Postcards from the Marketplace
Here is a new feature to spotlight an outstanding JDAHP student who writes his or her own story. This story is by Steve Scheberle whose Senior Project so interested Microsoft Corporation that they invited him to two days of meetings in late January 2006.
It was January 4th, 2006 and my family had been encouraging me over the holiday break to take my senior project beyond just a project and make it a business. The day I received my DBA was the same day I became a Tablet PC Partner with the Microsoft Corporation. That same day I was invited to Redmond Washington at the Microsoft headquarters. I was, needless to say, ecstatic. The goals that I had set for myself before I started courses at DeVry were falling into place, and I was starting to see the results of my actions.
Back before the Tablet PC was available I had come up with an innovative way for doctors to send prescriptions, charts, and test forms over the existing internet. It would involve a device that would take handwriting as input. At the time I had only a user's knowledge of information technology. I began looking for a college that would accommodate my learning style. Being auditory/ kinesthetic I found that the lab intensive DeVry University was perfect. The class sizes ensured that I would get the individual attention necessary.
After two years in an electronic engineering concentration, the Tablet PC was released. I found this innovation as the chance to use available resources to take action on my invention, what is now known as Medical Pad.
I landed in Seattle on January 31st, already a monumental day in my life as ten years ago on that day my daughter was born. Coming from Texas and the dry rainless winter so far, Seattle seemed a nice change of climate. My cab dropped me at the Hyatt Regency Belleview just minutes from the Microsoft campus.
I checked in, unpacked and went to dinner at Chadfield's Sports Pub. The open faced crab was my dinner choice along with a couple of espresso shots. I went to bed early because I knew I should get some sleep. I woke up February 1st early so that I wouldn't be late for the shuttle to the Microsoft campus.
As I set foot on the campus I realize how a person's vision can become a reality. The campus was enormous. Let me put it this way, Redmond should be called the county of Microsoft as the campus spans over a highway. I walked into building 33 and into the culture of Microsoft. There were kiosks for Internet access, couches for the corridor warriors, there were abstract paintings, and there was a general acceptance and welcome from the culture itself.
As I walked into the conference room, the synergy was electric. I took a seat in the front row (podium left) and set up for what would be an enlightening two days. Frank Gocinski Manager of the Mobile Platform Division gave an introduction to the Mobile Platform Division Partners. His welcoming talk set the mood for Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President. Opportunities for development in Tablet PC and Mobile Development were unveiled.
Statistics now show that laptops are outselling desktops.
The windows presentation foundation formerly known as Avalon was unveiled. The visual capabilities of the foundation were displayed in a killer postcard app. The postcard would allow for inking a message on the postcard and then presenting it in a spinning scheme.
Windows Vista was extensively covered. Clear Confident Connected....
Windows Sideshow, which is a display of all computer information while the lid is closed, was proudly displayed. Possibilities for development in this area intrigued me. At first I wasn't sure if doctors would benefit from this feature. Now after further reflection, I see a benefit outside of the professional applications as well as within professional applications.
During a Windows Vista enhancement presentation "flicks" were covered. A flick is a stylus gesture that controls scrolling, copy, paste, cut, and up to eight functions.
A new Tablet Input Panel (TIP) was polished with a new user interface and with enhanced recognition, to improve Vistas’ Tablet capabilities.
After lunch and a break we had a technical drill down on handwriting recognition. Jay Pittman broke down the Ink Analysis in what seemed like an espresso-induced presentation. The inner workings of Ink Analysis are unparalleled.
I gave a demo of my software to Frank Gocinski who was impressed with the initial concept of my innovation. He had the kind of questions that caused me to think about my customers in a whole new light. I was honored to give this demo and was assured of the support of my partner (Microsoft).
With a vast array of presentations about Vista and compatibility with Vista, the day's briefing drew to a close.
Dinner was held at Maggiano's, an Italian restaurant. With Texas size helpings of Salmon, Lasagna, and a mystery Pasta, I conversed with partners and MPD team members on everything from industry to family. There was even an impromptu version of "stairway to heaven"; the candles were included. I did, unfortunately, turn into a pumpkin early due to my schoolwork.
Day two consisted of hands-on labs like "ink on the web." This lab was centered on ink being used in web applications.There were compatibility labs with Vista and touch Tablets. Later in the day I was taken to the Microsoft store where they had all the cool software, Xbox games, hardware, and wearables.That night was the product fair. I had the chance to talk to Will Pinnell from Handango. They were very interested in the Medical Pad.
In all, this entire trip was a huge success. I am on the road to my future.