tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54138066525934163652024-03-05T22:53:53.212-08:00Adventures of an IT ManagerBeing a Computer Dude can be fun, because some users don't have a clue when it comes to technology.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-81928572164928798042009-05-06T12:18:00.000-07:002009-05-06T12:26:54.917-07:00Are you an IT Generalist or Specialist?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lynda.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PWW6b8ZVKf0mBqa28YuGV7_iZQYakcgsEJ6RCXVprd7X9k7CP8ovTucb-CEImYOOQimtS437CabhL1fX8xa4gYHUTE3ZfrzvfT3fTB3p0cvwdyOrQpEWX_E8Y9XDcZnvdgrxPNHTI7_T/s200/LyndaLogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332793949617332626" border="0" /></a>One of the difficulties in working as the only computer support employee in the small to medium business is the number of IT hats that you are expected to wear. You and I know that there are huge differences in skill sets required to support each area of technology such as desktops, servers, networks, routers, firewalls, application software and websites.<br /><br />The problem is that business owners do not understand that there are differences and are both shocked and frustrated when they first discover this. To them, if you know how to keep the network running, then you should also know how to program in PHP to make small changes in the website. No, they don’t know or care that you don’t write in PHP.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A multitude of technology in the small business</span><br /><br />They don’t know or care that they have a SQL Server, or what an IIS server is or even where their website is hosted. Most busy executives don’t know what an operating system is or why they have to buy one for every computer and especially why they can’t get free upgrades when a new version comes out. To them, a computer is like a toaster.<br /><br />Complexities of email hosting, spam and virus filtering or how data gets from their computer to the outside world are way beyond their level of concern. They don’t know or care about wired or wireless networks, encryption, remote access security, intrusion detection and prevention or why server maintenance contracts need to be renewed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understanding starts in the hiring process</span><br /><br />It can be a most disconcerting experience to have to deal with an irate business owner who feels he got cheated when he hired you. Although you want the job, don’t make the mistake or give the impression in the interview that you can do everything related to computers. The need to hire outside consultants is a fact of life in the small business.<br /><br />Make it clear up front what skill sets you possess as compared to what the business needs. What makes it difficult is when the owner of the business doesn’t know what technology he has purchased over the years or what skills are required to support it. Reality says that you can’t support everything, even though you may desire to do so.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Using outside consultants is a necessity</span><br /><br />For example, you may be a great network administrator and know how you want your firewalls configured between your remote locations. But how often do you really need to modify a firewall once it is setup and you are not adding new locations every month? It is probably better to have an outside firewall specialist make the changes when needed.<br /><br />Large companies have IT staff with specialists in each area – desktop support, server administration, infrastructure maintenance, application programming, web development and a host of other specialties. Make sure your small business owner understands that using outside specialists is a necessity that saves him money by keeping his staff small.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Continue to develop and enhance your skill set</span><br /><br />As the business grows, it will eventually reach the point where the need for an outside skill that used to be infrequent occurs so often that the owner wonders why it is not being taken care of in-house. It is a wise IT employee who is aware of the problems this can cause in the mind of the small business owner who pays $150 an hour for these skills.<br /><br />One of the most common areas in which you might want to consider enhancing your skills is website development and maintenance. Writing in HTML with Adobe Creative Suite, Javascript, CSS, Flash and Actionscript, Photoshop, PHP and MySQL are all areas that will prove helpful and valuable in the small business with no development staff.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technical training a good investment</span><br /><br />Although it may be tough in today’s economic environment, it is a wise business owner who agrees to help his computer support staff develop these skills. You may have been hired for your desktop and server support capabilities, but when website maintenance is needed more and more, it makes sense for the business to pay for training materials.<br /><br />Even if your company is so small or cash-strapped that they will not pay for training, it can be a good investment to pay for such training yourself. I recommend <a href="http://www.lynda.com/">Lynda.com</a> as one of the best values for online technology training. For $375 you can receive a year of unlimited access to all of their training materials, with professionally produced videos.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Online training is very popular</span><br /><br />Years ago, when I first started my technology training, a classroom environment was the only thing that was offered. I spent four hours a night after work, five days a week for three months getting the training for my MCSE. It was inconvenient and not as effective as it could have been because sometimes I was tired and other times I had time conflicts.<br /><br />That’s why I am convinced that online training is the best way to go to pick up technical skills that you need. There are many sites besides <a href="http://www.lynda.com/">Lynda.com</a> but from what I have seen, it offers the best value for the money. There is no way you can view all 37,000 videos that they offer even if you spent every night in pursuing training for the rest of the year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary and conclusion</span><br /><br />If you work in a large IT department, you probably possess specialized skills and spend most of your day working in that one skill set – be it SQL Server, Oracle, Cisco IOS, Adobe Creative Suite or any other specialized skill. If you work for a small business, you most likely spend your day using a multitude of tech skills for supporting your coworkers.<br /><br />Being an IT generalist has the advantage of being able to offer a broad level of support to the small business. In good times the in-depth skills you don’t have can be outsourced. In today’s difficult economic market, it is a good investment to develop additional skills to offer your employer. Online training is inexpensive and a good way to reach this goal.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-76231723301244937182008-12-12T12:41:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:24.748-08:00Connecting remote network locations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVI6fEKFdiDEAh6vpSZ3AELPkSfQB-eDGXk5WxsDJo6hnJgoV05bfMFjJ11dTgkwhR3CDh5u3t3WyMBn8iEHXOdk1hkA79_fT2YYQnJIfCfEiOh_6o87hyphenhyphenx3vQFpGku9KA2K77mhAUQ_/s1600-h/Hangar25Green.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVI6fEKFdiDEAh6vpSZ3AELPkSfQB-eDGXk5WxsDJo6hnJgoV05bfMFjJ11dTgkwhR3CDh5u3t3WyMBn8iEHXOdk1hkA79_fT2YYQnJIfCfEiOh_6o87hyphenhyphenx3vQFpGku9KA2K77mhAUQ_/s200/Hangar25Green.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279020850983145282" border="0" /></a>One of the requirements of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology">IT Manager</a> working for an organization with remote locations is knowing how to connect the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network">networks</a> from each site. It’s really not a big deal. You just put a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network">VPN</a> between them. It’s very simple as long as you have sufficient bandwidth and know how to secure the connections with a good <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_%28networking%29">firewall</a>. Everyone knows how to program firewalls, right?<br /><br />My first experiencing in connecting two sites was back in the old Novell days. You remember <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novell">Novell</a>, don’t you? They made one of the first server operating systems designed for PC-based networks called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novell_NetWare">Netware</a>. There are still a lot of long-running Novell <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_%28computing%29">servers</a> in small businesses out there even though Novell lost the majority of the market share to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft">Microsoft</a> back in the 90’s.<br /><br />We used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARCNET">Arcnet</a> back in the day – a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable">coax</a>-based network running at 2.5Mbs with active hubs every 2,000 feet. That’s why we used Arcnet instead of early <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet">Ethernet</a> – which was limited to 600 feet end to end. We had multiple warehouses in a small business complex that needed every bit of the distance Arcnet provided. It’s hard to believe that we built that over twenty years ago.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Connecting international sites</span><br /><br />Almost every company I’ve worked for since then has had multiple locations, both in their local campus and with locations in distant cities, some international. For the companies that had sites within a metropolitan area we used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_Relay">Frame Relay</a>, an inexpensive way of sharing the public phone network to provide PVC’s – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_virtual_circuit">permanent virtual circuits</a> – to each of our offices in the city.<br /><br />For the international sites, we used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dial-up">56K dial-up</a>. Yep, you could network two Novell LANs via dial-up for the purpose of exchanging files and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail">email</a> on a demand basis. This was before the days when there was an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider">ISP</a> in every city to provide the connection. The demand became so constant that the long-distance calls from our Mexico plants were sometimes twelve hours a day.<br /><br />Once Internet Service Providers finally came to the Mexico cities where we had our plants, we dumped the expensive long-distance calls and began setting up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-Point_Protocol">point-to-point</a> VPN’s. They were still over the 56K dial-up modems, so they always seemed to be dropping the connection. I am sure it had something to do with the quality of the wiring infrastructure in Nogales and Mexicali.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From dial-up to DSL</span><br /><br />When <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL">DSL</a> finally came to Mexico, we at last had a halfway reliable method of connecting our two networks. You may wonder why we didn’t do leased 56K lines or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-carrier">T1</a>’s. Remember, this is small business we’re talking about. International leased lines back in the 90’s were thousands of dollars a month. This was also right about the time we were dumping Novell for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT">Microsoft NT</a>.<br /><br />Connecting remote sites these days is a piece of cake. As long as each location has a high speed connection to the internet, you can share files on servers and send email back and forth all day and night without it costing an arm and a leg. The only real concern is security in connecting your private business locations to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet">public internet</a>. That’s why you need a good firewall.<br /><br />We used to use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_PIX">Cisco PIX</a> firewalls but we have switched to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper_Networks">Juniper</a> <a href="http://www.juniper.net/">Netscreen</a>’s mainly because they are easier to program and support more features for less money. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Systems">Cisco</a> to me is like the way <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM">IBM</a> was just before they finally got out of the PC Business. They have a huge support structure in place and have to charge more for the same features giving smaller competitors an advantage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bandwidth and sharing data</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8huSd56YZDV19pt56bnxIHvlAzIp1YNhkvYz4O_mIXUh7n-1WfKh4NFWhlJT72wylKXQEFc-CISOtHgrvXHygYpUARetgSSKDZV07cAq47gnHvd_hjzZsTdEjqO9WM6wEv_f6dTOxi94/s1600-h/Hangar25.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8huSd56YZDV19pt56bnxIHvlAzIp1YNhkvYz4O_mIXUh7n-1WfKh4NFWhlJT72wylKXQEFc-CISOtHgrvXHygYpUARetgSSKDZV07cAq47gnHvd_hjzZsTdEjqO9WM6wEv_f6dTOxi94/s200/Hangar25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279009630408596306" border="0" /></a>Bandwidth is a critical part of a good VPN connection. It’s not so much the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downlink#Downlink">downlink</a> speed as it is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uplink#Uplink">uplink</a> speed. Many people don’t realize that and try to go with a cheap <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL">DSL</a> at 768Kbps down and 128Kbps up. Don’t do that. Get the 3Mbs down with at least 512Kbs up. Get more if they offer it. We pay $65 a month for our 3Mbs DSL line as a backup to our symmetrical T1.<br /><br />Working at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hope_Airport">the airport</a> is kind of like being on a campus. Although we have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_fiber">fiber</a> between most of our hangars, some are just too far away or across a runway. We couldn’t very well dig up the runway to lay fiber so we opted to use the public network. Connecting a hanger 4,200 feet away is no different than connecting a remote office across the county or on the far side of the world.