“J Street Technology, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, is pleased to announce SharePoint capabilities, allowing us to help small, medium, and large organizations leverage the SharePoint platform to improve business productivity and efficiency.

Heading up this initiative is Toby Getsch, a Program Manager and SharePoint MCTS with extensive experience deploying, installing, and configuring SharePoint for numerous organizations across a wide range of industries. Toby’s experience with SharePoint dates back to the early 2000’s and he has continued working with all sizes of organizations, from small businesses to large multi-national corporations.

Adding to his SharePoint-specific experience is more than a decade of IT leadership, consulting, advising, and project work. With a particular passion for planning the right strategy and execution, his experience with various engagements fits very well with J Street’s growing SharePoint expertise.”

I’m really excited about this opportunity and I can’t wait to rock and roll!  (Yes, I’m talking about SharePoint and rock and roll!  They do go together.)

What is SharePoint?  Check out this video.

What is Rock and Roll?  Check out this video.

And, if you don’t see some of my idea of fun and humor in this post, that’s ok.  SharePoint has excellent security trimming so that only the right people see the right things, even in search results. 

This trip back was done with everything I own able to fit into my truck with the top carrier.  It was not really that tight of a fit.  That’s mostly because I don’t have very much stuff.  I love that (for me).  I know that most people (in America) chose not to be that simple.  However, for me, it has become a mantra of the past few years.

I think this mantra carries over into the tech world.  Simplicity rules.

As a technologist and consumer of various technology, I have watched a lot of gadgets and programs and computer systems.  I’ve watched as people design and build things.  I’ve watched as end users gobble up or reject things.  The one solid constant is that simplicity rules.  That doesn’t mean that there should not be advanced options.  It does mean that defaults should be secure and simple, not just fastest to completion and fastest to sell a product.

Part of our information overload is due to too many products that are not designed well and ‘simply’ put, have too much crap.  For me, I decide to simplify and not consume as much.  I decide to make a personal choice to have less.  That is not for everyone.  But, it is one idea to help the glut of unorganized chaos not have such a negative force in my life.

Now, my motives and thoughts are not always to be the most profitable.  I’ll give you that.  My motives are not always to get the biggest numbers of users.  I’ll give you that.  My motives are more often to make the best, to solve a problem or to fill a niche.  Designing systems and processes that have a smaller scope is a different complexity that designing for the masses.  (That’s something that I hope to learn a lot more about in the near future and in the coming years!)  For now, I’m commenting on some feelings and some observances, not on everything and not totally comprehensively.

When we put in a CD or DVD and want it to play, we push play.  When we leave the house and want to secure it, we lock the door.  When we want to go online to view something, we want it to just work and the Internet to just be there.  Yes, I do understand the work it takes to make technology be simple.  But, I think there are things that we’re doing wrong – like making devices and systems and processes with too many options.

This post speaks more to the point of what I’m trying to say here.  Computers shouldn’t make people feel like idiots

Here are a few quotes that I think we should take to heart and should make it into the new systems we build.

“People don’t know how to use computers. And not just stupid people. Millions of people. People who are adults. And that’s pretty damn lame.”

“For those of us surrounded by the minutiae of computers all day, it’s easy to forget there’s a world of people out there who just don’t get it. And it’s not their fault. It’s ours.”

“(Note: It’s not just about making a computer or an app more accessible for people who don’t get it. It’s also for people who do get it because this way is better.)”

“You can crank up the snow machine. You can set up the slalom course perfectly. You can shape all the moguls so they’re just right. But if people can’t ever get on the ski lift, there ain’t gonna be any race.”

In short, we need to cut features.  We need to eliminate designing for false target users when our audience is not “everyone” and we need ot make things that work for a real group of target users.

We need to shape the market and redefine the market and help the market by making simple things that just work.  We need to educate the market and facilitate growth by making things that people will use… We cannot just feed the market and expect that it will figure it out.  Many times it will not.  And, many times it will find another way – if we don’t adjust and make things to be simple.

When the consumer says, “I don’t get it.” that is our fault as designers.  It is not the consumer’s fault. We need to take responsibility as technologists and designers and developers and IT pros and builders of any kind.

