Quick Hits

Certainly no shortage of "technology news" when you look online or at the trade mags. I ran across a couple that I thought were interesting and so I'll share.

Seems that the online word processor software technology isn't dead. I do like this concept and can't wait for it to mature more. I certainly see a number of potential applications for this Agency. As we continue to improve our infrastructure, these types of technology services may have be a viable solution. I think there are numerous opportunities moving forward to re-think the way we do software applications...and where they live.

What do you know about encryption ? Is it important? Is it relative to us? Well, encryption is important enough to the MO State Government that a new standard has been approved for desktop use. SafeBoot is the technology solution to be implement and plans are currently underway for its eventual implementation.

On another front this article ( ILL-CIO ) was interesting from a number of perspectives. His take on "thinking outside the box" was an interesting perspective....while I don't disagree with his thoughts necessarily, I also not sure I'm in the same boat completely. Read his comments and then decide for yourself.

Have a good week and remember to challenge yourself each and every day to grow....to improve....to provide the level of service that even YOU would consider exemplary.

TAFN

Are YOU Staying Current?

--Google Inc. is enhancing its Google Maps service with a new Street View feature that allows you to view crisp, navigable photos of roads in nine major cities across the U.S., including San Francisco, New York, San Diego and Denver. (To see the full list, go to maps.google.com and click the Street View link on the upper-right corner.)

--Virtualization technology, which allows multiple operating systems to run different applications on a single computer, has caught the attention of IT managers for its promise to let them better manage and utilize corporate IT resources. However, warns some IT managers and security researchers, the emerging technology also makes corporate systems far more vulnerable to hackers. (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9031738&source=NLT_AM&nlid=1)

--Microsoft and Cisco: Product Promises
The tech giants' new spirit of cooperation is promising, but CEOs Ballmer and Chambers say making the alliance work will be difficult. (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2007/tc20070820_282297.htm)

--When a Laptop Is Too Much to Lug... (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2007/tc2007087_626340.htm?chan=search)

The above are just some examples of things changing around us...that CAN and DO impact the work we do for Conservation. I've suggested in the past that all of us have a responsibility to stay in tune with Technology changes AND how those changes can and do impact what we do.

I'm planning/expecting to see many goals come trickling in for FY `08 that relate to this task. I'm anxious to see how each of you will bridge this gap between just supporting the technology to actually becoming more proactive on this front. Let's give this some serious thought and put that thought effort into some of your goals for the work year.

TAFN

Second Life...

Reading some trade mag articles over the weekend and ran across one article in particular that was particularly interesting to me. The article was about one of the newest on-line experiences called "Second Life." O.K....so it's not so new to many of us who spend some time on the web, but relatively speaking it is new.

The jest of the article was two fold. First was the daily issue that IT Staffer's have trying to stay on top of technology itself and secondly the issue of trying to stay on top of employees who bring some of that new technology into the work environment--BEFORE it's enterprise ready. Examples over history were given about the types of technology that non-IT employees were eager to embrace long before the software was enterprise worthy...such as, the web, email, and IM ...just to name a few.

Second Life now appears to be catching on amongst some of the more IT savoy end users. They like the concept of using Avatars to represent themselves during virtual meetings. Some larger corporations (Toyota, IBM, Adidas) are even experimenting with the technology internal to their orgs. Second life appears to be a marriage of the younger generations idea of how to communicate effectively and use the latest technology. (another example of how the workplace will be (IS) changing.) The "virtual world meetings" are relatively easy to configure and moderately effective.

SO, what does this mean to us? Well, how many of you know of this technology's existence? How many of you have thought about it's relevance to MDC? How many of you have dismissed it? How many of you thought it has some potential application to helping move MDC forward??--if you did, have you discussed that potential with Management?

A couple take aways I think from this: 1) We have to stay current in our information and understanding of technology changes...which equals OPPORTUNITY, in my mind. 2) By staying current we can answer inquiries, we can protect the Agency's assets from renegade software by knowing what to look for, and perhaps add value if the tool makes sense to us. Many opportunities exist to provide value to our Org by utilizing technology. Most of us would agree, bleeding edge isn't necessarily the best place to be....but I think there is value in having "bleeding edge" knowledge and understanding.

Enjoy your week and make an effort to read something that will help you gain a better understanding on a new technology or one that you know little about today.

(side note---refreshing to see our Org has an official Blog now, http://blogs.mdc.mo.gov/blog/ another example of how our Org is changing in how we communicate with the world. )

TAFN

NO to Vista....

