Technology First Blog

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Monday, 24 May 2010 20:03

A Preview of a Preview

Written by Andy Hickey

Today, I had the opportunity to see a preview of Tom Skill's opening keynote presentation.  It was the Rickey Henderson of presentations.  It was the perfect lead-off to a great day.  The presentation touches on and can be referenced by every presentation for the remainder of the day.  Tom Skill and his colleagues at UD used 80 sources to research what the technology landscape will be in 2013.  Attendees will learn their findings and also walk away with something else.

 

Wednesday, 21 April 2010 08:44

Dayton Business Spotlight: Technology First

Written by Angela Koch

Technology First's Andy Hickey sat down with Phil Herzing of New York Life to discuss the IT industry in Dayton, as well as Technology First's role in IT and the trade company's contribution to the growth of the Dayton region.  

If you are interested in having your company featured in the Dayton Business Spotlight, contact Phil Herzing at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Friday, 16 April 2010 14:29

Web Debugging with Fiddler

Written by Paul Moorman

In a previous blog I mentioned the free Wireshark utility, which has been my number one debugging tool for several years.  Being able to see everything coming into and out of a PC, and having enough network background to glean the important details, has served well.  During a recent problem I needed to debug a web application that only ran using encrypted (https/ssl) communications.  Wireshark was able to show me what was happening with session setups and encryption exchanges, but all the application data was just a garble of meaningless characters.  Enter Fiddler, a free tool provided by Microsoft.

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 11:04

How Does Google's Search Algorithm Learn From You?

Written by Phil Herzing
Wired Magazine has an interesting piece on how Google's fabled search algorithm works.  If you want to get noticed, here's some meaty information you'll need.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:43

The Emotion of Technology Change

Written by Paul Moorman

 

I began my career in Information Technology back at Wright State University in 1974.  I didn't know anything about computers when I started, but a friend that was at WSU at the time showed me some programs and I was attracted by the logic, their math-like quality and the promise of avoiding a bunch of annoying liberal arts classes.  But little in my college experiences prepared me for how much emotions play in the technology field, either good or bad.  I've collected a few of those experiences in this article to share with you.  And if you're ever needing an ice-breaker when in the land of techies, just ask then about their most hair-raising experience.  You're sure to hear an earful and get the conversation going.

Tuesday, 02 February 2010 18:17

The Outcome-Value Statement

Written by Paul Moorman

This article describes a concise and effective method to communicate a project, a requirement or even an organization's purpose to multiple audiences, each listening for their part of the message.  It does this by linking the work being done to the value being delivered through its expected outcome or outcomes.

Monday, 01 February 2010 17:28

The Non-Standard Desktop

Written by Andy Hickey

Paul Moorman and I often talk about different software we use and web sites that we visit.  I liked his blog posts about what he uses but I did not think that anyone would care what I used.  I am in a unique position of being close to the IT industry, without the need to answer to regulations or an IT department, and without sensitive data on my computer.  That gives me the unique freedom to try new software.  Additionally, I have a great computer that lets me clog my registry with these new programs.  Credit for most of these finds goes to Lifehacker.com.  Here is what I use.

Saturday, 09 January 2010 13:00

My Web Site List

Written by Paul Moorman

You might think from my earlier blogs that I don't spend all that much time on the Internet.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I write this blog on Google Docs, so I can work on it wherever and whenever.  I have a Google Chrome browser up at all times with seven Google services always open.  I have Firefox up at all times to handle RSS feeds and Google searches.  I regularly seek information from the three sources of all knowledge (Google, Wikipedia and YouTube).  Take my browsers away and I stumble upon this Earth.

Friday, 08 January 2010 10:46

Need some Tech Advice

Written by Andy Hickey

Can you please provide any solutions to this in the comments?  The company is not in the Dayton region.

I’m wondering if you could steer me to someone who would be willing to chat about our IT needs.  I just don’t seem to be up to speed on what is available anymore.  There has been soooo much proliferation!

Wednesday, 06 January 2010 16:11

CIO Wisdom: Taking Care of Business

Written by Andy Hickey

Contributed by Kevin Kampman

At the Dayton Technology First CIO Forecast on December 9th, there were a number of key insights set forth about what firms should expect in 2010. The Forecast was facilitated by Burton Group Executive Strategist Jack Santos; participants included Rob Whittington of WorkflowOne, Jim Bradley of Motoman, John Huelsman of Midmark, and Jon Russell of Kettering Health Network. While these executives’ companies are all based in the Dayton Ohio area, their perspectives correspond to those of other organizations that Burton Group interacts with:

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