http://www.darrensproat.com Technology Management, Information Technology Strategy and Implementation Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:35:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/mobile-microsoft-surface-finally-something-i-would-stand-in-line-for/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/mobile-microsoft-surface-finally-something-i-would-stand-in-line-for/#comments Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:00:06 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=749 Microsoft announced today an entry into the mobile computing market — Microsoft Surface. The announcement is one of the first mobile computing devices announced in the past 4 (or more) years that has really got my heart pumping. I don’t want to take anything away from Apple and Android powered devices (and I don’t even [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/mobile-microsoft-surface-finally-something-i-would-stand-in-line-for/feed/ 4 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/windows-8-unified-computing-experience/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/windows-8-unified-computing-experience/#comments Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:22:01 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=736 Everyone knows that Microsoft needs to make a dent in Apple and Android if it hopes to carve a piece of the mobile computing world. Smartphone and tablet computing have taken off and the front-runners have a lead. It’s clear Microsoft is late to the party. Then again, when has Microsoft not been late to [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/windows-8-unified-computing-experience/feed/ 24 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/community-shaping-the-future-of-the-worlds-best-urban-park/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/community-shaping-the-future-of-the-worlds-best-urban-park/#comments Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:46:44 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=721 The ourWascana Project As part of a major review process for the Wascana Centre Authority’s 50th birthday, citizens are being asked to share their hopes and dreams for Wascana. The ourWascana project includes three simple questions to help shape the future of Wascana. One of the absolute best features of the community I live in [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/community-shaping-the-future-of-the-worlds-best-urban-park/feed/ 2 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/wordpress/livefyre-comments/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/wordpress/livefyre-comments/#comments Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:43:47 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=714 While I have only been blogging on this site for about a month or so, I have blogged on other sites for over 5 years now. A majority of that blogging was done on the WordPress platform using the standard commenting system. Over the years, I have tried Disqus, Livefyre, and IntenseDebate commenting systems only to [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/wordpress/livefyre-comments/feed/ 5 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/greetings-from-saskatchewan/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/greetings-from-saskatchewan/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:19:11 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=699 One of the things that is so great about the community of Regina, and all of Saskatchewan, is the pride we have with respect to where we’re from and what we do. Saskatchewan people, from prairie farmers, highway workers, students, nurses, teachers, business men and women, and yes, even the politicians, always embody hard work, dedication, determination, and gratitude. When I [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/greetings-from-saskatchewan/feed/ 4 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/reasons-for-unfollowing-people-on-twitter-infographic/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/reasons-for-unfollowing-people-on-twitter-infographic/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:25:20 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=688 As a follow-up to Why I Unfollowed So Many Accounts on Twitter, I thought I would share an infographic that details reasons for unfollowing people on Twitter.  The thing about this infographic…  I think nearly every twitter account I follow would fall into at least one of the reasons.  So, while I thought this infographic was [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/reasons-for-unfollowing-people-on-twitter-infographic/feed/ 4 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/why-i-unfollowed-so-many-accounts-on-twitter/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/why-i-unfollowed-so-many-accounts-on-twitter/#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:18:57 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=669 Until recently, I had only a few “follow” rules on Twitter.  First, I would follow-back any real person or brand who followed me.  Essentially, if there was a “human” element to the account I would follow you if you followed me.  Second, I would search keywords and follow people tweeting interesting information then attempt to [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/social-media/why-i-unfollowed-so-many-accounts-on-twitter/feed/ 5 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/stars-air-ambulance-makes-an-impact-challenge/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/stars-air-ambulance-makes-an-impact-challenge/#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:00:09 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=596 Last year, I was excited to learn that STARS Air Ambulance was to set up a base of operation in my home town. Since then, the more I learn about STARS the more I appreciate all they do and how they do it. From the STARS Air Ambulance Website, I found that they are a charitable, non-profit organization [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/community/stars-air-ambulance-makes-an-impact-challenge/feed/ 0 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/a-phishing-we-will-go-infographic/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/a-phishing-we-will-go-infographic/#comments Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:00:33 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=462 A phishing attack is any attempt to acquire YOUR information. Phishing attempts to gather information such as usernames and passwords, banking information or credit card details, social insurance/security information, or  any other personal information using a means that, upon first glance, is a source that you trust. The phishing attack generally starts with an e-mail [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/a-phishing-we-will-go-infographic/feed/ 0 http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/apple-android-blackberry-or-windows/ http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/apple-android-blackberry-or-windows/#comments Thu, 31 May 2012 09:00:22 +0000 Darren Sproat http://www.darrensproat.com/?p=570 I feel like I’ve been in a holding pattern waiting for the right smart phone platform/technology to arrive — one that fits into my lifestyle and, as importantly, integrates with the rest of my technology. I’ve used every platform out there and can confirm that each has advantages and disadvantages. Early on, there was only one real player. [...]]]> http://www.darrensproat.com/articles/technology/apple-android-blackberry-or-windows/feed/ 0