|
|
Knowledge-Letter
|
Gurteen Knowledge-Letter: Issue 46 - 6th April 2004 |
|
|
The Gurteen Knowledge Letter is a monthly newsletter that is distributed to members of the Gurteen Knowledge Community. You may receive the Knowledge Letter by joining the community. Membership is totally free. You may read back-copies here. ***** The Gurteen Knowledge-Letter (Issue 46, 6 April 2004) ***** I am often asked how I find the time to produce this newsletter each month. In fact it does not take me that long - about 2 days. It is made easier by a set of Lotus Notes based applications that I have custom built for the purpose. During the month I capture ideas to a Notes database as I come across them and so I have a ton of material waiting for me at the end of each month to expand and edit. Notes then stitches all the items together for me and generates the 10,000 or so personal emails at the click of a button. But I find that the time I take each month is creeping up. The problem is that when I click through to the web to expand on my items I trip over so many amazing new technologies, products, concepts, ideas and people that I get drawn in and can't help but read about them. I realize that even though I spend a lot of time on the web that I should spend more as I am in danger of being left behind. We could all spend more time browsing the web however and never have the time to do anything useful with all our new found knowledge! But I hope this newsletter makes it just that bit easier for you to keep up with what is going on in the world of 'knowledge and learning'. It helps me tremendously in writing it. *************************** CONTENTS *************************** 1 - Gurteen Knowledge Events 2 - Ray Ozzie on Collaborative Technology 3 - KM at NASA 4 - The RSA Coffeehouse Challenge 5 - Wikipedia 6 - Prospect Magazine: Why Terror? 7 - On Measurement & Incentives 8 - The Entovation 100 9 - Online Dictionaries 10 - What's in a word? 11 - Social Capital & International Development 12 - Gurteen Knowledge-Calendar 13 - What's New? ******************* GURTEEN KNOWLEDGE EVENTS ******************* I am developing a number of "knowledge events" this year but coming up in the next 3 months are two learning events and what will be my fourth conference. Critical Skills for Knowledge Workers, 12th May 2004 http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/id/x000804ca Building Knowledge-Based Relationships, 8th June 2004 http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/id/x0007fa16 Creativity and Innovation Conference, 29th June 2004 http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/id/x0007eaf6 I am particularly excited about Ross Dawson's event "Building Knowledge-Based Relationships" in June. Ross is based in Sydney, Australia and is one of the leading thinkers on the business application of "networking" - networks in their broadest sense both technology based networks and people networks. He is an inspiring speaker too - I saw him present in London last year where I got to know him. ************* RAY OZZIE ON COLLABORATIVE TECHNOLOGY ************* Ray Ozzie, the creator of Lotus Notes and founder of Groove Networks is always a guy whose thoughts and ideas are worth keeping in touch with ... White paper from Ray and Peter O'Kelly on collaborative technology http://www.groove.net/contact/b2f-download/ Voice interview with Ray by Robin Good http://www.kolabora.com/news/2004/03/17/robin_good_interviews_ray_ozzie.htm Ray's weblog http://www.ozzie.net/blog/ Ray Ozzie: http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000358FA?open&r=3&p=0 ************************** KM AT NASA ************************** Imagine the knowledge management problems faced by NASA when it may take many years for a spacecraft to reach the outer planets of our solar system only to find that when the data and images start streaming back that the scientists who conceived and designed the mission have long since moved on or retired. NASA's KM team http://km.nasa.gov/home/index.html NASA's Strategic Plan for Knowledge Management http://km.nasa.gov/whatis/index.html ***************** THE RSA COFFEEHOUSE CHALLENGE ***************** The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Coffeehouse Challenge kicked off on 22 March 2004, exactly 250 years to the day after William Shipley, founder of the RSA, held the first meeting of the Society in a coffee house in Covent Garden, London. Gatherings of Fellows, the general public, MP's and groups of schoolchildren up and down the country will get coffee houses and other specialized venues buzzing with spirited debate and the liberal exchange of ideas. Issues for discussion are linked to the RSA's manifesto, focusing on five specific areas of concern of our modern society. They are summed up as bright ideas, zero waste, capable people, strong communities and global citizenship. This is a great example of "knowledge cafes" in action. I love it. The RSA Coffeehouse Challenge http://www.thersa.org/250/chc.asp Knowledge Cafes http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000629AA?open&r=3&p=0 Royal Society of Arts http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000127D6?open&r=3&p=0 *************************** WIKIPEDIA *************************** Ever wondered what a wiki was - never mind a Wikipedia? Wikipedia is a great online resource and a stunning example of how the web 'changes things'. "Wikipedia is a copyleft encyclopedia that is collaboratively developed using wiki software. In addition to the standard encyclopedic knowledge, Wikipedia includes almanac- and gazetteer-like information as well as timely information. As a freely-editable document, Wikipedia is subject to some unique hardships not present in more traditional paper encyclopedias. It has a self-healing system in place to deal with these challenges, and even a page designed to explain these systems. The content of Wikipedia is entirely created by its users, and is managed and operated by the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation. Wikipedia is free content, meaning free to use, free to edit, and free to copy and redistribute." To get an idea of the breadth and depth of the content take a look at the London Underground section - its awesome. London Underground http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground Wikipedia