Take note: Simplicity rules.

P.S.  It’s been a little bit since I’ve posted here.  There have been very few times like this, lasting longer than a month, even going all the way back to 2003 or 2004, when I started blogging.  And, when it has happened, it’s been due to a good reason, like I have a bad attitude or I’m burned out or I’m moving across the country or, or, or… The point is, that it’s a new year and a new season and, well, here I go again…  (Actually, I do have several other blogs where I did post.  So, it’s not like I have not been blogging.  It’s just on this particular blog that it’s been a little while.  Anyway…)

UPDATE: 12/14/2008: Another big change…  This blog got rebranded…  Now, it’s TechProfound. Guess what?!  It’ll all just work…

Here’s a quick note to mention a bit of a change happening here on Tweblog.com.  I’m going to start posting more geek stuff and more work related things.  With my new job (Stay tuned for more on that soon!) and with the creation of MegaDrivel.com, I am branching off “because i got stuff to say” as a separate blog.  Now, Tweblog.com will be tagged as “geek w/ social skillz” and MegaDrivel.com will be tagged as “because i got stuff to say”.  Of course, I can always do whatever I want with both blogs.  I’m just trying to segment some different passions into different places.  If it works, cool!  If it doesn’t work, oh well.  For now, it is what it is.  Enjoy!

UPDATE 11/22/2008: I set this post to be “sticky” and stay at the top of the home page.  I’m just doing this for a little while, during the transition…  There are new posts, right below this one!

Wisconsin is just another Midwest place.  –>  Wisconsin is cool for how loyal people are, how simple people are, how honest people are, and how good the beer is.    (Believe it or not, in MN, I was asked, “They still make that s&!t?” and told, “I’m surprised we had any of that stuff around.” (That’s in relation to PBR!)  That’s practical blasphemy in Sconnieland.

Maybe these are major transformations!?!?

WHAT’S NEXT?!

The application form would be easily completed within a short period of time.

The job requirements would ask for what is truly required to do the job.

No one would be invited to interview for a job that is already filled.

Applicants would receive an acknowledgement notice once their application is received.

They would also get an estimate as to how long the screening process would take.

The people conducting the interviews would be trained in interviewing and would ask job-related questions.

There would be no game-playing during the interview process.

The selection decision would be solely based upon merit.

Applicants who were not selected would be told about the decision.

Successful applicants would go through an informative orientation program.

That’s a direct quote from Michael Wade’s Execupundit.com blog post.

[HT: Clint Covington]

And, to the recruiters who are calling, I’m not spilling any info or details about any job searches until after I’ve accepted an offer, and then only as appropriate.  Just want to be clear about what I’m writing about and what I disclose via this blog.  I’m mostly just encouraged right now and felt like sharing.  :D

I think it’s because I’ve been so geared up to GO, GO, GO for so long.  When it/life slows down a little bit, I feel a little awkward.  I’m a doer.  I like to get things done.  I don’t like excuses.  For that matter, I don’t even like reasons when I can rattle off dozens of contrary reasons.

I think there’s some other personal stuff going on.  I probably should hold off writing until there’s some calmer thinking. … It’s family crap, in case you’re wondering.  CRAP! I say, CRAP!

I’m definitely listening.  I’m hearing all sorts of stuff around me.  It’s not a matter of abilities.  It’s a mater of decisions and choices and options and figuring out what I want to do, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it.

Rambling!  I’m rambling.  That’s ok.  This is my blog and I feel like rambling right now.

