Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To say things a little bit differently:

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !

Salut! Cheers! ¡Salud!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Losing sight of business

Early morning today on another casual and brief face to face chat reminds me of the fact that we loose sight of the nature of our business.

We are getting so used to be fixated on a set of screens day to day, that we forget what's behind all those screens. It is people, we all make the business.

From our micro-company to the largest corporations, none of those entities would exist without us.

Please go back to basics. People is the target, whatever our position is in this place; focus on people.

We'll find it more rewarding when we add the P factor to the routine equation.

Good job, people.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Winter approaching

I happen to live in a place where summers are great, but winters are, well... Winters.

As December approaches, winds are stronger, power lines get cut, rain makes some telecommunications spotty at the best of times; and when snow is finally here, it takes more time than average to get to the places we want to get to.

All these combined create an interesting array of corrective measures most of the times. So, we find ourselves immersed in a waterfall of tasks that prevent us from checking the scenery, an enjoy it.

Today, for instance, wind blew most of the day, and at times it joined forces with heavy rain. That made driving a nightmare. Walking commuters obviously paid a higher price.

However, it is until late at night that I find the whole thing beautiful. The rain is present and so is the wind. The temperature outside is nearing the point of freezing, but all in all the night is beautiful. Can't see stars, can't hear the birds or bugs, but even so, the blurry shape of distant trees moving in waves makes the landscape unique. The wind has brought distant scents of nature that we definitely can't appreciate on warmer days. All in all I just notice how little times we "stop to smell the flowers".

This is one of such moments I realize I've wasted so many precious moments thinking that it would be a waste of time to make a pause on daily chores and admire the surroundings.

Pretty sure my mind will be fresh and in better shape tomorrow after this delightful break.

(Sniff...) Hah... It takes my breath away.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

I hate Outlook

Well... I like it when I use it myself. But hate it when I or any of my peers needs to troubleshoot a client problem.

I do not really hate it now. I did before the 2003 edition, this one was ‘alright’ and presented a very useful interface and set of features. The most recent one is even more capable and useful than its predecessors, obviously; and most of its hidden features still lay dormant waiting to be discovered by most of us.

MS-Outlook is the most ubiquitous email program there is on businesses Windows computers: Although the 98 and previous versions seem to have disappeared entirely; I've seen 2000 editions, 2002 (XP), 2003 and up to version 2007. Outlook 2003 seems to be the most predominant version used nowadays.
Even so, most users do not know the real capabilities of the program. Most of us simply use it as a very basic email tool, and although we manage to quasi-configure it for our likes, or are able to change the main signature and a few other minor tweaks; less than 20% of its capabilities are put to work on an everyday basis.
From the technological behind-the-scenes point of view, there are so many items in the wish list and unanswered questions. Among them:
+ How come Microsoft did not make the installer for 2003 and mainly for 2007 convert the old PST file format version to the new at install/upgrade time?
+ How come it does not compress the files automatically?
+ Why it does not backup the files automatically?
+ How come the ribbon is only present when creating a new item and not on the main interface?
+ Why do we always have to have the main file open and it becomes kind of cumbersome to switch to a different file; if we so wish?

Although I use a couple of different product for my email; I’ve started to like Outlook for the other features such as calendar, to-do tasks, contact and mainly because of all the plug-ins and add-ons capable of taking advantage of Outlook. Needless to say, synchronizing to a Domino or Exchange server makes it even more powerful.
I’m eager to see the 2010 version which surely addresses most of these questions and wish list items (according to MS people, the 1st beta is “around the corner”).
Will this version convert me to an avid Outlook user? It depends: the price is still bloated and I’m used and very comfortable with the other products I use for email, contacts and calendar.

So, let’s see. The, umh, outlook for Outlook 2010 seems promising.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Feel like running, or praying, or simply thinking? But please do not give up.

This one is also great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfQbvn2ACzc

Lyrics:
Mother,
I've gotta get out of here
So I can save our family
From this poverty
And when I make my money
I'll send it back to you

Father,
Give me strength, I pray
I have to end this misery
It's causing too much pain
I'm gonna look for richer lands
Where the money's made

I'm gonna put my whole world
In your hands
I have to put my whole world
In your hands
In your hands

Mister,
Please let me work somehow
You've kept me waiting eighteen months
And still I'm not allowed
And every time you promise me :
"Not much longer now "

I've to put my whole world
In your hands
You've got my whole world
In your hands
In your hands
Listen to me, listen to me

Mister,
Mr ! You say you're trying
But don't you know my brother's dying
You say "It won't be long"

But why am I so cursed
For where I am born?

You've got my whole world
In your hands
I've had to put my whole world
In your hands
I'm gonna put my whole world
In your hands
I've had to put my whole world
In your hands
In your hands.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Aren't we lucky?

At soccer practice. A good break on the day and suddenly I have more information than I can consume in the palm of my hand: news, dozens of email messages, weather updates, a few text messages, facebook notifications, etc. And the ability to browse the Web if I'm inclined to.

Long are the days in which I would take a newspaper and browse thru its pages trying to find anything attractive to read. Or waiting for the evening news hour in order to be updated on world developments.

Nowadays even teenagers can get (and create) news or simple posts without even the need to know how to spell words. Pix, movies, short sentences... Whatever they can get from their phones and PDAs can easily and quickly be on the Internet.

The good news too is that we can as easily filter the information to the one we only want to receive.

We are SO lucky to live at this pace...
...sorry, gotta go. New message notification.

C U l8r.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sports and biz do not mix

Two months ago I attended a huge technology related event. The place contained more than 500 attendees, some very young, some others more mature.

