Introspection Incarnate

IT Positions available in Philadelphia

2008-06-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

My job is looking for a few good nerds...

I can tell you that this is a large Philadelphia Regional Defense Litigation law firm specializing in insurance companies. Unlike most law firm (and I have worked in seven) the lawyers are nice, the environment was progressive, and IT gets a lot of support. We have been in business for 40 years and never had a down-turn. We've only grown - 5 years ago we had 650 employees now we have nearly 1000. They pay fairly well and offer lots of cool perks - like leaving 1.5 hours early on Friday in the summer. Send your resume to me (eruditus dot don @ gmail).

Database Analyst I

Summary – Full time, non-exempt.
Provides technical expertise in the design, implementation, and maintenance of database[s] that support company business applications.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Reviews, evaluates, designs, implements and maintains company database[s].
Identifies data sources, constructs data decomposition diagrams, provides data flow diagrams and documents the process.
Writes code for database access, modifications, and constructions including stored procedures.
Specifies user access and permissions.
Tests and corrects errors, and refines changes to database
Performs database tuning to increase processing performance, and closely monitors usage and storage space and influence of such on database performance.
Runs queries and reports
Provides level of effort estimates to manager for all project efforts
Researches and investigates problems and develops viable solutions; reports findings & recommendations clearly and effectively

Required Knowledge:
• Thorough knowledge of SQL and SQL Server
• Proficiency with HTML, scripting languages and fundamental knowledge of compiled languages such as .NET, Java, C++ a plus, Visual Studios
• Understanding of current web tools and languages
• Demonstrated project management experience involving concurrent projects on tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate project risks/concerns to management and set expectations

Education/Experience:
• BS or equivalent in computer science or a related discipline
• Two to five years full-time work experience required

Network Engineer

Full time permanent exempt
Reports to the Manager of Network Services

Summary:
Under general supervision, performs work of moderate difficulty for an enterprise-wide network including participation in planning, design, installation, and maintenance. A person in this position is a technical contributor with good knowledge and experience in the area of local and wide area networking, communications, and related hardware/software.

Necessary Requirements:
• Knowledge of at least 5 years of in-depth experience with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and 2 years experience with Micosoft SQL 2000/2005 in technical infrastructure and operational support
• Experience with Active Directory, login scripts, and Group Policy Management
• Solid understanding of TCP/IP, DNS and DHCP networking technologies
• HP Server and Cisco switch/router knowledge
• Analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills
• Ability to resolve advance server and client side software and hardware related issues
• Ability to work in a team environment or independently with general guidelines

Helpful Requirements:
• Experience with Microsoft SMS 2003 for application deployment, patch management and reporting
• Experience with Microsoft Virtual Server, Microsft Clustering and Exchange 2003
• Experience with Interwoven Worksite

Job Duties:
• Perform proactive monitoring, optimization, and maintenance of Microsoft servers.
• Provide support to field engineer as a point of escalation
• Perform research as required to resolve network/system issues
• Follow appropriate escalation procedures
• Coordinate with Telco carrier for circuit installation and maintenance
• Participation in planning, design, and installation of new firmware hardware/software deployments
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Other duties as assigned

Litigation Support Specialist

Full time permanent non-exempt. Supervised by the Senior Application Specialist and reports to the Manager of IT.
Summary – Responsible for the administration, installation, maintenance, security, enhancement, and upgrade of Litigation and other applications

Responsibilities:
Research new software and upgrades/patches and make recommendations
Work closely with the firm's Litigation department to assist with application setup, administration and maintenance
Assist with special projects such as presentations and setup for trial or court room appearances
Aide in installation, testing and distribution of new applications
Create instructions and documentation
Track licensing information for standalone applications
Other duties as assigned

Required Experience and Knowledge:
2 years of Litigation experience at a law firm; Paralegal experience is a plus
Strong proficiency in Litigation applications such as Summation, TimeMap and Trial Director
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Windows XP and Outlook 2003
Strong verbal and communications skills
Ability to work independently
Demonstrate project management involving concurrent projects on tight deadlines
Ability to communicate project risks/concerns to management/supervisor and set expectations

Education Requirement:
Associate Degree or certification in legal or computer related

It's been a while since I had glasses

2008-05-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

So what do you think of my new specs?

I want an HONEST opinion. If you dig 'em tell me. If you think they are too much or just plain ugly let me know. I won't run out and buy new ones but I am not used to them and trying to figure out if they are just "driving" glasses or walk about town glasses. They are a different style for me. I usually have lighter wire frames. These are far more obvious than previous styles.

