NATIONAL IT PROFESSIONALS DAY

Annually on the third Tuesday in September, National IT Professionals Day honors the venerable geeks of the world we all rely on to keep us connected.

The IT (information technology) professional is the unsung hero of modern business. These under-appreciated wizzes tackle the obstacles that leave the rest of us scratching our heads. Whether it be desktops, laptops, mobile devices, applications, servers, networks, databases or cybersecurity, IT professionals keep business humming. However, there is often a lack of understanding by business leaders and end-users of the important role they play and the difficulties and complexities associated with modern IT.

It’s also a great day for IT professionals to showcase their expertise. While they’re often solving computer and network issues, they also have a knack for developing and creating. Their insight into the technical universe brings numerous opportunities to individuals and businesses alike. If you tap into all their innovative knowledge, you might be surprised where it takes you.

NATIONAL IT PROFESSIONALS DAY HISTORY

Solarwinds, a provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, created National IT Professionals Day in March 2015.

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HOW TO OBSERVE IT PRO DAY

If you’re an end-user, simply say thank you to the IT professionals that make your life easier. You can also give them a shout out on social media. 

If you’re a business leader, in addition to saying thank you, also recognize and seek out the unique insight your IT professionals can provide in today’s always-on, always-connected world to help you make smart strategic business decisions. Recognizing the value of an IT professional will lead to a greater competitive advantage. Highlight their accomplishments, too. You might discover untapped potential if you do. 

IT professionals, share why you love what you do. Encourage others interested in the field. While you celebrate the day, include other IT professions. Host competition or propose a challenge. The winners get bragging rights until next year.

Also, share #ITProDay on Social Media to increase awareness of just how important our IT professionals are.

National Decorating Month

Brighten up your home during National Decorating Month in April! A fresh coat of paint, stylish fabrics, and furnishings give a tired space a fresh look and make something old look new again.

It’s amazing what we can do with a few strategically placed items. Whether a decorator’s trained eye or a natural sense of color and space leads to a beautiful new space, the achievement is always satisfying.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating projects around the home. No matter where you decide to update, be sure to do your research and prepare. The do-it-yourself handbook has been written multiple times. If you’re hesitant, help can be found in the form of videos, the service counters of hardware stores and decorators, too.

HISTORY

National Decorating Month originated in 1968 as National Home Decorating Month. The National Decorating Products Association (now known as the Paint & Wallpaper Association of America) in association with House and Garden Magazine launch the event.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Decorating Tips and Ideas

  • Form a painting club. Each member gets a room painted by the club. An ideal size would be six members. If you paint one room every other month, everyone gets a room painted in a year. The member whose room is being painted provides snacks and painting supplies.
  • If you smoke in your home and are trying to quit smoking, a great motivator is to paint the interior of your home. The freshly painted (and possibly decorated) home may be a deterrent from smoking in the home.
  • If you’re uncertain of a color choice, purchase a small amount of the paint or swatch of fabric. Paint a small patch or leave the swatch in the room where it will be used.  Let the sun rise and set in that room so you can see how the color changes.  You will soon know if you love it or hate it.
  • When choosing furniture for a room, be sure to measure more than just the space for the furniture when deciding on a piece. Measure the openings and corners leading into the room even if there are no stairs. If you cannot get the furniture into the room, you may have to return your new furniture.

Don’t settle for a plain square room. Add your personality to it with some expert advice or do-it-yourself redesign.  Use #NationalDecoratingMonth to share on social media.

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH

During February, Free and Open Source Software Month recognizes the cooperative approach to computer programming, open licensing, and free distribution of software.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) provides free, publicly-available code to users and contributors. Providing users access to the code allows them the opportunity to alter the code. For example, they may alter the code to improve the design, fix glitches, and add features. Open-source software is also free and considered liberally licensed. However, it usually requires that any programmer releasing an altered version must release the source code, too.

Collaborative development from multiple independent sources generates a more diverse scope of design perspective than any one company is capable of developing and sustaining long term. In February 1998, Christine Peterson (Foresight Institute) coined “open source software.” That same month, the foundation of the Open Source Initiative was founded.

