Hearing is Believing—TU receives TEDCO grant!

March 17, 2011

Dawn

I have a confession to make.  Now, don’t get too excited, it is not one of my deep dark secrets; it’s just a common annoyance that I feel the need to share.  Here it is: I hate those CAPTCHA things. You may not know the name CAPTCHA, but you know what I am talking about, those distorted alpha-numeric blocks that you have to manually enter in order to gain access to a web page or purchase concert tickets online.  Yes, I understand they are for my own protection, but it always takes me multiple times to enter one correctly because I just can’t see them clearly. Whenever I start to get irritated upon entering a CAPTCHA for the umpteenth time, I try to take a cleansing breath and think that if this is hard for me, it must be nearly impossible for someone with vision impairment.  Thankfully, Dr. Jonathan Lazar of Towson University decided to do something about that.


Using recognizable sounds instead of the common visual CAPTCHA, Dr. Lazar, along with Tim Brooks and Gena Melamed of Information Systems Solutions (ISS) and other students and faculty from Towson, are working on a new technology called SoundRight audio.  Audio CAPTCHA technology does exist; however, in its current state it produces very low success rates for blind users. TU’s new technology will provide blind and vision impaired people with the same time access to websites as everyone else, through the use of common sounds. Based on the English language, SoundRight audio relies on simple sound clips such as bells, barking dogs and running water, etc. The sounds being chosen for SoundRight are designed to be recognizable by a greater number of people, because they are sounds that cross different cultures and backgrounds.

The work being done here to further develop and patent this new technology is gaining attention from outside the University as well. The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) awarded the Towson team with a $50,000 grant to further develop this new technology. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said “We are pleased that Towson University has received this grant and is actively working on a CAPTCHA substitute that does not rely on alternative accommodations.  TU’s SoundRight initiative will provide the blind with equal access to websites that utilize CAPTCHAs . . .”  This new technology is a great representation of using the resources of the university to solve a real problem facing our citizens.  Providing tools to allow the blind and visually impaired to more easily access the web is a much needed advancement, I just hope they let me use SoundRight too.

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Posted by Dawn Bott

Big Decisions….COTS versus Custom

February 22, 2011

Dawn

While contemplating the big decisions in life . . . married vs. single (oops already married); children vs. no children (oops again have 2 of those); dog vs. cat (yikes seems like I’ve already made that one too!), I realized in my previous blog I may have begun contemplating the biggest decision of all. . . COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) software versus Custom software. Okay, so maybe COTS vs. Custom is not as big as dog vs. cat, but for many businesses it is one of the most important decisions they may have to make.

Recently, with the help of Tim Brooks, ISS Associate Director, I wrote about using and customizing a ‘COTS’ package to fit an organization’s specific needs. But if your processes are significantly different or specialized, the amount of time and money spent on forcing a COTS package to work may be better spent by having a reputable organization create a custom solution.

Customization may seem overwhelming, and that is why many people will go the COTS route and inevitably spend more money and time than necessary making it fit. There are some distinct advantages to custom over COTS.

  • When creating a custom software application, you will be able to get exactly what you want and have it fit in with current business practices.  With COTS you may have to adapt your business processes to the software.
  • With Custom software you can “own the code” which means that licensing and renewal support costs are not necessary.  Also if something needs to be changed in the code you can have it done, instead of waiting for patches or updates from the COTS manufacturer.

So, once you decide the level of specialization does require custom software, how do you begin? When starting with a COTS package most of the process is already in the software, but when creating a custom software application, you are starting with a blank canvas.  An effective and usable software application is only created when users and developers work together to understand the needs of the organization and then recreate software requirements that meet those needs  A good working relationship between users and developers will yield software that is user friendly and cost efficient.  Most organizations cannot go it alone, but they also cannot just turn over vague ideas and notions to the software development firm.  It must be a partnership.

In business, COTS and Custom have their place, but as we’ve outlined decision-makers need to do their research before making the decision between the options!  Even though at first look COTS may seem the easiest and cheapest way to go, customized software may be the best bet in the end.  Now that you have a better understanding of COTS versus Custom, I need to get back to contemplating life’s other big decision McDonald’s vs. Chick-Fil-A?

 

Photo Credit: SXC/Chris Baker

 

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Posted by Dawn Bott

When does COTS become a Custom?

