Shark Tank: See if you can spot the ones having problems

This manufacturing plant outsources a simple assembly job to a "sheltered workplace," where the work will be done by people with mental disabilities, reports a pilot fish whose job is to help set up the equipment."Along with the assembly, they also had to stick a bar-code label on every product," fish says. "So we put a PC and label printer there. On this PC was a small program made by our developer which consisted of a text file with a list of all possible product codes and a tiny interface in which the workers have to select the code and quantity and press print."Fish's only role early on is to prepare that PC and tell the developer that it's ready and can be shipped. So far, so good, he thinks.In fact, it is good. Turns out the workers can handle the assembly and labeling just fine. And a few weeks after the start of the arrangement, the company is ready to update the list of product codes."Which triggered the following events," says fish.

The contrast between old school security and new school security

I've had a few thoughts and discussions about old security people vs. new security people and how each group brings strengths and weaknesses to the table. I have written that the older security generation needs to be sure to welcome the new generation instead of making them feel stupid. And I have written about the newer generation needing to respect and learn from the older generation. And with me somewhere in between the new and old, and from the aspect of me as a reseller, I often get the benefit of seeing both sides and how they think.  But it is rare for me to see both sides at one time.  Well, I got to see it recently during my recent evaluation install of a SIEM product at a client.  I ran across an example from both sides in one place, and the contrast was amazing to see. 

The contrast between old school security and new school security

I've had a few thoughts and discussions about old security people vs. new security people and how each group brings strengths and weaknesses to the table. I have written that the older security generation needs to be sure to welcome the new generation instead of making them feel stupid. And I have written about the newer generation needing to respect and learn from the older generation. And with me somewhere in between the new and old, and from the aspect of me as a reseller, I often get the benefit of seeing both sides and how they think.  But it is rare for me to see both sides at one time.  Well, I got to see it recently during my recent evaluation install of a SIEM product at a client.  I ran across an example from both sides in one place, and the contrast was amazing to see. 

Shark Tank: It's absurd! It's insane! It's ... tech support!

User calls for help with her check-sorting machine -- it keeps indicating a jam, but no jammed checks can be found. The IT support guy can't find a problem either, so he calls in this IT manager pilot fish. "I watched as they ran checks through, and it stopped again, reporting a jam at the same sensor location," says fish. "I immediately told the other tech, who was standing between the sorter and a window, to move to his left about six inches. "Then I told the user to try again."

Shark Tank: It's absurd! It's insane! It's ... tech support!

User calls for help with her check-sorting machine -- it keeps indicating a jam, but no jammed checks can be found. The IT support guy can't find a problem either, so he calls in this IT manager pilot fish. "I watched as they ran checks through, and it stopped again, reporting a jam at the same sensor location," says fish. "I immediately told the other tech, who was standing between the sorter and a window, to move to his left about six inches. "Then I told the user to try again."

Blogging Troubles, continued

I wrote about this a few weeks ago.  This article is a must read for anyone who blogs or even for those who just read blogs. While I'm not sure if it makes me feel any better, I now know the difference between a cyberstalker and a blog troll. I suppose it's just the nature of blogging that lends itself to criticism from readers - you dare to put out your opinions, you'd better be able to handle it if (when) others out there don't agree.  The problem is that some responders (for any of dozens of reasons) cannot just voice disagreement politely - they've got to get insulting and sometimes, even threatening.  When I disagree with a blogger - or even with a responder to one of my blogs - I try my best to retaliate in a civilized manner, or even not at all, since I've found that ignoring such instigators often helps them fade out of the limelight more quickly.

Blogging troubles, continued

I wrote about this a few weeks ago.  This article is a must read for anyone who blogs or even for those who just read blogs. While I'm not sure if it makes me feel any better, I now know the difference between a cyberstalker and a blog troll. I suppose it's just the nature of blogging that lends itself to criticism from readers -- you dare to put out your opinions, you'd better be able to handle it if (when) others out there don't agree.  The problem is that some responders (for any of dozens of reasons) cannot just voice disagreement politely -- they've got to get insulting and sometimes, even threatening.  When I disagree with a blogger -- or even with a responder to one of my blogs -- I try my best to retaliate in a civilized manner, or even not at all, since I've found that ignoring such instigators often helps them fade out of the limelight more quickly.

Shark Tank: In the doghouse again

IT is in charge of phones as well as computers at this city hall, so this pilot fish and his cohorts get plenty of calls when people move, start or leave jobs. "There are strict policies about handling departures," says fish, "which are usually ignored."So it's not really a surprise when fish gets an e-mail from the city manager's secretary. The subject line: HELP!Seems the city has launched a new pet licensing program. Every household in town has received a postcard announcing the new mandatory cat and dog licensing requirements. So far, so good.And each postcard includes the phone number of city hall, plus the extension 1234. It's an extension in the city manager's office, and no one is using it. So what's the problem?

Shark Tank: In the doghouse again

IT is in charge of phones as well as computers at this city hall, so this pilot fish and his cohorts get plenty of calls when people move, start or leave jobs. "There are strict policies about handling departures," says fish, "which are usually ignored."So it's not really a surprise when fish gets an e-mail from the city manager's secretary. The subject line: HELP!Seems the city has launched a new pet licensing program. Every household in town has received a postcard announcing the new mandatory cat and dog licensing requirements. So far, so good.And each postcard includes the phone number of city hall, plus the extension 1234. It's an extension in the city manager's office, and no one is using it. So what's the problem?

