DorkoTech

Passion

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:35:23 PDT

Do you like your job? This question was asked by one my customers the other day. I of course responded with an enthusiastic yes, but she sensed something else from my response. So she threw another question at me…Do you love your job? Now as a sales man you learn to handle many questions thrown at you from many different angles but this one tripped me up a bit. She stopped me before I had time to gather a witty response and offered some valuable advice. Passion she said is what motivates us to do our very best and allows us to give our very best to others. Find yours because it’s there, I just don’t think it’s here. I wished her my very best and slowly slid back to my desk. I was a little disgruntled as I strive to deliver maximum enthusiasm in all aspects of my work. Of course, there are times where I feel stress and frustration but rarely do I allow these emotions to have any impact on my job performance. However, here was a situation where a customer could clearly sense something. Feelings that I thought were clearly buried were now making their way to the surface. So I thought to myself…do I love my job? Do I find passion in what I do?

It wasn’t till days later that the answers started to become apparent. I guess the everyday requirements of work often distract us and rarely do we actually take a moment to ponder whether we are truly using our talents (what we are passionate about) most effectively. It did not take much more time before I realized I needed to change something. Maybe begin searching for a new job? Or maybe it’s about bringing your passion to work every day with you. Whatever it is I suggest everyone revisit what they are truly passionate about and find a way to incorporate that passion somehow, someway everyday into your life.

I'm Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:17:20 PST

Sometimes we get caught up in the busy world around us and just start going with the flow. Days turns into weeks and then weeks turn into months and we forget to make time for the things we really enjoy doing! Well after 7 months at Enterprise I think I have finally come to the decision that no matter how busy my crazy life becomes I should always make time to do those activities I really enjoy! Blogging and sharing my goals, interests, and general knowledge are a few things I really love doing. I spend most of my day selling my company at work but when was the last time I really got to sell my own ideas! My blog use to be an outlet for those emotions and it has taken a back seat next to my face paced career. Hopefully I can turn that around again and get back to the fun times I always had while I working on DorkoTech.

So here's to the future and my efforts to bring DorkoTech back to life!

My New Enterprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:02:48 PDT

Wow I can't believe how fast the last few months have flown by! A lot of great changes have taken place since I last posted and even more changes are expected in the near future. Everything from graduation, to looking for jobs, to going on interviews and eventually landing my first job out of college with Enterprise has turned out to be quite the adventure! Even MindManager has been reborn with the release of MindManager 7 and it seems this fast paced hold on and let's go environment I now live in is only the beginning! And quite frankly....I wouldn't want it any other way!

I would love to find time to tell you all about how wonderful my new career with Enterprise Rent-A-Car is going along with how MindManager 7 allowed me to score the job in the first place! However with the long hours and constant desire to be the best there has been little time to update my DorkoTech site and blog. I do not plan to abandon this project as it has been an incredible learning experience on running my own mini business. Hopefully when things settle down a bit and I really start to find my place at Enterprise I will be able to share a story about my adventures there along with my continuing use of MindManager. Although I am no longer a student in college and won't be using my Tablet PC anymore to take Anatomy notes my passion to continually seek new technologies and develop solutions to assist others will never end!

Thanks to all those that offered there support as I strived to become the ultimate tech resource for students during my college years. I will not forget any of you that decided to take a chance with MindManager or abandon the keyboard in class for a crazy Tablet PC. The lessons learned while deploying these technologies will provide the necessary skills to reach my future goals in sales and I hope I can continue to offer support and inspiration for all future students and technological leaders!

Thanks again!

Bringing the STAR format to MindManager

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:53:11 PDT

As a soon to be college grad (YEAH!) and individual destined for success in the pharmaceutical sales industry (YEAH again!) I spend much of my time preparing for interviews and devising strategies to present myself as an exceptional candidate. The Pharmaceutical Sales industry interview process is notorious for conducting behavioral interviews and much of these include those sometimes dreaded STAR questions. However with a simple map part that I have created for MindManager you can now start preparing yourself for this experience and soon develop the skills necessary to master this technique. No longer will you fear such questions as your preparation will allow you to shine in any situation and all of a sudden you will find yourself quietly smiling the next time an interviewer asks "Tell me about a time you presented an idea that wasn't initially accepted and how you handled it" You have the skills, you have desire make sure you do everything to show it all off!

