A friendly reminder to the very mobile facilitators before they move-on to another far flung training venue by car. Check your tyres!
The best is to change all four tyres together but if two only, then put them at the back (contrary to what our local tyre shop guys are telling us!).
Wow! This is against everything my tyre shop has been telling me all this while. Have to remember this useful safety tip now.
According to Michelin, on wet roads, the new tyres at the rear of the car will prevent its tail from spinning because of better grip in the rear n hence ensure higher driving safety. Heed this advice seriously! Where to put the new tires?
One oft asked questions for would-be facilitators or presenters of technical topics like procurement or consulting is: How do I get rid of my nervousness? For the more experienced ones, the answer is simply: You don’t! With nervousness, you can enhance your performance by preparing more, rehearsing more, and making your nervousness work to your advantage. But what if you are really just a would-be presenter who still need to master your topic fully? What if you are still unsure if you can confidently deliver the topic? How would handle situation? Bring in technology....off course!
I would like to introduce a new Powerpoint plug-in called Adobe Presenter 7. Given your completed Powerpoint slides (as we all usually does), this plug-in will allow you to add narration (videos or other objects too) for each slide, prepare a nice theme, and publish the completed shows. A topic can have as many as three or four 3-minute shows (placed in one folder) that you can ask the participants to play in the respective computers, one show at a time. You can have one set in English and another in Chinese (or other language, too). You can assign the participants to view, listen, learn and digest each slide sets. They can also have the option to repeat the show if they did not get it during the first run. After each set, you can intervene by giving more information, clarifying confusions, asking more questions or answering questions raised.
Sounds like a dream come true! Is this doable with Powerpoint? Right now, Yes! We can use, Adobe Presenter 7 to turbo-charge the usually dull Powerpoint slides. The plug-in rapidly creates high-impact Adobe Flash presentations and eLearning courses. With just a few clicks in PowerPoint, you can transform drab presentations into engaging Adobe® Flash® multimedia experiences. You can easily add narration, animations, interactivity, quizzes, and software simulations to your presentations...all within Powerpoint.
You can create professional and highly interactive Flash presentations and self-paced courses. You can also import and edit video in any format and export them as SWF in addition to recording and editing high-quality audio. For more details visit: the overview, a quick-start document, and an actual tutorial as an example.
The potentials are enormous. This will free you from reading each slide for the participants. This consumes much of your patience and energy. And like it or not, bores them all the more. The pre-prepared shows will insure that the instructions are “perfectly” and uniformly transmitted. You will still be present and visible to deliver your most valuable contribution…practical experiences and actual lessons derived from true stories. And do not forget, you can still revert back to use actual deliveries if you no longer feel nervous and tired. Once the sets have been assembled, a combined internet and face-to-face learning becomes a real possibility.
At the dawn of the 21st century, many predicted the convergence of the phones and the computers. But which way...from computers to phone or the other way around?
I predicted (among a few others) in a 2006 high level conference in Honolulu that as far as Asia is concerned, it'll be from computers to phone. This means that more and more computer features will be lumped inside the cellphones. The advent of smart (and even yet smarter) phones made this a reality. I also mentioned that American computer makers will move the other way. More cellphone features for the computers.
Recent events have likewise made this a reality. In 2009, many will start selling and using laptops bundled with SIM cards. This will make the laptops connected anywhere GSM operates.
Last August, Vodafone launched the Lenovo notebook and the Dell Inspiron Mini and reported that in November, they were selling 2,000 embedded SIM netbooks a week. Not to be left behind, Orange responded by dramatically increasing its portfolio of laptops with an embedded SIM. Predicting that almost a third of all the laptops that will sell in 2009 will have a SIM embedded, Orange wanted to be a one-stop-shop for getting connected.
Orange and Fujitsu have signed a deal to include an Orange SIM in Fujitsu computers featuring an embedded GSM and 3G module. The Fujitsu LifeBook E laptops won't be locked to Orange, so no network subsidy, but they will be tested to work with the Orange 3G and HSDPA networks. Given the stability of the GSM standards, any incompatibility is pretty unlikely.
In addition to its being light weight (1.2 Kg), a sleek height of 30 mm, robust battery and DVD drive, and carbon fibre clad-shell, Sony Vaio VGN TZ21WN/B's will feature a special slot for mobile SIM card for easy internet access. This is a cool feature if you don’t want to look suspicious pulling your USB dongle in public. The subcompact also features fingerprint reader, an integrated notebook 0.3 MP camera, an on board L2 cache memory of 2MBs, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Card Readers, a generous 100 GB hard drive, 11.1 TFT display, Lithium Ion battery and usually comes with Microsoft Vista Business Operating System.
