The '10 Minute Rule'

As I've said before on this blog, I'm an avid user of technology. I use Web 2.0 tools to organize most facets of my life -- from calendars to task lists and email to social networking -- and I'm not afraid to experiment with new technology. However, I have developed some self-regulated rules for using new technology tools.

The above cartoon articulates one of my technology rules, the '10 Minute Rule.' The 10 Minute Rule states:

If you can't intuitively learn the basics of a new technology in 10 minutes or less, it's probably not worth learning

If I am unable to immediately start using the basics of a new technology with minimal direction/instruction, and don't feel comfortable with its basic function(s) within ten minutes, I'm already looking to move on.

I developed the 10 Minute Rule in a previous job where I was responsible for reviewing and introducing new technology tools for a government organization that had an already established, and very successful, set of processes and procedures. Endeavoring to improve upon those successful processes and procedures, I found a ton of great tools, however, most of those tools came with a steep learning curve and a long training tail, which I found unacceptable.

That steep learning curve and training tail are designed to fleece organizations when they purchase the tool. It's a double whammy -- you spend a bazillion dollars buying a tool only to spend even more to learn how to operate it, and then usually find out that it's obsolete or does not really satisfy the original requirement you purchased it for.

While working that previous job, I found the 10 Minute Rule to be an invaluable way of keeping software vendors honest, and I incorporated it into my personal practices to keep focused.

As with most things on the Internet, it's so easy to run down a rabbit hole, and before you know it you have blown a few hours and have nothing to show for it.

There are many smart folks developing great tools. If they keep the 10 Minute Rule in mind as they develop those tools, life for everyone will be a lot easier.

Cartoon is the property of the Random Thoughts blog.