Such Preparation is your key to nailing those interviews so I encourage all of you to download the map part for MindManager and set a goal of working through at least one behavioral question a day. Even if your not going into pharmaceutical sales and/or not graduating this year I guarantee you that the time spend working through them is well worth the investment. Such efforts will only make you a better candidate for any type of interview and you do want to be the best candidate possible don't you? So download the map part and start using the STAR method as you to continue to strive to be the best as you map your way to success!

Jason Dorko's MindManager STAR map part

As always if you don't have MindManager yet make sure to check it out! You can always find out more about it thoughtough this blog and at the MindJet website!

Oakland Adds a Medical School to its Growing Campus

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:54:41 PDT

Oakland has definitely captured a part of me during my final year of college. When I started Oakland University, my soon to be Alma Mater, it was a small commuter school known to few. However, in 5 short years Oakland (and myself!) have seen unprecedent growth with no end in sight. It seems we have grown together and after 5 years both of us will soon start basking in the limelight of our continued dedication and hard work.

A Medical School brings tremendous opportunities to Oakland and the surrounding areas! It will bring a wealth of new talent to the school and allow Oakland to continue its development and efforts to provide the best educational experience possible!

Way to Go Oakland!

OU, Beaumont Hospitals announce plans for medical school

If Disney Did Healthcare......

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:04:57 PDT

Smiling and good spirits are natures best remedies and since I already love Friday's so much this just adds that extra layer of frosting to the cake!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and great weekend!

HealthBlog : If Disney Did Healthcare......

Sales Reps to Big Pharma: 'Sue You!' - PharmExec

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:23:33 PDT

Back in the glory days pharmaceutical sales was a lucrative field filled with much glitz and glamour. However new regulations, increasingly frustrated doctors, and demanding stockholders have changed much of the business into one that is as competitive and demanding as ever. With companies continually trimming the fat we are seeing a single pharmaceutical representative assigned to several doctors and as the articles states "reps are now under pressure to call on 40 or 50 physicians a week--at a time when harried doctors are increasingly barring their doors against the onslaught"

Pharmaceutical Sales is a field not for the weak and inefficient. It requires determination, perseverance, excellent time management skills, and a passion for success. (All qualities I pride myself on having) It seems though that some representatives feel their efforts have not been appreciated enough and are currently suing their employers for lost overtime. Do Pharmaceutical Representatives work incredibly long hours? Yes. Arethey rewarded with a nice salary? Yes. Do they really need to be suing Big Pharma at time when generic competition is dominating and current pipelines are depleting and in search of the next blockbuster drug? I'll let you decide that for yourself...

Sales Reps to Big Pharma: 'Sue You!' - PharmExec

Tooth Brushing 101

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 07:35:15 PDT

As a former dental student and one that is still quite obsessive about proper dental hygiene I found this story to be quite interesting so maybe you will too!

Tooth Brushing 101 — For Grownups, Refresher Course And Reminder: Proper Technique Isn't The Same As For Kids! - CBS News

The Fight against Pharmaceutical Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 07:36:58 PDT

After informing individuals of my passion to enter the world of pharmaceutical sales, I often receive a few different responses. Many delightfully smile and confirm that I will excel in such a position that relies on my knowledge of biology, love of business and overall desire to help people and make a difference. Some question my sales experience but I always redirect these feelings by persuading them that my competitive nature, ability to establish relationships and dedicated work ethic to find the right clients will surely propel me to the top. These two scenarios display how the skills I have developed and nurtured over the years will allow me to excel in pharmaceutical sales, don't you agree?

However, there are also those that have a vendetta against big pharma and even more so with those flashy money hungry sales representatives. They complain that sales figures and bonuses motivate sales representatives to the point where their presence now clogs waiting rooms and distracts doctors from their patients. Working in a pharmacy has also allowed me to experience many different reactions to such "ridiculously priced" prescriptions. As much as I would love to debate the issue, my job as a pharmacy technician is to deliver outstanding customer service in accompany with a personal goal of having every customer leave in a better mood than when they arrived. Thus, I often listen to their complaints and comfort them in an effort to make a sincere connection so that I can truly understand why they feel this way and do something about it.

