Putting the “technical” into “technical communication”

I came across a Facebook memory that recounted a conversation that I had about a year ago with Erin Gallalee from STC. She had suggested a couple of topics that might be of interest to technical communicators. Each can be a topic in and of themselves, and perhaps at some point soon, I might take …

Goals for 2024

As I write this, we're already a few days into 2024. I hope everyone had a happy, festive, and safe holiday -- whatever holiday you celebrate -- as well as an equally festive New Year's celebration. For me, personally, New Year's Eve was a quiet evening in my living room along with my wife, and New Year's …

What is an “expert?”

Years ago, Chris Bell, one of my friends on the SQL Saturday circuit, gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me for years. He told me (and I'm paraphrasing here), "the definition of an expert is someone who knows something that you don't." When someone says someone is an "expert," most people conjure …

Worldstock #WorldPeace #UniteTheWorld #StopHate

For whatever reason, during my commute into the office this morning, my mind started wandering (as it usually does), and I started thinking about the conflicts throughout the world at the current moment: Israel vs. Hamas, Ukraine vs. Russia, and so on. And this is to say nothing about conflicts that have been ongoing for …

Yeah, it’s been a while, I know…

No, I'm not dead yet, I swear. But it has been a while since I've posted anything substantive, other than user group meeting announcements (with another one coming later today -- stay tuned) and upcoming speaking engagements. I believe I have one in two weeks (I just sent out an email to confirm), and I …

Coming up with new presentation ideas

I'm sure that one of the struggles -- and most common questions -- for new presentation speakers is, "what do I speak about?" For those of you who are budding presentation speakers, let me tell you that even experienced speakers can have the same problem. This issue is common, and it isn't limited to presentation …

Our user group is having a picnic on July 23! And you’re invited! @CASSUG_Albany #SQLFamily #Networking

On Sunday, July 23, CASSUG is having a picnic, in lieu of our monthly meeting! We'll be cooking out and hanging out at Colonie Mohawk River Park! (Click here for a downloadable PDF park map!) We will be at pavilion #1 (note: it's marked as 11 on the park map! Just to add to the …

Want to connect with me? Send me a note #LinkedIn #Facebook #SocialMedia #Networking #Rant

I hate spam passionately. There are few things that piss me off more than being bombarded via email or social media about products for which I don't give two damns. These days, with the proliferation of bots and malware, spam can also represent a security issue. I suspect it's probably already happened to me, but …

My first robotics competition

Last Saturday, I had an opportunity to attend my first robotics competition! The opportunity came up when my friend Andy Levy came to town with his team for a competition! Andy wrote a couple of 'blog articles about his robotics experience; you can read them here and here! It was a fun time, and I …

Hey #SQLFamily, who would be up for a #SQLJamSession? #PASSDataCommunitySummit #Networking #Activities

When I saw Steve Jones at New Jersey SQL Saturday earlier this year, I made him a promise. Steve knows that I'm into music. He said he wanted to hear me play sometime. I told him, "if you can find me a piano at PASS Summit, I'll play!" The other day, Steve posted a 'blog …