<br /><br />As long as both locations have a good Internet connection you can make it look like a server at the other location is in a closet down the hall. This is especially true if you implement DFS – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_File_System_%28Microsoft%29">Distributed File System</a> - which caches and replicates local copies of shared files on a Microsoft network. The replication is fault tolerant, fast and reliable even over slow <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_Area_Network">WAN</a> connections.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The VPN makes it happen</span><br /><br />DFS is not intended to be used in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_software">collaborative environment</a> where multiple users might have the same file open, making changes at the same time. Just like you would not have two people working on the same spreadsheet on a local network, don’t expect DFS to provide file or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_locking">record locking</a> capabilities. For that, you need a true shared database application like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SQL_Server">MS SQL server</a>.<br /><br />For our new hangar we simply created the VPN between our two firewalls, joined the servers at the remote location to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_domain">domain</a> and began the replication process. Our remote employees are able to log in to a local server and have access to shared files at local speeds. We also employ <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP010000671033.aspx">Cached Exchange Mode</a> on their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Outlook">Outlook client</a> to create the local copy of their company email.<br /><br />The VPN – Virtual Private Network – allows the administrator to perform maintenance on the remote servers and workstations as if they were onsite, because they are inside our network. We use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Desktop_Protocol">Remote Desktop</a> extensively to provide that support. The sensitive data that flows between our corporate office and our remote locations is secure because of the firewall encryption.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Microsoft technology employed</span><br /><br />Where remote employees need to run client-server applications that don’t perform well over WAN distances, we use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Services">Microsoft Terminal Services</a>. Our <a href="http://www.cta-fos.com/">Flight Operations software</a> and our accounting software both use this technology. Employees run their client on a server at the corporate office that is on the local LAN. It uses the same technology as Remote Desktop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw82YmZX4gxk6UvklWjQkA1DF2RuxcRGf6cdrLOtZH0yVWIYLCqAqudAmaHMQDzNJXk1VtQKR_6tegoguhkykB7-Izzz5Mw9j7kztZG8TdQ7PQUF-s77giGcirL3MLri1tyKgZyuZ3FBC/s1600-h/Hangar25Inside.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw82YmZX4gxk6UvklWjQkA1DF2RuxcRGf6cdrLOtZH0yVWIYLCqAqudAmaHMQDzNJXk1VtQKR_6tegoguhkykB7-Izzz5Mw9j7kztZG8TdQ7PQUF-s77giGcirL3MLri1tyKgZyuZ3FBC/s200/Hangar25Inside.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279008932142328322" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3030nclybournavenue.com/">Our new hangar</a> is 110% energy efficient meaning that the electricity it produces from the solar panels is more than sufficient to meet the needs of the electrical systems we have there. We are able to return 10% of the electricity to the city grid. The cameras on the security system are also available to our local authorized network users and are shared for executive home viewing.<br /><br />Ordinarily I would not mention details like this from our new hangar but <a href="http://www.avjet.com/">the company</a> has <a href="http://www.jrma.com/avjet.html">gone public</a> with it so if you would like to know more, you can read about it and <a href="http://3030nclybournavenue.com/">view it online</a>. We are very proud of the fact that it is the first platinum <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design">LEED certified</a> aircraft hangar in the world. My part in the construction was minimal. I just made sure we are well connected and secure.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-83790600268923083172008-12-09T14:38:00.000-08:002008-12-09T15:02:39.238-08:00Tech support at the small company<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb4tIVVcsKESRCSTnoC_mYCZZ6zPWMiMm62sEOegS9AYVhpDuNWJR5c-r3DBjv7tT3FMoVzMODqvCAyG1LX8tKPkGCo0IxahVecSW56zFfZ8U_8V205S8q3WeuAwR-yVf5VDsadoD5dkh/s1600-h/SmallBizTech.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 44px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb4tIVVcsKESRCSTnoC_mYCZZ6zPWMiMm62sEOegS9AYVhpDuNWJR5c-r3DBjv7tT3FMoVzMODqvCAyG1LX8tKPkGCo0IxahVecSW56zFfZ8U_8V205S8q3WeuAwR-yVf5VDsadoD5dkh/s200/SmallBizTech.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277929571631757906" border="0" /></a>When I first start with a new company I can usually count on my day always being busy. No, hectic is a better word for it. I have always worked for small companies that either did not previously have a tech support guy or that fired the previous support person due to incompetence or an unwillingness to do things the company way. That’s not a good way to treat an employer.<br /><br />When the employees find out that there is someone on the payroll that knows what they are doing with computers, it’s as if the floodgates open. All the pent-up frustrations of not knowing how to do something with the computer or the network come to the surface and I am deluged with unending calls and requests for meetings to discuss their issues and solve their problems.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The small company mentality</span><br /><br />Small companies are interesting to work for. They are quite a different animal from the large corporate environment where there are department and inter-departmental politics. Sure, some of that exists in the small company but for the most part, when you are supporting less than 100 computers, you can count on wearing multiple hats and having to be the expert in all of them.<br /><br />For example, in addition to the approximately 100 computers including all kinds of laptops, I support a dozen servers in several locations, the LAN at each location, the WAN, the routers, firewalls, switches, fiber connections between hangars at the airport where I work, the email system, the SQL server database, the website, the intranet and all the phone and FAX systems.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Need more than tech skills</span><br /><br />When you are the sole tech support guy, there are a multitude of soft skills that are needed to survive in the small business environment. Number one on the list is the ability to relate well to people. Most people don’t care about technology. Computers do not fascinate them. To them, the stuff we work on is nothing more than a tool. They could care less about how it really works.<br /><br />Your success in helping a frustrated co-worker deal with some problem on their computer is in direct relation to how well you can deflect abuse or blame. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard or have had implied, “It’s your fault that it’s not working.” It’s a real talent to be able to accept that responsibility without taking offense. “No problem – we’ll get it working soon.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dealing with executives</span><br /><br />The favorite part of my job is dealing with the upper level CEOs and Vice Presidents. For the most part, they are completely helpless when it comes to technology and they hate that feeling of being powerless. If you want to experience some real stress, try taking the call from the CEO when he can’t get the video projector working in front of several multi-million dollar clients.<br /><br />Executives travel and don’t do well with remote connections. Although it has become easier in the last few years with wireless in the hotel rooms, leave it to the travelling VP to always find some way of messing something up with his Outlook client. A simple change in the view from 100% to 200% can cause a major freak-out with claims that they didn’t do anything. Fix that!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Benefits of small company work</span><br /><br />In spite of all the stressful aspects of doing tech support at a small company, there are some major advantages that you won’t find in the big companies. Even though I am a Microsoft certified systems engineer, I enjoy the company understanding and support of a regular budget for outside consulting with other engineers when working on major infrastructure changes.<br /><br />And, almost always, after a year or two, I am able to convince the boss to allow me to train a junior assistant to take over the day-to-day helpdesk issues. It usually ends up being the son of one of the owners or executives, but that works out just fine. I can then focus on network and server support, concentrating on long-range planning for anticipated growth or disaster recovery.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary and conclusion</span><br /><br />After nearly thirty years of working for small companies providing tech support, I can endorse the career choice completely. Sure, there is a limit to how much you can earn, but there is also a much lower level of expectation and almost always a higher level of appreciation from those who run the company. The small business is usually run with a very family-friendly atmosphere.<br /><br />Maybe my experiences with tech support in the small business world have been unique or maybe I have just been blessed, but I no longer miss the idea of working for the huge IT department in corporate America, especially with all the economic concern that we live with today. No job is completely secure, but being the only computer guy for a small company is a pretty good gig.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-75268661020448289722008-06-21T20:46:00.000-07:002008-12-09T05:45:52.854-08:00Real world example of scope creep<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_nqXeecYU2-8GuZQoE-v9U8GvycK8JRL4Ixj_Qv68P4z_o9naXjJmu0sUl9AjtmKpCGn37YYcTCoyWveQG7t-Vnu05Vc38jPNzBu4fuLIxbsCMg2qiwZifydi7LoF6gbpcoU8IXY4yss/s1600-h/BBJ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_nqXeecYU2-8GuZQoE-v9U8GvycK8JRL4Ixj_Qv68P4z_o9naXjJmu0sUl9AjtmKpCGn37YYcTCoyWveQG7t-Vnu05Vc38jPNzBu4fuLIxbsCMg2qiwZifydi7LoF6gbpcoU8IXY4yss/s200/BBJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214578305110036930" border="0" /></a>Scope creep is defined as the tendency of a project to grow in scale and complexity as more individuals get involved. It also occurs as the details of the project are presented to the project owners who requested it, usually management, who then say, "Can you also make it do this or that?" Let me give you an example that happened to me just the other day.<br /><br />I am the <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/timmalone">IT Manager</a> for a <a href="http://www.avjet.com/">private jet charter management company</a>. Several years ago we added <a href="http://www.boeing.com/commercial/bbj/">Boeing Business Jets</a> to our fleet. These are larger than the <a href="http://www.gulfstream.com/">Gulfstream</a> aircraft which comprise the majority of our aircraft. A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Business_Jet">BBJ</a> is a 737 that is tweaked out with tens of millions of dollars worth of custom mods that make it into a flying luxury yacht for the very wealthy.<br /><br />Of course a bigger aircraft requires a bigger hangar. So <a href="http://www.3tcm.net/BBJHangar.jpg">we built one</a>. No, it's not a simple project. It requires a lot of environmental approvals and just the right touch with the airport authorities. An older and smaller hangar was purchased and demolished and the new one has been rising in its place over the past year. It will house the BBJ and two smaller G550 aircraft.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting the details defined</span><br /><br />From day one I offered management my assistance in defining the network and communications requirements. "No thanks", I was told. "The building contractor has that all taken care of." I sensed trouble and kept following up with occasional emails over the past year asking specific questions like how they would like our sites connected and what the phone system would be.<br /><br />I confess I played CYA with these emails, documenting each offer of assistance with specifics of what would be needed to make it all work - switches, routers, VPNs, PRIs, VoIP phones, wireless access points and a domain controller for local authentication and file replication. I suspect that the verbiage about wiring closets and cross connects just went over their heads.<br /><br />This week I received a call from one of the subcontractors wanting to know how many network drops were needed and where exactly they would be going. Did I freak? You bet I did, but I managed it in a very professional way. It was obvious that the contractor had failed in planning properly for all the electronics involved in the new building. Has this ever happened to you?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Managing an out of control project</span><br /><br />I told the wiring contractor I would get back to him. I fired off an email to the site project manager, an employee of our company, notifying him of the situation. He assured me that they had provided all the necessary details to the general contractor and it was all included in the plans. Somehow copies of plans don't always make it down to subcontractors, do they?<br /><br />Next the phone contractor calls and asks, "Where is the MPOE?" There is no physical wiring from the phone company in the building yet. "Let me get right back to you on that," I respond. Is it panic time yet? The building is supposed to be occupied in sixty days and they haven't yet arranged for voice and data to the outside world. Oh, and no phone system has been chosen.<br /><br />That's it. I call for a general meeting with the contractor, the project managers from all sides and the subcontractors. It turns out the project manager from our company simply had no clue about networks and phones. He thought the contractor had it all handled. I shake my head in amazement. How can you build an expensive hangar and not plan for the damn network?