Who knows what 2009 will bring. A laptop with TV, perhaps?
Another new development in the Mobile Phone technology is officially called QR. QR Codes are 2 dimensional barcodes that are easily scanned using any modern mobile phone. This code will then be converted (called "dequrified") into a piece of (interactive) text and/or link. For instance, you walk around in the city and notice a poster for an event that seems interesting. You take out your mobile phone, scan the QR Code and will instantly get more information and a link to a website where you can book your tickets. You don't have to type or remember anything and because QR Codes can be very small, this saves a lot of space on the product as well.
This will have significant impact on how we perform and deliver handouts in the future. The handouts will all require QR codes. Check out: QR Codes for more information and to get one for your phone, Now!
You can check the comparison of two models of ultra portable LCD beamers (or projectors) made by Dell and 3M in this video. What's more exciting are the prices that these portables are sold. The much bigger version Dell costs a mere US$ 500 and the palm sized 3M, a measly US$ 360. My goodness, the prices have really rolled down since we last bought some of the potable projectors that may now look like dinos. Unbelievable how technology is making it easier for people to learn and entertain.
3M may not be a well known brand in projectors, but it looks like it will be one of the first on the market to produce a pocket-sized one. Called the MPro110, the mini projector can display VGA (640 x 480) resolution. This is done by fairly simple means – an LED lamp and LCoS screen technology, which is a type of LCD technology used in even the most old-school of projectors.
The pocket projector is not aimed at the home cinema enthusiasts.This is meant for on-the-go types who need a projector for PowerPoints and the like. It's even being touted for use with iPods.
Another competing model is called a Pocket Cinema from Aiptek. With a little bit more tweaking and refinements, this can easily become a poor man's TV in the house. All you need is an empty wall to project your videos or TV feeds.
But wait, there's more. Checkout the cellphone projectors. You can see a video clip of an actual model. This can still be pricey for now but when you really start to consider how much much we are paying for our phones, then you might consider this as a good addon.
Have been asked by a few colleagues about what's in store for this Christmas season. I don't know yet. However, most computers firms were planning to make these wonderful gifts items for this season. Some will make it others won't. Anyway, have a look! I wish some Santa would give me one of these.... Lots of huggggssssss.... Merry Christmas!
Ed Canela
1. Canova Dual Screen Laptop
Canova Dual Screen Laptop possesses two screens, a multi sensitive touch screen and is very easy to use. Not only can it be used to handle your daily computing tasks but it also lets you read articles on your laptop in the old-school newspaper fashion.
2. Vaio Zoom
Vaio Zoom notebook features a holographic glass screen that goes transparent and a keyboard that turns opaque when turned off. Turn it on and the touchscreen holographic festivities begin.
3. DesCom
DesCom is basically a two-in-one concept laptop which seamlessly integrates inside a desk.
4. MacTab
MacTab is the complement to MyBook in the high-end. The incredibly thin wireless keyboard is used as a protection cover for transportation. It stays in place with a combination of magnets and notches.
5. LG Ecological Laptop Concept
LG Ecological laptop concept uses fuel cell batteries and features organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology, it received a Red Dot Award nomination for best concept design.
6. Compenion Laptop Concept
Compenion concept laptop by Felix Schmidberger consists of two sliding OLED screens, one of which can be used as a keyboard, where necessary.
7. Samsung Amoled Concept
AMOLED concept notebook by Samsung features a unique design which is thin and sleek and a touch-sensitive keyboard which lacks tactile feedback.
8. Traveller Concept Laptop
Traveller concept laptop is a GPS enabled navigation system for pedestrians with internal storage to save photos or data and built-in Geotagging functionality so you always know where you took your photos.
9. Canvas Laptop Concept
Canvas is a futuristic concept laptop that is supposed to provide a better quality for the designer and also its said that it will raise the productive rate of the artist. It will feature a very thin touchscreen and the other components will look just about the same but they will be better adjusted.
10. Macbook 0801
Macbook 0801 concept laptop by Isamu Sanada is more like a black version of the now Macbook Air. It also features an ultra-thin keyboard and a very sleek design.
Windows 7 (formerly known as Blackcomb and Vienna) is the working name for the next major version of Microsoft Windows as the successor of Windows Vista. Microsoft has announced that it is "scoping Windows 7 development to a three-year timeframe", and that "the specific release date will ultimately be determined by meeting the quality bar." Windows 7 is expected to be released sometime in 2010. The client versions of Windows 7 will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. A server variant, codenamed Windows Server 7, is also under development.