At breakfast and lunch I looked for people I knew who shared the same interest I have. When I was unsuccessful in getting together with any of them I would look for an empty chair in a table with people my age or older. My intention to hear from them about industry trends and mainly business.

Much to my surprise, when trying to establish conversations about business strategies, modes, recent experiences and such; the topics would immediately switch to technical stuff of popular sports. I felt out of place when two or three of them started talking about the new guy(s) in the local team: names and last names were mentioned but none of those I'd recognize. I felt like an idiot when one of them asked my opinion about how the team would make this season; I felt blushing trying to answer a very simple question about something most of them knew about. I don't even remember my answer, just babbled about -as politely as I could- the unimportance of such topic to me.

They carried on, excluding me from the conversation from that point forward. I do not think any of them believed me when I pointed out there were way more important developments in our world than a sports team, whether local or not.

How is it that a “The Yankees won the series” headline is more attractive than knowing 700 people got their job back yesterday? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy success at sports and arts, but it is enjoyable when I or a member of my family or even a friend, or someone I know personally wins. But a bunch of unknowns?

Come on! Let's go back to what is really important in this life, that's the first step to fix the mess we've dumped our world in.

What was the score? ...or maybe I should ask first: what was the sport?

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Ubuntu 9.10 and Open Office 3.1

My little netbook working like a charm. I love this combination of technology: a very affordable long-lasting battery device that does not require an OS license neither an expensive Office product. It is even more powerful that a full fledged desktop system 5 years ago, at a less than 20% the price. All works, sound, video, wireless, and printing. What a wonderful machine.

My only wish is I could type faster on such a tiny keyboard; aside from that I could not be happier.

I am certain nascent companies that start using these elements and don't look back or to the sides to see what everybody else is using will be as competitive as any other organization utilizing commercial products. There is practically no difference now on the basic office applications and the way we use the Internet and email have become easier and more intuitive now. In a matter of a few years we will be able to open files created in a different platform without noticing any differences. THAT is the best thing about all this affordability and Open Source initiatives.

Thank you GNUses. You really did see the future long time ago.

Cheers!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Of secondary priorities

Strange how we tend to put thing in inverse order sometimes. We work like 19th century donkeys and some times more hours than what a healthy environment should be.
We answer the phone and/or reply to EM messages on our PDA even when we are supposed to be enjoying the game or watching our kids do a new trick.
Which begs the question: shouldn't we focus more on family 1st and work 2nd? What is it that forces us to check the screen at the slightest vibration or ring?

Sounding like a broken record, I've learned that work will be waiting for me every time. No matter how little or how much I accomplish today, tomorrow will be full of to do lists and new2 tasks too.

I am trying to focus more on enjoying my family yet again. I'm wishing me luck.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Stoic enterprises

It might seem like the R season is finally over. The victims of such couple of years we all know about will become just a memory in a few years.

However, as of today there are more SMEs wounded than we know. They are never mentioned in the news but only as a collective number on statistical presentations way after the fact. Some of them have presented a strong, fierce and very honourable fight. They’ve withstood their ground for most of the storm.

It is until now that the inflicted wounds start to become unbearable, the strength has waned and they are about to fall, or close their eyes never to open again.
I’ve seen a few of such warrior SMEs play the entire game with a drive to win right up to the final whistle. What a lesson.

I salute you all, great captains. Your members will disband perhaps but they know the quality of your leadership now. They will be back at first call, whichever boat you happen to get now.

Thanks for the active lecture, the inspiring show and the great relationship we made. I will be back too, just let me know you are ready to sail again.

With the uttermost respect and admiration,

Monday, November 2, 2009

Where are all the sales people?

Trying to establish a new partnership for a week now: they have been very slow to respond.

Not a surprise most of the times, but for some coincidental reason it is right now that we need to be able to provide some clients with the type of technology and products this particular partnership would make.

Strange: when you can offer good solutions to most clients, they seem not to need anything. Now that we can’t supply the specific products, most are demanding it.
Kindda Murphy’s law. Isn’t it?

Oh! Well...

Still waiting for the phone to ring or the email pop-up to appear.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Of long breaks and others

For how long can you hold your breath under water?

I felt as if I was doing just that, only this case I was not writing instead of not breathing. Kind of purposely, I did not do it partly because of business and partly to focus on reading what others in the field of IT were saying.

Well, there have been many developments happening, the Windows Seven launch and parties; new and more intrusive worms in the wild; more and more new companies offering cloud services, the list is endless and each time longer.

Praise for W7 has been the central topic for most. Although I have been using it for roughly a month now, I still have a wishing list that I suspect will take many months to be entirely checked off.
While it is true that W7 is better than its predecessors, the fact is that Vista should have been 2 years ago what W7 is now. Period.

There are so many topics to retake. I’ll start with something that ends in a “9.10”

What has kindda gone under the radar is Ubuntu. Putting aside the long times for downloading the image file (only when you do it on the launch date), the fact is that it is a breeze to install and use now. My Netbook is a Dell mini with only 4 GB HD, therefore the need for a small footprint OS, and one that simply works.
From the moment I created the USB bootable flash drive to the minute I declared my lil machine ready to start using it was just 86 minutes. Except –in my case- for a glitch that forces you to reinstall the wireless “proprietary” drivers; everything else went smooth. Easy wizard, quick process, nice graphics, … it comes with Open Office 3.1, Firefox 3.5, Evolution email... it's just great. Even adding a network printer is so quick, i.e. a newer HP p1505n is listed among hundreds of other brands and models, and works like a charm.

