Circumlocutions

I’m in training this week for Scripting and Automating WebSphere Application Server (WAS) v.6.1. I currently script and automate WASv.6.1 but I do it much the way a typical toddler solves differential calculus. Hence, the training.

Betwixt the lectures and labs I’ve been seeing some interesting things I wanted to share (read as tweet) but haven’t been able to (thanks to a bandwidth tight agency around the holidays restricting everything from twitter to gmail):

• EverNote and Eye-Fi teamed up, hopefully making the whole so much more than the sum of its parts: http://lifehacker.com/5106529/evernote-teams-up-with-eye+fi-for-wireless-photo-upload
  • While we’re on the topic, I wonder if EverNote ever plans to allow users to “draw” on photos? That would be one killer addition to the currently great mobile version.
• I downloaded and installed the newest ceTwit for WindowsMobile touchscreen phones. http://www.kosertech.com/blog/?page_id=5
  • Great job on it, but I’d love touch scrolling functionality.
• I got an interesting email from the E-Discovery section of ABA discussing Aguilar v. US Immigration and Customs… http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/getopn.pl?OPINION=07-1819.01A
• Will post more when I have time to review the salient points of the email.

Well, that’s all for now. Time to head home.

http://davefleet.com/2008/11/how-rich-is-your-communication-conflict/

Interesting article discussing conflict resolution through various media formats. I wanted to share my expeiences with email in particular.

The uselessness of email as a serious communication method cannot be overstated. I have stepped into heated email threads across divisions by walking to one side’s desk and simply stating the same argument that was made by email. The result? Smiles, cooperation.

Have you ever received an email that infuriated you? I have. I must admit that I have sent emails that I knew would frustrate people. One word responses, deliberately not answering the unasked-but-implied question. When I’ve had my coffee, though, I will never reply to an email that gets to me when I receive it. If it’s possible I’ll walk over to discuss the issue with the person; if that’s not possible, I’ll wait until I can write a rational and unemotional response.

Using email without actively thinking about its possible pitfalls will never work for you.