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's where the scope creep occurs</span><br /><br />During the general meeting to resolve the network and phone issues, the various kinds of phone systems are discussed. I notice out of the corner of my eye that the VP who's baby this is begins to look uncomfortable when we get close to finalizing on a stand-alone VoIP PBX. "What's the matter?" I asked. "Can I pick up the phone and call an extension back at the main office?"<br /><br />Our existing phone system in the main hangar is twelve years old. It does not even support a PRI (T1). It also does not support remote locations. A single building wiring project just turned into a multi-building job. New phone system for both buildings and new wiring in the old to support VoIP. I was looking for a good reason to upgrade. Its funny how things work out.<br /><br />Now I have to sell it to the CEO. "What! You want to spend $60,000 on a phone system for this building? We only have a few employees in the new hangar. Why do we have to replace the phone system here?" Ah, the joys of being an IT Manager. If only someone had listened to me from the beginning, this could have all been planned for and budgeted. Now it's a shock to all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary and conclusion</span><br /><br />You can draw all kinds of conclusions about how poorly this project was managed. I'll point out one right away - poor communications. But, I've got to tell you after thirty years in this business that this is not all unusual. I've just never seen it happen on this large a scale before. CEOs and VPs are busy with their day to day tasks. Delegating everything without follow-up doesn't work.<br /><br />In addition to poor communications, the details were undefined in advance. Nobody knew what kind of phone system was wanted or needed. Nobody knew or asked how we would connect our two networks. Wireless access was not even considered. The subcontractors are now overjoyed because they get to sell us a whole lot more equipment than they thought when they were hired.<br /><br />It all works out in the end. It's only money, right? Unfortunately, it's all too typical of how some large successful companies run projects - everyone likes to delegate but some decisions will always need to be made near the top. That's called leadership but it's hard work because it means dealing with uncomfortable details. After all, that's what IT Managers are paid to do, right?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-39329688344023157852008-06-02T21:19:00.000-07:002008-06-02T21:50:07.919-07:00Tech Republic posts for May 08Blogging at Tech Republic was a little light this past month. I have gotten myself deeply involved in a disaster recovery planning project that is taking a lot of my time and energy. The project will in all likelihood exceed $100,000. The hardware is looking to be about $60K or $70K. I'm looking at several outside companies to provide the DR planning expertise.<br /><br />We are looking at implementing Virtual Server technology at either the remote site or back in the main office and then grandfathering the old servers to the remote location. We are experiencing scope creep and considering upgrading our Exchange Server to 2007 in the process. This is quickly becoming a very complex project but I'm enjoying managing it.<br /><br /> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79.62%; margin-left: 0.5in;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <thead> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Num<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Date Posted<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Title<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-05-09 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=149">Fire suppression for the server room</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-05-10 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=150">Setting up a remote hot site</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-05-30 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=151">I only read the stories for the comments</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-05-30 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=152">New user guide to TechRepublic</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br />I'll confess here that perhaps the real reason blogging on tech Republic has been light is because of the "attack and castigate" mentality of some people who read and comment on blogs. I wrote about it on post number three on the list above. It seems to be so prevalent on many forums and blogs today. It's as if a reader feels that they must challenge whatever the writer presented.<br /><br />It takes all the fun out of blogging. It has made me seriously think about bringing my blogs back from Tech Republic to my own blog. Here I can write in a bit more relaxed manner, simply sharing some of the things I learn and discover about disaster recovery or any other project I am working on. If it's not interesting, you don't have to read it, but it helps me to write about it.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-12543614927411478152008-04-30T23:20:00.000-07:002008-04-30T23:27:56.314-07:00Essays posted on Tech Republic April 2008<o:p> </o:p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79.62%; margin-left: 0.5in;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <thead> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Num<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Date Posted<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">Title<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-02 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=137">When the e-mail system fails</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-03 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=138">What to do when the batteries run out</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-05 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=139">Tech talk, geek speak and nerd words</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">4<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-09 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=140">Strategic thinking for tactical techs</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-10 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=141">I turned down a six-figure job today</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-15 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=142">Pros and cons of remote data backup service</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">7<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-18 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=143">The MBA tech in the small business</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-19 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=144">Data centers don’t run themselves</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-22 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=145">The three stages of a tech career</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-29 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=146">The tech news is good from here</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">11<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-30 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=148">Even Super Techs have limitations</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;">2008-04-30 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; color: black;"><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=147">A new kind of job for the tech professional</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-22016713251456772802008-03-29T19:17:00.000-07:002008-03-29T21:55:30.582-07:00Articles posted on Tech Republic March 2008<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79.62%; margin-left: 0.5in;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <thead> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >Num<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >Date Posted<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(223, 223, 223) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >Title<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >1<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-05 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=126">When techs try to communicate with management</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >2<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-06 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=127">Project management responsibility can be elusive</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >3<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-08 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=110">Old tech guys are slowly fading away</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >4<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-11 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=128">When accepting a counteroffer is a good idea</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >5<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-12 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=129">Computer geeks make the best researchers</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >6<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-13 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=130">A simple fix for Microsoft update problems</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >7<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-17 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=131">Why we always leave our computers on</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >8<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-19 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=132">IT involvement in mergers and acquisitions</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >9<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-20 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=133">Here I am Bill Gates – hire me!</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >10<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-24 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=134">The terrible curse of spam</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >11<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-26 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=135">Spammers must correct their wrongdoing</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 8.52%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="8%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";color:black;" >12<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17.5%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" >2008-03-28 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3pt 0.05in; background: rgb(241, 241, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 72.62%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="72%"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 110%;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=136">Yes, I am the web surfing police</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-76573899255898659672008-03-08T13:52:00.000-08:002009-01-07T19:05:53.828-08:00Memories of an old tech guyI have been posting all my tech articles on <a href="http://techrepublic.com.com/">Tech Republic</a> these days. But I put so much work into this one that I wanted to enhance it with photos here on my own blog. This post was entitled, "<a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=110">Old tech guys are slowly fading away</a>" on my <a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/">Tech of all Trades blog</a>.<br /><br />I love visiting computer history sites and watching computer history shows. Why? When I visit these sites I gain a perspective on a part of my life that I did not have at the time I was passing through it. For example, when I first started programming in <a title="AppleSoft Basic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applesoft_BASIC" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applesoft_BASIC">Applesoft</a> on an Apple II computer, I thought it would be a great business language. Ha!<br /><br />I know I am going to be dating myself when I bring this up, but humor an old tech guy for a few minutes <turn>. I remember when we used to sell software on cassette tapes. We put it in baggies and hung it on a peg board on the wall, right next to the the <a title="Commodore PET" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_PET" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_PET">Commodore PET</a> and the <a title="Apple II" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II">Apple II</a>.<br /><br />People would bring in the <a title="TRS-80" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80">TRS-80 computers</a> (we called them trash-80) and ask us to repair them because the local Radio Shack didn't service their own stuff </turn>. What year would you say this was? If you guessed 1978 you would be right. I'll bet that's before some of you were born.<br /><br />When I got out of college I went to work as a programmer for some "old school" programming shops. I wrote in <a title="RPG" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPG_programming_language" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPG_programming_language">RPG II</a> on an <a title="IBM System 3" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System/3" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System/3">IBM System 3</a> and in <a title="COBOL" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COBOL" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COBOL">COBOL</a> on a <a title="Sperry Univac 90/30" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIVAC_90/70" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIVAC_90/70">Sperry Univac 90/30</a>. That machine was a dinosaur even then. The hot new technology was writing in BASIC and <a title="DataPoint" href="http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=596" mce_href="http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=596">Datashare on a DataPoint ARC</a> network.