Data Analytics – Dealing with Urban Flooding

At our March 2019 meeting, Chicago’s Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) CEO Bob Dean discussed how they are helping to address the impact that more volatile, wet weather patterns have on Chicago and other large urban environments through programs like Rain Ready.

You can view the presentation slides here in PDF format.

Below are some links related to the presentation

• CNT work on the location of urban flooding and its lack of correlation to floodplains
• CNT RainReady program
• A recent article in Slate on regional vs local flood control investments
• CNT blog post by Bob Dean: Leveraging Technology to Address Urban Issues

 

Microsoft’s intelligent cloud powers customer innovation across industries

https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2018/01/31/story-behind-microsofts-earnings-intelligent-cloud-powers-customer-innovation-across-industries/?

 

Hey, everyone I found an articles on LinkedIn about Microsoft’s latest creation. It’s about how Microsoft’s intelligent cloud powers that embraces customer innovation and other industries that affects through technology and other services. Take a look at the latest creation from Microsoft.

Creating New Realities for Young Adults with Disabilities

ITKAN’s Partnership with the Marriott Foundation’s Bridges From School To Work Program

Christian Sullivan (left) wears an HTC Vive to view the virtual reality film “Walking New York” with the assistance of Microsoft CTO Paul Edlund (right).

When 18 year old Chicago resident Christian Sullivan arrived at the Microsoft Technology Center for ITKAN’s September meeting, he had no idea that by the end of the evening he would be walking the streets of New York City. After an interactive discussion on the technology of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities, panelist Paul Edlund of Microsoft gave audience members the chance to try out some VR devices for themselves. Christian slipped on the HTC Vive headset—a gadget that until then he had only read about online and seen in videos—and suddenly found himself on a Manhattan sidewalk alongside a group of artists and filmmakers. Christian commented that he could barely believe his good luck; he had been researching VR equipment recently but had figured that it would be long time before he’d be able get his hands on such cutting-edge devices. After one visit to ITKAN, though, Christian had tested not only the Vive but also Microsoft’s HoloLens, a pair of state-of-the-art mixed reality smartglasses. He left the meeting that night energized by the experience and more inspired than ever to pursue a career in IT. “I never thought this was where I’d be tonight,” he said as he took one last look at the screens, sensors, and “new reality” equipment positioned around the room.

Over the past year, the organizers and members of ITKAN have been welcoming young adults like Christian to their meetings and into their network through a partnership with the Marriott Foundation’s Bridges From School To Work program. The Bridges program focuses on preparing young adults with disabilities for the workforce by providing them with job-readiness training and connecting them with job opportunities with local employers. Christian, a current student at Harold Washington College, recently joined Bridges to learn the skills he needs to find his first job. Because of his enthusiasm for technology, Bridges immediately introduced him to ITKAN so that he could meet with and learn from professionals in the industry.

Less than one year ago, Orlando Herrera was in a similar position. Like Christian, Orlando had just graduated high school, wanted to study computer science, and needed help finding his first job. He joined Bridges during the early stages of the program’s partnership with ITKAN and attended the technology group’s October 2015 meeting, along with three other Bridges participants. Orlando enjoyed the experience so much that he continued to come back to ITKAN every month, meeting new people and learning new things each time. Meanwhile, Bridges helped Orlando find part-time employment as a meat clerk at Mariano’s Fresh Market, where he has worked for over nine months and has proven himself a valuable and reliable team member.

Between a busy work schedule and his classes at Daley College, Orlando always manages to carve out time for ITKAN and other tech-related opportunities—including a recent job shadow with Adam Hecktman of Microsoft Chicago. This particular day in the life of the company’s Director of Technology and Civic Innovation took Orlando from the West Loop offices of digital marketing agency Mabbly (for an interview with entrepreneur Wayne Kimmel about his new networking guide, Six Degrees of Wayne Kimmel) to the Goose Island campus of UI LABS (for a demonstration on advanced radar, drone, and anti-drone technologies as used by Israeli Special Forces). His involvement with Bridges and ITKAN made this whirlwind tour of the local tech scene a reality for Orlando, who reflected on the impact of ITKAN. He considers the organization “very important” and remarked that “technology is being advanced daily, and ITKAN helped me meet people with initiatives and ideas to help promote people with disabilities in this area.”

