Web 2.0

The term Web 2.0 is beginning to hit the mainstream media more and more, but was first used in 2004 at an O'Reilly Media event. The actual definition of Web 2.0 has been a hot discussion topic since then and a final definition is hard to find (see Wikipedia article).
The main concept of Web 2.0 is to move the traditional static web page (writing on a page that requires reading) to a more interactive and social environment. A Web 2.0 site should allow you to change the way it passes information, allow you to share that information easily with others and should respond to your actions in a seamless way. Some of the more popular 2.0 sites include Digg, Flickr and of course MySpace.
Moving a Company website to 2.0 is a complex process. All the technology can be in place, and a lot of it is Open Source, but what makes and drives a 2.0 site is the community that develops around it. People are the key to 2.0 and a site needs to provide users with an experience that means they refer all their friends to it.

OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a single function application that can significantly change how you use a computer. Designed as an electronic notebook OneNote allows you to type anywhere on the electronic equivalent of a blank piece of paper. The size of the paper can be changed and extra sheets added when needed. Pages can be grouped into folders and sections, mirroring the layout of an organised notebook. The colour of the paper and the types of lines can even be changed so one page can be blank while another yellow ruled.
One common misconception about OneNote is that you need a Tablet PC to use it, this isn't the case. OneNote works just as well with a normal keyboard and mouse, just without the handwriting recognition.
As a simple notetaker OneNote works better than Word or Notepad and when used with a Tablet PC and handwriting recognition it really comes into its own. Moving beyond notetaking though and using OneNote as a web research aid brings a whole new experience. Text from Webpages can be dragged and dropped into a OneNote page and the content all comes across, along with a hyperlink back to the original page. No longer will you forget where a piece of information came from. OneNote is like having a never ending notebook next to you as you work on your computer.
Using OneNote can help reduce the amount of paper you use and may help prevent that pile of scrap paper (kept in case needed) from growing on your desk.
If OneNote doesn't do something you need there is an online community of Powertoys where add-ons can be downloaded.

Passphrases

The requirements for passwords to computers, networks and websites are becoming more complex. At least 8 characters, a mix of character types (including numbers and uppercase letters) and even special symbols are common requirements. Despite all these complexities people still need to be able to remember a password without having to write it down.
Passphrases are becoming more popular because they are normally longer than 8 characters. Instead of using a single word you use a combination of words that make up a memorable phrase. You still have to use a mix of character types but that becomes easier since the phrase contains a number of words, so capitalisation works naturally.
An example would be where a user has their dog's name (fido) as a password and perhaps ends up with Fido1000. Using a passphrase they could end up with MyDogsNameIsFido1000. The passphrase is harder to crack and is harder for someone to guess from seeing the user type it in but is still memorable.
There are passphrase generators available on the Internet, but unfortunately most of them generate almost garbage phrases. The best method is for the user to create their own.

Business Continuity Awareness Week

As a Specialist of the Business Continuity Institute I feel obliged to promote the upcoming Business Continuity Awareness Week, organised by the BCI. While there isn't a huge amount of publicity about this event it is something quite important. The idea of the week isn't to raise awareness of Business Continuity amongst professionals who already work in the arena but to promote the concept with other people inside the business who aren't aware of it's importance.
A list of suggested ideas can be found on the BCI website but most are aimed at larger organisations. For smaller companies I'd suggest just spending a few hours of week commencing 26th March to think about your disaster planning and working through a few scenarios.

Meet the newsletter

A quick reminder that TMC will be exhibiting on Stand 11 at the Ebusiness Expo in Nottingham.
On either day, write the newsletter secret phrase (Continuity) on your business card and drop it in our draw jar. At the end of the week we'll be doing two draws, one for everyone and one just for newsletter readers. Good luck and don't forget to say hello on the day.