Some Things In Life Are Free

Yesterday I took a voluntary layoff. My last day with the Department of Natural Resources will be June 30th. I’m making this an opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do –move to Canada. My ultimate destination will be Kelowna, British Columbia…

I’ve always had an interest in becoming a database administrator. My original focus while going to school at the Evergreen State College was LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL and PHP). Tinkering with operating systems and hardware drew my attention to other areas and I ended up in technical support.

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So onto the free stuff…
The first is what I’m currently working on. DB2 is a database server from IBM. Through the DB2 on Campus, you can develop the skills necessary to become either an administrator or developer. The software is free, book is free, videos are free and can be watched online or downloaded. Even if DB2 isn’t your particular database of choice, it will provide you with enough tools to learn Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, etc. It also dives into XML, so if web development is to your liking…

…a good place to start is W3C Schools where you can learn HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript and more. If this piques your interest but you want to get into something more advanced like AJAX or other Web 2.0 development, a good place to start is with the Webmonkey tutorial Get Started With Programming. This will also help transition to learning other programming languages.

Word Of Caution:
Be careful picking up books with “learn in 24 hours” and similar titles. A book can give you a good foundation but only experience will make you a programmer. For more on this, read Peter Norvig’s Teach Yourself Programming In Ten Years.

Microsoft is also helping out with free training through their Elevate America Program. They have offerings for the novice and professional alike.

I hope these sites will come in handy. If you know of any others, please leave a comment with links.

This Is Not About My Blog

On 4/27/2009 4:28 PM, BENTON, MICHELLE (DNR) wrote:

Specifically this meeting will be to address your failure to comply with
my directive.  I will be giving you a reprimand and you will receive all
documents relating to the reprimand at our meeting on Wednesday.

Hope that answers your question.

Michelle

From: DRESSEL, JOSH (DNR)
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 3:58 PM
To: BENTON, MICHELLE (DNR)
Subject: RE: Wednesday's meeting

I'm trying to get more information about what this means. I've adhered to
the memorandum I was given and nothing has gone up on my blog since that
wasn't first obtained through Peggy Murphy. If this "performance
evaluation" is possibly going to be disciplinary in nature, I'd like to
know ahead of time so Joan and I can know what to expect.

From: BENTON, MICHELLE (DNR)
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 3:53 PM
To: DRESSEL, JOSH (DNR)
Subject: RE: Wednesday's meeting

Hi Josh;

As I said in the meeting it is to address your performance as it relates
to the directive I gave you on April 16, 2009.

Michelle Benton
Assistant Division Manager
Budget & Administrative Services
Information Technology Division
360.902-1550

From: DRESSEL, JOSH (DNR)
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 3:50 PM
To: BENTON, MICHELLE (DNR)
Subject: Wednesday's meeting

Hi Michelle,

Is Wednesday's meeting to formally address my conduct at work?

Josh Dressel
IT Specialist
Department of Natural Resources
360.902.1545

The Walls That Peter… Almost Built

"I believe that every agency ought to publish its spending online. Government that is open and honest will always be able to withstand the light of day."
- Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

If I’ve accomplished nothing else, maybe I at least helped thwart an attempt by DNR management to engage in frivolous discretionary spending. Months of planning went into a project to soundproof Peter Goldmark’s already private office. One estimate showed a total cost of $58,078.

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From: GILLIS, EDIE (DNR) 
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:11 PM
To: YOUNG, PATRICIA (DNR)
Subject: options for office

The Commissioner would like to pursue the option for adding the clearstory extensions to his office only---with the $4500 price tag.

Would you CONFIRM that this will indeed soundproof the office and provide the confidentiality that Commissioner requires?

Thanks~ Edie
Edie Gillis
Senior Advisor
Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands
Washington State Department of Natural Resources

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On Saturday, April 18, executive management came to the sudden conclusion this project was “unnecessary spending.” Hmm maybe there’s something to this public awareness after all.

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From: GILLIS, EDIE (DNR) 
To: YOUNG, LENNY (DNR) 
CC: GOLDMARK, PETER (DNR)
Sent: Fri Apr 17 11:48:33 2009
Subject: Commissioner’s office wall

Lenny,

Re: Walls for the Commissioner’s office

Since taking office, we have noticed difficulties associated with the Commissioner not having full walls surrounding his office. The cubicle wall-system has severely limited the Commissioner’s ability to have confidential conversations regarding important agency business (legal issues, complex negotiations, staffing and budget conversations.) The final estimate has come in from GA and to build a full-length, floor-to-ceiling wall will cost $19,000.

During these unprecedented budget times, we must dramatically limit discretionary spending; despite the difficulties we have had finding private rooms for the Commissioner’s meetings. So at this point I recommend that we don not seek to build an office wall for the Commissioner.

Edie Gillis
Senior Advisor
Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands
Washington State Department of Natural Resources

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From: GOLDMARK, PETER (DNR) 
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:58 AM 
To: GILLIS, EDIE (DNR)
Subject: Re: Commissioner’s office wall

Edie,
I agree. We must curtail all unnecessary spending, including any modifications to my office. So, please let GA know that we will not be making any changes or expending any resources on the office.

Peter

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I’m curious about this claim of a final figure of $19,000. Not only is there the previously mentioned $58,078 estimate, but a memo dated March 2, 2009 from Patricia Young states:

2. The estimate for walls and doors from GA and the Haworth clear story above the existing reconfigured panels in the conf. area total $50,000.

The entire public disclosure request can be seen here.