With so much negativity surrounding the world of big pharma, I can't help but become even more anxious to become involved in it! You may think I am crazy but I see all of this as an opportunity to do something incredible. I plan to operate in a manner that will break these speculations and remove such disgruntled feelings. Many argue that I can't be the number one representative without record sales numbers and I always agree! However, I add that this can be done in a manner that is both professional and ethical and leaves both parties with something to gain. I emphasize that when you do the research, find the right clients, and equip yourself for success your reputation and hard work will bring in those soaring sales figures that make everyone so happy.

Of course not everyone will agree and many will continue to work against it. The following article discusses such practices and I hope that such actions will soon motivate pharmaceutical sales representative and companies to change the way they operate. Encountering frustrated individuals almost every day drives my desire to make a change. The starting point for much of this starts with research.

Continuous effort to acquire knowledge on the pharmaceutical industry and all that it details is just the beginning of my plan. However, I encourage everyone to spend some time reading about the subject. The topic of healthcare and prescription drugs will not disappear with time but will grow exponentially as new research reveals new opportunities. With sales teams constantly being cut and competition increasing many ask if I am worried. I respond that I am excited of such news as it means only the truly best representatives will remain. When I am offered a position I can then rest assured that I am working with the best and my role as a pharmaceutical representative will be ever so important as I must represent a new adaptive sales force that relies on efficiency and knowledge. As a pharmaceutical representative, I will have the opportunity to help the right people receive the drugs they need, while generating revenue for a company to support in the development of future compounds. During all of this, I will be setting a new standard for pharmaceutical representatives and hopefully many will start to see the knowledge and caring attitude that all of us in the health care field share, including those nasty pharm reps!

Counter-detailers help doctors wade through drug company marketing
Independent lens - The Boston Globe

Kyle McFarlin's Top 10 Mapping Shortcut Tips (MindManager & ResultsManager)

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:28:40 PST

First off I applaud Kyle for taking the time to transcribe and share his tips with all of us. His list reminds me of just how simple and effective a plain linear list can be sometimes. You really don't have to mind map everything in your life in order to tap into that hidden cavern of creative power. However mind mapping does help in many situations and with these tips in hand you'll be well on your way to becoming a mind mapping expert!

In addition to his list I use the simple but sometimes forgotten about keys for adding more topics

Enter : for a new topic
Insert: for a new subtopic

And these keys for moving around my many open maps!

Ctrl + Home: brings you back to the center topic
Ctrl + Tab: Allows you to navigate one map tab to the right (assuming you have multiple maps/tabs open)
Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Allows you to navigate one map tab to the left ( I usually hold ctrl with my left hand, shift with the right and hit the tab key each time I want to move)

Kyle mentioned the Alt E+Y combo for editing a resultsmanager Activity and just want to emphasize that key again as I use it ALL the time every single day since ResultsManager plays a central role in creating my GTD list every morning.

Also don't forget about all the other shortcuts listed in the MindManager help section!

Kyle McFarlin's Top 10 Mapping Shortcut Tips (MindManager & ResultsManager)

Motion Computing announces the C5 Clinical Assistant Tablet PC

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:15:45 PST

Tablet PC + Medical/Pharmaceutical Industry = a very happy Jason!

Tablet PCs are no stranger to the medical world and it's these vertical markets that have allowed Tablet PCs to continue fighting in the shadows for so long before making their appearance into the mainsteam. Although a tablet is nothing new, a properly developed device specifically tailored to those is the medical profession is a concept that has needed some extra attention for quite some time now. Why these devices have not been implemented into the medical scene as quickly as I would like probably has to due with many factors including financial and budget requirements but it just makes too much sense not to have Tablet PCs in this industry!

Strictly speaking from the business side of things, the cost effectiveness and possible increase in efficiency Tablet PCs could provide are factors that just can't be ignored. Quite frankly I am surprised that so many hospitals still rely heavily on paper. Incorporating my own experience in a pharmacy has also led to the development of a vision where scripts become digitalized and are sent immediately to the patent's pharmacist of choice with the click of a button.

But enough rambling about Tablet PCs and the medical industry for now! (I have midterms to study for after all) Check out what Motion Computing has in store for all you future practitioners, nurses, PAs, and PTs (to just name a few)!

