The Power of VPN and Remote Desktop

I implemented a beneficial tool recently that all sports information professionals should be aware of: VPN and Remote Desktop.

For those of you that know me, I’m not a big fan of doing tasks twice (see the Smart Reporting Initiative: http://bit.ly/d4UXAy)

I found VPN/RD because I was looking for the best solution for updating cumulative stat files.

There are many convoluted ways to update your stats remotely. They involve jump drives, ftp, etc. Given the nature of our jobs—that we cover many teams—it’s no wonder that many wait until the following morning--or Monday morning on a weekend-- to update cume stats.

VPN, or virtual private network, and remote desktop was easily setup on two of my laptops by Greensboro College IT personnel. Once installed, the technology is similar to “Go to My PC” or similar services that allow a remote computer to take over another.

My IT support people placed VPN and RD shortcut icons on my laptops. I simply click the VPN and RD icons from an Internet active computer. I enter a password and I’m browsing on my office PC from 10 miles away. I download and import the files as usual and my stats are updated.

There’s one drawback to using VPN/RD. It’s slower than normal. The technology is ideal for updating stats, grabbing photos from your hard drive but is not recommended for Adobe InDesign, or Photoshop, for example. (If you want to enter Bizarro world, watch a video on your desktop computer from your laptop at home.)

Additionally, working on a remote computer can be confusing at times. For example, the remote computer cannot read a USB drive that is connected to your laptop at home. It’s a light bulb moment when you figure this out.

In addition to statistics updates, there are many other times I’ve benefitted from VPN/RD and saved a late-night trip back to the office. Here are just a few tasks I’ve accomplished:

-Accessed and forwarded high resolution photos from my hard drive for the media.

-Accessed and updated a report on a sick day (that’s what SIDs do!).

-Caught a typo and was able to remotely update a postseason guide.

-Used Photoshop and InDesign (I know, I said it wasn’t a good option) from my laptop that does not have Creative Suite installed.

-Multi-tasked by having my desktop perform one function and a laptop do another simultaneously.

Many products claim to be the latest and greatest, but not many deliver. While VPN/RD may not be the reinvention of the wheel. However, for the SID, it’s about as noteworthy as the coming of sliced bread!

Bob Lowe, Greensboro College's assistant AD for communications, is the CoSIDA New Media-technology committee chair

Worst Case Scenario for SDSU After the Carnage

OK, things are getting a little crazy. There's a lot of speculation and misinformation sand the unknown.

The best case scenario would be: PAC 10/16.

However, just so we have a baseline, what would be the worst case scenario?

Please respond. Put your tongue in cheek if you like.

My worst case: we get left out of Big12/MWC reshuffle and get bounced to a watered down WAC (no Boise St.). SDSU then becomes the big fish in the Wacky pond.

However, it's a rocky road back to the WAC. Some members are disgusted that we worship the waves at SDSU.

With no BCS ties, the WAC will play the MAC in the revived California Bowl in Fullerton.

We renew rivalry with Fresno State. Even though they beat us sometime, we remind them that live in Fresno.

The point is SDSU would still be in the academics and athletic business.

Go Aztecs!

Pac 16 a Reality?

Orangeblood.com reports Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, OSU and Colorado to Pac (16).

This is about as good as it gets for the Pac 1o. They don't have to take Baylor and get the Denver TV market with the Buffs. They still get Texas (the state and the U. in Austin) and the other two big schools in the state.

Oklahoma has had a little success, too. With OSU you get a sugar daddy (T-boon Pickens) to rival Oregon's Phil Knight.

This will a boon for Texas schools to tap into California recruiting, and vice versa.

My guess is ASU and U of A foes with newbies to form East Division. Old Pac fans will like this as the original 8 are in the West division. For the far left Pac-ers, good news in football will be to face east champ ONLY in a championship game.

Venues for a championship game: Jerry Jones Palace, U. of Phoenix Stadium or new 49er park (check out the drawings!).

Or, perhaps, this could kick start a new L.A. stadium to house NFL team(s), Super Bowl(s), bowl game (hopefully this news means we're heading to a playoff), etc. That's more wish than reality.

