We’re speaking today with Len Hause, Internetologist and founder of MashBrain where he consults on Internet marketing and technology strategies. Today we’re talking about the Transformation of the Grid. I’ve known Len since the early 1990’s where we worked in IT at Motorola. Len and I where involved in dozens of Intranet and Internet-based projects during the early days of the enterprise learning how to use the Internet.

There’s been quite a bit of discussion lately about the nation’s electrical grid, from aging components, demand exceeding output, discontinuity from sector to sector to potential for terrorist attacks against it.  So, I thought a conversation with Len would be helpful to get the bigger picture of how the lessons learned in building the Internet could be applied to a new generation power grid for the nation.

1. - How has the the transformation and maturity of the Internet affected other sectors? What analogies can we draw between the Internet and the electrical grid?
2. – What are the driving forces and technologies?
3. – Who are the players?
4. – What are some of the initial changes we will see?
5. – What is the scope of the transformation?
6. -What role will open source, or internet standards-based technologies play?
7. – What new markets will emerge?
8. – What role will Social Media play in this transformation?

Tonight, Donna and I were at the Alamo Drafthouse on Lamar. We had vip tickets from a friend to see a 10 minute preview of the new Star Trek to be released May 8th and then we were to see an older Star Trek movie – Wrath of Kahn. Seemed like an odd thing to do late on a Monday night but I’m such a Star Trek fan that I figured it was worth showing up to see the long preview and the Star Trek rerun.  Little did we know what was about to happen.

The lights came down and sure enough Wrath of Kahn starts to play but no preview, so we thought oh heck, we gotta watch an old Star Trek movie before we can see that 10 minute trailer.  I guess they figured people would just watch the trailer and leave so we had to watch the movie.

On the way into the theater, management was fanatical about no cell phones or cameras and wanded everyone that came in – no exceptions and that happened even if you went out to pee and came back into the theater.  There were lots of guys in black suits and some had ‘gear’ to look for the little infrared beam that a camera puts out when it attempts to focus.  We saw the guys, I didn’t see the gear.  Seemed pretty serious for a 10 minute preview but what the heck.  They started playing the “Wrath of Kahn then the movie became very scratchy and stopped playing. Looked like the film burned up or something in the projector and the movie stopped.

Oh great … now what!

Then … the lights up front come on… and this very tall lanky rather familiar looking older man steps onto the stage at the front into the lights.  He was there along with the three writers for the new Star Trek.  We thought, “How cool and how lucky are we that they were there to see the audience reactions to the longer trailer”.

But no, they had something else in mind!

They started talking and asking the audience if we would prefer to see the entire new Star Trek movie versus just the 10 minute trailer. Well that was an easy answer – YES.  But we just thought it was a big joke.  The audience was just dumb founded – like REALLY you’re going show the entire movie not just a 10 minute trailer?  No … you’re kidding … right. Long pause, then Leonard said well, I like Austin and I think it should be the first place to show the new movie.  We applauded like there was no tomorrow with excitement; all the while still half wondering is this was all a joke.  But hey, Nimoy doesn’t lie right?

And then they played the entire new Star Trek and needless to say we were on cloud nine the entire time.

You’re gonna like the movie I think.  We sure loved it.  I’m sure lots will be written and no doubt the movie critics will have their way with it as they tend to do. But for me, a Star Trek fan, I totally enjoyed the movie and will not spoil it for you by trying to analyze it or talk about it too much.  If you watched Star Trek in the 70’s and 80’s, then you’ll enjoy what happens in this movie.

This is the first movie I’ve been to with people standing up applauding and hooping and hollering. Nimoy, the writers and Alamo Drafthouse management came back up on stage afterwards and it was like a giant love fest. Nobody wanted to leave. Many MANY thanks to Alamo Drafthouse in Austin Texas for their magic.

What an evening…

Tom

PS:  There is a hint of a sequel!

See this TechCrunch article for more detail on Google and Twitter …

If you stop and think about this, it just makes sense to some degree. Google dominates in the area of search. But they don’t do ‘real-time’ search of conversations and that’s where Twitter is strong. If you haven’t used the http://search.twitter.com — do so and you’ll see the power of this new era. Type a few keywords in and watch as it updates for you in real-time, listing the Twitter conversations going on with those keywords.

