Diary of a Network Geek

Okay, I know that “stenopool” is outdated, but…

Well, it was funny, right? Anyway….
So, guess what the latest trend in IT is? Contract CIO’s. At least, according to this article on Australian IT. Really, with all the mergers and buyouts and “strategic restructurings” that go on, this makes sense. After all, everyone else on an IT staff might be contract and kept for just as long as there’s a need, or until the end of a particular project. So, why not have CIO’s that work the same way? Bring on one kind of CIO to steer a company through a merger, then another kind to grow the infrastructure, and a third to stabilize the whole thing for future growth.
Consider, for a minute, what’s going on at my company. Potentially outsourcing most of what we do, if not all of it. Sounds like a perfect job for someone who’s done all that before, right? But, why keep him around afterward when his, or her, skills are obsolete? Just bring in the next ex-dotcom “guru” who’s already managed an outsourced IT department. Chances are good that he’ll come a little cheaper for a longer-term contract. And, he might even go full-time. Sounds pretty familiar to me. And, it makes just as much sense for a CIO as it does for a Network Geek.

It’ll be interesting to see where this trend goes…

Prospects look good!

The company is Oceaneering International and the job itself looks great. I’d be one of two guys rolling out a world-wide network solution using Novell products. And they’re using pretty much everything: Netware, Groupwise, Zen for Desktops, Zen for Servers, you name it. This is the big-time. The slowest links they have are fractional T1, but that should be enough to use RSync to synchronize data back to the corporate office for backups. Which is the plan. So, unlike the current gig, there’d be no chasing after users at remote sites to change tapes! They also have Linux and are looking to do more with Linux. They also seem to be pretty good about training and certification. I talked with one guy there who was telling me that they reimburse for books.
Also, the benefits look great. They match 100% of the first 6% on 401k contributions. They have a vision plan, which matters to a family of glasses wearing freaks like us. And, if I’m reading the benefits description right, I’d get three weeks vacation after the first year. So, the benefits are pretty damn good.
Perhaps more importantly, the guys that I’ve met so far seem pretty easy to get along with. They’re really easy going and always cutting up, so I think I’d fit in quite well. Oh, and one of them has a full beard, so I asked if I could grow mine back. Yes. Yes, I could rebeard myself. Huzzah!

The only thing now is for them to actually make an offer. And, if they will offer enough for me to live on… In the interview they tried to low-ball me. Frankly, as much as I love the job, I just cannot take another pay cut.
So, I guess the good news is there’s been a law firm sniffing around for a Groupwise admin…. Not my favorite pidgeon-hole, but it’s better than being outsourced! So, we’ll see how it goes.
I’ll post updates!

Hmm, Linux just seems to be in the news…

So, what am I going to do, ignore it? Of course not!
Well, this is a little old, but this article on Australian IT talks about Red Hat releasing a version of Linux meant for the desktop. Hunh? I mean, hasn’t that been around for a long time? Well, I guess not according to Red Hat. Anyway, if they can get the installer to be simple enough for my mother to use, they’ll have something. Until then, though, it’s still a tool for us geeks.
Still, it’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.

This time, it’s big business.

Apparently, Australia’s biggest four banks are looking at Linux. At least, according to this article on Australian IT, they are!
Wow, what a blow that would be to Micro$oft! Apparently, several of these banks are at least considering what it would take to revamp everything in their system to run off Linux. And, I mean, everything: ATMs, teller stations, back-office systems, you name it. Looks like it’s a great time to be a Linux geek in Australia!

And, it’s good news, too!

I’ve been called back for a second interview!! Yea!
So, obviously, the interview last week went well. And, this could be a really good job. They’re a world-wide organization with offices in some really interesting places, like Singapore, London, Africa, and Equitorial Guinea. And, best of all, they’re building a big network all based on Novell products. Oh, and they’re rolling out a PeopleSoft solution on Linux. Score! So, I would get to use all my favorite skills, learn new things, travel to exotic locales, and the main office is less than 10 minutes from my house, even with bad traffic.
Well, anyway, I found this out yesterday, but I didn’t want to detract from my “fun Friday” posting, so I waited until today to post the update.
I’ll keep you posted!

If it’s still in Beta, it’s still a game.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Anyway, while poking around on Google, I found a neat little feature on their Google Labs page. It’s called Google Webalerts. Basically, it lets you do a search, but have the results e-mailed to you on a daily basis. Of course, the idea is that it will only show you the new things since you last searched, but I don’t know how well it works yet, but it looks cool!

Hey, it’s Friday, why not give it a try?

As a father, this hits home.

I’m personally against medicating every feeling that we might have that doesn’t meet with society’s “norm”, but that’s what so much of modern psychology seems to want to do. I’m especially against medicating children who are labeled by teachers, not medical professionals, as having attention deficit disorder. Well, it looks like I may have been right all this time. At least, according to this article on Wired News.
What’s even more criminal, to me, is that this report was supressed. Why? Why else, greed. The drug companies want to keep selling thier legalized smack to us to medicate our feelings away. Pretty soon, we’ll all be like THX1138 or like something out of Brave New World. Does anyone else find it ironic that “soma”, a drug described by Huxley in Brave New World is a reality?

It’s time to wake up, people. We have to deal with life on life’s terms and not try to medicate uncomfortable feelings away.

At least in Australia it is!

But, that’s a good thing!! According to this article on Australian IT, the Australian welfare agency, Centrelink, has set up an internal Linux laboratory to research the potential cost savings or performance improvements that open source software might deliver. Now, this might not seem like much, but I think it’s a great step toward Linux getting into more government agencies. The more Linux replaces Micro$oft, the better, in my mind. So, you go, Tux!

Lots to do…

And, so little time to do it!
Well, no word on a second interview yet, but I know they’re interested in having me back. Frankly, the job looks great, as long as the travel isn’t too extreme and the pay is good enough.
This week I’m also running around trying to get everything done for my daughter’s birthday/sleepover this weekend. Though, I think I became my wife’s hero when I suggested pizza for dinner. Anyway, more to come, so stay tuned!

No, this is not a joke or a dream.

For those of you, like me, who enjoy a good single-malt Scotch, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is for you! Now, this is an organization that sounds like it’s my style. An organization dedicated to the enjoyment of Scotch. Ah, where have you been all my life?
Seriously, this does look like fun. These folks have very, very special, and private, Scotch geared to the very high-end customer. The initial membership fee is $149, but that includes “the purchase price of one 750ml bottle of an extremely rare and unique malt whisky never to be available again.” In addition to that, the new member also receives a membership kit, which includes a membership certificate, membership card, The Short Guide, the most recent bottling list and newsletter, along with our gift catalog. Annual renewal is $35.
But, for the Scotch connesuer, this is a really special thing. Hmm, now, what do I have to do to convince my wife….

Anyway, they have some interesting articles, too, so, what the heck, it’s Friday! Go check it out!