Good-bye & Thank you to all of our readers!

A few final words from Chelsea H:

For my individual blog posts, I covered a range of topics.  I discussed the invention of the Oculus Rift, Window’s new operating system, Windows 8, and the new ability of airline passengers to use portable electronic devices at any point of a flight.  While the specific topics are very different, a similarity exists in that they all covered an up-and-coming technology or use of technology.  It is pretty amazing how quickly technology is advancing in all spectrums of the world.  I hope you all have enjoyed reading my posts; I enjoyed writing them. 

A few final words from Nate G:

The topics I've covered in this blog all had something to do with the technology out there nowadays.  I talked about how you can take advantage of the social media that's out there.  It can be your enemy or your friend and it's your choice.  I blogged about a few of the technology jobs that are out there.  That helped me in seeing what's out there and what I'm most interested in.  I then posted a blog about the transition to responsive design and how that’s affecting the technological world.  The technology in the future is only going to keep on improving and I don’t think there really is a ceiling. 

A few final words from Leslie P:

My blogs were geared toward Agile Software Methodologies and Big Data.  I think that both of these aspects of technology are up and coming giants.  There are a lot of unknown aspects of both of these new ideas but I believe that they will be a very large part of everyone's future.  Technology is always changing so there is always something new to learn.  I hope that you found my blogs informative and interesting and my one final piece of advice is: “Never stop learning”.

Thank you all for reading our blog!!

Does Agile Allow for Effective Software Testing?

My experience with the Agile process has been geared to manual and automated testing.  The software developers spend 3 sprint periods developing new features and fixing defects.  At the end of the 3 sprints the developers deliver a new product with an outline of new features and fixed defects.  This gives the testing team 2 sprints to test the software and report any new defects or report if existing defects still exist.

For this process to work correctly the developers must be able to deliver working software by the end of the period and when the testers receive the software they must have all resources needed in a properly operational state.  In my experience it has been very difficult for developers to release working software on time which limits the time available for testers.

Once the testers receive the software there are sometimes a shortage of resource to do the proper testing.  Many times this is because the testing resources are expensive.  There often are technical or mechanical issues that make some testing resources unavailable. 

After the testing has been done there are new defects that must be planned into the next few sprints.  When the software has many new defects this limits the amount of new features that the developers can implement within the next few sprints.  With an unknown amount of defects after each testing sprint it makes it hard to plan new features.

In summary I believe that to create an environment that is conducive to proper testing the organization must have very good procedures in place to ensure that deadlines are met and resources are available when needed. Again, this is another example of how it takes an organization some trial and error to properly use the Agile development process.

Leslie P ---Extra Blog Post

The Transition to Responsive Design

Since being hired on to an internship working with and designing websites, I have learned a great deal about responsive design and it's advantages.  I came into the internship not knowing a thing about responsive design and knowing limited CSS3 and HTML5.  After completing a few tutorials, I caught on really quick.  My first task was to re-create an already created website.  This took me awhile to get my homepage set up the way they wanted it and looked the way they wanted it.  After finishing with all the HTML5 and CSS I thought I was done.  The website looked good.

I was then introduced to responsive design.  Apparently, my website was just at it's beginning.  I had created the homepage and all the subpages and it looked great!  My boss then asked how it looked when I decreased the window size.  The website then started breaking down and looking cluttered.  The formatting did not look good at all.  I was then introduced to media queries.  These are a savior when it comes to responsive design.  It allows you to design how the website will look at different window sizes.  This took a great deal of time to get everything organized to where it looks good at any window size, but when it was done I felt very accomplished.  I realized I create an entire website to not only work on a desktop computer, but to work on a mobile phone.  I searched the website on my phone and it looked great!

This really made me feel very good about myself when I finished the website.  I came in not knowing anything about responsive design.  I was then able to think intuitively and learn how to use media queries.  Now my website looks great no matter what the screen size.  In my management class we talked about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and I didn't really believe that people get more motivated from intrinsic motivation.  After this project, I fully endorse that intrinsic motivation is the best way to go.  The feeling of accomplishment is very underrated.  I will continue my internship and hopefully learn even more about website design!



Posted by: Nate Gaskill

“Please turn off and put away all electronic devices” statement is no more

Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airline passengers will now be able to use portable electronic devices at any time of a flight, no matter the altitude.  This is in contrast to the policy that was in place up until now, where passengers were not allowed to use electronic devices any time the plane was below 10,000 feet. 

The previous rules governing electronic use in flight were based on the assumption that radio signals produced by electronic devices could interfere with an airplane’s radar, communications, and other systems during takeoff and landing.  This logic was proven faulty last year when a panel created by the FAA determined the majority of commercial airplanes are able to handle radio interference signals without a problem.

