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April 28, 2006
Microsoft Office Project 2007 Webcasts coming up
Treb's blog notes that there are a couple of interesting webcasts coming up.
The first is an overview of Office Project Server 2007, presumably covering what you need to know about how all of the server and client processes tie together. The description states:
"Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 has a new architecture, enabling the system and solution to provide new functionality and capabilities. This webcast provides an overview of the architecture of Project Server 2007, and looks at how the new system functions. We also examine how Project Server 2007 differs from Microsoft Office Project Server 2003, and identify where developer opportunities exist."
You can register for it here:
The second is a Project 2007 Preview:
"This session is not your typical Deep Dive--it's a preview of what's coming in the next version of Project (P2007). Discussion will center on new features in P2007 and a focus on planning for resource management - planning your organizational needs, and best practices for decision making regarding resources.
The Project Deep Dive Series is meant to provide an in-depth look at current business topics that most affect Project Managers/Directors and how to leverage Microsoft's tools and project management best practices to effectively address these topics."
Register for it here:
Project 2007 Preview Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:00AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
I think that the Architecture session hosted by Larry Duff might be the more interesting one, but try them out and see. You can always keep it on in the background if it gets boring. One thing is certain and that is that Microsoft is trying to get deeper into the world of work and trying to get better integration with other apps.
Posted by Jack at 02:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 24, 2006
The most valuable project management tool
At least in my opinion it is not Microsoft Project. I'm starting to think that trust is the most valuable tool in the Project Manager's bag. I'm not sure where talks about that in the PMBOK though. The more uncertain part of Project Management is the people side of things. I'd go on, but time is tight. Llet me know what you think is most important contributing factor to a successful project.
Posted by Jack at 02:40 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Hard to believe 100 years have gone by. My Grandfather witnessed this one just across the Bay in Oakland, but the smoke from the fires in San Francisco (the major cause of damage there) was probably just as visible as the Oakland Hills fire was from San Francisco. Here are a couple of documents from that era. (click on image to see a larger version) The first a notice that Police and troops have been authorized to "KILL" looters:
And the second, one of the panoramas around the area of City Hall.
Posted by Jack at 06:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 16, 2006
Kamen Rider Zo Downloads
I've never seen Kamen Rider. It is a Japanese TV show kind of like a cross between Ultraman and Power Rangers. As with those shows there were several generations. One of which is apparently Kamen Rider ZO. Ever since my registration lapsed for a day I've seen a lot of traffic from people looking for it. I looked up the plot summary and it turned out to be oddly familiar (cue wavy screen and theremin music)...
"RIDER ZO concerns itself with a human being who is transformed into a cyborg hero"Hey, that sounds like me...
"and subsequently challenges a ruthless and powerful menace (frequently an alien organization using a series of bizarre creatures to enforce their will) which rises to threaten the Earth."
Hey, that sounds a bit like PMI...
"Slightly unbalanced scientist Dr. Mochizuki is experimenting on the creation of a mysterious and vaguely threatening organism. Along the way, he pauses to create a human/locust cyborg. Alarmed at his new form, ZO retreats to a nearby forest and hides away. In the meantime, Dr. Mochizuki has finished his work and the organism is set loose on an unprepared world. ZO returns to defend the deranged scientist's young son and the world in a series of battles."
Yep, that's me all right.
Posted by Jack at 09:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 13, 2006
Cherry Blossoms by the light of the Moon
It seems to be raining almost everyday. So the only time you can go outside is at night. This was taken late last night by the light of the moon and a streetlight. The cherry blossoms seem to have a deeper color in this sort of light.
Posted by Jack at 03:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Extremities
An interesting rebuttal of the Agile Manifesto here:
Burningbird » Technology is already Extreme
The points about belief, group behavior and diversity are worth investing a few minutes to digest. Fortunately it is leavened with one-liners like this:
"The tech equivalent of The Beach Boys"
It dovetails nicely with Glen's latest post on evidence.
When am I ever going to write anything thoughtful again?
Posted by Jack at 03:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 11, 2006
Microsoft Office Project 2007 Beta expected this spring
According to Lidiane, the public beta will be available this "spring" which means sometime in the next couple months. The best way to get the beta is to sign up here http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx and they will let you know when it is ready. Considering the large number of changes in this version it is probably worth your time to check it out in advance.
Posted by Jack at 12:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 08, 2006
What better sign of Spring?
Posted by Jack at 03:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 07, 2006
"People come to us in weakness"
In 2003 Sergey Brin of Google told Quentin Hardy:
"People come to us in weakness. They are admitting that they don't know something. When we tell them what they want to know, it creates a strong bond."
Geez. Going to google is a sign of weakness? Imagine what going to the library must mean! Or reading a book!
Since you are here reading, and since I'm ultimately non-entertaining, the only real conclusion I can draw is that you are coming because you don't know something. You are weak. There. Now you know because I told you. Feel the bond? I knew you would.
Despite the arrogant attitude this quotation projects, the article it is drawn from is not too bad. It contains some amount of over-conjecture, but you can filter it yourself. The entire article which covers google, information and the "collective mind" is here:
Can we know everything?
Posted by Jack at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 02, 2006
What is Project Scope
There is considerable discussion on the Newgrange discussion list about what scope is and what it isn't. While I find it interesting enough to dip in and read a couple of arguments in the debate about it I think I have skipped more than I have read so I feel out of place commenting on it there. In my opinion scope is simple. It is the definition of what you are going to do. That is inclusive of meeting whatever specifications have been agreed upon and the work necessary to deliver on that agreement.
Any more time spent on it in a hypothetical frame of mind is wasted. For a specific project or program it is wise to spend time on it and get it right. Ultimately scope is determining what you are getting paid for. Not much more to it than that.
Posted by Jack at 10:18 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
