Who really knows what's on the road ahead or where it's going to take us. Some people are not able to handle sudden changes, while others just accept the change and move on.
Accepting the change can be a challenge because of all the unknowns that are involved. I know I am one of those that likes to know some of what is ahead. In our life as IT professionals, we must try and foresee what's ahead sometimes, so we can handle the change and run with it.
The current road for IT professionals has lots of different curves and bumps involved, but it's the handling of them that sets people and companies apart. Having the ability to accept some change and learn about it is extremely important. Individuals or companies that just stick with the old ways of doing things will either fail or will eventually have to adjust and have a hard time doing so to meet the needs of their clients, or they risk losing their clients.
Being able to slowly adjust to the current changes in IT makes it a lot easier to handle. Knowing that IT is going to keep evolving is something to accept and is a road that needs to be taken, and how to handle the changes is up to you.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
How open a book are you to strangers?
This is a question that started being asked while looking through social networking sites. The article was titled this because of what people are doing through the social networks. It is totally amazing how much information a person posts thinking that only their friends will see it.
We decided to watch what a couple of our friends posted, and boy did we ever learn a lot, even when looking as just an anonymous connection. Examples of what we saw were being able to locate them at various times during the day as well as figure out their upcoming events. One person even posted what they would be doing on the Labour Day weekend, so people knew when they would be home and away, therefore communicating when their house was empty. This post was sent a couple of days before the weekend instead of after the weekend. If people want to post their events in their status line, it is best to post them there afterwards.
So many posts are telling people when their house will be vacant. One social network site did tell people to stop posting their whereabouts, but it still continues. These are the people that if something happens to them are going to say I didn't realize what I was doing. Posting where you are at various times of the day makes you very traceable. Can someone tell when you leave your home, arrive at work, leave work, attend other events and then arrive home? If you post your location more than once a day, the answer is likely "Yes". Some people are even using applications that map where they are at a given time. If you do this daily, people can monitor it for a couple of weeks and therefore know your daily and weekly routines.
People want to tell their friends what they are up to, but not everyone on the social networks are there for good. On some social networks, you don't even have to be connected with an individual to see what they post. Even if you believe your posts are private today, there is no guarantee that they won't be made fully public tomorrow.
The management of posting on social networks needs to be communicated to employees of companies as well, so that staff is not posting confidential information on the social networks. So many people figure that they can trust everyone who can see their posts, but that isn't true. Some people try to friend everyone and some of these people they don't really know, so how can they really trust these people. How many people friend anyone even if they don't know them, just so they have hundreds and hundreds of friends or followers (too many)?
Another interesting item is that people use their corporate identity for their personal comments. Remember, if you say something in fun to someone, it could damage your professional identity as other people do see it. Never post comments about a company on the internet if it isn't part of your job, as it could be there forever. A company's identification should be used for professional use, such as announcing different events, example restaurants or retailers announcing events. It is very important to remember that a single comment on a social network could damage a person both professionally and personally, such as get you fired (or worse).
A key piece of information that people don't realize is that if they post their address and/or their date of birth including year or your mother's maiden name, they are giving away enough information for identify theft. If you want to include your date of birth, just post your day and month. Your friends will know how old you are, and other people don't need to know this information. Other pieces of information that you should not post are where your children go to school, activities they are involved in, or their date of birth. Imagine their surprise if, when they try to get credit in the future, they find out that someone has been using their identification for years and no one knew. A second reason for not posting a lot of information about your children is that this information then is totally available for people that could harm your children.
So before you become a victim, please limit what you post on social networks sites because you don't know who sees it. Remember, even your blog can be read by anyone, so a lot of the tips apply to blogs as well.
A door with a lock is no more secure than a door without one, if the lock is not engaged. Are you using your locks or are you leaving your doors open with banners overheard saying "pick/steal me"?
