May 09 2010

Basic Javascript to JQuery examples

Most of my experience with scripting has been with straight javascript. For a variety of reasons, I've been looking at some other tools, including jQuery. Below is a list of basic functions that I've used in javascript and the corresponding jQuery syntax to help you get started.

Retrieve element

js: document.getElementById('orderId').value

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Tagged: javascript, jQuery

May 07 2010

Using Change Management Metrics to Manage Project Perceptions

Success!  The day has finally arrived to implement your technology project and, as the project manager, you are feeling good.  You mentally review the highlights of the presentation you’re planning to give to the project sponsor:

  • Scope – all requirements have been met and tested, and everything works as designed.  Check.
  • Schedule – the Go Live Date has been hit.  Check. 
  • Budget (Cost) – an even better story, since you’re 5% under.  Check plus. 

You deliver your presentation, which goes well - the project team, immediate project stakeholders, and project sponsor are all pleased.   

And then, it happens -- user resistance.  Not all at once, and not necessarily too loudly at first or even communicated directly to the project team, but users are not happy about the launch of the new system, and complaints are growing.  The talk at the water cooler is that the project is a fa

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May 05 2010

Secure Development - Web Application Sandbox Tools

It's been a while since I've had the chance to put up a blog entry, mainly due to travel during the last few weeks. This post will take a quick break from the Top 10 series and introduce some useful tools you can use to get hands-on experience with web application vulnerabilities in a sandbox environment.

Traditionally, you would first have to spend a decent amount of time setting up a server, installing/configuring the applications (or worse, writing your own), generating fake data, and generally performing lots of sysadmin work that is really not related to IT security. These tools (along with many others), make this process much easier by providing ready-made environments where you can explore secure coding concepts and "get your hands dirty" on other people's programming mistakes (both intentional and unintentional).

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May 04 2010

Agile vs. PMBOK: Oil and water or delicious salad dressing?

The Richmond SPIN group recently hosted a workshop entitled “Oil and Water” that invited Agile Richmond to discuss how Agile methodology does or does not align with the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).  As someone working on an Agile project, studying for my PMP certification, and having a waterfall development background, I was intrigued to participate in an open forum for Agile and PMBOK practitioners to discuss if/how both are used together in the real world.

At first glance, it may seem that there is no need to compare Agile to the PMBOK.  One is an approach to software development (see the Agile Manifesto) while the other is a set of project management best practices.

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Apr 30 2010

Data vs Information

The terms data and information are often used interchangeably.  However, in the data warehousing world they are quite different from each other.  Remembering the difference is as simple as the difference between Charlie and Raymond Babbitt.  You may remember these two characters from the movie Rainman.  Charlie is the younger brother of austitic savant Raymond. 

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