Brian's Mind

I have not really ever documented the services Anykey is supposed to provide. I have made general references to general services, but never REALLY defined what everything meant. It is time to sort this all out. If I am going to try to promote Anykey, that means I need promotional materials (at the least a web site). I need to know what those materials are supposed to say. I will start to lay out the services, and what they mean here.

• Training / Tutoring
  • We offer classroom  training on many popular software, hardware, and technology topics.
  • Custom training can be designed around a task or software product relevant to your organization.
  • Specialized training can be offered in a variety of places (on-site, off-site), and in a number of timing formats (one full day,half-day, multiple sessions, etc.).
  • One on one training (or tutoring) is available to help bring one (or just a few) individuals up to speed.
• Service / Support
  • We can offer repairs and upgrades for many out of warranty computers.
  • Our techs are experienced in working with many telecommunications vendors. Does it seem that your vendor speaks a different language than you? Let us handle the translation for you.
  • Telephone support is also available. Let us be your help desk.
• Consulting
  • Looking to set up a network, or Internet connection, but not quite sure how to proceed?
  • What is better, DSL or  Cable? Do I need a  Static IP?
  • Not sure if it is time to upgrade the old computer, or to buy a new one?
  • Not sure what you need in a new computer?
  • Just need someone to bounce ideas off of, who is not just another salesperson?
  • Since we do not sell Internet, and are mainly a service business, we can help you find the right solution for YOU.

General Technology

Internet Gems

Have you ever felt that your not getting the full benefit of being on the Internet? Do you keep hearing about the fun things others are doing, but are not sure how to find them? Join us for a discussion of some of the more popular sites and tools the Internet has to offer.  ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Finding and Using Free Software

Computer software can be very expensive. Common Office programs can run you hundreds of dollars. In this class, we look at the different types of legal, free software, and how they compare to the expensive, commercial versions. Come find out all of the things you can do with your computer, without having to break the bank! ( Two 2-hour sessions)

Note: You should have a Flash Drive of at least 8 Gig.
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Introducing Windows 7

Whether you are currently using Windows Vista, or still using XP (or something even earlier), this class will show you what is new in Windows 7. If you are looking at a new computer, or thinking about upgrading an existing one, find out what advantages (or maybe disadvantages) Windows 7 can offer. ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Computer Technology Series

How the Computer Works

This class is designed to be an introduction to what makes your computer work. We will explore the parts and software that make your computer run. After completing this class, you should be able to identify the main parts of your computer, and what they do. This is an excellent lead-in to better understanding the maintenance and troubleshooting of your computer. ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Basic Computer Maintenance

In this class you will learn about some of the basic maintenance tasks that you can perform to help your computer stay at top performance. We will discuss the environment in which the computer lives, the types of software that live on it, and how to ‘clean it up’.  ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Introduction to Computer Diagnostics and Repair

In this class, we will discuss some of the basic steps you can take to troubleshoot problems with your computer. You are introduced to how the computer works, and then some of the common problems that can occur. You learn to become a ‘detective’ who can track down the cause of your computer’s problem. After this class, you may be able to perform some repairs yourself, or at least be able to speak more intelligently to the repair person. ( Three 2-hour sessions)
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Internet Technologies Series

How the Internet Works

In this class we look at the very foundation of the Internet, and how information moves from place to place. We learn what all of the different protocols (http, ftp, shttp, etc.) mean, and how to better use them. This is a good starting point if you want to learn more about Internet Security, or Creating Web Pages. It can also be fun if you just like to know how things work. ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Internet Security

This course is designed to help explain the security risks that being on the Internet can expose you to. We discuss how hackers might try to gain access to your computer, and what types of information you might be putting out there that they can read. We will look at the risks involved in shopping and banking online, and we will look at how to try to be sure your banks and shops are protecting you. Finally, we will look at home networks and how to make them more secure. It is becoming popular to use wireless networking in homes now as laptops become more common. ( Two 2-hour sessions)
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Creating your Own Web Page

This is an introductory class that is intended to show you how to create your own web page. You will learn the basics of the language of the web (html). Some basic web-editing tools will be introduced. ( Three 2-hour sessions)
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Internet Site Development (includung Dreamweaver)

This class is intended for students who have a basic understanding of how to create a Web Page. In this class we look at more advanced tools, such as Dreamweaver, to manage the creation of a multi-page web site. ( Three 2-hour sessions)

This is a list of the classes that I see in the WCTC programs that I think I could teach with just a little time to review the curriculum.