Additionally, tell me what you think of these pics. I am thinking of changing some of my online pics to one of these. Do you have a favorite? Does the urinal over my shoulder take away from the allure? ;)

Thanks for your input,
- Don

Looking Inward and Spring Cleaning

2008-05-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Why do we like spring cleaning (if we are to say we like any cleaning)? It's because we get a fresh feeling when it's over. We've eliminated the layer of winter, let in the fresh air and feel like it's a whole new place.

Call it a mid-life crisis. Call it what you want but I decided I need to make some changes - personal spring cleaning, so-to-speak. I am making progress in getting my first brand and tattoo. No doubt one of many but that's another post entirely. I have been going to the gym regularly and tried managing what I eat a little better. I am trying to stop myself from biting and mangling my nails. I need to write more and design more.

One of the biggest changes is how I manage my relationships. Most of my life I persued people. I called them. I was the one that maintained the relationship. Not to say everything was one sided but more importantly I feel that I was in people's faces and certainly hard to deal with at times with my opinionated self.

As of now I stop. I am discarding my former relationships and starting over. It doesn't mean I'll never call people. Nor does it mean I won't be right back here in 10 years, maybe even with the same people I called friends. However I think there will be a qualitative difference. I want to spend more time with the people that do call me and new people than with folks that I speak to only occasionally or whom give me a hard time.

I have a small group of people I talk to regularly now. Only two people from my "old friends" made the cut. Again, this doesn't indicate any sort of disinterest in being friends with all of those people. Mainly it better gives them an out. It allows any number of them to think "hmmm, does knowing Don make my life better?" If you're someone that dodges my calls then no worries having to do that again :) No value judgements. No bad feelings (I hope) and no drama.

It takes a bit getting used to. I am going from 30+ people I called once every month or so to basically six people, most of them new and not used to my needing to know them on a level most mothers don't know their own children. :)

PS If your one of the six please bear with me as I find my own peace with this. you don't need to do anything other than tell me when I am getting annoying. I can adjust the "touchy-feely" settings accordingly.

If you are not one of the six (which you kinda know because I don't really call or email you much anymore) you have two choices. You can be all offended and say "fuck you, Don!" and rarely hear from me again except at weddings and funerals. You could say "hmmm, Don was kind of an albatross around my neck" and welcome the change. I'm cool with that. Or you can call me. "Hey, Don. I'm "so and so," wanna do something later?"

Goal: more personal qualitative relationships. If you don't think you can get that from me I no longer want to waste your time.

They are two other relationship categories that 100+ of you fall into - Internet pals and people I visit. People I visit are you lovely folks I hang out with once every few month because your 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. Fret not i m planning on more regular trips to north Jersey, Bethlehem, Delaware, Reading, NYC, Virginia/DC, and Mass.

Everyone else I will see on the forums, events and emails.

I'll let you know if I have any friends after this :)
- Don

Don gets all political... or as political as I get

2008-03-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

So for those who know mw and for those who have often been infuriated by my unwillingness to discuss my own views, often just taking the opposite side to many of the folks around me, take note. I believe action speaks louder than anything else.

I don't think any of you are stupid so you all probably can figure this out without my unpacking but this is a blog and you have started reading it so here is a glimpse of what I believe - a glimpse, mind you ;)

So this afternoon I am going to do something I never thought I would do. I am going to register as a Democrat this very afternoon. You see, like all good fense-sitters I am an issue based voter. I have certain views of what I feel the federal government should have their hands in - they are all big picture and budgetary. Thus for local politics I vote liberatarian (usually) and for national elections I usually vote for small-government Republicans.

Why am I going to register this afternoon? Because it matters. You know that. Anyone that watches TV knows that if you want your voice to be heard more than ever before the PA primaries are a pretty good place to start. It's exciting.

What's even more exciting is the hope that I equate with this coming election. If Obama is the Democratic presidential candidate I find myself torn. I love that both candidates are relatively claen candidates (you have to use words like "relatively" when you ever talk about politicians) with very real positive messages. I cannot think of a time in my voting life that I would actually have two candidates that I actually WANT to win. Gosh, I can't tell you how exciting that is! It may sound silly to you but the past few decades have been mired in polarity and party divisiveness and to see two candiates that I don't view as the lesser of the two evils rather I can choose from two people that I honestly feel will be good for this country.

Note that people, because it doesn't happen often. I am VERY cynical when it comes to politics, bordering on apathetic. But a Obama/McCain race gets my blood going. And on top of that Obama IS THE candidate that will prompt me to vote Democrat for the first time ever. Otherwise, if Obama loses the primary then my choices are clear, a politician I respect on several levels (although not all) will get my vote but it will be with a far heavier heart for the hope that was crushed on April 22nd. That's the danger of hope, I guess, is that you leave yourself open for disappointment.

