Issue 2
Vol 2
Winter 2003
Still Searching..
So, you wanna leave?
MLK - the power of love
Evaluate It!
Noteworthy
Quote of the quarter
Darrell celebrates a championship!
Get yer program here!
Spotlight on…
Life in a jar
More from philosopher MOT - the interview continues
The Search Goes On..
The crew of the Enterprise found Spock faster than this, but, then again, they had two things we don't - Captain James T. Kirk and warp drive.
Interim Director Tom has raised the bar so high, it's next to impossible to find a permanent replacement. Word is they're still looking, but with Steve Jobs unwilling to leave Apple, and Mother Theresa no longer with us, the pickings are slim, at best.
In pain? Take A-leave... if you're able
In accordance with University policy, sick and annual leave requests will be approved if: 1) employees have sufficient sick or annual leave time in their bank to cover the requested absence; 2) proper notice has been provided to the supervisor in accordance with the HR Policies/Procedures Manual (
http://www.wmich.edu/hr/PPM/13absence_work.htm#annual); and 3) supervisor consent has been given as evidenced by a signed Leave Request/Notification form. Any past practice of allowing for uncovered sick or annual leave absences by employees entering into a no-pay status is not an acceptable practice and will not be permitted. Please review the University policy at: http://www.wmich.edu/hr/handbooks/Leaves.htm#SLpd). All IT staff are required to follow both University and departmental policies and procedures.It is important to note that any absence from work for any reason that is not covered by adequate sick or annual leave will subject employees to penalties ranging from a formal written warning notice up to, and including, discharge (see Rules of Conduct of the University HR Policies/Procedures Manual, http://www.wmich.edu/hr/handbooks/Discipline.htm).
I don't know about you, but the Bev and I are feeling better already!
MLK Day - make it a daily habit
Some of the presentations are past, but still time to get involved. A list of week-long events can be found at
www.wmich.edu/mlkdayWhat does MLK day mean for you? A day off? Or maybe, as Dr. Suess would say, just maybe it means a little bit more? No guilt here. Enjoy the day off, but events run all week, so try to attend one.
And if you don't think the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. still echo truth to this day, reflect on world events (tensions in Iraq, North Korea and elsewhere) while you read the following passage from a Strength to Love, a collection of his sermons published back in 1963.
"The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men."
Evaluate It!
Mid year performance evaluations were due in December, but Tom had more pressing business (remember the cruise?). Anyway, the new deadline is NOW! Better get going on that glowing self-evaluation, and please don't forget to add "Teamwork" and "Customer Service" as competencies. Hey, Bob, Beer Tasting and Hockey Watching have been removed as competencies this year. Guess that puts your score into the tank, eh?
Noteworthy
The Systems Connection
From DBA to Zen
The Human Resources PeopleSoft 8.3 upgrade is on schedule. With Sandra at the controls, was there ever any doubt? Let's hope NASA doesn't catch wind of this. Imagine the headline: Super Sandra Stabilizes Shuttle Schedule!
Al Poole said that there is a Zen upgrade coming down the pipe. At this point Al doesn't have any details to share. Hmm, maybe he should meditate for some sort of enlightenment?
The Grab Bag
More network jacks are in the works for the Applications staff. This should improve our productivity, and allow Bob to surf the net with both hands! But how will he hold his beer?
Donna and Bill went to a Financial Aid conference last month. More precise would be to say they attended the city where the conference took place. Lucky ducks. Training dollars are harder to come by than a gold ticket to Willy Wonka's factory.
The FAMIS project timeline has been revised per new specifications. The clients are taking on more of a role in the data conversion process as the contractor was not able to automate enough of the conversion to provide WMU with a fully functional database. In other words, some of the data is going to have to be converted and maintained manually.
Kronos upgrade is on hold. Now if some one could get a nice, tight grip and give it a really good toss.
Shameless plugs for Tom's family
Multiple choice question: Why does Tom want to show off pictures of his lavish holiday cruise with wife Kathy? 1. To show his staff he actually does take time off? 2. To show off his trophy wife (in a bikini no less!)? 3. To rub it in our faces? 4. All of the above?
Pictures can be seen at:
(warning- viewing can cause extreme jealousy!)http://www.geocities.com/tom.wolf/tomvac02.htm
The real question is: What does she see in Tom? It must be true - love is blind.
Mystery solved
Remember last newsletter's mystery pix? It was Miranda Otto - who most recently played Éowyn, Aragorn's new love interest in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Picture was compliments of Tom's massive autograph collection. And the winner of the grand prize? Our very own loveable Bob! For being the first person with a correct answer, Bob won a sleek, high-tech designer water bottle! Bob's converted it to hold beer, and enjoys his new prize at home as well as at work. Way to go, Bob.
Who will be this quarter's grand prize winner? It could be you! Check out the mystery photo at right and get an answer to Tom quick. Winner gets a trip to Aruba! No, wait, Tom's handwriting is tricky. I guess it says a rhubarb pie. Hey, yummy!
Disclaimer: employees and family of this newsletter ineligible. Residents of Hawaii and Vermont may be required to pay sales tax. Bob Harper is disqualified from ever, ever winning anything ever, ever again. Prize is final and unredeemable for cash. This publication can not make accommodations for those with bad eyesight.