GottaBeMobile.com - Motion Computing announces the C5 Clinical Assistant Tablet PC - Your Tablet PC and Ultra-Mobile PC news source

Lenovo shows Windows Mobile 6 offerings

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:46:44 PST

As a huge supporter of Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad notebooks and Tablet PCs I find it interesting that they are now moving into the cell phone market. It seems an explosion of devices are now coming to life (iphone anyone?) and a new market has taken shape. Our dependence on these devices extends far past what use to be just a simple phone. Today we increasingly become tethered to our phones as their abilities and use as music players, organizes and mobile im units continually increase our fixation on them.

I am still enjoying my Cingular 8525 relationship and If I find the time, I still plan to share my thoughts on how it has changed the way I get things done.

Lenovo shows Windows Mobile 6 offerings - Engadget Mobile

Going Paperless Not Such a Good Idea?

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:11:00 PST

After using a Tablet PC for over a year now the rush of rotating the screen and scribbling away with my stylus has lost some of its flare and pizazz. My MIS class even helped me to realize that despite how much we may invest in some new piece of technology, if it does not improve our well being and live up to our expectations we must be willing to suck it up and say "It doesn't work and I don't want it." I suppose this is why I stopped using my Tablet PC (I still use and love it as a very portable notebook) as often as I once did.

My recent experiences reveal that productivity increases when I use it more as a notebook and less as a Tablet PC. Of course, when scenarios arise that absolutely require a Tablet PC to ensure success and efficient use of time I joyously perform that magical rotate and flip maneuver. However, when I contemplate whether I can perform an activity faster in notebook mode or tablet mode, I discover few situations where tablet mode is the best possible choice (currently).

When the Tablet PC was new it was instinctive to try to squeeze every bit of juice out of it it. I would switch to tablet mode whenever I could and infrequently questioned whether such actions were the best possible use of my time and energy. Previously, I viewed my Tablet PC as a Tablet PC first and then as a notebook second. This was a mistake, and currently I view it as a light portable notebook that doubles as Tablet PC.

With that said, I have also retreated back to former methods that involve the use of paper. I have found that reading real textbooks (instead of ebooks) and peforming homework on notebook paper (and then scanning it as a backup) has actually increased my performance in school. My personality seems to place higher value on those items decorated with blank ink than documents that are displayed on a computer screen. Of course I have reduced my paper consumption and now save the printing for high priority items only. It seems their physical existence is directly linked to my subconscious priority assigning scheme. Therefore I am much more likely to read something that I have printed out than an item that sits hidden somewhere on my notebook/ Tablet PC.

These are just my experiences but it seems I am not alone....

"Print important e-mails and reports! Research shows that people are less likely to understand material or find it interesting if they read it on screen, compared with on paper. And a stack of a paper serves as a reminder."

Of course this is different for everyone but I personally find I am less stressed and more productive when I use a system that integrates both paper and paperless items. Finding a happy medium is key here and each individual must devote some time and energy to discover which levles are appropriate for them. Only then can we surely become more productive.

Note: My New Cingular 8525 PDA/Cell Phone has helped me enormously in putting aside many activities that once required my Tablet PC. It has opened up the possibility of simply carrying it with a file folder to important events. My previous thought process was that since I was already bringing my Tablet PC (as it was the soul guardian of my schedule and to-do/next actions lists) I might as well load/scan all items into it and carry just that versus carrying the Tablet PC AND a file folder. Although it made sense at the time I find my new methodology to be much more reliable and practical. Expect my full impressions on this new device sometime next week!

Pleasant MindManager/OneNote Link Surprise

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:42:18 PST

I am not quite sure if it has always been this way but today when I was setting up a folder link, using the smart map folder ability, I accidentally created a link to my entire macroeconomics folder which includes my OneNote Macroeconomics "notebook" and it's appropriate sections. A smile then rolled across my face when I realized it had also created the appropriate links to the sections in that notebook. Curiosity now flowing, my finger pushed forward and clicked on the link to see if it actually worked and before I knew it OneNote was opening and my macroeconomics notes section was in front of me. Wow....I was impressed.

I was not aware of this ability, however I do remember previously trying to create links to those notebooks sections but had to do it manually in order for it to work. This was automatic and brings us one step closer to eliminating that barrier that currently exists between MindManager and OneNote.

Does this feature require the new plug-in? I am not quite sure but either way I must admit MindManager once again has found a way to make me go "wow" despite my latest efforts to tone down our symbiotic relationship.

