Archive - 2008
February 15th
IT Careers that make a difference!
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 14:43
Today, the State of Missouri IT department is having a job fair in Second Life, thanks in large part to Jedadiah Juran and his innovative approaches to recruiting IT staff, as featured in Government Technology and State Tech Magazines. I spoke with Jedadiah prior to the job fair and my discussion with him led me to write this article about recruiting in Second Life.
Yet for me, it was the comments by Cale Bellios that caught my attention.
Why do Ben and Jerry make ice cream?
Why does Starbucks make coffee?
Why does GMC make trucks?
The only correct answer to all three questions is to make money. And I’m not saying that answer is bad. Ben and Jerry, the entity and the people, along with the fine folks at Starbucks do a lot of good with the money they make.
GMC keeps John Cougar Mellencamp employed. But deep down past the mission statements and public relations, it’s about making money.
Now ask yourself,
Why do Health Clinics offer free immunization shots?
Why does the Highway Patrol watch over our roads and enforce our laws?
Why does the Department of Natural Resources award permits to building sites?
There are higher values in life than making money. When your profit is measured in healthy communities, safe places to live, and a clean environment then you are a part of something bigger than big business,
something more satisfying than sales reports, more beneficial than bottom line.
Missouri state jobs are not about politics and elections;
they are about providing the technology backbone on which kids are rescued from abuse,
the unemployed find work, the sick and poor find respite.
Where students and businesses grow to improve the quality of life across Missouri.
Jedadiah points out that this theme of careers that makes a difference permeates their online presence, as illustrated by the quote at the bottom of their IT Careers website:
If you are looking for a career where your work truly matters then we invite you to explore the numerous available positions building the systems that serve the public good. Our award winning environment will not only challenge you, but you will have an immediate opportunity to make a difference!
It is great to see a focus on making a difference and not just making a buck.
In Memoriam, In Second Life
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 09:49
For the shooting victims at Northern Illinois University.
February 14th
Researching Superdelegates
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 09:34Democracy for America has a petition to Let the Voters Decide, asking superdelegates to respect the popular vote. In those electron filled back channels of the internet, which may be replacing the smoke filled backrooms of yesteryear, and which I must admit, I’m a member of several, there have been lots of discussions about superdelegates and how they should vote. Should the vote be winner take all? Should it be based on the state a superdelegate is from? The congressional district? Some other constituency?
One person sent an email to a discussion on Minnesota Campaign Report started by a Superdelegate. I’ve been spending some time helping with the www.superdelegates.org website, so I thought I would organize the notes on Superdelegate.org about the Minnesota superdelegates. I wrote about what I found in a comment on that thread, and am copying the comment here:
This is a great discussion. I want to thank Megan for getting the ball rolling everyone for their comments. I'm not from Minnesota, and this is my first post here. I hope you will accept it for what it is and that it will add to the discussion.
I've been helping out a little bit with the Superdelegates.org websites. It is a Wiki where anyone can post information about superdelegates. I've spent a little time looking into the superdelegates in Minnesota and have helped get the Minnesota page into shape.
Based on CNN, Minnesota has 16 superdelegates. Superdelegate.org has identified 14 of these superdelegates. It doesn't include Megan. Any information that can be posted about Megan and the other unknown superdelegate would be greatly appreciated. Also, any corrections would be greatly appreciated.
Also, according to CNN, Minnesota went 67% to 32% for Obama in the caucuses, and the ratio matched the pledged delegates assigned, 48 for Obama and 24 for Clinton. Amongst the superdelegates, as identified by Superdelgates.org, the same ratio is playing out by superdelegates that have endorsed one candidate or another. 6 of the 9 have endorsed Obama and 3 of the 9 have endorsed Clinton.
We can spend a lot of time arguing about whether or not Superdelegates are good for the system, and I find it an interesting argument. One of the most compelling parts of the argument against superdelegates is the lack of transparency and accountability. One way of addressing this is by working together, and making the process more transparent and more accountable.
So, stop by at Superdelegates.org, add whatever information you can, and help make the process more transparent and accountable.
February 13th
Recruiters find success in Second Life
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 20:29(Originally published on SLNN.COM)
Several agencies and employers, including state and federal agencies turn to Second Life to help them find applicants and use a variety of approaches.
1983 Journal: Jan 26-28
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 20:28January 26, 1983: Feeling particularly romantic today. Again, very tired. Polished up documentation at work and learned more about security. Didn’t read today except the paper. Not feeling much like writing
January 27, 1983: Letter from Mom, investigating Omegamon etc. at work. Health food. Perhaps more important as Karmic massage oil. Towel hanging next to print of St Peter reflected in mirror. Not much reading today. I think I’ll read other than Tolstoy. Old glasses frame dig in behind ears.
January 28, 1983: Shining lips, shining eyes. (“Shining as she reeled him in”). Juror on a case about a con-man. (17 convictions) who pretended to be South African questions perceptions, like a philosopher on the jury. It’s rough living in a meet-eating world. We only perceive what people allow us to perceive (including ourselves?) Late for meetings. It is frustrating to see an artist put everything possible into a work and see others glance, perhaps even enjoy immensely, and move on.