Even though the restrictions are fewer, the ruling should not be taken as a completely free pass on electronics.  For one, the use of cell phones for voice communication is still banned.  Perhaps of most significance is the fact that devices capable of data transfer or internet access besides Wi-Fi must still be in airplane mode throughout the duration of the flight.  These restrictions, when in combination with the new permissions for electronic devices, make the lives of flight attendants a little more difficult.  In addition, the new rules will make it more important for flight attendants to make sure all travelers are attentive during the safety briefing portion of flights.

Despite all this, the lift on the electronic devices ban is being met by praise across the board.  Just a few hours after the announcement, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue both filed plans with the FAA to allow the extra usage time on their flights.  They will be given approval once the FAA makes sure the air lines are following their implementation guidelines.   Members of travel and electronics industries have been especially appreciative of the decision.  U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow voiced his approval in a prepared statement, which included “What’s good for the traveler is good for travel-related businesses and our economy.”   From the general consumer and traveler, the ruling is expected to be met with positive feedback.  I know the extra time will not be much, but I am looking forward to it myself.   

Posted by Chelsea H 

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/travel/faa-portable-electronic-devices/

Turning Big Data into Actions

‘Big Data’ is a fairly new buzz word in the IT world.  In this day and age there is a wealth of data available and many resources available to store all of this data.  The problem with raw data is that it does not help with decision making.  People must know how to manipulate and use the data in order to make it useful.  On Forbes website I read an interesting article called “Four Step To Turn Big Data Into Action”.  Click here for a link to the website.  According to the article there are four steps to turn big data into something useful and they are as follows:

• Decide what to produce
• Source the raw materials
• Produce insight with speed
• Deliver the goods and act

This article takes the view of a factory where insights are products, data is the raw material and the front-line operators are the consumers of the product.

In the first step the article states that it is important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and what questions need to be answered.  The questions that answer the largest economic opportunities should be the highest priority.

In the second step the article emphasizes that it’s important to start with the best data that is immediately available.  This data set can often times be small and not necessarily the best data set but this gives a good start with immediate feedback.  Then over time it is important to start adding other data sets to it and begin getting a better insight.

In the third step the article emphasizes speed.  Early on the ‘insight factory’ will not produce perfect information but it’s important to have rapid bursts or output.  The product will get better with time but it’s important to have the speed early on.

Finally in the last step the article states that the information that is available now should be used now to inform specific actions.  This means put this information into action now and see the actual results instead of waiting for more data or other options.  In this step there will also need to be acceptance from managers which will take time.  It is important to remember that this factory idea is a cultural change that will need to evolve over time and should not be one large change.

Reference:

Forbes.com

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mckinsey/2013/10/22/four-steps-to-turn-big-data-into-action/?utm_campaign=forbestwittersf&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Posted by: Leslie P

Is change a good thing? You be the judge.

Last August, Microsoft released their latest operating system, Windows 8.  It was met with highly mixed reviews.  Some complimented the sleek new Metro design and increase in speed compared to its predecessor Windows 7.  However, many were annoyed by its tablet-centric design, which included a tiled start screen, and lack of common features that existed in past OS versions, most noticeably the start button.  On Thursday, Microsoft released their attempt to respond to some of these concerns:  Windows 8.1.

With Windows 8.1, Microsoft has added a number of features that may ease the transition between 7 and 8 for newcomers.  The start button has made its return, although using it brings you to the still unfamiliar tiled application screen for actions.   You can also choose to boot directly to the desktop rather than going through the tile interface each time.  The level of customizability of the user environment has been increased, with more colors and size options for applications.  Microsoft has also increased the integration of SkyDrive.  In Windows 8, users had access to their cloud-based files only through online access, while they could add offline capabilities by installing a SkyDrive application.  With 8.1, the offline ability is integrated from the get-go.  Additionally, SkyDrive is built into the new “Smart Search” function, meaning users’ SkyDrive files show up just as normal files do upon a search.  The app store has also substantially increased its content, growing from around 10,000 apps at the launch of Windows 8 to more than 110,000 today. Finally, Microsoft answered one of the biggest complaints about Windows 8, which was the limitation in multitasking due to the restriction of app sizes to either the entire screen or 25 percent and 75 percent.  Now, you can display up to four apps side by side, or just do the traditional 50/50 split that many requested.  Additionally, you can alter sizes at will, without preset percentages.

How will these changes be received by the community?  While the improvements made may satisfy the early adopters of Windows 8, whether it will attract users of Windows 7 to upgrade is an entirely different story.  The bottom line is that the stigma of Windows 8 as being an OS built for mobile devices, not desktops, will most likely persist.  Microsoft may have to wait for their Metro system to be more readily accepted by an increasingly mobile-centric technology environment before they see a large movement to Windows 8.