<br /><br />I used to love to visit <a title="Comdex on Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COMDEX" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COMDEX">COMDEX</a> in those early years of the microcomputer. I was amazed to see all the technology that was coming out. With thousands of other geeks we ogled over the new <a title="Hayes Wikipedia entry" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_Microcomputer_Products" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_Microcomputer_Products">Micromodem II for the Apple</a>, which sold for about $300. Since I worked for an early computer store I got it for a lot less. My whole world changed.<br /><br />I can't tell you how many hours I wasted "surfing the net" back in the late 70's and early 80's. No, the Web did not yet exist and most people had not heard of the Internet. We dialed up places like <a title="CompuServe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompuServe" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompuServe">CompuServe</a> and "<a title="The Source" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Source_%28online_service%29" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Source_%28online_service%29">The Source</a>" or would just connect to TymNet or TelEnet to see whose network we could log on to. Was that hacking? Maybe.<br /><br />Rather than bore you with my old tech guy memories, perhaps a short list of some of my favorite computer history sites might be helpful if you are interested in learning more about the history of the personal computer. But be careful, if you have any work to get done today, this trip down memory lane will seriously sidetrack you.<br /><br />1. <a title="The Computer History Museum" href="http://www.computerhistory.org/" mce_href="http://www.computerhistory.org/">The Computer History Museum</a>- The online home of the museum on Shoreline drive in Mountain View. Go to the <a title="Exhibits" href="http://www.computerhistory.org/exhibits/" mce_href="http://www.computerhistory.org/exhibits/">Exhibits section</a>. You can spend hours viewing the collection of <a title="Marketing Brochures" href="http://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/" mce_href="http://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/">marketing brochures</a>. I especially love their <a title="Timelines" href="http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/" mce_href="http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/">time lines</a>. They even have a great <a title="Computer History Museum YouTube channel" href="http://www.youtube.com/computerhistory" mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/computerhistory">YouTube channel</a>. Careful - I warned you this could be detracting from real work.<br /><br />2. <a title="Apple official site" href="http://www.apple.com/" mce_href="http://www.apple.com">Apple Computers</a> -Because a big part of my early career involved Apple II computers, I like to include <a title="Apple II History" href="http://apple2history.org/" mce_href="http://apple2history.org/">Steven Weyhrich's site on Apple II History</a>. You can find other sites like <a title="Apple History" href="http://www.apple-history.com/" mce_href="http://www.apple-history.com/">Apple-History.com</a>, but it hasn't changed much lately. <a title="The Apple Museum" href="http://www.theapplemuseum.com/" mce_href="http://www.theapplemuseum.com/">The Apple Museum</a> is a better site and <a title="Apple History on Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Apple" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Apple">the Wikipedia article</a> is great. Where is the "official" Apple history site?<br /><br />3. <a title="Old Computers" href="http://www.old-computers.com/" mce_href="http://www.old-computers.com">Old-Computers.com</a> - One of my favorites. There are nearly a thousand computers in their museum. Use the index on the left-hand sidebar. The articles in the history section are great, the forums are active and something unique that I haven't seen anywhere else - a major list of collectors from all over. Great if you have an old computer to buy or sell.<br /><br />4. <a title="Computer Science Lab" href="http://www.computersciencelab.com/" mce_href="http://www.computersciencelab.com">Computer Science Lab</a>- John Kopplin put together a <a title="Computer History Pictorial" href="http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm" mce_href="http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm">four part pictorial of computer history</a> through the early 80's. Some of the photos are rare which I have not seen elsewhere. The accompanying descriptions could be taken from a college lecture on the history of computers. The lecture ends as the PC was getting started but is well worth a visit.<br /><br />5. <a title="Computer Chronicles" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Chronicles" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Chronicles">Computer Chronicles</a> - Who can forget this great TV series from <a title="Stewart Cheifet" href="http://www.cheifet.com/" mce_href="http://www.cheifet.com/">Stewart Cheifet</a>? It aired from 1981 to 2002. Well, you may have never heard of it. You can watch many of the <a title="Computer Chronicles archive" href="http://www.archive.org/details/computerchronicles" mce_href="http://www.archive.org/details/computerchronicles">episodes online at the Internet archive</a>. I highly recommend the episode <a title="Apple II forever" href="http://www.archive.org/details/CC605_apple_ii_forever" mce_href="http://www.archive.org/details/CC605_apple_ii_forever">Apple II forever</a>, one of my favorites. More on the history of the show is on <a title="History of Computer Chronicles" href="http://members.aol.com/sditta32/cc/history.htm" mce_href="http://members.aol.com/sditta32/cc/history.htm">stquantum</a>.<br /><br />6. <a title="Old Computer Museum" href="http://www.oldcomputermuseum.com/" mce_href="http://www.oldcomputermuseum.com/">Old Computer Museum</a> - Although you can find this site from the <a title="Old Computers club" href="http://www.old-computers.com/" mce_href="http://www.old-computers.com">Old Computers club</a> (#3 above), it is worth mentioning as one of the best organized and presented. This collection of Boris Serebrennikov is outstanding. If you have an old Lisa or even an Amiga (still a popular retro machine) he is interested in hearing from you.<br /><br />7. <a title="The Computer Collector" href="http://www.computercollector.com/cgi-bin/exec/compcol/sdisp.cgi" mce_href="http://www.computercollector.com/cgi-bin/exec/compcol/sdisp.cgi">The Computer Collector</a> - This is a fairly complete list, useful to those who have old machines to buy, sell or trade. It is also an enormously wealthy site for computer history buffs. Many of those who buy and sell computers have great historical information about the computers they worked on. Lots of great personal history stories can be found here.<br /><br />8. <a title="IBM PC Official History" href="http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc/pc_1.html" mce_href="http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc/pc_1.html">IBM PC Official History</a> - It still amazes me how many people believe that the IBM PC was the first microcomputer. We used to laugh at those who thought our industry was "legitimized" when IBM finally made their entry in 1981, easily five years after Altair, IMSAI, Cromemco, Apple, Commodore, Radio Shack, Atari, Altos and Vector Graphic.<br /><br />9. <a title="Personal Computers in TV commercials" href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/01/30/the-history-of-the-personal-computer-in-tv-commercials/" mce_href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/01/30/the-history-of-the-personal-computer-in-tv-commercials/">Personal Computer in TV commercials</a> - The <a title="The Downlaod Squad" href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/" mce_href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/">download squad</a> has put together a collection of TV commercials for personal computers, some of them going back to the early 1980's. What a hoot! The early William Shatner piece has been removed but the original <a title="YouTube 1984 Macintosh introduction" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8" mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8">1984 superbowl ad introducing the Macintosh</a> is there as well as many others. Enjoy!<br /><br />10. <a title="Old Computers" href="http://oldcomputers.net/" mce_href="http://oldcomputers.net/">Old Computers.net</a>- This list could go on and on - and it does if you Google it - but this one needs to be included in my top ten list of sites to visit. An extremely popular site, it is billed as the "Obsolete Technology Website" it includes great links not found on any of the above sites including the <a title="Intel Museum" href="http://www.intel.com/museum/index.htm" mce_href="http://www.intel.com/museum/index.htm">Intel museum.</a> Thank you <a title="Steven Stengel" href="http://search.techrepublic.com.com/search/Steven+Stengel.html" mce_href="http://search.techrepublic.com.com/search/Steven+Stengel.html">Steven Stengel</a>.<br /><br />I know I've missed your favorites. Add them in the comments. Also, be sure to check out the resources for "<a title="Dinosaur Sightings" href="http://search.techrepublic.com.com/search/dinosaur+sightings.html" mce_href="http://search.techrepublic.com.com/search/dinosaur+sightings.html">Dinosaur Sightings</a>" on Tech Republic.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-15880274220979898362008-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:53.164-08:00Trouble with Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXBN31Zx2dfCb8BZ6N-U3thaEo9mDDZ152nyXd-8hxmDOWn24fPXBTOZ7V0UsFhuonXFbdKB9y-lowXvJBK1rBae1U0rw12ySncWW_7_WQwnEdAtWEXA5NJ689KMms1_ejMDzrSdg_o5/s1600-h/Outlook2003.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166959053171234482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXBN31Zx2dfCb8BZ6N-U3thaEo9mDDZ152nyXd-8hxmDOWn24fPXBTOZ7V0UsFhuonXFbdKB9y-lowXvJBK1rBae1U0rw12ySncWW_7_WQwnEdAtWEXA5NJ689KMms1_ejMDzrSdg_o5/s200/Outlook2003.png" border="0" /></a>Yes, I know we're a little behind. We have not yet migrated to <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx">Office 2007</a> or <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/default.mspx">Exchange Server 2007</a>. Even though we are a small business with only about 100 seats that's still a big financial commitment. Maybe we'll take the plunge next year. But for today, we are still running a very reliable Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition with SP2. Other than needing to occasionally add storage space, it has been working just fine in our organization for the last three years. Management likes that and so do I.<br /><br />One thing that management doesn't like is Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook 2003. I don't know why it's so much trouble for them. It works fine for me - always has. We may have a scenario that taxes the capabilities of Cached Exchange Mode to the max. In case you don't know, Cached Exchange Mode is simply Microsoft speak for Offline Folders - a local cache of what's in your mailbox on the Exchange Server. We only use it for employees in remote offices or home offices of execs.<br /><br />Here is the scenario: Executive A is a high-volume, high-density email user in a far city. He easily sends and receives several hundred emails each day, most of them with large attachments of photos or PDFs with embedded photos. We're talking 5 to 10MB of attachments on many of his daily emails. I have never figured out why it has become so acceptable to send such large attachments. It just kind of evolved over the past few years.<br /><br />Our industry happens to be aircraft sales but the same scenario could exist in Real Estate, automobiles, yachts or any business that needs to send lots of photos back and forth. The executive in question also uses multiple computers - one in the office and one in the home office, both on the East Coast of the U.S. Both his computers are configured to get his email from our Exchange Server on the West Coast of the U.S. using Outlook 2003 and Cached Exchange Mode.<br /><br />The executive will work all day on the office computer, log off and then work all evening on the home office computer. The complaint is that it will sometimes take hours for synchronization of the offline folders to take place when first firing up one or the other to check his email. He reports that some emails are delayed by many hours while the cache is playing catch up. His mailbox size is over 7GB with over 32,000 individual email messages in multiple folders.<br /><br />The far city does not have an Exchange Server. We only have the one on the West Coast. All email flows here and then out to the remote office. The remote office is connected via a VPN - a full T1 line here and a 3.1Mbs / 768Kbs DSL line there. The connection speed on the remote home office is a modest 1.5Mbs / 384Kbs DSL with no VPN. Most of the trouble seems to be when connected at the remote home office. Outlook is configured to get email via <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833401">RPC over HTTP</a>.<br /><br />I know this reads like an MCSE exam question. Besides cutting his mailbox size down to a more manageable size, what would you recommend?<br /><br />Update: I <a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=119">posted this same entry</a> on <a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/">my Tech Republic blog</a> and received many good suggestions and recommendations there. That's why I post most of my stuff on <a href="http://techrepublic.com.com/">Tech Republic</a> these days. It has a much larger readership of tech guys like me.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-11888612074388265772008-02-09T13:28:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:53.369-08:00How to protect your digital assets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW-i5Qt12fqgJ0-qTvoBheJ2wnTvzfRtIoJ7SmBUdtrzzM4RW2s8ohqfBSQ8iWn20UbYTQ6S0RPoBUQW5GzBplDSsxcSbWmEyC-BhjNFMl3BifUYhpe85bNAHGKNFjMcAHCuDI6Oq7_ZJ/s1600-h/JoelDehlin2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165100766851143282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW-i5Qt12fqgJ0-qTvoBheJ2wnTvzfRtIoJ7SmBUdtrzzM4RW2s8ohqfBSQ8iWn20UbYTQ6S0RPoBUQW5GzBplDSsxcSbWmEyC-BhjNFMl3BifUYhpe85bNAHGKNFjMcAHCuDI6Oq7_ZJ/s200/JoelDehlin2.jpg" border="0" /></a>I posted this on the website of <a href="http://www.ldscio.org/">Joel Dehlin, the CIO of the LDS Church</a> in response to a question he asked about how we can protect our digital assets. His post was entitled, "<a href="http://www.ldscio.org/2008/02/09/you-have-the-right-to-remain-visible/">You have the Right to Remain Visible</a>."