A cool, gray day at the end of strange access private to a San Mateo County beach.
In attendance was a good mix of family, old neighborhood kid friends from San Leandro, DCP colleagues, including Alton, Sanders, Lulu. Tim B, Leigh K, Pulon, Jim Mc, Sally R.
Sally put on a wonderful cape and gave an Indian prayer -- explaining the prayer was sending his spirit to the land of the grandmothers – and it created a spiritual opening that generated comfort and forgiveness.
Lela ended the ceremony, including readings from selected parts of posts from the blog.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Larry's Parting Email from the Planning Dept.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:09 AM
To: CTYPLN - CITY PLANNING EVERYONE
Subject: An Old Note From Larry Collins
Greetings All,
Someone on staff ran across this email from Larry Collins on the occasion of his separation from the Planning Department almost three years ago. I thought it captured some of Larry's passion and inspiration, and it seemed worth sharing. His appreciation and promotion of our planning mission, as a non-planner, always impressed me. Thanks,
Larry Collins/CTYPLN/SFGOV
To CTYPLN - CITY PLANNING
09/23/2004 10:54 AM EVERYONE/CTYPLN/SFGOV
Subject Farewell SFPD
Farewell for now. Of course I'll be back frequently (especially via email and other exciting forms of new communications media before they hit the marketJ) to visit friends and torture others. Just in case you didn't know and are interested, I didn't end up here in planning on accident. In a past life I was a Realtor, real estate appraiser, and loan officer in Hawaii before studying information systems in grad school at HPU. After graduating, my ex wife was accepted to Stanford Law School and the WWW and .com boom had just begun. So we decided to move back to California. I'm not going to delineate where I?m going now, just incase this "Kafkaesque" roller coaster ride I'm on has a few more loops in store.
I will miss many, many, people here! So much so that it's extremely hard to keep this short. I won't apologize for its length because I know you're all aware of the delete button J It's the people and the relationships that I've made here in planning for nearly 7 years now that have kept me in the "asylum" far longer then many have advised me I should. So I blame you! Of course I'm kidding, our interpersonal relationships, more than anything else, make life worth living. This planning department is replete with many extraordinarily talented, creative, and driven (some driven nearly insane J) public servants. I don't need to be a professional planner to see brilliance when I see it. That's among several reasons why I'm most perplexed and can't comprehend at all why Scott E is still a 3. Hey, that rhymes J I wish you all well in your battle against "the machinery" as well as the various sources of small/and/or/backwards/and/or/narrow-mindedness that continues to try and too often succeeds at marginalizing your profession. We're living in a world where too often, creativity is squashed by "pragmatism". But hey, on a very positive note, don' ever forget that you are all blessed to have the opportunity, in one way or another, to shape this great city of ours. I personally know that several of you find yourself at SFPD first and foremost, not simply for a paycheck, but in fact because you want to make a meaningful difference in your life. Maybe I'm naïve, I may very well be, but I encourage all of you professional planners to remember why you got into planning to begin with and to forge forward and stand up against the obstacles you face. Don't just sit back and take it! Organize, if need be, pool some money together and hire a private lobbyist and PR agent to promote your collective vision (assuming you can collect one of course J). I can't conceive of another American city that would benefit more from professional planners weighing in more, not less, than this city. We have such little real estate to play with. Wow, I'm starting to sound like a pro union collectivist. What's happening here? Like most everything else in life, the devil's in the details.
OK, I must end with some more politics J. I can't resist, as anyone who's come to know me lately knows, and Carol, politics doesn't drive economics, it's most obviously the other way around J. Being a fiscal conservative and enthusiastic proponent of private enterprise capitalism, and now having worked among socialists in the public sector for nearly 7 years in this "crazy" department as a citizen of one of the highest cost of living and taxed counties in the nation, you might think my commitment to smaller government has grown. You'd be absolutely correct and believe me it's grown considerably.
However, I still fully believe in this planning department's fundamental mission. I also continue to believe that "WELL MANAGED" city planning in general represents both a unique and critically important investment of public monies, if for no other reason (and there are several) than to counter one of capitalism's most gaping flaws. Private Enterprise rarely thinks beyond the narrowly driven interests of its stake holders thus it is imperative that a counter balancing public sector force weighs in, not just as a counter balance, but as a reasoned (public oriented) and professional voice that is intimately tied into the communities that have to live for years with the outcome of whatever is developed.
I'm sure this isn't anything that most of you aren't well aware of and were taught in school, still, I wanted you to know that this staunch capitalists appreciates what you lefties do for a living J Please scroll to the bottom of this email for my parting songs (each URL/link represents a server that is serving the song up just in case you can't connect to one or another). They both are from one of my favorite lyricists, Don Henley. The first is quite political, yet I'm certain my friends and most planners will appreciate it, especially my union buddies who I've cc:d this to. The other is a very uplifting song and one of my favorites from several years back that I grew to love as I was finally coming out of a huge perspective distorting cloud that surrounded me after I got divorced.
Enjoy, keep up the good fight, and please of course try your best to live long and prosper,
Larry (a.k.a SizzleMaster)
p.s.
For life, I most certainly intend to be available via email at larry@datasculpting.com . But hey, who knows where this technological trip
we're all headed on, whether we like it or not, is going to end up right? Also, if any of you are at all interested in sharing anything you think anyone else in this world might be interested in, then please keep your eye on (and bookmark) the DataSculpting Portal, a lifelong Knowledge & Entertainment sharing portal website hobby of mine and others: http://dsp.datasculpting.com.
Cheers?..
Inside Job
mms://mirror4.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://mirror2.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://mirror1.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://media.datasculpting.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
My Thanksgiving
mms://mirror4.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://mirror2.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://mirror1.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://media.datasculpting.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 11:09 AM
To: CTYPLN - CITY PLANNING EVERYONE
Subject: An Old Note From Larry Collins
Greetings All,
Someone on staff ran across this email from Larry Collins on the occasion of his separation from the Planning Department almost three years ago. I thought it captured some of Larry's passion and inspiration, and it seemed worth sharing. His appreciation and promotion of our planning mission, as a non-planner, always impressed me. Thanks,
Larry Collins/CTYPLN/SFGOV
To CTYPLN - CITY PLANNING
09/23/2004 10:54 AM EVERYONE/CTYPLN/SFGOV
Subject Farewell SFPD
Farewell for now. Of course I'll be back frequently (especially via email and other exciting forms of new communications media before they hit the marketJ) to visit friends and torture others. Just in case you didn't know and are interested, I didn't end up here in planning on accident. In a past life I was a Realtor, real estate appraiser, and loan officer in Hawaii before studying information systems in grad school at HPU. After graduating, my ex wife was accepted to Stanford Law School and the WWW and .com boom had just begun. So we decided to move back to California. I'm not going to delineate where I?m going now, just incase this "Kafkaesque" roller coaster ride I'm on has a few more loops in store.
I will miss many, many, people here! So much so that it's extremely hard to keep this short. I won't apologize for its length because I know you're all aware of the delete button J It's the people and the relationships that I've made here in planning for nearly 7 years now that have kept me in the "asylum" far longer then many have advised me I should. So I blame you! Of course I'm kidding, our interpersonal relationships, more than anything else, make life worth living. This planning department is replete with many extraordinarily talented, creative, and driven (some driven nearly insane J) public servants. I don't need to be a professional planner to see brilliance when I see it. That's among several reasons why I'm most perplexed and can't comprehend at all why Scott E is still a 3. Hey, that rhymes J I wish you all well in your battle against "the machinery" as well as the various sources of small/and/or/backwards/and/or/narrow-mindedness that continues to try and too often succeeds at marginalizing your profession. We're living in a world where too often, creativity is squashed by "pragmatism". But hey, on a very positive note, don' ever forget that you are all blessed to have the opportunity, in one way or another, to shape this great city of ours. I personally know that several of you find yourself at SFPD first and foremost, not simply for a paycheck, but in fact because you want to make a meaningful difference in your life. Maybe I'm naïve, I may very well be, but I encourage all of you professional planners to remember why you got into planning to begin with and to forge forward and stand up against the obstacles you face. Don't just sit back and take it! Organize, if need be, pool some money together and hire a private lobbyist and PR agent to promote your collective vision (assuming you can collect one of course J). I can't conceive of another American city that would benefit more from professional planners weighing in more, not less, than this city. We have such little real estate to play with. Wow, I'm starting to sound like a pro union collectivist. What's happening here? Like most everything else in life, the devil's in the details.
OK, I must end with some more politics J. I can't resist, as anyone who's come to know me lately knows, and Carol, politics doesn't drive economics, it's most obviously the other way around J. Being a fiscal conservative and enthusiastic proponent of private enterprise capitalism, and now having worked among socialists in the public sector for nearly 7 years in this "crazy" department as a citizen of one of the highest cost of living and taxed counties in the nation, you might think my commitment to smaller government has grown. You'd be absolutely correct and believe me it's grown considerably.
However, I still fully believe in this planning department's fundamental mission. I also continue to believe that "WELL MANAGED" city planning in general represents both a unique and critically important investment of public monies, if for no other reason (and there are several) than to counter one of capitalism's most gaping flaws. Private Enterprise rarely thinks beyond the narrowly driven interests of its stake holders thus it is imperative that a counter balancing public sector force weighs in, not just as a counter balance, but as a reasoned (public oriented) and professional voice that is intimately tied into the communities that have to live for years with the outcome of whatever is developed.
I'm sure this isn't anything that most of you aren't well aware of and were taught in school, still, I wanted you to know that this staunch capitalists appreciates what you lefties do for a living J Please scroll to the bottom of this email for my parting songs (each URL/link represents a server that is serving the song up just in case you can't connect to one or another). They both are from one of my favorite lyricists, Don Henley. The first is quite political, yet I'm certain my friends and most planners will appreciate it, especially my union buddies who I've cc:d this to. The other is a very uplifting song and one of my favorites from several years back that I grew to love as I was finally coming out of a huge perspective distorting cloud that surrounded me after I got divorced.
Enjoy, keep up the good fight, and please of course try your best to live long and prosper,
Larry (a.k.a SizzleMaster)
p.s.
For life, I most certainly intend to be available via email at larry@datasculpting.com . But hey, who knows where this technological trip
we're all headed on, whether we like it or not, is going to end up right? Also, if any of you are at all interested in sharing anything you think anyone else in this world might be interested in, then please keep your eye on (and bookmark) the DataSculpting Portal, a lifelong Knowledge & Entertainment sharing portal website hobby of mine and others: http://dsp.datasculpting.com.
Cheers?..
Inside Job
mms://mirror4.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://mirror2.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://mirror1.datafuze.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
mms://media.datasculpting.com/music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/07%20Inside%20Job.wma
My Thanksgiving
mms://mirror4.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://mirror2.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://mirror1.datafuze.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
mms://media.datasculpting.com/Music/Don%20Henley/Inside%20Job/13%20My%20Thanksgiving.wma
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
I First Met Larry . . .
I first met Larry . . .
[1st draft of 8-7-2007] . . . as we were both arriving at the Planning Dept. a little late from lunch. He was wearing these enormous hi-fidelity headphones for his latest MP3 player. He seemed a bit shy, but also slightly absent, preoccupied. We did not talk much, but exchanged hellos, and he explained he was getting back late because he’d just been to a lunchtime classical concert, been moved to tears, and could not leave right away. He loved music.
This chance meeting must was in 2000 or 2001 and did not lead to a lot of interaction. Over time, I began to see Larry around more regularly as he befriended everyone in the Planning Department. He began to make a brief (more or less) pass through the rarefied realm of long term planning a couple times a week. He’d say hi, finding out what each of us was working on, what type of computer needs we had, freely giving out power-computing tips or solving computer problems, touting this or that latest computer gadget, sharing his most recent musical interest; and, oh yes, having intense discussions on the state of computing (Microsoft vs the world – resistance was futile) and politics.
As I later found out, Larry was an object-oriented software developer who liked to design the front end of programs – the user interface and one-button functionality, that would leverage the power and potential of computers for human use. Philosophically, he was somewhat of an Objectivist (Ann Rand), believing intensely in the responsibility and accountability of the individual and the utmost honesty in human interaction. He believed humans were meant for interaction, for sharing, and he thought that computers represented a huge and powerful new tool and arena for old and new forms of human interaction, experience, and relationship. Practically, he was a bit of a salesman, always coming at you with the sales pitch, the reason why you should do something or other, his most recent wonder gizmo, gadget, or scheme that would benefit both him and you. And he as an economist by training, which was one of our first conceptual connections – a real systems thinker, of which, apparently, there are relatively few by natural inclination and capacity in the population at large, approximately 3-5 percent. This capacity, or curse in some cases, focuses not on the bits and pieces of existence but the relationship between the bits and pieces, the linkages. More importantly, it illuminates potential that does not often exist in the moment. It extends the nature and the logic of the linkages, the relationships, as far as they can go and formulates their implications and highest potential. Larry was always focused on potential, on what could be; and not as an idealist but as a developer -- fully embracing the demanding work of the development challenge to get there. The training in economics and this systems thinking orientation we shared in common, and it became the basis for a few projects, both inside the department and outside. Personally, Larry was principled to a fault, and was willing to take courses of action to their ultimate logical conclusion, regardless of personal cost, if he believed in their righteousness, in some cases, even if they were ill-advised or even wrong.
Larry’s software development interests had been captured by the philosophy and direction Microsoft was taking in the development of its software, not to mention the fact that they were the 10,000 pound gorilla who could make it happen developmentally and in the market place. Their philosophy emphasized connecting people more effectively and efficiently in their various work processes – early Web 2.0! His interest was peaked in 2001 with Microsoft’s first release of it’s new, powerful, social, work process software – SharePoint. He was pleased in late 2001 or early 2002 when the Pl. Department agreed to send him to the center of his professional universe – a five day Microsoft Training in Redmond, Washington on the newly released SharePoint v 1.0! He saw a real career path ahead as a SharePoint and web-part developer for the Planning Department, an organization whose work processes by definition are people-process oriented and involve a lot of information sharing, communication, and collaboration! What a palate for a SharePoint developer. He returned from the conference with lots of fun freebies and DVDs with hours of SharePoint training sessions and software. He was flying high on the power and potential of SharePoint for revolutionizing work processes by connecting people to people authoring their own one-button websites, IMing and presence awareness, busting down the data silo barriers to information, dashboards for business intelligence, etc. It took more than a year of energetic development and proselytizing his IT colleagues in the Planning Dept. before he realized that implementing SharePoint in the Planning Dept. was an unlikely scenario in the near term due to a range of “practical” matters, such as the city’s budget crunch, being too big a cultural and technical change, etc.
In addition to the professional applications of SharePoint, Larry saw clearly a more enjoyable application of SharePoint to information and entertainment sharing among small groups of people to form a new virtual space and realm of relationship enabled solely by information technology. This was one of the concepts Larry envisioned under the theme of datascultping, and he set out to develop it. He started by securing the participation and limited technical commitment of non-techy server hosts that would purchase a server and host it on their own home phone DSL lines, while Larry linked it all together behind the scenes into a powerful, one-of-a-kind wide area network. As most visionary inventors, Larry slightly underestimated the technical learning capacity and resources needed on the part of his DataSculpting administrators and members, and even the needs for a lot of the back end work. So, instead of taking a month or two to set up and a couple minutes of content adding a month on the part of administrators, it took a couple years for the back end work, lasting across a new release of SharePoint which fixed many of the difficulties Larry was encountering with the backend, network, “plumbing” as he liked to call it. Even so, he managed to create the framework and add a lot of content for use by the small virtual info/entertainment sharing community. The evolving product, through numerous problems, new versions, updates, rebuilding, hardware crashes, etc., was a good showcase of his vision and the power and potential of SharePoint. It included a range of documents, forums, many audio files, various videos, tutorials, and streaming audio and video channels, along with user generated web sites, and various communication technologies.
Larry was hoping to use the DataSculping site as a key product of his skill and expertise. He was also hoping to launch his solo career as a web part developer for SharePoint and other .Net (dot.net) applications. As part of that goal, Larry and I launched a test venture called DataSculpting Collaborative Technologies (DCT), an informal joint venture to explore how we might package and market Larry’s expertise and value into a business presence and revenue. We gave this a valiant effort, but ultimately could not connect together with any sustained traction/production, and terminated the effort, or at least put it in mothballs. I did not have the time to invest in the business side and we were not connecting on the software development side where we’d collectively brainstorm ideas, he’d develop prototypes, and I’d provide feedback from an end user’s perspective. Larry really wanted and needed a full-time partner in creativity, so to speak, and I could not be that person.
Larry peeled off solo, yet again, eyes fixed on the prize, as always, and tried to make it work for himself. A year or so later, we tried another collaboration around my sustainability work, with Larry creating a portal and developing some ideas for services, but his full time attention could not be on it, I could not afford to fund the development at this point, my time was consumed with the mundanity of earning a living in planning, and the project eventually imploded under the weight of needed versus affordable resources.
The DataSculpting site embodied all of Larry’s key interests, with the linkage of information technology, community, information and entertainment (especially music) sharing, IT development, multi-media innovation. It probably is unique in the world, vision-wise, content-wise, and technology-wise (wide area network connected over land phone lines and basic DSL services). He probably knew SharePoint better than the developers, and was often way ahead of the developers in discovering problems (a big problem that continually plagued the DataSculpting effort), and then often solving them. As is typical of monopolies, Microsoft never paid much attention nor saw the potential to harness Larry’s creativity for mutual benefit. Larry was a Microsoft ISV SharePoint Partner, and became an MVP over time. He contributed at varying times to the blogosphere related to SharePoint and .Net (see the separate post Larry-Google Search, for a smattering of Larry’s prodigious productivity).
Larry had a memory that would not quit. He could remember hundreds of unser names and passwords, among other things. He was hooked on pushing his limits, of forging his productive and creative capacities in the crucible of action, often staying up for days at a time, multi-tasking innumerable applications, pushing his limits, as well as that of his technology and the people around him. He had a tendency to go with the thought of the moment, as most adventurers, explorers, and inventors do. His expectations were high. He valued creativity, productivity, complexity, simplicity, honesty, beauty, and authentic relationships. Larry was a bright flame of creativity, whose light began to dim, flicker, relight in what appeared to be a continual cycle, and then, all too suddenly and prematurely, go out.
Many explanations can be invoked and speculations made. He was not always the easiest person be around. He could be imposing, threatening, even, possibly, terrifying at times. He had his faults, as we humans all do. But his legacy, even as a presence will live on in some capacity in each of us. There is not a day that does not go by, where I don’t do something on my computer that Larry taught me, some little trick that makes work easier or is just fun and/or cool. A big part of my sustainability project is tied directly to the power and potential of information technology that I learned through Larry and his love for it, maybe best expressed by using SharePoint as the technology for a knowledge portal. So, with this, I not only say good bye to Larry, but hello as well each time I encounter part of his on-going legacy and presence.
[1st draft of 8-7-2007] . . . as we were both arriving at the Planning Dept. a little late from lunch. He was wearing these enormous hi-fidelity headphones for his latest MP3 player. He seemed a bit shy, but also slightly absent, preoccupied. We did not talk much, but exchanged hellos, and he explained he was getting back late because he’d just been to a lunchtime classical concert, been moved to tears, and could not leave right away. He loved music.
This chance meeting must was in 2000 or 2001 and did not lead to a lot of interaction. Over time, I began to see Larry around more regularly as he befriended everyone in the Planning Department. He began to make a brief (more or less) pass through the rarefied realm of long term planning a couple times a week. He’d say hi, finding out what each of us was working on, what type of computer needs we had, freely giving out power-computing tips or solving computer problems, touting this or that latest computer gadget, sharing his most recent musical interest; and, oh yes, having intense discussions on the state of computing (Microsoft vs the world – resistance was futile) and politics.
As I later found out, Larry was an object-oriented software developer who liked to design the front end of programs – the user interface and one-button functionality, that would leverage the power and potential of computers for human use. Philosophically, he was somewhat of an Objectivist (Ann Rand), believing intensely in the responsibility and accountability of the individual and the utmost honesty in human interaction. He believed humans were meant for interaction, for sharing, and he thought that computers represented a huge and powerful new tool and arena for old and new forms of human interaction, experience, and relationship. Practically, he was a bit of a salesman, always coming at you with the sales pitch, the reason why you should do something or other, his most recent wonder gizmo, gadget, or scheme that would benefit both him and you. And he as an economist by training, which was one of our first conceptual connections – a real systems thinker, of which, apparently, there are relatively few by natural inclination and capacity in the population at large, approximately 3-5 percent. This capacity, or curse in some cases, focuses not on the bits and pieces of existence but the relationship between the bits and pieces, the linkages. More importantly, it illuminates potential that does not often exist in the moment. It extends the nature and the logic of the linkages, the relationships, as far as they can go and formulates their implications and highest potential. Larry was always focused on potential, on what could be; and not as an idealist but as a developer -- fully embracing the demanding work of the development challenge to get there. The training in economics and this systems thinking orientation we shared in common, and it became the basis for a few projects, both inside the department and outside. Personally, Larry was principled to a fault, and was willing to take courses of action to their ultimate logical conclusion, regardless of personal cost, if he believed in their righteousness, in some cases, even if they were ill-advised or even wrong.
Larry’s software development interests had been captured by the philosophy and direction Microsoft was taking in the development of its software, not to mention the fact that they were the 10,000 pound gorilla who could make it happen developmentally and in the market place. Their philosophy emphasized connecting people more effectively and efficiently in their various work processes – early Web 2.0! His interest was peaked in 2001 with Microsoft’s first release of it’s new, powerful, social, work process software – SharePoint. He was pleased in late 2001 or early 2002 when the Pl. Department agreed to send him to the center of his professional universe – a five day Microsoft Training in Redmond, Washington on the newly released SharePoint v 1.0! He saw a real career path ahead as a SharePoint and web-part developer for the Planning Department, an organization whose work processes by definition are people-process oriented and involve a lot of information sharing, communication, and collaboration! What a palate for a SharePoint developer. He returned from the conference with lots of fun freebies and DVDs with hours of SharePoint training sessions and software. He was flying high on the power and potential of SharePoint for revolutionizing work processes by connecting people to people authoring their own one-button websites, IMing and presence awareness, busting down the data silo barriers to information, dashboards for business intelligence, etc. It took more than a year of energetic development and proselytizing his IT colleagues in the Planning Dept. before he realized that implementing SharePoint in the Planning Dept. was an unlikely scenario in the near term due to a range of “practical” matters, such as the city’s budget crunch, being too big a cultural and technical change, etc.
In addition to the professional applications of SharePoint, Larry saw clearly a more enjoyable application of SharePoint to information and entertainment sharing among small groups of people to form a new virtual space and realm of relationship enabled solely by information technology. This was one of the concepts Larry envisioned under the theme of datascultping, and he set out to develop it. He started by securing the participation and limited technical commitment of non-techy server hosts that would purchase a server and host it on their own home phone DSL lines, while Larry linked it all together behind the scenes into a powerful, one-of-a-kind wide area network. As most visionary inventors, Larry slightly underestimated the technical learning capacity and resources needed on the part of his DataSculpting administrators and members, and even the needs for a lot of the back end work. So, instead of taking a month or two to set up and a couple minutes of content adding a month on the part of administrators, it took a couple years for the back end work, lasting across a new release of SharePoint which fixed many of the difficulties Larry was encountering with the backend, network, “plumbing” as he liked to call it. Even so, he managed to create the framework and add a lot of content for use by the small virtual info/entertainment sharing community. The evolving product, through numerous problems, new versions, updates, rebuilding, hardware crashes, etc., was a good showcase of his vision and the power and potential of SharePoint. It included a range of documents, forums, many audio files, various videos, tutorials, and streaming audio and video channels, along with user generated web sites, and various communication technologies.
Larry was hoping to use the DataSculping site as a key product of his skill and expertise. He was also hoping to launch his solo career as a web part developer for SharePoint and other .Net (dot.net) applications. As part of that goal, Larry and I launched a test venture called DataSculpting Collaborative Technologies (DCT), an informal joint venture to explore how we might package and market Larry’s expertise and value into a business presence and revenue. We gave this a valiant effort, but ultimately could not connect together with any sustained traction/production, and terminated the effort, or at least put it in mothballs. I did not have the time to invest in the business side and we were not connecting on the software development side where we’d collectively brainstorm ideas, he’d develop prototypes, and I’d provide feedback from an end user’s perspective. Larry really wanted and needed a full-time partner in creativity, so to speak, and I could not be that person.
Larry peeled off solo, yet again, eyes fixed on the prize, as always, and tried to make it work for himself. A year or so later, we tried another collaboration around my sustainability work, with Larry creating a portal and developing some ideas for services, but his full time attention could not be on it, I could not afford to fund the development at this point, my time was consumed with the mundanity of earning a living in planning, and the project eventually imploded under the weight of needed versus affordable resources.
The DataSculpting site embodied all of Larry’s key interests, with the linkage of information technology, community, information and entertainment (especially music) sharing, IT development, multi-media innovation. It probably is unique in the world, vision-wise, content-wise, and technology-wise (wide area network connected over land phone lines and basic DSL services). He probably knew SharePoint better than the developers, and was often way ahead of the developers in discovering problems (a big problem that continually plagued the DataSculpting effort), and then often solving them. As is typical of monopolies, Microsoft never paid much attention nor saw the potential to harness Larry’s creativity for mutual benefit. Larry was a Microsoft ISV SharePoint Partner, and became an MVP over time. He contributed at varying times to the blogosphere related to SharePoint and .Net (see the separate post Larry-Google Search, for a smattering of Larry’s prodigious productivity).
Larry had a memory that would not quit. He could remember hundreds of unser names and passwords, among other things. He was hooked on pushing his limits, of forging his productive and creative capacities in the crucible of action, often staying up for days at a time, multi-tasking innumerable applications, pushing his limits, as well as that of his technology and the people around him. He had a tendency to go with the thought of the moment, as most adventurers, explorers, and inventors do. His expectations were high. He valued creativity, productivity, complexity, simplicity, honesty, beauty, and authentic relationships. Larry was a bright flame of creativity, whose light began to dim, flicker, relight in what appeared to be a continual cycle, and then, all too suddenly and prematurely, go out.
Many explanations can be invoked and speculations made. He was not always the easiest person be around. He could be imposing, threatening, even, possibly, terrifying at times. He had his faults, as we humans all do. But his legacy, even as a presence will live on in some capacity in each of us. There is not a day that does not go by, where I don’t do something on my computer that Larry taught me, some little trick that makes work easier or is just fun and/or cool. A big part of my sustainability project is tied directly to the power and potential of information technology that I learned through Larry and his love for it, maybe best expressed by using SharePoint as the technology for a knowledge portal. So, with this, I not only say good bye to Larry, but hello as well each time I encounter part of his on-going legacy and presence.
DataSculpting Collaborative Technologies (DCT)
Here's a marketing sheet larry and I developed in March of 2004 as part of trying to package a business vehicle for Larry's expertise. Since we can't import the orginial formatting, it loses a little, but the text and idea is present. To see a formatted version (recommended), go to Links for Larry in the upper left corner of the Blog and click on "
ABOUT DCT –
DataSculpting Collaborative Technologies
Bringing the power of enterprise to small business
ü Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 Operating System Installation and Remote Support
ü SBS 2003 and Office System 2003 Training
ü Windows SharePoint Portal Services (SPS) Installation, Development, and Customization
ü SBS 2003 and SPS Knowledge-Share Network --Exploiting the Power of Next-Generation Tools
ü Independent Web Part and Web Service Development Effort
ü Partner Development Program
Contact Larry Collins, Principal, at DCT-Tech@datasculpting.com to arrange a meeting.
This packet orients you to DCT’s Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 operating system installation services with answers to the following questions:
What Is Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003? (click here)
ü It is a server solution designed by and for small businesses with innovative management tools that create a faster, smarter, and more efficient business environment.
Why Use SBS 2003? (click here)
ü It’s a GREAT value – 5 site licenses (Standard Edition $599, Premium Edition for $1,599).
ü Leverage the benefits of running your own server for your own business.
ü Increase your competitive edge.
ü Increase your business’ value, productivity, and quality.
ü Establish the server platform needed to harvest the power and productivity of Office 2003.
Why Use DCT for SBS 2003 Installation? (click here)
ü DCT’s passion is freedom from computer drudgery and exploiting the SizzleFactorTM to free you for more creative and valuable pursuits.
ü Through an initial DCT installation contract you can reap the benefits of a low introductory price and being a member of a growing network of “smart” clients.
ü A typical introductory installation would cost approximately $2,500 or $3,500 instead of $4,500-$5,500 for the standard and premium editions, respectively, including, software, server and RAM.
ü DCT’s development focus has the highest future potential for small businesses – the Microsoft .NET framework for developing Web Parts, Web Services, and Web Portals.
What Is Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003?
It is a server solution designed by and for small businesses with innovative management tools that create a faster, smarter, and more efficient business environment. It’s a fourth-generation release that’s built around the highly dependable and manageable Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system as the core engine, as well as Microsoft Exchange (mail) Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (WSS).
Two editions allow you to buy the capacity you need and to upgrade without a penalty. Both editions come with five licenses.
Ø The Standard Edition ($599) is full featured and the best value for most small businesses. It contains Microsoft Windows Small Business Server™ 2003 operating system, Microsoft Exchange (mail) Server 2003 and Windows SharePoint Services technologies.
It’s rich set of features includes e-mail hosting; secure network, internet connectivity and remote connectivity for you, your employees, or your IT consultants; support for mobile devices; file and printer sharing; lower fax costs with internet fax services; enhanced backup and restore capabilities; and easy creation of intranets and websites for increased team productivity.
Ø The Premium Edition ($1,599) extends the Standard Edition with industrial-strength database, security, and web-authoring capabilities that create the basis to create a portal presence. It includes:
o Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, [LARRY, IS IT 2000 OR 2003???] offers the ability to host complex databases and contains built-in business intelligence and data mining tools that can grow with your buisiness.
o Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server provides increased security via internal firewall and support for third-party appliances. [LARRY, WHAT DOES THIS DO? FIREWALLS, OTHER???]
o Front Page 2003 (TRUE??? CHECK), an advanced Web site authoring and management tool to get the most out of SBS 2003’s integrated Internet and intranet functionality.
Ø If you add the Microsoft Office 2003 productivity suite, team productivity is further advanced. This is accomplished through powerful new capacities for communication and collaboration arising from higher levels of integration and automation within and across applications -- such as Outlook 2003, Excel, Word, Access, and now InfoPath -- and from the expanded use of XML or Extensible Markup Language. XML makes data live and enables a whole new realm of “smart” features, “smart” documents, and “smart” applications where processes for individual users and/or across teams, are highly automated from beginning to end.
Why Use SBS 2003?
It’s a GREAT value (both editions come with five site licenses, and . . .):
The standard edition ($599): e-mail hosting, instant intranet/web work spaces for enhanced team productivity; secure internet access and remote computing for you or your IT consultants, lower fax costs with internet fax services, automatic back up.
The premium edition ($1,599) adds a big-business strength database server, advanced security, sophisticated Web site authoring and management, and the basis for a portal presence.
Leverage the benefits of running your own server for your own business:
Ø Network up to 75 computers.
Ø Always-on and always-available remote connections from any internet connection.
Ø Simpler, easier, more powerful, more stable, and more secure than SBS2000.
Ø Easily create and integrate your intranet with the internet for high performance “next-
generation” communication, collaboration, and creativity tools.
Increase your competitive edge, whether you produce products, deliver services, are a SOHO worker, an independent professional, or a small and growing for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
SBS 2003 brings the power of enterprise to small business right out of the box via one-click buttons and wizards, document management and team collaboration, and other innovative technologies once found only in “big business” enterprise or customized solutions.
Increase your business’ value, productivity, and quality. SBS 2003 increases the value you produce for your customers and clients, lowers your costs, and increases your productivity and quality. It reduces network costs, simplifies server use, and allows you to do more tasks more quickly and easily.
Establish the server platform needed to harvest the power and productivity of Office System 2003, and other “next generation” integrated smart tools that increase the productivity of individual information workers again, and for the first time, that dramatically increases team and group productivity by making communication and collaboration easier, faster, and more powerful.
More Info and Resources:
Microsoft’s top 10 reasons to migrate to SBS2003.
Read industry reviews of SBS2003.
A Feature Guide to SBS 2003 (17 pages).
A Video Case Study.
Why Use DCT for SBS 2003 Installation?
(LARRY -- make this a hotlink to DCT)
Through an initial installation contract, you can reap the benefits of a low introductory price and being a member of a growing network of “smart” clients. This network is the focus of a unique development effort and an expanding knowledge share and training resource that could benefit you in many ways over time. The effort is dedicated to maximizing your capacity to exploit the ever expanding power and richness of computing that is all too often beyond reach due to lack of time, knowledge, and resources.
DCT’s passion is freedom from computer drudgery and exploiting the SizzleFactorTM for more creative and valuable pursuits. DCT is a unique software development initiative. Its passion is delivering the promise of computer technology – freedom from routine tasks by making them faster, simpler, accurate, and automatic so that we can unleash our creativity for higher valued uses. The DCT harnesses the power of enterprise for you.
An installation contract with the DCT brings these benefits within your reach with the following services:
ü A GREAT value on installation labor with a $1,000 fee compared to the typical market labor rate of $3,000 for installation of SBS 2003 Standard ($599) or Premium editions ($1,599).
ü A 2-hour start-up server orientation and training.
ü 4 more hours of remote support or training.
ü A free subscription to a periodic newsletter – DCT’s SizzleFactoryTM Power Computing for Small Businesses, packed with useful tips, info, and access to resources.
ü Membership in DCT’s Power Computing SizzleMasterTM Training Resources Network. A one-year free membership ($500 annual subscription value for non clients; $25 client membership thereafter) that includes,
o Use of an expanding website of text and multi-media information and training resources focused on the critical steps in understanding and exploiting the power of computers generally, and SBS 2003 and SharePoint Portal Server in particular.
o A Query/Research service and FAQ to answer your questions as they occur.
o Use of DCT’s proprietary “Smart” SizzleMasterTM Learning Tools (in development) .
A typical introductory installation would cost between $1,699 (without new server) and $3,500 instead of between$3,699-$5,500 for:
ü SBS 2003 Software $ 599 standard or $1,599 premium.
ü Server + 1.5 GB RAM $1,000 (if needed; approximate)
ü Introductory Installation Fee $1,000 (standard = $3000)
Total $2,500 std. or $3,500 prm.
(not $4,500 std. or $5,500 prm.)
DCT’s development focus has the highest future potential for small businesses – the Microsoft .NET framework for developing Web Parts, Web Services, and Web Portals. Portals are the next generation of web presence and tool. They represent a shift from the dead text and live links of web sites to automated databases, smart documents, and smart applications of live data. Businesses will use them increasingly to ________________ which they can not do today and which will soon become critical to business success. The .NET development framework is a revolutionary breakthrough allowing any programming language to run within the .NET framework. Thus, there is no need to abandon existing training, code, and data even while moving forward into the use of more powerful technologies. Web parts and web services use object-oriented programming to create application modules that easily plug in to one another . . . [LARRY!!!!!]
Other DCT services beyond installation include the following:
ü The DCT Partnership Development Project Program. Discuss your application development needs with us and they may lead to a partnership opportunity. existing software that meets your needs or development projects in which we can trade resources that can substantially reduce the cost of application development for you and potentially generate future revenue.
ü Standard Fee-for-Service Consulting to meet unique training or development needs.
Notes:
/1/ Includes 5 Client Access Licenses (CALs); additional CALs cost $79/CAL. Licensing programs will give you two years of 50% off any additional software purchased.
Document Library (DCT marketing materials (Larry on Google)."
ABOUT DCT –
DataSculpting Collaborative Technologies
Bringing the power of enterprise to small business
ü Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 Operating System Installation and Remote Support
ü SBS 2003 and Office System 2003 Training
ü Windows SharePoint Portal Services (SPS) Installation, Development, and Customization
ü SBS 2003 and SPS Knowledge-Share Network --Exploiting the Power of Next-Generation Tools
ü Independent Web Part and Web Service Development Effort
ü Partner Development Program
Contact Larry Collins, Principal, at DCT-Tech@datasculpting.com to arrange a meeting.
This packet orients you to DCT’s Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 operating system installation services with answers to the following questions:
What Is Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003? (click here)
ü It is a server solution designed by and for small businesses with innovative management tools that create a faster, smarter, and more efficient business environment.
Why Use SBS 2003? (click here)
ü It’s a GREAT value – 5 site licenses (Standard Edition $599, Premium Edition for $1,599).
ü Leverage the benefits of running your own server for your own business.
ü Increase your competitive edge.
ü Increase your business’ value, productivity, and quality.
ü Establish the server platform needed to harvest the power and productivity of Office 2003.
Why Use DCT for SBS 2003 Installation? (click here)
ü DCT’s passion is freedom from computer drudgery and exploiting the SizzleFactorTM to free you for more creative and valuable pursuits.
ü Through an initial DCT installation contract you can reap the benefits of a low introductory price and being a member of a growing network of “smart” clients.
ü A typical introductory installation would cost approximately $2,500 or $3,500 instead of $4,500-$5,500 for the standard and premium editions, respectively, including, software, server and RAM.
ü DCT’s development focus has the highest future potential for small businesses – the Microsoft .NET framework for developing Web Parts, Web Services, and Web Portals.
What Is Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003?
It is a server solution designed by and for small businesses with innovative management tools that create a faster, smarter, and more efficient business environment. It’s a fourth-generation release that’s built around the highly dependable and manageable Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system as the core engine, as well as Microsoft Exchange (mail) Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (WSS).
Two editions allow you to buy the capacity you need and to upgrade without a penalty. Both editions come with five licenses.
Ø The Standard Edition ($599) is full featured and the best value for most small businesses. It contains Microsoft Windows Small Business Server™ 2003 operating system, Microsoft Exchange (mail) Server 2003 and Windows SharePoint Services technologies.
It’s rich set of features includes e-mail hosting; secure network, internet connectivity and remote connectivity for you, your employees, or your IT consultants; support for mobile devices; file and printer sharing; lower fax costs with internet fax services; enhanced backup and restore capabilities; and easy creation of intranets and websites for increased team productivity.
Ø The Premium Edition ($1,599) extends the Standard Edition with industrial-strength database, security, and web-authoring capabilities that create the basis to create a portal presence. It includes:
o Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, [LARRY, IS IT 2000 OR 2003???] offers the ability to host complex databases and contains built-in business intelligence and data mining tools that can grow with your buisiness.
o Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server provides increased security via internal firewall and support for third-party appliances. [LARRY, WHAT DOES THIS DO? FIREWALLS, OTHER???]
o Front Page 2003 (TRUE??? CHECK), an advanced Web site authoring and management tool to get the most out of SBS 2003’s integrated Internet and intranet functionality.
Ø If you add the Microsoft Office 2003 productivity suite, team productivity is further advanced. This is accomplished through powerful new capacities for communication and collaboration arising from higher levels of integration and automation within and across applications -- such as Outlook 2003, Excel, Word, Access, and now InfoPath -- and from the expanded use of XML or Extensible Markup Language. XML makes data live and enables a whole new realm of “smart” features, “smart” documents, and “smart” applications where processes for individual users and/or across teams, are highly automated from beginning to end.
Why Use SBS 2003?
It’s a GREAT value (both editions come with five site licenses, and . . .):
The standard edition ($599): e-mail hosting, instant intranet/web work spaces for enhanced team productivity; secure internet access and remote computing for you or your IT consultants, lower fax costs with internet fax services, automatic back up.
The premium edition ($1,599) adds a big-business strength database server, advanced security, sophisticated Web site authoring and management, and the basis for a portal presence.
Leverage the benefits of running your own server for your own business:
Ø Network up to 75 computers.
Ø Always-on and always-available remote connections from any internet connection.
Ø Simpler, easier, more powerful, more stable, and more secure than SBS2000.
Ø Easily create and integrate your intranet with the internet for high performance “next-
generation” communication, collaboration, and creativity tools.
Increase your competitive edge, whether you produce products, deliver services, are a SOHO worker, an independent professional, or a small and growing for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
SBS 2003 brings the power of enterprise to small business right out of the box via one-click buttons and wizards, document management and team collaboration, and other innovative technologies once found only in “big business” enterprise or customized solutions.
Increase your business’ value, productivity, and quality. SBS 2003 increases the value you produce for your customers and clients, lowers your costs, and increases your productivity and quality. It reduces network costs, simplifies server use, and allows you to do more tasks more quickly and easily.
Establish the server platform needed to harvest the power and productivity of Office System 2003, and other “next generation” integrated smart tools that increase the productivity of individual information workers again, and for the first time, that dramatically increases team and group productivity by making communication and collaboration easier, faster, and more powerful.
More Info and Resources:
Microsoft’s top 10 reasons to migrate to SBS2003.
Read industry reviews of SBS2003.
A Feature Guide to SBS 2003 (17 pages).
A Video Case Study.
Why Use DCT for SBS 2003 Installation?
(LARRY -- make this a hotlink to DCT)
Through an initial installation contract, you can reap the benefits of a low introductory price and being a member of a growing network of “smart” clients. This network is the focus of a unique development effort and an expanding knowledge share and training resource that could benefit you in many ways over time. The effort is dedicated to maximizing your capacity to exploit the ever expanding power and richness of computing that is all too often beyond reach due to lack of time, knowledge, and resources.
DCT’s passion is freedom from computer drudgery and exploiting the SizzleFactorTM for more creative and valuable pursuits. DCT is a unique software development initiative. Its passion is delivering the promise of computer technology – freedom from routine tasks by making them faster, simpler, accurate, and automatic so that we can unleash our creativity for higher valued uses. The DCT harnesses the power of enterprise for you.
An installation contract with the DCT brings these benefits within your reach with the following services:
ü A GREAT value on installation labor with a $1,000 fee compared to the typical market labor rate of $3,000 for installation of SBS 2003 Standard ($599) or Premium editions ($1,599).
ü A 2-hour start-up server orientation and training.
ü 4 more hours of remote support or training.
ü A free subscription to a periodic newsletter – DCT’s SizzleFactoryTM Power Computing for Small Businesses, packed with useful tips, info, and access to resources.
ü Membership in DCT’s Power Computing SizzleMasterTM Training Resources Network. A one-year free membership ($500 annual subscription value for non clients; $25 client membership thereafter) that includes,
o Use of an expanding website of text and multi-media information and training resources focused on the critical steps in understanding and exploiting the power of computers generally, and SBS 2003 and SharePoint Portal Server in particular.
o A Query/Research service and FAQ to answer your questions as they occur.
o Use of DCT’s proprietary “Smart” SizzleMasterTM Learning Tools (in development) .
A typical introductory installation would cost between $1,699 (without new server) and $3,500 instead of between$3,699-$5,500 for:
ü SBS 2003 Software $ 599 standard or $1,599 premium.
ü Server + 1.5 GB RAM $1,000 (if needed; approximate)
ü Introductory Installation Fee $1,000 (standard = $3000)
Total $2,500 std. or $3,500 prm.
(not $4,500 std. or $5,500 prm.)
DCT’s development focus has the highest future potential for small businesses – the Microsoft .NET framework for developing Web Parts, Web Services, and Web Portals. Portals are the next generation of web presence and tool. They represent a shift from the dead text and live links of web sites to automated databases, smart documents, and smart applications of live data. Businesses will use them increasingly to ________________ which they can not do today and which will soon become critical to business success. The .NET development framework is a revolutionary breakthrough allowing any programming language to run within the .NET framework. Thus, there is no need to abandon existing training, code, and data even while moving forward into the use of more powerful technologies. Web parts and web services use object-oriented programming to create application modules that easily plug in to one another . . . [LARRY!!!!!]
Other DCT services beyond installation include the following:
ü The DCT Partnership Development Project Program. Discuss your application development needs with us and they may lead to a partnership opportunity. existing software that meets your needs or development projects in which we can trade resources that can substantially reduce the cost of application development for you and potentially generate future revenue.
ü Standard Fee-for-Service Consulting to meet unique training or development needs.
Notes:
/1/ Includes 5 Client Access Licenses (CALs); additional CALs cost $79/CAL. Licensing programs will give you two years of 50% off any additional software purchased.
My Last Word with Larry
From: SizzleMaster [mailto:sizzlemaster@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 1:57 PMTo: Scott EdmondsonCc: Larry C. CollinsSubject: Re: FYI -- Up at tahoe for the month . . . but
Thanks Scott!
I've been unexpectadly away from the computers since Wednesday night. Long horrible story... And can't access any of my machines directly or remotely, but hopefully soon.
Enjoy yourself!
Larry.
On 7/23/07, Scott Edmondson <scott-e22@earthlink.net> wrote:
I'll be back on sat/sun (this) and possibly thurs/fri, if you need me to do anything.
Otherwise, I'll be back in SF around aug. 20th.
Thanks Scott!
I've been unexpectadly away from the computers since Wednesday night. Long horrible story... And can't access any of my machines directly or remotely, but hopefully soon.
Enjoy yourself!
Larry.
On 7/23/07, Scott Edmondson <scott-e22@earthlink.net> wrote:
I'll be back on sat/sun (this) and possibly thurs/fri, if you need me to do anything.
Otherwise, I'll be back in SF around aug. 20th.
Services (Aug. 11, 2007, 2-6pm)
Services will be at Martin's Beach in Half Moon Bay, this Saturday, August 11, 2007 from 2PM - 6PM.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Memoir from Lois
It is hard to write about Larry, since I am feeling guilty about not responding to my own instincts (which were that he was lonely and needed money and sympathy) and barrage of data sculpting/share point related emails from him about a month a ago that I couldn’t and didn’t try to open. At work, there were usually blockers keeping me from opening the emails, so I deleted them without trying. Many times as I have walked to work from Cathedral Hill down Laguna past Grove, I’d think of Larry in his small upper floor techno paradise apartment, wondering if he had been up all night capturing media to sculpt and share, wondering if he’d found or sought a “day job” to pay for all the equipment or if he still managed to be a tester and get free stuff from that. I guess I worried that if I rang his bell, I’d be hours late to work. And now I ask myself so what? Last week, however, I found myself drawn to the front door, to his name, still on the electronic roster. I read his name, but did not ring the bell. I felt sad. I remembered his surveillance webcam on the street – and wondered was it still set to watch?
In better times when I knew him in the Planning Department, Larry was a purveyor of joy and innovation, in what computers could do and what we could do with computers. He wanted them to be used to facilitate communication, more effective organizations and leveling of playing fields. Larry, on one level, was dismissive and angry with unions in general and Local 21 in particular. The layoff process, the holdover list and his subsequent placement at the School District and internal poisoning of the placement that took place, were difficult. The union rep felt spread too thin to help monitor placements where agencies forced to take on holdovers often mistreated them. In Larry’s case this was compounded by colleagues who felt compelled to warn the School District about Larry’s big ideas and sense of his own rather than bureaucratic priorities. However, in his heart and his real values, I think he saw technology as a great enabler of equality and empowerment, these being core values, at least for me, for the labor movement.
Strange also that last week, the prescience of the Share point approach that Larry advocated was utilized by the technos at the Department of Building Inspection to make their new Director and the “Business Process Re- Engineering” he’s launched with stakeholder groups including industry folks. He dazzled the Mayor with how this project and its process maps were on the web and shared with participants in a Google group. The Mayor even said he hoped the new Planning Director (whom he is apparently in the process of appointing) would be able to do this kind of work with the new DBI Director.
Happy but kind of bittersweet memories - include his pleasure in computer tools and his willingness to explain and install them for me, of another generation, and a low level of expertise. But later with successive upgrades, much of what he had put in at work got removed. Probably I should have tried to get more connected at home, but Bernie feared extensive overloads of information and capacity. As Amit wrote, specialized software we use in Planning such an “electronic sign in board” came from his creativity and always included a bit of sizzle and flash. It seems that his extensive extra curricular work and the deep disagreements he had with his colleagues on the best platforms etc, appeared to make it look like he didn’t fit into the organization. How sad for Planning that his genius could not be recognized. There have been times in the past when staff members, odd and brilliant, made very significant contributions to San Francisco’s future. How sad that control or perceptions of control, become more paramount than contributions and ideas and passion.
Lois Scott
August 5, 2007
In better times when I knew him in the Planning Department, Larry was a purveyor of joy and innovation, in what computers could do and what we could do with computers. He wanted them to be used to facilitate communication, more effective organizations and leveling of playing fields. Larry, on one level, was dismissive and angry with unions in general and Local 21 in particular. The layoff process, the holdover list and his subsequent placement at the School District and internal poisoning of the placement that took place, were difficult. The union rep felt spread too thin to help monitor placements where agencies forced to take on holdovers often mistreated them. In Larry’s case this was compounded by colleagues who felt compelled to warn the School District about Larry’s big ideas and sense of his own rather than bureaucratic priorities. However, in his heart and his real values, I think he saw technology as a great enabler of equality and empowerment, these being core values, at least for me, for the labor movement.
Strange also that last week, the prescience of the Share point approach that Larry advocated was utilized by the technos at the Department of Building Inspection to make their new Director and the “Business Process Re- Engineering” he’s launched with stakeholder groups including industry folks. He dazzled the Mayor with how this project and its process maps were on the web and shared with participants in a Google group. The Mayor even said he hoped the new Planning Director (whom he is apparently in the process of appointing) would be able to do this kind of work with the new DBI Director.
Happy but kind of bittersweet memories - include his pleasure in computer tools and his willingness to explain and install them for me, of another generation, and a low level of expertise. But later with successive upgrades, much of what he had put in at work got removed. Probably I should have tried to get more connected at home, but Bernie feared extensive overloads of information and capacity. As Amit wrote, specialized software we use in Planning such an “electronic sign in board” came from his creativity and always included a bit of sizzle and flash. It seems that his extensive extra curricular work and the deep disagreements he had with his colleagues on the best platforms etc, appeared to make it look like he didn’t fit into the organization. How sad for Planning that his genius could not be recognized. There have been times in the past when staff members, odd and brilliant, made very significant contributions to San Francisco’s future. How sad that control or perceptions of control, become more paramount than contributions and ideas and passion.
Lois Scott
August 5, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Announcement from Amit
Larry worked in the Department’s OASIS section from 1997 to 2004. He left us to pursue his passion for what he fondly named “DataSculpting.”
Those of us who knew Larry will remember him jaunting around, he did not walk he jaunted, the shock of golden hair bouncing on his tall and handsome frame, passionately advocating the merits of Windows SharePoint and its application to the world of planners.
Today, those of us who did not know Larry are also enjoying the fruits of the technical advances we have made based on Larry’s passion for Windows and helping people in general.
Larry is survived by his Mom Sharon Collins, older sister Linda, younger Sister Lorna Batista, first wife Lela Getzlerl, and girlfriend of many recent years LeAnn Woolbridge.
We know that Larry’s ashes will be scattered on August 11 at Half Moon Bay.
AmitAmit K Ghosh
Those of us who knew Larry will remember him jaunting around, he did not walk he jaunted, the shock of golden hair bouncing on his tall and handsome frame, passionately advocating the merits of Windows SharePoint and its application to the world of planners.
Today, those of us who did not know Larry are also enjoying the fruits of the technical advances we have made based on Larry’s passion for Windows and helping people in general.
Larry is survived by his Mom Sharon Collins, older sister Linda, younger Sister Lorna Batista, first wife Lela Getzlerl, and girlfriend of many recent years LeAnn Woolbridge.
We know that Larry’s ashes will be scattered on August 11 at Half Moon Bay.
AmitAmit K Ghosh
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Just heard the news today, oh boy. . .
Sad. Stunned. Surprised. Not surprised. Swirling thoughts and emotions. Hard to believe. His sites are down. No connectivity. I'll have to write more later.
Add your comments to this, more than likely, one-post blog.
Add your comments to this, more than likely, one-post blog.
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