Say goodbye to Collanos Workplace — Say hello to Glasscubes

It’s been a while since I last posted to my blog.  I’m not a typical blogger who must post something daily.  I add a posting when I have something to share.  In this post, I’m finally saying “Goodbye to Collanos Workplace.”  Collanos was a great collaboration software tool.  Unfortunately, the company that owns Collanos let it become idle and erratic to the point it is no long reliable.  Because of this, I could no longer ask students or colleagues to use Collanos.  Additionally, no one at Collanos has paid any attention to the discussion forums.  Someone has attacked the forums and posted lots of links to undesireable materials.  As I said, it’s time to say goodbye to Collanos!

I spent a considerable amount of time searching for a web-hosted collaboration software service.  There are lots of services (both free and for fee) out there; however, none really performed the way I wanted.

I read a review about a hosted collaboration service called Glasscubes and decided to check it out.  I was very surprised by how easy it is to use, its versatility, features, and outstanding tech support.  The host is located in London (UK).  I now use Glasscubes with students and research colleagues.  They like Glasscubes much better than Collanos Workplace.

Check out Glasscubes.  Click here to access the Glasscubes blog web page.

I wish you a happy, prosperous 2012.

Rick Lillie (Cal State, San Bernardino)

Kno in talks to sell off Kno tablet part of its business

On September 27, 2010, I posted comments about the Kno computer, a unique hardware/software design that seemed like it could really change the way students combine textbooks and computer technology.  I’ve followed Kno’s activities, which have been slow to materialize, leading me to think that Kno may be more talk than action.

This morning, I read an interesting article on D|All Things Digital by Kara Swisher titled “Exclusive:  Kno Student Tablet Start-up in Talks to Sell Off Tablet Part of Its Business.”

It appears that my suspicions may turn out to be correct (i.e., more hype than action).  If so, this is unfortunate.  Based on the promo materials and feedback from student test groups, Kno computer hardware/software was quite good.  It’s interesting that Kno may be looking at iPad applications.  Personally, I think this is a mistake.  Sorry, I’m not an iPad fan and don’t view the iPad as a tablet computer at all.

Kno seems to be going the way of TokBox. Develop a great idea and then screw it up by leaving what you do best and moving into something that you may not be best suited for.  Some people call this innovation.  Others see this as the road to failure.  You choose.

Rick Lillie (CalState San Bernardino)

TechCrunch reports on Skype’s Big Move to the Web (12/5/2010)

TechCrunch reported today that Skype is making its move to web-based products and services.  This will certainly liven things up as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and tons of start-up companies make the leap into the cloud.  Click the icon below to access today’s TechCruch article written by Jason Kincaid.

Skype

Happy reading,

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)

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Collanos Workplace — Seems to have died! Maybe it has risen from the dead. Are you a believer? I’m skeptical at best.

In a previous posting, I introduced you to Collanos Workplace and told you how great the collaboration software is, especially for use with distance teaching and learning projects.  I have used it successfully with both undergraduate and graduate students.  For example, during Winter Quarter 2010, I used Collanos Workplace to guide five grad students through independent study projects.  Collanos Workplace made it easy to communicate with students and keep the whole process under control.  In a nutshell, I felt that Collanos Workplace was a great collaboration tool!

No more.  Unfortunately, something has gone awry with Collanos Workplace.  It is no longer reliable.  One moment the Collanos screen indicates that I am online and connected to the Collanos system.  The next moment it indicates that I am offline.  So far during this Fall Quarter 2010, Collanos Workplace has been up and down like a yo-yo on a string! When it works, it’s great.  It’s the rest of the time that has soured me on Collanos Workplace.

I emailed Collanos Workplace tech support several times about the problems my students and I are encountering with connecting to the Collanos system.  NO ONE appears to be either monitoring the Collanos system or responding to support questions.

I understand that Collanos Workplace is available as free software.  However, the company’s unwillingness to respond to support questions or to at least keep users aware of system problems and corrective actions being taken is unacceptable.  Collanos, like many software developers and hosted services, seems to have adopted the industry practice of hiding behind its website and ignoring user requests for help.  This is truly unfortunate.

Collanos Workplace WAS a great collaboration software tool.  It could still be a great tool IF Collanos would pay attention to its software.

I do not write negative comments about software tools very often.  However, this time I am truly disappointed in what has happened to Collanos Workplace software.  I hate to lose a great software tool.  Collanos Workplace software will be remembered.

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)

Collanos Workplace Tombstone

EPILOGUE  (11/13/10)

After days (even weeks) of not being able to “connect” to Collanos Workplace, suddenly it connects!  Collanos is NOT known for paying attention to its users (i.e., by email or postings to forums).  Of all the software developers that I have experienced over the years, Collanos is one of the most arrogant.  Noting that Collanos Workplace now seems to be back up and “connecting,” I checked the Collanos forum to see if there was a posting that explained the resurrection of Collanos Workplace from the dead.

Below is a screenshot of the notice posted November 8, 2010 by the Collanos CEO.  What an attitude.  No apology.  No we’re sorry for the inconvenience.  No apology for being silent for so long.

Based on its history, think twice before using Collanos Workplace again!  To bad.  Collanos Workplace is damn good software (when it works and the company pays attention to its product and support).

EPILOGUE  (11/15/10)

I monitored Collanos Workplace for the past couple of days.  After months of sporadic performance, it finally works!  Apparently, Helfenstein (and his staff) discovered the problem(s) with communication servers and fixed them.  Congratulations!

While I am happy to see Collanos Workplace working again, I am not willing to accept the half-assed technical support provided by Collanos.  For months, no one would respond to postings from users complaining about the sporadic, poor performance of Collanos Workplace.  Silence on the part of Collanos is not golden.  Silence represents total disrespect for users of Collanos Workplace.

While I like Collanos Workplace, and believe it may be better than Groove, I am leery about trusting Collanos and its willingness to stand behind its products and service.

EPILOGUE (12/05/2010)

I have been testing Collanos Workplace almost on a daily basis since November 15, 2010 (see above comment).  Each time I log into Collanos Workplace, connection to the servers happens almost immediately.  This is the best it has worked throughout all of 2010.  It looks like Collanos Workplace is working again.  I will probably take a chance during my upcoming Winter Quarter 2011 classes and use Collanos Workplace with graduate students doing independent study projects. However, I remain skeptical about Collanos Workplace.  It is incredible software.

It’s the silence from Collanos Software that makes me uneasy about the company.   Comments posted to the Collanos discussion board are mostly old and outdated.  The last posting from Peter Helfenstein, CEO of Collanos Software was November 8, 2010.  Since then, there’s been absolutely nothing said by anyone from Collanos Software that I can find on the Collanos discussion board.

Does this seem like a good way to run an organization to you?

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)

Top 100 Tech Tools for 2010

Each year, I look forward to the “Top 100 Tools for Learning” list compiled by Jane Hart (Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies, UK).  This year’s tools were recommended by 545 learning professionals from around the world.  You may recognize many of the tools on the list.  Some have been around for a while.  Pay particular attention to tools shaded in “blue.”  These are new to the 2010 list.  Click the picture below to access the Top 100 Tools for Learning web page.

 

Top 100 Tools for 2010

 

The Top 100 Tools for Learning listing is presented in a table format, designed to be explored.  On the web page, you can click the tool title (highlighted in “red”) to access the tool’s web page.  Below is a screenshot of the information table format.

 

Top 100 Tools - Table Presentation

 

The web page also includes links to useful information about technology tools.  You can click the titles on the web page to view support pages.  Below is a screenshot of the list of support pages.

 

Links to Support Pages

 

Technology tools can help you to create and share materials that you include in your courses, whether they be face-to-face, blended, or fully online formats.  Move beyond support materials provided by textbook publishers.  Let your creativity shine through to your students.