I don't endorse jack but I would ask PA to heed my plea and dare to hope - vote in your primaries and bring a smile to this old cynical bastards face.

Gary Gygax - The passing of an icon

2008-03-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

I am certain there are others that would disagree and no doubt most people would be like "March 4th? Is that date significant?"

Heck I amy even forget it next year.

But the reality is that Gary Gygax is the father of gaming. The sheer number of us that started with D&D - his versions of D&D - are immense. Wizard's owes it's future to this man - Magic and Pokemon may have started their success and paid the bills for years but D&D is the standard by which other RPGs are made - for good or ill.

He died this morning and he will be remembered.

- Don

I WIN! okay, Sony wins but I don't lose

2008-02-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

Is it too soon to cheer? I hope my excitement is not met with a cosmic joke and HD-DVD's somehow rise from their proverbial grave but I was excited to hear this news about Toshiba giving up the HD-DVD battle. Most analysts say that it would be about a year and a half before the transition would be complete so we're looking at 18 months past March. Let's just hope that some other company doesn't decide to buy all the production equipment to keep HD-DVDs a afloat.

As for those that invested in HD-DVDs, no disrespect or making light of your loss. I mean you still have players and a bunch of movies that you, no doubt, will certainly get your monies worth, right?

Of course this positions the PS3 to gain more consumer value, again being a gaming console and inexpensive Blu-ray player. I am definately going to start looking at Blu-ray Burners and HD recorders in the next year now that I am more comfortable with the direction of the HD market. I have really liked Blu-ray and am pleased with how Sony has been handling it this time around. I don't know that I will replace everything but I am certainly looking forward to the Blu-ray Lord of the Rings and Matrix series.

Today sure is a Blu-ribbon day for this happy consumer.

[NaNoWriMo] Fiction for Fiction's Sake

2007-11-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

So Joanna and I are doing National Novel Writing month once again. I am putting mine in Blogger. I will basically be updating the same entry day in and day out so you'll just have to scroll through it. I think I will try to mark new entries somhow and maybe have a little table of contents.

Look, I don't think this is great stuff and I have always been a better idea man that an implimenter. I think I am a decent communicater but I can't say whether or not I'd really even want to read my own style.

That being said, I feed off of input. The more someone says "hey that's cool" or even "this didn't make sense to me" the more I strive to continue. So please let me know if your reading this. Let me know what your thoughts on the topics at hand are. tell me what characters you like, don't like, want to know more about. Give me ideas about plot and character. This sort of encouragement and feedback makes this an endevour of hope.

You can find the story here - GLADIATRIX.

This will be a fantasy take on the life of a gladiatrix, a woman raised as a killing machine and peddled in the gladiatorial arenas for the amusement of the crowds. This will take the historical gladiators and put a fantasy spin on their lives with a mythical backdrop. I visualize this much like the film, Frank Miller's 300.

Can You Smell the Plastic and Silicon?

2007-05-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

A new TV is exciting. I had wanted a 1080p but they were cost prohibitive for us right now. I am in no way complaining!

Notice the pic of me working on the Tv stand. Do not be alarmed, I didn't lose my limb in some horrible accident. just in case you were worried.

Eat the Rich?! First World vs Third World

2007-05-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this because I thought it was evocative. I think many scoff at the idea of the Indonesians holding something "like this" over the heads of the WHO and world but really, would they be forced to action any other way? it's clear what's going on. Indonesia is holding the fear of such a pandemic over the heads of the WHO in hopes that they can jump-start their economy with their only appreciable commodity. I say better them than the pharmacuedical companies. Even if that means millions of lives.

Indonesia's Bird Flu Showdown
By Bryan Walsh/Jakarta
Bird flu may have fallen off the media radar lately, but that doesn't mean the threat has passed. Poultry continue to die from the H5N1 virus, and human cases have lately popped up in Egypt, Laos and Cambodia. The frontline in the war against the disease remains the Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia, which has recorded more bird flu fatalities — 75 deaths, including 18 this year — than any other country. But the world only has a partial idea of what's happening with bird flu in Indonesia. That's because the country stopping sharing samples of the H5N1 virus with the World Health Organization (WHO) starting at the end of last year. Every time a country records a new human cases of avian flu, it is expected — though not required — to pass along virus samples from the patient to WHO-approved labs. The WHO can use the virus samples to prepare a seed strain that commercial drug vaccines utilize to manufacture vaccines. No viruses, no vaccines — which is why Indonesia's actions have triggered international criticism

Officials in Indonesia said they were angry that viruses from their country might be used to make a commercial bird flu vaccine that they themselves would never be able to afford. They had a point; poor developing nations are often priced out of needed medicines, and they're likely to be the last in line for vaccine during a pandemic. Desperate to get the supply of samples flowing once more, WHO officials came to Jakarta in late March to broker a deal, assuring Indonesia that their samples would not be given to drug companies without the government's permission. Indonesia seemed to agree to resume sharing, but a month and a half later, the WHO says it still has yet to receive any virus samples from Jakarta.

