Tag: Google

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Adobe’s PowerPoint killer ?

Billed as a collaborative slideware application Adobe Labs has launched Presentations.  Yet after building a series of prezos and testing the waters I must admit: I was expecting a lot more with Adobe’s online reputation.

adobe_presentations
adobe presentations

At first glance you may ask is this Adobe’s PowerPoint Killer?  Actually the real competition is with SlideRocket, a strong online presentation tool that has been online for a couple of years and gathering high praise. Both Keynote and SlideRocket take a strong visual approach to authoring slide presentations.

Look at Photoshop.com to see how powerful visual tools can be migrated from the desktop to the internet.  In the end desktop competitors PowerPoint and Keynote along with online competitor SlideRocket are much more robust presentation tools.

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Design Education Globalization Google Innovation Network Technology

Wolfram|Alpha

Wolfram|Alpha is launching tonight.  It looks to be another step forward in Search.  Billed by Wolfram as the “computational knowledge engine” the reviews so far are good.  You can watch a powerful screencast showing the power of Alpha here.

Wolfram|Alpha search engine
Wolfram|Alpha search engine

The launch does not mean Alpha is a Google killer as many have written, but rather a step forward in our ability to tap vast amounts of data in new ways.  I’m looking forward to utilizing the power of Alpha.

Tags: Search Engine, Wolfram, Alpha, advanced technologies, trends

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Design Education Globalization Google Network OpenSource Technology

Google Docs in education

Big thanks to my most excellent colleague John Pederson at WiscNet about this video.  Take a moment and listen to the testimonials all you administrative bean counters and computer directors. BTW: How many of you are facing budget cuts this year?

Remember Google makes this solution to schools  F O R  F R E E.

Tags: Google, education, network, teaching, globalization, trends

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Design Education Globalization Google Milwaukee Network Reading Technology

Latest read: Competing on Analytics

How can you compete today in a globalized, highly competitive world? One very smart solution: Analytics. From Google and Amazon to the Boston Red Sox organizations (yes sports teams included) are succeeding by competing on analytics with proven results. Just ask the Yankees…
competing on analyticsCompeting on Analytics: The New Science of Winning from Harvard Business School Press is simply a must read for your organization. New data analysis tools and the internet have changed the rules for competition.

This book is not about Google Analytics. This book has a focus on business intelligence, analysis and data reporting that changed the competitive landscape. Consider this NY Times article about the use of analytics in the Boston Celtics organization.

It would be a mistake to think your organization is immune to the lessons shared in this book. I was even surprised how poorly my former employers rate in this book. Some feel colleges need not apply business intelligence to admissions, continuing education, communication and strategic planning. This book proves that notion dead on arrival.

The shift in data gathering tools and enhanced analysis proves this a key tool for any organization moving forward in a tough economy and market with a shrinking pool of customers. Your probably losing prospects to your competition as a result of analytics and business intelligence conveyed in smart communication.

Michael McIntyre taught me lessons regarding You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know (YDKWYDK) and how it deeply impacts organizations. The single key to winning with analytics is the total support by the CEO — from the top down — and this is where most organizations simply fail.

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Cyberinfrastructure Education Globalization Google Innovation Network OpenSource Technology

Jumping into the cloud

internet cloudThe huge success of web apps have made me think about jumping into the cloud with Microsoft’s Office suite.

Back in the day, Office was really the only game in town. Today Google’s App services had taken the lead in the Web2.0 surge.

Apps provide great functionality and workgroup solutions for free.  Many users will never push Excel to its limits. Google Apps which includes a powerful spreadsheet app is definitely good enough for many of us on a day to day basis.

Robert Scoble announced:

I’ve been watching my usage. In two months I’ve only used Outlook out of the entire Office Suite. Everything else? Moved onto online services.”
– 09:06 AM April 30, 2008 from web

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