January 31, 2011

Dawn

For this blog post I sat down with Tim Brooks, Associate Director of ISS for Software Development, to learn more about the types of solutions we offer our web clients.  I was somewhat overwhelmed with the technical language, but really impressed with the diverse types of solutions we offer and the expertise and experience Tim and his team bring to each project.  Here’s some of what I learned…

When considering implementing a new software system one of the first decisions any organization needs to make is whether to build a new software application from scratch or to purchase a commercial application that will either do the job or serve as a starting point for further modification and development.   If the business need is a common one, it is likely that a software company has addressed the issue in a “Commercial off the Shelf” (COTS) package.

For example, a company would not task their IT shop or a third party contractor to develop a program which would allow them to create and edit documents using various fonts and formatting options. They would just purchase Microsoft Word or similar word processing program.  The choice is a no-brainer because the requirements are perfectly addressed by the existing software.  But how does an organization decide when the case is not quite so clear?

In the day-to-day world, the build/buy decision sits on a continuum based on the requirements of the user and the functions of the product.  At one end there is the possibility that the software available is a perfect match for the requirements.  At the other end of the spectrum is the possibility that the task has some unique parameters that a COTS package is unsuited for because the task or the level of modification required to make it fit the requirement is too great.  A good match is a situation where the product being considered will require little modification in order to match the requirements or where the requirements can be modified to fit the functions of the software with little impact.

Photo credit: SXC, Flavio Takemoto

If the product needs modification, how can these modifications be accomplished? Many COTS vendors provide modifications to their software as a commercial service.  If these services are available they are almost always your best bet.  The vendor is the ultimate expert on their products and has possibly made similar modifications for past customers.  Other vendors supply an option to purchase the rights to the actual program code which allows any skilled developer to make modifications to the software.  There are development companies, including ISS, which have built a large body of experience with specific COTS products and can make standard modifications to these products efficiently.

But as always, buyers beware. If you need an accounting package and your vendor recommends an electronic checkbook – chances are the customization involved will outweigh the cheap cost of the initial software.

If the match between the COTS product and the requirements is close, and if needed modifications can be obtained from an experienced, reliable vendor, then COTS products can address software requirements with proven mature technologies and at a lower cost than custom development.

Now stay tuned for what to do when you need to build it . . .

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Posted by Dawn Bott

2011 is Time to KINECT

January 6, 2011

Dawn

Well, 2011 has dawned and it’s time to get back to reality. No more sleeping in, eating too many cookies and playing video games.  Yes, in case you haven’t guessed, I am a gamer.  I play Lord of the Rings online (at our recent DECO Retreat I divulged my status as a Level 57 – now 58 – Minstrel) and I’m a member of several “Rock Band” bands.   I have dabbled in some Wii games as well.  My new love is the Xbox Kinect.  Santa surprised the little people in my house with it this year.

I will openly admit I was skeptical. Could it really work?  I mean, a device that would follow my movements without me looking like I am doing Ti Chi?  The answer is yes.


The day after Christmas we set it up.  I had to run to the local game store to pick up an additional hard drive because the Xbox 360 that comes with the Kinect does not have a large enough hard drive-a definite issue in my book.  If you already own an Xbox 360, there is an adapter kit with the Kinect and you do not have to buy a whole new system.  Since my husband and sons are BIG gamers, we quote “needed” a new Xbox.  (We already have several and multiple copies of Call of Duty Black Ops but that is an entirely different blog.)  After a few minutes, the Kinect was hooked up and ready to roll.

Roll it did.  The system came with Kinect Adventures.  You literally jump, twist and move unlike anything I have ever done with a video game before.  I own the Wii Fit and used it for a while, but never got a work out like I did with Kinect Adventures.  I actually worked up a sweat and was really sore the next day.

I believe in truth and advertising. The Kinect says you will not be sitting on the couch. Unless you are watching someone else you won’t or want to be because it’s too much fun.

The other game we have is Kinectimals.  My 8 year old loves it and has adopted several pets.  He rolls on the ground and plays with them, tosses Frisbees and even shoots soccer balls.  As an avid soccer player, he loved feeling like he was getting in some practice while still in his PJs.

The best sales figures for the Kinect that I found were 2.5 million units as of 11/30/10, as noted on www.Notebooks.com.  Right now the only down side I found to this new technology is that in Kinect Adventures there is the ability to take pictures while you are in the middle of the game.  To say that these things are blurry AND unflattering is being polite.  Once again the 8 year old loved it, the 40+ members of the house hold, not so much.