Orlando Herrera (far right) listens to a presentation at the Microsoft Store during a job shadow with Director of Technology and Civic Innovation Adam Hecktman.

Whether it’s through a thrilling virtual reality demo or an equally immersive job shadow, ITKAN is giving the young adults of Bridges a glimpse into what is possible. As the partnership between the two organizations enters its second year, more young people like Christian and Orlando will have the opportunity to build the professional knowledge and relationships to one day become IT leaders in their own right—one meeting at a time.

Timber Framing as Metaphor for Transparency, Community and Progress in Government

Raising Florentine Films’ Barn Studio

I’m a big Ken Burns film fan.  While his film footage is always impressive, I look forward to the stitching of poignant, archival photographs with the familiar, often deeply-timbered narration into a seamless story that appears to be a moving film, even as you are aware that it’s often a series of discrete, historic pictures. Whether he’s exploring the American Past Time,  the decade-long drought that was the Dust Bowl or our globally-renowned National Parks System, I – along with countless other viewers – feel transported to that time. I feel not just empathy, or heartbreak, or elation, but a deep connection to the events and people of that era. His films feel transparent, accessible and genuine. They implore viewers to participate, engage, and critically consider complex topics and eras in our great nation’s brief but rich history.

Recently Burns collaborated with Tedd Benson of Bensonwood,  known for reviving classic timber framing in America, to build a timber-framed studio for Burns’ Florentine Films. This Old House host Kevin O’Connor discussed the process and significance of timber framing with both of them in his In the House program over several brief videos. As I’m also a big This Old House fan, I was drawn to this all-star combination.

Burns, always the filmmaker-philosopher, jumps from metaphor to metaphor in the series of interviews. Barn building as metaphor for the American can-do spirit. Barn building as metaphor for the beautiful simplicity of agrarian America. Barn building as metaphor for the solid foundation of our people. In fairness to him, these all seem relevant. However, one metaphor that seemed particularly relevant – and transferable to the open data/open gov movement that is shaping how citizens are beginning to play more active roles in securing and benefiting from government services – was the timber barn’s transparent aesthetic as metaphor for honest, democratic principles.

Making Data Actionable – Maryland’s State Stat

Socrata’s Director of GovStat Beth Blauer is a data freak. I expect she’d freely admit it. A serendipitous injury on 9/10/01 prevented her from going to work on 9/11 as a newly minted attorney with a NYC hedge fund in the World Trade Center complex. Following that tragic day, Beth understandably went through a process of reevaluating life and career. She knew that she wanted to help people – as academic as that sounds – and she shifted gears quickly to become first a public defender, and next a juvenile probation officer with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

Her work was recognized by Governor Martin O’Malley – formerly Mayor O’Malley of Baltimore – who was already known for applying a data-centric approach to reducing crime in Baltimore based on the success of New York City’s vaunted CompStat initiative. O’Malley and his team deftly applied the principles associated with making volumes of data visible, searchable, logical and ultimately actionable. He appointed Blauer his Chief of Staff of Juvenile Services and then Director of StateStat – his statewide version of CitiStat that had made such an impact on Baltimore’s crime rate and core city services.

Beth had arrived. She had followed O’Malley and his team’s work from CitiStat forward and set about to make her mark in making government respond more effectively to citizen needs. O’Malley recognized that it was critical to draw data from all departments in order to achieve the composite framework necessary to effect meaningful change. This wasn’t lab work in a controlled setting. It would be the basis for decisions regarding crime prevention and management, environmental strategies and ending childhood hunger in Maryland.

Maryland’s Open Data Portal

Using an open data portal, the team was able to aggregate information from the array of agency sites, secure it, organize it, and make it available to both internal teams and the public in a contextualized and intuitive fashion. If you go onto the portal, you’ll see that its layout is uncluttered, iconic and fairly easy to navigate. There are a number of highlighted reports/datasets that I’m sure are refreshed as public interest and state efforts shift.

Currently, four reports are highlighted horizontally on the open data portal landing page: payments by state agencies over FY14, tax rates by county, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state, and registered minority business enterprises (MBEs). As you click on the EV link, a layered page reveals a color-coded legend inset over a map of the state and northeast riddled with the related colored “bubbles” representing the wide range of alternative fuel (AF) refueling and support locations. There’s also a horizontal toolbar featuring options like chat, multiple views, export, filter and others.

