Canadian CIOs value gamer grads

I’m not a gamer, unless you count the hours lost playing Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri on my PC or video pinball on my Atari Flashback. But if I were working in IT as opposed to just writing about it, new research suggests it would behoove me to play more video games.

A new survey by Robert Half Technology of more than 270 Canadian CIOs suggest they may value the time spent on gaming by entry-level IT job seekers as well as hackathons and website development. Technology leaders also see backgrounds outside of IT as beneficial to professionals in the field, including math, psychology, and business and marketing.

Web site and app development was the top stand-out skill for IT grads cited by respondents at 72 per cent, followed by hackathons at 46 per cent. Video game playing and development came in at 28 per cent. These interests as well as non-IT backgrounds are indicators that to CIOs that IT grads still have the drive and skills to succeed even if their relevant work experience is limited.

By highlighting a range of interests and abilities can help new grads stand out as being versatile and interested in developing their careers. Robert Half Technology recommends that hiring managers consider more than just work experience and academic achievements when evaluating IT grads for entry-level roles.
Meanwhile, grads should be sure to draw parallels between their pastimes and how they will add value as an employee. Managers are drawn to professionals who are naturally curious and want to learn, according to Robert Half Technology, so these traits should be emphasized in job interviews. They should also showcase their soft skills as hiring managers look for people with exceptional interpersonal abilities, such as problem solving and communication.
Turns out playing Tetris is not only good for improving dishwasher stacking skills.

4 Reasons Retailers Love NaaS [Portfolio]

Just as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has made inroads into retail as a means of shifting IT responsibilities for applications to a third party, a similar model for networking is gaining popularity. The Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) paradigm reflects the reality that deploying a network in a store, regardless of size, adds complexity to IT — both in terms of installation and ongoing management.

Not only does NaaS support scalability and flexibility for businesses prone to seasonal fluctuations, but it also provides a platform to capture customer insights that drive revenue growth.

Read my blog post for Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions.

Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs [Recipe]

I was initially wary of this recipe because it said to place the ribs up against the wall of the slow cooker, and I thought that would lead to the sauce not sticking to the meat well enough.

I was wrong. These are the best ribs I’ve ever made in a slow cooker. I cooked mine for four hours on high and occasionally spooned the sauce over the ribs.

Servings: 3–4

Ingredients:

1 (2½–3 lb) rack of pork ribs, halved
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 cup honey
½ cup soy sauce
10 cloves garlic, minced

Preparation

1. Season ribs evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Rub in on all sides.
2. Add honey, soy sauce, and garlic to a large slow cooker.
3. Transfer the ribs to slow cooker and turn them over in sauce until coated. Position the ribs so they are standing up, with the meatier side down, and so the meat side is against the walls of the slow cooker, with the bone sides facing in.
4. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 7 – 8 hours. Check after the allotted time, you want to make sure the meat is cooked through and tender.
5. Remove the ribs and transfer to cutting board.
6. Cut between the bones to separate into individual ribs.
7. Serve with additional sauce from the slow cooker, as needed.

Honey Balsamic Chicken Breasts [Recipes]

I’m a big fan of spice rubs for meat and fish, even when I’m not fully embracing the Paleo Diet, as it allows me to reduce calories and the amount of processed food I eat.

I recently came across this recipe for marinated chicken that I thought would make a nice change. It turned out well. I only cooked the chicken for 30 minutes; any longer and I think it would have dried out. Also, I think setting aside a little marinade may be a good idea as I anticipate the leftovers may be a little dry. Finally, I substituted cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes and the green beans with asparagus that I wanted to finish up.

Ingredients

For the marinade:
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
6 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
¾ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 pounds chicken breasts (4 each), trimmed
1­½ pounds baby red potatoes, quartered
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 pound green beans, trimmed

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

In a medium bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, honey, a tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Stir well to mix.

Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the top. Seal and toss the chicken to evenly coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

While the chicken marinates, place the potatoes and cherry tomatoes on a sheet pan. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat. Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the sheet pan from the oven and toss the green beans with the potatoes and tomatoes.

Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the plastic bag, reserving the remaining marinade in the bag. Place the marinated chicken, evenly spaced, on top of the vegetables. Pour the marinade from the bag over the top of the chicken and vegetables.

Return the sheet pan to the oven. Bake for 30 to ­40 minutes, periodically basting the chicken breasts with the pan juices, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to ­10 minutes. Spoon the pan juices over the top of each chicken breast before serving.

Wireless Disruptor Distinguishes Itself with Supply Chain Innovation [Portfolio]

The consumer wireless market in in the United States is extremely competitive, but when you’re looking to disrupt business models and also provide e-commerce in crowded market, competition is even fiercer.

For Republic Wireless in Raleigh, North Carolina, product innovation and customer service is how it looks to differentiate itself. It’s one of as  many as 50 mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) competing for customers along with the four big wireless carriers. Since launching its services in 2010, supply chain efficiency has been a key component of the company’s success and growth. Read my full article on EBN Online.

Startup ‘Eyes’ Healthier Displays [Portfolio]

Display technology shouldn’t be left to engineers.

That’s what’s driving a Montreal-based startup to develop eye-friendly technology for smartphones, automotive dashboards and virtual reality headsets. The genesis of IRYStec goes back to 2013, when Tara Akhavan, a second-year PhD student attending the Vienna University of Technology, was presenting at a conference around high dynamic range (HDR), where her work caught the eye who would be the company’s first investor, Montreal-based TandemLaunch. Read my full article on EE Times.

Electronic Signature vs Digital Signature: What You Should Know [Portfolio]

What’s in a name?

When it comes to knowing the difference between a digital signature and an electronic signature, the distinction is important. And while it’s easy to become cavalier about interchanging them, it’s technically not a choice between one or the other.

Rather, it’s better to look at the concept of e-signatures as a broad category that includes digital signatures. Read more on the OnTask blog.

Micron CEO Durcan to Retire [Portfolio]

Micron Technology Inc. CEO Mark Durcan announced his pending retirement Thursday (Feb. 2). No timeframe has been set for Durcan’s retirement, but he will continue to head the company as CEO for the time being.

Micron (Boise, Idaho) said its board of directors has formed a special committee to oversee the succession process and has initiated a search, with the assistance of an executive search firm, to identify and vet candidates. Durcan has pledged to help with the search process and the transition. Read my full article on EE Times.