Every story has a beginning. This post represents the beginning of this story. In this introductory post, I will give you an overview of my upcoming project. Without further ado, let me begin my tale.

Last week, I briefly met with my project sponsor, Pam Doffek, who is an Associate Librarian and the Director of the Goldstein Library here at the College of Information. At this meeting, we discussed what the project was about. A few years back, the library apparently had problems with mold. In an attempt to monitor the situation, the College of Information purchased an HVAC monitoring system. This system included small devices called HOBOs (click the link to see the exact model). These HOBOs were stationed throughout the library in an effort to collect both temperature and relative humidity data.

With the devices in place, the library needed a method for getting the data off the devices. I was told by Pam, and by my instructor Melissa Raulston, that a previous group, in a previous semester, had begun work on this project. This project has come to be known as “The HOBO Project.” The previous group had developed procedures to pull the data off the devices. By using the software that came with the system, Boxcar Pro 4.3, the group was able to get the data off the devices and into an Excel spreadsheet. However, from there, the group was unable to do anything with that data. There is where the project currently is at this time. The library has plenty of this data collected, but they have been unable to do anything with it. After having the chance to review this data, I became very excited. I was excited because I knew I was going to be able to help Pam and the Goldstein Library. I was confident that I could take this data and make it useful. I was confident that I could succeed where others have failed.

The first thing I noticed was that this project consists of some of the same tasks that I commonly complete at my current job. I work at a local real estate marketing company (there is more about this in my About Me section) where on a daily basis, I handle large amounts of data dealing with sold and listed homes. I work with data from thirteen Florida counties where I clean it up, organize it, and then put it into a printable format. Having done this job for over two and half years now, I have learned not only how to use Excel, I have learned how to take what seems like raw data and put it to use. So when I saw the data for the HOBO project for the first time, a variety of ideas instantly popped into my head. Having come up with so many similar procedures at work, I knew that I was going to be able to help out.

This project actually combines many of things that I enjoy working with. I enjoy being given a problem which requires me to create an answer that will not only solve the problem, but will allow others the opportunity to solve the problem as well. This project allows me to work on my problem solving skills. It also gives me the opportunity to work with unfamiliar technology. On top of that, it gives me the chance to improve my Excel skills by allowing me to create custom macros. Finally, this project gives me a chance to get more experience writing documentation. With that said, it should be noted that I am working alone on this project. As such, I am responsible for all work included. I will also be graded on the same level as my classmates who are working in a group. I had hoped to be able to work with a small group of people for my project as this would have given me an opportunity to showcase my leadership and management skills in a real world project. However, working alone has its advantages. It allows me to work on my communication skills as well as my time management skills. I will also be able to see how well I can handle working on a project alone. There may be an occasion down the line where I may have to work on a project alone and the skills I learn from doing this project alone could be very useful. In the end, I am very excited to begin my work on this project.

With that said, let me give you a little more detail about the project and its requirements. Most of the following information is coming from the project plan write-up that Pam gave me (you can read the entire document by clicking here). The main goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive system of data collection, organization, and problem development determination for the Goldstein Library’s HVAC monitoring system. An objective is to provide the Goldstein Library Director and her staff a means to easily download, convert, and determine out of range HVAC system occurrences on a monthly basis. These occurrences must be collected on one page for easy viewing. An out of range occurrence includes any data point in which relative humidity (RH) is greater than 55%, the temperature is greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or a combination of both. All data and conversions need to be saved into a new folder organization system that is more logical than the one currently in place. For example, previous and new data could be stored in a folder system that is organized by academic year.

The completed project will include existing data and data collected during the Spring 2008 semester. The completed project also includes detailed documentation of all processes, including capturing data and downloading it to a designated computer, as well as conversion of the native data from the Boxcar software to other standard formats as necessary, such as .txt, .xls, or .pdf. All documentation will be provided in electronic format, preferably in Word 2007 or Word 97/2003 format and given to Pam by the end of the project period. Occasional coordination meetings will be arranged during the semester as needed. Finally, if time permits, a secondary objective is to fix the two non-functioning data collection devices or to provide the cost inherited in replacing them.