We decided to watch what a couple of our friends posted, and boy did we ever learn a lot, even when looking as just an anonymous connection. Examples of what we saw were being able to locate them at various times during the day as well as figure out their upcoming events. One person even posted what they would be doing on the Labour Day weekend, so people knew when they would be home and away, therefore communicating when their house was empty. This post was sent a couple of days before the weekend instead of after the weekend. If people want to post their events in their status line, it is best to post them there afterwards.
So many posts are telling people when their house will be vacant. One social network site did tell people to stop posting their whereabouts, but it still continues. These are the people that if something happens to them are going to say I didn't realize what I was doing. Posting where you are at various times of the day makes you very traceable. Can someone tell when you leave your home, arrive at work, leave work, attend other events and then arrive home? If you post your location more than once a day, the answer is likely "Yes". Some people are even using applications that map where they are at a given time. If you do this daily, people can monitor it for a couple of weeks and therefore know your daily and weekly routines.
People want to tell their friends what they are up to, but not everyone on the social networks are there for good. On some social networks, you don't even have to be connected with an individual to see what they post. Even if you believe your posts are private today, there is no guarantee that they won't be made fully public tomorrow.
The management of posting on social networks needs to be communicated to employees of companies as well, so that staff is not posting confidential information on the social networks. So many people figure that they can trust everyone who can see their posts, but that isn't true. Some people try to friend everyone and some of these people they don't really know, so how can they really trust these people. How many people friend anyone even if they don't know them, just so they have hundreds and hundreds of friends or followers (too many)?
Another interesting item is that people use their corporate identity for their personal comments. Remember, if you say something in fun to someone, it could damage your professional identity as other people do see it. Never post comments about a company on the internet if it isn't part of your job, as it could be there forever. A company's identification should be used for professional use, such as announcing different events, example restaurants or retailers announcing events. It is very important to remember that a single comment on a social network could damage a person both professionally and personally, such as get you fired (or worse).
A key piece of information that people don't realize is that if they post their address and/or their date of birth including year or your mother's maiden name, they are giving away enough information for identify theft. If you want to include your date of birth, just post your day and month. Your friends will know how old you are, and other people don't need to know this information. Other pieces of information that you should not post are where your children go to school, activities they are involved in, or their date of birth. Imagine their surprise if, when they try to get credit in the future, they find out that someone has been using their identification for years and no one knew. A second reason for not posting a lot of information about your children is that this information then is totally available for people that could harm your children.
So before you become a victim, please limit what you post on social networks sites because you don't know who sees it. Remember, even your blog can be read by anyone, so a lot of the tips apply to blogs as well.
A door with a lock is no more secure than a door without one, if the lock is not engaged. Are you using your locks or are you leaving your doors open with banners overheard saying "pick/steal me"?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Setting priorities
This last weekend, I thought that I was going to recharge my brain, but must admit that it didn't happen as planned. I know part of that is my own fault because I didn't set the recharge as a priority for myself.
I am one of those that tries to make sure that everything is done that involves others, but I forget that I need to focus on myself sometimes to get that recharge that everyone needs. It's been a challenge for me to remember that I need to put myself first sometimes, and I am slowing learning that if I want to have the energy to do everything else I need to put myself first, so I can recharge.
The goal over the next few days is to try and focus some time on things that I want to do for myself and make sure that I take those times as I know it will help me in the long run. I am putting this in writing so that I make sure that I do it and over the next three days which includes today I am setting aside 3 hours each day to do things for me. Now, to make sure that I really do this, I am going to set appointments with myself to ensure that I remember to take this time.
The me time is going to be set aside to try and write a bit more than I have done lately, or even to read or to do anything that is just for me. Appointments have been set until Friday of this week, so will see how it goes and will post an update after this week is up.
I am one of those that tries to make sure that everything is done that involves others, but I forget that I need to focus on myself sometimes to get that recharge that everyone needs. It's been a challenge for me to remember that I need to put myself first sometimes, and I am slowing learning that if I want to have the energy to do everything else I need to put myself first, so I can recharge.