So, have you had enough already on W7 praise and critics? Check everything Linux, you won't be disappointed this time.

Promise.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Obsolescence

While swapping cars with one of my peers, I had to come back running and ask her to provide her keys for the second vehicle, which I did not bring with me. I started thinking about why we need keys for a car, and then some other similar parts/devices in order to start, turn on, or make something function.

With so much technology available nowadays, why do we still need to carry around metallic keys for cars? Or doors?
When visiting a hospital or business, why do we still need to sign on a sheet of paper at the reception to state our name and the reason for our visit? Most of the plastic cards we carry around already contain our main information, wouldn’t it be simpler to just swipe our ID or even a credit card to let them know who we are?
How about disks? CDs, DVDs, Blue-rays, etc. Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper for the big entertainment and software manufacturers to invest all that money spent on creation and distribution of such devices into networking technologies, so that we get the electronic files quickly and easily without the need to have to insert a piece of plastic into mechanical trays or slots?

How about newspapers and magazines? The Kindle is out, Sony Reader too, PDAs have better resolutions now... and we still receive newspapers and all kind of resource-intensive publications in our doorsteps and mailboxes. How come nobody in the newspaper industry distributes one of such readers just once? That would allow the unit to update daily or weekly using any kind of wireless technology, so that we do not have to recycle and waste so much every single day.

Have they ever read about what the words “vision” and “innovation” mean?

I could rant on and on with so many examples; I can’t believe we are almost into the completion of the first decade after the turn of the century and we are still carrying so much baggage from the previous one.

Well... you get the idea. I wish the next time you read about the latest innovations on these subjects you do it on a Kindle-like unit.

As the latest Mac ads state: Cheers! To innovation

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Being more mobile now

At kid's soccer practice. An entire hour to kill. The acquaintances I used to talk to have left. The other parents seem intent to either focus on watching their kids play or read magazines, write on existing documents and/or simply use that 20th century organic material they call Paper in one way or another.

I thought about bringing my netbook to reply to a few mail messages or simply craft a document or two while I wait and glance every so often to my child.

However, and despite the fact that the netbook is light and very portable, more and more I feel inclined to use a totally different device that does not require me to sit or find a flat or stable surface or position in order to type. I'm finding my PDA easier and easier each time.

From my first Palm Pilot Pro all through the changes to this BB, I've found that it's just a matter of getting used to any of such devices in order to become really productive. The new Palm Pre is out already and it has a keyboard! Long gone are those Styluses that helped us easily transition from that wood derivative I referred before to these amazing devices.

A month or so ago I posted a piece about how easy I found it to be to type and upload a Blog article created and uploaded entirely on my BB. I'm pretty sure that eventually will become the norm rather than the extreme.

True mobility. And simpler every time.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Technical training

I attended a 2-day event last week. The purpose of such was to “train” people on new or latest technologies and show what's coming down the pipe.

The topics were varied and the organization allowed attendees to choose from a variety of tracks throughout the day. I was in three different tracks; some of the topics were very technical and fast, non-understandable for the regular Joe, while others were simpler and better explained in the allotted time.

On my calculations, the number of attendees was around 800. During the presentations, on breaks between speakers, and at lunch time I spoke to some fellow technicians, engineers, consultants, contractors, business owners and such.
In the entire 2 days and despite my best efforts to pull information about it nobody touched on the business side of the -mmhh- business. The focus was on software, and the boxes that can use that software, and the interconnections between such boxes and so on...
But no Business Case. No comparison tables. No white papers on case studies –beta or not-. No ROI graphs.

Now don't get me wrong, on average it was good and most of the speakers knew their stuff and delivered very good sessions. However, there was nothing but tech talk all thru the event. There was mentioning obviously on companies already using this and that; and real demonstrations on existing systems working and so on.
However, I felt there was this need to know the appropriate application of all these new toys to real world cases; in brief I think I was expecting more than what they can really deliver. Or perhaps I wanted them to do my work: analyze technologies and crunch numbers to come up with such documents.

I might had simply made a mistake on the training and signed up for something I did not need or want.

Oh! Well... I will wait for such thing to come to my town.

Hope you do enjoy your events.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

September already

WOW! This has surely been the fastest year ever! I'm pretty sure our hours have been 59 or 58 minutes each …or so it feels.

We IT inclined people know that in economic slowdowns, after government and heath care, IT is the most resilient field there is nowadays. Even so, I know many peers and companies that constantly whine about our industry status quo.

Not me. I am so fortunate to work in good company, and working with great suppliers while servicing clients that I really like and who seem to like us too. We have been very busy each day. Not a single opportunity for slacking.
So, what is the fuzz about? With September, school starts, vacations end, fall is almost here, and then holidays abound. With all that coming down the pipe, there is no time for complaints.

Did I mention a few changes in the IT horizon will take place too? (Ubuntu 9.10, Windows 7)

So, sorry for the briefness. Work calls.
Enjoy being busy. If you are not, believe me it is your fault.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Where are we going?

Besides the myriad of applications that already exist for practically anything, the pace of new releases for, well… practically everything, is just amazing. How can we, humble IT Professionals keep pace with both the existing and mature applications in the marketplace; and on top of that learn or maybe just get to know the nascent programs that people find on the Web and simply start using?
Nowadays you can even find video clips explaining the way to utilize such applications, some of which are more complicated than others and require a good amount of hours to understand.
And this is just the beginning: all will be ported to the cloud and therefore the pace of releases and new applications will become exponentially faster. There is absolutely no stopping on this race; and the finish line is nonexistent.