We’ll see… rumors are rumors.  But just because it makes sense to a bunch of bloggers doesn’t mean it will happen.  Personally, I’d like to see it occur provided Google doesn’t sit on Twitter like it did Blogger and slow the development of the platform.  But I have my doubts Google will make the leap because there is so much in flux right now. New developments in social media and social networking tools are happening almost weekly from startups and the majors.

For example, where does FriendFeed fit into the picture with their announcements this coming Monday (April 6th) for major changes?  I’m personally more interested in these developments because it’s a more powerful communication tool then Twitter.  And what will Facebook do?  My goodness; there are so many changes occurring in the social tools space that 2009 is an exciting year of unpredictable change for most of us. Hardly a new concept though considering the last few years, but that’s another more philosophic topic.

Robert Scoble seems to be leaning away from the idea that Google would buy Twitter. As you know, opinions are like noses, everyone has one. What do you think?  Kara Swisher is reporting that there is no Google deal under discussion to buy Twitter.

Tom

SXSW 2009 is nearly here. This is the week before so I have some tips for you to maximize your experience.

1. Get lots of sleep this week. Really – GO TO BED EARLY all week. Exercise and eat well. You MUST roll into Austin in good shape physically and mentally; else you’ll crumble. Every day is very full from morning to well into the evening. You will want to get out and enjoy downtown Austin for the gatherings and parties which frankly is the best part of SXSW because you meet so many fascinating people.

2. Review the calendar of events and panels and make your first cut now. Don’t wait, you’ll be sorry once you’re sucked into the vortex.

3. Pick A and B for each panel time. The reason for this is the Austin Convention Center (ACC) is HUGE.  If you get to a panel and you don’t like it or it’s crowded you simply must know how to find that B panel, else you’ll lose out on both. Sometimes you just pick the wrong one, so give yourself some options.

4. Go early to pick up your badge. Go early to pick up your badge. Go early to pick up your badge. Did I say that enough?

5. Toss out all the stuff they give you EXCEPT the drink tickets. The rest sadly, is useless.

6. There will be a very large catalog type book for Interactive and Film. Do not haul them each day. Simply pull out the panel summary page for each day and take it with you. Repeat each day.

7. Bring your laptop if it’s light. There is free WIFI throughout the ACC. You’ll want to take notes and hook up with people online in real time. During boring panels you can look like you’re taking notes while you catch up on your Twitter feed or FriendFeed …

8. There is no good food at the ACC. There is Starbucks though.  If you don’t mind standing to eat and food that tastes like it came from the airport, then you can grab lunch at the ACC. It’s best to carry around some fruit and health bars in your back pack.  Eat breakfast before you come each day and be prepared to just head out for lunch which is good for networking anyway. But remember everything downtown is crowded. Same for dinner – eat out.

9. Wear comfortable clothing. If you’re planning on doing some networking, wear something memorable. Why not?

10. Like most places, AC plugs can be as rare as hen’s teeth. If you’re up for it, bring a small extension cord with multiple plugins. Share …

11. Enjoy yourself. This isn’t your typical boring enterprise or academic type conference where everyone is worried about their next raise (well ok these days it’s worry about keeping your job).  This is more like being in college.

12. Take plenty of business cards to give out. SXSW is the uber-conference for networking and plan on using those cards for taking down notes at odd times. Always follow up with folks that you meet even if it’s just to touch back and say hi.

13. Enjoy meeting people. It’s crowded but everyone is there for the same reason to learn and meet people. Say hello, introduce yourself, ask people about themselves and why they are there. Be interested in others. Most people work for themselves or in small businesses. Yes there are some folks from large businesses but most are just like you and me – self employed. Everyone you meet could be an opportunity for new business. It’s like 5 days of meet and greets for business versus dating and hey it’s fun because there is no worry of rejection. And lots of places have free drinks.

Now go to bed if you’re reading this late a night. You’re going to need your energy.

What did I forget? Leave a comment.

All the best
Tom

This interview is 7:45 in length. We chat in my studio about SXSW 2009 this year, the rise in people suddenly adopting ’social media consultant” titles, and comments about his book “Social Media One Hour a Day”.

This was shot with a rental camera I was testing and I didn’t get the focus as razor sharp as I had hoped. That’s how it goes sometimes when you’re testing new gear.  Anyway, it’s the content that counts so enjoy the conversation. Dave is easy to connect with, a good friend and one heck of a smart social media dude.

Here’s Dave …

Tom