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by Jay Garmon

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Heads up gang, it's time to point fingers and name names. Oh, and Happy New Year.

TR is venturing simultaneously into the uncharted realms of live events and blogging. As part of these efforts, we'd like some involvement from community members, either as featured event speakers and/or featured bloggers.

Our first event will be held in mid February (location TBA) and will be on the subject of "My User: My Problem" (working title), discussing how to implement security policies and technologies that can prevent the end users from knowingly and unknowingly sabotaging a network.

You guys know the TR cliques as well or better than anyone, so we'd like to know who you think is the king-daddy security guru (or gurus, or guru-ess) within the membership. Feel free to nominate yourself, provided you can back it up. The consensus winner/volunteer will very possibly be flown out at our expense to speak as a featured panelist at the event.

Moving right along...anybody want a big fat digital soapbox atop which to shout about IT and tech-related issues? If not yourself, who amongst the membership has insights and opinions so interesting and/or valuable that you'd gladly tune in on at least a weekly basis? The big cheese-types around here are hot to make somebody famous, so cast your blog-Oscar ballots now!

Oh, and both issues have a major ticking deadline attached, so don't feel the need to mull the ideas for a while. Spout off half-cocked ASAP.

Thanks,

Jay

34 replies

by oz_media

Hey Jay, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! WOOO HOOO and all that stuff.

Halfcock? Well it won't be me. (sorry,couldn't resist)

As for a security guy, forgive me if I am wrong, but I believe that's Max's specialty.(without rechecking his profile).

I also think Colin is really good with security, but again I could be horribly wrong (nobody would understand an Aussie in America anyway! sorry Col.).

I would be happy to shout about IT and tech-related issues, but I can do that here just fine.

Too many press conferences on my part to enjoy such an opporunity, I prefer to remain visually acceptable (especially when that's all I have left!). ;)

by maxwell edison

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Although I have a pretty secure network (I think), comparatively speaking, mine is pretty small. Moreover, the nature of our business doesn't require a great deal of security, and we maintain a pretty "trusting" network in that we don't do a lot to restrict access to too much. So although I have a bit of network security experience, my knowledge pales in comparison to some of these guys and gals who are charged with securing huge networks with sensitive data.

In my experience at Techrepublic, I would think of someone like Lordinfidel as the resident security expert. That guy really does know his stuff. (He's an extremely interesting character as well.) However, I haven't seen him around for some time. But I'll post another name if one comes to mind.

by oz_media

Sorry, I just seem to remember you really knowing your security risks when working on your ipsec issues.

Lordinfidel would be a good choice, wouldn't he?!

I haven't seen him about for some time either though.

by house

Jay;

I haven't fully grasped the job function of our more prominent members. From what I gather, Oz and Apotheon are consultants (freelance or otherwise). Colin runs his own shop (I think), and has a rich history in IT; he may be up to the task. If I had to choose though, I'd point the finger at Max.

Other prominent members haven't been open enough for me to narrow down their specialties. (plus I haven't been here that long to properly weigh their contributions as a whole)

Whoever it is, they should be in a position where they make key decisions in the administration of large networks. I've worked within larger IT environments, but not at that level.

On blogging, Dave Mohring seems to have a well established blog himself - although he is slightly opinionated, his blogs are constructed with unbelievable thought and planning.

I would like a "general" blog space when the time comes. I'm not sure if you're looking for more precise and topical blog sections right now. You can count on me for a consistent level of input, but my issues, articles, and opinions will be various, to say the least.

I think that 'rewrite', 'dafe2', and that 'secure lockdown' kid (although he annoys me sometimes... I can't really tell if he is a professional or not... maybe not then), might be inclined to blog as well. Anyone else for blogging? I believe that all of the members of TRI are interested. :)

I'm not so sure that anyone here would be interested in subscribing to a "specific" category.

Thank you,

Chris

by oz_media

My main function, I find, is rebuilding organizations who need help keeping up with technology. I implement efficency boosters throughout the organization. Including networks, tepephone system upgrading, VoIP hardware(if needed), fax etc. streamlining operations proceeses, warehousing efficiency control (bar code scanners etc.) and other areas where I see time or revenue lost. Pretty much a result of many interests taking me in different directions.

So I spend some time at a given company, maybe a month or so, then sell, install and maintain systems for them.

As a salesman, and without offense to our successful consultants of course, the common saying is 'a consultant is just an unemployed salesman'.

