How Not To Be Left Behind Last Update Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 1

Objectives of This Section Learn how to –Not be left behind by your peers, who unlike you, already do what I am about to discuss Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 2

The Reverend Dr. Chipps Will Now Preach Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 3

Sermon Too many students seem to think that they will learn everything they will ever need to know in class They seem to believe that the instructor will verbally tell them every single fact they will ever need Then once they graduate they will never need to learn anything new for the rest of their lives Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 4

Sermon I do not know where y’all picked up this bizarre idea Class is only the very beginning, only the very basics Any field and especially a field such as computer networking that changes constantly is one in which you must be constantly learning Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 5

How Not To Be Left Behind Do at least the following –Read the trade press –Read books on these subjects –Talk to and exchange with colleagues –Read newsgroup postings –Attend trade shows –Join professional organizations –Monitor standards organizations –Talk to vendors –Attend seminars Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 6

Note on Sources I cannot guarantee all of this information Periodicals especially come and go, as well as change names Web site links are especially prone to change Let me know if you come across any of this Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 7

Periodicals Listed next are just some of the periodicals I receive I look at all of these and a few more each time they come out I file articles of interest Most are free The web sites themselves may have all you need Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 8

Periodicals General coverage of computer and network related topics each week –eWeek –Infoworld –Computerworld Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 9

Periodicals –NetWork World –Information Week General coverage of computer and network related topics each month –PC Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 10

Periodicals Coverage of storage related issues –Storage Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 11

Periodicals Coverage specific to Linux –Linux Magazine –Linux Journal Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 12

Periodicals Coverage specific to Wide Area Networks –Communications News –Internet Telephony –Internet Protocol Journal Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 13

Periodicals Coverage of Security –Information Security Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 14

Periodicals Coverage of Computer Cabling –Cabling Installation and Maintenance –Outside Plant Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 15

Periodicals Coverage of certification topics –Certification Magazine –Microsoft Certified Professional Web Site coverage of general technology related news –CNet News Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 16

Periodicals Coverage of issues related to business –Wall Street Journal –Business Week –Fortune –Forbes Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 17

Periodicals Lastly your weekly or monthly reading should include the major trade magazines for whatever industry you work in This is to see what trends are developing in that business You cannot create a network that meets the needs of the business, if you do not understand the business Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 18

Books It is difficult to keep up with the best books out there The best way is probably to look for recommendations from all of the other sources discussed here, such as periodicals, newsgroups, and your peers Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 19

Your Peers Keep in touch with each other You will find that each of you are a source of jobs As well as a source of employees Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 20

Newsgroups Newsgroups are an excellent resource Nerds from around the world lurk on these They can answer just about any question But be sure it has not already been answered Check the FAQ first Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 21

Trade Shows Trade shows have all the new toys in one place Attend the ones you can Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 22

Professional Organizations A great way to see and be seen is to join a professional organization, then attend the local meetings These are great sources of help They offer an opportunity for you to contribute Membership looks good on a resume They may also offer discounts Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 23

Professional Organizations Check out at least –IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers –ACM - Association for Computing Machinery Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 24

Standards Organizations It is extremely important to keep an eye on what may be appearing in the future You will soon find that the articles you are reading are based in many cases on what was learned by the authors while keeping up with this source of information Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 25

Standards Organizations The ones to keep an eye on include at least –IEEE –IETF Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 26

Vendors Vendors, especially if they think you are getting ready to buy something, will provide endless information Be nice to and talk to them Attend their presentations and seminars Look over anything they mail to you There is no such thing as junk mail Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 27

Attend Seminars Vendors, professional organizations, universities, and many others put on all types of seminars Attend as many of these as you can Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 28

Where do you find time for all of this Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 29

Eating This is not a useful expenditure of your time At least try to read as you are eating Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 30

Sleeping This too is a major waste of time Get as little as possible Copyright Kenneth M. Chipps Ph.D. 31