Month: December 2005

IM Interoperability: GAIM 2.0b1

Lorin Olsen

There are two means of providing IM interoperability. The first is true network interoperability. This model means that members on one network can communicate and interact with members on a different network. The Jabber community has followed this model for quite some time. When Gtalk came into existence, it joined dozens of previously existing networks that exploit XMPP (and Jabber). But the Jabber community did not ineroperate with AOL/ICQ, Yahoo or MSN Messenger.
Those days will change very soon. Microsoft (and others) are finally talking about bringing down the IM barriers that separate the various islands (and IM identities). Microsoft Live Messenger may show us the vanguard instance of this when it is released in the very near future.
But until the barriers are loosened (or removed completely), the only real means of maintaining a fully functional and interoperable identity is through a client that communicates with all the networks. The folks at Cerulean Studios have a licensed client called Trillian. It is a very cool client, but it is released in a fee-or-free model where a license fee entitles you to complete functionality.
In addition to Trillian, there is a stunning open source project called GAIM. The GAIM client can connect to every IM network that I am aware of. It supports presence as well as IM on these networks. And the latest beta delivers a simple and snazzy look. It will operate on almost every platform around – as long as you’re willing to install the GTK toolkit.
But these kinds of clients come with one key cost: you need to maintain an identity on all of the networks that you wish to operate within. And this will remain the case until there is a compelling reason for the netowrk providers to recognize and accept foreign identities. Will this happen soon? Who knows? But it reminds me of the email interoperability issues from the early-to-mid nineties. Everyone began to deliver SMTP trnasport and LDAP directory integration when all of the customers demanded it.
For now, I’m using GAIM – because I communicate with folks on many IM networks. So I must maintain an identity on all of them. Ick. I can’t wait till this will change. My only fear is that we will end up with another mess – like email. Today, email identity is not verified. Anyone can impersonate anyone. I used to demonstrate this by generating an email and setting my from address to ThePresident@whitehouse.gov. I never sent such messages outside of our network, but they did prove the point quite effectively. In the case of IM, we will need to establish some recognizable entity to authenticate identity or we’ll have to trust that whoever calls themself by a name are entitled to use that name.
-CyclingRoo-

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December Vista CTP Looms Large

Lorin Olsen

Mary Jo Foley (over at Microsoft Watch) is now reporting that Vista Build No. 5270 will be the next CTP (Community Technology Preview) for Windows Vista. Based upon her inside sources, she’s hearing that this Build will be available on Monday or Tuesday.
So why do you care about the December CTP? Well, if your looking for the next beta, December CTP ain’t it. In fact, the next beta won’t be around for a couple of months. But there should be some additional improvements in the UI. In addition, there is inclusion of pen/tablet support. For me, this is one of the key functional milestones marking preparation for commercial release of Vista.
As the next few weeks unfold, I’ll see if I can get some insights from the Channel 9 crew. Maybe I can alert everyone to when the December Build gets some air time.
-CyclingRoo-

