I’ve "lived" in Intel’s Jones Farm 3 (JF3) building ever since I started working here in 1999. Almost 10 years in the same building! That’s included time as a "green badge" contractor, a "blue badge" full blown Intel employee (since 2000), time in the Localization group, the IT group, and now, in the software group (Intel Software Network).
In a couple of weeks, our whole group is moving over in to the new cubes/space in JF1 - the "Workplace of the Future". But since I’m leaving tomorrow for SXSW, I won’t be here next week when everyone else is packing up and getting ready to move. So I did it this week.
Took a LOT of stuff home (mostly my own personal audio equipment that I had brought in over the years). threw a LOT of stuff away (OK, recycled, of course), and got everything I want to keep with me in the new area down to two boxes. Plus my 24" LCD and laptop stand. There’s very little storage space in the new cubes, so I’m not sure where I’m going to put everything (especially my video and audio gear), but we’ll work that out.
I’ll be at SXSW until next Wednesday, then we have a two day team Face to Face meeting Thursday and Friday. First day in the new cube is March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day - the following Monday. I can’t wait.
It will be the first time I’ve "lived" outside of JF3. Quite a big change!
It’s been over a year since I got my beloved MacBook Pro (when I joined Intel Software Network). For most of that time, I’ve been using one of the previous generation Apple Wireless Keyboards - the one with the white keys and transparent base. It’s been a great keyboard (even though the white keys get filthy, and the transparent housing lets you see all the disgusting gunk, dust, and board chow that gets caught in there). A couple of weeks ago, I was helping our department admin order an Apple keyboard for someone else in the group, and she asked if I wanted one. What do you think I said? A day or so later, in email, she asked if I wanted wired or wireless. I thought for a minute - the new Apple Wireless Keyboard doesn’t have the full size separate number pad, arrow keys, and PgUp/PgDown/Home/End keys (the wired USB version does). Could I live without those? I decided to give it a try.
Last week, the new keyboard arrived, and I’ve been blown away by it ever since.
It is much smaller than the previous full sized keyboard. The little roll at the top/back holds 3 AA batteries. One end of the “roll” unscrews for battery access, and the other houses the power/pairing button.
The keyboard is almost exactly the same size as the actual keyboard on the MacBook Pro:
So how has it been to use it for a few days? It took some getting used to. My fingers had to relearn the spacing/layout of the new keyboard, but that happens with any keyboard. And now that I’ve gotten used to it, I’m in love. The feel is wonderful. Even though the keys are shallow, and the whole thing is very thin, the tactile response of each keypress is lovely. The old keyboard feels mushy and stiff (at the same time) and bouncy by comparison.
Do I miss the full size number pad? Not really. Once, today, I was typing a phone number or a zip code or something, and my hand went to reach for it, then realized it wasn’t there. Not a big deal. The arrow keys are in roughly the same place (and exactly the same place as on the MBP itself), and the trick of using Fn+Left, Right, Up, and Down for Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn is the same thing you have to do on the integrated keyboard, so that, too, isn’t really a big deal. I do kind of miss the dedicated forward Delete key, but again, Fn+Backspace does the trick, just like on the MBP.
Overall, I love this little keyboard. I pick it up and wave it around at people, just to marvel at how thin it is. And it just looks so darn cute sitting on my desk, being all tiny next to the huge stuff that surrounds it (the old Apple Wireless Keyboard, my 24″ monitor, my MBP, etc.).
This would be the absolute perfect home theater PC/living room computer keyboard if it had some sort of integrated pointing device or trackpad. So thin, light, and beautiful! Now, if they would only update the design of the Mighty Mouse to match it’s thin, aluminum companion…
Last year, Conan O’Brian visited Intel’s offices in Santa Clara, California. He was, uh, not impressed by the endless maze of gray fabric cubicles, accented by gray walls and gray carpet. You can watch his bit on YouTube here (apparently NBC made YouTube pull the clip, so here it is from Clipstr). It’s pretty funny, and yes, it is an accurate depiction of life at Intel.
Apparently, that started some wheels turning. I’m sure there were a lot of other factors, but soon afterwards, there was an announcement made that Intel was going to be undertaking a pilot program to update our workspaces. Feedback was solicited, other companies were studied (I think Google, Adobe, and Microsoft were among the influencers). Three sites were chosen: Santa Clara, Folsom (I think) Chandler, AZ, and our very own Jones Farm 1 building here in Oregon. And people from my group, Software and Solutions Group (SSG) were chosen to move into “the workplace of the future” when it was finished.
Jones Farm 1 (JF1) is one of the oldest buildings among the several Intel campuses in Hillsboro. It was kind of dated, but really not much different from the rest of the JF buildings. Last October, they tore it down to the studs, and rebuilt it, with all new layout, furniture, and features like a living room area, lots of TVs, more and smaller conference rooms, and lower cube walls. Last Friday, there was an Open House for employees and press to check out the new spaces. I went with Brent Logan (we even ended up on TV - see below!), and took lots of pictures.
I’m packing up my old cube this week, and moving in to the new space shortly after I get back from my trip to SXSW in Austin. Here’s what will be awaiting me!
