tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32323549483383164242024-02-10T13:49:55.913-08:00Random Thoughts & Ramblings on Scripting, Coding, PM, ITSM, & ITILJay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-65051774071806255852011-04-14T14:36:00.000-07:002011-04-14T14:36:48.218-07:00The Hacker Spirit Alive in Lybia..."How Libya’s Rebels Got Their Cell Service Back"This is so very cool!<br />
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"<i>The rebels effectively stole the Libyana cellphone network, which services over 2 million Libyans, out from under a Tripoli-based corporation run by one of the dictator’s sons. Their sponsors trucked telecom equipment across the Egyptian border and set up new infrastructure, allegedly thanks to the Emirati communications company Etisalat, and stole a database of phone numbers from Libyana so its customers could make and receive calls on the new “Free Libyana” network.</i>"<br />
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"<a href="http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/04/how-libyas-rebels-got-their-cellular-service-back/">Wired: How Libya’s Rebels Got Their Cell Service Back</a>"Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-27118266165996585892011-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:002011-04-13T14:01:52.780-07:00To the CLOUD!Working with smaller companies and non-profits recently has sent me into the "cloud" to look for affordable solutions for a variety of services. Shared file storage is one of those. S<br />
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Specifically I have been comparing SugarSync and Dropbox. On one project we went with SugarSync, the other Dropbox. They are pretty similar in functionality. SugarSync adds some flexibility in what is shared that I really like. However, this added flexibility comes at the cost of usability for extremely non-technical users.<br />
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When considering cloud storage, one of the things you have to balance is security vs. cost and convenience. I would never recommend cloud storage for highly sensitive data, but it is secure enough for most of the needs I have currently. <br />
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However, it may not be as secure as some think...<br />
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In an article in Inforworld they point out a fairly rudimentary design flaw, or perhaps intentional oversite (or perhaps even simple laziness) that conceivably compromises Dropbox even more than many are comfortable with. Check it out, it's worth the read, if you too are looking towards the cloud for your storage needs...<br />
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<a href="http://www.infoworld.com/t/data-security/popular-cloud-sync-app-raises-security-fears-776?page=0,0&source=IFWNLE_nlt_blogs_2011-04-13">Popular cloud sync app raises security fears</a>Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-45860601381639376922010-05-01T18:15:00.001-07:002010-05-01T18:15:55.703-07:00Quote of the Day:"Confidence comes not from always being right but not fearing to be wrong" ~ Peter T. McintyreJay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-87913234875946626662010-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:53:37.449-07:00Project Management Framework – PMP Project Management Scope & Time TerminologyHere is a short study guide that covers the terms used for scope and time planning in Project Management, based on PMBOK (4th edition).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.techmentor.com/downloads/pmp-guides/PMScopeTimeTerminology.pdf">Planning – Scope and Time Terminology</a>Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-33292744272335335132010-04-30T13:00:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:02:32.490-07:00Project Management Framework – Introduction to PMP Project Management Terminology.Here is a short study guide that covers the introductory terms used in Project Management, based on PMBOK (4th edition).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.techmentor.com/downloads/pmp-guides/IntroductionProjectTerminology.pdf">Introduction to a Project – Terminology</a>Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-16011422275803634442010-04-30T12:52:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:02:02.223-07:00Project Management Framework – Activities Categorized by Process Group and Knowledge Area.Based on the Fourth Edition PMBOK, this chart demonstrates which activities fall into the five Process Groups and nine Knowledge Areas.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.techmentor.com/downloads/pmp-guides/PMFramework.pdf">Project Activity Chart</a>Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-61939352180104540112010-04-30T01:06:00.001-07:002010-04-30T01:06:42.192-07:00Quote of the Day“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” ~Winston ChurchillJay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-64000331765234313362010-01-28T17:13:00.000-08:002010-04-26T00:34:32.809-07:00Communication: The "People Factor"<em><blockquote>"Long ago, I realized that my communication style was one of my greatest weaknesses. Because of this, I challenged myself to become an expert communicator. I read books, took classes, observed people, and studied my own failures. I’m still a long way from being an expert, but I am also a long way from where I used to be.<br /><br />I have learned a lot over the years and I would like to share those discoveries with others. That is why I have decided that communication will be one of the topics I intend to cover in this blog. Occasionally I have even experienced one or two of those “Ah Hah!” moments. Over time, I hope to share many of the lessons that I have learned and maybe one of my readers will have one of those moments too."<br /></blockquote></em>Currently, I am leading an effort to “improve” organizational communication between the various leaders in an organization and a broad base of volunteers, members, interested parties, and the local community. This assignment has many familiar challenges -- and a few new ones.<br /><br />In the corporate environment developing a communication plan is a complex undertaking. This is especially true when working with a global company. We find ourselves dealing with multiple time zones and cultural differences. These two factors alone, if not specifically addressed, can lead to delays of multiple days and misunderstandings. There are often attempts to address these challenges through technology. The use of video conferencing, e-mail, instant messaging, conference bridges, etc. is often viewed as the solution for our communication problems. However, these are simply tools, not solutions. They ignore the “people factor.” In fact, they alone introduce as many challenges as they resolve.<br /><br />Once we learn that technology alone cannot solve our problems we often turn to trying to address cultural differences. Yet again, the lesson we learn is that cultural education goes a long way towards helping us understand the people we are attempting to communicate with, but it is also just another tool, not a solution.