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LiveNow

Lorin Olsen


I’m starting to make the switch. While I’m still a Sprint employee for the next two weeks, I’m beginning to drink the blue Kool-Aid. So what is changing? Here’s the short list:
1. I am switching from GMail to MSN Hotmail. That switch will be hard because everyone knows my public presence through Gmail. But the change is manageable. Hotmail is a solid product that provides a parity of features. But beyond the parity of mail, there are some interesting goodies I’m now exploring – like mobile mail on my phone handset. Again, its probably not a differentiatior, but it integrates well. In the past, I loved to perform the integration tasks. Now, I need products and services that ship as integrated packages. My new email address is cyclingroo@hotmail.com. I will keep the Gmail account for a short time – but principally as an email forwarder – just until I notify everyone and get established.
2. I am switching from Gtalk to MSN Live Messenger. This will only affect a few of my closest friends. But I suspect that it may be hard to get into the Live Messenger Beta. Let’s hope I can leverage a couple friends in Redmond to help. Robert, do you have any pull with the Live Messenger crowd?
3. I will be switching my blog. That one will be hard. Actually, the switch itself will be easy. But the affect to my readers will be huge. So I’ll try and make it semi-transparent. First, I will acquire a neutral domain name. Then, I’ll either use a hosting service and manage the site myself or I’ll use the MSN Spaces ecosystem. I’m still working this one out. But for now, I’m still on Blogger.
4. I’ve removed the MS Anti-spyware Beta (formerly known as Giant Software) from my home system. At the same time, I’ve removed my Avast anti-virus instance. Instead, I have jumped onto the Microsoft OneCare Live beta. Once I removed all other memory-resident anti-virus and anti-spyware tools, the OneCare stuff seems to work great. I really like the OneCare model. It is designed around providing a one-stop shop for system care and maintenance. This includes system defense as well as system performance. If you’re inclined to try the service before it goes live, you can find it at Ideas Live.
The “Live” site is starting to see some real traffic. I can’t wait until the buzz becomes tangible. The entire “Live” campaign is a change from products to services. It will be interesting to see what the long-term transformational benefits will be. But customers aren’t “buying” software from a vendor. Instead, they are buying management services – like lawn care.
Could someone do these system care tasks for themselves? Of course they could. And most people do so – or don’t do anything at all. But the service is designed to lift that burden from the consumer. BTW, giving computer users more time is exactly what the computer was designed to do. When computers require more time than they return back, then computers are not trasnforming our lives, merely absorbing them. This new services model has the opportunity to return time back to our customers. And that’s what the digital revolution is all about!
What Is LiveNow?
Now that you’ve read this far, I can tell you what the title of this post is all about. Over the past few months, I’ve been noodling with the notion of how I could characterize the changes that are about to be unleashed upon our customers. When I graduated from college, we moved from the Batch Era to the Online Era. In the late-eighties, we moved from the Online Era to the Distributed Era. In the mid-nineties, we moved from the Distributed Era to the Internet Era. And now, we are poised before what I was calling the Now Era.
For me, the Now Era was the time when computing was no longer an exercise in refering to data. Rather, it involved having instantaneous and ubiquitous access to the data. Further, Now Computing means being able to invoked services in real-time that will act upon the information you – the customer – needs. Indeed, Now Computing is about real-time access and real-time action.
Well, as I’ve pondered my role at Microsoft, I’ve reconsidered my desire to categorize the next computing era as the Now Era. Instead, I formally adopt the nomeclature of Microsoft. We are entering the Live Era. But I will put a little spin on the Microsoft slang. And I’ll do a mashiup with the outstanding LiveStrong efforts of the Lance Armstrong foundation. My new characterization will be the LiveNow crowd. We are part of the Live Era, and the emphasis is on the here and now (not the distant future).
And this mashup has another tangible meaning. I am alive now because of computing technology. Without my ICD, I would have gone to be with my Lord in Heaven. And while I desire that outcome with all my heart and spirit, I still have things to do in the here and now. So the LiveNow campaign blends my new career at Microsoft, the new era of computing, my continuing life and joy, my love of cycling, and a whole lot more. So don’t be surprised when you see me with a blue wristband right next to my LiveStrong wristband.
So team, let’s LiveNow.
-CyclingRoo-

