I like this idea.

I can see two places in Sametime where context information might be useful

1. Within my buddy list I can add some context information, or within the actual chat window.

2. when I set up a notification, to be able to add some text about why I want the notification to appear might also be useful.

If you like this idea click the technocrati button on the left or share it with someone!

The application is a dynamic address book that lets you search for people across multiple accounts and social networks as well as in the popular CRM system, Salesforce, Whitepages, Yellowpages, and Yelp. But CallSpark isn’t simply a useful address book service, it also lets you view real-time information about whoever you’re calling. For people, that includes the most recent social networking updates from Facebook and Twitter, while for business listings, there’s even more interactive content available thanks to customizable listings called “RingPages.”

As an SUT user I can now use my desktop to dial out to anybody including my social networking contacts.  If we could hook the Sametime address book with a CallSpark like service we could provide an aggregated address book of all my contacts including social software sites and the corporate directory.

Callspark also pulls real-time information about the person we are about to call into your view think status information from Facebook and Twitter. We have status information in Lotus Connections so an aggregation of this data around the person we are about to call would also prove to be useful.

A thought…if you found this useful please share with someone!

What is the future of technology enhanced collaboration?

Answer

My response to this question was given in terms of a demonstration around Sametime 3D and using brain storming and project management tools within the Sametime 3D virtual world construct.

How do I log into Sametime 3D from Lotus Notes 8.5

Answer

Asusming you have the appropriate plugins and access to the secure Opensim environment here is a video showing the steps. (more video to come on this topic)

Question:

How can I change my sametime setting so messages don’t pop up on my screen?

Answer:

I sorted the problem out for him but I thought I would share the quick fix with you.

Lotus Sametime Offerings Comparison Matrix

It is really exciting to be able to access the servers, I think this is a brilliant development.  I hope that Universities, Government agencies, and Private companies start to look at this technology as a way to seriously change the way they collaborate and become innovation and productivity power houses.  

Here is a (rough) video that I have just created showing the steps I needed to take to access this virtual world.  If you are interested in more videos showing different capabilities please let me know.

 Will this technology distrupt web conferencing and training providers?  Will this technology drive other vendors to produce their own bolt on solution?  Lots of questions and no answers as yet.

For many of us the use of virtual worlds such as OpenSim and Secondlife provides business benefit when we can extend the existing collaboration tools such as web-based teamrooms, instant messaging, telephone conference calls etc.

IBM Research has released a demo of a group of meeting participants moving from an online chat conference to a virtual world 3D interface for collaboration.

The idea isn’t new reference Islab  Tixeo and I-maginer but this is huge step forward to bring these tools into the mainstream.  Other corporates such as Sun have a Project Wonderland to perform similar collaboration functions but IBM’s partnership with Linden Labs and continuing work with OpenSim probably give them an edge in terms of delivering Enterprise solutions (I am happy to be corrected here if you have a good arguement).  

Sidenote: I like the fact that I can download the code for Project Wonderlsand and have a play – I might see if I can schedule some time to do that…does it work on Debian?

Here is a video from Youtube showing Lotus Sametime and Virtual Worlds integration – v cool.

The challenges for corporates it that it opens a whole new experience for employees, customers and partners.  With this new experience a set of guidelines needs to be created to guide new users.  A sample of some virtual world guidelines can be found here.  These are reminisant of the blogging guidelines. 

Many of the organisations I talk to are looking to deliver cultural change within their organisations and see Social Software (blogging, et al) as a way of doing this.  Employers and employees are just starting to come to terms with Instant messaging, project team rooms and document sharing, they struggle with the beenfits of  blogging and the value of virtual world or 3D collaboration is going to be a hard sell in the first instance.  However , slow uptake of new tools may create an opportunity for those forward thinking organisations.  Perhaps these organisations can gain competitive advantage?  Some of the high level benefits realised by employers and employees from Social Software and potentially 3D collaboration tools.

Employees are:

• more engaged with the company and its goals
• excited about the tools they have available to them which means they can do a better job (and be more satisfied)
• and maybe this will drive an increased level of flexibility ion the work force as these new ways of working change our expectations

There is a downside (of course) as there will be:

• those who do not want to give “it a go”
• those without the technical knowledge/trianing to be able to use these tools so the new tools create fear and therefore resistance within the workforce

Interesting challenges ahead for technologist, managers and employess – I am hugely excited about these developments and enjoy being a (small) part of it.  If you want to be part of IBM research’s Sametime and 3D internet pilot contact me with some details and I will pass on your request to the right person (Karen Keeter).