There is a series of podcasts that are running in the Globe and Mail from now until March 13th. These podcasts address some great topics dealing with Productivity in the Canadian market. Last week's podcast addressed IT Security and Productivity , this week's discussion is around Collaboration . Listen each week for IDC's Perspectives on Productivity and look for the printed supplement in the...

See part 1 on this valuable series posted here March 8th. Here’s the next post from Paul Bassett… ____________________ Curing Software Engineering’s Chronic Concerns: Part 2/3 My previous blog introduced you to frame technology, explained how it dramatically amplifies conventional manufacturing techniques, and made some rather strong claims about FT’s potential to...

I have blogged about Laura's work before. This is the third interview in the series Blogged Down with Computing Canada (CC). Laura is very candid and "open" in expressing her views which I found refreshing. Laura provides many useful and "practical" security insights/practices for IT managers/pros. I encourage you read this interview and click on the links she provides. I have included an index at...

How can we make your work as IT Managers and IT Pros easier? One answer: by collaboration and sharing the expertise of top-ranking professionals. I was talking with the noted computer science authority, Paul Bassett recently about dramatically increasing productivity, and he agreed to provide this three part blog series on “ Curing Software Engineering’s Chronic Concerns. ” However...

I was talking [virtually] with Pat over the weekend and she shared this blog post… _____________ Interesting article from the New York Times online – Technology section (you may have to register free in order to read it): " Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless " By Michel Marriott -- Published: March 5, 2006 The article talks about the proliferation of home wireless networks...

Last year, CIM co-host John Oxley initiated an innovative program by providing this open forum for Canadian IT Managers. Then he invited everyone to participate and share. The common theme is community and collaboration with IT Managers and IT Pros and to support your efforts. It is this kind of thinking, from the ground-up, that places Microsoft now in the top-ranks in reputation. Recently reported...

There's a new editorial feature, Blogged Down (BD), in Computing Canada (CC) where editor Patricia MacInnis features an upcoming interview that appears here in the Canadian IT Managers forum (CIM) . Computing Canada is the oldest, and largest bi-weekly business/technology print publication with a large audience including more than 40,000 IT decision makers in medium to large enterprises. The next...

I’ve just noticed a post over on the Regulatory Compliance blog entitled “ Regulatory Compliance and the IT Manager ”. There are a couple of suggestions that might be of interest to an IT Manager. Additionally, the team that runs that blog (Microsoft Solutions for Security and Compliance) are soliciting feedback on what are your “ Biggest Compliance Headaches ”. ...

Learn how to build server systems pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 to small business customers. Microsoft-based tools for System Builders help automate many of the repetitive tasks associated to building servers, laptops, and desktops. Find out more about the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC), a newly created program designed for technology partners who...

I was talking with Laura Chappell about useful security tips since she "lives and breathes" security. As a bit of background, last year, she received the international Award for Professionalism founded by the NPA and given out at the Interop Conference in Vegas. Some of you may have caught her packed sessions at Microsoft TechEd conferences or HP Enterprise Symposiums. I know from my talks with some...

The team over on the Exchange Blog ( You Had Me at EHLO… ) have just posted a podcast interview of Terry Myerson talking about Microsoft's decision to only offer Exchange 12 on 64 bit. Direct links to the podcasts ( mp3 ) ( wma ). Previously published blog post regarding Exchange 12 and 64 bit: http://blogs.technet.com/exchange/archive/2005/12/29/416613.aspx . I hope this helps you as you...

I found it entertaining and still informative from an "overview" perspective. Something you would want as an IT manager - enough technical depth to give you a picture of the issues without getting bloated with the details. So how about adding the 1/2 hour show, " The Code Room " to your viewing schedule. The internet TV program exposes you to the latest tools and technologies for tackling real-world...

Rick has just posted this information over on the CanITPro blog ( http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/archive/2006/02/27/420707.aspx ) For business users, we are going to be releasing two different versions of Vista: Windows Vista Business and Window Vista Enterprise . For your use at home, we are going to be releasing three different versions: Windows Vista Home Basic , Windows Vista Home Premium...