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14 Seconds From Eternity

Lorin Olsen


I started to feel strange…
I checked my pulse…
It took 8.75 seconds to charge…
29.5J of energy were delivered…
I felt the explosion in my chest…
After fourteen seconds, it was over. My Medtronic Gem III VR 7231 saved my life. I was in a lethal cardiac rythmn. The general term for this rythmn is ventricular fibrillation. The med tech called it Torsades de Pointes rythmn. I call it a brush with destiny.
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Three and a half years ago, I died in the eye doctor’s office. But by God’s grace I am here to tell the tale. I call myself the CyclingRoo because I am an avid cyclist who is also an “electric roo” (a patient who has been saved through the use of an implantable cardioverter difibrilator.
As I noted in my inaugural post, I never really knew whether or not I needed this device – until six weeks ago. Late one night (while in a different city), I was awoken from sleep by my ICD. After talking to my cardiologist, I learned that I did indeed receive a life-saving therapy.
But I didn’t blog about the incident. I did not want to unnecessarily worry my kids. After all, the incident happened while the family was on an official visit to my daughter’s future college (SiU, Go Salukis). And my kids have enough things to worry about just being teenagers. At the same time, I was in the process of considering a new job. So I didn’t want to provoke a lot of medical questions as part of the interview. Of course, I did disclose my cardiac situation; how could it not be obvious given the blog postings over the past year.
I had every intention of blogging about the event this past weekend. I figured that it was time to fully disclose everything that is happening. But as usual, I got side-tracked. So I figured I would do the obligatory “catch-up” post this week (the last week I was going to be in the office with my current employer).
Now, circumstances have overtaken me.
Last night, I left the kitchen table and went out into the living room to watch some television and sit and chat with my beloved mother-in-law. BTW, I use the beloved term quite liberally. After my own Mom passed away, my mother-in-law has truly become my Mom. I will trust her with my deepest and most-heartfelt confidences as I know that she loves me unconditionally. It is fabulous having a mother-in-law who can assume some of the role that my Mom had! But I digress a bit…
I sat down on the couch and started to be a little short of breath. That hasn’t been unusual the past week. I’ve had a sinus infection and I have had real difficulty breathing. But this felt markedly different. I was feeling a little anxious and checked the pulse in my neck. It felt really weak. I checked the pulse on my wrist and it felt unremarkable. But I was starting to feel worse. So I remember putting my fingers back on my neck.
The next thing I remember was feeling my chest explode and hearing my youngest daughter shrieking in abject fear. She witnessed my conversion from death back to life. She saw my body convulse horribly. And I think she knew that something awful had happened. Mom could tell that something was wrong because she said I looked horrible. She was preparing to go for help when my ICD fulfilled its duties. In the course of fourteen seconds, I was headed to eternity. The med tech told me that nothing natural would have happened to prevent my death. Indeed, my ICD (and God’s grace) restored me to wholeness.
There is very little I can say that would fully describe what I am feeling. But here is my meager attempt.
First, I am overjoyed. My God has a purpose for me on this world. And that purpose is not fulfilled. He guided the innovative minds that created the Medtronic device. He guided the leaders of the company through countless clinical trials. He even prepared the surgeon who implanted the device. In all, God laid out a path for my continued mortal life. I can never express the immense gratitude that I have.
Second, I am nervous. I have just resigned from one employer (effective 12/31) and I have not yet started with my new employer. There will be no problem with Microsoft. Especially since this will not materially change anything. I am still able to perform everything that Microsoft needs from me. It may change some of my transit logistics, but that is inconsequential.
Third, I am anxious. I have no reason to fear. After all, the enemy is the real author of fear. But I can tell you that I have cried and prayed about how I am responding to this latest “therapy.” I can say that I am clearly holding on way too tightly. Last night, I was gripped with fear – fear of losing my wife and kids, fear of stumbling through my job transition. But the fear I am feeling is nothing more than fear itself. I have all that I need to thrive. I have a family. And I have a defibrillator that is my “ace in the hole.” So the only thing I have to fear is fear itself.
God, thank you for your continuing mercy and forbearance with such a frail servant. I love you and I will trust you in whatever you have laid before me. I will rest in my faith and expect your peace to come to me.
Friends, thank you for reading this. When I started, I had no idea what I would write. I only started with the odd feeling that “14 Seconds From Eternity” is what I should write about. Most of us have a recognition that there is more to living than just the day-to-day act of survival. Instead, it is an affirmation of Him who made us. We are His workmanship, created for good works in Christ. He calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice. I pray that I can fulfill this calling in your sight. And I pray that each of you (including the wife whom I love in indescribable ways) will hold me accountable for my spirit and my words. I need you now. Not for logistics but for the restoration of peace and joy.
For me, I clearly know that I am a mere fourteen seconds from eternity. May I make all of the moments that precede those final fourteen worthy of God’s approval.
-CyclingRoo-

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Where Do I Want to Go Today?