Linking MindManager and OneNote

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:03:07 PST

So what inspired that past rampling and jumble on OneNote and MindManager? Well consider it a combination of current goals, recent doubts, and future wishes. The latest add in from the MindJet's Labs also helped to initiate a few of those feelings but mostly my current efforts to rework and deploy a new system for GTD. There add-in though may bring some relief though at it does link together MindManager and OneNote for the first time. The item I was most curious about was the send to MindManager button in OneNote and although I do prefer it to my previous work around it is very limiting in that it only allows you to link to that current page. I was already doing something very similar with OneNote 2003 but it does make the process more automatic. Linking to actual pages, subpages, paragraphs, images, etc. is where my wants lie at the moment however I question whether I will even continue to try to bring those items from OneNote into MindManager in the first place. Simply using OneNote more often as an information storage base may actually be easier with some of the new features.

You can read about all the features of the new OneNote 2007 + MindManager add-in at the site but I think the image below presents the basic overview from my perspective.

MindJet Labs OneNote 2007 + MindManager Solution

MindManager and OneNote Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:41:39 PST

First off I must again apologize for the long delay. As I am sure you have guessed I have joined the following of individuals striving to become more productive this year. To accomplish this feat I often find myself transferring all those items and subjects I would like to blog about on DorkoTech onto that ever increasing someday/maybe list. Maybe when I wipe out all those Incompletes from last semester, trim down my current hours at work, and find my place in some of these new business classes, things will return to normal...but knowing how my world operates I wouldn't invest too much into that thought.

However this subject required special attention as it involves the two programs (I really don't count outlook or IE) I use most often as a student, web master, investor, sales rep....etc. MindManager and OneNote have always had this magnetic pull on me that seems to grasp onto my notes, research and planning and then pull in opposite directions.

OneNote may sometimes seem linear and fall into that category of boring traditional note taking but I can't replicate the experience and instant ability to capture my ideas and write anywhere, with any color with such ease. And then to have the ability to audio record lectures, OCR images, and even recognize and find my own handwriting continues to amaze me to this day. Of course the Tablet PC makes much of this all possible but even without a Tablet PC OneNote can still holds its own. (I've been using OneNote years before I had a Tablet PC) Also with OneNote 2007 and my new phone/toy I find the Microsoft posse of aplications actually working in sync with one another while leaving my valuable mind maps to fend for themselves.

Then there is MindManager and its ability to capture and organize my ideas in a visual manner that also allows me to expand and collapse ideas and topics at will. Throwing Gyro-Q and ResultsManager definelty allows me to pass on the responsibility of holding everything anything and allowing me to devote more brain powers towards creative thinking on the go. I also am trialing Pocket Mindmap at the moment so that I can at least view some of my maps but I still finding difficulty in setuping up a process and allows me to edit maps on both systems with ease. I really have no desire to save my maps to the activesync file folder but simpling copying them over all the time doesn't work well either. Although I loved using ResultsManager and MindManager on my tablet all the time I find using my smartphone to view, edit and orgazine my tasks easier and more automatic. Taking all that MindManager stuff on the road doesn't work out to well and may have to be demoted to project planning only and leaving the actionable items and daily GTD topics for OneNote.

I use both programs each and everyday and if I had to pick just one I honestly would probably go with OneNote as its 2007 features have really stepped up its use as productivity tool. Sure ResultsManager and MindManager together automate much of my day but I sometimes question just how many programs do we really need in order to be more productive. Also considering ResultsManager alone is more expensive than OneNote I feel I may be able to get away with doing a lot of that dashboard creation jazz simply by keeping more structured and up-to-date context lists. If I want to bring my mindmaps with me on my phone I need to buy the $63 (in US dollars) version of Pocket Mindmap. To bring OneNote 2007 with on the go... install the free version of OneNote Mobile.

All this along with thoughts (do I even dare say it) of possible going the mac route in the future have left a lot of doubt in my current system. GTD is suppose to be simple with a fluid with a process that flows and doesn't form bottlenecks at every turn. I actually that feel getting away from all these many programs that everyone tells me will make me more productive may actually allow me to find this dream path of productivity. A pipe dream at the moment I guess but one that I will continue to ponder about.

