Tuesday, July 27, 2010

IT - Open and Transformed

After twenty odd years of accrued cynicism towards IT departments my faith in IT was redeemed today. I met a CIO who espouses Gov 2.0, moves to transform and engage, challenges the way things have always been done, and seeks to establish an IT service that acts as an enabler, not an enforcer. Allowing users to choose their own technology, moving to open source software software, and allowing staff to surf an unblocked web FROM THEIR WORKPLACE! Driving towards open ecosystems in city and corporate governance? And espousing the merits of web 2.0 -acting to break down corporate barriers and forming a conversation between those within and those outside a corporation - he espouses the move into web 3.0. Chris Moore, CIO of Edmonton - also took time to share his vision and creation of Edmonton in Second Life. A great initiative - combined with an open invitation to other Edmonton institutions and companies to share in and collaborate. Chris is hosting an international CIO panel in October for a Digital Cities conference. Love the transformation of IT, and the Edmonton Second Life - I'll be pushing to get my company involved - yes it will take some doing, but I'm not one to walk away from a challenge. Hobbled a few times, or was carried away, but not consciously walked away. Chris has given me the legs I need. Read Chris' blog.