[OSList] What is the sweet spot for Online OS using video chat?

Wed Aug 31 13:56:21 PDT 2016

I watched a video yesterday from a recent conference, a traditional affair
with all shapes and sizes of workshop/presentation sessions.  This one I
was watching had a sort of panel presentation, with five different people
sharing stories.  All of their stories were accompanied by a powerpoint
backdrop, but that is sort of forgivable since their topic was specifically
about visualization of complex work and dynamics.  Would have been weird
without some visuals to their stories of visualizations.

The interesting thing is that one of the panelists was across an ocean.  He
presented on the big screen, shared his screen to show his examples, and
all through the session he watched the audience and the other speakers on
his laptop.  He asked questions of the audience and got a show of hands.
He was totally there.

So some of the wondering about face-to-face or online sounds like to me a
bit like asking if open space needs a fancy retreat setting or could it
happen in a ballroom or church basement or middle school gymnasium.  Online
in just another place.  Wherever it happens, it's open space, right
enough.  You can search the archives for when Ralph Copleman had us cooking
up solutions for opening for a large-ish group on a beach.

In a session at the same conference I mentioned, we did two sessions on
distributed teamwork, where people from all over work on the same team
everyday.  We had 40-50 people in the room and another 10 or so online, via
sococo.com and also using some little robot gizmos each of which lets one
person put their face on an ipad and remotely control the neck that holds
it, so they can turn their head, nod, look up and down.

in a recent training conversation we boiled down the must-haves in open
space to just two.  we wiped out circle, postits, chairs, and so on.  we
decided the two essentials were people and a story.

so if the fifth principle works, online is just another place.  yes, some
places are better for us than others.  pillars are a hassle.  so's not
being able to see faces of other ppts.  not being able to move myself
between breakouts is pretty much like fixed theater seating.

what works online? pretty much what works everywhere else.  we need people
and a story, someplace to tell the story, so that implies a gathering
place.  we need a way to see other ppts, their faces and their groupings in
clusters of conversation.  we need a way to wander around and get in other
people's view, to be noticed, so we can say hello.  we need a way to write
and read topics for discussion and hang them somewhere.  We need a way for
anyone to ask the facilitator a question, but ideally not in the middle of
the opening briefing, or right as it finishes.  A way to capture notes and
share them with everyone.

The onscreen view can be very simple.  I'm wondering just now what it would
look like as a slightly larger than screen-sized space, so it needed to be
moved around and zoomed like a google map.  That's a totally new idea for
me, just now, and I think i do like that.  Zoom and Slide in a big online
working space.  Can you rig that up, Lucas?