Happy Holidays from DorkoTech

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:24:15 PST

Just want to take a moment to wish every one a happy and joyful holiday season! This is my last Christmas vacation (unless I decide to go for that MBA) and I am taking the time to try to catch up from last semester's classes while letting my body slowly heal from surgery. At first I was depressed about how my current medical problems were going to ruin my holiday break but I then started to realize that this is probably the best possible time for me to make my recovery. I currently have lots of love and support as my family collaborate at the Dorko household and their strength will diffuse and help me in my time of need. I also have friends making their way home to celebrate Christmas with their family so their additional support only fuels my desire for a quick recovery. I also have great food, cookies (who doesn't love Christmas cookies) and plenty of time to relax in bed without the constant burden of school. I do have classes from last semester to worry about but in reality that is nothing compared the full load I am taking on next semester.

I also have the New Year to look forward to and have decided to make 2007 my year! 2007 will be my breakout year and when I look back to see where I turned the corner in my successful career I am confident I will be able to trace my routes back to 2007. In 2007 I will graduate, find a great job, move and start my new and exciting life, overcome major thoracic surgeries and demonstrate to everyone the true potential I always knew I had but never really illustrated.

So if you too find yourself a little down this holiday season don't worry. Start to think positively and make an honest effort to enjoy yourself, spend time with your family and set some major goals for 2007! This is a wonderful time of year so take some time to really let it all soak in!

MindJet MindManager Product Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:07:16 PST

There is now a product update for MindJet MindManager that should update it to build 6.2.399. This update (SP2a) seems to address many of the issues between MindManager and the upcoming releases of Microsoft's new OS, Vista, and the new Office 2007 as well. You can read about all the other details in the release notes.

Decorating My Map Central

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:38:58 PST

While on the MindJet Blog I noticed I was tagged, but a post about looking at the same map style all the time also captured my interest. This is because I make a point of placing some extra time on the design of my more important maps. For example, I look at my Map Central map every single day and often many times a day so to make the experience more pleasing I tend to inject some fun and color into it. This promotes healthy emotions that subconsciously allow me to enjoy the overall review process. Since I like to look at the map ,I tend to look at it more often, which allows me to review my key activities and stay on task throughout the day.

I also find adding images to my maps whenever I can stimulates a stronger personal connection with the map that allows me to gain more value from it. As a visual leaner these images enhance the overall visual representation of the information and makes my maps even more powerful.

So what does my Map Central look like now? Well it's a Christmas that has been present since Thanksgiving and will probably remain until the new year. When 2007 hits I'll be busy designing something new that will be sure to entertain my eyes every time I open MindManager.

Check out a picture of my map central below!

Tagged

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:07:35 PST

Visiting the Mindjet blog today I discovered that it seems Hobart Swan has tagged me in a game of blog and share where it seems I must now disclose 5 things people don't know about me. So let's get started.

When I am not busy or tied down to a computer I am incredibly active and enjoy working out 3 days a week and tearing up the racquetball courts on a regular basis (as you may be able to tell from my Christmas List)
I have been managing my own myspace/blog/website for over 4 years. It all started with a pretentious domain of drdorko.com ( I wanted to be an Orthodontist for over 4 years) where I plastered pictures of my turtles and friends on a blue background designed in frontpage.
I have a huge entrepreneur spirit and love dabbling around in the stock market.
I am notorious for always dressing to "nice" for a straight guy and actually enjoy shopping for new business attire.
When I was little no one ever made fun of my last name (Dorko) ever since I responded to that first attempt with the "wow you must have stayed up all night thinking of that one" come back. (Yeah my ADD was still under wraps at this time and my impulsive comments often managed to leak out.)

So I now must pass on the burden of personal sharing. Since this meme has been around for quite some time let me know if you have already fullfilled your personal revealing duties.

I Tag Warner Crocker, Tracy Hooten (you know you need a break from studying), Kyle McFarlin, and Sid from NoteTalkers (trying to bring him out of hiding)

Dorko's Christmas List: MindManager Style

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:50:25 PST

Every year I try to produce my Christmas list in a digital format that is easily accessible to everyone Usually this is just a long word document that I upload to my website. I add pictures and sometimes links but it is always quite lengthy and difficult to navigate.

This year though I went a different route and made my Christmas list as a MindManager map. I then again uploaded it to my site early on and e-mailed the link to my family. I told them I would add stuff at will and that they can just check it online to see if it had changed.

Most family members thought it was really cool and liked the ability to navigate by category and they really appreciated the direct links to the websites which allowed for some quick online shopping. I also sometimes used call outs as price tags to indicate the price range of a product in addition to appropriate sizes. Again they liked how easy it was to see all the information and I got a lot questions about the program I used in general.

