TroubleShooter » Inspirations

Console generations do not compute?

Colin Beveridge — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:11:05 +0000

Here’s an interesting paradox: as the use of computers has grown, the number of youngsters wanting to study them has fallen. This is leading serious [academic and political] concern about the loss of technology skills and future capability.

I have heard much talk recently about the apparent difficulty of attracting young people to computing. Some of the UK commentators hark back to the early 1980s, the heyday of the ubiquitous micro computers, such as the BBC Micro and Clive Sinclair’s budget computers (ZX80/81 and Spectrum).

The Micro generation of the early ’80s were keen to make computers do things, their boxes had to be programmed and the kids soon picked up the skills and the principles involved.

No wonder then that our schools responded to the technology bow-wave and brought computing to the classroom. The kit was there and the kids were there.

Thirty years on, though, the DIY micro has long since given way to the games console – plug-and-play devices which need no understanding of, or technical facility with, the technology.

So we have successive ‘Console’ generations who just like playing games and are less likely to want to know about making computers do things, apart from achieving a higher score, a higher level or perhaps an even quicker cheat.

If we really want to get back to fostering computing skills from an early age, we don’t need another games console. We need a ZX80 or BBC Micro for the 21st Century

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Threshold systems and Vertigo

Colin Beveridge — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:51:47 +0000

Matt Jones gave a great presentation at CityCampLondon. This was a far-reaching and highly entertaining perspective. Well worth watching, and re-watching (see below).

My observation/ question to Matt on the day was how his concept of Threshold systems might be the reverse perspective/ corollary to the plethora of web portals.

Matt Jones, Design Director, Berg from aquila on Vimeo.

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no second chances to make a last impression

Colin Beveridge — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:33:10 +0000

What are the most memorable words that you have heard from someone leaving a job?

Have you thought about what will be your own parting words, when the time comes to leave your present job?

Picture credit: Kill Pop

Will you go out in a blaze of quiet apathy, or will you make a pithy statement that erstwhile colleagues will remember for many a year?

Ten years ago, as I finished an eventful assignment, I signed off with a crib from the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels by closing my final email message with the immortal line (uttered by Big Chris – Vinnie Jones) “It’s been emotional…”

Of course, not all of my colleagues had seen the film so the ironic effect was diluted.

But for those who got the joke, it was appreciated and remembered some years later when we met again.

You never get a second chance to make a last impression

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treadmill or travelator?

Colin Beveridge — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:59:54 +0000

How does your career path look, like a treadmill or like a travelator?

Picture credit: lars hammar

For most people it’s fairly easy to tell because they are head down, covering the same ground – day in, day out. They are relentlessly driving the treadmills that power our organizations.

But even those who believe that they are striding purposefully towards a goal, using a travelator to accelerate their progress, may find that they are actually on a treadmill – albeit with a much longer band. Travelators may save time and energy but don’t generate power.

Getting to a destination quickly isn’t much good unless you have something purposeful to do when you arrive.

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