One tenant of the web 2.0 movement is open source.  Like everything in this arena the messaging around this has become some what confused.  Open source was around long before web 2.0 was being talked about, but if today you are developing second generation web applications using the open source community then it is really quite likely that you can go a long way before you actually meet someone in person...now that is very 2.0.

Take us, why not, that is all I talk about in these blogs, we have been building a relationship with a guy who runs a development agency for the past six months, only we meet him for the first time today. 

In that time our virtual relationship had taken on some very unvirtual qualities.

Trust:  Somehow, broadly to do with achieving fantastic delivery timelines with incredibly robust code, trust has been built up to a very high level.  From our side, we pay the bills in a timely manner.  That helps too.

Empathy: There is a strong empathic understanding between us all.  We knew when to chat and importantly it was the inferred understanding that was driving many aspects of the relationship.

Confidence: In a very virtual way he always seems to be there or there abouts.  He supports apps for us will our leading clients and yet the trust gives confidence that things will get done and that things are supported.  Our clients have even complimented us on the timely nature of functionality changes.

Familiarity:  There is an openness to the exchange.  We know each other, in a work context, well.  My over zealous, rambling chat does not seem to bother him too much and he seems to be able to translate incredibly well.

Just brace yourself for the shock of meeting "the voice" in the flesh.  Try and resist stating the obvious, despite the fact that it will be forcing its way out of your lips..."You don't look anyfing like what I fought you did" - ridiculous as your imagination will play tricks on you and make you think of a Picassoesque mess of faces from all the people you think they sound like.

Oh and one more thing - if Cisco have bought Click TV, then my view is that they are amassing a few toys from the consumer space (Five Across, Tribe and now Click TV) and we are about to see the Cisco rival to IBM's connections with video for the commercial market.  This will give them a story to support the Human Network messaging.

Comments

There are currently 2 comments about this blog.

Edward Charvet, 10 months ago

Chrisa you are an inspiration...for this piece at least!! Just so you all know it is Chrisa that brings the things we talk about to life. BTW Cisco recruiting 6,000 over the web...Good way to filter for people who have an interest in what they do..

Chris Anderton, 10 months ago

This is an interesting topic. In the old days a meeting face to face would probably be the precursor to any project. Now, in 2007 and with communications technologies as they are then it means no longer needs to happen. There are probably risks to both approaches - there's no guarantee with either that the person you're trying to build a relationship with will turn out to be a worthy suitor. I guess the technologies that you guys discuss and the ideas around building dialogue will also help to facilitate this new way of working for other organisations. Some of the benefits are obvious such as cutting down lead times and fluff time. I believe i read somewhere that Cisco have employed something like 6000 people over the internet. Virtual Collaboration Rocks - maybe that could become a second strap line!

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