Telepresence - Will it Meet My Expectations?Telepresence - Will it Meet My Expectations?

First quarter 2008 started off with a big bang about UC--UC this, UC that, UC everywhere except for the budget. Then, folks got a taste of two big gas guzzling heroes that tried to come across as green machines- yes, Mr. Chambers and Mr. Gore, your high-falutin' ways won't get you any green awards. Each of you do not drive hybrids as a primary vehicle, and private jets and mansions don't count for you even if you buy a couple of renewable energy certificates.

First quarter 2008 started off with a big bang about UC--UC this, UC that, UC everywhere except for the budget. Then, folks got a taste of two big gas guzzling heroes that tried to come across as green machines- yes, Mr. Chambers and Mr. Gore, your high-falutin' ways won't get you any green awards. Each of you do not drive hybrids as a primary vehicle, and private jets and mansions don't count for you even if you buy a couple of renewable energy certificates.Whether or not Telepresence is green, remains to be seen. Everyone has the illusion that green simply means to use less energy. That's only part of the green picture.

Most of my life I've seen knock-offs of fantasy products. Remember the "machine gun BB gun" advertised in comic books? FAKE! Remember the incredible "itching powder" that would drive folks nuts itching? It was just a sprinkle of fiber-glass insulation. Don't laugh at me because many of you carried "bag phones" or have protrusions growing out of your ears and you are often noted talking to yourselves in public.

I think Cisco is onto something with their Telepresence. When it appears in corporate America it will be entertaining to see (if we could) executives trying to "command a presence" with Telepresence. Maybe I'm of the old school, but these guys on the boards have perks- as do the ladies. Their wives love business trips because that means shopping trips and day outings with friends. Tell me it isn't so. Getting Telepresence approved may not include "required executive travel." So just as a suggestion- target those below the board and ranks to those that want to use the tool to make their companies look green. Setting the climate is still a key upper management tactic that Telepresence better get right. Environmental controls of remote "conference rooms" must have temperature controls to allow the CEO to turn the heat up, and the quality of the experience better include seeing the other guy sweat.

But the real thrust of my concern is, will Telepresence meet my expectations? Being that Star Trek does have a say in this- and for those doubting Thomases- maybe you missed the film on the rocket scientists that says it's so! Or the testimony of "Q" !

My expectation and question- when the new guy Captain Piccard communicates with Number 1 on some planet with babes and great Romulan Ale, Piccard can see Number 1 on the screen (viewer)- but can Number 1 see Piccard? Maybe he doesn't want to.

Think about that one.