No question that, while the data is generally intuitive and accessible, it helps to be fairly digitally native or at least comfortable with common iconography to benefit from the available information. Allowing that a fair percentage of visitors either are, or can become so without too much exposure or training, it’s pretty amazing stuff. It was fairly easy to apply a filter by city and expose a simple, structured spreadsheet with sites, addresses, etc. of EV charging stations in Rockland for example. If your Prius needed a charge after visiting a friend in Rockland, you’d be glad you visited the portal!

Transparency is Clearly here to Stay!

Whether you have an electric vehicle, are keen on the health of Chesapeake Bay, or concerned about crime in your neighborhood, Maryland’s open government (open gov) portal is helping to make meaningful connections to its citizens.  This movement toward aggregating, structuring and making key data available both to citizens by way of meaningful dashboards and reporting, or to government teams for establishing impactful programs and services, deploying valuable resources and establishing a more democratic, transparent and efficient relationship with the citizens it serves is gaining national momentum. Nearly 4 in 5 states have implemented sites based on principles of open gov and transparency.

Much as a traditional barn raising draws communities together for a common cause, this open data, open gov movement seeks to draw the community in not only to support their governments, but to weigh in and be active members of the decision-making process on the many complex issues facing every town, city and state in the nation. FDR is attributed to have said the following – “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”

Note: See what the City of Chicago and State of Illinois are implementing around open gov  – go to http://opengovhacknight.org/ and https://data.illinois.gov/ respectively!

ITKAN Chat – Interview with John Wilhelmi

John Wilhelmi is one of our consistent members at ITKAN meetings. He is also a skilled networker and life-learner. When John doesn’t know something…he knows who to ask.  ITKAN members have come to be immersed in the technology field from many paths. Some use “Falling Fruit”, others fight hard for new perspectives on education, and still others become… firefighters to trail-blaze their path. Read on!

---

Thanks for your time, John. When did you start to develop an interest in IT?

During my freshman high school year, I had to take 2 public buses that met each other at a local mall to get to the school. The morning bus schedules were synced and my transfer between the buses was immediate and arrived at the school 45 minutes prior to the first class. I spent the time in the computer lab learning about programming. The afternoon trip was different. Rather than an immediate transfer to the 2nd return bus, there was a 40 minute delay. I spent the time in the computer section of Radio Shack learning about the Tandy and IBM compatible PC’s.

John Wilhelmi goes “old school” with his background of his Tandy computers!

Did IT assist you in your early education?

For me, writing was very difficult. When I went through grade school, such technology was non-existent. It was only in high school that you saw computers in specialized classes and teacher labs. Although in my senior year in high school, I did have the Commodore 64 in my basement lab to synthesize analog signals (DSP) and was writing equations on the Apple II to solve electronic circuitry deficits using Thevenin theorem.

What is your target sector in IT?

I enjoy both systems administration and software development. Currently I provide software programming support for some applications I wrote in the early 2000’s. The applications have limitations because I designed them for the LAN. Some of the users want to see the same functionality in the cloud and have access to the data on their phones and tablets. For them, I’ve been migrating the application to Salesforce. On the systems administration side, I provide IT consultancy and web design to a variety of small businesses through-out the Chicago area.

John Wilhelmi

How did you come across ITKAN?

In 2008 I had started an IoT (Internet of Things) automation business geared towards the house of worship community. Part of the business development strategy was to join the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and expand out from there. Opposite of my expectations, the business collapsed and I found myself looking for a transition out of that particular market. I reached out to friends at the chamber and they directed me towards ITKAN and nAblement.

What direction do you envision in the next 12-24 months in IT?

People say that the desktop is being replaced by the tablet and the phone. I tend to disagree. You might have shrinkage in market share because accessibility to the immediate need of items like email, mms and applications that are portable in nature, but the creative process takes place on the desktop. I see more desktop-cloud hybrid applications being developed. The cloud is a wonderful place to slice and dice data, and distribute applications to a large variety of people. The cloud does not render engineered graphics well and has security concerns that make the public leery of its value.

What’s the one thing most people don’t know about John Wilhelmi?

In the late 80’s I was a volunteer firefighter and earned the Illinois State firefighters II certification. While most of my friends played sports, I was fighting fires and rescuing people. If I was to take on a municipal fire department or communications project, I do have subject matter expertise, and with briefings on how the particular organization works can implement projects with a clear understanding of its goals.

