A few days ago, I called my helpdesk because my work computer kept running out of virtual memory. They’ve ordered more memory, but they also went to the “Run” function on the start menu, typed in “msconfig” and stopped a lot of programs from automatically starting when my computer is turned on.
This improves my boot process, and REALLY helped with problems I was having with my home computer.
As I was using it at home, I noticed that it directs you to “Type in the name of a program, folder, document or Internet resource and Windows will open it for you.” I tried it with
Google of course) and it was way faster than opening my browser. Which got me thinking about virtual environments.
About 10 years ago, a friend got a new PC with whatever
MS Windows version was the latest at that time. He had a choice of the
DOS-like interface, the Windows environment that we all know and love, and a virtual house. You’d navigate through this house by clicking on doors, then on pieces of furniture to drill down. In each room of this virtual home, you had access to different applications. So, you’d navigate to the game room to access your game, the office for
MS Office and other business functions, and so on. I’m not sure what was in the bedroom. The internet perhaps?
I agreed that it was really cool, but really clunky. My prediction was that he’d be using the normal Windows interface within six months. And I was right.
Not all virtual spaces are self-defeating in that way. After all, the
SIM world has a huge, active following. And, a little closer to home, I use a virtual path to help motivate me to exercise.
Miavita.com has various “Walking Challenge” programs. The idea is to walk a certain distance within a certain time period, recording your mileage each day.
I chose the 100 mile challenge and set an ambitious completion date of June 30th. I record time, not miles, because it’s easier for me. They have the option of recording steps too.
Every time I enter my mileage, I get a little further along the virtual path. There are several stops along the way, and each stop is related to a fitness tip. The farmer’s market encouraged me to eat more vegetables and the grocery store reminded me to drink water while exercising. The county fair suggests that I find outdoor activities for my family, so we can get exercise while having fun.
The program also records the average number of minutes per day required to meet the current date goal. My inspiration comes from resetting the completion date to keep the average minutes at 19. The program usually takes five months, and I’m scheduled to complete it in three! This makes me feel very successful.
So what does this mean for us, as training developers? Our job role includes researching technology that looks and sounds super-cool, but might not be that effective in real-life. One of these technologies is virtual environments. As a matter of fact, IBM and other companies are experimenting with
doing business in a virtual setting.
Will all these virtual settings bear fruit in real life? I doubt it. In my experience, effective virtual environments exists more in the minds of the users than in fancy graphics. People's internal experience is the source of blog and chatroom addiction. The communities exist on the internet but, more importantly, they occur in the minds of the users. In the same way, it’s motivating to have fake mini-goals. If I walk for 20 minutes each day this week, and 60 minutes on Saturday, I’ll reach the carnival!!! It’s real walking, but the goal exists inside my head, though it's fostered by the online environment.
The other aspect of effective virtual environments is that they don’t get in the way of the user. If I had to log on to the computer before and after each walk for the computer to record the time, I wouldn’t use the Walking Challenge. In the same way, it’s faster and easier to click icons than to navigate through a virtual house. And it’s quicker to send an email than to enter a virtual meeting room. Virtual environments are fun, but they will never add enough value to the experience to make up for inefficiency.
Labels: IBM, Miavita, motivation, MS Windows, Virtual environments, virtual meeting, Walking Challenge
