08 December 2023
08 December 2023

What Counts For a DBA: Duty

It has been a long month. We had the PASS Data Community Summit just a month ago, and I came home with a hitchhiking virus (no, not that one). I dragged through Thanksgiving, got better, and went on vacation. I got back home from vacation, and, well, I was sick again. Looking at my calendar … Read more
15 November 2023
15 November 2023

Autonomous Databases?

I was talking to some people today about the concept of Autonomous Databases. The idea is that the database platform can do most, if not all, of the work of storing and managing data by itself.   These are a few of the concepts that were shared primarily as discussion points, but you have to be … Read more
23 October 2023
23 October 2023

What Counts for a DBA: Preparation

While preparing for this career as an editor, my mind went to the joys of sitting at a computer editing documents. I expected this to include checking articles for technical accuracy, and proper English, formatting documents to meet the website standard, and posting the documents. I just knew that many of the firefighting skills I … Read more
25 June 2023
25 June 2023

The Value of Adventure

One of the things that makes you a well-rounded person is adventure. But often, when one thinks of adventure, they think of fun, grand, and most likely, well-planned adventure holidays. Climbing the Matterhorn, crossing the Gobi desert, or perhaps most adventurous of all, navigating Disney World on July 4th (shudder). In each of these types … Read more
30 May 2023
30 May 2023

The Importance of Tact

The concept of tact is simple. Telling people truths, often harsh truths, without making it seem harsh. Hopefully, it is clear that being truthful is one of the more essential things in life. As a person in technology (and certainly as an editor), we often need to be honest when the truth hurts a bit … Read more
08 May 2023
08 May 2023

Xerox stars for accessibility

I was working for Xerox when the Xerox Star, precursor to all the computer systems in use today, was introduced. Before then, computer users just had command-line or character-based GUIs. The Xerox Star workstations were displayed for the first time for us insiders in a special room, like a secular chapel, guarded over by the … Read more
19 December 2022
19 December 2022

Resolving to Write in the New Year

It is almost New Year’s Day, that time when the optimistic at heart start thinking about making changes in their life on that magical day that ends the year. After the glorious gluttony-fest that has only recently ended in many cultures, it does feel like a great time to start. If you have your life/work … Read more
01 November 2022
01 November 2022

Calling all leaders: People matter

At the turn of the millennium, I was a young adult, just finished education and starting my very first job at a software company. I was excited, enthusiastic, and felt well-prepared for a life of “Office 9 to 5” and was looking forward to earning my keep. But I was naïve when it came to … Read more