My new cube:
I’m double-lucky - not only do I get my own assigned/dedicated cube, but it’s on the end of a row facing the big windows overlooking a courtyard. Nice view, but I’m a little nervous about having the sun backlighting my monitor all the time, making it hard to see. The Daystar and I don’t get along all that well.
Some shots of my old cube and neighborhood, to give you an idea of what things are like now (if you didn’t watch the Conan video):
There are lots of open community spaces, and nice big LCD flatscreen TVs hanging all over the place:
Not everyone has their own assigned cube - one of the big changes in the new space is that lots of people are considered “mobile” or “tweeners”, meaning they’re not expected to be in the office all the time, so lots of the cubes are “first come first served”, and there are lockers for these mobile folks to store their stuff (I was lucky enough to get my own dedicated/assigned cube):
The cube walls are lower, to “facilitate collaboration”, but there are a lot of glass-walled conference rooms, for either 4 people or 1 person when privacy and confidentiality are needed:
There are a couple of these magic computerized hand-driven whiteboards around, which are kind of cool:
I counted only three “regular” style large conference rooms, and only two of those that I saw had a projector. This could be a problem for people who are used to having them in every room:
There’s a kitchen with free fountain soda, coffee, pastries, etc. It’s right by my new cube - diabetes here I come!
The lobby has a couple of soft chairs, and big TVs with an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii - Guitar Hero and Wii Tennis for everyone!
That’s most of the photos. You can view the whole set of 34 pictures in this photoset on Flickr. And expect more reporting on the new office spaces after I move in. I’m going to do some video - you’ve got to see the cool power height-adjusting desks to believe them!
For now, I’ll leave you with this video clip from one of the local TV news stations, KOIN, who were there reporting on the new offices. You can see me and Brent Logan at the 0:20 mark. Thanks to my coworker Aaron for grabbing and posting this clip.
Let me know if you have any questions about the new space!
The content of this blog is my personal opinion only and although I am an employee of Intel, the statements I make here in no way represent Intel's position on any issue, nor am I authorized to speak on behalf of Intel on any matter.
In an all day team face to face meeting with the ISN team. @billpearson just showed a really cool video. #
We’re doing an unusual (for Intel) but very cool exercise: everyone was to buy (or borrow) a book, then tell us why they chose that book. #
OH: “We shouldn’t be colliding with another galaxy. That’s just sloppy management. Who’s looking into this?” #
OH: “Pompei was destroyed by a volcano. That could NEVER happen here.” #
Today is the 3rd birthday of Intelpedia, the Intel-wide internal wiki I created. Celebrations taking place worldwide at Intel sites. #
Intelpedia has several “children”, wikis at other companies that I’ve helped people set up. It’s contagious! #
I never kept track of what companies I’ve helped with wiki stuff. Am thinking it would be nice to keep track, see how they’re progressing. #
@linuxaid is ALREADY posting the videos from Ignite Portland 4 last night. Will do a post on our site soon (I’m in an all day meeting). in reply to linuxaid#
@davekresta The problem of easy wiki for newbies to edit is age old. Can try a WYSIWYG plugin but I say teach people through the curve. in reply to davekresta#
@krystlechung In general, I advocate teaching people to be smarter and more capable over dumbing the tools down to lowest common denominator in reply to krystlechung#
@jackbaty Ah. “Making it simple” versus “dumbing it down” is a subjective slippery slope. It depends. I’m all for making things simple. in reply to jackbaty#
@davekresta It’s a fine line. You want to make it as easy as you can to edit, but they also have to climb the learning curve. in reply to davekresta#
It was SO cool to have @rachelbancroft with me at Ignite Portland last night. I loved introducing her to my tweeps. She’s so wonderful! #
@matt_mcc Anyone at Intel can edit/contribute to Intelpedia. The info is limited to stuff that it’s OK for the whole company to see. in reply to matt_mcc#
Postulate: Building community sells more of your company’s product that traditional marketing efforts. Discuss. Data points or anecdotes? #
@krystlechung Interfaces (e.g. blog engines) can make things easy for people, but they will benefit from knowledge of the markup code. in reply to krystlechung#
@krystlechung Right. I would never tell someone “You’ll never have to learn ANY HTML. You can always just use the WYSIWYG interface.” in reply to krystlechung#
Hmm. Turns out that thinking up ideas that really “push the envelope” is really hard. #
@wajiii At the least, people should tag their photos igniteportland or ip4, so they can be found. This is the first I’ve heard of a pool. in reply to wajiii#
@wajiii I know. I was just pointing out the “official” photo tagging/sharing tips we’ve been telling people. in reply to wajiii#
@sumwan I’ve been checking the App store for the Google spoken search app all day long. Will definitely share when I get my hands on it. in reply to sumwan#
Hey, Portland - get out and see the moon. Full, low on the horizon to the NE. Very cool looking. #
I’m going to be on @strangelovelive in about 20 minutes, with @camikaos and @drnormal. Via Skype, sadly, due to by suburban habitat. #
@ahockley It was more of a timing issue than anything, had to get the kids home from the sitter after date night with @rachelbancroft. in reply to ahockley#
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