Bailey WorkPlay

In terms of having an internet start page, I’ve been around the block a time or two. For the longest time, I used Google Personalized Page, then tried working briefly with Netvibes, only to return to Google when they recently incorporated all the widget functionality. Yet I was unsatisfied and found my eye wandering to PageFlakes. While it does have its comparative downsides, it more than makes up for it in quick performance and some pretty slick features. One thing that I really like is the easy creation and integration of Pagecasts. I’ve created a Pagecast called Work Redesigned.

If you’re not already set up with a PageFlakes page, go ahead and register…it takes just a minute. Then you’re ready to add the Work Redesigned Pagecast.

Step 1
Click on the large asterisk in the upper right corner (it’s orangy-yellow in the screenshot above). This opens the admin menu where you can select flakes, find Pagecasts, and edit your profile.

Step 2
In the left menu of admin area, select the option for Pagecasts. You’ll see some of the featured Pagecasts and you can click the button for Browse All Pagecasts.

Step 3
The easiest way to get the Work Redesigned Pagecast is to use the search feature. Type in ‘Work Redesigned’ and and then View Pagecast.

Step 4
In the top navigation bar, you should see an option called Watch this Pagecast. Click this option and it will add the Work Redesigned tab to your own PageFlakes page.

You’re finished. Now you can get your daily fill of some of the best thinking on how we can improve the work experience for ourselves and others.

Contents of Version 1 include:
Brazen Careerist
Career Hub
The Chief Happiness Officer
CareerJournal.com
Managing with Aloha Coaching
Interactions – Creative Strategies for Business
The Future of Work
Water Cooler Wisdom
The Occupational Adventure
The Servant Leadership Blog
Creative Careers Unleashed
Oh, and of course it includes WorkPlay

My name is Chris and I have a slight problem. I like to change my blog site designs. I tend to change them like Dan Snyder changes football coaches. But I hope this one holds me for a while. It definitely has a lot going for it…and will help deliver a superb overall user experience.

One interesting thing you’ll find is that I’ve been lured to the dark side…I’ve started experimenting with Twitter. Yes, it’s true. If you recall my rather heated post not too long ago, you may ask how this came to pass. I did poke a good deal of fun at twitterers and railed at what it does. However, I’ve started to see some of its inherent potential. For instance…I’ve been using it as a way to ask questions and offer quick updates on what’s going on. I promise, though, you won’t read when I do eat my next peanut butter sandwich.

To most of my friends and readers get their updates via rss, come and visit. I’ll be making a few more changes and enhancements – like cleaning up page content and fixing the design in Internet Explorer (like getting rid of that rather invasive Get Firefox banner at the top…but then again, you should really be using Firefox anyway). If you find anything strange or perturbing, let me know. Thanks for helping me beta test.

Update 05.15.07: Yes, the twitterings to the right are for real. After taking a good look at twitter, I now see it has potential for good as well as minor evil. That’ll teach me to go off on a rant without fully understanding the source of the rant. Lesson learned.

I try not to go off-theme too often, but there are times when I simply can’t help it. Particularly when common sense seems to get trumped by the latest fad. Okay, here we go…

How do you know when all this beautiful web 2.o stuff has gone too far? When something like Twitter becomes the Next Great Thing.

Want to know if someone’s having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Ask Twitter.

Want to tell everyone you know that you had a bad bean burrito and now you’re stuck in the bathroom praying to the porcelain god? Go tell Twitter.

Bored with life or work and have nothing else better to do? Get Twitter now.

Sorry everyone. I just don’t get it. Am I missing something? Is the need to know what someone is doing every second just that compelling? Have we become so enamored with reality television that we need to bring it to the web? And for the love of pete, who thinks their life is so damn interesting that we want to know about every move you make? Makes you wonder if there’s a reason that twitter starts with ‘twit.’

Please. I challenge someone (anyone) to make one solid argument in favor of Twitter. Else this has the makings of some wonderful satire.

Update 03.15.07: Oh no, Johnnie Moore has succumbed to the darkness of Twitter! Of course, not everyone in his circle is enamored with this development

Update 03.16.07: Kathy Sierra has a good analysis on what’s wrong with the (hopefully short-lived) Twitter phenomenon. And the anti-Twitters are coming out of the woodwork based on the comments.

Friends and readers, I am alive and well, but its looking like I need to take a break from blogging for a little while longer. Our 1500 mile move from Virginia to Texas went great and now its time to focus on settling into our new home.

Don’t worry…there will be more WorkPlay coming soon, doubtlessly better than ever. Look for new posts, a new look, and a renewed purpose in late August/early September.

Until then, keep playing.