If you are new to using technology tools, select a tool and learn how to use it.  You won’t break the tool.  You may find it to be a fun, personal learning experience.

Don’t be afraid to listen to your students.  They will share helpful comments that will help you to create and share dynamic instructional materials.  Your students will appreciate your willingness to include technology in your teaching-learning experience.

Enjoy!

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)

 

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Introducing “Kno” — Unique approach to computer design

Here’s a technology change that is worth looking into.  Late last week, I read a blog comment about Kno, a computer designed to be a digital textbook, with touch screen interaction in a single or dual screen format.  It’s a tablet computer that you can write on, highlight, watch video, and read.  It includes a pen stylus with inking technology like full-blown tablet computers.  Kno can include a student’s textbooks, course materials, notes, web links, and more.  It’s a complete tablet computer.  Click the picture below to view the Kno website.  View the video and listen to reactions from students who use Kno.

I have used an IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPad X61 for sometime now.  It’s an incredible machine that in my opinion goes way beyond the capabilities of Apple’s  iPad.  I can hardly wait to see the Kno tablet computer.  This is exciting technology.

Enjoy.

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)

Kno Tablet Computer with Dual Screens

Podcast: The Google Generation — Myth or Reality?

JISC is an advisory committee to higher education in the UK.  Periodically, JISC issues research reports about higher education.  Click the icon below to access one of JISC’s latest reports dealing with “The Google Generation.“

We have all heard about “Millennial” students and how tech savvy they are supposed to be.  From my experience, I am not at all certain that what we hear is true.  I find that Millennial (Google Generation) students have the fastest thumbs in the west and can answer a cell phone call at the speed of light.  Beyond this, their technology related skills, from an academic perspective, seem quite limited.

This JISC podcast talks about characteristics of Millennial (Google Generation) students.  It runs about 22 minutes.  Click the icon below to access the JISC website.  Click the start button (>) to listen to the podcast.

Enjoy.

Rick Lillie (CalState San Bernardino)

JISC Podcast

Link to related article:  Google Generation is a myth, says new research (JISC)

Sometimes, the solution is to just buy a new mouse!

During the December 2009 holiday break, I took the plunge, gave up Windows XP, and did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional.  While the clean install process was a bit painful, I really like Windows 7.  In late June 2010, I again took the plunge and upgraded to Microsoft Office 2010.  Again, I really like features of Office 2010, especially the changes to  Outlook 2010.

Shortly after installing Office 2010, a strange thing started happening.  The mouse cursor started freezing on the screen.  The problem was sporadic and the freeze lasted momentarily.

Freezing Mouse Cursor

The problem did NOT occur prior to installation of Office 2010.  The challenge was to figure out what caused the freezing cursor problem.  Was it Office 2010?  Was Windows 7 conflicting somehow with Office 2010?  Was my Logitech mouse going bad?  All of a sudden were the mouse drivers built into Windows 7 not playing nicely with the Logitech mouse drivers?

Before trying to solve the “big issue,” I needed to solve a “smaller issue.”  My system is configured to use two wide-screen monitors;  sometimes finding the cursor was quite a challenge.   When the cursor would freeze, I often had trouble finding where the cursor was when it came back to life.  When I had my speakers turned on, an electronic chime something like “bing-bong” would play.  This told me the cursor came back to life.  Where was it?

Two wide screen monitors

To solve this problem, I changed a mouse setting on the Control Panel.  With this change, I could press the Ctrl key on the keyboard and a big circle would pop up around the cursor arrow.  This simple setting change made it easy to find the cursor and saved me a lot of frustration.

Setting Mouse Properties

My Logitech was a USB plug-n-play mouse.  I unplugged the mouse and plugged it back in.  The system found the mouse device and installed the internal device driver software.  The Logitech mouse worked, but the freezing cursor problem continued.  After unplugging and plugging back in the mouse several times, I decided I needed help.