Apple options cause heartburn (and Yeltsin lies)

iWednesday's iT Blogwatch: in which the Apple iOptions backdating story takes a couple of new iTwists. Not to mention the real truth about Boris Yeltsin...Ben Ames reports:Two former executives from Apple Inc. sank deeper into an options backdating scandal today, as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement with the company's former chief financial officer. The SEC said today it has charged former Apple Inc. general counsel Nancy Heinen of fraudulently backdating stock options. Heinen helped backdate options given to Apple's top officers, causing the company to under-report its expenses by almost $40 million, according to the SEC.The agency filed similar charges against Apple's former chief financial officer, Fred Anderson, but simultaneously settled that case. Anderson will pay $3.5 million in penalties in response to SEC charges that he should have noticed Heinen's actions and corrected the company's financial statements, the SEC said.

Apple options cause heartburn (and Yeltsin lies)

iWednesday's iT Blogwatch: in which the Apple iOptions backdating story takes a couple of new iTwists. Not to mention the real truth about Boris Yeltsin...Ben Ames reports:Two former executives from Apple Inc. sank deeper into an options backdating scandal today, as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement with the company's former chief financial officer. The SEC said today it has charged former Apple Inc. general counsel Nancy Heinen of fraudulently backdating stock options. Heinen helped backdate options given to Apple's top officers, causing the company to under-report its expenses by almost $40 million, according to the SEC.The agency filed similar charges against Apple's former chief financial officer, Fred Anderson, but simultaneously settled that case. Anderson will pay $3.5 million in penalties in response to SEC charges that he should have noticed Heinen's actions and corrected the company's financial statements, the SEC said.

Tapping the Experience of Age

Rich Mogull recently wrote on his blog about the effects of age on everything from martial arts to choosing a doctor. We were talking about his post, and we started discussing experience versus youth in martial arts. After we finished talking, I thought about this in the context of security. Essentially, the basics of security are the same today as they have been for years. Yes, everything moves faster today, but there has been no huge shattering change in how security is practiced. You build layers, you patch, etc, etc.

Tapping the experience of age

Rich Mogull recently wrote on his blog about the effects of age on everything from martial arts to choosing a doctor. We were talking about his post, and we started discussing experience versus youth in martial arts. After we finished talking, I thought about this in the context of security. Essentially, the basics of security are the same today as they have been for years. Yes, everything moves faster today, but there has been no huge shattering change in how security is practiced. You build layers, you patch, etc, etc.

Get priorities right and get the job done

 I totally get where CJ is coming from; anyone who's ever been in a managerial position knows how easy it is to get overloaded. Though personnel and other  staffers are there to help an office as part of a team effort, it doesn't always work that way in practice. When employees note that their colleagues are turning to their managers for help/guidance with even the smallest of challenges, they're likely to feel entitled to follow suit.  I've had employees tell me that they'd rather get spelled out, detailed instruction from me instead of taking the bull by the horns themselves.

Get priorities right and get the job done

I totally get where CJ is coming from; anyone who's ever been in a managerial position knows how easy it is to get overloaded. Though personnel and other  staffers are there to help an office as part of a team effort, it doesn't always work that way in practice. When employees note that their colleagues are turning to their managers for help/guidance with even the smallest of challenges, they're likely to feel entitled to follow suit.  I've had employees tell me that they'd rather get spelled out, detailed instruction from me instead of taking the bull by the horns themselves. Sure, no one wants to be responsible for making a mistake, especially a costly one, but what better way to learn the vagaries of a job? As someone "in charge" and the one who is ultimately responsible, it just adds to my workload when employees are too timid.

The nerd factor is huge

The gender gap in computer science has people worried. The percentage of bachelor's degrees in CS granted to women declined about 10% from 1985 to 2003, according to a story in the New York Times. Why? Some are blaming pre-college preparation and perceptions.“The nerd factor is huge,” according Dr. Jan Cuny, a computer scientist at the University of Oregon. She told the Times that "when high school girls think of computer scientists they think of geeks, pocket protectors, isolated cubicles and a lifetime of staring into a screen writing computer code."

The nerd factor is huge

The gender gap in computer science has people worried. The percentage of bachelor's degrees in CS granted to women declined about 10% from 1985 to 2003, according to a story in the New York Times. Why? Some are blaming pre-college preparation and perceptions.“The nerd factor is huge,” according Dr. Jan Cuny, a computer scientist at the University of Oregon. She told the Times that "when high school girls think of computer scientists they think of geeks, pocket protectors, isolated cubicles and a lifetime of staring into a screen writing computer code."

Shark Tank: Who do you love?

It's wedding-bell time for this IT pilot fish at a very, very large financial services outfit. His plan: Start his vacation on Friday, get married over the weekend and use two weeks of accumulated vacation for the honeymoon.But there's a hitch. "My boss decided I should have one week off, not two -- even though two weeks had been approved by the manager above him," grumbles fish.

Shark Tank: Who do you love?

It's wedding-bell time for this IT pilot fish at a very, very large financial services outfit. His plan: Start his vacation on Friday, get married over the weekend and use two weeks of accumulated vacation for the honeymoon.But there's a hitch. "My boss decided I should have one week off, not two -- even though two weeks had been approved by the manager above him," grumbles fish.

Shark Tank: Gee, how did THAT happen?

It's the mid-1980s, and this pilot fish is working for a Unix reseller. "A potential customer asks us for a proposal to convert their Xenix-based application to one of our Unix servers," says fish."But they require a 100% guarantee that the system will work flawlessly -- and it has to be delivered and installed in two weeks."Fish is sure his company's Unix server will work -- but he's not about to make a 100% guarantee on the spot.