Ohio IT Skills Blog

2006 Products Of The Year

Link: 2006 Products Of The Year - Web development, security, software, storage, server, imaging, hardware, notebook, operating system - CRN.

The end of the year is always fun to look backward and forward - a natural human instinct as former hunters and foragers.  In this case - what we are hunting and foraging is significantly different than the prey of our ancestors.  But the process serves a similar purpose - to check the lay of the land and our status in our landscape.  The products mentioned here are both the results of the past - and the harbingers of the future.  So the educational value of lists like this is as benchmark against our own expected experience - and an insight into what that landscape may look like in the near and mid-term future.

(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)

IT Job Market Best In Five Years

Link: IT Job Market Best In Five Years, Survey Finds - Software News by InformationWeek.

"Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report found in its survey of 1,400 CIOs that 16% said they plan to hire staff in the first quarter of 2007, while just 2% plan to cut back staff."  This is a drastic turnaround since a couple of years ago when the press got hold of the story that there was a down-cycle in IT>  Unfortnately, the new story has had a rough time reaching the surface - and working its way into our consciousness.  But the fact is, IT is an increasingly desirable and valuable career.

(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)

Mining the Deep Web: Search strategies that work

Link: Mining the Deep Web: Search strategies that work.

Back in the days when libraries had card catalogs - we used the system, but weren't necessarily comfortable with it.  Certainly we never referred to going to search for something as "carding." 

But the Web has made the search for information a common part of everyday life - and every day millions and millions of people "googling" a part of their Internet experience.  Google has a powerful system to be sure - but it is too easy to mistake "googling" for an exhaustive search for the right information.  And many times Google simply does not suffice.  There are - believe it or not - a wide range of resources that are not indexed (or indexed most effectively) by Google.  These resources require other tools and variations on the techniques.

Information literacy is a key survival skill in today's world of work and learning - check out this article and explore the subject on your own - to see what tools can keep you more informed and give you the true information access that will enable you to succeed in your chosen occupation.

(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)

What's on Tap for IT Pros in 2007?

Link: What's on Tap for IT Pros in 2007?.

Thus begins the season of prognostication - Read this piece and then play yourself - What do you think the big issues in computing and technology will become in the coming year?

(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)

Art & Technology Exhibit

ElectroPolyglot - the end-of-quarter exhibit of the work of students in the Art & Technology program of the Ohio State University - was held at its re-scheduled time on Friday, December 1.

This event was originally scheduled for the night before and was intended to be a joint event with the DorkbotColumbus group.  Just before the originally scheduled date, one of the graduate students in the program passed away.  Dept Chair Sergio Soave and Professor Ken Rinaldo made the difficult decision  to change the date of the exhibition and enable students to attend the out-of-town memorial service.  No question it was a time of sadness.

But when it opened to the public on Friday - there was a palpable energy - of exploration, fun, and learning.  We will hope to post some pictures and a short video soon - but bottom line - scheduling confusion aside - these students are pursuing the highest values in the social acceptance of technology - seeking out new connections, new approaches, new experiences.  Be sure to watch for the next such event at the end of the Winter quarter at OSU.  The schedule announcements - along with a variety of information including a Dorkbot blog are available ate the DorkbotColumbus Web site.

(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)