May 14, 2008
Today is the final class meeting for the 25th anniversary class of Leadership Tuscaloosa. This afternoon, we graduate.
I’m feeling…really overwhelmed by it already.
When I applied for Leadership Tuscaloosa, I knew it would be great. Even Running Antelope knew how important it was to me. When my acceptance letter came, I was away travelling somewhere. She called to tell me, and I yelled out loud wherever I was at. I remember people looking at me.
In 9 months, my 39 classmates and I…
- Looked at what has gone on in Tuscaloosa’s past, and what it needs for the future.
- Participated in a SIMSOC, an eye-opening simulation, about society.
- Talked about leadership, especially what it is, and what it isn’t.
- Spent a day roleplaying as someone with needs trying to navigate the labrynthian maze of social service agencies.
- Saw the political system, and city and local government in action in Tuscaloosa
- Discussed ways to foster the growth of the local arts and cultural resources.
- Worked in a team of 8 to helped a very worthy non-profit with their annual fundraiser, which brought in double their target amount. Also, helped get them squared away in some key operational areas. And…helped them request a $105,000 technology grant to fund all their technology needs, which is still pending approval. While our 32 classmates worked on equally important projects, with equally stunning success.
Plus…I got to be 8 years-old again for half a day, which was priceless.
And even though it wasn’t part of our Leadership Tuscaloosa class, certain of my classmates helped make West Alabama’s inaugural E-Cycling Day an unqualified success, thanks in total to their talent, dedication, hard work, and commitment to our local community.
I mentioned Leadership Tuscaloosa during the final session in New Orleans this past weekend, which happened to be on “Community” in an unannounced, last-minute change.
I talked about what Leadership Tuscaloosa had done for me, both personally and professionally. How it was far far better than I ever could have imagined it would be, and that I know it is an investment in the future. That the deep relationships I forged with these amazing amazing people will continue to grow stronger over time.
During the session, because I knew that Jason Leib had been through a Leadership program in the Kansas City area, where he lives, I asked him to stand and tell the crowd what the experience of going through that program was like.
I thought his answer was absolutely perfect.
He simply paused a brief moment, then said, “Life-changing.”
I couldn’t agree more. And all for the better.
|| posted by chris under business, community, epiphany, more cowbell, rx, thumbs down || comments (0) ||
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May 13, 2008
Again…let me tell you how astonished, humbled, and amazed at how many of you got real, tangible value out of the talk on Mobility I delivered in New Orleans this weekend.
I appreciate EVERYONE who has already filled out the Mobility Survey. I will be responding to each of you individually about your awesome awesome comments. that’s least I can do for the amazing outpouring of support this community has show to me over the years, and to the ideas I have about Mobility.
I’m worried though, that one of my answers during the Q&A session might not have been as clear as it should have been. I’d like to get the chance to clarify it now for both those who were there, and even folks who were not there. It’s a VERY common question, that comes up all the time in the Mobile world, and is a complex, frustrating, and bothersome issue, as it veers in the very real and nasty world of software piracy.
Let’s start with the question. A gentleman in the audience asked if I would explain how he could get Windows Mobile 6.1 for his device, even tho it’s not slated for a release. He knew that there were unofficial sources out there, but wanted some guidance how to do it, the tools needed, the best sources, and how to avoid destroying his device.
I will tell you…I was taken aback. Here’s why. I will state this in no uncertain terms…
When ANYONE uses an unofficial ROM update to upgrade their device, they are…at best, risking rendering their device useless (bricking it) or exposing themselves to embedded data exploits. However, even if those don’t happen, ANYONE who uses an unofficial ROM update it committing SOFTWARE PIRACY!
Seriously. No different than grabbing a copy of SBS 2003 or 2008 off a warez site.
So…this person was asking me to tell an assembly of roughly 200 SMB IT pros how to commit illegal software piracy, while at the same time potentially giving them information that could destroy their devices, or expose them to hidden data exploits they might never know about.
Not only that…but everything I was saying was being recorded, by a professional audio and video crews being paid by Microsoft, to create videos that may be rebroadcast on the Microsoft Partner site.
If I seemed nervous, I was. I was trying to pick my words very carefully. My first reaction was to simply say…
DON’T DO IT! DON’T THINK ABOUT IT! IT’S NOT WORTH THE RISK! NO WAY!
I didn’t say that.
What I did was hold up my personal mobile device, a Palm Treo 750. I did not use it for the WM 6.1 demo at all, on purpose. I used Microsoft Device Emulator running Windows Mobile 6.1 images. Which is not only free, but an official tool. I talked about how this is the best way to learn for everyone, etc.
I did say tho…that my Treo was running Windows Mobile 6.1 and that it was a pirate build. That I do NOT have direct access to the Windows Mobile team, nor any mobile operators. So that ROm came from an unofficial source.
However, I have vowed to never ever EVER disseminate, distribute, or otherwise give out information to anyone about how to find, use, or otherwise commit software piracy with pirate ROMS.
Think of this like…the War On Drugs. We’ll call it The War On ROMs.
If I get a pirate ROM for personal use and use it, then I’m roughly the equivalent of someone busted possession. Most times…nobody does much of anything.
But if I am directly involved in the distribution, dissemination, and the use of pirate ROMs, then I am the equivalent of a drug dealer. And that’s some seriously bad juju.
Let me ask this question…
How many of you help your clients commit software piracy on their PCs? Do you load warez or illegal OEM copies of Windows, Office, or other software for them?
I hope not. I sure don’t.
In fact, as Running Antelope says…
You Are Mr. Super Straight Arrow About Software Licensing
So much so that even in our own house, we follow software licensing to the letter. Because as I understand it, if I commit, or help commit software piracy, MS has the right to revoke all my certifications, everything.
Basically all the knowledge and certification equity I have worked so hard to build my entire 14 year IT career.
All because someone at a conference wants to use pirate ROMs.
[EDITED: Ending removed on the advice of people much smarter than me. Thank you Susan! Thank you Mark!]
|| posted by chris under clueless, community, hardware, it pro, kma, mobility, opinion, thumbs down || comments (14) ||
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May 7, 2008
It’s official.
The Funboard AKA the FB has been permanently shuttered. This would be the official notice. Not planning to send anything about the closing via e-mail to any of the 650+ folks who registered for the FB, let alone its 17,000+ anonymous visitors.
Certain info may make it out of the wreckage, but no promises.
Were I someone else, I would prolly go on a long-winded rant about community, selling out, apathy, etc. But in the end, to be honest, community is a funny funny thing. Just as passion about something usually starts with just a couple of folks, so too does apathy. And where folks don’t see value…well, there’s no reason for them to be there.
Quite frankly, combine that with the disturbing lack of disclosure that’s been so evident lately…
I’m sick to the death of most of what I’m seeing. More than most of it, actually. So color me apathetic. Which means that maybe it’s catching?
Hoo-rah.
|| posted by chris under community, funboard, opinion, thumbs down || comments (4) ||
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