-up and out the door in less than 30 minutes. If you buy a new one now, it should be even faster for you, since you’re unlikely to find lines. You can also buy it on-line from Apple or at an AT&T corporate store. Note that cellular stores that license the AT&T brand do not sell iPhones.

The new iPhone 3G S has a number of new components under the covers, but here’s what you need to know for business: the “S” stands for “Speed” and the speed it delivers will matter to you.

Often, speed improvements have more to do with the geeky computer specs than they do with anything that you and I care about. Not in this case. The speed boost creates a much more seamless experience with the phone. Applications launch almost instantaneously, including the ones that were very sluggish before. Web and email performance is noticeably faster, and typing on the soft keyboard is now smooth and without the too-frequent stutters of the earlier phone and software.

For business people, the email, web browsing, and typing performance make the upgrade worth it. Time is money, after all, and this new iPhone will leave you more time to do the other things in your business and not waiting for your app to load, your email to send, or that research web site to draw.

Apple has announced that they sold over 1M iPhone 3G S units during their first weekend. My guess is that more people will buy them as the reviews roll out. While subtle, the added benefits are worth the investment ($199/$299 for the 16GB/32GB versions for those who qualify for the

Palm Pre

The Palm Pre was announced and delivered from Palm and Sprint on June 6th, two days before the iPhone 3G S was announced. The timing wasn’t a mistake. Palm and Sprint knew that they only way they would get buzz and momentum was to announce and deliver the device prior to Apple’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC). They did, two days before.

The Pre sold about 500,000 units on its first weekend, and most who have it appear to appreciate the device. However:

They are early-adopters; this is a version 1.0 device and version 1.0 software
They have reported a number of issues, from screen corruption to data loss
Favorite functions like tethering are not available, yet
There are virtually no applications available for it
While AT&T isn’t the favorite cellular carrier, Sprint may be worse

Given all those issues, and the fact that the iPhone 3G S is actually faster than the Palm Pre, the Palm device is not a suitable solution for business people who are not also early adopters and closet geeks.

Recommendations

If you already own an iPhone, upgrade to iPhone OS 3.0.

If you are in the market for a new mobile device, the iPhone 3G S is the market-leading best option for business people.

If you are looking for a budget alternative, the $99 price for a new 16GB iPhone 3G (which was $299 last year!) gets you into the market-leading iPhone system at a bargain price-point.

Unless you are an early-adopter and insist on using products not made by Apple, the Palm Pre is not in the running, yet.

I’d like to hear your thoughts!

To YOUR success,
ssh

PS If you are looking for ongoing insights into how to get the most out of your technology and to avoid the geek talk, check out how you can get me as your Geek Whisperer. I’m also doing some special coaching on the use of social media like Facebook and Twitter for business.