http://www.wijkipedia.org **************** PROSPECT MAGAZINE: WHY TERROR? **************** If you live in the UK, next time you are WH Smith look out for a magazine called "Prospect". This is what they say about themselves: "Prospect has acquired a reputation as the most intelligent magazine of current affairs and cultural debate in Britain. Both challenging and entertaining, the magazine seeks to make complex ideas accessible and enjoyable by commissioning the best writers, editing them vigorously and packaging their work in a well-designed and illustrated monthly." I have often browsed it and can highly recommend it - but I was compelled to buy this month's issue when I read about "Gandhi's challenge to Osama Bin Laden". If he were alive today, how might Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest apostle of non-violence, challenge Osama bin Laden's worldview? There is also a great article on conversation and more. Why Terror? http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/start.asp?P_Article=12487 Learning to Talk http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/start.asp?P_Article=12499 Prospect Magazine http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/ Mahatma Gandhi http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00002AFE?open&r=3&p=0 ****************** ON MEASUREMENT & INCENTIVES ****************** Thanks to Louise Smith who is a Knowledge Manager with SAS Asia Pacific who pointed me to a posting in Joel Spolsky's weblog - well worth a look if only for the stunning view of Seattle taken I think from Lake Washington. This is part of what Joel has to say ... When Jeff Weitzen took over Gateway, he instituted a new policy to save money on customer service calls. "Reps who spent more than 13 minutes talking to a customer didn't get their monthly bonuses," writes Katrina Brooker (Business 2.0, April 2001). "As a result, workers began doing just about anything to get customers off the phone: pretending the line wasn't working, hanging up, or often --at great expense-- sending them new parts or computers. Not surprisingly, Gateway's customer satisfaction rates, once the best in the industry, fell below average. Another great example of the problems of incentives! It is very difficult to measure something without changing it in the process! Joel on Software http://www.joelonsoftware.com/news/20020715.html ********************** THE ENTOVATION 100 ********************** Debra Amidon has recently made me a member of her Entovation 100. Take a look at her Global Knowledge Leadership Map - its a little crowded but you will find me somewhere in the South Atlantic off Cape Horn with a rather long connecting line to the England :=) I am in some interesting company. Global Knowledge Leadership Map http://www.entovation.com\KLEADMAP\index.htm Debra Amidon http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/id/x000d9cfe ********************** ONLINE DICTIONARIES ********************** I usually use the online Meriam-Webster dictionary when looking-up words on the web but increasingly I use Hyper Dictionary. I prefer the results and get a set of Thesaurus results as well without having to conduct a separate search. http://www.hyperdictionary.com Compare this: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=knowledge with this: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=knowledge which do you prefer? Another fascinating dictionary is Urban Dictionary which is a slang dictionary where you can actually submit your own words and vote on words submitted by others: http://www.urbandictionary.com but I'll warn you now if you are easily offended don't look up 'knowledge' ... I thought I had come across most definitions but not this one - as they say in a footnote "Urban Dictionary is not appropriate for all audiences" :-) *********************** WHAT'S IN A WORD? *********************** Each month many of my newsletters are 'bounced' by organizational mail servers because they contain words that are deemed to be offensive or unsolicited. I am usually not told what the offending words are but I am starting to learn and have built up a short list of words to avoid - most of them rather obvious. Clearly I cannot share these words with you but the one offensive word that I will repeat is actually my own name "Gurteen". I was Gobsmacked! until I looked at the last four letters of my name. I think an overzelaous IT person when configuring the e-mail filter told the system to reject all words that contained those last four letters. So I guess thirteen, fifteen etc would also have caused the e-mail to bounce. I understand the need for the filters but the cure could end up being worse than the disease :-) ********** SOCIAL CAPITAL & INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ********** I often receive interesting e-mails in response to this newsletter - here is a recent one from Lucky Lowe that she agreed I could share: Dear David, Thanks for your usual interesting collection of articles. I was struck by the fact that you highlight social networks as an upcoming issue in the field of KM. Social capital is a well recognised concept in the field of human development - see for example the Department For International Development's (DFID) framework for analysing livelihoods; social capital is often found to be a significant assets in the livelihood options of people living in poverty. The DFID definition of social capital higlights its importance in accessing information: "Social Capital is a category of livelihood assets. It relates to the formal and informal social relationships (or social resources) from which various opportunities and benefits can be drawn by people in their pursuit of livelihoods." These resources are developed through investment in: + interactions (through work or shared interests) that increase people's ability to work together; + membership of more formal groups in which relationships are by accepted rules and norms; + relationshps of trust that facilitate co-operation, reduce transactions costs and sometimes help in the development of informal safety nets amongst the poor. Critial benefits of social capital are access to information, to influence or power, and to claims or obligation for support from others." http://www.livelihoods.org/ This makes me think of the discussion we had at, and about, the recent