Spring conference season is here! Between all the sessions, exhibits, lunches, and networking, how can you get the most out of your conference experience? It’s up to you to decide what you’ll take away from a conference. The presentation lineup is out of your control, but the experience is all on you. Here are some thoughts about getting the most out of your upcoming conference. [More]

On Friday I co-presented a session called Stop Keeping Secrets from Your Database: Eliminating Rogue Databases, at the MCN Technology & Communication Conference. Many thanks to my co-presenter Joel Barker for technical heavy lifting, pulling the visuals together, and altogether being a great person to work with. My favorite part of the presentation was the little video we slipped in there, based on a popular meme you've been seeing all over Youtube, Stuff Rogue Database Users Say. Here are links to the Prezi Stop Keeping Secrets from your Database, and the handout with resources and further reading. I appreciated the generosity of those in the audience with a strong technical background who shared tips and insights, as well as those who confessed their frustrations and challenges. What stood out to me in researching and preparing, and then facilitating discussion, was how complex the issue of rogue databases can be. There is no magic pixie dust that makes them go away. For techies, the first instinct might be to alter or replace your database or write clever routines and scripts. But I think we all recognized that you can't rely solely on a technical solution, to what is often a human problem. Take the time to include stakeholders, address their data needs as well as their psychological needs, and build a culture of data. As Joel summarized it, "Be open to new ideas and collaborate with colleagues to find solutions to your organization's data needs."   Previous posts in series: 6 Reasons Why Rogue Databases Happen | Is Integrating Databases Worth the Effort? | Bringing Rogue Databases into the Fold: Case Study

We've talked about why Rogue Databases exist and established that it's a problem. Are you ready to do something about it? Here are five tips you can use. (Don't panic; most of these tips do not require money or advanced technical skill.) [More]

thedatabank has combed through our past issues of the enews and our blog to bring you the most popular articles and blog posts we've published in 2011. [More]