Do not worry, though. All these new developments will become eventually so easy to use that they'll also be disposable.

Hang on tight. The whirlwind ride is just starting.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

True value

Last year I had to take a device for fixing to a shop that returned it to me in worse shape than before. Although it was working, I constantly had to tweak it so that it would work better for a while, then it would start the annoyance again. This situation took a few months, so I decided to take it back to the shop for them to fix it once and for all.
They inspected, tweaked, disassembled, put all back together and could not find a single problem, and returned it to me once again; just to have the same situation as before. Two months later I went to the shop: same story.

For the past month it was getting worse day after day. I decided I needed to fix it myself and so I purchased a kit that most likely would make it work as expected. Turns out I could not fix it, and made it worse; however, in so doing I realized the shop did not do things properly in the first place. Hence, the main failing component was in such a poor shape that practically just touching it made the whole thing collapse. It would have been so easy and cheap for the shop to simply replace such part and really fix the problem.

I spent countless hours dealing with what was such an easy fix. I felt like suing the shop, or starting a bad publicity campaign on-line; or simply get there and shout to the owner, the technicians, and everybody who would port the shop logo.

I did not do anything: partly because I have better things to do with my time, and mainly because the headaches associated with any of such actions would have made me older in a matter of a few months.
I decided to swallow all of the time wasted, the money lost and all. I went to a different shop to have it fixed knowing that they would charge for the fix, but I'd much rather pay these unknown guys than going back to the original shop.

To my surprise, they accommodated my request in their busy schedule, had it seen before the expected waiting time, and fixed it in a matter of minutes. I was so glad I had it back in perfect shape that I was about to pay whatever fee I would see in the invoice.
Here comes the best part: FREE. They realized somebody else messed up long time ago, and without asking me anything simply replaced the broken part with a new one. Then they only asked me if I would be willing to come back to them for future service.

My gosh! They had me at the reception. I'm sold!
Kudos to such human and really service-oriented people.

That's what I call true value.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Dreading new Data Backup setups

I remember the old days when backing data up took not only lots of preparation in every sense, but also lots of time for practically every task associated with the process.
Choosing the right type of tape drive, then the software to be installed, configured, and finally monitored. The daily, weekly, monthly resources allocation for simply inserting, extracting, labelling, storing tapes was then replaced by either CDs and DVDs or HD cartridges. The options for backing up to these would range from very expensive-corporate-like products, to affordable-but-difficult proprietary packages.

Lately, most of the big names in data backup have finally switched their attention to NAS and external Hard Drives. Finally! ...a little too late though.
Last year I set into production our first Windows 2008 Server box. A few months ago I used its Data Backup console to set a scheduled job that has been working like a charm. I already tested the data recovery and all; all just works. So, no extra software to be purchased, no hassle.
Today, I added a 2nd drive to the equation; I expected a somehow difficult setting having the existing job not interfere with the new. I was surprised to find that I could simply add the second drive to the existing schedule with not much thinking or tweaking.

I dreaded this task for a couple of months, I even avoided it somehow. It is SO easy now to manage all these tasks that I wonder why it took so long to the BU SW manufacturers to get to this. Mind you, this is a Microsoft product (service).
Not dreading anything anymore.

Next “complex” task, here I come!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Windows 7 is finally (?) coming

Strange, isn't it? We all expected the next generation of the most popular OS to be released by March or April 2010; however, strong competition (Fedora, Suse, Ubuntu and Chrome OS) and pressure for both consumers and corporations have made Micro$oft release it sooner than that. No fancy or strange name, not much of a fanfare; but rather a product that seems more like an apology than an offer.

I have worked, tested and experimented all Windows versions of XP (even 64b); Vista Standard, Home, Business and Ultimate (even 64b); and some of the 7 Beta and Release Candidate (even 64b).

I see Seven as Vista SP3. I know there are many behind-the-scenes improvements on security and networking on Seven, but most of the ‘new’ noticeable features in it are just what we were hoping for in Vista a couple of years ago. For those of us that use Linux or Macs, we only can wish some of the very useful tools on these could be at least be imitated by Seven. Not many new features in that department.

1st disappointment: WinFS is not in it yet.
2nd: if only Seven could be as fast and easy as XP on connecting to networks…

Oh! Well. I've set my eyes on Windows 8. I'm sure THAT ONE will be a real competitor to the nascent Chrome and the ever-more useful Ubuntu.

The wait is on.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Easy tasks

Wow! I must be very old by IT Professionals' standards.

See, yesterday and today I've been doing tasks that a few years ago simply would cause anybody to plan very carefully the best course of action. It has become second nature to just start doing those for me. No planning, no worries, no scares.
I guess that's what experience really is: an accumulation of practice in order to make permanent.

And then, the new technologies are the ones that scare me. Therefore, since most of my experience and specialization are becoming obsolete; I must continue doing these now menial and boring tasks. I simply don't dare touch the new stuff.

Business does not change, fortunately. So, creating quotations, proposals and reports is something I still enjoy. Good thing these do not change much. Just the wording, the new names of devices and software versions and the strange labels attached to older firms' products that have been acquired by bigger fish.

So, it's businerdss as usual.

Good.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Email programs and devices

I just found out I use a variety of methods to send and receive email messages for/on my main email account:
If checking via web browser, my hosting company allows me to choose between Horde, Roundcube and Squirrel.
On my Windows server, I use Eudora
On my Vista/W7 Laptop, I use Thunderbird and/or Lotus Notes
On my Ubuntu laptops, I use Evolution
On my PDA, I use Blackberry email
I think on the family desktop I've also used Outlook, but that has been for testing purposes only
So, at least 9 different ways to use the same service. And that's only one account (on last count, among business related, associations' and free ones, I have at least 15).