“Why shouldn’t I work for the N.S.A.? That’s a tough one, but I’ll take a shot. Say I’m working at N.S.A. Somebody puts a code on my desk, something nobody else can break. Maybe I take a shot at it and maybe I break it. And I’m real happy with myself, ’cause I did my job well. But maybe that code was the location of some rebel army in North Africa or the Middle East. Once they have that location, they bomb the village where the rebels were hiding and fifteen hundred people I never met, never had no problem with get killed. Now the politicians are sayin’, “Oh, Send in the marines to secure the area” ’cause they don’t give a shit. It won’t be their kid over there, gettin’ shot. Just like it wasn’t them when their number got called, ’cause they were pullin’ a tour in the National Guard. It’ll be some kid from Southie takin’ shrapnel in the ass. And he comes back to find that the plant he used to work at got exported to the country he just got back from. And the guy who put the shrapnel in his ass got his old job, ’cause he’ll work for fifteen cents a day and no bathroom breaks. Meanwhile he realizes the only reason he was over there in the first place was so we could install a government that would sell us oil at a good price. And of course the oil companies used the skirmish over there to scare up domestic oil prices. A cute little ancillary benefit for them, but it ain’t helping my buddy at two-fifty a gallon. And they’re takin’ their sweet time bringin’ the oil back of course, and maybe even took the liberty of hiring an alcoholic skipper who likes to drink martinis and fuckin’ play slalom with the icebergs, and it ain’t too long ’til he hits one, spills the oil and kills all the sea life in the North Atlantic. So now my buddy’s out of work and he can’t afford to drive, so he’s got to walk to the fuckin’ job interviews, which sucks ’cause the shrapnel in his ass is givin’ him chronic hemorrhoids. And meanwhile he’s starvin’ ’cause every time he tries to get a bite to eat the only blue plate special they’re servin’ is North Atlantic scrod with Quaker State. So what did I think? I’m holdin’ out for somethin’ better. I figure fuck it, while I’m at it why not just shoot my buddy, take his job, give it to his sworn enemy, hike up gas prices, bomb a village, club a baby seal, hit the hash pipe and join the National Guard? I could be elected president.”

Good Will Hunting (1997) – Memorable quotes

This link does a good job of explaining Knowledge Management and also explaining the impact that it has on an organization. IMO, this type of job has a huge (one of the largest) impacts on the extensibility of organizational growth strategy. (NOTE: My disclaimer is clearly noted. Right now that’s in the bottom right of the sidebar on this blog.)

Link to What is knowledge management?

As more of my new job gets defined, I’ll update my resume again.  I also have to do things like update my LinkedIn profile and go through my contacts again to make sure I’ve informed everyone.  I’ve learned from some previous mistakes, and now I’m following good, expert recommendations, to keep my network current and in place all the time - before it’s needed!

I’m excited and energized for my new job.  And, week #2 is just around the corner.

There is plenty of work to be done.  I am not near info overload.  I am doing a lot of listening.  I have needed one or two brief pauses to let myself catch up.  But, I think that’s fairly normal for any new job.  I have been absorbing a lot of info.  Fortunately, that is something I enjoy and something that comes fairly easy for me.  I think the “work” really comes into play when starting to use the info and trying to make it easier to serve and help others with that info.

So, for now I’m cruising along, and adjusting to a commute that goes back and forth between downtown Bellevue and downtown Seattle.  Fortunately there’s a great express bus that runs pretty near to both ends of that route.  The shirt and tie are also a bit of a change from my last decade of “professional attire” in more casual settings.  I think I like the new dress code.

There have even been a few cool things that have come out of my recent blogging experience.  I look forward to sharing some of of the new experiences and incorporating how the communication that happens while blogging can be very helpful in various other business situations.  Neat stuff, if you ask me.

I have been asked to give some input for some recruiting efforts and how blogs may be of interest.  Doing some of that stuff will probably have to wait a little bit, for some of the dust to settle.  I’m sure I’ll learn new perspectives, and I’m hoping to keep growing through all of these new changes and interesting times.

Thanks for sticking with me, and for reading.  As always, your comments or suggestions or whatever other input are always welcome and encouraged.

One more thing, I added a little more info to my disclaimer that’s in the bottom right of the side bar with this blog’s current setup.

“I am employed by ECG Management Consulting.  Everything here represents me, my opinions and my personal perspectives.  I am not speaking for my employer or clients.  I am not speaking for anyone else.”

I’m hoping to keep up the transparency, maintain professionalism, and to use blogging as a healthy communication tool.  I don’t think blogging is popular here, yet.  I don’t really know how much it will catch on, or what other people’s desires are in that area.

Now, I need to get back to work!