From the WAG Bag
The WAG group is making progress, in spite of teammate Bruce. Actually, word is Bruce has a Financial Aid application almost done. Then again that is like saying Bruce has almost paid me the $20 he's owed me since 1912. Go figure. Word is he's waiting for Systems to complete setup on the unified account security piece. Tim is working on a web Journal Entry Spreadsheet for Accounting. Then again, his mentor is Bruce. We'll check the cobwebs on this project in a few months.Ed Kluk has a .NET initiative that looks like it could be a solid web development option for this esteemed team. Wag yer tail!
Quote of the Quarter:
This was in reference to Darrell's having another child in his "advanced years" to offset loss of some government coverage and insurance. Don't ask me, I didn't get it either. Go ask the Joker.
And the winner is… Mad Dog!
No need to run out and get a rabies vaccination - it's just our beloved, mild-mannered Darrell tearing up the fantasy football league and being crowned champion. The Great Lakes Football League featured a dozen of the toughest fantasy teams to ever take the field,
but Darrell was undaunted. His secret? Trading every week for players going up against the Detroit Lions. Sneaky!
Do you think Tim idolizes Mad Dog or what?!
And if you can't see Bob's big pout in the picture above, here's a better look. Don't worry, Bob, I won't mention your last place finish. If I were, though, I'd point up your Evil Never Wins perfect record 0-14!
Get with the Program -
Tips & info from fellow apps members. A little knowledge can be dangerous!Example 1: HTML code to link to a different section of the same browser page: corresponding tag at top]
Example 2: A bit of java with that HTML? Using javascript to create a forms button:
Sure, you know the HTML tag <A HREF=http://www.wmich.edu/><WMU></A> will create a hyperlink to the home page of WMU, but there is also a simple tag that allows one to "jump" from one section of a web page to another quickly and effortlessly. Just code the following:
<H1><A NAME="top"> Projects</A></H1> [this is "return" tag for returning to top of page,
see corresponding tag at bottom]
<A HREF="#projA"><B>Mickey Mouse</B></A> [this tag links to "projA" line which follows and
jumps us right from index at top of page to info
on Mickey Mouse]
….
<A NAME="projA">Mickey Mouse Explained</A> [target tag code - we've arrived!]
<A HREF="#top">Return to top of project page</A> [tag jumps up back to the "top" of page, see
I used the code below to open a separate browser window, of the width and height designated below, to show my client departments. In the picture below, on the left you will see the forms button labeled "Client List" and on the right, after clicking, there is a portion of the window that pops up with the list. <HTML>
<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">
<!--
function openWin(URL) {
aWindow=window.open(URL,"thewindow","width=250,height=460");
}
//-->
</SCRIPT>
<FORM><INPUT TYPE="BUTTON" VALUE="Client List" onClick="openWin('client.html'
);"</FORM>
</HTML>
Spotlight on…
When asked what he does in his "free time" Tim got a puzzled look on his face. "What's that?" he asked. "I am usually a horse or master to a blue-eyed blonde haired 'dog' or wrestling leopards or playing some kind of game." Wow, that can be tiring. No wonder you sleep so much at work, Tim.
He has worked at WMU since about the time Lauren was born, going on 5 years now! Previously he worked at First of America. When the kids are napping he likes to mess around on the computer or read. He's currently working on an Anne Rice book called Blood and Gold. When he's able to step out for a bit of fun he enjoys bowling and the movies.
An experienced do-it-yourselfer, Tim likes to do projects around the house. He recently put a ceramic tile backsplash in the kitchen, and is now working on finishing the basement. To find out how good he is, I asked Kristy. "He does a good job. Really. Just in case, I have the numbers of a plumber and electrician memorized. Oh, but don't print that, okay?" Okay. Yeah, right.
Tim is the reigning "foamy" champion (regular readers know what that is) and displays the trophy proudly in his cubicle, or as he affectionately calls it, the "stall." Hey, where else are you going to keep a horse? Somebody give the guy a nice, juicy carrot.
Not Monty Python's Meaning of Life, but it ain't bad
A philosophy professor stood before his class and picked up a large, empty mayonnaise jar which he proceeded to fill with rocks. He asked his students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was so the professor picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly
and the pebbles rolled into open areas between the rocks. He asked again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it in and the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous yes. The professor produced two cans of beer and poured them into the jar -- filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, "This jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the really small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One student raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers.
"World According to Mot - Part II"
Remember MOT? Tom's nickname via his dad (if you recall it was never truly decided if it was Tom's name spelled backwards or his disco era haircut). Anyway, here's the conclusion of my interview with MOT, a peek at his inner thoughts and his philosphy on WMU Applications, among other things.
What do you think of the recent budget cuts at WMU, and within OIT specifically?
"Growing up in the recession filled 1970's I remember that my dad always had this sign in his office that read
Any thoughts concerning career paths within OIT?
"I feel that everyone needs to take ownership for the path they follow in life. For example, I have talked to several folks in OIT who have the perception that upper management has a lack of direction or lack of standards, and they rationalize this into an excuse for poor performance on their part. In my opinion you could turn their perception around and say that upper management is not limiting their options. Instead they are affording them the opportunity to plot their own path to success. After all, what turns a "job" into a high paying profession? You need some rules and regulations, but you also want freedom to plot your own course and to make your own decisions. Everything should not be regulated and scripted to the nth degree. If that were the case then you could have robots or, say, $5 an hour students, doing the work. In my opinion, thinking for ourselves and taking on responsibility is what allows our department to command some of the higher salaries on campus."