Posted by: Chelsea H

Issues with newly formed SCRUM teams

Previously I had mentioned the Agile Software Development Methodologies, specifically the Scrum methodology.  The Scrum method is one of the most popular methods for many reasons but there are also some issues that come along with this methodology.  Just as a refresher Scrum is a framework of teams with about 2-12 people and they all have 1 of 3 different types of roles.  There are daily, sprint and PSI meetings that the teams must all attend.  Overall this framework is very team oriented, self-managed and fast-paced.

With experience in the Scrum framework there are a few noticeable issues with it.  From my experience the meetings become overwhelming.  As many people in the professional world know, meetings are not fun.  This means if the meetings are not productive people will begin to not show up or organizers will cancel them if other things come up.  I notice the lack of involvement in these meetings over time.  If the team was behind schedule or a major defect was found than all meetings were put on the back burner or just ignored.  This hindered the Agile process immensely.  The daily stand-ups were usually attended regularly but the other meetings that were focused on team building and not product oriented tended to be skipped by team members.

Another issue that I saw was the trap of such short time frames.  During an 8 week PSI if there was a 2 week period where unexpected issues came up then the team would never be able to make up time and meet their week 8 deadline.  In this situation if working software is to be delivered at the end of week 8 and the team of testers are waiting for it but it never arrives there are big problems.  Everyone’s plans for the next 8 week session must be changed which ultimately costs a lot of money, pushes back deadlines and creates stress.

These are just a couple of the main issues that I have seen with the Scrum framework.  These teams are also very new to the Agile process which is part of the reason why the problems exist.  It will just be a matter of time if organizations see results with these methodologies or not.

Posted By: Leslie P

Some Different IT Jobs That Are Out There

With the demand for different IT jobs on the rise, there are many different types of IT jobs.  There is quite a selection of different job titles you can choose from.  There are the jobs for the people more interested in the programming aspect of the industry, such as a software and web developer.  There are also many jobs for people who are more interested in the business aspect of the industry, such as a business analysts.

1. Software Engineer

For this occupation you will need a good amount of different skills.  You will be seeing the software development life cycle through each one of the phases.  Business smarts are definitely required for this job as well as programming skills.  You need a good understanding of the characteristics of a successful program and the characteristics of an unsuccessful program.  Basically, you are the architect of the software.

2. IT Consultant

This job requires many different skills all in one.  It helps to understand the programming aspect of the job, but you also have to be savvy with the business side.  The need for information systems for businesses is on the rise so there is high demand in this job title.  You need to determine what is feasible and what isn't for each individual business situation.  Being a consultant, you will be working for many different businesses so you will also need some people skills to communicate what the business wants from the system.

3. Web Developer

This job requires knowledge in a number of different programming languages.  You must know what makes a good web page and what doesn't.  You will be designing the web page and coding it.  The ability to look through the eyes of the consumer, is very valuable in this profession.

4. Cloud Architect

Cloud computing is becoming more and more apart of our everyday lives.  A cloud architect is basically a manager of the cloud.  You will organize all the information that is stored on the cloud and maintain it.  This profession's demand is getting greater and greater by the day.  You are the architect of the information on the cloud.


The demand for IT jobs is only going to get higher and with that there will be new positions and job titles opening up.  The IT professional has the ability to choose the specialized field they would like to be in and that's a very big advantage.  Whether you enjoy the programming or the business side more, there will be a demand.

Posted by: Nate Gaskill

Agile Software Development Methodologies

Anyone who is familiar with software development is also knowledgeable about the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and/or the Waterfall software development process.  These methods seem to be tried and true in the software community but with all things involving technologies this is beginning to change.  The newest kid on the block is a method called Agile.  There are many different types of Agile mythologies such as:

• Extreme Programming
• Kanban
• Scrum
• Lean
• Continuous Integration

Some organizations even mix a few different types of Agile to better suit their needs.  No matter which type of Agile methodology an organization chooses they are looking for a few common features:

• Ability to change requirements late in development
• Working software sooner and more frequently
• Self-organizing teams, no micro-managing
• Frequent face-to-face conversations
• Close relationships between developers and business managers

These are just a few of the reasons organizations will choose to try an Agile method over the traditional waterfall approach.

For now I would like to focus on the Scrum framework because this is one of the most popular of the Agile Methodologies.  The teams in Scrum are called Scrum teams and they are comprised of 3 main roles. 

The first role is a Product Owner and this role is usually held by just one person in the team.  The Product Owner is the voice of the customer and is responsible for the deliverable. 

The next member is the Scrum Master which is usually held by one team member.  This person is responsible for removing any impediments to the team’s goals.  These impediments could be lack of resources, miscommunications and other issues that distract from team progress. 

