Web site building is technical work and something that comes easy to me. However, I’ve noticed a trend amongst clients.

“Make me a web site, have all of the content magically show up and have it do exactly what I want all with very little input or work from me.”

This client ideology is both frustrating and can lead to lengthy deployments. Every client so far has some notion that if they “pay” me to build a web site that I will magically understand everything they want and to somehow come up with the exact message and content that makes sense.

Truth is, it just doesn’t happen that way. I’m a technician, not a mind-reader, nor do I fully understand every detail and nuance of my clients business. While I do get things rather quickly and do grasp the high level overview of a given business, I am by no means an expert. So, I have to rely on the client to actually communicate and review the site(s) for content and appropriateness.

Well, this tends to drag-on and by extension, makes the process really drag on. Therefore, I DO NOT do it full time. If I built sites full time, my family and I would die of starvation.

Enough ranting… I have to finish another site for a “family member”…

Posted: May 5th, 2008 under Personal, Rants, Technology, Web Site.
Comments: none

Every day, I log into one of my several computers (both Mac and Windows) and the first window or windoid that is there greeting me is the “There are new updates ready”. Plus, to add insult to injury, every application I launch displays a message that a new version is ready.

Good grief. If things start going south on one of my laptops, I’ll never be able to trouble shoot and figure out where the culprit is.

So, WTF do you do when this happens nearly every day?

• Accept the download and hail-merry it. (Which is what I do too often)
• Never accept the download and keep running with Windows95
• Plan on just allowing it to only update your system on Friday night. (That way you have the entire weekend to recover and rebuild if necessary.)
• Research each request and make an informed decision. (What we all should do, but, then 8 hours later you’d never get any real work done.)
• Change the settings in the control panel to just update at say 3am in the morning, reboot and plead ignorant bliss when on the phone with tech support.

Or a combination of all of the above. Which, is basically what I do. I decide how much pain I’m interested that day, how much time I have and how dumb I want to play when calling support.

Have fun out there…. it’s the wild-wild west of code!

Posted: April 23rd, 2008 under Personal, Rants.
Comments: none

One week ago, I began my new career as a corporate data security specialist. My new company’s has been inundating me with information to get up the speed quickly on the products. I was worried at first that I wouldn’t have enough to do. Well, my worries quickly faded as the week went on. I quickly realized that there just wasn’t enough time in the day to absorb everything.

The flood gates were opening and I was feeling drowned with a lot of information. I was tasked with learning everything I could about corporate data security, data governance, server data permissions and so on. When I first accepted the position, I thought I knew a lot about servers and the day-to-day management of a Windows Server infrastructure. Well, turns out, I didn’t know as much as I thought.

I’m only a week into learning how to demonstrate and install the products. The great thing is the amount of information and support available.

Posted: April 22nd, 2008 under Data Governance, Personal, Sale Engineering, Security, Software, Technology, varonis.
Comments: none

Well, today was my first day with my new company. I woke up this morning with the Jitters. Mostly, my head was swimming on all of the things I had to get done. I was also wondering if I was going to find everything okay, how was the new office space going to work out and if everyone was going to be nice to me. I wasn’t so sure about the commute and how quickly I’d be able to make it. All those thoughts quickly went “poof” standing in front of the coffee pot sipping on that first “wake up” cup.

Smiling, I realized, none of that would matter. My commute was down one flight of stairs to my new basement office. I didn’t have to wonder much about people in the meetings as they would be done via conference call and webex meetings. I wouldn’t even have to figure out where the kitchen and restroom was. That, I know by heart and can run around here in pitch dark, most of the time.

First day was, well, easy as they come. I actually felt like I got more done than any time in the past. Not that I’ve started a lot of new jobs. However, even with my old company, I had actually moved to different divisions and/or started working with new people/teams or even in a different office on several occasions. It took days and weeks to get it all down on what you could/couldn’t do and where everything was.

Working from home is AWESOME!!! Okay, now the reality will eventually set in and I’ve been around the block enough to know that there’s the “Honeymoon” period. Still, I’m in it now, it’s good and if I play my cards right, it’ll be great even after the newness wears off. Hey, I did stay at my last company 16 years and I’ve been happily married for over 20 years. So, hopefully that pattern continues.

First day Jitters, first day smitters….Forget about it!! I’m off to the races.

