Improvise

Yes, there is a story behind this photo but it is not from a wild party at Learning 2006. Similar to the Bad Casting post by Jay from a couple of days ago, there were a few irksome interactions with the way the Coranado Springs was set up. While most things were Disney-perfect, one was worth a picture.

Perhaps they have always been there but I do not remember them from years past: motion sensors for the AC/Heat in the rooms. If there was no motion for more than about 15 minutes, the AC would turn off. No big deal when not in the room but even sitting at the desk got annoying because I would occasionally have to stand up an flap my arms around to keep the air moving. This seems a bit silly for a "resort" location. Even at night (it was very humid the last few days) I woke up to find that it was very stuffy in my room. A call to the desk revealed that, "this was an "environmental saving device" and I just needed to move arouind a bit to keep it on", Huh? In the middle of the night?

A bit of ingenuity (low fan+one dress shirt) fooled the motion sensor and cool dry air flowed through the night...

Learning 2006

It was another intense and worthwhile Masie Learning conference. The most impressive aspect to L6 was the informal learning environment. Conversations were the driver and not PowerPoint. I facilitated two sessions, one on learning in Pharma/Biotech (wiki page) and the other was a "Great Debate" on speed versus quality in rapid development.

I also had a chance to eat lunch with Brent Schlenker and had a quick conversation with Jay Cross. I told both of them that it seems like I know them already because I read their blogs. With Brent, I was able to pick up with conversations he had started on his blog about his personal and professional life (now as a "free agent") and our lunch discussion revolved around how seamless such transitions between electronic and face-to-face were becoming (a quick check and Brent has a similar post about another person at the conference).

You know you are among learning geeks when...

I have enjoyed Learning 2006 this week and there is a ton to write about over the next few days. However, I have a brief observation on the event tonight. An outstanding musical act Bowfire! performed and, near the end of the concert everyone stood and applauded. Rather than waving lighters in the air as would be typical at many rock concerts, there was a sea of swaying PDAs and smartphones turned on and being held high in the air.

Yes folks, let your geek flag fly!