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Re: [kDev] The idea could be good; the implementaiton needs some improvement

On 13 Nov 2003, at 14:15, Phillip Temple wrote:

On Mon, 2003-11-10 at 10:13, Daniel Harris wrote:

Wandering off via various sidetrack notes
Please explain exactly what you mean here. What's core and what's not in your opinion?
Originally I though core was setting up streaming media trials, putting in place experimental software that implemented content-control, more scalable streaming (multi-cast etc), content-aggregation methods, alternative DRM implementations and methods of micro-payments.
Absolutely, those things are still at the core. Because the goal is still seeing the building of and take up of an "open architecture system that will provide the entertainment/content industry with a platform for content distribution and delivery over the Internet and facilitating revenue generation for content owners/aggregators and service providers". It's on the front page of the website.
However, after a number of good meetings and trying to get website applications to talk to each other it became really clear to me that current tools wouldn't enable us to collaboratively design this system in a way that would attract the widest number of people to participating in the design process. I just couldn't see it happening without too much pain on my part. So, I saw that building "collaborative design tools" was the first target that would then facilitate the building of the Kendra System. That's why I'm going down this road. One leads to the other.
Look up "collaborative design tools" and other catch phrases on the Kendra website at the Google(TM) search page here: 

http://www.kendra.org.uk/search.php
and you off for long periods of time doesn't make for a forceful and relevant "business" -- and that was I thought you were originally trying to build.
Well, I understand what you're saying but I like to travel, free up my mind and get fresh ideas in. Should I work 50 weeks a year, full time? Surely a better measure is the results. Do you have any solutions?
All of us would like to travel and 'free our minds'. Unfortunately we are stuck behind desks working 50 weeks a year. Results are a very good measure, but getting sidetracked all the time will detract from that.
Let me posit that these are two different issues - #1 me going away and #2 me/us/Kendra getting sidetracked. Firstly, when I get away from the computer - it allows me to focus and I end up coming up with new ideas and motivations. I do my best thinking when I'm off on a walk somewhere. I also enjoy it. Do I have to justify this?
On "getting sidetracked" I think I've answered that above. One leads to the other.
After Scott's comments I have been thinking that when I do travel I could make more of an effort to keep up the contact. That said I *have* made contact on my trips: I've sent newsletters from Dublin, Nice and Hongkong.
I should note that much of my travel has been for Kendra. And I hope that continues to be the case.
IMHO, if it wants to get anywhere, Kendra needs to crisp up, and re-focus.
I don't mean to be insulting but these are really vague requirements. It's like saying "I want world peace" but unless you have any ideas how to implement... how? How? HOW? Give me detail! 

I thought being the 'focus' of Kendra that was your job?
The focus of Kendra is the goal/aim/mission. I'm here to facilitate that. I am here *to* focus. I am not *the* focus. I am not the centre. Kendra is. We *all* are collectively.
Being point-man for Kendra, it really is up to you to listen to the needs of those wanting to do content-distribution, and then boil it down into something that Kendra members can get their teeth into (bearing in mind a lot of them are techies).
I am listening. But I am not getting enough information from one liner requests because when I start to boil it down it all evaporates. I don't think it's fair to expect me to come up with things to get your teeth into without you entering into a conversation about it. If you have a comment or a question then please go ahead and express it but be prepared to enter into a conversation.
Scott, first Kendra is an *us* and a *we*. If Kendra "needs" to do something then that implies that the people in it need to sort it out. *You* are part of that. You have started by identifying some needs. Cool! Now, if you are going to be of any use at all to Kendra then you need to take some more steps to assist in realising solutions to these needs: 

1. Specify needs.
2. Detail ideas to fulfil needs.
3. Action ideas.


So what is your role in Kendra Daniel?
1 to 3 too. Working for Kendra with no income*. Putting 15000 GBP into the Kendra Foundation pot**. Setting up the non-profit company and bank account. Maintaining the website. Attending conferences and spreading the word of Kendra. Building a business plan. Getting a prototype built. Providing direction and motivation. Making the tea.
* - If Kendra Foundation does get sufficient funding then I will take some sort of back pay. But as we all know getting the funding in is not guaranteed so there is a risk I will get no pay - I'm happy with that risk.
** - I have donated 5000 GBP and a further 10000 GBP (to pay for Neil Harris) will be as a loan. Again, I'll only get this back if we get sufficient funding.
Do you think that there's some magic going on here? That all you need to say is "we need to make the world better" and it will just sort itself out all automatically? No, *we* need to put in some *effort*. I challenge anyone/everyone to backup their specified requirements/needs with detailed ideas and then actions!!!! The glove is down!
You are right in that there is no magic. That also includes the idea of us giving up our time for something which has no clear goal or even ways we can help. 