Lorin Olsen

First, I need to offer an apology to all of my loyal readers. For the past few weeks, I have been relatively inactive in my blogging. This has not been because I haven’t wanted to blog. Rather, it’s because I am going through some major changes that have required a degree of discretion.
Well, everything is now official. So I can cast discretion aside: As of January 1, 2006, I will become an employee of Microsoft Corporation.
…pause…pause…pause…
For many of you, this probably comes as a huge surprise. And in fairness, it is a surprise for me as well. I have been with Sprint for almost nineteen years. So this change is huge. But this change is welcome. For a better understanding of the reasons for my decision, please read the attached resignation letter.
From: Olsen, Lorin B [IT]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 8:27 AM
To: RnI-Computing
Subject: FW: Resignation
Team,
By now, each of you has had a chance to read the note that Wing sent to the entire team. In addition to his comments, I wanted to forward my resignation letter to each of you. It is a very strange thing to open my decision-making process to a wider audience. But by doing this, I wanted to ensure that each of you understood my motivations for this change.
I am truly inspired by the next wave of change that is going to sweep across the IT industry. And I want to be a part of the engine of change, not just watch the changes as they happen around me. With this in mind, I have decided to join my skills and abilities with the thousands of others that work for Microsoft. I believe that over the next few years, we will all be witness to yet another “sea-change” in computing technology. We will move from “Internet” computing to “now” computing – where IT is part of almost every task we will perform, and in real-time. We will move from computing as a reference resource to computing as the means to conduct our daily affairs. Is this new? No. But it will become ubiquitous. And I want to be a part of the engine of change.
As noted in my resignation letter, this decision is very difficult for me to make. After all, Sprint was the reason that I moved my family to the Midwest. Consequently, Sprint will always be part of the joy that I feel as an immigrant to the Midwest. But it is now time to broaden my career and my ability to impact the IT industry. As a parting gift, I offer each of you my prayers for your personal and professional success. May God bring you joy and peace as you labor in the fields. After all, there should be joy in the journey!
Sincerely,
Lorin Olsen
Sprint Nextel
IT Research & Innovation
Phone: ###.###.####
Mobile: ###.###.####
Email: Lorin.Olsen@sprint.com
“Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)
_____________________________________________
From: Olsen, Lorin B [IT]
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 10:25 AM
To: Lee, Wing K [IT]
Subject: Resignation
Wing,
As you know, I am the father of four wonderful children. And as a father, you know that every life decision that we make comes with both excitement and uncertainty. With these dual emotions at play, I am excited (and apprehensive) to inform you that I will be terminating my eighteen-year professional relationship with Sprint Nextel, effective December 31, 2005.
My reasons for departing Sprint are simple. I am seeking professional growth and the challenges of new opportunities. For eighteen years, I have been in senior management and senior technology positions within Sprint’s IT organization. From these positions, I have been part of the decision-making process that has led to many of the key IT infrastructures that are in use throughout Sprint. But over the past three-and-a-half years, I have not been able to achieve a level of success that is commensurate with my capabilities or my aspirations. And while I continue to be grateful for every opportunity that I have experienced, I truly need to be challenged in order to be satisfied.
With these aspirations in mind, I have been in active discussions with Microsoft for the past several weeks. Their Midwest region is in desperate need of the skills and excitement that I can offer. After a few weeks of careful (and heart-wrenching) introspection, I have decided to resign from Sprint and accept a position with Microsoft. I do not come to this decision casually. I have carefully considered and urgently prayed about this decision. And while I am saddened about the professional and personal ties that I will be leaving, I am nonetheless excited about the future that awaits me. I serve a living and loving God who has promised to walk with me into any and every challenge that I will face. Therefore, I will step out boldly and confront the new challenges that He has set before me.
It is my hope that this decision will cause you (and Sprint) no undue difficulties. Indeed, it is my hope that both you and I will be able to see the new opportunities that exist for both of us. I will remain a loyal Sprint customer as well as a loyal friend to the many associates I will no longer be working with. I wish you (and my many Sprint friends) an immense amount of success as you tackle the challenges that are before you. Indeed, I will pray for your personal and professional success in the future.
Sincerely,
Lorin Olsen
Sprint Nextel
IT Research & Innovation
Phone: ###.###.####
Mobile: ###.###.####
Email: Lorin.Olsen@sprint.com
“Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)
Well, there it is. Like the conquistadors, I don’t want to look back. All of my attention and energy will now be focused on providing real value to my new customers. And I can’t wait to get this party started!
-CyclingRoo-

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It’s Recall Time

Lorin Olsen

When I was growing up in the seventies, I remember when the US auto makers suffered through an interminible string of product recalls. Many of those recalls related to the new emission control guidelines that were imposed by the federal government. Even my Dad had to deal with recall problems. His Chevy Luv Truck was recalled for some kind of emission control repair.

But since that time, I really haven’t had to deal with any product recalls – until this month. As noted earlier, I was one of the fortunate folks who bought a Sony BMG CD with the much publicized XCP malware.

And in today’s email stack, I received a note from Nikon letting me know that their EL-EN3 battery pack (which I purchased for a Nikon D70 DSLR) has been deemed defective and worthy of a recall. Per instructions in the email (and on Nikon’s US site), I determined that my battery was one of the affected battery lots. I called Nikon USA and spoke with an able customer service rep who graciously and throoughly walked me through the recall options. When I started the call, I thought my wife was going to be out a battery for a few weeks. Instead, Nikon graciously offered to ship the new battery – with the provisio that they could bill my credit card for a battery if they didn’t receive my defective battery within thirty (30) days.

Wow! What a great way to accept responsibility for a flaw and offer the customer exemplary service to resolve the issue. Of course, the economics of the two situations are different. Sony sold millions of records with the defect. Nikon’s exposure probably numbered in the thousands. Sony did not have a database of affected users (unless you count the “phone home” spyware info that Sony collected). In Nikon’s case, they did have a list of email addresses for their registered users.

But despite the differences in customer data and/or recall scope, the difference in corporate attitude is what will stay with me. Sony seemed resentful that I would want a replacement for something that they had screwed up. Nikon seemed eager to solve the problem they had caused. There were no excuses. There was no backing away from responisbility. Nikon simply stepped up to their responsibility and did the right thing the first time. Bravo, Nikon. Your customer service tone will result in subsequent purchases by me and my family. May your example inspire all companies to “do the right thing” at the outset – not when you’re forced to.