<br /><br />Hi Joel,<br /><br />Good post. In it you wrote, "I’m about as technical as the sole of an old shoe." Oh come on, Joel. You're saying that as the CIO of the church you don't have at least some technical ability in this area? I find that hard to believe. Unless working at Microsoft all those years numbed your technical savvy, that must have been written tongue in cheek.<br /><br />Seriously, you raise a good point. So many are naive when it comes to protecting their personal home computers from the internet. I have had similar experiences in seeing many open computers when firing up my laptop at home or when travelling. It's just that people don't know about encryption.<br /><br />What's worse is people who have only one computer in their home which is directly connected to the DSL or cable *without* the firewall turned on. They have no clue that their anti-virus expired months ago and that they have become compromised. They wonder why their computer is so slow. It's because it has become a 'zombie' and is sending out tons of spam under another's control.<br /><br />I know because I see this all the time. As a computer professional I get calls from people in my ward struggling with this problem in particular. I do not charge for helping them out. I think of the Lord's admonition, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it onto me." It's kind of like an extension of home teaching service.<br /><br />To answer your question about precautions, here is a short list:<br /><br />1. Use a firewall. Either make sure the Microsoft firewall is enabled on your XP or Vista machine or use an external firewall. Most people who have a LinkSys wireless router have a firewall and don't know it. Just make sure it is turned on. It is usually on by default so if you haven't changed it, don't worry about it.<br /><br />2. Clear your cache on a regular basis. It is a simple mater to push the button in Internet Explorer or Firefox but again, most people don't know how. It's just a matter of education. I find that the kids in the family know all about it because they don't want mom and dad to know what sites they have been visiting.<br /><br />3. Keep your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware solutions up to date. I know it is a mystery to so many home users but it shouldn't be. They get that new computer for Christmas but don't realize that that the Anti-virus software is a subscription based product that is only good for three months. I can always count on getting calls in April from people who learn this the hard way.<br /><br />4. Make sure that you only use your credit card number online with secure sites. Today, almost all sites that take credit cards use some method of secure encryption. Never transact online business with companies that do not use encryption. If you see the little padlock in the corner of your browser when you are buying something online, then it is probably secure.<br /><br />5. If you store lists of credit card numbers or other personal information on your computer in a spreadsheet, consider encrypting that particular spreadsheet. It's not hard to do but most people don't know how to do it. If you use a popular personal financial program like Quicken or MS Money, you can be sure that your financial information stored in the program is encrypted.<br /><br />6. If you suspect that your Internet Service Provider is tracking the websites you visit, consider changing to another one that does not. In most American communities there are at least three choices for getting on the internet - cable, DSL and now fiber. There are usually a number of small local ISPs that compete with the cable company or phone company. Check it out.<br /><br />There are more things you can do to protect your digital assets but these are the most common that any home computer user can do. I wish I knew more about how internet access and security (or the lack thereof) works in other countries but that's been my experience here in the United States.<br /><br />Tim Malone, MCSE - Camarillo, CA - 3tcm.netTim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-18178797845876411832008-01-23T12:01:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:53.577-08:00The computer doctor is in<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik3LB7_FzisUXouZjhH-d1vvpESQT5epaGRjJtvGMXp3stBcfBacUtTkG3HlUkEJ4QJE3pNB5Gpo_6kCibGNQqTMYeeYl5Ezig3R87Fr0GJ2iqDfGuZGiWBsG6bILwh1Odn9ZOBod6xRL/s1600-h/TheDoctorIsIn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158777029990900338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="153" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik3LB7_FzisUXouZjhH-d1vvpESQT5epaGRjJtvGMXp3stBcfBacUtTkG3HlUkEJ4QJE3pNB5Gpo_6kCibGNQqTMYeeYl5Ezig3R87Fr0GJ2iqDfGuZGiWBsG6bILwh1Odn9ZOBod6xRL/s200/TheDoctorIsIn.jpg" width="133" border="0" /></a>I have noticed an interesting phenomenon among my co-workers. As the IT Manager, it is my job to maintain the servers, the computers and the network. I am responsible for security and for the continual availability of the data on our servers to all those who need it. I think I do a pretty good job of that. In fact, it's hard not to. Once technology is put into place and is tuned properly, it just runs and it just works. The secret is in choosing good and reliable technology.<br /><br />So here's the phenomenon: I practice what is called MBWA - Management by Wandering Around. I learned it from a wise CFO I once worked for. It never ceases to amaze me the number of times I will meander by someone's desk and have them call out to me to get my attention. "Hey Tim," they almost shout, "What's up with Vista? We're having all kinds of trouble with it. Can you help us go back to XP?"<br /><br />Now, get this. I have not yet implemented Vista in our offices. In fact, there is only one Vista computer in the entire enterprise. So I ask the employee on which computer he is having problems. "Oh, it's my daughter's new laptop that she got for Christmas." I've heard this complaint a lot lately. It seems that Microsoft has done a great job of selling Vista primarily in only one place - in the retail and mail order stores aimed squarely at the consumer.<br /><br />"Sure, I would be happy to help you," I say. Under my breath I mutter, "Why didn't you ask my advice before you bought it?" It has been over a year since Microsoft rolled out Vista. I have written about it several times in previous posts but am still of the opinion that there is really no need for Vista. It doesn't offer much advantage over XP and in fact, requires an investment in beefier hardware that simply doesn't justify the cost. In other words, it's just not worth it.<br /><br />This post isn't about Vista. That just happens to be the example I used. The point of this entry is the phenomenon where people seem to feel this innate tendency and need to complain about something when they see the IT Manager even though things are otherwise going extremely well. There's nothing wrong with this employee's work computer. Email is flowing, servers are serving, clients are talking, the Internet is there for anyone to use and abuse all day.<br /><br />So why do they feel that they just have to share some technological deficiency in their life when I happen to come into the room? Are they just trying to make polite conversation? I can do without the complaints about Vista, but if it's not Vista then it will be about their home wireless network or about their printer at home that is no longer printing. In other words, I get dumped on a lot with stuff that has nothing to do with our computer equipment at work.<br /><br />I guess I don't mind working on an employee's personal computer problems, as long as the boss knows about it and especially if it is the boss that has asked me to take care of it. But for the most part, it gets a little annoying to be asked every day about computer issues that have nothing to do with work. It's like I'm expected to provide free computer consulting to every co-worker as if it's part of my job description. I guess that's to be expected if you're the expert.<br /><br />Sometimes the co-worker will listen to my advice and sometimes they won't. I almost always recommend a course of action that they need to take to remedy or further diagnose their problem. Once they ascertain that I'm putting the burden back on them, they quickly turn the conversation to something else. I guess they feel better that they have talked it over with their IT Manager. I sometimes feel like a psychiatrist to all the employees.<br /><br />What do you think? Is it OK for co-workers to use the IT Manager as a resource for their personal computer problems?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-64831567228348920362008-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:53.718-08:00Windows Vista Power ManagementI've had a couple of new Vista users complain about the power management features of Windows Vista. It's not really a big deal to change. Like most complaints I get about Vista, it's just in a new and different location. Here is a graphic that summarizes it very succinctly. Click on the image for a larger view<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ss8UWvRkEXbcpxFjmyqs3jZgSXFPg561AVuyTYGN7UPDpfJtwqHUFBs7T8dgQ15lTf4O_JbbPy5zxKCCBoRjlhSHEZMMoQottwQEg0MwWctYrCkV3LYsE1kCt-hnutdzp4J_6NuaPyEZ/s1600-h/Vista+Power+Management.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158052105063724834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ss8UWvRkEXbcpxFjmyqs3jZgSXFPg561AVuyTYGN7UPDpfJtwqHUFBs7T8dgQ15lTf4O_JbbPy5zxKCCBoRjlhSHEZMMoQottwQEg0MwWctYrCkV3LYsE1kCt-hnutdzp4J_6NuaPyEZ/s320/Vista+Power+Management.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-81071105683905381182008-01-11T17:16:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:53.901-08:00VPNs and Remote Desktop from home to office<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW3LWPdN8hgd3kdvrb9cf3LbaANlchkxFQKI4PSxlbyy0CCsuwYkubn9hAxc-0gR22oK9eq3F_8E9qyAeuJqkhiKZRiSKGEUh2wnN5uNkQHZdYBr8WizgRv9-ynkNPGJ2WuiW_dMzLvqN/s1600-h/RemoteDesktop.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154413400298599666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="123" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW3LWPdN8hgd3kdvrb9cf3LbaANlchkxFQKI4PSxlbyy0CCsuwYkubn9hAxc-0gR22oK9eq3F_8E9qyAeuJqkhiKZRiSKGEUh2wnN5uNkQHZdYBr8WizgRv9-ynkNPGJ2WuiW_dMzLvqN/s320/RemoteDesktop.png" width="124" border="0" /></a>More and more employees are working from home these days. That means they use <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx">Remote Desktop</a> and need a VPN. Oh there are other ways, but I'm not going to allow employees to use <a href="http://www.gotomypc.com/">GoToMyPC.com</a> or <a href="http://www.logmein.com/">logmein.com</a> on my network. Sorry, I'm responsible for security so I'll control that access myself, thank you very much.<br /><br />I don't even like to use <a href="http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=pf&pvid=pca121">PCAnyWhere</a>. I mean, why should you pay for something that is built-in to Windows - Remote Desktop? The thing that makes it all works is the VPN. A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network">virtual private network</a> is just a secure method of getting through the company firewall. It's not a big deal to setup a VPN and Remote Desktop. I've done it dozens of times.<br /><br />That's why I was really frustrated when our HR manager could not get it set up following the standard instructions that have worked for every other employee that has needed it. Now I don't give remote access to just anybody. They have to have a job that requires it or just can't get enough of work so they take it home with them.<br /><br />I must have spent four or five hours working on this issue over several months. We tried everything. Sometimes the VPN would connect but the majority of the time it wouldn't. We could never get Remote Desktop to work when the VPN said it was working. So I did something I rarely do - I offered to make an on-site visit to her home to get it working.<br /><br />Of course the HR Manager was over-joyed. She had shared her frustration with her husband who happens to have his own business and his own <a href="http://www.aztecdata.com/">computer guy</a>. She suggested that the other computer guy meet us there. All we needed to have a full complement of tech guys was to invite a tech from AT&T to join us. It turns out we didn't need him.<br /><br />The router was setup to get it's IP address using DHCP. That's not a problem - either DHCP or static works fine and has worked for lots of other employees. The only problem was the gateway it was getting - 192.168.0.1. I would have expected an outside address from the ISP. So we got into the SpeedStream modem at that address. Ah ha! It was running PPPoE.<br /><br />I've noticed this on a few modems setup by SBC (now AT&T) here in Southern California. My first thought was to change the IP address of the modem to 192.168.1.1. The DHCP on the router was handing out addresses in that range so it only made sense to make the modem the first address in that subnet. We decided to try something else instead.<br /><br />The modem can run PPPoE, pass-through PPPoE or can be put into a complete bridge mode. We used the second option because the WRT54G router can also be programmed for PPPoE. It worked! The funny thing is that the modem reports that it has no connectivity. I suppose that's because it's PPPoE circuitry has been bypassed. Whatever - it works.<br /><br />Conclusion: Sometimes it just takes an on-site visit to make things work. I confess I've been spoiled over the past few years because I've been able to support all our remote locations via Remote Desktop without having to physically go there. I like that. Remote Desktop is the greatest single thing on Windows for an IT Manager with multiple locations to support.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-77410286339471263612008-01-09T13:39:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:54.074-08:00Our first Vista implementation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkLPLSdh65uNmrCBrr_c63v7i-NZfbU78pZulC1Cphtl-j-KVuaDoiextH6ORKO5DAoHVDhRfj_9sWCpMx2ZTDcvlQgD6s_zTccLCd54OhyphenhyphenYPPAky6Y8-YHTefrzFnk5482jRgD4_-sJ/s1600-h/VistaLogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153599126038885586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkLPLSdh65uNmrCBrr_c63v7i-NZfbU78pZulC1Cphtl-j-KVuaDoiextH6ORKO5DAoHVDhRfj_9sWCpMx2ZTDcvlQgD6s_zTccLCd54OhyphenhyphenYPPAky6Y8-YHTefrzFnk5482jRgD4_-sJ/s320/VistaLogo.jpg" width="197" border="0" /></a>We've finally bitten the bullet and are in the process of delivering a new computer with Vista Business instead of Windows XP installed. Yes, I know we're a little late in the game but not so late when you read what other companies are doing - most are still delaying.