What is Inspiration?

IDEO Office, Sanfrancisco

In my previous post I gave a brief explanation of OpenIDEO's 'food challenge.' I have noticed going through the inspirations that many seem to not understand what it is. Many users are posting concepts instead. This is understandable since it could be easy to get the two mixed up.

Inspiration is meant to be for posting pictures, articles, videos, and other things that could be related to the challenge. This step is to help the community think differently, and give ideas for concepts.

Examples:

Inspiration: I have recently planted a rooftop garden, here are some pictures. (pictures of their roof top garden)

Not Inspirations: We should have fast food restaurants grow rooftop gardens.

Yes these aren't the best examples but they illustrate my point. The Inspiration example isn't saying what to do, just showing something relating to the challenge. As for the Not Inspiration example it is giving a concept on how to tackle the challenge.

If you would like a fantastic example of inspiration check out my newest post on OpenIDEO.

Designing Together

IDEO is know for its innovative design process. Recently they launched a website called OpenIDEO. OpenIDEO is meant to include everyone in the design process, it doesn't matter if you are all ready in the business or just a high school student like me who likes tackling challenges.

OpenIDEO gets everyone thinking like designers with posted challenges, such as the current one dealing with raising kids' awareness of the benefits of fresh foods. Once a challenge is posted people are allowed to start posting inspiration. Then, as the challenge progresses, concepting and evaluation are opened for contributions.

A huge aspect of OpenIDEO is to promote teamwork. There are features that let you "build on" other user's work. Also you are able to comment and applaud others' work.

Also, as you post you get points towards your "design quotient." For example if you are to post in inspiration you get points towards the inspiration category. There is a handy dandy tool you click on the website that pops up showing a pie graph and the points you have so far in your design quotient.

Overall, I am very excited to see where this website goes. For all we know this could lead to solutions to major challenges the world faces.

Currently I have a piece of inspiration up on OpenIDEO check it out here.

Sportsmanship

Lance Armstrong had some unfortunate crashes in stage 8 of the 2010 Tour De France, well three to be exact. The mishaps put Lance at at least 10 minutes behind the leader. Many would have shown a great amount of anger & disappointment, however Lance kept his cool.

I am sure he was extremely angry, but he didn't show it or be a total jerk about it. Instead it seems he has chosen to have fun with his last tour. His tweets on Twitter are still happy, positive, and comedic. "Whoever invented roundabouts and traffic islands must have hated bike racing." - Lance Armstrong on Twitter.

There are many cases of bad sportsmanship in the tour this year. For example, Team Astana's Contador chased down his own team mate in stage 12, knowing it was unecessary. That showed a great amount of selfishness and disregard for his team, (the people whose job is to help him win the Tour). However, I doubt he will get his ego out of the way to even care, proving once again that he is a real piece of work. Wouldn't want to be his teammate.

Lesson learned; things may not always go my way, but I can choose to be a Armstrong or a Contador.

Ergon GA1 Product Review

The past few stages of the tour have been, well rather boring. However, things will change once the riders make their way to the mountain stages. So, for the sake of content here is a review of the Ergon GA1 mountain bike grips.

Background

Use: I have been using these grips for about four months. In that span I have logged at least a few hundred miles and done a handful of races. Before these I used the specialized Enduro Grips.

Price: $30

The Good:

• The end caps are metal and hard plastic
• Narrow profile, doesn't strain the hands during long rides
• Easy to clean
• Left and right specific fit

The Not So Good:

• Bad for gloveless rides
• The grip wore down within the first two month

Why are they bad for gloveless riders?

• The grip wore quick so they get slick when sweaty
• The extra cushion from the gloves is nice for longer rides

Conclusion:

I never wore gloves before I started using these grips. So it was a bit of a change, but a change for the good. The grip wearing was a bit annoying, but with decent gloves the grip isn't that important. The Ergon GA1's however, are great for long rides and are durable. I have fallen multiple times and the end caps are still going strong. I recommend these if you can find them for under $20, since $30 is a bit steep.

Crash and Burn

We are only two stages into the Tour de France yet there have all ready been more crashes than you could count on one hand. The crashes have been from dogs being off leashes (like yesterday's stage) or riders just getting anxious and making a slight wrong movement.

Whatever it may be, the athletes fall hard. There was a pile up at the finish during yesterday's stage and the riders got up and brushed the dirt off like it was nothing. One man even got up and was rooting for his man to win the stage.

Falling is bad and all, but it adds an edge of excitement for the spectators. Such as every fall I saw I was dreading the thought of a Team Radio Shack rider being in the tangle, and hoping for Contador to get mixed up in it.

In the end, these cyclists are tough athletes. So many have broken collarbones and still returned. However, there are many who weren't so fortunate and didn't return after their injury. When it comes down to it bike racing is a sport that many overlook the dangerous aspect of.

A Hard Fall and Crazy Off Road in the 2003 Tour de France; Stage 9

The Tour is Here

The Tour de France is here for 2010. Yes, the Tour de France the biggest pro road cycling race in the world, and of course I have been watching every stage since I was a little munchkin. Many wonder what is so exciting about watching men ride on their pricey bikes in tight spandex.

For me it is just as entertaing as watching a football or basketball game. People don't see the large amount of strategy going on in one of the 20 stages (21 counting the prologue). There are attacks, counter attacks, and much more going on. Also, similiar to other sports; in cycling the team with the most organized and strongest riders wins.


Now for the team I would like to win the Tour. I want Team Radio Shack, or commonly known as Lance Armstrong's team. I have been raised rooting for whatever team he is on, so it is only natural that I am cheering on Radio Shack this year. Also, Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa's local cycling hero is on Team Radio Shack.

Most importantly, I do not want last years winner, Alberto Contador, to win. Many ask why I dislike him. The reason is he snubbed his team (which Lance and Levi rode for). Overall, it will be interesting watching this years tour with Team Radio Shack going against Alberto Contador and his newly built team Astana. Next time you watch cycling make sure to look out for the attacks and counter attacks, it may just make the sport a new level of exciting.

Photo Courtesy of Team Radio Shack