Mythical Man Moth

I must say that I was very impressed with Microsoft this week. I discovered two utilities that is extremely useful, one of them that will actually make me some money

Sooo..starting with the first episode of my "5 Things I’ve learned this week" series, here is a few things I’ve learned and/or rediscovered this past week.

1. Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access, as mentioned in my previous post.
2. Microsoft SQL Server Publishing Wizard, this tool can script your database and the data within it.
3. How to disable the User Account Control in Vista.
4. Getting things to work in Vista is pretty tricky, but once it does it’s very nice…no really it is.
5. Calendardrawer control for .Net, had a look at the website, definitely something I can use later.

Well, there is my 5 things for this week. I must admit, it was not as easy as I thought to learn 5 new things, or rather it was harder to remember them all than to learn them

The great thing about the industry we IT folk find ourselves in is the fact that we are able to learn something new every single day. This does not necessarily happen, but therefore i have committed myself to try and learn something new every day.

It does not need to be a new technology or new way to do something in code, but it can be a new util or a great website or an excellent blog.

So from now on, I will try my best to post a blog entry every Friday with at least 5 things I’ve learned during the week(That’s 1 a day).
For example, today I’ve come across the new Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access, had no idea it even existed, check it out here… you can use it to migrate a MS access db to SQL Server 2005 (yes, i know there is an upsizing wizard in access, but it does not work nicely on SQL 2005)

Having recently resigned from my full-time job to start down the path of consulting, I was contemplating the importance of a few important things to remember in the IT industry.

• Honesty. One thing I learned early on is that honesty is your best friend. Whenever you’re late on a project or struggling with a particular part of a project let your client know. I have not met one client yet that does not understand If you tell them you are struggling and that the task might take longer than expected.
• We’re all in this together. IT is one of those unique industries where the lines between customer and supplier must be blurred. Neither can sit back and expect the other to do everything, it’s a give/take thing.
• Continuous Improvement. There is always a better, easier and faster way to get something done. There is always more to learn, you will never know everything.
• Make friends. Yes, clients can also be friends. Don’t forget the people that helped you get where you are. Keep in touch with old colleagues(the nice ones, and the lesser nice ones)
• Leave emotions at home, and leave work at the office. Work and clients are challenging enough, throwing emotions into the mix will make it even worse. Always, always remain professional.
• Respect. Need I say more?
  

And one of my favourites, from Jerry Weinberg’s book The Psychology of Computer Programming:

The only true authority stems from knowledge, not from position. Knowledge engenders authority, and authority engenders respect — so if you want respect in an egoless environment, cultivate knowledge.

And most important: Enjoy what you’re doing, If you love what you’re doing and have enthusiasm for it, people will find it contagious.