August, 2006

Here is a link to a terrific article I just read in eWeek regarding traits of the ideal IT professional: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2002881,00.asp Spoiler warning: If you don't read the entire article, the CIOs interviewed identified the following 5 key traits in IT professionals: (Comments in parenthesis are my summary interpretations.) * Enjoys light (i.e. doesn't work head's down in a...

You often see customer relationship management software in reference to business outreach and customers however it’s useful for IT operations too. I was interviewed this year on this topic. As with most 3 rd -party interviews, parts are summarized and truncated. There’s value in sharing the full answers to their questions so I’m providing my “director’s cut” [giving you my full answers] in a 3 part...

You often see customer relationship management software in reference to business outreach and customers however it’s useful for IT operations too. I was interviewed this year on this topic. As with most 3 rd -party interviews, parts are summarized and truncated. There’s value in sharing the “full answers” to their questions so I’m providing my “director’s cut” [giving you my full answers] in a 3 part...

I’m a firm believer in programs which support under-represented groups towards careers in the ICT sector. Back in 2000, the executive vice-president of an e-learning company called Smartforce flew into Vancouver to request support for their company—at that time, they were the world’s largest with about 5 million users. In lieu of being paid, I suggested they support programs for women and other groups...

I wear many hats/roles including in areas that are non-IT related. Invariably people ask me what I do. I identify as belonging to CIPS having been a member for many years. So how does this relate to you as an IT worker or manager? Well 44% of our members are managers and this includes many senior executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Do you want a career boost or to develop relationships and ideas...

Stephen and I have written here a number of times about the Neil Squire Society (NSS). That is no accident. We both happen to believe that the organization is special and the people who run it equally so. I recently had a tour of their offices and left there both impressed and touched by the experience. It is interesting how chance events in life, or serendipity, steers the course of our existence...

The Challenge of Declining Computer Science Enrollment I participated in a special meeting with the largest computer societies globally where CIPS [Canada’s association and community of IT professionals] received an invitation. It is interesting how there are common challenges such as declining enrollment in computer science. One of my impressions from the summit: gaming provided solutions and represented...

As an IT Manager or Professional, you want to see the value and benefits of upcoming releases. It makes good sense to plan ahead. Here is an opportunity, you should take advantage of right away. Enjoy! Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS, I.S.P. There are four new virtual labs now available for a deep dive into Office 2007 ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/virtuallabs/office/default.aspx ) Quickly evaluate or learn how...

I just came across the following on the Visual Studio for Database developers blog: CTP5 is out . This is a follow-up to the post they had last week talking about what is new in CTP5. As an IT Manager, you may have to develop applications to work with a backend database, this edition of Visual Studio is just the tool for you. If you are looking for more information, check out some of the DataDude team...

In previous posts both Damir and I have talked about getting the community together for some much needed relaxation time. If you happen to be a little more competitive, or prefer playing cards to crashing into things and blowing things up, then this might be of interest to you. For 48 hours only—through 0800 GMT (1:00 A.M. Pacific Time) Friday, August 25—as a special limited-time only promotion, all...

Check out new content in the IT Manager Connections webcast series specifically designed for IT Managers. Learn the framework of achieving regulatory compliance through operational excellence. Get an overview of the compliance planning guide for IT Managers from its authors. Hear from Microsoft product team on Microsoft’s strategy and roadmap for virtualization. Learn from Microsoft Consulting Services...

I'm just getting back into the swing of things after a couple of weeks of vacation and noticed Rick's post over on the CanITPro blog regarding TechNet Plus subscriptions. For those of you that have a TechNet Plus subscription, you can now download software as well as waiting for it to arrive in the mail. Additionally, the TechNet team has launched their own blog to keep you up to date on your subscription...

Today's posts seem to be following a theme. Stephen's post just finished telling you about Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta , and now here I am telling you about Windows Live Writer. For those of you that maintain a blog, or after reading Richard Giles' interview are interested in starting one, here is a tool that I have been using for a while to compose and publish all the posts to the Canadian IT...

I’m always on the lookout for those "special" goodies. I got this notice and wanted to share it with you… _________________ Hello there, We’ve finally done it! Our 'little' project to bring you the next generation consumer mail application is going public. As of today, we are instituting a hassle-free sign up for the Mail Desktop beta. No beta invitation emails are necessary. Simply go through the...

As I was catching up on my blog reading during my vacation, I came across this post over on Major Nelson's blog ( http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/08/02/Picture_3A00_-Canadian-Flag-_2800_CA-only_2900_.aspx ) saying that XBox Live users in Canada would have a Canadian Flag gamer picture available for them to download. Sure enough, I tried it out and it worked no problem. If you want...

As I add new content to the Canadian IT Managers blog, it makes sense to add additional categories to help you, the reader, easily identify the content that you are looking for. In the next few posts you will see some information about some of the Windows Live services that we are releasing as well as some tools that are available for you to download. I have created a couple of new categories to help...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In part 6 of this blog series, we continue our talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put these...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In part 5 of this blog series, we continue our talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put these...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In part 4 of this blog series, we continue our talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put these...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In part 3 of this blog series, we continue our talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put these...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In part 2 of this blog series, we continue our talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put this...

This is the next interview in the continuing series of Computing Canada’s (CC ) Blogged Down (BD) which is featured here “first” in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum. In this blog series, we talk with Richard Giles, an industry leading authority and pioneer in blogging, podcasting and new media (Web 2.0). Richard is also the founder of Clique Communications. Today I put this question to Richard...

In my role I get the opportunity to speak with many individuals, listen to their comments and read many articles that give opinions on the IT Industry. As well, I get to provide input into the fray and those who know me can validate, I’m not one to sit quietly when I have an opinion. I really think that there is a lot to learn from others, no matter their origin and at times, I’d rather learn from...

This is the continuing series of special interviews appearing first here in the Canadian IT Managers (CIM) forum from top-ranking business and technology leaders. In this two part blog series, we continue our discussion with Rick Maule, CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board of NetEffect. In this blog, I put these final questions to Rick: _____________________________ Stephen: Which technologies...

After much careful and prolonged deliberation, I have decided that one of the main reasons to switch to Vista for me is the much improved version of Solitaire!! As a long time Solitaire freak, now that most of the bugs have been removed, I love the new version; the fact that I can now cheat on a regular basis by using undo and that, when my mind stops working entirely (no smart remarks please), I can...