Favorite+Links

As a way of allowing you to practice with Wikis, I have created this page with a few brief questions for the class to answer as well as a section of favorite web links. Please fill in the details.

What is a wiki? How are they used? Who is using wikis? What are the potential HR applications of wikis?

Favorite Links:

Dr J's

Check out the current [|salary information] for an HRIS Analysts
 * Class Links
 * [|Structured Analysis Wiki -] This is an online textbook written by Ed Yourdon and provided for free by him. It saves us from having to purchase another textbook for the class. Click on the table of contents to find the chapter links.
 * [|Dia Software]is an [|open source] diagraming software. We will use this software in this class to create both data flow diagrams and entity relationship diagrams. You need to download this software at your earliest convenience. Download it [|here.]
 * Vendor Analysis Resources
 * [|IHRHIM] - A professional organization of those interested in Human Resources and Information Technology. They have an interesting buying guide which you may find helpful on your vendor analysis projects.
 * Another couple of websites which you may find useful are [|www.hr-guide.com]; and [|www.hrgopher.com].
 * [|SHRM -] The Society for Human Resource Management - The largest and most influential professional society supporting human resource management and the professionals inf the field.

Ok, so that's enough school links. How about some fun links. Please add yours (NOTE: I reserve the right to remove offensive or innapropriate links).
 * [|ESPN -] I love sports, espeically college football and basketball.
 * Go [|Yankees!]!
 * I have eclectic taste in music. Check out this...Bluegrass Meets Heavy Metal...Allison Krauss & Robert Plant (from [|Led Zeppelin])
 * media type="youtube" key="eYZhjLrSbUw&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"
 * [|Awake Coaching & Consulting -] A company founded by a good friend of mine in Florida. They focus on leadership coaching. Did you know that having a strong mentor/coach can be one of the most effective ways to improve your performance?!
 * [|www.Craigslist.org] is a great site for buying and selling anything you want in your local area.
 * [|www.Investopedia.com] is a great source for quick facts about financial topics. Quite useful.
 * [|www.youtube.com] brings new meaning to the term "15 Minutes of Fame." Broadcast yourself, find old film clips, or even find yourself first row at a concert you went to 20 years ago. Speaking of music, check out Derek Trucks on the electric guitar solo.
 * UA Sports! - I am a member of the Women's lacrosse team here at Albany. You can check out the latest scores, stats, and news here!
 * [|http://www.digg.com] - A good new article site that I visit to catch up, or simple read something interesting.
 * [|news.google.com] - I enjoy keeping myself upto date on the world as well as business news.
 * [|www.wikipedia.com] - l love looking up random facts from this site
 * [|www.facebook.com] - Always keeping in touch with friends across the country!
 * www.collegehumor.com - A good way to kill time
 * [[[|http://www.amazon.com]] - This is one of my favorite sites to buy books from, both school and other. It's so easy to navigate and there's always helpful reviews.* [[[|http://www.ebates.com]] - I am a certified shopaholic, and this website gives me rebates and discounts on stuff I would have bought regardless.* [[[|http://www.ebay.com]] - My brother is addicted to ebay.
 * This is a good website that my mom actually introduced me to. The games are different and fun and it is a good way to pass time {[|http://www.pogo.com].}
 * [|www.yahoo.com] This is a great place to keep up to date with e-mail, current events, breaking new, weather, and entertainment. This is always the first place i check when getting online.
 * media type="youtube" key="Vuadh1o0yC8&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

David Mervine's way to get the news.
**The Problem** Sometimes we wonder how some stories that are in the mainstream media are even considered news-worthy. We are to believe that Paris Hilton's friday night itinerary and some psychos bad marriage are of paramount importance; I am not convinced. The big network news organizations have been nothing more than a mouthpiece for government and private organizations for quite some time now. News contributors are paid to assist with this model and present themselves as the talking heads we see so often on television. This topic could potentially be its own web page but, for the sake of this assignment I'll leave any further discussion to the reader.

**A Proposed Solution ** So with the mainstream media providing what appears to be largely incomplete or useless information, what do we do? I have recently read "The Google Story" and, as one of Google's founders Sergey Brin asserts, the company's motto is "Don't be Evil". This tidbit, in conjunction with the fact that Google does no advertising on "Google News", serves as a premise to at least try the site. I find it useful.

**Getting There** Navigation to the site is easy simply go to the [|Google homepage] and click the "News" link in the upper left hand corner, or click [|here].


 * Quick list of News Links (I do not endorse all of these they are listed to inspire inquisition)**
 * [|Google News]
 * [|Info Wars] (Don't click his ads; I think he is in it for the money)
 * [|Listing of stories] that "fall through the cracks" and opinion articles (always some artistic political statement on the homepage).
 * [|Executive Intelligence Review] (Crazy stuff)

http://www.ign.com/ This is good site not only for videogames but also information on what is currently on television as well as in the movies. You can see clips of movies coming out, check out pictures, and even see when your favorite tv shows and movies will be coming to dvd! ---*[:[|http://www.hi5.com]]This is a good place to keep up with friends.

**Questions to assist Dr. J in composing a FAQ regarding the Vendor Analysis**

**Are we supposed to present as if we are speaking to Smooth Java or to a classroom full of undergraduates?** //**You should present as if you are supporting your consulting firms choice of a vendor for Smooth Java but, you should include a definition of the functional area you are presenting and other context information that may be helpul to students.**//

**Is it required that we have a demonstration of the vendor's product?** //**No, it is not required that you have a demonstration of the Vendor's product but, it would be helpful. If you can find any visual aides to illustrate how the vendor's software works, that would also be helpful. Put forth your best effort to have an in class demonstration while remaining ethical.**//

**How should we make sure we fit the time frame of 30 minutes?** Have a __brief__ introduction of the HR function. Then provide a few vendor choices and recommendations. Finally, outline the requirements for the top vendor choice you made and explain how it will benefit Smooth Java. Also, it is good to __practice__ since you believe that your vendor will fit the company's needs best. Therefore, visualize the presentation as if you were actually trying to sell the product. __Time each section__ beforehand to make sure you are not constricted by the clock.

==There is a lot of information given regarding Smooth Java and the project with unclear guidelines as to what you, the professor, are looking for in our final paper and presentation. Would it possible at the introduction of the project to give more of an overview by possibly explaining what a good and not so good project might look like? (This won't help our class, but maybe those in the future). Thanks!==

===It was difficult to get lengthy information on some of the vendors without having contacted them to ask them questions about their product. When contacting a vendor they usually wanted to know more about your company to see how they could better meet your needs. How in depth should we go when discussing the other vendors that we are ultimately not going to be using?===