107-030     Information Tech Proj Mgmt Princ
107-031     Information Tech Proj Mgmt Appl
107-032     Info Tech Project Mgmt Tools
107-118     Information Systems Design

150-131     Desktop Support
150-132     Microsoft Windows Vista (or Windows 7)
150-155     Server+ Adv Server Mgmt
150-156     Security+ Network Security Impl
150-168     Wireless Security
150-180     Win03 TCP/IP Protocols/Service
150-185     Linux Fundamentals I
150-186     Linux Fundamentals II
150-191     Introduction to Networking
150-193     Network+

152-107     Introduction to Programming
152-115     Database Concepts

154-132     Software Analysis & Implementation
154-133     Application Suite
154-135     Fundamentals of Support
154-137     Emerging Technologies
154-139     Train the Trainer

605-102     Introduction to Electronics

631-116     Intro to Computer Hardware
631-125     Comp Config-Hdwe Inst Intro
631-139     Printer Maintenance and Repair
631-136     Comp Diagnostics & Repair Intro
631-137     Adv Comp Config-Hardware Upgrade
631-146     Comp Diagnostics-Syst Repair Advanced
631-183     Computer Hardware Diagnostics
631-195     A+ Review/Test Preparation

There are some parts of the general sales field that I think I would be very good at, and others that I think I would be lousy at. For example, I am not comfortable with the concept of cold calling. Therefore, establishing new business is difficult for me. Here are some of the skills that I think I could use.

• I am a good technology translator. A person can tell me in their own terms what the problem is, and I can generally understand what they mean, I can then communicate a technological solution back to them in terms they can understand. I have frequently used this skill in a Help Desk environment, when guiding callers through solving problems in their own stores.
• I am a good communicator. People are comfortable talking to me. I have had many experiences where I was not the first person someone was supposed to call, but they called me anyway, because they were more comfortable talking to me.
• I am a good troubleshooter. When I understand the problem, I am good at breaking the problem down into smaller, easily solved parts. I can see the list of solutions that will solve the problem, and how to implement them.
• I believe that as a salesman you must know your products inside and out. This allows you to see them as a system, which makes the Troubleshooter skill above more useful.

Education is an area where I definitely have a strong interest. My counselor has suggested I contact some of the smaller private colleges and present my list of skills with the idea that they might not need a full-time person for each of these things, but might have a use for someone who can work at many seemingly unrelated tasks. I could do this as an employee, or perhaps under contract (or maybe even under the Anykey name).

What skills do I have to offer? I hope to list some of them here.

• I have experience as an educator. I might not be qualified to teach college level courses (or maybe I am, depends on the school), but I am familiar with the environment. There may be tasks this lends itself to that I am not even thinking of.
• I have some sales ability. Perhaps I could work a booth at various trade shows, or at career days to represent the school.
• I have a class B drivers license with passenger endorsement. I could run a shuttle or bus for the school for trips or picking up / dropping off visiting guests.
• I have a strong IT background. I could help maintain the school computer systems, or a computer lab. I can handle working with technology vendors when looking for new solutions, or resolving existing problems.
• I have a wide area of interests, which makes me a student of many different topics. I may be able to tutor students in many topics, especially technology related ones. I am good at finding answers, so if I do not know something a student comes to me for help with, I can find what is needed to assist the student. Along these same lines, I am more likely to help the student find the answer, to help them learn how to learn, rather than giving then the answer.