--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

http://MichaelHerman.com
http://OpenSpaceWorld.org

On Wed, Aug 31, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Peggy Holman via OSList <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Makes me of the response from a techie on why they still have face to face
> meetings with all the tech available for communication: higher bandwidth.
>
> Ben — thanks for painting a terrific picture of the potential.
>
> Peggy
>
>
>
> _________________________________
> Peggy Holman
> Executive Director
> Journalism that Matters
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>
> Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into
> Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Aug 31, 2016, at 5:30 AM, Harrison Owen via OSList <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> The story of OS and the Techies is a long one. As it happened, the folks
> who were present for the first OS, and subsequently constituted major parts
> of the early community were all Techies of a sort. Some of them actually
> designed systems and wrote code and others were more “eager participants” –
> that would include me. The new toy was Internet, which at the point we
> became involved was still property of the US Army and known as DARPA NET.
> The world changed under our feet, and the word “exciting” is pretty limp.
>
> Early on some of the commercial techies thought they saw possibilities in
> OS. One group came to me with what they thought was a revolutionary idea:
> Set up a room full of laptops and have everybody communicate through them
> and a “master” screen set on the wall. The whole thing was prewired and
> magnificently packaged. They made their presentation, but their faces fell
> when I said, “Guys, we could actually talk to each other.”  In fact, I
> believe they made a fair amount of money selling the thing to corporations
> who were (had been) convinced that their executives were too shy, or
> whatever, to communicate directly, face to face.
>
> The iterations have continued over the years. You know  the most recent
> ones, but there are more. I have always admired the energy and creativity.
> But at the end of the day, I really didn’t see much value added that
> couldn’t have been supplied (at much less cost) by the simple application
> of everyday, off the shelf kinds of stuff. I do grant that the proposed
> systems were an awful lot prettier – and I really was impressed with my
> electronic “birthday.” But from the very beginning it seemed to me that we
> were looking at a technology in search of an application. I totally
> understand the techie attraction, and I salute their tenacity….
>
> Somehow, the attempt to “replicate the Open Space experience online” just
> doesn’t catch me. The comparison is indeed odious – but it rather reminds
> me of attempting to replicate making love.
>
> So I guess I am back to where I started – What next? It’s wide open and
> massively potential… but we ain’t there yet. I don’t think.
>
> Harrison
>
>
> Winter Address
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
> Potomac, MD 20854
> 301-365-2093
>
> Summer Address
> 189 Beaucauire Ave
> Camden, ME 04843
> 207 763-3261
>
> Websites
> www.openspaceworld.com
> www.ho-image.com
>
> *From:* OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
> <oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org>] *On Behalf Of *Suzanne Daigle
> via OSList
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 30, 2016 6:06 PM
> *To:* Harrison Owen
> *Cc:* World wide Open Space Technology email list
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] What is the sweet spot for Online OS using video
> chat?
>
>
> Hello HO,
>
> NOW WHAT indeed!
>
> No more apologies for getting carried away. Be it me bubbling forth with
> the feeling of "love",  a word I would not have dared utter loudly in
> public, most especially in professional contexts. Yet those feelings are
> undeniably there and I shall utter them as they happen. :-) So far I've
> survived speaking my mind... Even more it's blasted holes by opening more
> space that led to productive inspired work, in ways that made me happy I
> didn't keep my mouth shut. With guys and gals.
>
> Nor shall I hold back on what I envision in the virtual world. Beyond the
> so called internet. As one who has hosted often in my physical house and
> been similarly hosted in the homes of others, I know there is more to be
> invented there.
> While I may not be the one doing the inventing, I will gladly partake in
> the joy of this imagined future experience and I will wholeheartedly nudge,
> prod, and encourage those who passionately see beyond the reaches of what I
> see.
>
> So rather than a duel on the matter, what say you to a hearty Martini in
> Manila so I can paint a picture of what I see?
>
> After all, you're the one who got me in this mess of Open Space with all
> this spirited wave rider stuff and grateful am I that it came my way!
>
> From a happy Florida camper,
> Suzanne
>
> On Aug 30, 2016 5:38 PM, "Harrison Owen" <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> > OK – You do get carried away for a bit! But you are right!! AND. Your
> imagination is exceeded only by reality!!! (“Today as I imagine the
> possibility of  a Virtual House where I could drop in to just hang out with
> family, friends, colleagues and Open Space pals, from around the world, I
> know that this possibility exists. To see Tova in Israel, Claudia in Egypt,
> Sharon Joy in Manila, Alan in Australia, etc. etc. etc.”)
> >
> >
> >
> > Suzanne – This is what we do. Every day. All the time. Ever
> since!!!! It’s called The Internet.
> >
> >
> >
> > NOW WHAT!
> >
> >
> >
> > ho
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Winter Address
> >
> > 7808 River Falls Dr.
> >
> > Potomac, MD 20854
> >
> > 301-365-2093
> >
> >
> >
> > Summer Address
> >
> > 189 Beaucauire Ave
> >
> > Camden, ME 04843
> >
> > 207 763-3261
> >
> >
> >
> > Websites
> >
> > www.openspaceworld.com
> >
> > www.ho-image.com
> >