<br /><br />Regardless of geography and culture, the one thing that we all have in common is that we are all individuals and we all have our own unique communication challenges. Some people don’t like to use the phone and won’t return phone calls. Some people are intimidated, or overwhelmed, by e-mail and can’t effectively communicate that way. Some people are “night people” and can’t think clearly on that 4:00am conference call, while others are morning people and can’t stay awake for the midnight conference call. Some people expect information on every detail, while others are happy with a bullet-list summary. Some people prefer a face-to-face conversation, while others prefer to take time to digest what they have heard and take time to organize their thoughts and draft a response.<br /><br />As individuals, project managers, and leaders it is critical that we get to know those that we must communicate with. We must tailor our communications to meet their needs. We don’t have the luxury of not using the phone, not using e-mail, or not having a face-to-face conversation. If we don’t step out of our comfort zone, we fail to keep others informed, we fail to stay informed, and we risk our own failure.Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232354948338316424.post-79699851365608577972009-10-15T11:30:00.000-07:002010-04-26T00:35:08.787-07:00In the Beginning...<em> <blockquote><em>I can’t think of a more appropriate way to start this Blog off than by sharing some thoughts that I also shared at my father’s memorial. I feel it develops a strong foundation for a lot of what I hope to say in the future.<br /></em></blockquote></em><br />When I was a young child my father worked in a service station. This was when a service station was just that. There was no AM/PM, Taco Bell, Carl's Jr, or Baskin-Robbins attached. It was a sheet metal building with a glass front and a garage, used for repairing cars. There was no little booth with bulletproof glass. There wasn't some idiot sitting in said booth that didn't know the difference between the hood and the trunk of a car, not even capable of changing a cash register tape, and afraid for his life to leave. There wasn't even pay-at-the-pump. This was when you pulled up and a guy, or two, came out and pumped your gas, checked your oil, checked your tires, and washed your windows. I spent many days sitting in the office with a coloring book and watching the goings on. What I remember the most is the energy and enthusiasm of the employees. Even in the nastiest weather there were smiles coupled with friendly greetings. They had a strong commitment to seeing that the customer’s vehicle was in safe, working order prior to leaving the lot. This was the greatest.<br /><br />When I got a little older, early grade school, my father began working for my grandfather (my mom's dad). My grandfather owned Tire Sales and Service and specialized in servicing big rigs. One of my father's main duties was to get up in the middle of the night and track down some poor trucker that was stuck in the boons with a flat tire. At that point in my life the greatest thing was to have my father wake me up in the middle of the night to go with him. My job was to hold the flashlight so he could see while he changed the enormous truck tire. If I was good and actually pointed the light at the flat tire, a rare event, I was allowed to "shift gears" on the way home. I'm surprised that old truck’s transmission survived. That, as all good things eventually came to an end. What I remember most about that was the look of relief on the trucker’s face, as he saw us pull up, and the gratefulness he expressed when we were done and he could get back on his way. It made me feel that at that moment in time we were the most important people in the world for that man and we had the serious responsibility of getting him quickly and safely back on the road.<br /><br />After the stint with the tires, he got a job as a manager of his own station. I spent many of my late grade school and junior high days working at that station. Sometime in the middle of that my parents got divorced. Because of this, the time working at that service station meant so much more to me. Hey what could be better than getting paid to hang with my dad, pump gas, wash windows and work on cars? It was a small neighborhood station and most of our customers were “neighbors.” Many were also elderly. They also relied on us to keep them safe and they trusted us to not take advantage of them. What I remember most about these years were the relationships that were developed. How important these relationships were, with both customers and vendors, I will never forget.<br /><br />When high school came, my mother and stepfather packed us up and we moved away. When looking for a job in high school, I quickly found that the only thing I was qualified for was working in a service station. I got bitter. I hated the job and resented the fact that I couldn't do better. This coincided with the purchase of my first motorcycle. It was my only form of transportation. I rode to that horrible place in rain, hail, and snow. The longer I worked there the more bitter, and later humiliated, I became. What I now remember most about that part of my life is how easy it was to forget all I had experienced and learned.<br /><br />As I got older, I found myself embarrassed by my past as a "pump jockey" and father’s chosen career path. I swore that I'd do better for myself. One evening, after getting my own gas, and noticing the poor guy that sat cold and shivering while hiding behind the glass, I began to realize how ludicrous those festering feelings were.<br /><br />Much of whom I have become, and most of my professional success, is owed to those early lessons. I learned the things I needed to get me where I am. I learned how to "cash out" a register; you'd be surprised how many high school graduates can't count a cash drawer. I gained the mechanical confidence to allow me to work on my own cars, trucks, and motorcycles. This confidence allowed me to move into computer repair and later system administration. Most importantly I learned a work ethic that includes dedication, professionalism, personal responsibility and accountability, and also the value of quality customer service and careful listening. These are probably the most valuable lessons I could have learned. These are lessons that many of the younger, college graduate, professionals I meet have failed to learn.<br /><br />Before my father finally retired he worked for a company that owned and leased several gas stations in Oregon and Washington. My father was a dealer representative for many of these stations. To him, his "customers" were #1 and his first priority was to make them successful. From what I can tell, he was darn good at it.<br /><br />My father is gone now and as I reflect we really weren’t all that different. I have managed IT organizations, and projects, with multi-million dollar budgets. I'm there to make my customers successful as well. Yes, I will always be very proud of my father. Also, I can't thank him enough for all that I've learned from him.Jay Eversonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05622061468028765473noreply@blogger.com1