Archives for April 2005

A Blog for High-Tech Do-It-Yourself Types

by Jeff Hester · Apr 30, 2005

When I was growing up, I loved those books that showed you how to build practically anything from the stuff you’d find in the garage. One of my favorite contraptions involved duct-taping several tennis ball cans together (back when they came in actual metal cans) to create a cannon powered by lighter-fluid (back when lighters were all refillable). Nothing can match the risk of God-only-knows-what might happen with boys and lighter fluid, and the sheer joy of seeing a tennis ball fired several hundred feet into the air. Good fun.

Times have changed, we’ve all grown a bit older and if we’re lucky, a little more wise. But that doesn’t mean we don’t crave the joy of creating something cool from next to nothing. Enter the MAKE: Blog. As the website says, “MAKE brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life.” It’s cool, with stuff like instructions for a DIY wireless, weatherproof outdoor camera, or a Skype payphone. Neat.

BigBlueBall Meetup at the House of Blues

by Jeff Hester · Apr 28, 2005

This BigBlueBall we live on is made smaller every day by technology. With the Internet, we can chat, talk and even see each other from thousands of miles apart, all with ease. But all the technology in the world cannot still take the place of a live, face-to-face interaction.

At BigBlueBall.com we have moderators from all over the world, most of whom I’ve never met in person. When the opportunity arises to meet in person, I grab it.

Last Sunday was such an occasion. Shifter (aka Marcus) and his family are visiting Southern California on vacation. Dr. Kimble (aka Emily)lives down here, but we had never actually met. I couldn’t let the opportunity slip away. We met at the House of Blues in Anaheim for their Gospel Brunch. Sharing food is a wonderful, relaxed way to get to know one another, and it was capped off with a soulfully rockin’ gospel concert. I can’t tell you the names of the musicians, but I can tell you that they were good. Listening to them you got a real sense of the roots of rock.

It was great to meet Marcus, his family, Emily and her mom. I hope to get a chance to meet more of the BigBlueBall regulars in the future.

Wikis and Knowledge Management

by Jeff Hester · Apr 19, 2005

Wikis are a fascinating experiment in collaborative content management. Wikipedia is the perfect example. Within a few short years it’s grown to become one of the largest encyclopedias every, all based on knowledge shared by individuals on a volunteer basis.

I’ve been fascinated with the application of wikis in the realm of knowledge management. The concept is simple — we all possess knowledge, and as we individually share the bits and pieces of what we know, collectively we grow more knowledgeable. I benefit from your knowledge and expertise, just as you do from mine. Knowledge is shared by individuals, but the collection (or the wiki) is owned by the collective.

To experiment with this technology, I’ve setup a wiki using the same software that powers Wikipedia: Wikimedia. Yes, it’s available for free, and it took me all of about 15 minutes to download, install and configure. Amazing.

If you are interested in exploring the application of wikis to the field of knowledge management, jump in and check out the FDnot Wiki. It’s open for you to sign-up and begin contributing your knowledge.