As a consultant it is the other way around though, a salesman is just a consultant with only one product line to offer.

In too many cases it is true though. Reps lose jobs and get a bad name, which in sales moves REALLY fast. They generally jump on the consulting bandwagon because they have a diverse product knowledge from selling for many vendors, though unsuccessfully and can't find a permanent desk.

I suppose in IT this is true also as many (NOT ALL) will not find IT work or be between jobs and simply take up or fall into consulting.

I don't think apotheon fits that bill though, he apppears to have targeted his career a little more directly to achieve his goals.

by apotheon

Thanks for the nod, Oz.

I actually work for a consultancy. I find that my primary value to the consultancy is "the guy wot knows shit". I'm also the most-knowledgeable and most-functional when it comes to Unix-related matters.

While I have a fair amount (read: a helluva lot) of theoretical knowledge of network security, most of my practical knowledge in that area is largely confined to single-system and small-network security, particularly as applies to comparative technology characteristics. It's the hazard of working as a consultant: I know pretty much everything you need to know to choose a technology, and almost nothing about how to implement it directly except within the narrow range of circumstances where I have actually implemented it. I'm probably not any kind of candidate for "security guru" to give a talk at a conference.

Sadly, I'm not sure I've interacted with or observed someone that [b]is[/b] such a security guru. I think that dafe2 has a lot to offer in that area, to judge by some of my exchanges with the guy, but he has blinders on regarding some areas. Someone like him would probably need someone like me as a counterpoint (no offense to dafe2: I wouldn't need him as a counterpoint, but I'd need him around to provide some more substantive data, making me the expendable party there).

I get the strong impression that Oz would be a good choice if you're willing to hire someone that would have to do a bit of extra research to be what you needed, though as I understand it he lacks Col's Fortune 500 credentials. At least, I think that was Col.

I shoulda been taking notes, I suppose.

by hal 9000

In my humble opinion Max fits the bill nicely I sure as hell don't and even with my limited experience I'll bet many could run rings around me in certain areas like OZ in Novel Networks and dafe2 in MS networks and MS products in general as he seems to like them a lot.

Just an idea though maybe you could get someone to accurately describe Microsoft Volume Licensing Policies as they just leave me cold and never seem to be the same on any two occasions.

Col

by maxwell edison

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Thanks for the vote of confidence, but up until now, I don't think I've shared a whole lot about my job description with you guys. See my "digital soapbox" message for such a description.

My REAL interest would be to write political-type articles. But I think the powers-that-be at TR have had political messages up to their eyeballs.

by smorty71

I think that we want these early blogs to stay on IT-related topics just to see how users respond to them.

However, when we roll out the ability to blog to all of our members (probably in the next couple of months), we expect that some people will want to talk about things other than IT (like politics). I, for one, am OK with that.

While we, as a company, want people to blog about technology issues, I, personally, think blogs have just as much value in allowing members to get to know each other better.

Most of the features we want to roll out are for facilitating more (and different) interactions between our members.

by hal 9000

You come across so well in the technical discussions.

You obviously know so much more than I do and I'm not attempting to have a go at you on this score you just come across easily and clearly far better than I ever could.

Col

by maxwell edison

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Okay, I'll bite.

I've always indicated that I'd love to write an article or two, so I'll nominate myself for such a project.

Some possible subjects of (my) interest:

- IT is a means to an end, not the end itself.
- A career in IT demands flexibility.
- Management type issues
- Positive thinking type issues
- Build your own PCs issues
- User support type issues (but not "help-desk", per se)
- Training issues

My real "expertise" is probably different than the majority of the people who lurk around Techrepublic. I'm pretty much a "jack-of-all-trades" when it comes to implementing IT issues, as I'm a one-man IT department; but it's limited to our specific requirements, and I often have to scramble to find the answers to questions -- or sometimes even find the right questions. But my real expertise is in implementing and maintaining an AutoCAD environment in a small network setting, programming and customizing AutoCAD, and so on. We are a building design firm, creating architectural-engineering type documents (building blueprints of all disciplines). Moreover, In addition to my "one-man IT department" position, I'm the trainer for whatever IT or IT-related design issues might arise, and I manage a small staff of people who implement this technology to help create our product. It's not exactly indicative of the typical IT position that seems common among most Techrepublic members. My first subject suggestion, IT is a means to an end, not the end itself, is probably descriptive of how I approach my job and IT in general. Our product is not IT, but we use IT to create our product.