Name your top 5 favorite websites and why.

I enjoy learning. Since I’m not enrolled currently in any university programs, I’m updating my skill set using various on-line sources.

BLS.gov – keeps me abreast of what is really happening in the economy.
Channel9.msdn.com – IT is always changing, why not learn directly from Microsoft about their products.
www.learnvisualstudio.net – great source to update my programming skills.
www.cbtnuggets.com – great source to update my systems administration skills.
www.Youtube.com – additional learning sources.

Thanks John! We hope to hear more from you at our next meeting on July 10th at the Microsoft Technology Center. Email me if you have questions. or would like to register.

The Final Megatrends Presentation for 2013 and an Outlook to 2014.

The Final Megatrends Presentation for 2013 and an Outlook to 2014.

November 15, 2013 by Bill O’Connor

ITKAN’s last “Megatrends” meeting was an outstanding discussion based on “Cloud Computing”, led by Chris Kabat, Vice President and Co-Founder of MPS Partners.

Starting from a more general perspective on how cloud computing works well for small to mid-sized business to the “how” of the cloud, The presentation was very well-received, provoking questions on cost, security, control and efficiency as well as an appreciation for the incredible technology associated with a cloud data center.

Subjects discussed were:

• Speed of cloud setup, scale of setup and cost control
• Cloud workforce patterns through different platforms and devices (This was fascinating stuff!)
• The differences between how the cloud is delivered – Packaged Software, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Virtual Machines

We also discussed the Microsoft Global Data Centers, who are impact players in developing cloud services for Microsoft end-users. One of the main Global Data Centers is right here in Chicago…and it’s a green complex!

ITKAN 2013 – Megatrends

This meeting was emblematic of the essence of ITKAN, technology leaders reaching out to those who want to dig deeper into IT and developing technology, process and trends. As always, many disabilities were represented within this rich and diverse group. ITKAN extents a heartfelt thank you to Chris, Jeff Seagard  and Ross LaForte as well as our other presenters for excellent Megatrends presentations for 2013.

As always, a special word of thanks goes to Adam Hecktman, the director of the Microsoft Technology Center Chicago, for access to this great  space and his great insights, and the supportive staff of the MTC.

If you would like to join us for our strategy session for 2014 (which will be spirited!), we will be having our next meeting on December 12th at the Microsoft Technology Center Chicago, 5 PM. If you would like to reserve a spot for your next meeting, contact Pat Maher or Bill O’Connor via email, and we’ll get you on the ITKAN mailing list to  stay abreast for meeting times, subjects and other ITKAN happenings!

What’s an ITKAN meeting like? – From an ITKAN member’s perspective

Many times, prospective candidates, service providers and employers ask me, “What are ITKAN meetings like? Are they formal? Laid-back?”. I can tell you that from the greenest rookie to the most grizzled veteran, ITKAN fits a need – they work on developing their skills, they meet…and even get a great opportunity. After attending these engaging meetings, we’ve really hit a groove with our Megatrends (see our previous blog post to find out more in 2013, a growing network with employers, entrepreneurs and the like, and we are constantly looking for opportunities for fellow members. Networking groups can be loose-ended or with strong ties to fellow colleagues, and ITKAN is definitely one of the best groups I’ve been involved with. I did not foresee that I would meet such a great bunch of folks who are dedicated to the the mantra of ITKAN, where we are building (and nearing) towards a goal of showcasing solid, passionate professionals that any company would be interested in hiring.

It’s the tall one, and we are on the second floor.

On arriving to ITKAN meetings, which are held at the Microsoft Technology Center in Chicago, I enter a work-space for us that  is a collaborative environment that provides access to innovative technologies and world-class expertise.  Take a peek here to see what the MTC is like, how it works and the space itself.  Usually, there is always a few ITKAN members that arrive early. We network, talk about work, and talk a little bit of play as well (gaming and the Chicago Blackhawks are the conversation du jour.) After our intros, ITKAN goes to work. We discuss IT in different sectors and formats, going from general info to the most granular info that Microsoft professionals give to us. We get out around 7, but there’s always a few folks who hang around to network, have a laugh and separate until next month. Adam Hecktman, director of the Microsoft Technology Center has a room set up for us, and Pat Maher, the director of ITKAN, starts our meetings. We introduce ourselves to the group and find out a bit about new members. I’ve been working with ITKAN for over 2 years now. I started using ITKAN as a basis to build a stronger personal brand for my career as well as an opportunity to see where information technology would go next.