That wraps up the introduction of the project. As mentioned, I am looking forward to working on this project and I am excited to be able to help out wherever I can. I have begun jotting down ideas on how to start this project. I feel a good place to start is by first reorganizing the already collected data into a more organized folder scheme. This way, with the new scheme in place, any data that is downloaded in the future will follow this new scheme. I will also take a look at fixing those two non-functioning devices. Fixing these ahead of time will allow me to develop any procedures with these devices in mind. I will also make sure to document all ideas, tasks and completed work for later review. My next post will cover the work I have done on the folder scheme and any progress I make with the non working devices. Until then, thanks for reading.

You come to a point in your academic career where you just stop and go, “wow, it is actually almost over.” This moment comes with mixed feelings for some, ranging from jubilation to sadness. For me, it has come with mostly jubilation. I have to say that my four years has come and gone quicker than I ever imagined. However, I am ready to go forward, ready for the future that lies ahead of me. Now I wonder what will become of me. There are so many doors to choose from. Which one do I open? Slowly, you begin to realize that there are thousands of other potential job candidates staring at the same doors you are. You are not alone out there. It is a big, competitive job market and you must sell yourself. You have to sell your “brand,” as odd as that sounds. So here I am, staring at those doors, pitching my brand to anyone who passes by.

The Bertino Brand

I am a hardworking leader who specializes in usability and project management. I am knowledgeable in XHTML and CSS, having created over two dozen web sites for my job, school, friends, and for my own personal use. I have worked with usability and interaction design in several of my classes, but mostly in my usability class where my group and I developed a prototype interface that was heavily praised by our instructor and our peers. As the leader of the group, I managed the group as we went through the entire design process which included brainstorming sessions, paper prototypes, user testing, and development of the actual prototype. I enjoy creating and building interfaces that follow sound usability guidelines. I enjoy leading and working with teams where a collaborative effort can be used to solve large complex tasks or complete long projects, even under high pressure and deadlines. My strong time management skills, my excellent verbal and written communication skills, my ability to lead, and my relentless work ethic set me apart from other IT professionals.

Mission Statement

My mission is to be the best possible worker that I can be. The satisfaction that I get from hard work is one of my highest motivators. I believe that by following my core values of working hard, being dedicated, and being dependable, I cannot only be a strong professional, but a good leader. By following these core values, I will work to fix the world one bad usability experience at a time. I will do all in my power to make my designs more user-centered so that almost anyone can use them, regardless of technical prowess or experience. I must pass on my knowledge to others so that even more designs follow sound user-centered principles.

Vision Statement

I will become a hardworking, dedicated leader who will not only strive to better himself, but strive to help those around him feel confident and proud of the hard work they put forth. I will learn from my leaders and I will share in leadership with them as best I can, regardless of how low my position may be within the group. Through my hard work and dedication I will grow to become the leader I aspire to be. With this will come the inherent sense of pride and accomplishment I get from leading and working with others to complete a task. My leadership will not be bound by the confines of my career alone. I will be a sound leader for my friends and family, remembering that their guidance is what has made me the leader that I am. By following these principles, I can guarantee the financial stability I want for myself and for my family.

Well, that is my brand. If you are interested in finding out more in-depth information regarding my origins and some of my other skills, including work experience, please read the About Me page from the link above. If you have any questions and would like to contact me, please feel free to do so using the link above or by emailing me at abertino@andrewbertino.com. Thanks for reading about the Bertino brand. In my next post, I will go over the details of my upcoming information technology project.

Hello, my name is Andrew Bertino and I welcome you to The LIS4910 Story!

With this blog, I will be posting updates, notes and other information regarding my upcoming project for the class LIS4910 - Information Technology Project. My posts will include what was completed, what went well or what went poorly, how I felt about what was completed (or not completed if problems occurred), and what I look to do next with the project. My posts will go from the beginning of this project all the way to the end. So, I welcome you to come along for the ride as I journey fourth on an Information Technology Project!

If you would like to know more about me, please click on the About Me link at the top. Thank you for viewing my blog. If you should have questions, feel free to contact me at abertino@andrewbertino.com. Thanks again.