792 - From a TV Show to a Button - Upgrading Changes.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 20, 2013.
#792 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,234 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
Host: Learning 2013 - Nov 3 to 6 - Orlando - 1,079 Registered Already!

1. From a TV Show to a Button: Upgrading Changes!
2. Absentee Voting Reminder.

1. From a TV Show to a Button: Upgrading Changes! I had a huge “AHA” this morning. And, it was about how much the world of system changes has evolved in the past 20 years.

This morning, I upgraded my iPhone and iPad to iOS7. This is not a review of these new systems, but about the shift in ease of upgrade. In a nutshell, I went to the Settings menu, pressed one button that said iOS7 Upgrade and waited for 15 minutes while the full operating system of my device was changed, a new code was downloaded and all of my content and apps were still there. One button and 15 minutes later, my device was upgraded.

Now, let me take you back to January 1995. I was asked by Microsoft and Bill Gates to be the host of a TV show called Windows 95, a new operating system they were planning to release in August 1995.  Each month, I flew to Microsoft and hosted a two hour satellite and cable TV show with interviews and demonstrations for techies and geeks around the world. They let me ask almost any question and we had queries come in by fax and email in real time from around the world. For eight months, the technology world and users prepared for the upgrade.

I remember receiving a list of 200 things that could go wrong as a user or organization made the upgrade. Believe it or not, for 100 days, every day I received a FedEx with 25 diskettes (pre CD) to try the latest improvement. And for the most part, applications were not going to work “out of the box” when the Start button appeared for the first time on users’ screens.

Yes, Microsoft and the user community around the world made it through the upgrade. But, how things have changed.

We have come to expect, assume and demand almost seamless upgrades. We want, for the most part, the technology to be in the background and our user experience to be in the foreground. We now have the web and apps for $1.99 rather than programs for $800.  And, in 1995, there were millions of hours of classroom instruction on “Intro to Windows 95 for Users”! I just pushed the button and started to explore this morning.

Yes, we have come a long way - and may user usability always drive innovation and simpler processes!  On my train ride to New York City this morning, I am writing this TRENDS and playing with my operating system. Thanks designers and programmers for the ease of shift!

2. Absentee Voting Reminder: We want to remind our Learning TRENDS readers who are attending Learning 2013 that November 5th is both Election Day and the third day of our conference. U.S. voters should sign up to vote by Absentee Ballot. Here is a link to a site for resources on absentee voting procedures: http://www.learning2013.com/blog/item/absentee.html

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2013

email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie

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Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie