What is Open University?

Hi, I am considering getting an iphone 4 and would like to know if anyone has used Siri (or seen someone else use it)?   It intrigues me, but want some real reviews not just cool ads on youtube and ads on TV.

Our company is struggling, I was wondering how other peoples companies are doing and if you think 2012 will be another recession type year.  I thought the economy was supposed to be getting better, for my company it is getting worse.  There are rumors of letting people go right after the new year.  How is it for other companies out there? 

Thanks, I will have to go look at that post.  This is just for "me" not a company wide thing.  I feel I work work work, but when I look at some of the projects on going, some that I think should be done, just aren't.  I have started my list today (including 10 minutes to look at DeskDemon, I am including everything).

Lately I am feeling like I am always busy but not producing much.  I think I am going to write down everything I do for a week, how long I work on each project and journal the interruptions.  Has anyone tried this exercise?  I am hoping to see what is wasting my time, what I spend too much time on, that could be allocated to better projects.   Has anyone else.. just evaluated what they were doing?

Does anyone use Google Docs and maybe this Chromebook on a regular basis instead of Microsoft Office?   My hard drive crashed at home and I need a new computer and I am not sure I want to pay for a new set of Office but move to "the cloud."  Any recommendations?

Wow, technology!   There aren't too many products that make me go, "I want it!" but this did.  I am going to get one, first I too will ask the boss but if he says no, I will just pick one up at Best Buy or the Apple Store, but then Costco may give a few perks.  I will report back after I get it and try it out!

I am an octopus!  I am very used to overseeing a meeting in the conference room next to me, having a report I am working on my computer, multiple phone calls on hold, and someone standing asking me a question all at the same time.  The projects that take more time then I would like them to..... hmmmm I think I would say the phone calls are the tasks that can put everything else on delay.  Most calls I have to stop and research the answer.  Rarely is it just a "take a message" type of call.  The report I am working on right now  "should" take about 45 minutes from start to finish if I was uninterrupted, but so far it has been over an hour and not done.

I had a message on Friday from our IT dept that is time to change our password.  They have added where we now need 1 cap, 1 number and 1 special character and at least 8 letters long.  I think our security alert is stemming from the massive hack on Sony game system network. 

Thanks for that really helpful how to use a phone, I am going to put that to practical use every day!     

That is cute, and made my Monday.  Thanks for sharing that!  I bet there are some other really great excerpts from that book. 

Try getting a good nights sleep and a nut mix about 20 minutes before your normal down time.   (Almonds, Cashews..)  A brisk walk outside but only around the building (10 minutes max) also helps me.  I think if you are lacking sleep coffee, energy drinks, even a walk don't really help.  Yes, I am in the "they are really bad for you" camp.  I took a taste of one, once, yuck!  It is all about getting a good nights sleep.  It you feel like this often, try going to bed a 1/2 hour early until you find an amount of sleep that you feel invigorates you not pulls you down.

At my work I have a new mid manager.   I help out the department (as well as my manager of course) and as my job he can ask me to do some tasks, or relay messages to my manager.  What bothers me is he stands too close and talks to close.  It is nothing personal, is doesn't try to get "close" to me and it is  not at all like sexual harassment.  He is one of those people that just.. invade your personal space.   I have talked about it with a few friends at work and we all agree, but we can't figure a way to politely say.. see my arm?  I am putting it straight in front of me, just stay that far away.  My co workers and I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions!  He is one of the nicer and easy to work with managers, as I said, he just likes to stand and talk a bit too close. 

Thanks!

My heart goes out to all the families and the whole country.   We don't work with Japan but have some programs going for the Red Cross.

We went to Madrid about 7 years ago.  It was very nice and we stayed at a very nice hotel.   It was with my last boss so I don't have access to the file but will try to get the information.   For fun we went on a bus tour.  That may sound somewhat boring but it was really beautiful and fun.  Doing it as a group was so fun, the tour guide created some trivia games about Madrid and we had prizes for correct answers.   I will see if I can find some information.

In your eyes, what is the difference between an Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant?  I was in a mid level management meeting and was asked what the difference was.  My answer was it depends on the position and the company but they are all similar in nature, but each one can be specialized to their own job and level of knowledge.  AA is perceived as the level below EA and PA is similar to an EA but takes on more personal tasks for the their manager.  It appears I stepped on the President's admins toes, her official title is  Administrative Assistant - Executive Office.  I was in a damned if you say it damned if you don't situation! IS there really a difference?   I think my answer was pretty accurate.