If you are looking to start 2011 with a little more exercise and lot more fun, I really recommend looking into the Kinect.  Since it is new there are not a lot of games out yet. I am considering the Biggest Loser game for my next purchase.  I can only assume from past experience with Microsoft that the games and the fun will only get better.   So try to Kinect in 2011.

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Posted by Dawn Bott

Why am I a Business Analyst?

November 8, 2010

Dawn

I can honestly say that then when I was asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  Business Analyst was not my stock answer – psychologist, President, writer maybe but not Business Analyst.  First of all I had no idea what it meant to be a Business Analyst, and second of all it really didn’t sound too exciting.

My path to becoming a business analyst was not a straight course.  Think of the old Family Circus cartoons when the mother calls the child, and you see the footprints in a very indirect route.  That has been my career path. When I started college, I had the full intention of graduating and going on to pursue my Ph.D. in British Literature.  My plan was to teach in some small liberal arts university/college on the East coast. While in college I met my now husband, graduated, got married and found a cool job working for the Maryland Stadium Authority right before they opened Camden Yards.  During this time, I did start working on my master’s in writing, and maybe someday I’ll finish it.   I realize now, however, that my 18-year old dreams would not have made me happy.

 

Photo Credit: Flickr User Dave Newman (DNewman8)

After 5 years of working at my first job out of college, I decide I needed a change.   Being a legal assistant was no too exciting, and I wanted to try marketing.   So I started at RESI, I what used to be the marketing department.  During this time, I co-planned the Economic Outlook Conference, worked on marketing all the publications we produced and met with potential clients and for a while I liked it.   While working in the marketing department, RESI—now ISS—started a management consulting division.   I heard about the department and thought the kind of work they were doing sounded interesting.  It involved writing and working with clients; this had potential.  But I had several more stops along ISS’s route before I made it there.  I went from marketing to administration and from administration to the IT division.  Through some quirks of fate and changes in the workplace climate, I ended up doing what I do now.

A Business Analyst is not one thing, it is many things.   I have been able to draw on past experiences as I do the job (see Lisa Walker’s post “What do you do all day?”). I am able to write and help people organize their work lives through SOPs and manuals and create requirements for new systems.  Not to mention, I also I have been able to dust off my old forensics skills (i.e., speech and debate, not CSI) when working with clients.  For me it is the opportunity to use my strengths and abilities, and I enjoy doing it.

I have been a Business Analyst for the past 9 years, and during that time I have managed several interns.   Working with college students is great and the one piece of wisdom I hope to impart is that it is okay to not know the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?”   It took me a long time to figure it out, and who knows, maybe there is yet another path I need to take before I “grow up.”

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Posted by Dawn Bott

Room with a View

October 7, 2010

Dawn

As always, I like to write about cutting edge, super important topics like Facebook and my personal laptop. And if I can work my kids into a blog, it’s a winner.  So in keeping with this vein of things I ponder, I thought I’d share my thoughts on… wait for it… Office Decoration.

Think about it, most people spend a great deal of time decorating their home because that’s where they live.  But just as your home is a reflection of you, so is your office, whether you are aware of it or not.   As you probably have guessed my office is decorated predominately by my boys and my nieces. I have “I love you mommy” notes, Japanese Erasers from my 8 year old, pictures of various children to whom I am related and a various art projects and things I received as gifts from the Dollar Store.  But since it is my office I also have a framed picture I received back when I worked for the Maryland Stadium Authority and was part of the “Give Baltimore the Ball” campaign, a drawing a purchased of Le Fountain Bleu chateau and a poster of the Negresco Hotel in Nice.  The last two I’ve had since I was 17 and went to France. Okay, I turned 40 this year and am holding on to my youth; hence why I have an array of Happy Meals toys on my desk.  To say my office is an eclectic collection of stuff is being kind, but it is a reflection of me.

My co-worker and fellow blogger Lisa Walker shares an office with an ISS Project Manager, Bob Telewicz.  Lisa definitely took control of the office décor.  If we ever need to escape to the beach for a few minutes, we visit Bob and Lisa.  With a palm tree, tiki torches, a pink flamingo and Buddha lights a Zen experience is only across the hall.  Of course if you look closer you can see Bob’s Demotivational Calendar, a clock that is backwards, his framed artwork of an outhouse and pictures of his dogs Charlie and Sammy.