On October 28, 2008, Microsoft distributed a pre-beta build of Windows 7 with the build tag 6801.winmain_win7m3.081020-1655 to attendees at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC). Microsoft also demonstrated build 6933.winmain.081020-1842 during the PDC, but did not give it to attendees. It has a new desktop interface, a new taskbar and many new features.
Poor me. I got a lot of requests for the easy and step by step method of transforming ordinary whiteboards into SmartBoards. Whiteboard, we all know. But SmartBoard is something else.
SmartBoard is a large, touch-controlled screen that works with a projector and a computer. The projector puts the computer’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard, which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Trainers and facilitators can write on the interactive whiteboard in digital ink or use a finger to control computer applications by pointing, clicking and dragging, just as with a desktop mouse. It is usually mounted on a wall or a floor stand and is used in face-to-face or virtual settings in education. The price range is from US$ 4,000 to 6,000 a unit. Where in the Philippines can you see them? I was informed by Amir and Hao (I guess), that you can see them used in the International School and the British School. They are not portable and are fixed on a wall. This makes them appropriate for our courses here in HQ, but unfit for our DMC venues.
So how do we bring the benefits of the SmartBoard technology to our DMC clients without breaking our budget? Johnny Lee (and his followers) think it is possible! How? Use the ubiquitous whiteboards that you and I are so familiar with. Make a small gadget from ordinary and off-the-shelf electronic parts....all for a measly US$ 40 (and going down) per whiteboard. Interesting, isn't it? Well, I know you wouldn't just take my word for it.
Do checkout the following videos in their order.
The first video shows Johnny announcing the breakthrough. The second video details how it is done by assembling some general purpose and cheap electronics that you can buy in some good shops. I am sure that there are already one or two suppliers in Manila, but I do not know them..... just as yet! The third video shows a guy assembling the hardware and calibrating an ordinary whiteboard to make it behave like a SmartBoard. According to him, his contraption is cheaper than $ 40 a piece.
Now, who would like to try? Lots of huggggssssss.... Ed Canela Photo courtesy of Google Images
From time to time, Terry asks me if there are subsitutes for Powerpoint. And I always answer, course there are. I just have not sat down and really gave him some new cool presentation software like Mac's KeyNote and Open Office.
Interestingly, IBM has launched at New York a new and free alternative to Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs. The package came under the name IBM Lotus Symphony which is based on the Open Document Format standard and allows you to import, edit and save different file formats including Microsoft Office files. You can also export files to PDF. The set of tools is supported by Windows, Linux and Macintosh. For those who would like to be the first to try, you can download the package here for your personal use.
It looks like we have more competitors trying to crack the aging Office market of Microsoft and Apple. If anyone will have a chance to try the package, please share with us your impressions. Happy long weekend.
Have you ever wondered how much time you lose by using Word? I have always been thinking about this as we tend to just wonder around and do formatting works and others. Well, I bumped into a chart that hints on this. Someone obviously figured it out. Look at the chart and see how much continuous use of Word is costing us in productivity losses. And scaling it upwards, consider how long do you use it in your work, everyday. And for how long have you been using it. Then factor in your colleagues, friends, clients and almost everyone else using this word processor instead of a clean Notepad and then transferring the results into Word for formatting? I wonder how much are we losing with the continuous use of boring Powerpoint slides? Just a thought.
Thanks for conducting the seminar, and for helping me improve as a presenter.
I found the videos on new technologies very interesting, because they give a few clues on how presentations can be made more interactive just using what we have already, e.g. accessing online tools and material, using MS Excel spreadsheets and charts to show different results depending on different inputs, using mind mapping and modeling software to get participants to re-design the procurement process (then point out any problems with their design to highlight why ADB's process are the way they are). And perhaps we can learn something from them too.
Here are a few more suggestions for PIA:
1. Any PIA presenter who does not achieve a benchmark score from PIA participant feedback for the year (e.g. 70% satisfactory rating) must repeat this seminar.
2. Powerpoints for at least some segments of the PAI should be re-written - not just revised, start again from a blank screen.
I think COSO can play a role in "selling procurement" - by making our presentations more interesting and dynamic, we can attract more PIA participants, and increase interest and professionalism in procurement. Let's face it, COSO has a valuable product that we have trouble even giving away. Why?
I went to the blog, and saw that my suggestion was already there! Wow, this internet-thing might really catch on. Thanks for your support and encouragement, and I hope to be able to contribute to the blog in the future.
Note: In the photo are Alex sandwiched between Mart and You.