<br /><br />Working with Vista is not at all difficult. The hardest part is figuring out where everything is. I like the interface. I don't like the endless 'are you sure you really want to do that' sort of questions. My opinion of the product has not changed - why do we really need it?<br /><br />So why did we choose to go ahead with a new Vista workstation when everyone else in the company is still on XP? It was because the computer with the horsepower I wanted and needed for this individual was not available with XP. I think somebody is being sneaky about that.<br /><br />Of course it is inevitable that we will make the switch. The boss doesn't like it. Sometimes I think he has no clue what an operating system is but then he doesn't need to know in order to run a multi-million dollar organization, does he? That's why he hired me.<br /><br />So why didn't I just install XP over Vista? I tried. It threw up so many times that it became a waste of my time. I think it had something to do with the lack of drivers for some of the new features of the hardware we got. The old XP CD didn't seem to like PCI-E and SATA drives.<br /><br />I suppose I could have figured it out eventually, but I would have spent hours and hours just nuking the drive, finding all the right drivers and reinstalling all the applications. I chose to make the investment of those hours in answering questions from the end-user on why Vista is different.<br /><br />No, I still don't plan to do a wholesale migration of all the computers in the company to Vista. To do that we would have to replace three fourths of them with newer models. That will wait until next year when most of them are scheduled to be replaced. Yes, by next year I mean 2009.<br /><br />So what do you think? Are we behind the ball on rolling out Vista or ahead of the curve?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-20665750828043995922008-01-07T17:23:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:54.284-08:00Spam filters that work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FsGECwIAXFhIVQzPcnX93_GtG9oRKcVp5lROd_GdKVip-aDvzHLl4sd1jD6_NSHTzPi3jOUlVqPCzTc7dUEEQQnEtd5og-t9dQB8_z86XAA7KO_u0koxpEPZKApobj_FKsAxpUOPbD-8/s1600-h/BusinessWeekLogo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152918554111095986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="32" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FsGECwIAXFhIVQzPcnX93_GtG9oRKcVp5lROd_GdKVip-aDvzHLl4sd1jD6_NSHTzPi3jOUlVqPCzTc7dUEEQQnEtd5og-t9dQB8_z86XAA7KO_u0koxpEPZKApobj_FKsAxpUOPbD-8/s320/BusinessWeekLogo.gif" width="194" border="0" /></a>I wrote a piece on <a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=102">my blog on Tech Republic</a> today about an RSS feed reader that I like and use. I wrote it in response to a piece from <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc2008014_285077.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories">Gene Marks in Business Week</a> claiming that no business owner uses RSS feeds after they've tried them. I tried to politely disagree.<br /><br />He made some other points in his article with which I disagreed but I didn't want to overload my readers on Tech Republic with too many disagreeable points. So I'll bring it up here. Gene also claimed that no spam filter works. I don't think he has had a lot of experience with spam filters, or at least not good ones. No business in the world should be without one.<br /><br />There's no way I can endorse his recommendation that employees sort and delete their spam as it comes in. That's ludicrous for any business today that has more than a few employees or that has an email address that has been around for more than a few months. What a tragic waste of time for the employee and a loss of productivity for the employer.<br /><br />Maybe the business I work for is a little bit larger than his small business experience. We have over 100 mailboxes and receive over a half million pieces of email each month. Guess what? 97% of that email is spam. We could not function without a decent spam filter. Of course no filter is 100% effective but it cuts it down to a manageable one or two pieces.<br /><br />I've <a href="http://adventuresofanitmanager.blogspot.com/2007/10/got-spam-try-commtouch.html">written previously</a> about our success with Commtouch but I have also been somewhat pleased with <a href="http://www.cloudmark.com/desktop/">Cloudmark</a> for the really small business who has litle or no IT budget. But for a professional MS Exchange environment go with <a href="http://www.commtouch.com/">Commtouch</a> or <a href="http://www.postini.com/">Postini</a> or some other outside service to clean your mail before it gets to your employee's mailbox.<br /><br />What do you think? Is there a limit to the amount of spam that employees will tolerate before productivity starts to really decline and morale suffers?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-90634049787076247652008-01-04T10:03:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:54.640-08:00Blogging on Tech Republic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiHs4ZQVwOjqBv8V1fWma-erNZWrLiqlE2eWv7kAxlVxzAaCUgeSLAVz82QULnPZkjI9nCfpcuw0m-Kp9XfdzY74tmT3SHaBSet2LlSWo2ZUuXHPePCD_Yad5vRqVfmi8feowD1UZmIyK/s1600-h/Techrepublic.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151690734630319186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiHs4ZQVwOjqBv8V1fWma-erNZWrLiqlE2eWv7kAxlVxzAaCUgeSLAVz82QULnPZkjI9nCfpcuw0m-Kp9XfdzY74tmT3SHaBSet2LlSWo2ZUuXHPePCD_Yad5vRqVfmi8feowD1UZmIyK/s320/Techrepublic.gif" width="173" border="0" /></a>I have been invited to contribute material to the <a href="http://techrepublic.com.com/">Tech Republic</a> group of blogs. TR has been around since 1999 and is owned by <a href="http://www.cnet.com/">CNet</a>, the premier tech news company. I have been reading their stuff for years and never imagined that I would be adding my own viewpoints in a regular blog there someday. I am honored to be joining the Tech Republic / CNet team.<br /><br />The blog is called <a href="http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/">Tech of all Trades</a> and is new this year to TR. I will be joined by several other computer geeks like me who specialize in supporting small to medium businesses with mainly Microsoft technology. The majority of Tech Republic readers work in small businesses. That makes sense - there are just more of us because there are so many small businesses.<br /><br />I've thought often about the pros and cons of being the top geek in a small business. It can be a bit of an ego booster to have everyone look to you for advice and help on all their tech issues. It can also be a pain because there's no way that one geek can know everything. There's also a kind of one-upmanship that goes on with some of the more tech savvy co-workers.<br /><br />I'm not a gamer. The other day someone asked me what I think of overclocking the latest AMD processor and would I recommend using water cooling. My response: Why don't you try it and let me know how it works for you? There's no way I'm going to be overclocking any of the units we use to crunch numbers in accounting or file flight plans in Ops.<br /><br />I'm more concerned about keeping viruses, spyware, malware and spam out of my network. My job is to keep the computers running and the electrons flowing. Anything that detracts from that mission is just not worth my time. So I guess I'm not as much of a geek as some. I carry a Treo, not an iPhone. I spend time on <a href="http://www.digg.com/">Digg</a> but not on the <a href="http://www.somethingawful.com/">Something Awful</a> <a href="http://forums.somethingawful.com/">forums</a>.<br /><br />One of the main reasons I accepted the invitation to join the Tech Republic team of bloggers is the opportunity to be read by a larger audience and to get more feedback. There are millions of blogs out there and it takes someone with TR marketing muscle to get the word out. If you haven't visited the Tech Republic site, I encourage you to do so and become a subscriber.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-45471246833915115422008-01-03T23:09:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:54.982-08:00Top 10 sites to debunk urban legends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4rwOi9VKF5OMBGSSl91dDAW-g0K7qctZ9iQphTW057uq8p9bA9dn85rIo7FuVkpzaqCZ3AlEefKwJqBO7I5YIzbVLrWeNspM9TF4NGc-bh25LVqORbqaqu6UaEKfCubb6qaRq4nREXMZ/s1600-h/Hoaxes.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151516749800125506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="121" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4rwOi9VKF5OMBGSSl91dDAW-g0K7qctZ9iQphTW057uq8p9bA9dn85rIo7FuVkpzaqCZ3AlEefKwJqBO7I5YIzbVLrWeNspM9TF4NGc-bh25LVqORbqaqu6UaEKfCubb6qaRq4nREXMZ/s320/Hoaxes.gif" width="148" border="0" /></a>Has this ever happened to you? You're busy working on an intense project when someone in the company excitedly forwards you one of those stupid urban legend chain mail spams asking if it is true. Or worse, they simply forward it to everyone in the company without checking with you first.<br /><br />It doesn't matter that you have a written IT policy on the company intranet explaining what a useless activity this is. Nor does it matter that you have tried to explain to this individual several times that junk like this is really annoying to everybody who receives it. They just don't seem to get it.<br /><br />It's bad enough that we get spam from outside the company. Do we have to endure it from our own employees also? As the IT Manager I have to take a few minutes to debunk the latest urban legend that got the naive employee so excited. What's worse, I have to be extra nice because it is an executive who forwarded the e-mail.<br /><br />Of course the basic skill in responding to these interruptions is Google and keywords. I am still amazed after all these years how many people don't know how to Google properly. Maybe it's just the people in the company I work for are that are sadly Google-challenged. Hopefully you have this better managed in your company.<br /><br />I've often wished for a list of sites to which I could refer the offending co-worker so I decided to compile a short list of what I consider to be the top ten. Actually, you really only need the top three but I've found the others to be useful on occasion. Sometimes these sites can be entertaining reading but who has time for that?<br /><br />1. <a title="Snopes" href="http://www.snopes.com/" mce_href="http://www.snopes.com/">Snopes</a>- Who hasn't heard of Snopes? This is the grand-daddy of all fact-checking sites. Some of the worst chain spams even quote Snopes with an embedded link to give their e-mail an added level of authenticity. Of course, Snopes has been known to be wrong and has changed their listings on several occasions. They've also become very commercialized and include lots of pop-ups over the years - very annoying - but it is a very complete site.<br /><br />2. <a title="Urban Legends" href="http://urbanlegends.about.com/" mce_href="http://urbanlegends.about.com/">About Urban Legends</a>- This about.com sub-site has been hosted for ten years by David Emery and frankly, he has done a great job. He is passionate about finding and debunking all those rumors, myths, pranks and odd stories. I have found lately that I am referring more people to his site than Snopes because I like the format better. The site also shows up in more Google searches than the others indicating that the content is well linked and used.<br /><br />3. <a title="Break the chain" href="http://www.breakthechain.org/" mce_href="http://www.breakthechain.org/">Break The Chain</a>- In 1999, John Ratliff was annoyed that he kept receiving the same chain spams forwarded to him over and over. I have been just as annoyed for just as long but he did something about it. Like most of these sites, John has plenty of healthy advertisements but no pop-ups. His site is getting more professional looking all the time. He is also frequently cited by the media when looking for authoritative source on these stupid chain mails.<br /><br />4. <a title="Hoaxbusters" href="http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/" mce_href="http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/">Hoaxbusters</a>- The site has been around a long time (since 1995) and has a good archive but doesn't seem to be as current as it once was. It is a part of the US Department of Energy - Computer Incident Advisory Capacity (CAIC). Chances are that if you cannot find details of a hoax on one of the other sites, you may be able to find it here. Because it has been around so long there are some dead links. Hoaxbusters also contains a page of links to other hoax sites.<br /><br />5. <a title="Sophos" href="http://www.sophos.com/security/hoaxes/" mce_href="http://www.sophos.com/security/hoaxes/">Sophos</a> - This anti-virus company keeps a small list of hoaxes and urban legends but it is not nearly as complete as the sites at the top of this list. Their focus is more on virus hoaxes -you know, the ones that scream that you will wipe your hard drive and melt the motherboard if you open the suspect e-mail.<br /><br />6. <a title="f-secure" href="http://www.f-secure.com/virus-info/hoax/" mce_href="http://www.f-secure.com/virus-info/hoax/">F-Secure</a> - They claim that their list is comprehensive and the industry standard source for all things hoax related. Don't believe it. If you click on their list of latest hoaxes you'll see that it hasn't been updated for a few years. However, it is still a good list to search if you don't find what you're looking for elsewhere.<br /><br />7. <a title="VMyths" href="http://www.vmyths.com/" mce_href="http://www.vmyths.com/">VMyths</a>- Well referenced by specialists in the computer security field, VMyths takes Internet hoaxes and chain letters to a new level. If you want to read what the real experts have to say about Internet hoaxes, virus scares, myths and legends, get it from Rob Rosenberger at VMyths. Unfortunately, their lists are not comprehensive.<br /><br />8. <a title="Symantec" href="http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/threatexplorer/risks/hoaxes.jsp" mce_href="http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/threatexplorer/risks/hoaxes.jsp">Symantec</a>- I have a love-hate affair with Symantec. I use their products but I've been burned by them several times lately. That's a story for another post. Their hoax list is pretty good but seems a little dated. Maybe that's because most hoaxes today are really recycled from earlier hoaxes.