Thursday, March 15, 2007

Vulcan Flip Start and Motion C5

Today was Building 32 day.

The first thing you need to know about Building 32 is just how much this building has (indirectly) impacted my life. Since seeing my first Tablet PC my life was eternally changed forever. The only other three occasions my life was transformed as much would have been on my Wedding Day, and at the Birth of my first and second child. It was Dr. Neil that showed me my first Tablet and it was TabletKiosk that had given him a Sahara i215 Slate to play with.


Since Tablet PC has come into my life I have had more sleepless nights than I care to remember. Not sleepless from anger, fear or upset, but due to absolute adrenalin and passion. That moment was so impactful that I bought one, I ordered another, and then decided to start a business based on it. The other consequence of this ominous meeting was the fact that I became a blogger too! So if you’ve followed me for more than six minutes you'll probably know that the impact has been massive to say the least.


So back to building 32. As we met outside The Grand Hyatt on 7th Avenue, Seattle, it was definitely “cold” outside. I was full of excitement as I was about to make my first trip to the Microsoft Campus in Redmond. As we pulled in I must admit that I was overwhelmed by a feeling of completion. While to some of you this might sound like some blogging bullshit but to me it is sincere. As I pulled into the Redmond Campus I also pulled into the original home of the Tablet PC Team. After meandering through countless corridors, glass doors and security checks, we arrived at Building 32, the building where the Tablet PC Team spend all their time. In there we met with him, her, him, him, her, her and yes, him too. (Sorry all NDA.) We also talked about that, this, this, this, that, this and that too! (Sorry).


The best thing about being a Tablet PC MVP is meeting the people. The second best thing of being a Tablet PC MVP is the gadgets. The following photos are me standing with the brand new, yet to be released, Motion C5 and the Vulcan FlipStart. I promise that tomorrow I’ll get some video footage of these for you.

Motion C5


Vulcan FlipStart

6 comments:

Sean Tan said...

Do you get to keep these gadgets? If so, that would be sick!

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

No dude! Truth be told, the Flip Start is James Kendrick's (on loan), and the Motion is a MS MVPs that works for Motion. I am going to film them both tomorrow if all goes well. :-) Stay tuned.

Anonymous said...

An interesting an hearth felt post Hugo.

Funnily enough, the experiences you describe here happened to me this week. It was my awakening, my true awakening. Since I received my R400, I have tried to get organized with it and move on with my research. I fiddled a bit, doubted some more but the great experience was not fading. It grew brighter and warmer as my mind was adapting to the new device and the possibilities it was offering me.

But I should say that its not only the device. Its the great work that went into Vista for the tablet and the new Office suite like Onenote 2007.

The first few days, I used it mostly as a notebook and the pen was used like a mouse.

The tablet grew on me and my mind expanded to the possibilities as I got familiar with it. I tried different approaches to organize my research project and its growing complexity. Almnost organically, it all fell together in Onenote 2007. My project meetings, email discussions on it, books, reports and articles to read, my notes, reading notes, everything. Now, even the rest of academic career is getting tabletized.

I spend less and less time on my desktop replacement notebook at home... I cant interact with it like my R400, thus it feels... handicapped. My mind is still expanding on the many uses for my academic career and there are many things I will try in the coming year. I haven't even begun to tell you about analysis processes!!

It`s like starting a new sport. You adapt to it and grow into it.

So for you, Dr Neil and the Sahara happened. For me, Hugo and the R400 changed my professional life forever! I know, it sounds corny but it is how I have experienced it.

Cheers!

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Hi Elo,

All I can add is this. Thank you for making me a part of something so transformational. I am honored.

Anonymous said...

Great Post Hugo.
Can't wait to see the clips.
Loved your vocals at Bill.

Enjoy!
Louis, Newcastle

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Hey Louis,

You couldn't expect an Aussie to sit that close to Bill and be quiet, could you?

It was a blast.