No wonder people gets confused by my variety of fonts, features, signatures, looks, and all.

Wait! I need to send me an EM reminder about standardizing my signature. Chat soon.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Mellow tasks

I dunno about you but it's incredibly hot in my city these days. I am able to work remotely today and I do not know whether that's a good thing: my place does not have any air conditioned and my only source of breeze is open windows. I’m pretty sure the office and perhaps even the servers’ room is cooler than here.

Which makes me work slower than usual, despite the fact that I am mainly writing email messages, checking logs and applying updates. No physical movement practically, and even so I’m sweating.

Seems like everybody else feels the same; I have received only 2 phone calls in the day and have made two others myself.

After a cold lunch I decided to take my laptop somewhere else; found a nice park with plenty of families gathered around the kids’ water park, the shadows of a tree and the wind have made my workday more enjoyable. I even found a couple of open shared WiFi signals. Whoever is “Judds” thanks a lot for making my day nicer.

At my place I have a secured wireless network but also provide a secondary open signal. I've been fortunate enough to be able to find a way to connect through somebody else's router and therefore I offer mine in return. It is just nicer to share.

Shouldn't it be like this? It costs us nothing to simply open a channel for other to make their life easier, the same way the Open source community works towards a better world, we all can offer whatever we can to others. It just makes sense in my view.

I’m still mellow, but at least a smile is present.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

What a month!

Well, now I know how it happens that all of a sudden varied situations accumulate and make one’s life… mmh, interesting; to say the least.

Just a month ago I knew that week would be hard and fast: I ran a half marathon on Sunday, woke up incredibly early on Monday to install/merge a server into an existing network, along with making everything in the network work flawlessly that same day. All that on top of the regular weekly duties, and having to prepare a presentation for a 40 attendees’ audience the next week.

All would have been alright save a few hours shaved from my daily sleep, however, sky fell when my partner had to leave in a sudden trip that would make me work twice as much for 5 days.

I learnt that one can do so much when under pressure, but also know that we need to rest in order to recharge and be at 100% level. It is until this week that I feel I’m finally catching up to everything –including sleep-, so then I need to come back to running, reading, and writing.

So, please understand it has not been a lack of desire that has putting me away for so long: it’s been simply, life.

Thanks for your patience!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

River view

About to leave a branch office, the car is parked in a parking lot that oversees a huge river. For whatever reason it always catches my attention and I find myself looking up the river.

There's nothing that links me to it in any way. However, every time I'm here I feel strongly connected to the river. The view is not great, there's nothing artistic or picturesque about it. Yet here I am again and again trying to decipher the message it's trying to convey...

The other day I took a picture to send it to somebody I care about, and then when checking the picture after I did, I felt like a stupid because there is absolutely no way anybody would find anything interesting on it; save some engineers looking at a couple old bridges.

The point here is that I disconnect from work and other worries each time I'm here. In fact, I feel so relaxed and at peace that I had the time and inclination to write and post this entire piece on my PDA.

Not bad for a grammar and orthography freak. ;)

Find your relax spot!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The train...

Here I am stuck in traffic realizing I need to really start doing something about not having to drive a car everywhere.


While all I can do is listen to music, watch the vehicles around me and realize by focusing far in the distance the "problem" is a long train crossing, all my mind can really do is try to count its cars. Kind of easy, they are all different colours and shapes, one after another, a parade of steely objects all linked together and part of a whole.

What would those cars be unhooked?

Just like our thoughts and actions, they do really belong together. One after another they form and shape whole ideas and developments. They become actions that create value once we implement them; some even need more than ourselves to come to fruition, others grow by hooking up to somebody else's train cars and becoming part of their trains.

Keep it growing. Your train will look nicer with more cars of different shapes and colours. Make it so that your cars become somebody else's train too. And more importantly, allow other's trains to join yours and become a longer one.

Move your train; allow others to count your cars.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Planning and the consequences of not doing it

Have you ever heard the 80/20 rule? About how most of the time 20 percent of people perform 80% of the work?
How about the “1 hour of planning saves 8 in execution”?
Yep. I have too.
Even so, and despite the fact that I know these, have some diplomas, have worked in many different fields, postgraduate studies, decades of work experience, etc. etc. I keep falling prey of my own rushed decisions.
Here we are again, operating in crisis mode all the time. Something crashed and everybody is upset and demanding to be back and operational in as little time as possible; which makes me apply band-aids to the problem instead of really fixing whatever is wrong once and for all.
And then, we come back again and again to slowly and painfully fix what we didn’t properly in the first place. Worst, every time we are back to the problem we are regretting our inaction and inability to plan and set things right.
When will I learn? Some people look up to me for advice and I give it as if was my gift to know it all and as if I never made any mistakes.

My gosh... do I really need to be born again? Do you have some advice for me? I think I need to hear from you now.

...oh! Excuse me; they are calling me again... I need to go back there and continue the patching. C U soon.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The most deafening sound...

The most deafening sound of all: silence.

Friday, June 5, 2009

System is dead... next!

Maria cried for an hour after receiving the news that her laptop hard drive was damaged beyond repair. Not that it could not be sent to a data recovery lab, just that the company did not consider it necessary. She then received a brand new laptop with the latest OS, latest Office Suite, fastest processor available and a hard drive that had 8 times more capacity than the dead one.
Inconsolably, she said “...and I've been so busy that had not had time to make a data backup for the last month.” Turns out she did not backup her files for more than 3 months.
Now she faces the multiple challenges that come with the adoption of a new system, or a new process, or a new technology... a new everything. She will learn to live with that while recreating and salvaging whatever she can from the old backup. Practically a new job.