I have been looking at changing jobs or even careers now for some time. My happiness at Cousins was decreasing for a couple of years now, and especially over the last year. Two weeks ago, I was given some assistance in finding the motivation to do this, along with help in finding the time to do it. For the last two weeks, I have not had to worry about going in to work. I have been released from my job at Cousins.

This can be a scary time, but it does not have to be. There are so many things I would like to do, and in the end I have a skill set that allows me to do many things. When push comes to shove, I am sure I will find work, even if it is not exactly what I want.

My current plan is to start laying out my skills, abilities, achievements, etc.. here and see what I can build. Maybe lay out the various career paths I see myself as able to get and why I think I fit into them.

The URL for the Weather Service page that I like has been a pain to deconstruct. I have found a shortcut. Instead of trying to build the URL that I see when the page is loaded, I have instead deconstructed the form they use to look up your city.  This page is designed to take the name of a city and state, or to take a zip code, and determine the rest of the information you need to create the long URL you see when the weather page is displayed. Using this page, I found the Query string that can be matched with just a zip code (or conceivably a city, state pair). I can now make it simple to load the weather page for the location of my choice from code.

The following link will load the Weather page for Waukesha Wisconsin (Zip Code 53186). To load a different location, just replace the 53186 at the end of  the URL.

http://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php?inputstring=53186

The first part of this can be found at http://wordpress.anykeycs.com/?p=229

This is just a quick addition to that article.

Another feature I think should be automatic in a good online creation tool is the ability to insert collapsible sections. An example of what I am talking about can be found on this page.

http://courses.anykeycs.com/internetBasics/index.shtml

The Table of contents on the left side of the page has the little green arrows that will expand and collapse the lists. I now know how to code this, but would like an online GUI tool for this.

I have made a few updates to my wish list. If you are interested, here is the link to the page.

Wish List

My Grandfather passed away on Saturday, November 22nd. This hit me harder than I would have expected. However, there was no time to grieve, as my boss had set a very short deadline for a rather heavy project. In addition, this was the beginning of a holiday week (Thanksgiving). Needless to say, it was difficult, but I got the project finished. It took a lot of creative thinking, a few long days, and even a weekend day to complete.

This Morning (Monday, the 30th), I overslept by about an hour. I called my boss, and it was clear he was once again frustrated with the fact I was going to be late this morning. Being late has been an issue with me in the past, however, I think I had a reason for it this morning, given my past week.

At no time do I feel that he has offered any condolences, nor has he even suggested that I might take some time off. The employee does indicate that I may take one or two days off. He has not communicated the situation to others in the company. I would think that he might at least notify human resources of the situation. I am very angry at the callous attitude I feel from him.

I worked very hard to get the project done on time. It was not easy. There has not even been a thank you, or ‘job well done’ from him about it. I am sure from his perspective, I have simply done what I am required to do as part of my job, and that it requires no special recognition.

I should be used to the fact that no matter how hard I work, as long as things get done, I have simply done my job. However, if for some reason they do not get done, no matter what the reason, Then I am spoken to about how I could / should have done better.

I feel paralyzed right now. By body is shaking, and I am not sure why. Is it anger, caffeine, sadness, or some combination. I cannot think clearly, and I have absolutely no patience right now. I feel that I am on the verge of needing to throw things. I should check to see what the schedule at the gun range is right now. It may prove to be therapeutic.

Writing this is helping me. I feel a little better. I am still angry, and I still do not feel ready to handle my daily tasks. I am sure I will be chastised for that at some point. Writing this is not exactly part of my job, so I am wasting company resources in doing so. I normally would feel very guilty about that, but my (pain, anger, ??) is so strong that I NEED to write this right now.

I needed an advocate this last week. It is clear to me that my boss cannot / will not be that advocate.

– update
At this point, my boss, as well as his boss have been informed. I have also let HR know that I may need to use the help line to deal with the passing of my grandfather. No one has mentioned that I might take a day or two off. The Employee handbook does allow for that, but I am too angry right now to ask for it.