Technology and Families

One area in which I am very interested is how technology impacts family life, or more specifically, how it affects family life satisfaction.  In the information-rich environment in which many live, it seems to be tempting to live a life without specific focus or with misdirected focus.  On the other hand, the relative ease with which most can access information may enable the disciplined to live a very focused life and live a more personally fulfilling life than they would otherwise.  Masses of information could decrease family life fulfillment or, as this article suggests, it could lead to greatly satisfying family life.  This article from BBC news reports some interesting research findings.  I haven't seen the actual research, but I am interested in the details of how the research was conducted. 

Sharing Large Files

LifeHack Magazine published an article in which they review 7 ways to send huge files.  It is a fine list for starters, however as you begin searching you'll soon discover that there are much more than just the 7 ways described in the article.  Some of these tools provide online storage of files which is a central site for sharing large files.  The storage capacity is limited on some of the sites (unless you choose to pay for increased storage capacity), and others automatically purge files after a certain time has passed.

Concept Maps

Just found this great web site in which several concept and mind map sites are consolidated and summarized.  The idea of concept maps/mind maps is intriguing to me because of the application to information relationship discovery and management especially across an enterprise.  

Visual display metasearch

KartOO is a very cool metasearch engine (searches using multiple search engines).  It presents search results in what looks like an idea cloud or map and puts them in context of relationships to each other and classifying subjects. 

Personal Financial Information Management System

Mint has only been available for about a year, and has already won several awards.  Check out the web site for more details.  It is very easy to use and provides great features!  I signed up in 5 to 10 minutes and immediately was able to see an analysis of my spending over the past 90 days.  It also gave me suggestions for improving my savings plan to earn more interest than I currently earn. 

Findability

Here is an interesting web site with several links to other interesting web sites about information technology including discussions and demos of the future of information management.

Visual Information Tool

Ok, so here's one many have probably already known about for a while, but I just discovered it and find it very useful and intriguing.  Tag Galaxy gives you the opportunity to search images (flickr only I believe) on the web and see them on an interactive sphere in a "galaxy" context with related subjects surrounding the subject of your initial search.  Any sphere in the galaxy can be readily searched and the sphere itself might actually be another galaxy with related subjects revolving around it, ready for further exploration. 

Idea Mapping and Processing

Axon2000 is one of many software solutions to help "thinkers" keep track of ideas and organize information.

Data Accuracy

A primary aim for most companies is a comprehensive "view" or understanding of their customer.  Remember the 5 magic questions from Eric Denna.  Every company should understand: 1.  Whom you serve and what do those you serve need to do?  2.  What services do you provide to help them accomplish this?  3.  How do you know you are fulfilling your purpose successfully?  4.  How do you provide your services?  5.  How should you organize to provide your services successfully? 

Powerful answers to these questions requires powerful data.  How is the power of data manifest?  Data power is realized in the information and knowledge it generates.  In terms of electrical power, information and knowledge are the electrical tools and data are like the electrons.  Data power is therefore likened to its accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.  Accurate data are true electrons, with the proper charge and attributes.  Timely data are influenced by the medium in which the true electrons travel.  Complete data don't have a correlating attribute in this comparison.  How is data accuracy, timeliness, and completeness enhanced so that the resulting power of information and knowledge can be maximized?  The answer is data management.  A significant energy input is required for quality data management.  When there are many competing company initiatives, how can the significant energy draw of a data management be justified or the cost of the energy mitigated?  I propose that a justification should be found in company goals and objectives.  The cost of the energy, in terms of all resources, can be mitigated with technology (the right technology).