Wednesday, February 21, 2007

How prototypical! A not very flattering review of a recently-published book on prototyping: Book: Effective Prototyping for Software Makers.  In January 2007, a new book on prototyping was published. It's a practical step-by-step book on how to create rapid paper and computer generated prototypes. . . [GUUUI - The interaction designers coffee break] Disclaimer: I know the book's authors; Jonathan Arnowitz is co-editor-in-chief of ACM <interactions> magazine and a friend who helped nudge me into the SIGCHI world. I haven't read the book, it's a bit pricey, but I'm sure I'd give it a nice review if I got a review copy (hint hint). 8:39:35 PM    Questions? Comments? Flames? []

Old things, new things Silicon Valley Watcher has a big write-up about both innovation at IBM and about the Silicon Valley Lab, where I work. If you follow the linked photo (or the Silicon Valley Labs link), take a look at the more close-up photo in the upper right corner; find the lobby entrance behind the guest parking up front, surrounded by round green trees; find the right-most tree. . . the building behind and to its right is where my office is, third floor. Now you know. Innovation inflation - innovation is everywhere, even on business cards. About 15 miles south of San Jose, down a country lane, and hidden behind one of the scenic rolling hills of "Steinbeck country" is IBM's Silicon Valley research and development labs. It used to be called Santa Teresa Labs, opened in 1977 with about 3,000 square feet, housing about 1300 researchers, mostly working on software projects. . . Silicon Valley Labs [Silicon Valley Watcher--reporting on the business and culture of innovation] OK, so some of the facts about SVL are wrong (I mean c'mon, 3000 square feet? Maybe one floor of one of the office towers. . .), and the researchers are actually at the Almaden Research Center up the hill, and Steinbeck Country is Salinas; still, it's nice to get a little publicity. Now, about innovation. . . I agree that the word is vastly overused and has been seriously watered-down by misuse over the last few years. Mostly at the hands of Microsoft, who squawked "Freedom to innovate, freedom to innovate!" throughout the trial at the beginning of this century. But truth be told, some of the best talk about innovation has come from IBM execs. I picked up my favorite definition from Sam Palmisano, who quoted a famous business professor (sorry, don't remember his name, my files on the topic are at the office. . .), who said, paraphrasing, "Creativity is thinking up new things, innovation is doing new things." Thinking up new things is a first step toward innovation, but the innovation is putting those new ideas to work. At least that's the short version of my creativity/innovation/design spiel. 8:07:01 PM    Questions? Comments? Flames? []

Hearty congratulations to Richard Anderson Congratulations to Richard Anderson on being named to receive the SIGCHI Lifetime Service Award; he's more than earned it: Lifetime Award. . . At CHI 2007 this spring, SIGCHI will be giving me its Lifetime Service Award . . . Here is what SIGCHI has published about me in its award announcement: "Richard I. Anderson is a user experience practice, management, and organizational development consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He was on the founding committee and served as program chair (1990-2002) and chair (first elected chair) of BayCHI, the largest chapter of SIGCHI, but has also traveled around the world growing and facilitating SIGCHI chapters internationally. Richard was the SIGCHI Local Chapters Chair for 5 years, from 1996-2001. He authored numerous SIGCHI Bulletin articles, wherein he offered case studies, advice and support for local SIG leadership. He organized and led popular annual workshops for chapter leaders at the CHI conference. Richard also served as a member of 4 CHI conference committees (including the upcoming CHI '08) and served as the CHI 2005 Development Consortium Chair, in addition to serving on the committee for 3 DUX conferences. Finally, Richard has authored multiple articles for interactions magazine. Through his leadership, he has facilitated and spread the word about human-computer interaction literally around the world." [Riander Blog] I sent Richard private congratulations when I first learned of the award during a SIGCHI executive committee meeting, so now's the time for public congratulations. Richard has been an influential driving force in the SIGCHI community, and has now graduated to helping hold the umbrella that UXnet represents. Richard has also been more than generous in our work together on DUX 2003, DUX 2005, the CHI 2005 Development Consortium, and in providing valuable insights as background for some of my <interactions> articles. Thank you, Richard! 7:43:10 PM    Questions? Comments? Flames? []

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