Posted: April 7th, 2008 under Business, Personal.
Comments: none

No, I don’t have the worlds tiniest cell phone stuck in my ears and Yes, I’m well, over 40. So, the day after a concert I spend a lot of time say, “What?”. Fortunately, it usually wains after a day or so. It’s the price you pay going to a “Live” concert in a small venue. Even though the sound was balanced and quit good, it still pummels the ears.

We spent the evening at the BlueBird down on Colfax. It was the first time going to the theater and to be honest, it was a great little venue. The headliner was “I Hate Kate“. They’re an up-and-coming band from Southern California that has a following here in Denver and they’re played on 93.3 all the time, so we, Jodi and I, thought they were a pretty big band. However, one of the local DJ’s liked them and he played them all the time increasing their popularity.

Both the BlueBird and the bands were great. How can you go wrong with a place that serves Guinness on tap? You can’t. Before the headliner, there were a couple of “local” bands doing their “warm-up” sets, which again, in all honesty, weren’t half bad. The drummer of the first little band, which I do not recall their name, something 5, was a bit over-the-top. After listening to Dylans drum teacher talk about “too much filler”, this guy pounded it out in spades. “Nerf”, one of the 93.3 DJ’s that likes “I Hate Kate” had his band, “The Frequent Sea” warm up right before IHK came on. They were a little rough at first, but once they warmed up, they really rocked the house.

Headlining of course, was “I Hate Kate“. They really put on a great show. Their front-man, Justin, was engaging and got the audience going. At one point, he had someone in the audience on stage to help with a fist pump number. They started the show with a bang playing, “I’m in love with a Sociopath”. A more recent “theme” song of mine. They did their whole album for the most part along with the cover “Major Tom” and ended with “Always Something”.

All-in-all, it was a great night out. Good friends, Guinness, great burger at “My Brothers Bar & Grill” before hand, what else could you ask for?

Posted: April 4th, 2008 under Music, Personal.
Comments: none

Well, I know Jodi, my LOVELY wife, posted an Office story on her blog, however, I have my own story.

After nearly 20 years of having a private office at my old company(s) I’ve always done what I wanted and never had to answer to anyone “breathing” down my back. Most recently, my office in Boulder was in the corner with lots of windows where I could watch the wild life prance by. I could also stare off into the distance looking over the mountains or Flat Irons looming along the horizon just south of Boulder. I’d get my binoculars out and watch climbers take the face of Flat Iron Number 1. Never saw anyone take a plunge. They must all have been experienced.

Anyway, last year I started working from home and shared the home office in our spare bedroom.

This wasn’t working….

So, I decided to kick Dylan and his drum set out of the basement and build my own space. Jodi “JUMPED” at the thought when I brought it up. Actually, she was reluctant, only because she didn’t want to spend a dime. Bean counters.

Well, I’m now in my own little corner with no one huffing, waving arms aren’t being thrashed at me when I’m on the phone, not hearing the SHUSHING or punching the back of my chair when I’ve tried to zone out with the head-phones on.

Now, my office has everything I really need. Privacy, great lighting, dart board, electric guitar, it’s own Gym & private restroom just 5 steps away, (coffee can be a bitch in the morning when you’re, uh, 40 something.)

It’s not without it’s issues though.

1 - My cell phone doesn’t work very well unless I stand cheek pressed up against the window. Could be good or bad depending on the point of view and needs
2 - The stereo speakers have an annoying buzz when I use my wireless mouse for some reason. This wasn’t an issue upstairs. Tried everything, but it’s not getting any better. Headphones are best. However, I have noticed I don’t hear the local airport radio anymore
3 - I’m too close to the treadmill and Jodi’s been “hinting” all morning. However, I keep my back to the beast.
4 - The desk I bought is “ok”, but a bit flimsy and shakes when I type. Hm..
5 - I’m 3 feet from our basement bar. Beer 30 and after work cocktails are going to be WAY too convenient. I stare at the bottles all day.

Well, regardless of those little “annoyances”, I’m content knowing I can breath, listen to music, take phone calls, chat without worrying she’s looking over my shoulder and well, I’m free to let things “loose” as I see fit. It only affects me

Another perk, it’s next to the entertainment center, with a nice 8′ couch and the leather lazy boy recliner. Next, a nice nap is order and I wont get caught!

My Cave!

