August 21, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Jumping Ahead
August 22, 2017 at 12:59 am
Excellent editorial Steve. I've spent 3 years playing with all sorts of data technologies and have learned some hard lessons.
1. There are some fundamental disciplines that must not be discarded. They transcend a platform. Don't mistake them for just an RDBMS or SQL server thing. For example data modelling is more important in schema less DBs, not less
2. When did Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, MySQL etc become reliable and solid platforms? My theory is that the complexity of DB platforms means that version 8 or 9 is when they become mature. A lot of the new stuff is in the lower half of the single digit range.
3. Understand what the new platform is for and, more importantly, what it is NOT for. NOSQL solutions tend to focus on a specific capability. If that is what you need then (allowing for#2) they're fine.
4. Where are the sources of expertise? Chances are you are going to need support and training. This instantly kills the 'Open-Source is free' myth. You are also going to be breaking new ground.
5. Organisationally are you good at sharing information? You really need to be if you are adopting a technology with limited pools of external expertise
6. Integration. OMG! Tooling. I hate VIM
7. Security. See #2. It's probably going to be infrastructure security to support pretty rudimentary facilities
Experimentation is fine. Going further must be done with your eyes wide open
August 22, 2017 at 9:47 am
Like this article, Steve. For my own benefit, what do you mean by POC? I've looked it up online and found lots of possible explanations for that TLA.
I definitely think I'm in the camp that likes to check out new things. Its fun to peer over the fence. Especially if you're in a situation which doesn't satisfy or challenge. And it seems like the development world changes very rapidly. I heard someone once joke about the rapid change in web development frameworks by saying of one of the newer ones, "Oh, that's so 5 picoseconds ago." I don't know why the database world moves slower.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
August 22, 2017 at 10:37 am
Rod at work - Tuesday, August 22, 2017 9:47 AMLike this article, Steve. For my own benefit, what do you mean by POC? I've looked it up online and found lots of possible explanations for that TLA.I definitely think I'm in the camp that likes to check out new things. Its fun to peer over the fence. Especially if you're in a situation which doesn't satisfy or challenge. And it seems like the development world changes very rapidly. I heard someone once joke about the rapid change in web development frameworks by saying of one of the newer ones, "Oh, that's so 5 picoseconds ago." I don't know why the database world moves slower.
Proof of Concept. A prototype that does something, but is meant to be tossed.
August 22, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Have to agree about the regular learning. That's something I look for in candidates - how do they keep current? If someone has little desire to grow in their knowledge, it's a concern to me. You can be good at what you currently do, but with the changes constantly coming in this field, if you're not growing you'll be left behind quickly. As I type this, I'm amazed at how much progress has been made with PowerBI and DAX lately. What was something to play around with a couple of years ago is now getting huge amounts of attention. You mentioned the machine learning and data science aspects and pointed out that they're growing, but not an easy field to break into. That goes back to learning and growing, even if in small ways.
August 22, 2017 at 2:40 pm
There are a lot of DBAs who still don't even know T-SQL programming, execution plan analysis, or SSIS. If you havn't already, then learn that before straying into the deep end of the pool with something like machine learning. I mean, folks expect the DBA to be the smartest guy in the room when it comes to SQL, and they depend on you to keep the SQL Server instance running smoothly. However, most organizations are doing data science anytime soon, and even if they were, they'd hire a dedicated person with a specialization in that area or outsource it to consultants... not the in-house DBA.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
August 22, 2017 at 3:02 pm
I spent some time working through the Vagrant tutorials. There are a number of pre-canned virtual boxes with all sorts of software as part of the box. This allows you to start playing in an isolated sandbox.
As the sandpits are scripted they can be spun up, destroyed or have boot up shell scripts added in perfect safety. As someone completely new to Linux and Vagrant I found it surprisingly easy to get started. The skills are useful in their own right but are really a foundation stone for greater learning
August 23, 2017 at 8:22 am
Peter Schott - Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:27 PMHave to agree about the regular learning. That's something I look for in candidates - how do they keep current? If someone has little desire to grow in their knowledge, it's a concern to me. You can be good at what you currently do, but with the changes constantly coming in this field, if you're not growing you'll be left behind quickly. As I type this, I'm amazed at how much progress has been made with PowerBI and DAX lately. What was something to play around with a couple of years ago is now getting huge amounts of attention. You mentioned the machine learning and data science aspects and pointed out that they're growing, but not an easy field to break into. That goes back to learning and growing, even if in small ways.
