IBM Notes 8.5.3 pre-loader problem (might be a Windows 8 issue)

After I upgraded from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 8 Pro (both 64-bit), I found that one of the few programs that had some issues – minor ones -- was IBM Notes 8.5.3 so I had to carry out a reinstallation.

As before, I selected the time-saving option to launch the Notes pre-loader;

This had never caused me any problems before, but after the reinstallation I now always get an annoying dialog box following Windows boot-up:

If I click the OK button the dialog reappears immediately, so I have to open Windows Task manager and kill the Notes pre-loader service task:

I’ve tried repairing and also uninstalling then reinstalling Notes, and even without selecting to install this option can’t get rid of this annoyance.

Does anybody out there know what I should do? I didn’t ever have the problem with Windows 7, so could it be due to my using Windows 8? … Any ideas appreciated!

Read More

Telework, or Telewonk?

To be honest I misspelled "’Telewonk’ deliberately, in order to go easy on some peoples’ sensibilities. Replace the letter “o” in this with the first letter in the alphabet to get my true intent!

This question was raised in my noggin upon reading the Network World article: Is Yahoo's telework ban shortsighted or savvy? Data says both (there's plenty of research to support telecommuting advocates and naysayers alike).

I found it a very interesting article indeed, as I’m confident you will. There are thought-provoking arguments put forward on both sides.

These days my home and my office are the same, so you could say that I;m in a constant state of teleworking, It’s a lifestyle choice, and a stage of life choice. I’m my own employer, and even for me there are pros and cons.

The IBM that I worked for, over decades starting 1970, I’m sure uses a large degree of teleworking. I wonder what current IBM employees (and IBM management, right to the top) think of their current work patterns.

What do all of you out there think of the way you work, is it effective or just a “wonk”?

Read More