The goal over the next few days is to try and focus some time on things that I want to do for myself and make sure that I take those times as I know it will help me in the long run. I am putting this in writing so that I make sure that I do it and over the next three days which includes today I am setting aside 3 hours each day to do things for me. Now, to make sure that I really do this, I am going to set appointments with myself to ensure that I remember to take this time.
The me time is going to be set aside to try and write a bit more than I have done lately, or even to read or to do anything that is just for me. Appointments have been set until Friday of this week, so will see how it goes and will post an update after this week is up.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Brain overload
Ok, I admit it that right now I am dealing with brain overload. I think part of it is I need a vacation, and another part is I have too many ideas floating around in my head.
I have been looking at blank pages on my computer and my iPad and nothing has been written, but the ideas are in the brain fighting to come out. People think it's easy to write, but some days it's a lot harder to make sense of anything.
Lately I have been trying to focus on the easier things that make me happy, hoping that it will assist in getting the brain in some order, but so far, no luck. I think I need to just write all the little bits of ideas down and see what happens with each of them. Some may end up as something while others may end up in the garbage, but that's fine.
So for the next couple of weeks I am going to focus on relaxing and see how that helps. Maybe just giving the mind a bit of a break is all that I need. I will always have something to record my thoughts handy because that should help as well.
I have been looking at blank pages on my computer and my iPad and nothing has been written, but the ideas are in the brain fighting to come out. People think it's easy to write, but some days it's a lot harder to make sense of anything.
Lately I have been trying to focus on the easier things that make me happy, hoping that it will assist in getting the brain in some order, but so far, no luck. I think I need to just write all the little bits of ideas down and see what happens with each of them. Some may end up as something while others may end up in the garbage, but that's fine.
So for the next couple of weeks I am going to focus on relaxing and see how that helps. Maybe just giving the mind a bit of a break is all that I need. I will always have something to record my thoughts handy because that should help as well.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Eating out and children
This last week, we decided to go out for a nice and relaxing dinner at a local restaurant that we enjoy.
Remember, I did say relaxing dinner. It was nice and relaxing until some people were seated near us and the entire experience changed. The table was two mothers and two little girls (maybe around 3–4 years old). As soon as I saw the way one of the mother's talked to her daughter, I knew we were in for some trouble. Within minutes, the little girls were running up and down the restaurant and were only told "don't run". This warning was told to them after they almost ran into a server carrying drinks on a tray.
The "don't run" turned into two girls on their tip toes almost running around for quite a while and also screaming. Again, "don't run" was warned to them, but it took quite a while before the other mother finally got up and got the girls to come back near their table.
When people go out for dinner with children, I know that the children get bored, but please ensure that you have something for the children to do to keep them entertained at your table. I have seen some parents bring portable DVD players or iPads so that the children can watch videos to keep them happy, and I know as another guest in the restaurant I also appreciate this.
I know it's hard to keep children entertained through a meal, but please remember parents that other people are also going out to enjoy their meal.
Remember, I did say relaxing dinner. It was nice and relaxing until some people were seated near us and the entire experience changed. The table was two mothers and two little girls (maybe around 3–4 years old). As soon as I saw the way one of the mother's talked to her daughter, I knew we were in for some trouble. Within minutes, the little girls were running up and down the restaurant and were only told "don't run". This warning was told to them after they almost ran into a server carrying drinks on a tray.
The "don't run" turned into two girls on their tip toes almost running around for quite a while and also screaming. Again, "don't run" was warned to them, but it took quite a while before the other mother finally got up and got the girls to come back near their table.
When people go out for dinner with children, I know that the children get bored, but please ensure that you have something for the children to do to keep them entertained at your table. I have seen some parents bring portable DVD players or iPads so that the children can watch videos to keep them happy, and I know as another guest in the restaurant I also appreciate this.
I know it's hard to keep children entertained through a meal, but please remember parents that other people are also going out to enjoy their meal.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Seeings Things Differently
Take some time to just sit and watch your surroundings for a while. In today's world, this is something we don't do much of anymore. It seems that we are always in a hurry and never slow down to appreciate the surrounding things.