You ask how someone who doesn't strive to remain current, growing their knowledge, in our changing field. I know of one way they can do that. If they work for an organization which puts no emphasis upon remaining current, then those who chose to learn nothing new have found a corporate home.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
August 23, 2017 at 8:41 am
It's hard to be motivated, and certainly, plenty of companies don't encourage innovation (crazy to me), and you find many people not bothering to learn new things because they don't need them and won't use them.
Until they need a new job.
Always learn. You never know when you'll need those skills.
August 23, 2017 at 9:07 am
Rod at work - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 8:22 AMPeter Schott - Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:27 PMHave to agree about the regular learning. That's something I look for in candidates - how do they keep current? If someone has little desire to grow in their knowledge, it's a concern to me. You can be good at what you currently do, but with the changes constantly coming in this field, if you're not growing you'll be left behind quickly. As I type this, I'm amazed at how much progress has been made with PowerBI and DAX lately. What was something to play around with a couple of years ago is now getting huge amounts of attention. You mentioned the machine learning and data science aspects and pointed out that they're growing, but not an easy field to break into. That goes back to learning and growing, even if in small ways.You ask how someone who doesn't strive to remain current, growing their knowledge, in our changing field. I know of one way they can do that. If they work for an organization which puts no emphasis upon remaining current, then those who chose to learn nothing new have found a corporate home.
True, but that sort of person wouldn't likely be interviewing if they were content there. And I still think you should try to stay up with what's going on around you in your field. My dad's been a MechE for decades, but retains everything from his years of experience and is still keeping up with what's going on now. Sadly, the age thing is working against him right now, but he's sharp and the younger guys working with him are sometimes amazed that he can point out (and come up with solutions for) potential issues by barely glancing at the designs.
Yes, the current company might not encourage innovation, but that's not a good reason to sit still. It might be a good reason why you haven't been able to put some newer features in practice, but you should still know about them. I was stuck on 2005 for ages, but at least kept up with with what was going on in the product and was ready to make some improvements when we upgraded. 🙂
August 23, 2017 at 11:54 am
To be clear, I don't agree with sitting still, or that it's a good excuse that your company won't use knowledge, so why bother to learn.
I think you need to learn. If only for yourself. If you like your craft, then get better. Who cares if anyone pays you more or wants to use your work. Do it for yourself. It makes you better.
August 23, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Rod at work - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 8:22 AMPeter Schott - Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:27 PMHave to agree about the regular learning. That's something I look for in candidates - how do they keep current? If someone has little desire to grow in their knowledge, it's a concern to me. You can be good at what you currently do, but with the changes constantly coming in this field, if you're not growing you'll be left behind quickly. As I type this, I'm amazed at how much progress has been made with PowerBI and DAX lately. What was something to play around with a couple of years ago is now getting huge amounts of attention. You mentioned the machine learning and data science aspects and pointed out that they're growing, but not an easy field to break into. That goes back to learning and growing, even if in small ways.You ask how someone who doesn't strive to remain current, growing their knowledge, in our changing field. I know of one way they can do that. If they work for an organization which puts no emphasis upon remaining current, then those who chose to learn nothing new have found a corporate home.
So government workers?
August 23, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Steve Jones - SSC Editor - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 11:54 AMTo be clear, I don't agree with sitting still, or that it's a good excuse that your company won't use knowledge, so why bother to learn.I think you need to learn. If only for yourself. If you like your craft, then get better. Who cares if anyone pays you more or wants to use your work. Do it for yourself. It makes you better.
That's what I chose to do.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
August 23, 2017 at 4:27 pm
ZZartin - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:09 PMRod at work - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 8:22 AMPeter Schott - Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:27 PMHave to agree about the regular learning. That's something I look for in candidates - how do they keep current? If someone has little desire to grow in their knowledge, it's a concern to me. You can be good at what you currently do, but with the changes constantly coming in this field, if you're not growing you'll be left behind quickly. As I type this, I'm amazed at how much progress has been made with PowerBI and DAX lately. What was something to play around with a couple of years ago is now getting huge amounts of attention. You mentioned the machine learning and data science aspects and pointed out that they're growing, but not an easy field to break into. That goes back to learning and growing, even if in small ways.You ask how someone who doesn't strive to remain current, growing their knowledge, in our changing field. I know of one way they can do that. If they work for an organization which puts no emphasis upon remaining current, then those who chose to learn nothing new have found a corporate home.
So government workers?
Frankly, a 9am - 5pm job that doesn't keep tabs on your day to day busyness, where generous lunch breaks and holidays are the norm; that could still be conducive to learning if you're a self starter. While on the other hand, it may not provide much in terms of experiential and peer based learning. Regardless of the circumstances, play whatever hand of cards you've got until something better comes along.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
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