Our gracious hosts, Microsoft and Microsoft Tech. Center in Chicago.

The location for ITKAN meetings is in the Aon Center, at Michigan and Randolph, and there are great transportation options via Metra & CTA to the Center. My personal favorite is driving as parking at Aon Center costs $6 after 4 PM. Not only is a great price, but it’s accessibility is great. Join us next time. 2nd Thursday of each month (July 11th is next), at the Aon. Email me if you have questions

Passion starts with ITKAN, and StopGap shows how passion works.

Recently, I came across an article about Luke Anderson and StopGap, an organization in Toronto that is based around raising awareness  of accessibility issues to local businesses.

Luke Anderson, speaking at the Canadian Urban Institute forum in November 2011.

You might think that StopGap was an initiative of an aggressive disability advocacy organization or well-oiled city government, but in fact it’s the concept of passionate 12 and 13 year olds. Coupled with the support of grassroots educators and area professionals, StopGap is making a big difference in overall accessibility.

After reading this great story, I immediately made connections to our efforts within ITKAN. Our mission is to strengthen our members’ professional technology network, expand their knowledge base in developing IT applications and tools, and better prepare them for a career in this exciting and demanding field. We are a passionate and engaged membership – and we’re always looking to grow!

Throughout 2013 we’re exploring four Megatrends in technology at ITKAN. We’ve begun with mobile which we’ll continue covering in February and March. We will explore social media, big data and cloud computing respectively through the balance of year.

Come join us to find out more to gain insights and career-impacting knowledge in technology Megatrends!.

Megatrends & Education.

ITKAN kicked off our year of IT Megatrends in a big way at our January meeting!  We began exploring mobile computing principles, products, advantages and challenges. Jeff Seagard, a senior technology architect for Microsoft, led our January meeting to start ITKAN on the Megatrends path. He will be back to drill a bit deeper in the mobile sphere for our February 14th meeting.

ITKAN 2013 – Megatrends

First quarter 2013 – Jan, Feb, Mar – Mobile Technology, (Jeff Seagard, Microsoft)

Second quarter 2013 – Apr, May, Jun – Social Media and Business (Todd Nilson, Social Syntax)

Third quarter – July, Aug, Sept – Big Data (Jeff Seagard, Ross LaForte)

Fourth quarter – Oct, Nov, Dec – Cloud Computing – (Chris Kabat)

One of ITKAN’s charter members, Joe Blasi, feels that Megatrends is a framework that traditional IT education could learn from…

“Education needs to be better fitted into today’s fast paced IT, and needs to take a page from the traditional trades with some kind of apprenticeship system”, says Blasi. He also believes a more hands-on approach is more effective, especially for IT prospects and workers that have disabilities. “The older education system is left behind when it comes to offering more hands on work.”

Each topic will begin with a high-level overview, then drill down to more granular or applied knowledge, finally culminating (in the 3^rd month of each quarter) with a more innovative, creative delivery for student attendees who have attended each of the previous 2 sessions on that topic. This could include an industry case study, an exercise that applies some of the knowledge delivered/gleaned from the earlier sessions, or some other innovative approach.

Join us in February at the Microsoft Technology Center at 5 Pm on every 2nd Thursday of each month. Click here to reserve your spot for our second Megatrends meeting!!

VoiceOver is Being Heard in Innovative Ways!

I was taking a look at the upcoming entries, which will include more interviews with ITKAN members and supporters, and I came across a video today about hands-on usage of the iPad by Wesley Majerus. Wesley was an Access Specialist for the National Federation for the Blind, and he is giving a great demonstration on how the iPad can become such an effective tool with their VoiceOver utility.

Excellent stuff!

One of the most insightful comments came across here:

“…Cutting edge developers are keenly sensitive to ALL users of their products…no matter what abilities the tech user posesses. Keep up the good work Apple and hopefully folks with visual impairments can be advisors for updates to the iPad, Galaxy, Xoom, etc…“

ITKAN’s Visionary Innovation Team is looking towards the future with monthly meetings and insight on accessibility for those with visual disabilities. Our next meeting is Interested in joining us at SPR offices in Willis Tower?  Email us here.