Knowledge Cafe about the value of CoPs. Our own research into the knowledge and information systems of people living in poverty also highlights the important role social networks play in creating access to information and knowledge. As I mentioned before - it would be interesting to share more of the ideas about KS which are evovling in the sphere of international development with the Gurteen knowledge network. Warmest regards, Lucky Lucky Lowe Knowledge & Information Services Unit Manager Intermediate Technology Development Group Schumacher Centre for Technology Development http://www.itdg.org Social Networks: http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000722D2?open&r=3&p=0 ****************** GURTEEN KNOWLEDGE-CALENDAR ****************** My website contains such a comprehensive listing of knowledge related events that it is no longer possible to display aqll of them in this knowledge-letter. The list below only shows major events or ones of special interest that will be held in the next 3 months. You can see the complete list on my website by following the Gurteen-Knowledge Calendar link below. Gurteen-Knowledge Calendar: http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000033AE?open&p=0 Knowledge Management 12 - 14 Apr 2004, Washington DC, United States http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000D3FFA?open&r=1&p=0 Knowledge Activist Masterclass 20 Apr 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000805D6?open&r=1&p=0 Library & Information Show 2004 21 - 22 Apr 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0007F0EE?open&r=1&p=0 Measuring and Managing Intangibles 26 Apr 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0007EC6E?open&r=1&p=0 Communities at Work 27 Apr 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00076966?open&r=1&p=0 Innovation Masterclass 27 Apr 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000805CE?open&r=1&p=0 Leveraging Knowledge for Value 29 - 30 Apr 2004, Copenhagen, Denmark http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0008012E?open&r=1&p=0 CROinfo 2004 Knowledge Management Conference 03 - 04 May 2004, Zagreb, Croatia http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00070AAA?open&r=1&p=0 Culture begins across the channel 04 May 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00070B4E?open&r=1&p=0 KM Intranet Site Visits 2004 05 - 06 May 2004, Sydney, Australia http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0007ECE6?open&r=1&p=0 Workspace at Work 18 May 2004, London, United Kingdom http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00076916?open&r=1&p=0 Project Management for Government 24 - 28 May 2004, Canberra, Australia http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0007F912?open&r=1&p=0 Best Practices, Tools and Techniques for Managing The Front End of Innovation 24 - 26 May 2004, Boston, United States http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00081116?open&r=1&p=0 The 2004 Knowledge Management/Organizational Learning Conference 09 - 10 Jun 2004, Chicago, United States http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000D4006?open&r=1&p=0 International Conference on Virtual Communities 14 - 15 Jun 2004, The Hague, Netherlands http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X005BCD36?open&r=1&p=0 Knowledge Summit 2004 21 - 23 Jun 2004, Noordvyk aan Zee, Netherlands http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00073AC6?open&r=1&p=0 I-KNOW 04 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2004, Graz, Austria http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00070D62?open&r=1&p=0 BlogTalk 2.0 05 - 06 Jul 2004, Vienna, Austria http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0035EA36?open&r=1&p=0 ************************** WHAT'S NEW? ************************** The following pages have been added to my website within the last month. It does not include all of them as the list is typically quite long. You can follow the What's New link below to my website for the full list. What's New: http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00030DE6?open&p=0 Book: Developing Knowledge-based Client Relationships by Ross Dawson http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00080406?open&r=1&p=0 Book: Innovation Strategy for the Knowledge Economy by Debra M. Amidon http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0007FA82?open&r=1&p=0 Person: Andy Burnett http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0008014E?open&r=1&p=0 Person: Richard Potter http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0008015E?open&r=1&p=0 Quotation: On computers in the home by Ken Olsen http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00070BAA?open&r=1&p=0 Quotation: On laughter and character by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X000E91E2?open&r=1&p=0 Quotation: On taking a shower and ideas by Nolan Bushnell http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X00073AF2?open&r=1&p=0 Quotation: On traditional views of leaders by Peter M. Senge http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ID/X0014162E?open&r=1&p=0 ******* S U B S C R I B I N G & U N S U B S C R I B I N G ******* You may s u b s c r i b e to this newsletter, via the following link: http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/(Views)/WebNewsList?open or you can e-mail your request to s u b s c r i b e or u n s u b s c r i b e to mailto:knowledge-letter@gurteen.com ***************** THE GURTEEN KNOWLEDGE-LETTER ***************** The Gurteen Knowledge-Letter is a free monthly e-mail based knowledge management newsletter for Knowledge Workers. Its purpose is to help you better manage your knowledge and to stimulate thought and interest in such subjects as Knowledge Management, Learning, Creativity and the effective use of Internet technology. It is produced in association with the Knowledge Management Forum of Henley Management College, Oxfordshire, England (http://www.henleymc.ac.uk/kmforum) You may copy, reprint or forward all or part of this newsletter to friends, colleagues or customers, so long as any use is not for resale or profit and the following copyright notice is included intact: "Copyright 2004, David Gurteen, All rights reserved." David Gurteen Gurteen Knowledge Copyright 2004, David Gurteen, All rights reserved.
|
|
06:37 AM GMT |