<br /><br />9. <a title="Trend Micro" href="http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/" mce_href="http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/">Trend Micro</a> - They have improved their list lately with some good updates. I like their style and formatting. Obviously a company that sells AV solutions has a vested interest in keeping their hoax list up to date. Check out their complete list of urban legends. It has some entries that I have not seen elsewhere.<br /><br />10. <a title="Virus Busters" href="http://virusbusters.itcs.umich.edu//hoaxes.html" mce_href="http://virusbusters.itcs.umich.edu//hoaxes.html">Virus Busters</a> - A short list from the University of Michigan of hoaxes and legends that keep coming back. Like the UofM, I have not seen a lot of new hoaxes lately - they are almost all repackaged oldies. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but is a good reference point for what you will see on a regular basis.<br /><br />I know I've missed the favorite site of somebody and would like to hear about it. Add yours to the comments so we can all add to our knowledge of what's out there. And may your New Year not include a batch of new employees who feel they must educate you about <a title="Bill Gates and chain letters" href="http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blmsaol.htm" mce_href="http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blmsaol.htm">Bill Gates' desire to send you big bucks</a> for forwarding chain letters.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-18041865508657586112007-12-07T11:26:00.001-08:002008-12-09T05:45:55.170-08:00Typical job description for an IT Manager<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvukvsQJ33PtpVJp4C6HoyitrPswkAPEKP_w1kLzyF4-MQpT2ORO0kcZ38thcIW58X1RIpjuUANT553xB7yCcg96nk6Me_ACA74-dvIR7VAMLdlpI71bPeMFPzeMI-ApCHMTbVNzYeaES/s1600-h/CareerBuilder.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141315220735445282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvukvsQJ33PtpVJp4C6HoyitrPswkAPEKP_w1kLzyF4-MQpT2ORO0kcZ38thcIW58X1RIpjuUANT553xB7yCcg96nk6Me_ACA74-dvIR7VAMLdlpI71bPeMFPzeMI-ApCHMTbVNzYeaES/s320/CareerBuilder.gif" border="0" /></a>I received an email from <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/">Career Builder</a> today for an IT Manager position here in the LA area. It was posted by <a href="http://www.icims.com/content/contact.asp">Gary from icims.com</a> in NJ. It is so typical of what is expected of an IT Manager and so close to what I already do that I wanted to include excerpts here with a few comments.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Position Description</span>: Provides support for hardware and software requirements for employees including coordination among multiple sites. Will supervise two IT professionals, but must also be a hands-on individual contributor. Will work closely with the ERP Manager to coordinate and optimize system interfaces. Serve as project lead for new technical initiatives. Position reports to the CFO.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Experience and Job Requirements</span>: <span style="color:#ff0000;">General Requirements and Responsibilities</span>: Minimum 7 years experience as an Information Technology professional; Minimum 2 years of supervision; Strong leadership skills; Strong organizational, prioritizing and planning skills to work in a multi-task environment; Able to communicate technical explanations effectively at all levels within the company.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Server and Network Infrastructure Experience</span>: Windows Server 2000 and 2003 including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP; Strong experience with LAN/WAN technologies such as TCP/IP, HTTP, VLAN, routing; Managing a multi-site environment including Active Directory replication and file sharing; Lotus Domino 7 with Lotus Notes database application and design; Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server, Sharepoint services and data warehouse tools.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Client and Software Experience</span>: Multi-vendor software installation and support; PC imaging with Windows Deployment Services; Skilled with Cisco wireless network design, security and management; Microsoft Office Applications; Provide hands-on management for all hardware and software technologies.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Technology Management & Planning</span>: Must balance and meet project deadlines and ad hoc support requirements; Experience in project management utilizing Microsoft and network best practices; New employee orientation/setup; Evaluate new products to improve processes and solve issues; Manage everyday IT purchases and contribute to annual budgeting process.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Educational Requirements</span>: Bachelor's degree in a business related field (preferably in Computer Information Systems or Management Information Systems).<br /><br />Except for the Lotus Notes requirement you could almost take this job description and drop it into my current job. The position is in Gardena CA and pays between 70K and 100K depending on experience. Not a bad gig for Gardena where the median income is less than 40K. Gardena is home to several manufacturers and one of the largest printing companies in the United States.<br /><br />What do you think? Are there only a dozen or perhaps hundreds of qualified individuals who could meet these job requirements? I wonder who the employer is?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-36721511019216321902007-11-27T19:27:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:55.394-08:00My first experience with a uCertify Exam<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57zqWR3FPEwP0QD7Q6jos9sM7b3KFy_lkihR76hu2kA352gSPTeRWltfZFOZegELG6iAzVqXZ0nHlFduaouY_47VqfgnI2-FmYVVFwck2Q2Ud9P3OF4iuUKzhddBzwq31dglqMOV2IGnu/s1600-h/uCertifyResults.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137732313182416514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" height="168" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57zqWR3FPEwP0QD7Q6jos9sM7b3KFy_lkihR76hu2kA352gSPTeRWltfZFOZegELG6iAzVqXZ0nHlFduaouY_47VqfgnI2-FmYVVFwck2Q2Ud9P3OF4iuUKzhddBzwq31dglqMOV2IGnu/s320/uCertifyResults.jpg" width="225" border="0" /></a>So I decided to download, install and register the complementary <a href="http://www.ucertify.com/">uCertify</a> exam. I chose <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-291.mspx">70-291</a>, Implementing, Maintaining and Managing a MS Windows 2003 Network Infrastructure. That took about five minutes. It was easy to install and get started. The opening screen presents a series of tests, beginning with a fifteen question pretest. I took the pretest.<br /><br />Immediately I was transported back to the last time I took a Microsoft exam and was reminded of why I hate them so much. The exam questions make you wade through a bunch of introductory verbiage that is totally superfluous to the question being answered. uCertify has done a great job of making their questions just like the real ones.<br /><br />The pretest covered each of the areas that are covered in the final exam: IP addressing, RRAS, DNS, infrastructure and security. With fifteen questions and thirty minutes you have about two minutes to read the question, understand it, review the multiple choice answers and make a correct choice. Some questions have more than one correct answer.<br /><br />The diagnostic pretest had some of the drag and drop and 'click on the correct spot on this screen' type of questions. It didn't seem too hard but then I hadn't studied or reviewed the material in over a year. You can configure the test for a learning mode which allows you to see the correct answer right away and adjust your answer accordingly.<br /><br />Feeling brave, I chose to do the full test simulation and get my score at the end of the test. As I went though it I had to review in my mind if some of the acronyms were valid and what function some of the server utilities were designed to accomplish. DHCP, DNS, subnets, SAP, GPO (lots of GPO questions) reminded me that being an MCSE is really learning a new language.<br /><br />So far, my impression of uCertify is similar to using <a href="http://www.testking.com/">TestKing</a> or <a href="http://www.transcender.com/">Transcender</a>, two other test preparation companies that I have used in the past. Would I recommend the product? So far, yes. Will it help me pass the test? I'll tell you after I pass it. Right now I'm going to go back and take another diagnostic pretest since I failed the first one with a score of 533 out of 630 required.<br /><br />Have you had any experience with uCertify? Is one test prep company as good as any other?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-56600919966547143302007-11-27T17:06:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:55.550-08:00Now that's a harsh review of Vista<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmdIBCmMyqYgMW6mgAPJfRlXh0Lb5-7wbtf9R8FQe21LUue5ZZBLQIBukT6vgttFWLYou3IXfp4ZWr4HS0MxkBFSVVMODxXF7qChUhov_5LU9MD1e0sFwHZ_O8D9OWBnNVEBwxcx9kWIB/s1600-h/VistaHome.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137693521037799026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" height="210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmdIBCmMyqYgMW6mgAPJfRlXh0Lb5-7wbtf9R8FQe21LUue5ZZBLQIBukT6vgttFWLYou3IXfp4ZWr4HS0MxkBFSVVMODxXF7qChUhov_5LU9MD1e0sFwHZ_O8D9OWBnNVEBwxcx9kWIB/s320/VistaHome.jpg" width="183" border="0" /></a><a href="http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/0,39029552,49293700-10,00.htm">CNET UK has a story</a> on Vista that finally says what a lot of us have been thinking all year: Vista sucks! There is simply no reason to upgrade. Here is another reason to stick with XP: <a href="http://www.news.com/Windows-XP-outshines-Vista-in-benchmarking-test/2100-1016_3-6220201.html">Windows XP with SP3 outperforms Windows Vista with SP1</a>.<br /><br />This Vista review made the number one story on <a href="http://digg.com/">Digg</a> this morning. It also gathered a ton of comments. A lot of other professional Windows supporters must feel the same way. I wrote previously how some of my fellow techies are <a href="http://adventuresofanitmanager.blogspot.com/2007/11/would-you-pay-to-remove-vista.html">making a buck by removing Vista</a>.<br /><br />Quoting from the review: "Any operating system that provokes a campaign for its predecessor's reintroduction deserves to be classed as terrible technology.<br /><br />"Any operating system that quietly has a downgrade-to-previous-edition option introduced for PC makers deserves to be classed as terrible technology.<br /><br />"Any operating system that takes six years of development but is instantly hated by hordes of PC professionals and enthusiasts deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Windows Vista conforms to all of the above.<br /><br />"Its incompatibility with hardware, its obsessive requirement of human interaction to clear security dialogue box warnings and its abusive use of hated DRM, not to mention its general pointlessness as an upgrade, are just some examples of why this expensive operating system earns the final place in our terrible tech list."<br /><br />Wow! That's quite a scathing review. I agree with all the points but my heart goes out to Microsoft or more accurately to the product managers, the designers, the programmers, the marketing team and all the Microsofties that put so much of their lives into a product that will be forever classified in the same category as Windows Me.<br /><br />What do you think? Was that a harsh review or did Vista and Microsoft deserve it?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-65595042925096348422007-11-27T15:32:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:55.687-08:00IT Managers who are also webmasters<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPrC8QF70QtnC7RRiS-2jznUaKw-rAXZgzncG6Qu4u9vEMq9vtYYpffatCZdWic6vp9vKCdqljKPABITv1jnF8xA18vJKuIOLTBi2xo73QGP08oy4R4Xsgzow6gIIb9Z3Dzhu-jRUDPLu/s1600-h/NewAvjetWebSite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137684780779351634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="163" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPrC8QF70QtnC7RRiS-2jznUaKw-rAXZgzncG6Qu4u9vEMq9vtYYpffatCZdWic6vp9vKCdqljKPABITv1jnF8xA18vJKuIOLTBi2xo73QGP08oy4R4Xsgzow6gIIb9Z3Dzhu-jRUDPLu/s320/NewAvjetWebSite.jpg" width="218" border="0" /></a>I've never worked for a large company. Well, I take that back - Ingram Micro is a large company but when I worked for them back in the day they were very small. Most of my career has been in a small IT shop where I am the only computer guy or one of a small group of two or three or four computer guys.<br /><br />I like that arrangement because I get to wear a lot of hats. One of those hats is the webmaster. I wouldn't say that I'm a really good graphic artist. In fact, I would say that graphic design is not one of my creative strengths. Don't get me wrong - I know good design when I see it. I just haven't been able to produce it myself on a consistent basis.<br /><br />That's why when it came time for a new Web site for my employer, I didn't mind when we decided to farm it out to an outside agency. Of course, I and my associate computer guy will end up maintaining it in Dreamweaver just like we do our current Web site. The new site looks cool with all the Flash animation. You would think I would have learned Flash by now.<br /><br />Well, I know for those who use it every day that Flash is simple stuff. But most of my day is spent putting out fires and helping the employees use their computers. I'm amazed sometimes at the simple stuff that my co-workers don't know about Windows or how files are stored on servers or how they can access their email from off-site. You know - basic stuff.<br /><br />See, that's my point. What's basic stuff to me, a certified network engineer, is a mysterious world to my co-workers who only use a computer to communicate. Likewise, the world of graphic design is a mysterious world to me, a man of many hats. It takes a lot of patience to create all those little Flash illustrations. I know because I've tied.<br /><br />So even though I am the webmaster, don't ask me to create you an award-winning Web site. I'll maintain it for you once it gets designed, but my web work is basic stuff. I don't feel bad about that because I add so much value to the company in all the other areas in which I am an expert. I love what I do and appreciate the variety - including working with outside designers.