I did a Google search for “Windows 7 and freezing mouse problems.”  The search turned up tons of postings about the problem which suggested to me that the problem might be a Windows 7 issue.  If this were the case, the solution rested a “higher authority” (i.e., Microsoft).  I called Microsoft’s “800″ tech support hot line.  Since my Microsoft software was within the warranty period and was properly registered, Microsoft Tech Support was willing to work with me.

I worked with three different Microsoft  Tech Support people.  All were patient with me and very thorough in analytical steps taken.  Tech support  uninstalled/reinstalled the Windows 7 internal mouse device driver software.  They updated my Logitech mouse drivers.  They checked error logs and traced error messages.  Twice, we thought the problem was resolved.

Each time we thought the problem was resolved, it turned out to be like taking a pet to the Vet’s office.  When you’re at the Vet’s office, your pet seems to be just fine.  It’s after you return home and its just you and your pet that problems surface again!  This is what happened with my freezing cursor problem.  It kept reoccurring.

During the last call to Microsoft Tech Support (yes, I had a well-used case number), it became clear that somehow the Windows 7 internal mouse driver and the Logitech updated mouse driver were not playing nicely with each other.  This seemed to be the reason the mouse driver worked one moment but not the next.

Both the tech support person and I reached the conclusion about the same moment.  Perhaps, it’s time for the “final solution” (i.e., buy a new mouse).  I hopped on my motor scooter and drove to Staples where I purchased a new Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500.  The new mouse cost about $25 plus sales tax.  It’s a clean, simple design that plugs into a USB port.

Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500 - Windows 7 Compatible

After several days of frustration, telephone calls, system changes, and a reoccurring freezing mouse cursor, the problem appears to be solved!  Sometimes, the simplest solution for computer operating problems is to reboot the machine and hope for the best.  In this case, the simplest solution was to purchase a new Windows 7 compatible mouse.  Naturally, the brand name was Microsoft.

Appreciate your computer mouse.  It makes life better.

Rick Lillie (CalState San Bernardino)

Bye-Bye TokBox Video Messaging — Great Loss for Distance Teaching and Learning

On July 22, 2010, TokBox posted the following message to its blog page informing users that TokBox video messaging (as we have known it) is gone.  TokBox is changing its emphasis to “live” video meetings and conferences.  Here is part of what TokBox said about the change.

As we started listening to users and working out how we could make TokBox the simplest group video conferencing service on the web, we realized we’d have to make some difficult decisions.  One of those was to remove stand-alone video messaging functionality and instead to integrate video messaging more deeply in to our video conferencing experience.

We realize that many of you have enjoyed sending video messages in the past, but hope that you can appreciate that they do not play a role in our larger mission of being the simplest group video conferencing on the web and we hope that you will continue to enjoy real-time video conferencing.

Thoughts About Losing TokBox Video Messaging:  Sheer Disappointment!

Click the start option (>) to view a short video commentary about TokBox’s decision to drop video messaging from its hosted services.  I am terribly disappointed with their decision.  View my comments.  Reply to this post, if you like.

Strengths of TokBox Video Messaging

TokBox Replacement Strategy

Rick Lillie (CalState San Bernardino)

Update: “Wonder Cloth” by ACS – Great way to keep your monitor screen clean

On December 10, 2008, I wrote about a product called a micro-fiber cleaning cloth that makes it easy to clean a monitor screen.  Today, I received a comment about the micro-fiber cleaning cloth product from Michael Beyer (Maid in Chicago).  Michael provides additional information that I thought might be helpful.  I find the micro-fiber cleaning cloth to be particularly useful for keeping the screen on my IBM ThinkPad Tablet PC clean of finger prints.  The cloth is easy to keep clean and is inexpensive.  Check out the information shared by Michael.  Give the product a try.  It’s worth it.

Enjoy,

Rick Lillie (CalState, San Bernardino)