New Year's resolutions, part 2

Last issue, I presented some possible New Year's resolutions for directory vendors. Today, we'll look at resolutions for directory users and managers.

Resolution #1

This is something you should have been doing all along - raise the awareness of the value of the directory in your enterprise. Think about starting a small (in terms of time-commitment) project that could have big implications - like the British Telecom White Pages app I profiled a couple of weeks ago (see " The secret to success, " www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/dir/2001/01139290.html).

Besides white pages, there's always an electronic in-out board, or maybe you could take on a facilities reservation system. If you're really ambitious, consider implementing a single sign-on application. Any of these projects - and there are many others - can easily demonstrate the value of directory services and lead to you spending more time working (playing?) with the directory and less time spent on mundane networking or programming issues.

Resolution #2

Your second resolution should be to spend a little more time doing lower case networking with your directory peers. There are still way too few people in the world who understand what a directory is, how directory services work and why they are important. Spend more time both in person and online with others involved in this industry. Think seriously about attending this year's Catalyst conference (in San Francisco in July, in Munich in September). If you go to Novell's BrainShare (in March) or Microsoft's TechEd (in June), consider starting a " birds of a feather " session about directories - but definitely participate if someone else does.

Resolution #3

This relates to Resolution #2: monitor directory news at Network World Fusion. The directories news page of Network World Fusion (www.nwfusion.com/topics/directories.html) brings you up to the minute news as well as in-depth research and analysis of this sector. You will also find links to the best directory-related Web sites in the industry. You should visit this site at least weekly, but more often is better.

So, three resolutions all designed to improve your situation within the enterprise as well as within the directory community. They don't require a lot of work, just a serious commitment of your time.

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. His most recent book is "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks" published by SAMS. Dave's company, Virtual Quill, provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more at Virtual Quill or by e-mail at info@vquill.com

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