However, despite the fact that this change was “enforced” on her, isn't it the same with our everyday life that we face new situations and challenges?

Dust settles down and we are ready to start the new cycle. Turn the page, take the plunge, close the loop, check off the date, kiss it goodbye, resign the game or announce check mate, open that door, smell the flowers, check the scenery...
It is not that bad, is it? Just start the next chapter of your life. It is in fact the continuation of your steps: glance at the Km mark and realize that you are closer to the finish line.

Whatever it is you are getting today: a new system, a plan, a challenge, a task, a friend, a project, an idea. Just take it as a man, take it as a woman. Just take it.
Make sure the next chapter is based on the previous ones, just richer and more entertaining. You have all the material to create it so.

Take it with a smile! :D

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The future...

I saw the future such a long time ago that I have already forgotten how it is.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Latest Service Packs and OS versions

Aside from the other departments, on mine I have constant access to 7 different computers. A couple of them have dual-boot capabilities. All in all, and due to the fact that for the last 2 weeks major software manufacturers have released latest patches and versions; I have
Ubuntu 9.04 version on 32b machine
Ubuntu 9.04 amd64 (w Open Office 3.0)
Windows 7 Ultimate Release Candidate 64b
Windows Vista Business Service Pack 2 32b
MS Office 2007 Service Pack 2 on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 64b
MS Office 2007 Service Pack 2 on Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (x2)
…and a barebones 32b Linux install for a UTM-like computer

All works. Some computers are extremely fast (64b.) Others look real nice thanks to the new graphic capabilities and so on.
So, for the last couple of weeks, as time allows at breaks and evenings I have been playing with most of the new features.
So what? What’s new under the sun?

I do not know what I have been looking for being so prompt to download and install the latest and greatest. I think it was a hidden desire to find something, anything positive in such latest news turmoil …

Did not find anything that would satisfy me.

I think the really important things in life are too distant from the latest bleeding edge technology. I just do not know where to look.

Oh! Well…

Will keep searching.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Good Society around me

I am fortunate enough to live in a city that not only encourages all peoples to migrate here, but actually welcomes them.
My coworkers, partners, clients, neighbours and everyone around me comes from diverse and unique parts of the world. The best? Despite and amidst all the negative news –exaggerated or not- about corruption, wars, hunger, illnesses and such; we all live in peace here.

I just realized how privileged I am to raise a family in such a multicultural mosaic. There are days in which I hear more than 12 different languages being spoken by simply passing by a plaza or just dropping off or picking up kids at school.

This song is a beautiful thought about what’s important in terms of tolerance and acceptance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJxstoRocHc
Lyrics here:
http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858715833/

Have a great day!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Burning desires

One of my subs came to me asking me to please copy a CD-ROM for him. Nobody in his department knows how to do it and even he having access to two computers he does not dare trying.

The fact is that he knows I am the most senior IT-related person around, and also that my computer is the most powerful in the building.
It has been a while since I copied a CD-ROM; a few years ago I would do that constantly, and for that purpose I had a DVD drive as Origin and a DVD/CD burner as the main copier.

Now I only have one unit. I have not had the need to do anything similar in a while, and the fact that both CDs and DVDs are being quickly replaced by flash drives, USB devices, Internet High Speed connections, etc. Keeps me wondering whether Blu-Ray Disks will be the last type of rotating device we will ever touch.

I can’t wait to see what the new technologies will bring in terms of audio and video. How many HD movies and pre-recorded events will a device connected to the TV set contain, say 5 years from now?
Neither I know.

As I extract the quickly and newly burned CD from the tray, scribble the title with a permanent marker on its surface, and put it in and old empty sleeve; I can’t help but wonder how far we have come on this field within just a couple of decades.

Here’s to more and amazing surprises in the near and far future.

Cheers!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Ubuntu and the Swine Flu

Ubuntu 9.04 was released last week. Good.
The main (only?) bug found so far has to do with the Adobe Flash Player not working in some systems.

After lots of forum contributing/checking, blogging about it, and trying installing and uninstalling packages, downloading latest Flash versions for different distros, reverting video drivers to earlier versions, etc… etc… Some guys already found the solution. Among them, in case you are reading this from a Linux x86 based putter: http://bugfixbug.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/ubuntu-flash-does-not-work/
(For a 64b system, simply uninstall: sudo apt-get remove swfdec-mozilla
And then reopen Firefox, let the system find and suggest to install the default player and voilá. It will work beautifully.)

Now back to the real world: Swine flu spreading quickly, mainly in North America.
Seems like the barrage of bad news will always override the good ones. No wonder Youtube and many other sites that provide “feel good” content are the most sought-after.

However, despite these news and all the other ones combined: economic downturn, hunger in Africa, extremists gaining ground…

Have you ever thought that we, the ones capable of being in front of a computer -perhaps even drinking coffee- are in fact, happy?
When was the last time you were hungry? Thirsty? Sick? Injured?

That’s right. I count my blessings, not my troubles.
Do you?

Cheers!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Getting "The Cloud

Microsoft is finally R&Ding, investing, and getting it on “the cloud.”
It’s a good thing. No matter how many years it took them to jump on the SAAS bandwagon, now most of what the populi is used to use, will be available through a browser.
It’s a good thing the mini-laptops debuted some months ago, that’s certainly a small push that helped the move gain momentum. Now that all HW is getting very affordable, and new versions more intuitive than previous OSs editions; we can swap Linux, MAC, and Windows computers without much hassle and be productive with any of those.
As it happens, M$ usually acquires companies that are spearheading a particular product or service and then applies its financial muscle and marketing expertise to make it the main or leading product in the marketplace. Expect MANY existing and new MS products running from ...ahem... Internet Explorer 8, or any recent browser.

