As the Information Technology Knowledge Ability Leadership Network (ITKAN) continues through 2012, we have focused on displaying our membership and their skills. This week, Bill O’Connor focuses on our first member interview, Joseph Blasi.
——
Name: Joseph Blasi
Home: Des Plaines, IL
Involved and Interested in IT – 10 years
——
Hello, Joe.
“Call me Joseph.”
Sorry, Joseph…Some questions for you as an I.T. professional…What 3 factors do you bring to the table in IT?
¨ “I have worked on various projects building and repairing hardware and configuring software and PC systems.
¨ “I really enjoy keeping up on technology, especially new releases of Microsoft products.
¨ I enjoy participating in technical forums. They allow me to look into different aspects of technology and be proactive in helping people with current problems and solutions.
Pretty solid background, Joseph. Where do you think technology will be in the next ten years?
“It really depends on the big players. How will Apple continue gaining of market share? Will Microsoft’s release of Windows 8 be a game changer? Will Linux build a general standardization in their niche? Even Internet service providers will havetheir say, as will the verdicts regarding network neutrality issues.”
What are the 5 Internet sites that you go to the most and why?
VP Forums – www.VPForums.org – This is a site that talks about virtual pinball. Pinball overall looked dead, but it seems to be having a rebound!
Slashdot – www.slashdot.org – Good tech discussions, stories and articles.
DSL Reports www.dslreports.org – Discussions on new sites and, like Slashdot, good dfiscussions about tech
Simtropolis – www.simtropolis.com – This discusses the game SimCity, and I always want to keep up on it. The possibilities are endless with the program!
Mame World – www.mameworld.info – This talks about vintage arcade games, game simulation, and being able to play hundreds of arcade games on your PC. Awesome!
What do you think about ITKAN? It’s a budding group, but what makes them special and productive?
It’s an interesting group. You’re focusing on people that have a lot of talent in the IT industry, but each one of them is really unique. It’s a tough job market, but these people need to be examined more closely. It’s a good idea, and hopefully, the members of the group will get some exposure.
Thanks Joseph! Anything else?
Yeah, Bill, I’d like to be interviewed again!
You bet, Joseph!
—
Coming next week, we meet with Brendan Ginty, an IT Security pro in Chicago.