Since much (but not all) of my interest and expertise would probably appeal to only a fraction of TR members, I may not have what you are looking for. Moreover, it would certainly depend on other factors such as time and deadline requirements and so on. But I'd be willing to consider such a challenge.

by oz_media

16 posts (not including this one) and one guy out of all of us loudmouth know-it-all's actually steps up to the plate! Well done, Max.

Yeah I'd vote for Max, especially if it was a video conference and we could scream back and forth about it!

Actually I didn't realize we were talking multiple subjects and really don't know security well enough, especially MS security which would probably be the more interesting topic for most here.

I do think it would be worth watching and I'd definitely tune in, seriously Max, I think you'd write an informative copy.

by apotheon

Alas, I haven't really run across much of what you have to say at TR. I guess we've just been travelling in different circles here. The evident respect for you that I see in this discussion thread, combined with what little I [b]do[/b] know about you, inclines me to think I'm missing out.

Considering that I would [b]dearly love[/b] to have that blog endorsement here at TR, and think I'd have a lot to offer (without even going into politics), it looks like I'd probably have to fight ya for it. Of course, I have another two or three suggestions:

A. Perhaps TR could give us both what they were talking about giving one person. Yeah! Let us all eat cake!

B. A joint-blog might be interesting. Kick off this whole tech blog thing at TR with two people sharing a blog, providing ample opportunity for well-constructed, well-reasoned, well-informed sniping at each other. I get the distinct impression that maxwell and I would both be able to keep a civil virtual tongue in our respective virtual heads for such an endeavor. I really kinda like this idea.

C. All of the above! Sorta. Maybe a "Devil Went Down to TR" kinda thing would be a better description. Think two blogs, side by side, linked to each other. We'd be the Siskel and Ebert of tech blogging! It could be fun.

Of course, there are always those other options:

D. Just give it to me. I'm better! Well, maybe not. Okay, just give it to max.

E. Give it to someone else. You must know, though, that "someone else" just ain't gonna give you the high quality of material you can get from we two TR Insiders. Yep.

F. Scrap the whole idea. This option completely sucks, of course, but I figured I'd mention it for completeness.

Note: There's nothing wrong with arrogance if it's justified.

personal qualifications: I have four blogs currently, one of which often gets IT-related rants, and another of which I've been treating as sort of a low-volume tech blog. I run three websites for my own enjoyment, one of which is a news analysis and commentary site. When doing a Google search for "apotheon", the entire first page of results is references to me. My superpower is "being right" (for proof, just check out my googlism results at http://tinyurl.com/64n9f at your convenience). I am also, according to the woman with whom I had dinner last night (dinner usually doesn't last six hours, but the conversation was just that good), a very funny guy.

Are there any hands I should shake, or babies I should kiss? I'll bring lip-balm! Vote apotheon in 2005!

by oz_media

Why don't we ALL share a blog?

Oh...I guess we do don't we? Well it would be an interesting Grouper group anyways!

I see small Grouper groups (as discussed in another TRI post) starting up as tea party's too though, I won't mention where I see that effecting Discussion group conversations/gangs.

by house

I knew that he had a ".org", but I've never seen that one. I'll have to check it out.

by hal 9000

I nearly choked to death when I read that URL tears are still running down my face.

Col

by oz_media

It would certainly compliment the nature of the personal political comments and such.

[b]G[/b]eneral [b]L[/b]ove [b]O[/b]f [b]B[/b]ull [b]S[/b]h*t? [i](Wow, that's enough HTML coding to warrant billing the forum!)[/i]

by maxwell edison

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You remember well. I was dealing with my office VPN trying to get one of the remote users connected. Since this user's remote site was up in the mountains, his only Internet option was satellite. I was trying to get my IPSec VPN tunnel established, but was running into a latency issue because of the satellite distance. I never did get it to work because we were unwilling to spend the $$ on the necessary hardware to correct the problem.

I would have had to shift gears entirely, so to speak, and go a different VPN method. But that one is still on the back-burner.

You know, it's kinda' funny how a person might think he is more of a novice with something, but others get the impression that he's more of an expert. I suppose it's all relative. If you are somewhat knowledgable compared to someone who knows less, then you're an expert.

by hal 9000

I remember it quite well.

Don't you get some curley ones! But to have the project pulled because of the funds involved is terrible particuarly after you had done so much research on the problem. However maybe it was a blessing in disguise as I'm sure that there was no guarantee that even with the hardware upgrade things would work hitch free.

