5pm no longer signifies home time

As a project coordinator, I’ve worked on many projects where either the project leaders operate their own management tool built in excel or the mainstream alternative: MS Project. Either way, I’ve never found their tool or MS Project to be user friendly or valuable in managing a project efficiently.

I’m sure I’m not alone and the likely reason, why so many internet-based Project Management Tools have developed offering simplicity in organising, managing and reporting data. 5pm is one of those internet-based tools I can recommend. Besides a great look and feel its extremely easy to pick up with financial reporting that can be exported to excel and profile set-up for resourcing.

5pm Project Management Tool

But don’t take my word for it, as the kind people from 5pm offer a 14 day trial which I’m currently working my way through and the option to migrate from Basecamp to 5pm. In addition, it gets a positive nod from PC World, Web Worker Daily and VentureBeat so it’s definitely one to consider.

A social network with style

2Threads is a social network built around style and fashion with primarily Australian membership as their editorial teams are based in Melbourne and Sydney (and most recently New York).

Unfortunately, the website is let down by its lack of glamorous appeal you expect from a site
dedicated to fashion and shopping. All looks rather busy and pink! But it does offer a place for Europeans to get an insight into what’s hot in the southern hemisphere, besides the weather!

2threads social network

In search of lost ones

My internet journey has begun and I’m quick off the mark with my first post…

If you’ve ever lost contact with someone and wondered how to find them, 123people.com is a good place to start. It claims to be able to find everyone you (want to) know – if they’ve got a footprint on the Web that is.

123 People Search

I used it to search out some ex-boyfriends. And yes indeed, it found them! Not that I made contact but it was good to see where they are in the World and how they recovered post me!

Scientist turns to ink-jet printer for a new heart

The technology is the same as that of the simple inkjet printer found in homes and offices, but Japanese scientist Makoto Nakamura is on a mission to see if it can also produce human organs.

The idea is for the printer to jet out thousands of cells per second — rather than ink droplets — and to build them up into a three-dimensional organ.

“It would be like building a huge skyscraper on a micro level using different kinds of cells and other materials instead of steel beams, concrete and glass,” he said in this city in central Japan. Read full article – CNet Australia reported by Miwa Suzuki.

My Web 2.0 Internet Journey

With Web 3.0 looming around the corner, according to Nova Spivack and journalist, John Markoff who is renowned for the phrase, we still have plenty of time to explore everything Web 2.0 from social networking sites, blogs and video sharing sites.

So I thought I’d go on a journey with a difference – an internet journey to visit every Web 2.0 application and service listed in ‘The Complete Web 2.0 Directory‘. An opportunity to discover what’s worthing adopting and what’s not!

Whilst on my journey I’ll be posting anything of interest for Chic Le Geek readers. Anyone care to join me? Only 2,000 sites to visit in 10 days.

Cool Stuff Spot – Retro Style Laptop Bags

Originally spotted at Think Geek

Ladies Laptop Bags

Girl Geek Power – Kate Russell

One of my favourite technology TV shows (only second to ‘Tomorrow’s World’ but sadly that’s not on telly anymore) is the BBC’s Click programme. I usually end up catching the short version which is broadcasted during Saturday’s Breakfast Show. Then spending an hour or more following up the websites and gadgets reported (a good excuse to get out of the weekend chores, if you ever need one!)

As expected, there are 7 men but only 2 women on the Click team. But both women play different key roles in the success of the show. One is a Producer of the show – Talia Franco. She previously worked at CNN and has an educational background in media and communication systems.

The other is Kate Russell, a technology reporter with whom you might already be familiar. She presented on ‘The Computer Channel’ (BSkyB) and is often seen on CNBC Europe. For Click, she now reports on the Webscape segment of the show.

Kate Russell

To me, Kate has an enviable job but then again, she did show an interest in technology and gadgets at a young age. She was hooked on her first computer game at the age of 12! By no means unusual for girls this day and age but early 80s? About as shocking as wearing bright pink leg-warmers in 2008!

G.ho.st: Cloud with a Silver Lining

Microsoft and Apple beware – a ‘virtual computer’ could spell the end of the traditional operating system, says Claudine Beaumont Telegraph Co UK

Thanks to web-based services such as Google Docs and Zoho, users are able to create Microsoft-compatible presentations, documents and spreadsheets that can be accessed, shared and edited online, from any machine. You can customise and personalise your virtual desktop with widgets – small programs that grab information from the internet, such as news headlines, weather reports and sports results, and present them in a clear, easy-to-use format on your desktop. Store your digital photos online, using services such as Flickr, so that they can be accessed and shared from any computer. Other web-based services, such as Meebo’s instant-messaging tool, are a great way of staying in touch online. Next week, in Los Angeles, Microsoft will reveal details of its new Windows operating system, and is also expected to explain how it plans to enter the world of “cloud computing”. Read More. Telegraph Digital Life Report

Cool Stuff Spot – iPump Fitness

Originally spotted at PumpOne

iPump Fitness Application

All pimped out

Following the success of MTV’s ‘pimp my ride’ it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to take an every day product and creatively give it a new lease of life.

Check out the following websites to access some original pimping ideas:

Adidas Trainers Pimped (Dutch Artist)

Ikea Sofa Pimped (Dutch Company)

Wheelie Bin Pimped

Sim's Female Pimped

Kids Tent's Pimped