I've shared my MindManager use with many students and friends but never have I really showed it off to the family. This was my first approach at doing so and I was quite taken by their first impressions.

You can see my list here if you are interested. (Note it is only viewable in Internet Explorer)

I should also note that MindJet has put together a nice document about using MindManager to sort through all your holiday shopping as well. It's very similar to how I constructed my personal Christmas List but is a good resource for those looking to add a little MindManager to their holiday season!

Supercharge Your Holiday Shopping with MindManager 6

MindManager Pro/Basic 6 Users

MindManager 6 Mac Users

Enjoy!

Best MindManager Blogger Blottie Goes To...

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:49:55 PST

During my time at the hospital I have gotten quite behind in all news of the Tablet PC, technology and mind mapping world. Even my investments have done quite a bit of rocketing the last week and I am just now starting to catch up with all that has transpired.

Apparently one of the very cool things I missed out was reviewing Warner's Second Annual Life On The Wicked Stage Ink Blot Awards. He always dishes out some very amusing awards and this year we were treated to a list that was full of awards dedicated to individuals devoted to sharing their passion of the Tablet PC and technology world.

I was incredibly excited to see that DorkoTech was able to snatch up two blotties this year! These awards included Best MindManager Blogger and Wackiest Name for a Tablet PC Blog. Both awards mean a lot to mean and I greatly appreciate Warner for presenting these to me and would also like to offer my congrats to all the other winners.

Thanks again for the great list!

Down Again but Never Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 14:49:34 PST

There are always those moments in life where you just can't believe something is happening. Those were the thoughts at least running through my head a week ago. Last Sunday, or I guess two Sundays ago now, I was sitting in my room working on a class project. It had been just two weeks since my last visit for my spontaneous pneumorthorax. I was a week behind in my classes but was starting to really feel good again and knew I would find a way to catch up. I knew the upcoming week was going to be rough with classes ending and I would have to study extremely hard to try to catch up and be ready for finals but hey who ever said life was easy.

And then it happened...my heart started to race and I felt that oh to familiar give of me chest. I quickly made sure I wasn't dreaming and that this was actually happening again! I couldn't believe that after being released from the hospital just over a week ago that I again could suffer from another incident so soon. However despite everything I wanted to believe, reality soon set in and I was off to the hospital again.

A chest X-ray revealed another pneumothorax and I once again found myself sitting on the table having a small tube inserted into my chest cavity. Talking it over with doctors it was quickly decided that after experiencing another incident so soon preventative surgery should be done in order to help prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

Two days later I underwent video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with blebectomy and pleurodesis. I could go over what all this means but I don't want to bore you all with the details.

It's now been over a week and I am finally home again. This time because of the more invasive surgery recovery is quite slow. There is reoccurring pain that disrupts my sleep, it's hard to move around and basically life will be different these next few weeks. Recovery is said to take about 6 weeks and I may not feel 100% for several months.

However all these hospital visits have given me much time to think and reflect about my own life and what I would like to do with it. I made a few promises to myself during those days in the hospital and some changes may be reflected in this blog so stay tuned.

My recovery is slow, I am making efforts with the University now to try to get incompletes for my classes until I find a way to make up all the work and now final exams I missed while in the hospital. I once again thank everyone that visited especially my parents, who have been amazing through this whole process. I enjoyed the cards and best wishes and I look forward to getting better.

MindJet Asks How You Like Your Images

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 10:49:37 PST

Personally I prefer my images to be of high quality snapshots of gorgeous women or flashy gadgets (yes as a DORKo both things are appealing) Oh wait that wasn't the question was it...

Actually MindJet is trying to get a feel from MindManager users on how they would like to work with images within MindManager itself. Here are the two scenarios for consideration:

Scenario 1: Copying resized images
Let’s say you paste a bitmap image
into a topic, and then you resize that image to make it fit better in your map.
Now let’s say you select that image (by selecting the topic, and then clicking
the image to select it within the topic), and choose "Copy".
Scenario 2: Copying images from a zoomed map
Let’s say you paste a bitmap image into a
topic, and then you zoom the map to something other than 100%. Now let’s say you
select that image (by selecting the topic, and then clicking the image to select
it within the topic), and choose "Copy".
In both scenarios, MindManager 6
copies the image to the clipboard at the size that it appears onscreen. There is
a proposal to change this behavior such that MindManager would place a full-size
copy of the original image into the clipboard, in both scenarios.
Which
option do you like better, and why?

