More Tools for Engineering
More ideas on the application of Web 2.0 technology and other IT tools to further improve efficiency in an engineering environment:RSS Feeds/Podcasts
Stands for Really Simple Syndication, a relatively new web feed format which have been adopted by major corporations to increase its efficiency in data transfer. The orange “RRS” logo is quite a common feature to news related websites such as BBC, Sky News, This system allows the publisher to syndicate their work to its aimed audience in a quick, easy and automated fashion. For the readers, it allows multiple feeds to be delivered to the same client software, eliminating the need for the users to go through multiple websites for updates. What separates RSS from the classic email newsletter system is that it can be applied to a website and program to extrapolate new contents and direct the data to the audience in a highly efficient data stream. By applying such a system, company news, update on industry regulations and other data can be delivered to each member of staff via a stand-alone software client, easily customised to suit the needs and purpose of the user. Due to the versatility of such system, RSS has been adopted and modified to deliver alternative media formats such as video and audio files. The best example is the prolific spread of the “podcasts” system currently popularised by BBC Radio and other radio stations, where broadcasted shows are delivered to subscribing listeners. Such systems can be implemented to deliver industrial speeches, conferences and seminar allowing members of Mouchel to be better informed. In the world of engineering, where success hinges on the ability to monitor and adapt to changes, the ability to deliver relevant breaking news to its member would play a key role in its ability to face upcoming changes.
http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3223484.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/directory/
Additional Information Technology and Networking Ideas
Apart from the application of Web 2.0 technologies, Mouchel can also enhances its performance capabilities using other up and coming mobile technologies.
3G mobile broadband technology has already been adopted by a few employees in the office. Mouchel would have a lot to gain, especially for its travelling members and site workers if more supports are given to this technology.
http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/index.omp
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/
Due to the nature of the work carried out by engineers, it is often useful to have small program to carry out short calculations such as units conversion and access to physical constants. The solution to this could be a Widget Toolbox System which offers a wide selection of small program aimed to perform the above similar tasks. The advantage of having widgets is that such system is seamlessly integrated into the OS user interface and can be easily called up by the user without the hassle of loading time. All the widgets are contained within an isolated area which can be hidden and redisplayed with a click of a button. The widgets will also leave relatively small footprints in term of memory and CPU cycle consumption. Such systems have already been integrated as native feature on systems like Windows Vista, Linux and Mac OS X to much appraisal from its users and it can also be downloaded and installed on XP systems as an add-on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_toolkit
One of the major downside in any multitasking OS is that the workspace will eventually becomes cluttered and the switching between different applications and documents becomes confusing and difficult. One solution to this problem is the Virtual Desktop whereby users can categorise and allocate different program windows into different workspaces based on their own method of work and switch between the workspace when needed. This system would allow the users to speed their workflow and reduce the amount of time navigating through the maze of opened and minimised windows. Such systems have already been integrated as native feature on systems like Linux and Mac OS X to much appraisal from its users and it can also be downloaded and installed on XP system as an add-on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_desktop
http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/
http://www.shelltoys.com/virtual_desktop/
Labels: 3g mobile broadband, CAD, Civil Engineering, IT, podcast, RSS, virtual desktops, Web 2.0, widgets
posted by Twisted @ 13:02:00
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