Should we not follow this lead? My company, and many I worked before, still runs processes and systems that are very outdated. Not just the software systems, but the processes in acquiring and retaining clients are far from up to date. Many of such responsibilities and tasks rest on my shoulders, but without proper support from my fellow ‘mates I can’t make such changes alone.
We could easily eliminate tons of paper, electricity, and wasted time by simply starting a few changes that need to take place yesterday. For example, would you believe it is April 2009 and we still use a FAX machine!?

We do.

That particular device is my first target.

Friday, April 3, 2009

I’ve got a confession to make

Well, in reality I have lots of things I should confess. Just that I am scared to do.

Most of us have a few thoughts time and again about something wrong we did and keep thinking that it is better to continue hiding the truth because that way nobody will be affected. The thought that everything is fine the way it is somehow provides a false peace in which we immerse ourselves as in a public pool.
Like me, most of us think that it is alright to hide such things and not disclose them to the parties involved. Or better said, not disclose them to the parties not involved, but that somehow should be.

This is a mental and spiritual burden that is wearing us down, whether we notice it or not.
Don’t believe me? What keeps you up at night? Isn’t it related to those ‘secrets’? Good, you are leaving a legacy of goodness, honesty and integrity for your family and friends.
However, if it is... well, simply start unloading the sack. It is not that difficult. People you need to tell about it will be thankful; and you’ll sleep sounder.

Yes, I am not disclosing everything. Not right now. I mean, not everything at once: it is being done gradually and I’m starting with the simplest and easiest ones. With practice I will get better at facing those heavy demons that I’ve been carrying around.

Business related, although huge, are easy. Family... well, I’ll get there. I promise.

I hope you also feel lighter soon.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Let go.

In many fields, but particularly in this field of ours, we know there’s new tools released very often. We do not know how to utilize them, but we also know they will be easier to use once we acquire them. It only makes sense, aside from the fact that said tools will certainly come with newer features and more capabilities.

However, we find ourselves constantly (dare I say daily?) maintaining very old systems and processes.

Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we need it to be.
Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we are used to.

Yet we know that we would save lots of money, time, and effort by simply replacing those old implementations with more modern equipment. However, we seem to have this fear to try new things that the very thought of having to learn something new is dreaded.

And then, when we finally decide and get the newest tool, we usually find ourselves saying: “how could I live/work/be without this?”

Exactly the same happens with the mental baggage we carry everywhere: old feelings, old ideas, unchecked to-do items, worries that should no longer exist because the situation that created those have disappeared or changed... etc.
Why can’t we update them, replace them, or simply let them go?

I have decided to make an inventory of such items. My goal is to reduce that warehouse to 10% or less of what it contains today. As it happens when we move, a myriad of things will be there just taking space; plain garbage most of the times.
I know it won’t happen overnight, but I also know by the end of the year I will keep only the things that really matter to me in the present time.

I will, simply, let go.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Two ears as a prize

Did it ever occurred to you that the absolutely best trophy is not made of gold or similar, and might not carry a monetary value? that one the "matador" receives for abusing and slowly killing a bull:

Two ears. Although not usable, or maybe edible, he receives 2 ears.

Why is it so that many or our politicians and business decision makers do not get those? I'm pretty sure most would not understand the message; but a few that did would certainly start communicating better.

Ole!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Sorry state of the economy and heroes

No new car this year, rather we’ll fix the old Dodge ‘89.
Upgrades are up, complete systems purchases are put on hold, projects are being killed.
No more Starbucks cup every other day, the supermarket has a 907gm ground Arabica coffee can for just $6.00...
...and The Big Three Losers are receiving an injection typical of what happens in the once demonized socialists’ countries.

I can just barely imagine a similar scenario 10 years from now when Apple, M$, and ...er... Dell? Ask for a bailout of such proportions.

Us? Well... we purchased way more than what we could afford, and now that it is payback time we feel as if someone else has betrayed us.
Not to worry. We all big spenders are now HEROES.

That’s right, just check the headlines for the past dozen years and you’ll notice that all those soldiers, firefighters, policemen and civilians that have died being victim of top-layers politicians are not being called for what they are: victims. Rather, they have attached the HERO label on each of their last-time-written-somewhere names.

So, please do not feel bad. We all are heroes now. Although it was a self inflicted wound, we can consider ourselves saviours of our own self.
Give yourself a pat in the upper back, and next time you see yourself in the mirror state a heartfelt “Thank you for making me a hero.”

Now... the solution to this mess? Well, you know it, they said it: go back shopping and pay it all with the money you do not have. That’s what credit cards are for.
Duty calls. We all heroes have to chip in.

Happy spending!

Friday, February 20, 2009

I swear

Yesterday, one of my teammates said something to which nobody had an answer to. She swore in front of 9 other people.
A few months ago I watched the news and a politician was apologizing because she swore in public; or her words were caught by the microphones of the media.
Today, early morning the anchor guys at one of the radio stations my spouse listens to said that on average parents swear six days a week.

What all these people have in common is that they all think it is alright to swear; my teammate said, after a penetrating look asking her to refrain: “oh! Come on, don’t you ever swear?”
The politician did not apologize for swearing, her apology indicated that she was sorry she did it in public, remarking that WE ALL swear.
The radio anchors went on saying that it was normal, one of them said that he easily went over and above such average, while the other agreed that it is fine to do it from time to time.