Posted: April 3rd, 2008 under Business, Hardware, Personal.
Comments: 2

Funny story; a few weeks ago, we had our good friends Sage, Brad and their two boys over for a Sunday evening dinner. Towards the end of the evening, Wyatt, their “toddler” popped into the kitchen with an empty wine glass dutifully attempting to help with the final cleanup of dishes. We’d had a Merlot along with our meal and soon discovered that someone hadn’t finished their glass. Apparently, it was not empty prior to Wyatt bringing it into the kitchen, whereby we discovered a nice dark wet area with deep red hues on our light tan carpet near the table.

Long story short, Jodi and I broke out the steam cleaner, doesn’t everyone have one in their cleaning closet, and started the task of cleaning the carpet. To be clear, we’re not that “picky” with this carpet and frankly, well, we HATE it. Sage was mortified and kept apologizing profusely. We made every attempt to let her know, that it was no big deal. Really. We kept telling her, now we have yet another reason to rip this crappy carpet up and put down new flooring. Don’t worry…. we’re not bothered. And… the truth is/was, we didn’t CARE!!!

Last weekend, they stopped by briefly to pickup the jeep for Brad and discovered that the stain was still there, no matter how strong our cleaning attempts had been, it didn’t “disappear” and had a light pinkish hue as a reminder of our little helper. I know Sage was really concerned and I had attempted to stand on the area so she wouldn’t notice. It didn’t work.

Fast forward to today Tuesday April 1st. This morning I bound down the stairs to find that a new stain had appeared. I took a picture of the area near the table and discovered this “Miracle”. I’ve sent off the picture to Sage, but haven’t heard back yet on her “take” on the little spillage Wyatt accidentally left us.

eBay, here we come!!!

Posted: April 1st, 2008 under Personal.
Comments: none

Well, after several weeks of interviews and submitting resumes, I just accepted a position as a “Sales Engineer” for a software company that provides solutions for enterprise server systems. They are extremely unique in the Unix world in offering a management tool for managing data access.

My new company, is based in New York and their sales teams are “virtually” spread across the country. So, I’ll be working frommy home office and supporting the local sales opportunities here in the Denver area along with several other near by major metropolitan areas. Additionally, I’ll be responsible for facilitating the installations and implementation process for new customers and their projects.

I don’t officially start until Monday April the 7th. However, in the mean time, I’ve been slowly getting setup to hit the ground running and gaining access to all of the important company systems. I’m basically in that “getting all of the paperwork together” stage. So far, I’ve found the company to be VERY communicative, responsive and forthright. Looks like a great bunch of people to be working with.

Posted: April 1st, 2008 under Business, Hardware, Software, Technology.
Comments: none

I’m sure there are a ton of great sites out there. However, if you have time to just surf and don’t really want to “think”, then the best tool out there is StumbleUpon. You may or may not have heard about this really cool technology. If you haven’t go get it, NOW.

What does it do? If you’ve not heard about StumbleUpon, then here’s what it does. Once you’ve setup a profile and selected general categories of things you like or are interested your set. Next, install the Firefox extension, where it’ll add a set of tools in the bar above the tabs area. I believe they also have an IE installer for those still using that browser.

Once everything is installed, it’s as simple as clicking a button. It’ll automatically jump to a given site that fits the interest level from your profile.

Why is it cool? Well, simply speaking, it’s a great way to find new sites to check out. If you happen upon a site you really like, there’s a “I like it” button as well. This triggers a flag on your profile and others who like similar categories will find the site next time they’ve “stumbled” through their list. So, you help others and they help you. It’s really a cool win-win.

Posted: March 30th, 2008 under Software, Technology.
Comments: none

Wordpress is probably one of the best Blogging tools available. There are several other software tools available to be sure, but Wordpress has always made very fast, efficient and elegant software for blogging, that in my opinion, it’s one of the best.

So, big upgrade? Well, I’ve been running a 2.x variant for some time. I’m not a full time blogger as I still just do it for personal reasons and for the “old fashion” reason some started theirs back when. As a personal journal. That’s it.

While I do have some people stop by every once in a while, it’s mostly friends and family members. I’m also sure that if someone is looking for me, they’ll do a Google search. My intent was for anyone interested to find this blog. That way, a) you could contact me if you’re an old friend, b) just looking to learn more about me and/or c) just looking to see who else has this name or uses the name Shane.

There’s really nothing complicated here.

Oh… back to the upgrade. Well, I jumped right into the newest Wordpress 2.5. The upgrade was, well, uneventful as upgrades go. This is my first post under the 2.5 admin tool set.

Posted: March 30th, 2008 under Blogging, Technology.
Comments: none