Sitting and people watching can be so much fun because you can imagine a conversation based on hand gestures or a volume of a voice. You can see people who are in love, people who are having fun and people who are angry with each other.
Watch how people walk. You will see some with theirs heads up walking with a purpose, some walking looking at their feet and others walking as if they have no cares in the world. To really see people with no cares in the world, watch children walk around and see their smiles and hear their laughter. The best place to watch children with no cares is in a park playing. Maybe we as adults need to be like children sometimes and forget even for an hour all about the pressures we are dealing with.
Too often, when we hear someone humming or singing a song softly, we think, "Why are they doing that?" Maybe this person is taking that break from their stresses and enjoying something that makes them happy or even brings back nice memories.
Learning to take the breaks and doing something that makes you laugh, or smile is important. We can't live always at full speed, otherwise we miss too much of the actual world around us. Spending a bit of time at a slower pace will help recharge the personal batteries, but also let you see things a little differently.
Sitting and people watching can be so much fun because you can imagine a conversation based on hand gestures or a volume of a voice. You can see people who are in love, people who are having fun and people who are angry with each other.
Watch how people walk. You will see some with theirs heads up walking with a purpose, some walking looking at their feet and others walking as if they have no cares in the world. To really see people with no cares in the world, watch children walk around and see their smiles and hear their laughter. The best place to watch children with no cares is in a park playing. Maybe we as adults need to be like children sometimes and forget even for an hour all about the pressures we are dealing with.
Too often, when we hear someone humming or singing a song softly, we think, "Why are they doing that?" Maybe this person is taking that break from their stresses and enjoying something that makes them happy or even brings back nice memories.
Learning to take the breaks and doing something that makes you laugh, or smile is important. We can't live always at full speed, otherwise we miss too much of the actual world around us. Spending a bit of time at a slower pace will help recharge the personal batteries, but also let you see things a little differently.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Quite Weekend
We have just spent a nice, quiet weekend together, and it has been nice to also see other families spending time together this weekend. Yes, Friday was a holiday here in Canada to celebrate Canada's 144th Birthday.
What I did see this weekend is a lot of people have been showing their pride in being a Canadian or even living here in Canada if they are not yet a citizen. Our neighbourhood has been surprisingly quiet, and I know I have taken advantage of that by relaxing.
Being born here in Canada, I don't know what it's like to live in another country or even what it's like to live in a different province. Seeing families spend a day together, is nice, in this busy world we live in. I know that we spent Friday without using our computers, (I set that rule for this year) at all, which in some ways was hard to do, but I think it did both of us a world of good. Yes, our blackberries were still on and if someone needed us for work we would have answered, but doing things away from our computers was nice. I also heard that one family had a no TV rule on Friday so that the family could spend time together. Maybe that is what is needed more often, a time set aside for a family to just be a family without all the influences of today's world getting in the way.
Well, before the quiet in our neighbourhood comes to an end, I am going to go and enjoy sitting outside for a bit longer. Yes, the computer is going to stay inside where it belongs.
What I did see this weekend is a lot of people have been showing their pride in being a Canadian or even living here in Canada if they are not yet a citizen. Our neighbourhood has been surprisingly quiet, and I know I have taken advantage of that by relaxing.
Being born here in Canada, I don't know what it's like to live in another country or even what it's like to live in a different province. Seeing families spend a day together, is nice, in this busy world we live in. I know that we spent Friday without using our computers, (I set that rule for this year) at all, which in some ways was hard to do, but I think it did both of us a world of good. Yes, our blackberries were still on and if someone needed us for work we would have answered, but doing things away from our computers was nice. I also heard that one family had a no TV rule on Friday so that the family could spend time together. Maybe that is what is needed more often, a time set aside for a family to just be a family without all the influences of today's world getting in the way.
Well, before the quiet in our neighbourhood comes to an end, I am going to go and enjoy sitting outside for a bit longer. Yes, the computer is going to stay inside where it belongs.
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