Al Gray

Category Archives: Thinking

Put the tray up!

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Though it may seem obvious to you, I recently sat next to a gentleman on an international flight who was struggling to use his notebook on the seatback tray “table”.  Made worse when the guy in front of him slammed his seat back in one quick move…nearly catching the top of the notebook screen in the tray cavity. Close call I thought. Disgusted look from my row mate.

Now…extremely cramped, screen tilted back towards him at a severe angle…after a while I asked, “Would it be better if you put the tray up?” A sheepish, “Uh…yeah.” was the reply.

Now this guy seemed sharp enough and had traveled quite a bit, so you’d think it would have been obvious. But since it wasn’t, I thought I’d pass on some tips given that I have the opportunity to travel globally on a frequent basis:

  1. First consider whether working on your computer is the most productive use of time. I’m an advocate of creating space just to think…not work on a report, not mull over a response to an email…just think. If you’re in coach and don’t have an ultrabook or tablet (and even if you do) thinking is a better use of your time.
  2. Don’t plan to get computer work done on the plane. I’ve planned to “get some work done” on many flights…it’s worked out as planned exactly once.
  3. But if you must regularly work on a plane (in coach) get yourself an ultrabook or tablet. I use an HP Elitebook (not really an ultrabook but close) 2540p. It’s small, the battery lasts longer than I want to work on the plane, doesn’t get hot and, best of all, has an SSD. If you don’t have an SSD in your notebook, get one. Too expensive? You’ll get over the uplift in one day! Trust me…never going back to a spinning drive. This changed the way I use my notebook and (nearly) made me question why I’d carry a tablet.
  4. If you’re still carrying a big notebook because you’re a power user, get over it. Actually, did I mention my small notebook has an i7 processor and 8 Gb of RAM? It’s horses for courses…if you’re a frequent traveler, get on the right horse.
  5. Finally…if none of that works for you…at least put the bloody tray up!

With more than 181 million blogs on the web, do we really need another?

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As I’ve become more active on Twitter I’ve realized the need for having a place to expand thoughts that can be redirected to from a Tweet.

But I’m adding to the blogosphere with some hesitancy…after all, according to NM Incite (a Nielsen/McKinsey company) there are over 181 million blogs already.

(Click the Image to visit NM Incite)

My hope for this blog is that it will provide value to you through my comments (and your feedback and posts) on Engineering Information Management (EIM), Change, Thinking, Travel and Tech…all outcroppings from my professional focus on information management.

I’ll post or Tweet regularly (2-3x per week), but will try to limit the blog entries and Tweets to those that bring value for those engaged with EIM. No personal posts…you won’t learn what sort of sandwich I’m eating.

I’d enjoy having you follow me here and on Twitter (@algray) AND getting your feedback. BTW…I try not to autopost to multiple social sites where it’s likely that a reader will see a post more than once. Sometimes though, I’m compelled to do so if it makes sense due to the content…Cheers…Al