Dave,
I totally agree. MCN is a way for IT people to see and understand the 'museum-stuff' that affects our support of these programs. Technology is an integrated tool and understanding your customers (i.e. the museum staff and programs) is how to make that tool more effective. I think there is a place for the "Nuts and Bolts of IT Support" at the conference but that is just a part of what I gain from the conference. Many of these issues are also discussed at the IT SIG meeting and on the MCN-L list. We are proposing another round table to discuss network/system support issues. Would anyone be interested in a more specific 'nuts and bolts' session? Janice Craddock, IT Manager Amon Carter Museum 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas 817-738-1933 www.cartermuseum.org <http://www.cartermuseum.org/> _____ From: Thompson, Dave [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 2:43 PM To: kconley at aam-us.org; Janice Subject: RE: [MCN-L] ITSIG Session Proposals Hi Ken, Janice After attending the conference in Pasadena, I'd be interested in sessions on the following: * The apparent divide between the "IT" people and the "business" people At one of the IT meetings, someone actually said he didn't want to hear about all the museum-stuff, but would rather just talk about IT stuff. Perhaps I'm a bit na?ve, but I was surprised since it was the "Museum Computer Network" conference. My approach is that my IT services are the same as any other competitive business that will be sourced elsewhere if I don't understand and fulfill my customer needs. * Basic systems analysis and project management skills/methodologies In virtually all the sessions I attended, it seemed that hard-learned lessons could have been much easier and less costly with some basic knowledge of systems analysis and project management. The MFAH is only starting to learn the value of these skills, but it's still slow-going. I don't have anything specific to propose right now, but would be happy to discuss some of the successes and failures of some of the projects I've worked on over the past year in relation to the issues above. I didn't want to commit to presenting anything on my own, because I've only been in my current role for a year, and making these changes is such a long-term job. However, I'd love to learn more about these issues from others in the field, and would love the chance to tackle these issues in collaboration with anyone else who may be interested. Thanks, Dave Thompson Database Administrator The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston PO Box 6826 Houston, Texas 77265-6826 5100 Montrose Boulevard Houston, Texas 77006 713.639.7580 office 281.330.3803 mobile www.mfah.org <http://www.mfah.org> -----Original Message----- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu <mailto:[email protected]> ] On Behalf Of Kevin Conley Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 8:11 AM To: Museum Computer Network Listserv Subject: [MCN-L] ITSIG Session Proposals Next week is the deadline for session proposals for the Chicago Conference in November. The ITSIG needs your help to come up with a couple of proposals. Please either let Janice Craddock janice.craddock at cartermuseum.org or myself know if you have session you would like to propose and or participate. Time is quickly running out. Kevin Conley _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu <http://www.mcn.edu> ) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l <http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l>