<br /><br />What do you think? Can an IT guy be an exceptional webmaster as well as a great engineer?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-7749439191001166122007-11-21T18:34:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:56.047-08:00An Ultra Mobile PC to get excited about<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhjlBw-ZeFL-Kq9Vk5EaydouZ5RfljD4MzJFbdb_pCs00Wvm-UGwFQEXTyV0Kgl6vCfQC6M6qd7GP3mxFs3D6Zr61VGnaVozC4lqZQrUev0j6MEVXvZSWGbYBVPPp1TFv0MtxccE1M8Ch/s1600-h/OQO.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135488459058228722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhjlBw-ZeFL-Kq9Vk5EaydouZ5RfljD4MzJFbdb_pCs00Wvm-UGwFQEXTyV0Kgl6vCfQC6M6qd7GP3mxFs3D6Zr61VGnaVozC4lqZQrUev0j6MEVXvZSWGbYBVPPp1TFv0MtxccE1M8Ch/s320/OQO.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm not a real gadget junkie. In fact, I'm somewhat of a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to implementing new hi-tech devices like iPods or iPhones into my network. I see them as an intrusion on my security.<br /><br />But I saw a new device today that just blows my socks off. And what's better is that I saw an immediate application for our flight crews. It's a palm-sized mobile PC from <a href="http://www.oqo.com/">OQO</a>. The display is amazingly clear for a 5" screen running 800 x 480.<br /><br />I know, we've seen palm-sized computers already that have not flown but this one seems to have what it takes. It's a full Windows compatible computer - XP Pro or Vista Business. It fits into what's called the UMPC category - Ultra Mobile PC.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv_o_LcGb0s0DWYFISdwLCWMAKg_kM_IQjo4ZELohboWVy0Zve_qPbQV75WL5OCDSRHdLU0kH4NpBblTfuI3iRT2rTh4RuoPwpUur2ANJUuy6bJ8twSveOBkjHkIdNR9N0rv0GnawyiQG/s1600-h/JeppView.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135491680283700754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="128" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv_o_LcGb0s0DWYFISdwLCWMAKg_kM_IQjo4ZELohboWVy0Zve_qPbQV75WL5OCDSRHdLU0kH4NpBblTfuI3iRT2rTh4RuoPwpUur2ANJUuy6bJ8twSveOBkjHkIdNR9N0rv0GnawyiQG/s320/JeppView.jpg" width="181" border="0" /></a>We have several flight crews who carry a tablet PC and use it to replace their Flight Engineer's bag of maps and charts and books. It's called <a href="http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/application/commercewf?origin=category.jsp&event=link(browse)&wlcs_catalog_sourceKey=wlcs_categories&wlcs_catalog_destinationKey=wlcs_siblings&wlcs_catalog_category_id=CNS1M">Jeppview</a> and even though it is a big step up from the cumbersome charts and maps, a tablet PC is still too big.<br /><br />The beauty of the OQO is that it runs just about any software that runs on a regular Windows PC because, well, it is a regular Windows PC, just a whole lot smaller and lighter - one pound with the standard three hour battery.<br /><br />The OQO 02 is slightly larger than a 3-inch by 5-inch index card and is 1 inch deep, meaning it fits comfortably into a jeans back pocket or the inside jacket pocket of a sports coat. It has a 5-inch screen that slides up to reveal a full thumb-keyboard.<br /><br />It comes with a 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB memory and 120GB of storage. It has built-in broadband wireless using the EV-DO network as well as standard 802.11g and bluetooth. An optional docking station allows quick and easy connection to a full size display, keyboard, mouse, and wired Ethernet.<br /><br />Maybe I'm a little behind the times. Have you seen this baby before and if so, what do you think?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-69963284378073119432007-11-19T20:28:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:56.326-08:00What does it take to stick with a job?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB3SnGkl6Rhuo4ja_H_HT8P6a-d23Rzg_p5Vdes0tGlw1vX9aD0QGbMhf2LqkjiN43jvKyYKk6lbKxRWEZkA8GWZgnUoOGxKSCPKHoKxCdv_ndnmMPxdfF9qXMt4_mCZymzNnIqkD2t1g/s1600-h/TimsJobs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134780863196212674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="235" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB3SnGkl6Rhuo4ja_H_HT8P6a-d23Rzg_p5Vdes0tGlw1vX9aD0QGbMhf2LqkjiN43jvKyYKk6lbKxRWEZkA8GWZgnUoOGxKSCPKHoKxCdv_ndnmMPxdfF9qXMt4_mCZymzNnIqkD2t1g/s320/TimsJobs.jpg" width="254" border="0" /></a>I have been a job hopper most of my career. I admit it. I've always had my eye out for the next best thing. I'm an expert on working the job boards. I've figured out how to get more responses from <a href="http://www.dice.com/">Dice</a> and <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/">Career Builder</a> than I could ever use. I have a list of agencies from all around the world who send me job listings for which I am at least partially qualified. If I wanted to start a new job next year I'm sure I could shake the trees and have something lined up in a few weeks.<br /><br />I don't think that's bragging. I just think that's the miracle of modern technology at work. Job hunting is easier than ever for a qualified technician. If you have a specialty on some hot piece of software or are a good Java developer you could probably name your price. In my opinion, if you have a good track record and are good at what you do, there's not much to stop you today from moving on in your career if that's what you want to do.<br /><br />For the most part my strategy of changing jobs every few years has always paid off. Because of my entrepreneurial spirit, I attack a new job with gusto, get the projects lined up, figured out and completed usually within two years. In my current position I finished my project list in less than six months after I came on board (OK, now I'm bragging). My point is that I have enjoyed changing jobs because of the challenge, the salary increases and the new technology. If you need any evidence of my propensity to change jobs just <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/timmalone">check out my Linked-In profile</a>.<br /><br />I'm not so interested in changing jobs any more. Why? No, it's not because I'm getting older and it's not because I wouldn't enjoy the challenge. In fact, I was offered a job not more than six months ago right in my home town that included everything I thought I was looking for: a pay increase, no commute, a company that needed my skills and good people with whom to work. So why did I turn it down? I stayed because the CEO told me he needed me and he meant it.<br /><br />Now some headhunters would tell me I was crazy to believe my boss. "He just told you that to get you to stay while he is looking for your replacement." <a href="http://weblog.infoworld.com/headhunter/">Nick Corcodilos</a> has often said, "Never, ever accept a counter-offer. The reasons for your dis-satisfaction will still be there six months from now." Well, it's been six months and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Sure, the boss sweetened the deal but something else has changed that is more important.<br /><br />I don't feel like just a techie any more. There comes a point in your career where trusted relationships are more important than money, working with the latest technology or having a big training budget. Those things are nice, but when you are treated like and feel like a trusted part of the management team, than you've earned my loyalty. I guess what I'm saying is there are just times when you have to look beyond the technology and consider who you are helping.<br /><br />What do you think? Am I nuts for staying on a job longer than the customary two to three year time frame of most techies today? Have a got a rare thing going here or should I keep those job interviewing skills hot?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-62947929473527863032007-11-17T12:48:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:57.235-08:00How do you prepare for Microsoft Exams?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwP0Wx75hunl95cFlLhU5upsWMc_prnBSWkYRZnnVpbfSTqBuVZnKT132UzvwlTEBX2g0sZFy8J1h7TRq2qD0XrAHn8EQ62G58owjvuCDu70ZzxJZWkebdODLkRIlRw-MkyrsAdOU2lwx/s1600-h/mcse_certif.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133945251538972050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwP0Wx75hunl95cFlLhU5upsWMc_prnBSWkYRZnnVpbfSTqBuVZnKT132UzvwlTEBX2g0sZFy8J1h7TRq2qD0XrAHn8EQ62G58owjvuCDu70ZzxJZWkebdODLkRIlRw-MkyrsAdOU2lwx/s320/mcse_certif.jpg" border="0" /></a>I started managing networks before there were certifications. <a href="http://www.novell.com/">Novell</a> Netware was the defacto server OS back in the day. Yep, 1983 was when I was first exposed to Netware, which had just been announced. Did you know that Netware used to be called Sharenet? We installed ARCNet topology in those early days.<br /><br />In 1995, after more than ten years of managing Netware servers on 10-Base2 (thin coax) and Token-Ring networks, it became clear that Novell was losing ground quickly to Microsoft with NT 3.5 on 10-BaseT. I started installing and supporting NT just when I was getting serious about pursuing certification on Netware.<br /><br />Instead I began to prepare for Microsoft certification. This was back in the days when there was only one Novell cert - CNE, and one Microsoft cert - MCSE. Even though there are millions of Microsoft Certified System Engineers now, becoming an MCSE is not an easy thing. There are six major exams at $125 each, each one with 40 to 60 difficult questions.<br /><br />After supporting NT for about five years, I received over 200 hours of Microsoft Approved training from a Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC). After long days at work, I took classes almost every evening for three months which cost thousands of dollars. The only problem is that it did not prepare me for the exams like I thought it would.<br /><br />Microsoft exams are a tricky mixture of academic and real-world scenarios. I had the real world experience but could not always explain the academic reasons behind why something worked a certain way. My learning style is hands-on and always has been. Put me in front of the console and I'll figure it out, but ask me to explain it, especially in non-technical terms and I sometimes struggle.<br /><br />So I started looking for some tools to help me pass the MCSE exams. Any Google search will reveal dozens of websites offering study guides and practice exams to help you pass the MCSE tests. I confess that I used 'braindumps' to pass my NT 4.0 exams. Braindumps are web sites where those who just took the exam will post the questions they remember and their answers.<br /><br />Of course, the disadvantage to braindumps is that the questions are not always remembered accurately and the answers will sometimes be wrong. When I updated my MCSE training in 2005-2006 I very much appreciated the fact that in addition to the additional 200+ hours of classroom training, the instructor would use questions from <a href="http://www.testking.com/">TestKing</a> training materials.<br /><br />I started taking the Server 2003 exams last year and have been thinking about investing in some TestKing test preparation material. That's why I was pleased to respond to an offer from <a href="http://www.ucertify.com/">uCertify</a> to evaluate their study guides and test exams. I assumed their questions would be like Testking questions, many of which come right from actual exams.<br /><br />According to Roger Stuart at uCertify, "We do not provide actual exam questions, instead we encourage the users to learn and practice with lots of challenging questions in an environment that simulates the actual exam. Our PrepKits consist of study notes, articles, how tos and exam tips besides the questions. So I think that they should not be compared with Testking, but they will definitely help you pass the exams."<br /><br />I'm contemplating whether to invest the hours in using their materials. What do you think?Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413806652593416365.post-89172260360553007212007-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:002008-12-09T05:45:57.387-08:00Would you pay to remove Vista?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfQLndBPfqZT1Cy7FPVu7KaUGZwpYpiuxtQg666i2hIW2NZuG5LBBs4zjxTuyMFhv5DZREKf0F6wi9PV7OrbBfMFrOjsMU3D-vMUAUGX0GHPje_DvkRW3gvEIfHktaSDiUptWmZE0odWw/s1600-h/WhyPayHourly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133549453122776450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfQLndBPfqZT1Cy7FPVu7KaUGZwpYpiuxtQg666i2hIW2NZuG5LBBs4zjxTuyMFhv5DZREKf0F6wi9PV7OrbBfMFrOjsMU3D-vMUAUGX0GHPje_DvkRW3gvEIfHktaSDiUptWmZE0odWw/s320/WhyPayHourly.jpg" border="0" /></a>I looked out the front door of my home office a few minutes ago and saw a little car with this magnetic sign on the side: "Why pay hourly? Flat Rate Computer Services"<br /><br />Being the curious sort of fellow that I am I went to their <a href="http://flatratecomputerpros.com/Contact_Us.html">Web site</a> and was amazed to see that someone is now selling their services to remove Vista. This can't be good publicity for Microsoft.<br /><br />From the Flat Rate Computer Pros Web site:<br /><br />Is Microsoft Vista Driving you CRAZY?<br />Just when you got used to XP, they changed it.<br />Wish you had XP on that new machine?<br />Save your sanity SPECIAL!<br />Remove Vista and install Windows XP on your machine for one FLAT RATE!<br />Only $150!<br /><br />I wonder if one of my neighbors is having his copy of Vista removed right now? Just yesterday one of the other managers at the airport asked me for a laptop with Vista. When I submitted it to management for approval the answer came back a resounding no.<br /><br />I'm glad the boss has been listening and reading my emails. I've told him that I do not intend to update any of the 120 company computers to Vista in 2008 - maybe 2009 when I can't buy XP anymore but not 2008. There's just no good reason to update that I have found.<br /><br />Microsoft, call me. Convince me that I should sell the boss on Vista. Where are the advantages to outweigh the disadvantages? Why shouldn't we wait for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7">Windows 7</a>, due out in 2010?<br /><br />Update: Isn't technology amazing? I emailed Daniel at the address on his web site to let him know that I had written a post about his business. When he was done fixing my neighbors computer he came over and asked if I had emailed him. We met, talked and I even got to know my neighbor a little better. Daniel's services were highly recommended by my neighbor. See, technology does help you connect.Tim Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11583763801445542972noreply@blogger.com0