Tech Talk with Toni

   To simply state, “I was wrong” — is a skill Today's post was sparked by a chat with my mentor, where I confessed that I don't always feel confident in what I am saying.  His response went something like this: "Toni, no one expects you to know everything. It's okay to be wrong, but don't be wrong and strong." Being part of the Technology Department means I often find myself in the hot seat, expected to solve business problems with tools I'm not exactly proficient with.   However, this is entirely normal, given that technology stands as one of the most rapidly evolving industries worldwide. The last part of that statement stuck with me because I tend to always have this need to be right, even when I am wrong at first. I often retract what I say and consult ChatGPT or Bing Chat when I find holes in my argument, all for the sake of being right. The following is an example of a conversation I recently had: Me: "Fruits are dead the minute you pick them ...

  Your car is a metallic baby that requires care after you've purchased it. If you're in your 20s, you're likely contemplating getting a car (if you don't already have one). When assessing affordability, you may focus on the vehicle's cost. I recently discussed this with my dad, and he emphasized considering not just the purchase price but also ongoing expenses like gas, insurance, and repairs. After calculating rough estimates and considering my current situation, I have concluded that I do not need a car right now. I am not saying this to deter you from purchasing your dream car, everyone has their reasons behind making any purchase. Today, I want to highlight the "maintenance" aspect of systems. In technology, we often concentrate on the end product—be it an app, a website, or an automated solution. We don't always consider how these products will be maintained after production. When something breaks, chaos and confusion ensues, especially if the o...

  Today's post is inspired by the cake I would be making for my mom today. Consistency is a term that denotes uniformity, evenness, and regularity in maintaining a constant state. Imagine a cake that wasn't mixed well before baking. Some parts might have lumps of baking soda, while others have too much sugar. If this happens, you probably won't enjoy eating the cake, and you might even avoid it altogether after the first bad experience. Now, let's talk about consistency in the world of data. Picture you're collecting data about ice cream flavors.  In one table, you write "Cookies and Cream," but in another table, you write "Cookies & Cream." Even though these mean the same flavor, a computer would treat them as two different things when creating a report. Here are three common ways in which inconsistent data is created: Manual Entry Errors Typos, incorrect values, and misinterpretation of data can lead to inconsistencies across datasets. Inte...

  The title of today's post comes from my friend, who suggested I should "read less and do more". As we start a new month and a new year, I think it is a great time to reintroduce the idea of gaining experience by implementing what you have learnt.  Recent graduates often face a catch-22 scenario: the need for experience to secure a job, yet lacking the experience to begin with. Frequently, we attribute this "scarcity of opportunities" to external factors beyond our control, such as the economy and nepotism. However, every day is a new opportunity to concentrate on what you can influence and take action! I would have mentioned how to go about selecting a project in a previous post . Today, I'll be expanding upon what you should be doing to learn and gain experience while searching for a job in Technology: Form a Study Group Invite your friends to join you on your learning journey; it's more enriching than reading or watching YouTube videos by yourself. E...