Welcome to the I.T. Classroom

10:00 a.m. PT on Thursday Oct. 23, 2008. A restart will be required

The MSRC Team issued an Advance Notification for an Out-of-Band update. This update contains 5 critical, 6 important, and 1 moderate fixes. More information can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-oct.mspx

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http://www.askthemct.com/2008/10/22/stephen-charles-rea-mct-blogger-comedian-evangelist/

Knowledge, Experience and Proficiency. What does it all mean?

Many of you have emailed me and asked exactly what the difference is between knowledge, experience, and proficiency. I thought I would take the time to answer here for all to read. Here is the quick and dirty. Enjoy. 

Knowledge and Certifications. (K ≠ C)

It's not enough to know the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. Knowledge alone, no matter how much, isn't enough to consider certifications. I am knowledgeable in practical understanding of flight. However, this doesn't mean I can fly an airplane. The problem with knowledge is that normally it is taught or learned from a best practices standpoint. Meaning you learn how to do the right things, in the ideal environment, under ideal circumstances. In a perfect world, this would be enough. However, we know from experience and Murphy's Law that anything that can go wrong, will—AND at the worst possible moment.

Experience and Certifications. (E ≠ C)

Experience alone does not warrant the pursuit of certifications. Just because you have experience in driving a car does not mean you are qualified to drive a car. You need practical understanding (knowledge) of the rules of the road - along with city and state laws as well. Simply learning how to do something and doing it can lead to failure down the road. Did you learn the proper way of doing something? Did you learn why it's done that way? You can swing a golf club and hit the ball, but are you doing it correctly?

Proficiency. ( K + E = P)

Knowledge PLUS Experience EQUALS Proficiency. Proficiency is the combination of knowing the theoretical or practical understandings of a subject, while at the same time possessing the ability to know when to bend and manipulate those practices to work in an impractical environment. So what's all that mean? Know how to perform the task correctly, but know what it takes to get it done. Knowledge is knowing how to build a house. Experience tells us not to build it on sand. Being proficient means "knowing what you know" and trusting your abilities when knowledge and experience conflict. Certifications without proficiency in the tested objectives carry no value.

Dream Server

Does anyone else think that the Harry Potter theme should be playing in the background?

Dream big. They will take care of reality. I have already submitted a list. I hope there is humor in Redmond...

B.Y.O.B.: Build Your Own Business, Don’t Be Your Own Boss- Insider Information to Building a Technology Consulting or Service Business Your Successful Competitors Don’t Want You to Know, George Sierchio

 

While attending SMB Nation 2008 in Seattle, WA. last week, not only did I have the opportunity to meet up with friends, but I had the pleasure of meeting new ones as well. George Sierchio definitely falls into the category of new friends. Being a member of the SMB-Books Editorial Review Board, I had the opportunity to review a book titled, "B.Y.O.B.: Build Your Own Business, Don’t Be Your Own Boss- Insider Information to Building a Technology Consulting or Service Business Your Successful Competitors Don’t Want You to Know." by George Sierchio. The first thing I noticed about this book was its size - or lack there of. How in the world could you teach anyone how to build your own business and not be your own boss in 105 pages? Easy. Take out the feel good fluff that litters hundreds of other books and get down to brass tacks. George gets to the point, and quick. He explains, despite all your reasoning, that your business is no different that any other. He writes about Management - in regards to time, employees, and clients. He talks about not only positioning your business where the money is coming from (niches), but how to find more money in places you haven't thought of yet (revenue streams). Last, but most important, is always leave yourself outs! Let me put it in the simplest definition: outs give you options. Without options, you have no choices. Without choices, you are a slave to your creation. George explains how to run your business as if you were selling it - regardless if you are or not is not the point. The point is if you align your business with this thought; you will have a real business and not a job.

For an entrepreneur starting a business, or one who already runs one; this book should be your business bible. Period.

Recharging.

 

My friend Manuel Palachuk recharging his batteries in the hotel lobby. I'm envious. And still tired. 6 days and maybe 16 hours sleep total. But at this point, who is counting.

Best Laid Plans...

Sunday night, I made an executive decision to skip the 7:30 am keynote address for some much needed rest. It appears the Marriott had other plans for me. I distinctly remembering canceling my wake up call, however a more pronounced and demanding voice boomed through my hotel room around 9 am this morning. This voice was from the emergency evacuation alarm signaling to leave the hotel at once. Although it was a false alarm, I never managed to return to sleep. Sucks. I'm really tired.

 

P.S. For all my wrestling fans, the WWE was represented as well

Sushi, SBS and EBS 2008

While in Seattle last night, I had the opportunity to meet a friend, Mitch Garvis, for dinner. He touted this restaurant called the,"Tuna House" as the best sushi in the United States. Suffice to say, it was pretty damn good. After dinner we struck up a conversation about the upcoming releases of SBS 2008 and EBS 2008. We went back to his hotel room and started doing a psuedo interview regarding the topic. Check it out on Mitch's blog. The conference starts Saturday and I am sure I will have further questions for my friends - who by the way knows his sushi.