Col

by oz_media

I was actually put on a pedestal as a Linux guru in a recent thread! At least I think that was his intent. :)

On VPN cash, perhaps you can appreciate what I am always saying about proper VoIP investments and the shortcuts people will take while thinking they achieve the same end results.

Latnecy is an issue that costs dough if it is to be overcome properly and VERY important issue that many overlook. Especially with VoIP!

by apotheon

Yikes. I'd better start soliciting and posting articles again, if I'm going to get spontaneous "advertisement" like that. Heh.

Er, "thanks" Jay.

My sides ache from the laughter.

by house

I told you on IM when I sent you some sort of link. I sent it again because I thought that I had sent the "Jay's jab at the @political site" by accident.

by house

I appreciate your honesty when you say, "I wasn't paying any attention to what you were saying!" Just kidding. The only reason I remember that is because I remember laughing at Jay's post. :)

by apotheon

I'm not too proud to stand up and say "Hey! I'm a heel!" Such fun, bro.

I think I have a very vague recollection of your message, now that I've had some time to consider it. I've been slightly scattered lately. Mea culpa.

by Jay Garmon

The blog idea isn't dead, and the idea of a MUB (multi-user blog) is intriguing. We'll get back on the stick on Tuesday. In the meantime, be thinking of a name (or names). And no, "Bastards on Parade" will not work.

--Jay

by oz_media

YOu ruined all my fun now! BOP is scratched.

How about PWA-Pricks With Attitude? Or would I be alone in that group!

I always thought the Jets from West Side story were real cool, or even the Thunderbirds from Grease were pretty.....groovy.

Or, the "TR Outsiders" a la the The Outsiders (great book and movie!). 'Insiders' joke there I suppose. ;)

The TR Outsider's Group ("TROG"), would make for a "TROG BLOG" !

LOL! Unfortuately, I got a million of 'em. :D

by apotheon

TROG-Luddites! Whee! I like it. We could even have a trogodyte-looking icon/logo. That'd just be ultra-spiff kewl ninja p0w3rz nifty.

Going with that whole "MUB" thing, I suppose we could call it something entirely campy like "MUB Slingers". Maybe that's not so good, though.

by house

There does seem to be teams involved in the discussion wars. There is a lot of independent thought going on as well though... people are straying from their allies in some situations.

It's funny how people join forces to fend off other gangs... we need to get a life. :)

by oz_media

People with like opinions on a specific subject will support eash other comments, those same people may differ in an opinion elsewhere and not support each other but a former disagreeing (is that a word? I wouldn't think so) members will take that side as they agree as well.

It is more of a matter that there are generally three types of people in responses. Those who never agree with anything a peer says, those who will agree with everything a peer says and those that will offerindividual opinion and find common eground with other opinions on a thread by thread basis.

When people are new here, they generally fit #1, they are usually alone and looking for conflict of opinion. After a while they become #2, as they have found people they generally agree with and will side with them either way. After people have been here for quite a while they will form individual opinions, side with like minded opinions and understand that friends they have formed here do not ALWAYS need agreement.

I have had personal email wondering why I didn't side with someone when they have become friends of mine. I will always be friends with people even though I don't completely agree with all of their comments. I use a little objectivity for all posts and in most cases do not pay attention/notice who I am replying to even, just the comments I am replying to.

Max and I have fought like there's no tomorrow, often resulting in us both reducing ourselves to petty and childish quarrels. As time has prgressed, I found that we actually see eye to eye on more subjects than I was willing to admit (he was the enemy after all!) but I find that we can both share opinions on the boards whether we agree or not, I think we both have seen some posts from each other we agree on and others we don't, it is an understanding that just like with ANY friends we have, we don't ALWAYS agree, nor do we need to.

In fact Max and I may share a couple of disagreements in a post now and then let it drop, knowing that dragging it out isn't going to sway either of our stubborn opinions.

I respect him for what he offers and hope he does the same, agree or not.

You soon find out who's cool and who isn't. But at first it's just like going to a new high school, a pissing contest, turns into little like minded groups and then by graduation you realize that everyone is cool no matter how you feel. You have put in the time and hung out together too long to have petty arguments stand in the way of meaningful dialogue.

Anyhow, that's my sick and twisted story, take it for what it is. Or just pee off and take THAT for what it is. :D

by oz_media

"eground" or E-Ground, meaning the common ground found in forums.

"We argued for a while but ended up finding common 'e-ground'!"

I LOVE IT!!

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