Today, Government administrations, universities, companies, and other organizations of all types worldwide use open source solutions. Open-source software has also obtained a significant share of several markets, such as web servers, server operating systems, desktop operating systems, web browsers, databases, e-mail, and other IT infrastructure solutions.

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH HISTORY

Onyx Point Logo

Onyx Point, Inc. founded Free and Open Source Software Month (#FOSSFeb) to highlight the cooperative principles of open source software and the contributions this approach to software development continues to produce. As avid Open Source supporters and contributors, Onyx Point hopes this annual observance will help to further general understanding and adoption of Open Source principles and projects. Onyx Point, Inc. provides Security, System Administration, IT Automation, Puppet Professional Services, and DevOps consulting for Government and commercial clients. They are the stewards of SIMP, an Open Source project.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #FOSSFeb

Throughout February, explore the variety of open-source software available, actively participate in open source communities/user groups, attend hackathons and Open Source events, and use #FOSSFeb to share on social media.

DATA PRIVACY DAY

Data Privacy Day on January 28th reminds us each year to review how our data is used. It’s an excellent opportunity to take stock and evaluate our personal cybersecurity.

Our personal data is collected and used through a variety of media and for numerous reasons. Part of the problem is most of the time, the people who have access to our data, don’t need it. Additionally, it gets redistributed legally and illegally. Thanks to the internet, massive amounts of personal data can be easily distributed. While the information may be out there due to our own carelessness or privacy violations, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

  • On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
  • Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
  • Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organization to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.
  • Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.
  • Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
  • Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favorite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.
  • Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
  • Do not save your passwords on your device.
  • Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised or when you visit the dentist.
  • Use virus protection and a firewall.

DATA PRIVACY DAY HISTORY

The Council in Europe first initiated Data Privacy Day in 2007. Their mission grew to a global platform. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives recognized National Data Privacy Day. The United States Senate later recognized Data Privacy Day in 2010 and 2011. Since then, various groups and organizations continue supporting the observance annually.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #DataPrivacyDay

Take steps to secure your digital devices. Make a commitment to learning ways to protect yourself and maintain those tech-savvy practices. When you do, you and your family will be more secure.

For more tips, visit staysafeonline.org for tips on keeping your data safe. Use #DataPrivacyDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL TECHIES DAY

Amazon Prime Days

National Techies Day on October 3rd encourages students to consider a career in technology.  With so many opportunities in the growing technology field, students seeking a career in technology will find promising choices anywhere they look. 

In 2012, Engine Advocacy commissioned a report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute in California. According to the report, for every high-tech job, four more jobs are created. That’s a lot of economic boost created by one industry.

By 2030, the technology sector will continue to grow while other job sectors may decline. While the jobs future changes, one thing remains steady – technology. Healthcare technologies will continue growing by nearly 48 percent. While research ramps up, surgeons and medicine take advanced technologies to a whole new level. With it, they need software specialists trained to maintain the equipment and train the medical personnel.

Beyond medical technology, manufacturing advances technology every day. When considering the future of the automotive world alone, specialized technology keeps up the demand for qualified professionals.

Software development grows every day. However, if we examine technology’s impact on manufacturing, security, and global environmental solutions, we can’t ignore our future needs. The students in the classroom will be the skilled, trained technology-savvy employees of tomorrow. We need them to be.

Take note that National Techies Day falls during National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Techies ensure our devices are protected and secured. They develop the software and help us maintain our computers, smart devices, and more. If you don’t protect your computers – find a techie today! https://www.google.com/amp/s/happydays365.org/national-techies-day/national-techies-day-october/amp/

NATIONAL TECHIES DAY HISTORY

With a growing need for employees with advanced technical skills in America, Techies.com and CNT Networks launched National Techies Day. In 1999, nearly 60% of new jobs were expected to require advanced technical skills that Americans didn’t have. The tech companies and the day encourage kids to embrace computer science and even the monikers sometimes attached to contemporary technology.  

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTechiesDay

National Techies Day offers numerous ways to celebrate. Beyond thanking all the techies you know, consider these ways to join in the celebration:

  • Host a job fair at a high school.
  • Share your experiences with technology. Inspire a student to learn more.
  • Encourage an interest in technology where a spark exists. 
  • Learn more about new innovative technologies changing the world.

Use #NationalTechiesDay to post on social media.