Was interesting to read the other day about the decision by the Olympic Committee to use XP as their OS for the upcoming Olympics. The article cited that they required a "reliable" solution and felt that Vista just couldn't provide that yet. Having said that, they did state that PC's with Vista would be available in some of the "less secure" areas of the campus....but that the tabulations, scoring, accounting, etc would all be done on machines running XP.

Additionally, the article pointed out that wireless networking was not part of their plan either. I found that interesting....as long as wireless technology has been out, it is still not accepted completely. But, I've often said...wireless has a very viable role to play in existing facilities especially. I believe it provides for opportunities to move forward without the additional expense of hard wiring in places where that could be cost prohibitive. Wireless is not currently, the "end all, be all"....but I still believe it is narrowing that gap considerably. Security concerns, bandwidth limitations, standards, etc have all grown a great deal over the past few years....we are closing the gap.

The takeaway? The latest new technology isn't for everyone (as is the case for the Olympics) but it does have its place. Through thought processes and honest evaluations about the benefits and limitations is a must. No need to steer clear, just because it's new....but conversely, the reason for bleeding edge should be compelling also.

TAFN

Training

No secret to anyone in the Technical Services Group that we have some significant projects to implement this fiscal year. In addition to just the technical challenges we must also consider the impacts to the customer. A few of our projects could impact our customers significantly....now we could discuss whether that impact is real or perceived...it really doesn't matter. Fact is, our customers will be looking to us for guidance and the "how to's."

As a result, our front line IT employees need to be pondering and planning for the eventual roll-out. Two specific projects come to mind immediately on the Desktop side: Exchange/Outlook and Office 2007. While Exchange is a just an email solution, it does have a little different look and feel than our current system. That fact will require some prep work by IT Staffers. Office `07, while just a newer version than our current product, it too has a different look and feel to it.

Part of the role we need to be playing is putting a game plan in place to also help the customer adjust quickly and smoothly to the looming changes. I'm aware some thought has been given to this "education" process already....but it is NOT complete. We have technical staff who interact with customers on a daily basis....they understand competency levels and typical issues encountered. We must have that input/suggestions/comments to ensure successful implementation. So speak up, provide your input and suggestions to ensure the projects success .

I eagerly look forward to the changes coming this fiscal year as I believe many of our projects are tied specifically towards the long term growth of this Agency. With some of these news tools in place, we are better positioned to help move the Agency forward and enhance the communication abilities both internal and externally.

TAFN

Poll

You may (or may not) have noticed the little poll I put up on this Blog site. I'm wrestling with whether or not to continue this Blog. If it doesn't help you do your job better or provide you with an enhanced understanding (or relevant information) to "work related" things...then it's not meeting the goal. Think about that thought and cast your vote if you would. Better yet, and I know for many of you that you're not ready to take that step, if anyone is willing to offer up some ideas of what would add value that would be great, but that really hasn't materialized just yet. The poll will provide some answers even without specific commentary...

TAFN

Back Again...

Well, I've made it back from my vacation time. I must tell you, it was a refreshing break...and thanks to those of you who asked about my time off. I appreciate your interest.

While vacationing, I had numerous opportunities to reflect on almost every aspect of my life...both personal and professional. (There is something about sitting atop the Rockies at 5:30 a.m. on a large rock overlooking the Arkansas River, facing east as the sun rises over the towering rock formations in front of you....that seem to put many things in perspective.)There are definitely some things there that I think I need to address. While I'll leave the personal things out, there are some professional things that I think other may benefit from hearing about....so over the course of time, I'll try to share a few of those things that I think should change and how I plan to go about it....of course this is an open Blog....so suggestions are always welcome.

The Integrated Data Framework (IDF) project is occupying quite a number of staffers' time presently and I don't see that going away any time soon. Integrating our data across the entire Agency is a good thing. This endeavor will allow access to up to date data from all corners of the Agency. While we may presently have such data, it is often is silos and not readily accessible. As Conservation, as a whole, grows beyond being more than just Hunting and Fishing organizations, timely/accurate data will assist in making faster more informed decisions. I can even envision a future that could include the networking of others into such a framework. Other State Agencies, other Conservation groups, etc....all in an effort to provide the latest, best information relative to the subject matter. This project is perhaps the groundwork to such a future.

-ON another note, we are short a Programmer in our Application Development group. We are hoping to fill this position with a person that embodies much of what we have been talking about here over the course of time. It's hard for State Agencies to compete salary wise with the private sector, but I feel if we can provide the other intangibles and a working environment that embraces change and rewards quality work...then we can attract the right people. Our work here is more than just writing code (in this case)....it's about Moving Conservation Forward. I'm anxious to bring the person who thinks along those lines...on board.

TAFN