Well... my dears, I do not do it.

The last time I remember doing it consciously was 20 or more years ago, when I was very young and therefore very s%$&#d.
Please know that, like me, there are thousands of people that do not use such language. We do not see the need, neither we find it appropriate in any way, not even to vent frustrations or anger.

Personally, it just is not part of my individuality.

So, swearers of the world, be aware NOT EVERYBODY SWEARS.

I am sorry I cannot swear that.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Printed world is dying.

I have in my hands the last PC Magazine printed issue, January 2009.

I received a few other business and technically oriented magazines for free. I mean, the subscription would cost something for someone that did not “qualify” for them, and one by one they were getting slim and sending out notices that the printed edition no longer would be available, and that I needed to opt-in for receiving such issues on-line.

But PC Magazine? My gosh! I was a regular subscriber to it for years! How am I suppose to read the subsequent issues when I want to read something while on the bus, the park, or the WC?
I just keep thinking about the implications this Internet revolution brings. I have seen such magazine get thinner and thinner in recent years, and heard about newspapers cutting editions to only three a week, or simply disappearing.

I live in a place in which Internet, middle class and telecommunications (i.e. BB, iPhone, etc.) abound. But what about those other places that do not have such luxuries? When I was a student, the only way I could get latest information about my studies and trends was by going to the public libraries, or getting to doctor’s offices and asking for two-month old magazines and the like. What about those countries in development which computer per person ration is less than 1/100?

I can’t imagine what it is going to be when printed products such as Time, The Economist, Vanity Fair and others simply can’t keep up with the cost and go entirely online. Somebody (are you RIM, Apple and Sony reading?) has to come up with a gadget similar to the one for eBooks; or adjust the existing ones for magazines, advertising included.

One thing is certain, we’ll save a lot of trees now. :) That is not bad at all.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Microphones are a powerful thing

Went to a Windows 2008 seminar, something related to the main advantages over previous versions and all the good new innovations and blah blah blah
Not that I know anything deep about such servers or their differences, but I was very close to the event place and they were offering free pizza and drinks.

While waiting for the start time, a few of us started a discussion on Microsoft’s latest products. Obviously Windows Vista popped up. The presenter (Frankie) had extol and nothing else for such a beast, praising its security features, new interface and a plethora of “under the hood” capabilities.
Windows 7 was obviously mentioned, and a good discussion started, with very good points from some of the attendees.
In my technology obtuse understanding of business, I mentioned the fact that Windows 7 equalled Service Pack 2 for Vista. Barely able to complete my sentence, Frankie snapped saying that they were different products and that there would be a SP2 for Vista - apparently before the V7 launch- and then an SP3 further down the road.
He might be right. After all he’s an MCSE (Micro$oft Certified Systems Evangelist)
But... is anybody in their right mind even believing that SP3 for Vista will ever see the daylight? Is there a serious business user that will wait for SP2 for Vista knowing that Windows 7 is already available?
After people switch all Vista computers to W7, and the older XP ones are replaced with new ones carrying W7, other PCs and more and more are swapped for Linux based and/or Macs, is there a remote possibility that Windows 8 will ever make it to our laptops and Nettops? (No more Desktops in 2012, except those that require a specific card for running a very specific application or device)

Coming back to the original issue. No matter who among the six of us was right, no matter who did his homework, has more experience, is smarter, or simply has a long term vision. The one that has the mike, has the power.
You notice it everywhere: radio talk shows, presenters, singers, comedians, etc.
They might not be the know-it-alls, but surely think they are because they hold the mike.

My suggestion? Next time you have to ask for a loan, make your point across, praise the superiority of the Amiga computer, or simply ask for a raise, do it with a microphone in your hand.

HAPPY SHOUTING!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Recession and the fired people

I got to the office late. And saw one of the doors that are never closed, closed.
I was partly curious aside from the fact that I needed to do some work in that place, so I went straight to open it, it was locked. I took the key to it and before I could open the boss went out and told me to please wait a few more minutes before I went in. I knew there was something going on in there.

Half an hour later I was able to get to the office and greeted Marisa. She was obviously upset, but tried to disguise her discomfort with a nice “good morning, how is your day going?” Atypical of her.

She was the kind of person that does not make teams. Most of the people in that particular office did not like her much, and my impression is that she never even noticed that. Of course, she’s not to blame for the way she was, despite being already in her thirties. I am pretty sure the environment she grew up in made her be such a person. It’s one of those things you notice when you meet someone for the first time: it is not easy to explain, but you just know their schooling or education at home was far from the best; but they can’t help it.

What stroke me the most was this: once I fully understood she was just being fired, I sat down and talked to her trying to convince her all changes are for better; I was cheering her up making her see all her blessings she counts on. She interrupted and changed subjects abruptly, and started explaining that she was the one that took the decision to leave, that she disagreed with the path the company was taking and a myriad of other observations that made me just stand there in awe and silence.

How is it that not even in these incidents of life we are not able to be a little more humble and accept our vulnerabilities? I’m sure if I was the one in that position I would be crying all day and all night and realizing how weak I am. It would be a life lesson that most certainly made me appreciate my family and other good things more, and surely would have taught me the fragility of work structures and the big hole we are getting in when somebody on the other side of the world screws up, affecting everybody else.

When I was finally able to say something, I wished her luck in her new endeavours, and left the place. I wish she thought long and hard on her way home about such attitude, and that her kids saw and heard a hurt person instead of a “winner.”

I just don’t get society.