Technical FAQ

• How can an effective SAM program help? A common problem when working in an IT department is having the right tools to get a job done. An effective SAM program can save countless hours of expensive staff time by organizing and storing the physical media of software. Tools such as network servers of different sizes can provide remote access to streamline software installations. The transition from current practices to an effective SAM environment can seem unclear at first, but the benefits are significant in the eyes of technical staff who have worked in such environments.
• What departments are typically involved in the lifecycle of a software version? For large organizations, tests are run before a software version is deployed. Software flaws or bugs are identified and plans are made for working around them. If a previous version is already deployed, compatibility of data is tested. Contracts for purchase are typically negotiated by a procurement department outside of IT. Depending on the terms of purchase the software is then installed on computers by a support department. Employees use the software in the range of diverse conditions. As people join and leave a company their software can become misplaced unless proactive steps are taken. Upgrades and/or alternative software titles and versions must follow the same path and may create a requirement to keep records of previous versions due to new upgrade purchase agreements.
• What departments are typically involved in software lifecycle management? Software lifecycle management begins with the initial request for a software application. It continues through the procurement, receiving, deployment, document and media storage, usage, and disposal path. Input from Human Resources is important for effectively utilizing software licenses to the company's economic advantage.
• What is so difficult about SAM from a technical perspective? There are no standard ways to keep track of software. Advanced technical software tracking systems never solve all needs across hetrogenous systems. Upgrades of hardware and software are common. There are no standard ways to measure IT programs. IT Management changes derail existing programs. Needs of technical support staff are often not clearly communicated to managers and the posession of physical software media is often closely guarded by technical staff so they can continue to get their work done without percieved hassles. Every employee add/change/move can result in the need for new or different software.
• As a SAM professional, how can I get the attention of executives in my company? This answer is unique to every company. A good rule of thumb is that executives feel most comfortable when presented with and acting upon facts.

Blog FAQ

• What is a blog? A blog is an online journal. It is a collection of entries that often contain links and commentary. This information is shared as a web page and in "XML" format, either RSS or Atom. People around the world can read and post comments about the entries.
• How can I read a blog? Most blogs are accessible via a standard web page where they are arranged as a list of entries.
• How does a blog differ from a web page? Blog entries are usually much shorter. While blogs can be read as web pages, they can also be read using other software. Social patterns have also developed in support of and in reaction to blogs.
• How else can I read a blog? A blog can also be read using a special URL and special software that uses a timer to check the blog, usually set to about 60 minutes. This is alternately called a "feed", "syndication". "XML", "RSS" or "Atom". Using desktop software vastly reduces the time and effort needed to consistently keep up to date with new blog entries.
• What blog software should I use? Blog software, also called a desktop news aggregator, is used in place of, or as a companion to, a regular web browser. There are also web sites who provide an aggregator service so you don't need to install any software. Wikipedia has a list of software or a quick search using your favorite search engine for something similar to "RSS aggregator Windows" will provide many choices.
• How can I link to blog entries? Each entry has a "permalink" or "permanent URL" that can be used to cite a particular blog entry.
• What is a trackback? Trackbacks are basically reverse links. The one way nature of the current web is not the only possible implementation of linking. Trackbacks are a special way to allow a reverse link to be made. This can be done automatically on both sides or manually using special tools/websites.
• Does the software that runs this site support sending and receiving trackbacks automatically? Yes.
• Why are there so many different "standards" for blogging technologies? Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a form of XML that was used early on and is relatively fixed at version 2.0. Earlier versions of RSS may be more common at present. Several earlier versions of RSS were only partially compatible with one another. EEVL based in the UK provides a good RSS Primer. A new XML standard called Atom (currently at version 0.3) is on an IETF standards track. Most aggregators support both. Creative individuals began writing blog entries so many software packages, and even the standards themselves, implement features in different ways.
• I'm new to the "blogsphere." Are there any good books on blogging? Dan Gillmor has been a well respected columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. In 2004, O'Reilly Media published his book and website named We The Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People. In the book he tells the story of an emerging phenomenon powered by blogs and sheds light on this deep shift in how we make and consume the news.
• How can I publish a blog? Visitors who join SoftwareManagers.org as a member may publish new blog entries. Zero cost weblog sites like Blogger and others are also becoming more popular. If you already have a website you can install software that will help you manage a blog.
• I registered with this site, why can't I create blog entries? Non-members are free to comment on other people's blog entries but are unable to create their own blog. To create your own blog you must become a member.