[ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu as a Disruptive Technology

[Ramu Iyer]

I want to make a conscious transition from Windows to Ubuntu. At the
office, everybody is required to use a Windows laptop because that is the
standard IT policy. As a Project Manager, I use the following applications:
* MS Outlook (for email)
* Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio
* Microsoft Project

At graduate school, which was almost 15 years ago, I used BSD Unix and
Solaris. So I have a passion for open source and experimenting with
prototype applications. Aside from the above Microsoft applications, I
pretty much "live" inside Emacs.

In some sense the passion for experimentation and innovation gets somewhat
constrained during office hours due to the corporate policy for living
inside a walled garden of "approved" commercial applications that can be
installed. Personally I find this stifling and seek to reignite that
passion. That said, I also see a market opportunity for creatively
positioning Ubuntu in the microcosm of the world I live in.

I manage software projects and typically deliver technology solutions that
meant to solve business problems. Solutions such as Business Process
Management, data warehousing, and SMAC applications. While playing the role
as Project Manager, I also wear another hat, which is a more important
role, as an evangelist for Technology Transfer. This is somewhat of an
unrecognized role, sometimes undervalued, and requires working closely with
end users to foster the accelerated insertion of the technology solution
(so that it achieve the desired business impact).  This is easier said than
done because it requires the overcoming of resistance to change and
changing minds. (SMAC: Social Media, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud Computing)

Although the world is flat, today we live in a world of differences, where
people need to inculcate a new way of thinking in order for a firm to
create a strategic identity, a community of shared values, and trust-based
relationships with employees, customers, community, and investors.  Open
source software innovations such as Ubuntu is rooted in a spirit of
humility and sharing across cultures. Canonical has championed this
movement and is enabling companies and customers to leverage the power of
Ubuntu across multiple platforms.

As Mark Shuttleworth recently wrote
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/07/shuttleworth_ubuntu_leadership/:

"What I'm really interested in is this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
create a free and open platform that is THE LEADER across both consumer and
enterprise computing."

This is a powerful example of high ambition leadership that businesses in a
multipolar world need to courageous act so that they can accomplish the
following:

* Cross the chasm by accelerating the adoption of Ubuntu
* Forge a strategic identity
* Skillfully integrate both economic and social value

Personally I am pretty intrigued by Canonical's vision. The Ubuntu vision
of a unified interface that seamlessly merges the mobile phone and tablet
is a disruptive innovation.

Ubuntu - The Human Touch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h384z7Ph0gU

Exploited uncertainties, along the twists and turns of innovation
management, have a silver lining that can lead to an uptick in enhancing
the end value beyond the initial expectations. The uncertainities may span
market turbulence, stakeholder fluctuations, technological uncertainty, or
organizational uncertainty. This is often the job of a seasoned Technology
Manager http://bit.ly/blackswan_atm.

Let me switch gears and portrary a situation that will benefit from some
insight from the collective wisdom of the Ubuntu community.

The public library uses Windows. Not sure that they are aware of Ubuntu.
However, the public library system administrator has installed Firefox as
an alternate browser on the Windows machines. As a result all the patrons
who come to the library only use computers running Windows.

Many of the patrons are carrying a mobile phone and/or iPad. Most of
iPhones or Android smart phones.

Questions:

a) What are some initial baby steps that I can take to raise awareness of
Ubuntu?  While a video is a good starting point, I can serve as a last mile
resource and put a "human touch" to connect with a skeptic or potential
early adopter to raise awareness of a Ubuntu mobile phone (or tablet
running Ubuntu). [technology transfer role]

Being an avid Emacs user, I have more of a keyboard bias and not yet very
comfortable with the soft keys on a tablet. That said, I recognize the
reality of tablet's success and gradually replacing the laptop.

The concept of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is gaining traction in the
office environment. Some users are getting "approval" to use an iPad at
work for personal productivity.

While I have some available bandwidth during the day, I would like to use a
tablet running Ubuntu and show it to my collegues and understand the Ubuntu
ecosystem of applications. This will not be a one-time demo but rather an
evolving watercooler conversation.

I will be carrying a laptop, Ubuntu tablet, and a mobile phone. Right now I
am using a Samsung Note II running Android.

b) Does anyone have a recommendation on the tablet that I should purchase
so that I can install Ubuntu? I am aware of Libre Office and there are
probably a ton of other apps that offer the functionality of the Windows
applications that I am currently using (as mentioned above).

c) I want to improve my literacy of Ubuntu, going beyond installing
applications. Is there a way for a non-programmer like me to become part of
the community to do quality assurance of a Ubuntu build? Getting more
immersed in Ubuntu in a hands-on manner with a project delivery mandate
will make my endeavor less ad hoc and impose more discipline.

d) Seriously speaking, I'd like to be a resource and document the (vastly
superior) management practices of the geographically dispersed software
development teams that powers the Ubuntu innovation footprint.  While
aspects of this management style has been documented elsewhere, I am
seeking to connect the dots between the Ubuntu philosophy (understanding
the tribal meaning of Ubuntu) and how that has been absorbed across
multiple cultures in a positive way.  There is an opportunity for business
professionals (who don't have a software background) to embrace this style
of management, where appropriate, while turning around businesses

http://www.amazon.com/Turnaround-Management-Corporate-Renewal-Perspective/dp/1868145190/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365953531&sr=1-7&keywords=neil+harvey

The questions a thru d may seem somewhat disjointed but, taken together,
they collectively describe my inclination to perform beyond where I am
today (constrained in front of a Windows laptop). This is not meant to be
viewed within the lens of technology bashing but rather recognize that
Ubuntu is a paving the path for the world to recognize that we cannot be
siloed but rather learn to co-exist in a world of differences where one
size does not fit all.

Thanks for sharing any insights.

Ramu
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