Earlier, I introduced DJ Dunkerley, a Business Analyst and Project Manager currently lending his expertise with Annex Consulting and working on a host of projects. DJ has a two-part blog about Project Management. Here's part 2. ________________ Part Two of Two: The Secret List We draw on the pitcher to fill our glasses, and for some strange reason you are reminded of a scene in Revenge of the...

There is a series of podcasts that are running in the Globe and Mail from now until March 13th. These podcasts address some great topics dealing with Productivity in the Canadian market. Last week's podcast addressed Business Intelligence , this week's discussion is around IT Security and Productivity . Listen each week for IDC's Perspectives on Productivity and look for the printed supplement...

On Friday I talked about the fine Professional Development Conference sponsored by CIPS Vancouver and hosted at BCIT. I had a chance to dialogue with session speaker, DJ Dunkerley, and invited DJ to share his thoughts here. DJ is a Business Analyst and Project Manager with more than 10 years experience working in the hi-tech industry in Vancouver, starting at Laser's Edge in 1994 and continuing...

Want to know more about data mining? Try Crisp-Dm. No, it’s not a breakfast cereal but it is a methodology to use for your data mining projects. For those of you who don’t realize it, SQL Server 2005 includes a great deal of data mining functionality for clustering and forecasting. Crisp-DM is a step by step guide for a process model to be used with your data mining projects. A typical...

Over the past few weeks I have spoken to a number of IT Managers who have commented on the many posts on this blog about careers and development in IT. I also often get asked why managers should give their IT team time to go to TechNet events. My answer is simple... Think of the TechNet events; monthlies, tours, webcasts and online resources as part of a curriculum. For example; the Build'06...

I was invited to keynote the Career Professional Development Event this week hosted by CIPS Vancouver and held at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology). With proceeds going to scholarships, Neil Johnson, President of CIPS Vancouver provided a convincing argument [to reschedule my existing conflicting commitments] when he requested I share my experiences, and provide career lessons. The event...

Security is a top priority for IT managers and will be for the future. I’m always on the lookout for security webcasts that will keep you and your team at the top of your security form. Here’s a must see series to put into your calendars. http://msdn.microsoft.com/canada/securityonthebrain/default.aspx Here are session details: Session One-March 1, 2006 Partial Trusted Development...

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our two newest bloggers here on the Canadian IT Managers blog. Adam Cole , who you have seen here in the past, being interviewed by Stephen, has just provided his first direct post ( http://blogs.technet.com/cdnitmanagers/archive/2006/02/22/420247.aspx ). Mitch Tulloch is an MVP for Windows Server based out of Winnipeg and has provided his first post ...

I have just been wowed by DotNetNuke ( http://www.dotnetnuke.com/ ). Our team is completing a web-based EDC ("Electronic Data Capture") application. EDC is used by the pharmaceutical industry to enable doctors to collect clinical trial data directly from their desktop PCs. (Traditionally, a doctor would fill out a paper form, fax it to our office, and then we would undertake a lengthy process of...

John Oxley suggested that I blog what myself and some other IT pros are doing here in Winnipeg, so here goes! First, the larger community: WITPRO meets once a month at Red River College for technical presentations concerning various Microsoft products. Momentum seems to be building and the turnout is growing! IT Lounge is our innovative attempt to put some fun into the IT community here...

I'm finding viruses, spyware, phishing, identity theft threats so irritating. How about a mandatory 5 years imprisonment and a $5M fine for those involved? Every time my system starts to slow down I bring up the task manager looking at what processes are stealing cycles - this is how I found the last virus that got into my system. It's making me feel more insecure and recent surveys are also supporting...

In the interview that appeared here, Roger Sessions speaks about tighter integration and communication between corporate and IT governance and major failures when this doesn't happen. In fact he is predicting this will happen sooner than later. Roger has an enviable record for accuracy and I hope all executives and board directors are listening. The most agile firms who have a rock solid lock in...