Okay, Okay

I chose to start the work on the topic of password policies for our week 3 assignment. The reason I chose that topic is because my own place of work is implementing a new password policy on July 1st. It has been the topic of some discussion at work and I've heard some who are aprehensive about the change. My work involves people aged 21 - 55 and everyone has a need for a password (or actually 3-5).
Our current passwords are pretty lame, so I feel that it is a responsible decision to make things tougher. I'm pleased to have the chance to do some of the research on passwords and find that our new policy is grounded in what seems to be good information. I think our new policy is on par with some of the best recommendations I found on the net.
My creative muscle is weak from a lack of use, but it looks like I'll have to start a new workout regimine to generate smart passwords over the coming years.

When the internet just isn't big enough

I'm still attempting to research OpenOffice and open source software in general. My thought right now is that although the internet is a vast collection of data, it's sometimes hard to find the information you want or need in a location you feel you can trust.
Credibility is definately an issue when conducting research on the web. I've found myself googling names of authors to check on their credibility. However, then you have to realize that a given individual may manipulate what's out there in cyberspace about him or her.

My less intellectual reflection for today is that while online collaboration is nice, things like IM can really bog you down. I find that lots of people want to "collaborate" while I'm trying to get things done. Tools that can be used to increase productivity can also be abused and decrease productivity. How should managers deal with this? I have a feeling it will be a topic of future discussion in class. Stay tuned.

A free MS Office?? Wow

Since I've been working all week and weekend, it took until today for me to really delve into my technical question. I researched a product called OpenOffice. OpenOffice is an open source application which works much the same way as MS Office.
I've used and enjoyed MS Office since High School, but I have to admit that the idea of a free version of MS Office is really cool. Through my research I found that there may be some glitches along the way using OpenOffice, I'll bet for the average Joe, OpenOffice would work just fine.
While the prospect of OpenOffice is nice when thinking about a productivity suite for business or non-profit organizations, I'm really excited about the idea of such powerful software being free to all. It seems great that the software could be distributed to those less fortunate. I'm thinking that maybe organizations which make recycled computers available to the poor should distribute OpenOffice with the computer. Becoming familiar with OpenOffice will help those individuals transition smoothly to MS Office in the workplace.

Livin the Blog Life

I'm definately enjoying this class. I thought that I was fairly tech savy before the class, but I now realize that there's a ton I didn't know.
For example, I have never used a blog, didn't know a Wiki existed, and had never visited a chat room until just a few days ago. I can see how these tools are useful and fun. Most recently I learned that "Blog" was spelled with only one "g" instead of two "g's" (thanks, Pat).

My very first Blog Entry

Although not as exciting as I expect the birth of my first child will be, this, the birth of my first Blog, is rather exciting.

For those of you who find this Blog at random, know that my future entries will probably not contain any keys to self enlightenment. Instead, you will find my reflections on my current IT course at UD. My finished Blog (if there is such a thing) will provide insight into my jorney to IT saviness.

My first reflection:
The course is already three days old and I'm just now getting around to starting my Blog. It would be nice to have a computer at my disposal everywhere I go. Better yet, how about my thoughts just automatically get entered into this Blog instead of me having to sit in front of the screen and type.