> >
> >
> > From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf
> Of Suzanne Daigle via OSList
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 5:07 PM
> >
> > To: Lucas Cioffi; World wide Open Space Technology email list
> > Subject: Re: [OSList] What is the sweet spot for Online OS using video
> chat?
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Lucas and all,
> >
> >
> >
> > As you pose your question and I saw the replies, I realize once again
> how passionate you, Ben Roberts, Brian Burt and others are about creating
> virtual experiences for others and with others.  With the spirit and
> essence of Open Space. Thank you so very much!
> >
> >
> >
> > In seeing your names, I relived the magic of past virtual Open Space
> events (Brené Brown and the Global Conversation - Maestro and Brian Burt)
> and Harrison's 80th Birthday Party (Lucas and Michael Herman)  last year
> and yes WOSonOS Florida too (Ben Roberts and others) with opportunities
> here and there to welcome colleagues.
> >
> >
> >
> > None perfect but all exhilarating in the trailblazing and experiencing
> of it.
> >
> >
> >
> > Lucas I share your "Field of Dream Passion - Build it and They Will
> Come" though not in developing, refining, improving or simplifying the
> mechanics of it in the backroom so all can go smooth in the virtual space.
> That is not my expertise or passion. It is the work of unsung heroes.
> >
> >
> >
> > If I was to focus on your word "simplest" aka "simplify", I wonder if we
> could not create the feel of sitting in a circle without talking about a
> circle (like sitting around a campfire, in the comfort of your living room
> or around your kitchen table)? Rather than breakouts, could we have rooms
> and corners where people can go hang out?  Rather than a marketplace wall,
> it could be like going to a movie with a bill board that announces the
> movies that are playing. Then of course you could see who's there, in which
> room. People would instantly think this is really cool and not a process
> thing.
> >
> >
> >
> > We know that Open Space works best when we don't talk about Open Space;
> we don't talk about a circle, breakouts and stuff.  We simply invite from
> the purpose, theme or reason for meeting. In those first moments of sitting
> in a circle, looking at the floor and the marketplace wall, it all seems so
> foreign to people who have never experienced OS before. Why then should we
> bring these concepts into the virtual space?  We don't have to counteract
> the familiarity of a theatre style setting, reject the podium or a panel of
> speakers.
> >
> > We can create brand new space - a space of welcome, connecting and
> getting things done from the comfort of our own home or office or wherever.
> >
> >
> >
> > For each element of Open Space, there could be a way of explaining it
> that invites a degree of freedom that feels different, open and fun. People
> might attribute it to "this is how it happens virtually" and in the process
> they would be living the law of two feet. We'd be communicating intent as
> we give the mechanics of how to move around.
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm sorry if I got a bit carried away. Ben Roberts once told me years
> ago that he pictured that some virtual meetings could be better than in
> person. I didn't quite believe him. Today as I imagine the possibility of
>  a Virtual House where I could drop in to just hang out with family,
> friends, colleagues and Open Space pals, from around the world, I know that
> this possibility exists. To see Tova in Israel, Claudia in Egypt, Sharon
> Joy in Manila, Alan in Australia, etc. etc. etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Suzanne
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> > Suzanne Daigle
> > Open Space Facilitator
> > NuFocus Strategic Group
> >
> > FL 941-359-8877
> > Cell: 203-722-2009
> > www.nufocusgroup.com
> > s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com
> > Twitter @Daiglesuz
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Aug 28, 2016 at 10:36 AM, Lucas Cioffi via OSList <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> >
> >
> > I would be super-excited to hear how folks would design the simplest
> online Open Space experience using video chat.
> >
> >
> >
> > I posted my thoughts below, but I put them further down so that you
> might have a moment to think about what online OS experience would work
> best for you, rather than letting my thoughts influence yours.
> >
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> > My...
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> > thoughts...
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> > are...
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> > down...
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> > below...
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> > Here are my rough thoughts:
> >
> >
> >
> > 1. When the event begins you open up a webpage.  You can see the
> following:
> >
> > where the opening circle is
> > how many virtual breakout spaces there are
> > who is in each virtual space right now
> > what is being discussed now and in the future (a bulletin board /
> marketplace / idea wall)
> >
> > 2. Next you choose to enter a space by turning on your video chat.
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: The following features seem helpful but not necessary:
> >
> > 3. When you arrive in a space, you see a shared notes area available to
> all participants.
> >
> >
> >
> > 4. There is a way to raise your hand to indicate that you'd like to
> speak.
> >
> >
> >
> > 5. There is a way to share a quick message such as ("I have to step away
> for a moment").
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks so much for any advice.  I look forward to hearing what you have
> in mind!
> >
> >
> > Lucas Cioffi
> >
> > Founder, QiqoChat
> >
> > Charlottesville, VA
> >
> > Mobile: 917-528-1831
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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