There are others in the workplace that keep it professional, which I guess since it is an office that would make sense. But as I walk through the halls and sneak a peek at where others spend their days, I usually can see some little aspect of them on their walls or desk.   Not to name names, but there is a velvet Elvis discreetly hung in a co-worker’s office and another mappish type person has a really cool looking globe.  Most people have some picture or item that means something to them and it is located where they can see it every day.

I know for me, when a day is not going great, but I am in my office, I can take a quick look around and see something that will make me smile.  So I think everyone should have a least one “make me smile” picture or thing in their office or cube.  We spend more waking time at work then we do at home sometimes, so we might as well enjoy the view.  Besides I have no room for all this stuff at home!

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Posted by Dawn Bott

What Does Your System Require?

September 9, 2010

Dawn

Nothing like an e-mail asking you if you did something to remind you that you haven’t done it yet!  I was asked to write a blog on writing requirements about a month ago. The same time I was assigned to a project requiring me to write requirements. Therefore I hadn’t written my blog until I got the e-mail, from our blog manager, asking about it. Since I am currently completely immersed in writing requirements, it probably is a good idea for me to sit back and think about why these lines of information are so critical.

Requirements and their relevance
Before a system can be built, upgraded or enhanced, you need to figure out what it is going to do and how it is going to do it, which is not as easy as it sounds.  There are two types of requirements: system requirements that deal with the server size or what platform to use, data migrations etc.—you know the technical stuff—and the workflow requirements that outline how the data will move through the system.  Both types are integral when building, redesigning, updating, or customizing any system.

Requirements and their challenge
Requirements of either type are not for the faint of heart. You need to be able to look at the system as a whole and also be able to see all the individual workflows, all at the same time.  You need to have a good working relationship with the system users, or the people who will eventfully be required to use the system for which you are writing the requirements.  Oh yeah, there is also documenting everything thoroughly so that the programmer who is actually building the system understands what the system needs to do, at that given moment.

My take on requirements
Though I have some experience with technical requirements, I usually write workflow requirements. Workflow requirements refer to how the system will move the data and how the data will be accessed by the user. When writing workflow requirements, you need to think about what goal the system is trying to achieve at a given moment:  “Do you want to access the data?”, “When do you enter a new data element?”, or “How is the data then going to be used?” Then you need to write it out succinctly so that the programmer can write the code correctly.

Requirements are the starting and ending point for every system. They are the blueprint used to build the system and, once the system is built, they become the standard to test the system ensuring it does what it is supposed to do.  If the system shall be capable of X, then the test plan will include verifying the system can do X.  The more time spent on the creation and refining of requirements in the beginning of a project, the less time spent on building, testing and fixing the system after it is built.

So now that I have taken a brief break to write about requirements, I will now go back to actually writing them. I know you are so jealous.

2 Comments | IT | Permalink
Posted by Dawn Bott

The other side of the hall, my first project with CGIS

August 24, 2010

Dawn

I have been with Towson now for over 13 years.  A couple things have changed since I started here:

1) Towson University was actually named Towson State University and

2) I originally worked for the Regional Economic Studies Institute.  After many years and name and position changes, I find myself now working for Information Systems Solutions (or ISS), which is part of DECO (Division of Economic and Community Outreach).

DECO is made up of many different groups, and until recently, I never had the opportunity to work with any of them directly.  We all go to the same office events and our offices are across the hall, but I wasn’t really sure of all their job duties, and they may not have been sure about mine.  Recently I learned more about what the Center for GIS (CGIS) does by participating in a project with them, and it was a great experience.

Let me start out by saying I was a bit nervous.  These are people I say “hi” to in the hall or “excuse me” to when I need to get to the fridge in our little kitchen, but actually working on a project with them, now that made me a bit edgy.  I wasn’t sure how I would fit in and according to my husband I can’t read a map well and can even get lost using our Garmin.  So working with people who are experts in this field was overwhelming to me (though comical to my husband).

The project we worked on dealt with GPS, see Garmin comment above, and it was with Mark Helmken and Michael Bentivegna (Director and Associate Director of CGIS. . .yikes bosses!).   Both of these professionals were great and made me feel like a part of the team, not an outsider by any means.  I was able to learn not only about GPS but also a little bit about how CGIS operates.  Though we are all part of DECO, we are all our own entity, so the great thing for me was learning how we can work together and how each group really does compliment the others.  If one is lacking expertise, chances are another DECO member has it.  This also parlays into being part of a university. DECO as a whole has such a unique ability to tap into resources and get the answers because of who we are and where we are located.