Now Indonesia Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari tells TIME that there's been a lack of "goodwill" from the WHO, and that Indonesia won't share a single virus with the international community until it receives a "green light" from the WHO that Jakarta would retain commercial control of its samples. "We feel let down by the WHO," she said in an interview last Friday. "We only demand fairness."

But when pressed on exactly what Indonesia what it will take to get that "green light," Supari is less than specific. She says she doesn't necessarily need an agreement in "black and white" recognizing Indonesia's ownership rights, yet goes on to argue that Jakarta should have final say on any vaccines made from its viruses. For its part, the WHO has tried hard to accommodate Indonesia's objections. At a high-level meeting in Geneva late last month, the WHO raised the possibility of creating a virtual vaccine stockpile that developing countries might be able to draw upon in the event of a pandemic. But there's plainly frustration that Indonesia remains stubborn. "We're grateful to [Supari] for helping us understand the concerns of developing countries," says David Heymann, the WHO's senior representative on pandemic influenza. "We'll be even more pleased if we see them begin to fully share their virus."

The dispute has centered on future flu vaccines that might be used from Indonesian viruses, but in reality that question could be moot. If H5N1 in Indonesia were to mutate significantly tomorrow and begin passing easily from human to human, triggering a pandemic, the virus would spread around the world rapidly. Scientists would begin working on a vaccine based on the pandemic virus, but it currently takes about six months to produce a new flu vaccine. (By contrast, the most recent influenza pandemics in 1968 and 1957 crossed the globe in about four months — and that was before widespread jet travel.) The global manufacturing capacity for flu vaccine is around 500 million doses. That means that a new pandemic could well run its course and kill millions before anyone could get their hands on a new vaccine. Everyone — rich and poor — would be left out. At best, a previously stockpiled vaccine made from the current strain of H5N1 could provide some partial immunity, but there will be no way of knowing until the pandemic hits.

That doesn't mean the fight is meaningless. International experts need to have samples in lab to fully analyze the behavior and genetic structure of the bird flu virus, looking for the all-important mutation that might mean H5N1 is ready to go pandemic. (Currently H5N1 only rarely infects human beings, but flu viruses change constantly — hence the need for up-to-date analysis.) Since Indonesia is where most new human bird flu cases have been occurring — as one Jakarta official acknowledged with a twist of pride, "We do have the most deadly virus" — scientists need to see Indonesian samples. That can help them pinpoint exactly when a pandemic might be in its beginning stages, still early enough to be controlled with a rapid response. Indonesia may be right to criticize unfair access to vaccines, but by withholding their samples, they're hobbling global pandemic surveillance. "That puts the rest of the world — and Indonesia — at a greater security risk," says Heymann.

Both sides expect the problem to be addressed at the World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of all 193 member nations of the WHO, which begins May 14. Indonesia has been weathering criticism of its response to bird flu since the outbreaks began, but the country will come under intense international pressure if it continues to abstain from sharing. One international health expert based in the region notes that Jakarta hasn't been shy about asking for international help in controlling the disease in chickens, claiming that bird flu had originated outside its borders. "But when it comes to sharing samples, they take the position that the virus belongs to them," the expert said. "It's somewhat contradictory."

Despite its recent refusal to share samples, Indonesia has actually been fairly open about bird flu and prompt in reporting new cases — considerably more so than China, which remains a "black hole of bird flu data," according to the expert. But that goodwill will be squandered unless Indonesia resumes sharing. Unfortunately, Jakarta may be digging in its heels. Supari told TIME that "the current unfair access to vaccines worsens the global inequality between the rich and the poor, between the North and the South — and I think that is more dangerous than a pandemic." Unless Jakarta changes its policy, we might all get the chance to test out Supari's theory.

With reporting by Zamira Loebis and Jason Tedjasukmana/Jakarta

The Journey Continues

2006-11-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

I am going to attempt to keep my meanderings in a new place. I will still be cross-posting on LiveJournal to point here as some of my buddies do. We'll see if it works at all. Only time will tell.