The final members are the team which is typically 2-12 people.  These people are responsible for the actual work that gets done.  These members can be involved in design, development, testing, documentation, etc. 

This is the typical structure for each team.  These teams communicate constantly.  One important aspect of the Scrum method is the daily stand-up meetings.  These meetings should be held by each individual team and should only last about 15 minutes or less.  Members will state what they have accomplished since the meeting 24 hours ago and what they plan to accomplish within the next 24 hours and finally if they have any impediments or issues standing in their way.  This helps everyone understand what others are working on so productivity can increase. 

There are other meetings held during each iteration for planning and improvement reasons but this is the main structure of the Scrum Agile software development methodology.  In later blog posts I will state some of the pros and cons of the Scrum team methodology. 

Posted by: Leslie P

Social Media: Asset or Liability? The Choice is Yours!

Like it or not, we are right in the middle of what I like to call the Social Media Age.  The opportunities to exploit this social media are endless, but you have to be careful of what you are doing on your profiles.  This day in age, you can see what your favorite player or singer is doing with the push of a button.  While it's amazing what you can do with your phone or computer, it has also minimized everyone's privacy.

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are all examples of social media that nearly everybody has.  You can use these tools to market yourself in a very beneficial way.  A vast majority of companies out there have a Twitter or a Facebook account.  You can follow these companies and be notified of job openings they might have.  You can also respond to their posts and possibly get your foot in the door.  Using LinkedIn, you can basically float your resume out there for any business to look at if they're interested.  This is a great way to get your name out there and market yourself to various companies.  Your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn account should look professional so you can catch the eye of potential employers.

There is also a possibility that these social media applications could prevent you from getting an interview or hired.  Employers have began to start to use social media as a sort of employee screening process.  If a potential employer goes onto your Facebook account and finds a bunch of pictures of you partying, your chances of getting an interview have severely decreased.  A smart thing to do would be to go through all of your social media accounts and make sure your profile looks professional and would impress a potential employer if they were to visit it.  This is such a perfect way for you to go out and market yourself to any company you want.  You just have to put yourself in the employer's shoes and ask yourself if you would give yourself an interview from looking at your social media profiles.

Social media can be an asset or a liability to anybody.  This all depends on how you present yourself through your social media.  If you have a bunch of pictures of you out at a bar, an employer probably won't even give you a chance to interview.  This is why we need to take advantage of these opportunities that are presented to us.  The choice is all up to you on whether you want to use social media to further your career and get many more opportunities or if you just want to make it a joke and lose out on potential jobs and interviews.  If used correctly, social media could be one of your most valuable assets that you have.

Posted by: Nate Gaskill

The Oculus Rift: Virtual Reality’s Newest Star

Did you ever think you would be able to ride a rollercoaster from your own home?  What about taking a stroll in Tuscany, or a tour of the planets?  Well, you soon may be able to thanks to a brand new device that’s taking the tech world by storm:  the Oculus Rift.

Oculus VR rose to fame in fall 2012 with an extremely successful fundraising campaign on the crowd-sourcing website KickStarter.  Promising a higher field-of-view, faster response time, and lower price point than almost every virtual reality headset that has come before, and backed by many big names in the video game industry, Oculus VR sold around 6,000 development kits and raised almost 2.5 million dollars during the drive.

So does Oculus deserve the hype?  The Rift features a diagonal field of view of 90 degrees (110 degrees horizontal), more than double that of most competitors.  In the developer kit, Oculus uses a 250 Hz head tracker, which has very low input lag.  The consumer version will utilize a new specially designed 1000 Hz tracker which Oculus promises will reduce lag even further.  At the moment, the two main complaints are the poor resolution and the lack of positional tracking. However, both of these concerns will be addressed by the consumer version, which promises at least 1080p resolution and added positional tracking.  All of this adds up to an incredible user experience which may have to be seen to believe.  Oculus has hopes that their device can be utilized outside of the world of gaming as well.  Other applications could include the use of modeling software for engineers or architects to visualize their work in a realistic 3D environment, or as an educational tool for demonstrational purposes.

So you’re probably thinking that the Rift will cost thousands of dollars right? Wrong.  The developer kit is selling for $300, and they are hoping to release the consumer version for the same price.  There’s no specific date for the consumer model as of yet, but Palmer Luckey, the 20-year old founder of the company, has stated that he believes it will be months rather than years.  As the hype builds to greater and greater heights, only time will tell if the Rift is the breakthrough that VR enthusiasts have been longing for.  But if the predictions made by many in the industry come true, we may all be enjoying a new form of entertainment in the years to come.  Until then, keep an eye on Oculus VR and the Rift.