I am pretty confident that my trip to the other side of the hall was not only educational for me but also educational for them as well.  They got to work with someone new and learn a little more about what ISS does and all of this dovetails nicely with being at a university; learning is what it is all about.

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Posted by Dawn Bott

My New Love

July 8, 2010

Dawn

If you have read any of my previous blogs, you will know I am not a high tech person and have spent several months debating whether or not to embark in a new laptop relationship.  Well I did it. I ordered my Alienware computer, and yes I have become starry-eyed over my fancy new keyboard (I can change the lights to have a rainbow effect, way cool!).  Of course this has nothing to do with the computer’s functionality, which yes I know, is the IMPORTANT part of the laptop.

After the grueling process (for me and my husband who had to explain everything) of putting in and taking out functionality and features on the Alienware website, I was confident we had designed the right system for me.  My new love interest is the MX17 with the ATI Crossfire graphics card, Core i7 Processor 1333MHz Memory, and Raid 0 and Raid 1 Configuration. Yeah, I really don’t know what this means other than it is a top-of-the-line gaming machine with way cool graphics!

However, as with any new relationship we are having some “getting to know you issues.”  First, I have had to get used to using Windows 7, a little tricky but not a deal breaker.  Also, it is a little more desktop (portable but a little bigger and heavier than anticipated) than my previous laptop.  The first big hurtle in this new partnership however seems to be some issue with my battery.  I have had to spend some time with Dell’s (owners of Alienware) support.  They have sent a tech out to my house, free of charge, and yet it’s not fixed.  But, they are working with me.  If the computer is plugged in, it works fine, and when I get the battery to charge, it works fine.  So, I am optimistic this issue will be resolved shortly and my love affair will continue unhindered.  If it is not, you will be reading about how I have fallen out of love with Alienware or gone postal.  Let’s hope I don’t have to write that blog.

On the up sides there is a lot to like about my computer, aside from being able to change the light colors on my keyboard.  For one, if I am just surfing the web I can put it into “Stealth Mode” allowing me to use a lot less electricity or batter power, so my Facebooking won’t drain my battery.  This is accomplished by simply pushing a button, something a low techie like me can do without any problem.  My screen and graphics cards are top notch and the Raid 0 and Raid 1 configuration works great.  I feel that with this much processing speed, ram and overall power, I have sacrificed nothing by buying a laptop over a desktop.

I can’t say that I am totally in love with my new machine.  We are still getting to know each other’s abilities and weaknesses and are working through a major issue in the very crucial first few months of our relationship.  As with any new relationship, I am optimistic we can work through our problems and be together for years to come.

Now to buy a new cell phone . . .

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Posted by Dawn Bott

Time to Stretch

June 8, 2010

Dawn

Okay it’s my turn to write a blog and I’ve got nothing.  No new software/hardware, no new fantastic website.   NOTHING new to share that will wow you our dear reader.  So why am I writing a blog this month, what am I writing about and why should you care?

  • My reasons for writing a blog are somewhat selfish, I like to write.
  • I am writing about well, writing.
  • You should care because writing is good for you.

Until I started writing for this blog, I had really stopped writing.   I have never been good at keeping a journal, and once career, marriage and kids came along, writing for me became non-existent.  As a business analyst/technical writer I write every day.  But rarely was I able to express my thoughts, I was just working through client needs.   Now through this blog, I have been encouraged to write for–dare I say it—“fun”.   I can pick a topic interesting to me and share it.  So I’m using my blog time this month to encourage everyone to write anything.

Write something you wouldn’t normally write: a poem, a journal entry or even a paragraph (regardless of the length) on what you had for dinner.  It doesn’t matter if it is good; it really doesn’t matter if no one but you can read your handwriting.  What does matters is that you are stretching a muscle you may not have worked out with for some time.   Think of it as getting back on that bike you haven’t ridden in a while.  Yes your first couple attempts may be a little shaky, but with some practice you will get better at a skill we all really do need. The whole idea here is to encourage you to write something new, just for you.

Hey I did and feel that writing for the blog has helped my real work writing improve.   It’s just something to think about, but the thinking will go better if you write down those thoughts.

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Posted by Dawn Bott

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