How private is our personal information?

We have all heard about Wikileaks. I noticed this article today that made me think about all personal information stored on the web in cloud based solutions that you may think is private and secure but can be clearly accessed under legal process as required.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/8615201/u-s-orders-twitter-to-hand-over-wikileaks-records/

We considering this as part of the design of myINFOSAFE. If we were ever asked to provide details of account codes and encryption keys for customers by the court, we would have to do this. But we could not provide any of the customers personal information stored in myINFOSAFE as we do not have access to it as it is stored locally on the users PC and is protected by a password that we do not know. (assuming the user has changed it from the default). The customer has control of their information and they can protect it, back it up or delete it in any way they want.

It makes you think that while there are many benefits of cloud based systems there are weaknesses that you need to be aware of in relation to your personal information.

Look forward to some discussion on this please.

The team at IDEO looks to the future of the book

One of our main sources of information is still the good old book. The book has been around for centuries and has not changed it's format much over time. Even the e-books we get these days are usually designed to give you the look and feel of a traditional book because we are so use to it. But times are changing as we know. Who still has the bookshelf full of encyclopedias' any more?

The Team at IDEO, who I have a lot of time for, have been doing some thinking on the future of the book. Take a look at this video and see for yourself what they see.

There are some great comments below the video, most of the people love the possibilities these concepts would offer but as always there are some who do not.

I agree there are times all you want to do is read a book like you always have but I am sure there can be a function where you turn off the smarts if you do not want them. I see the sorts of things IDEO are presenting would make the reading experience much more valuable, informative and rewarding to me than reading a normal book.

In terms of our product, myINFOSAFE , I see these concepts would open up the need for us to have better ways to manage more information, keep track of ideas that flow from reading in a more non linear way. Something for us to think about for future versions of our software.

So what do you think, let's hear your thoughts.

We continue to look for ways to help people manage their personal information. We have added the most asked for features into version 2.

Many of our customers were happy with being able to enter their data into myINFOSAFE but were forcing data about their partner, their children, and even their pets into the application without it being structured for this. We have added a function where you can identify your family members and store their information in their own area of the application.

Many customers asked for the ability to store their medical information. We have added a simple health record in Version 2 that can be printed out or emailed to your doctor prior to you visiting them then you can update the record after your visit.

Another major addition we have added is the ability to download the application and your data to a USB key. This is a big improvement to Version 1. Not only does it improve your back up options but it lets you be more mobile with your data. You can connect hte USB to any Windows PC running XP Service Pack 2 or higher and access your data.

We have improved a number of minor usability points raised by some customers, the two main ones are the moving of functions to the top tool bar and also the adding of a reminder function.

Now we have version 2 out there we would like to hear from you as to how these new functions have helped you manage your information.

We also want to hear from you what else you would like to see in future releases of the software.

We have plenty of ideas of things we could add. Here is a few to get you thinking.

• Your Bucket List - the list of things you want to do before you kick the Bucket
• An area to store serial numbers of software that you purchase .... So you can find it when you need support or when you decide to purchase that upgrade.
• Providing the ability to upload information you want to be able to see on the internet.
• Access information you select to be visible via your mobile phone.
  

Let us know your ideas and thoughts so we can make myINFOSAFE all the better for you.

How do you better manage all the information you have about yourself?

Today we are dealing with more and more information. How can we possibly remember it all, manage it well and know where it is when we need it?

We have established a company called Personal Information Management (NZ) Ltd. that is aiming to help people better manage their personal information, securely.

Our first activity in this area has been to develop a windows PC application that will help people to manage personal information in the areas of Financial, Assets, Life record, and general personal information.

Please visit our website http://www.myinfosafe.co.nz/ to see more information about the product features, benefits, planned enhancements and more.

You are also able to download the application to your Windows PC (XP and Vista only) by purchasing or taking a 30 day trial.

We would be interested in your thoughts on the application and how you think it will help you manage your personal information.

We would be keen to hear ideas you have for enhancements, additional features you think we should add in future releases.

We would also be interested to hear of other ways you are managing your personal information, what tools or processes you are using and who you see as thought leaders in this area.