Ready for a Sequel

Although I was more familiar with mySQL than it's older more sophisticated cousin, SQL I knew the potential potency of the technology. Apart from a basic trainer at University, today was the first time I gained some valuable hands on commercial experience with the back end of our software. My colleague, decided this morning was the ideal time to install SQL server, spending several hours installing and customising Enterprise Manager. Thankfully, the whole process, although time consuming is less complicated than it sounds, I was up and running with full administrative rights. Finally, I would be granted access, given the power and the ability to sound slightly more informed when it comes to the latest version of our market leading software.

Following on from my last entry, weblogs have suddenly once again, come back into the forefront of the media. Particularly online journals such as this, which give an insight into the life of an everyday office job. Now that more and more employers are becoming intuitive, to both the positive and negative consequence of such open, candid reporting from the frontline. Providing a motive for my blogging is difficult. I fell into the routine of updating my personal website, and then over time, emotions, views, personal thoughts and deep reflects started to come across in my writing. As a purely natural process, you can chart, quite visibly the move from a 'latest updates' page, to a comprehensive, roundup of recent events in my life.

Not exactly sure, when or why I decided to create a work based blog. I opened this Blogger account in July 2003. This was promptly after I had finished my work placement and had a brief rest bite before beginning my final year at University in September 2003. At the time, my personal site was in dire need of a makeover and I was hoping to incorporate a dedicated journal, rather than hard coding my own HTML. In the end, I opted to go for the fully customised approach. So the site, http://tegala.blogspot.com (which no longer exists) was left neglected for over a year before the birth of this blog. Not sure why I started writing a second blog (who would really want to double their workload, when they can just about handle the original personal diary). [T3G:2] was getting filled with too many technical entries, alienating many of my readers. This way, I have a home for all my computer related thoughts, reviews and experiences. I think I just need to give this log the opportunity to develop, grow and gain popularity. Then I can judge what course it will take in the months, years ahead. As a great man, Abe Lincoln once said, "If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance".

Talking Telephone Numbers

I came into work this morning as usual. Checking the Support Mailbox and then turning my attention to the voicemail messages left over the weekend. Six had been left, with two standard calls looking to chase up support issues that had been logged in the previous week. Then the final four came as a shock. All reps usually leave messages with their full name, rather than a title and a surname. The voice of Mrs. Harris and Mrs. O'Donnell sounded unfamiliar, even to my fresh ears. The content of both calls bought some much needed humour to a dull, wet and windy Monday morning. Both women sounded elderly, possibly living alone. The calls originated from the Lancashire area and inquired as to when electricity would be returned to their homes. They were cold, and Mrs. Harris was sure the policeman had told her the power would return by 2pm. Her call had been made at 4.30pm.

How can this happen? Well apparently our freephone support line number is close to within a few digits to a BT support number. I do not recall my Manager mentioning anything about fuel suppliers. Just waiting for the next installment from the strange world that is the wrong telephone numbers. Stay tuned.

Life of Riley

I have been able to observe at first hand the life of a developer. In my previous employment, trips down to the software house were rare and mainly for training purposes. The developers were tucked away, in a dark room towards the back of the building. This came as quite a shock in the second week of my placement, when I was being introduced to all the people behind the office management software. Guided around the building, I was not even introduced to a single member of the development team. Their 'home' was pointed out, and in a extremely geeky attempt to be humorous, was told, "don't worry we feed them". This was my one brush with programmers until now.

The nature of the business I work in, does not allow for a similar approach, with defined roles and employees shoeboxed into their designated area. Support and Development are very much intertwined, heavily rely upon each other. As a consequence, we find ourselves in the same room. So, given an opportunity to observe the development team at close hand, I have deduced the following. Developers are overwhelmingly speaking male. Although this is changing, it is a slow process. They give the impression of independent thinkers, happy to be left alone to their own devices and to be quite honestly, just get the job done. Eyes transfixed upon their individual computer screens, with a few literally plugged in and listening to their CDs / MP3 collections. The business operates a smart come casual dress code, but even this is taken to the limit, with the team wearing to a degree whatever they like. This high level of concentration gives the aura of the untouchables and I was apprehensive to walk over and ask them questions. Preferring to jot down my query in an e-mail, knowing all to well that it would be a few hours before I received a reply and I needed an instant response. Putting a brave face, I headed over to one of them and asked my question, being over apologetic for disturbing them from pressing projects. To my surprise, they were very friendly helpful and gave me the time I needed to understand how to resolve the issue. This small episode proves many things to me not just as an employee but as a person. Never judge a book by it's cover and more importantly, looks and previous prejudice can cloud us from looking at each case entirely on merit.

Now my work blog is beginning to grow, although, I have yet to hear any response from readers, I think it is important to clearly give my writing a purpose. Just to reinterate, the obvious if need be. Mandatory in the wake of recent events, more closer to home. With unshaken determination, I will attempt to uphold the privacy of my employee, work colleagues, and associated employees. For this reason, no real names or locations are given. All observations are my own personal thoughts and not at all the views of my employer or fellow employees. Although giving any corporate style disclaimer on my blog feels so uncomfortable and unnatural, it is essential in the current climate. This blog is not a trade secret, but then again in the same vain is not open public knowledge. Unlike other job blogs, this is not written anonymously, mainly due to the fact that I am constantly craving some sort of publicity, even if in such a shameless self proclaiming fashion.

Let me know your thoughts on this blogging genre and of any blogs you recommend I should read.

Haunted by Insomnia

It was the night before New Years Eve and I could not sleep. Attempts to drift off casually with Up All Night from Five Live on the stereo was proving unsuccessful. So after a few minutes thought, reaching over for the remote, I switched on the television. At this small hour, BBC News 24 was broadcasting with the nightly slot from across the pond. Only a show from America could be called, World Nightly News but unfortunately the main anchor for the show, Peter Jennings was replaced by a female colleague. The final slot was regarding a subject very much close to my heart. Never have I consider myself to be part of an online revolution but it is amazing when you consider how far the media ecosystem or more commonly referred to blogosphere has come. There was a statistic that was mentioned, which opened my eyes to the significance of these online journals, they are much more than just a passing trend. All you need to do is look at some more detailed analysis.

Where as I feel my personal blogging has not changed the world and will never deliver some of the greater good, it is satisfying to know the power of my fellow band, referred to as citizen journalists. To understand the truly historic context of this blogging revolution you have to turn to Time Magazine. Would you believe that they named, President George W. Bush as their Person of the Year, the American Revolutionary. Second place may be the first loser, but for bloggers, the mere thought means some inroads are being made. Scrolling down the list, I personally noted several points which have proved over time to be genuine. If this is just the beginning of the revolution, just wait to see what the future has in store. As it becomes more apart of our daily lives rather than a separate chore.

So the new year brings me back down to earth with a bump. Reality check. Back to work on Tuesday. The holiday is over and with it, any extension to my honeymoon period in the office. Nothing more than I expected, if I am honest with myself. I intend to bury myself in my work, keep myself busy, make friends and ultimately prove myself. I have been here before and cannot under estimate the scale of the task that lies before me. I will do my utmost best and all the trials and tribulations will be documented here (if somewhat edited to save any unnecessary embarrassment). My original aim of creating this new log was to have a professional outlet for my career aspirations and personal development. Leaving the path free for all personal ramblings to be posted on my personal blog.

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I never bother, but I want to set some targets or goals for the coming year, which I will be able to provide evidence for on this blog. If you have any serious worthwhile suggestions, feel free to leave your comments.