Dorko's Thoughts:

Personally I prefer images to be full size, as I like confidence in knowing that no lose of quality occurs. Although this answers the simple question at hand though I would also like to recommend to MindJet that they investigate other possible conditions that exist with the use of images in MindManager.

As I work with MindManager and talk to other users I discover a common theme when the topic of images arrises. Together our conclusions reveal that quite frankly, MindManager seems to fall asleep at the wheel when it comes to the challenge of dealing with images. In this respect I compare MindManager to a super computer hooked up to an old 640 x480 CRT VGA monitor. No mater how great at handling the most complex of tasks it can't accurately display the information in an acceptable fashion, it stifles the performance aspect and limits the overvall functionality.

Case in point: I was making a presentation and really wanted to demonstrate the power of MindManager to a group of students. I had inserted an image full of text and detailed orientated apsects from a physiology book and although I knew it didn't look that great and was difficult to read I execused it was a minor detail in the overall shceme of things. When making the presentation though with a projector, MindManager's failure to display the image in high quality left many students asking what the text in the image said. It disrupted the overall presentation (although I did learn never that every detial does is importatn) and left me quite embarassed. Need less to say when asking what they liked and disliked about the presentation that little stumble where they could not need read the image was what remained most clear in their minds after the presentation.

I also know this to be specifially a MindManager problem as when inserting the same image into OneNote, Word, or almost any other program, the image is displayed correctly. To compensate for this I often link to the image now and have it open up in an entirely different program but not being able to insert high quality "readable" pictures into MindManager is something I feel MindJet needs tp look at a bit more.

Also when it comes to dealing with images in general I wish there were more options that permit the ability to edit them within MindManager. Since MindManager is such a great tool for visual learners I enjoy using it to organize my notes. Also as a visual learner though I like drawing on or around images. It allows me to personally link what is in the picture with what is being proccessed inside my brain. OneNote is quite effecitve at this task.

I am often recquired to make a choice between OneNote and MindManager and latey I find the the ability to draw and mark up pictures a more effective means of enhancing the overall leraning process. It's a sacrafice I never enjoy making. I do sometimes mark up the picture in journal and then link to it from MindManager but I also find that the more programs I spread my notes in the less orgainzed I become.

Wrapping things up, I like that MindJet is asking the community for their opinion on such issues but I do wish they would take a look at what I think (in my personal opinion of course) are bigger issues. I don't know how many users actually copy and paste images within MindManager anyways. I do however know a lot of users that would like to drag and drop or copy and paste images from other locations and have their images retained in high detail. I know I compare OneNote and MindManager quite often and they are two very different programs but I do feel there are certain operations that both should be able to perform equally as well. Copying and pasting pictures is just one.

Happy Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Jason Dorko) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:55:39 PST

This time of year everyone seems to be rushing around forging for that oh so wanted gift or must have gadget. Christmas lights stand proud pinned to roof tops and a jolly old fat man seems to make even this 22 year old feel like a kid again. But let us not forget that just because the holiday season is upon us doesn't mean we can forget about all those that share their brithdays' with this seasonal time of year. With a birthday on January 6th I often fall victim to the ohh I can't believe it's your birthday speeches and the "I must have just got caught up with the holidays" excuses. So don't forget about all your friends and family that also have birthdays this time of year!

All joking aside Happy Birthday Student Tablet PC and I wish you MANY MANY more!

Also if I am correct Warner Crocker from GottaBeMobile.com is celebrating the birthday of his blog in a few days so I share my best wishes with him as well!

Anyone I miss let me know because I know what's it like when people forget your birthday this busy time of year!

Note: DorkoTech (at least the DorkoTech blog) is too celebrating a birthday in about a month! Of course DorkoTech has been around since early November 2005 but it didn't get much traffic until after the blog format was established. I was able to share some goodies for the 6 month anniversary so hopefully I can find something for the big 01!

Mindjet MindManager Pro 6
Release SP2a	build 6.2.399	50.1 MB	Download

Mindjet MindManager Basic 6
Release SP2a	build 6.2.399	38.9 MB	Download