Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Novelty, Creativity, Innovation and Invention

The creative person is one who generates new ideas while the creative process is how these new ideas, solutions, and inventions are produced. It is said that, we are all naturally creative. From poetry to building a house, from computer programming to humor, from music to science, creativity is manifested in a variety of different ways. The aim is to understand the complexity of creativity and to comprehend its mystery through a structured program of learning.

What is Novelty?
Novelty is the quality of being new. Although it may be said to have an objective dimension (e.g. a new style of art coming into being, such as abstract art or impressionism) it essentially exists in the subjective perceptions of individuals.

What is Creativity?
The generation of new ideas or a new way of doing things.

What is Innovation?
Innovation is the process of making improvements by introducing something new, the realization of a creative idea in a social context. Innovation is a process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need.

What is Invention?
Those who take existing knowledge and create new ideas.

Exercise : Creating image of public figure (Bill Gates)

The Creativity :

When Bill Gates led Microsoft, he realized that he didn't have to know everything. He recognized that he had employees who did. But, he appreciated the importance of taking the time to learn what they knew and absorb their creative thinking. He took time to listen to their ideas. He took time to think, to ponder the direction of Microsoft. The Wall Street Journal highlighted Gates’ bi-annual Think Weeks in an article a few years ago, In Secret Hideaway, Bill Gates Ponders Microsoft’s Future by Robert A. Guth. The concept took hold in my imagination.
Essentially, for many years, Gates went into seclusion for two, one-week “Think Weeks” a year. Family, friends and Microsoft employees were banned from his retreat.­ Alone, he read manuscripts from Microsoft associates on topics that ranged from the future of technology to speculation about the next “hot” products. Some papers suggested new products or different versions of current products. Any employee could use their creative thinking to write up ideas and send them for Gates’ perusal. He has said that he may read 100 papers during a Think Week and his record is 112 papers.
Not just reading, Gates took the time to respond to employee suggestions. One paper might have resulted in an email sent to hundreds of Microsoft employees world-wide. Employees waited with baited breath to see if their paper or idea might receive the go ahead following one of these famous Think Weeks.
The process of reviewing employee ideas, and encouraging creative thinking from employees, has evolved over the years. An assistant later culled the submitted papers prior to Think Week and a computerized response system let Gates easily respond to papers. But the basic idea - to read and think during time alone – to review ideas from the creative thinking of employees - remained constant.
The Innovation:
Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates will unveil the future of Windows® computing including an innovative Windows Home Concept PC developed in collaboration with HP.
Gates will showcase Windows technologies and hardware advances that will drive the next wave of innovation in the PC industry. Gates will describe the hardware and software breakthroughs coming over the next several years, including advances in connected systems, information-driven scenarios and rich interfaces that deliver great experiences, that will bring the vision of seamless computing closer.
"Microsoft continues to work with partners and customers to lead industry innovation, and the Windows platform continues to be the development platform of choice for the hardware community," Gates said. "The synergy between hardware and software is what provides customers with a seamless computing experience, making the technology in their lives work as a connected whole."
Developed in partnership with HP, the Windows Home Concept represents a conceptualization of the ultimate in-home digital lifestyle hub and showcases the potential of the PC to provide compelling home entertainment, media management and communication experiences.



The Windows Home Concept (WHC) was designed to demonstrate and drive innovative advancements in several key areas that specifically target the seamless computing experience for the home:
System fundamentals : A simple-to-use system that is quiet, always available to respond and energy efficient, the WHC integrates wireless technologies, a broadband connection and multiple high-definition television tuners to deliver a reliable and responsive user experience.
Entertainment experiences and media management : The WHC is designed to provide leading-edge entertainment and media management capabilities throughout the home through interoperable devices and home network capabilities.
Integrated communications : The WHC is the center of home communication, integrating telephony, e-mail and messaging, and distributing these capabilities throughout the home and beyond to ensure a connected experience.




"HP's collaboration with Microsoft today exemplifies our shared vision of delivering simple, innovative products for consumers looking for a rich, integrated entertainment and communications experience," said John Romano, senior vice president of the Consumer PC Organization at HP. "The home computing concept is a great example of hardware and software developers working together to raise the bar for the future of home computing and entertainment."
The Invention :

In 1980, IBM first approached Bill Gates and Microsoft, to discuss the state of home computers and Microsoft products. Gates gave IBM a few ideas on what would make a great home computer, among them to have Basic written into the ROM chip. Microsoft had already produced several versions of Basic for different computer system beginning with the Altair, so Gates was more than happy to write a version for IBM. As for an operating system (OS) for the new computers, since Microsoft had never written an operating system before, Gates had suggested that IBM investigate an OS called CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), written by Gary Kildall of Digital Research. Kindall had his Ph.D. in computers and had written the most successful operating system of the time, selling over 600,000 copies of CP/M, his OS set the standard at that time.


The Novelty :
Bill Gates loved learning new things and solving problems. Bill gates and his friend had a vision of “A computer on every desk and in every home”. He believes that computers are the most incredible tool we can use to feed our curiosity and inventiveness to help us solve problems that even the smartest people couldn’t solve on their own. Computers have transformed how we learn, giving kids everywhere a window into all of the world’s knowledge. They’re helping us build communities around the thing we care about and to stay close to the people who are important to us, no matter where there are.

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