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When I consider project management, I find that managing what needs to be done in a project is rather easy... as long as I am the only person I have to manage.

What really becomes a challenge is trying to manage communication with various people. I have to manage communication with clients, partners, vendors and employees. It can be a daunting task.

For a professional project manager, there are tools like MS Project that can help bring things together. I don't like that sort of tool for the projects I manage because it offers far more than I want to learn. I don't think in terms of a Gantt Chart. I don't like to worry about some of the things it manages.... especially since my projects have 2 or 3 resources to worry about. continue reading...

So, I just bought a new laptop. Given the nature of what I do, I had to get a Windows Vista machine. I wish more of my clients used a Mac so that I could do more development on my Mac.

Maybe one day.

I had it installed with Vista Ultimate because it doesn't make sense to me to intentionally get a version of an operating system that is missing features. I have spent about seven (7) hours getting it all set up. I had to turn off various security features (like User Account Control and prevention of non-digitally signed drivers) and work through installation problems just to get it all to finally work for me.

I then needed to set up my Exchange account and Google IMAP accounts. For those of you who have ever set up Outlook, you know that you can't set up Exchange from within Outlook. If you try, you get this error:

Notice that it indicates that you should go to the Control Panel and open the Mail icon.

So, here are the icons that are around what should be the Mail icon. continue reading...

When I shop, I really don't like to talk to anyone from sales until I understand what it is I want. Then, I only want to talk with them to fulfill the order. That is why when I go to the store, I get frustrated when the commissioned sales person asks if there is anything they can help me find. (But, admittedly, I am a hypocrite, because I also get a little upset when they don't flock to me the instant I need them).

So, because of this attitude of mine... this complicated dichotomy of how I view people should interact with me, I prefer to do much of my research and shopping online. I get to be all by myself until I need someone and then I get to engage the sales staff when I am ready.

The real problem I have with so much online shopping places is the lack of proper communication options for me. I personally don't want to talk with a sales person on the phone. I don't want to call. I don't want to get a call back. I am on the internet because I want privacy. I want to be a part of my own little world until which point I am willing to purchase and give you my personal information. continue reading...