You're here because you want to be and I'm so thankful for that.
I don't dispute your two points about a clear goal and ways to help. But there is an issue we keep coming back to. Here's how I see it. From my point of view it's all a matter of perspective. We all come from different backgrounds. We all speak different languages and use different terminology. For us to gain an understanding about an idea or a concept demands a *conversation*. I've written a lot of text on the Kendra website and sent many emails. The answers to "a clear goal and ways to help" is in there.
But help me out here. If you don't understand something then ask a specific question referring to something that I've written. Why? Because then at least I know that we can have a conversation. Churning out documents on your request wont answer your one liner questions because I don't know what language you speak and I don't understand specifically what it is about "a clear goal and ways to help" that you don't understand. That's not to say that I don't *really* *appreciate* that you don't understand - I do because you said so - just that I don't specifically know what it is you don't specifically understand. Right? We need to have a conversation.
It's like me asking you "what is progressivepublishing.com?" and you saying "go read the website and come back to me with any questions". Bear in mind I wouldn't be the only person asking.
Now to the points: a clear goal. Tell me what it is about the home page that isn't clear.
And: ways to help. What are your skills? What do you like doing? There are loads of ways you could help. Join the Kendra Network Trial, talk about the future trial requirements, criticise KendraBase, etc...
In an OS type situation, there is always one person that takes the project on as their baby. They will then have to sacrifice a lot to get it into any shape or form. 

Hey! Have a laugh and read:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sacrifice

Is that really what you mean when you say "sacrifice"?
It sounds like you'd be happy if I was really suffering while I was doing Kendra. Somehow that would make it all better? Let's be clear, of course I'm not doing some things when I'm working on Kendra but I'm giving up nothing that I don't want to give up. There is no sacrifice. There is no suffering. If I am in pain I am inefficient and that doesn't help anyone. So, I do my best to avoid pain.
BTW I learnt to avoid pain after 7 years at Cerbernet. I've done my stint! ;-/
Eventually with perseverence they will get the ball rolling. Then more and more people will come on board as it gets momentum. This normally comes about because there is a need. Without that initial person it's just a daydream.
Sure. Please don't get me wrong. I am so happy that you guys and girls are sticking around on these lists and talking. Having you all here and those people listing themselves on the website gives me so much encouragement to carry on.
I'm having the best time of my life. I really mean that. I really enjoy doing Kendra. I wouldn't do it otherwise! I'm learning so much. And I love constructive criticism. It helps me improve. It's just that when I get someone telling me I'm not doing something the best way, I need to know more. You know I'm only going stop the questions when I feel I've got to the core of the criticism. I'm not demanding more information out of spite. I'm asking because information is what I need to have in order to know if what I'm doing is effective.
So, I have to ask what it is about that amazing "OS type situation" person that pertains to me. Do I have to be it? Where do I not come up to scratch? 


[snip about business plan]
Much of my life seems to be spent in bating people to action: "listen dudes and dudettes, if you want something then *you* have to make it happen because no one else will". 

Does this work?
I'm not sure. It's kind of how I feel things *are*. I'm very much for outing what I feel. I wont always hide it for comforts sake. Though, I'm not sure if it just pisses people off. I wouldn't be surprised if it does - I can be a bit abrasive sometimes - but not all the time. But the fact is you are all still here. And you keep on listen and talking. Which I'm so thankful for. So, maybe people like my attitude.
So, you tell me. Does it work for you? Am I stating the obvious? Is it a pain? Should we just get on and have a conversation?
The truth is I'm not sure about any of my methodologies. I'm very sure about the goal. But very happy to change the way I work (as long as it's compatible with my mind and body) in order to get to the goal quicker. Whatever works is what I'll use.
ALL THAT SAID: I understand that my reply to Scott had a bit of a heavy tone to it - reading back though my comments. It's not that I disagree with his criticisms or feel like I'm being attacked or feel the need to defend myself. But that I'm impatient to get to the crux of the matter. I will endeavour to be more patient (I'll add it to my list) and not jump down people's throats.
New strap line: "It's your choice. It's your decision. It's your responsibility" !
There are always more projects around than people to do them. I think the strap line would be better if you substituted 'your' for 'my'.
Yes, you're right. It does sound a bit pointy fingery. Like it's someone else's problem. When people read it they need to feel it's coming from them - for it to work. Perhaps...
Ultra new strap line #1: "It's my choice. It's my decision. It's my responsibility" Ultra new strap line #2: "It's our choice. It's our decision. It's our responsibility" 

Or am I missing your point and are you really saying:
"It's Daniel's choice. It's Daniel's decision. It's Daniel's responsibility" ? 

To which I'd retort in good old swashbuckling style:
"It's Phillip's choice. It's Phillip's decision. It's Phillip's responsibility" 

Touché! Or perhaps we're better off with:
"It's Daniel's and Phillip's choice. It's Daniel's and Phillip's decision. It's Daniel's and Phillip's responsibility" 

Double Touché!

Let's have a conversation! ;-)

Cheers Daniel