-CyclingRoo-

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It's Recall Time

Lorin Olsen

When I was growing up in the seventies, I remember when the US auto makers suffered through an interminible string of product recalls. Many of those recalls related to the new emission control guidelines that were imposed by the federal government. Even my Dad had to deal with recall problems. His Chevy Luv Truck was recalled for some kind of emission control repair.
But since that time, I really haven’t had to deal with any product recalls – until this month. As noted earlier, I was one of the fortunate folks who bought a Sony BMG CD with the much publicized XCP malware.
And in today’s email stack, I received a note from Nikon letting me know that their EL-EN3 battery pack (which I purchased for a Nikon D70 DSLR) has been deemed defective and worthy of a recall. Per instructions in the email (and on Nikon’s US site), I determined that my battery was one of the affected battery lots. I called Nikon USA and spoke with an able customer service rep who graciously and throoughly walked me through the recall options. When I started the call, I thought my wife was going to be out a battery for a few weeks. Instead, Nikon graciously offered to ship the new battery – with the provisio that they could bill my credit card for a battery if they didn’t receive my defective battery within thirty (30) days.
Wow! What a great way to accept responsibility for a flaw and offer the customer exemplary service to resolve the issue. Of course, the economics of the two situations are different. Sony sold millions of records with the defect. Nikon’s exposure probably numbered in the thousands. Sony did not have a database of affected users (unless you count the “phone home” spyware info that Sony collected). In Nikon’s case, they did have a list of email addresses for their registered users.
But despite the differences in customer data and/or recall scope, the difference in corporate attitude is what will stay with me. Sony seemed resentful that I would want a replacement for something that they had screwed up. Nikon seemed eager to solve the problem they had caused. There were no excuses. There was no backing away from responisbility. Nikon simply stepped up to their responsibility and did the right thing the first time. Bravo, Nikon. Your customer service tone will result in subsequent purchases by me and my family. May your example inspire all companies to “do the right thing” at the outset – not when you’re forced to.
-CyclingRoo-

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SNARFing Up Email

Lorin Olsen

The folks at Microsoft Research are starting to take a page from the Google play book. Rather than wait for a product to be “fully cooked” before being released, we’re starting to see Microsoft Research release things in “Google-beta” mode. For example, Microsoft Research has just relased an experimental email management tool called SNARF. SNARF is advertised as a social networking tool for email. It certainly is that. But it reminds me of some of the thread management features that I once saw in Lotus Agenda and more recently in Symantec products like Act!
So what’s the verdict on SNARF? I’m still playing with it. But a couple of things come to mind:

  • The tool acts as a standalone add-on to Outlook. As such, it can be turned on or off. This has some drawbacks, but I much prefer that for any tool under active development (or testing on my desktop).
  • The tools does a very good job assembling email threads together.
  • The tool highlights the obvious feature of placeing the threads with the most interaction at the top of the list. And there appears to be some good methods of “favoring” threads from certain folks – like the boss.
  • The tool does take up a lot of desktop real estate. I don’t know if that’s good or not. I’ll have to play with it some more.

For now, I am optimistic that this could be a very intersting method of adding real “importance” (not just a flag) to message threads. If this could be combined with other social networking tools like content tagging, I think we’d have a big winner. But for now, I’m cautiously impressed. If you want to read more on the subject, check out the guides written by Microsoft Research. I wish they use a wiki so people could assist in writing the guides, but maybe that will come later…
-CyclingRoo-

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The New Hotness

Lorin Olsen


Old and busted, meet the new hotness. This week, we are seeing some amazing releases that have been in development for many months. As everyone must know already, Firefox 1.5 is finally available in a GA form. I’ve been using trunk builds and release candidates for several months. And now everyone can share the fun.
So what’s so new? Well, Firefox 1.5 delivers on nearly every front. In this new release, you’ll find:

  • Improved speed,
  • Improved security,
  • Improved stability,
  • An automated product update facility (that includes incremntal updates as well as forklift updates),
  • Improved graphical rendering (via SVG),

and a host of other functions. If you want to see the full list, check out the release notes.
And the extension developers haven’t been standing still either. The new version of Greasemonkey (0.6.4) features a new script installer and a new menuing system (otherwise known as “MonkeyMenus”). If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, then you know how excited I am about AJAX and Greasemonkey. And this new version continues to deliver the goods.
But lest I f0rget competition, it is important to note that even Microsoft is taking notice of the new excitement of Web 2.0. I can’t wait for IE 7 to go GA. It will be great to have real competition in the market once again. With Mozilla and Microsoft both striving to outdeliver and outperform each other, the users will be the real winners. I love healthy competition!
-CyclingRoo-

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