Then again, rumor has it there might not even be a Pac 16 playoff. If that's the case, why even be a conference of 16?!

Wooden: Pyramid Begat Trapeziod

I grew up in Whittier, CA-- 30 miles from UCLA. An uncle turned me onto UCLA basketball at age 9. I was hooked. The home game used to be replayed at 10 p.m. and I never missed a game.

John Wooden’s teams were disciplined and efficient: The Bruins’ press could turn a close game into a blowout in an instant. More importantly, his teams won with class.

When Austin Carr and Notre Dame ended a winning streak in 1971, I was shattered. My family still reminds me today that I cried after that defeat.
I was upset when the Irish stopped an 88-game streak in 1974, but by then I was able to hold back the tears.

Wooden’s Pyramid of Success and inspirational quotes touched so many of us--and not just basketball fans. Respect, personal responsibility, humility, hard work, self- satisfaction: classic Wooden attributes, which resonate in 2010 as much as they did back in the day.

A few years back, I sought to bring some of John Wooden’s tenets to my profession. With an assist to Wooden, I dubbed it the “Sports Information Director Trapezoid of Achievement.” (To view a .pdf copy pf the Trapezoid, click Here: http://www.greensborocollegesports.com/custompages/trapezoid-sid.pdf)

Although Wooden despised the name “Wizard of Westwood,” the man was a giant in Southern California and beyond. He may have chosen coaching as a profession, but saw himself as a teacher.

If John Wooden had opened a ministry, I would’ve been the first at his church door.

Wooden: A Humble Hero

My uncle turned me onto UCLA basketball and John Wooden. I watched one of those 10 p.m. replays and was hooked. Perhaps an early season win over Rice.

What a program, what a man. I cried when the Austin Carr and Notre Dame ended the Bruins win streak as a 10-year-old. My family still brings that up.

I'm 48 now and work in sports. I see many more Anti-Woodens than those who play, coach and compete with dignity and class.

There may be many ways to succeed in life. Wooden had immense success and helped mankind along the way.

I had my UCLA shirt on when he passed.

He may be gone but his legacy and pyramid lives on.

OMG NHL

The NHL is killing itself with the Outdoor Life--I mean Versus--deal. The midweek Stanley Cup finals need to be on network TV or a real sports network, such as ESPN.

Gary Bettman and the owners may have gotten greenbacks to go with Vs. Hope you bought something good with the coin. This short-sighted deal stinks for fans, the NHL and hockey as a whole.

Apparently, we've got at least one more year of this stinker deal. According to Wikipedia "In 2007, the NHL signed an agreement to extend the NHL on Versus to the 2010–2011 season. Versus paid $72.5 million for 2007–2008 and will pay inflationary increases over the next three years."

Well, this DirecTV subscriber won't pay the premium for this weak channel. So I'll get weekend games on NBC next year, too.

What hasn't been mentioned, however, is the promotion value (or lack thereof) of being on Versus.

Remember the days of ESPN and the NHL? There was much more hockey talk back then. That is good for the sport.

If you think the NHL needs to go back to ESPN, send Mr. Bettman at note at:
gbettman@nhl.com

Analyzing Rams Draft

There's more hoopla now than ever for coverage of the NFL Draft. And if you are reading this, you are glad since the NFL hot stove is hot.

The Rams appear to have had a pretty good draft. If so--after some horrible years--that would be two years in a row.

So, let's go pick-by-pick through the picks.

1. QB Sam Bradford. I was on the Suh wagon for a long time. My extensive research (YouTube highlights) was that this guy was a special. He's big, confident, a field general, can make throws, etc.

You say this is college, not the pros? Well, Oklahoma appeared to be a pro team with all their early picks. Maybe their coaches need to make better use of the talent.

The one drawback is injury history. How do you tell someone to "fall better?"

Let the Sam Ram era begin!

2. OT Roger Saffold. The Rams protect their investment by taking a high pick on an offensive tackle for the second straight year. Brilliant. Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger were shell-shocked due to poor drafting and not addressing the OL. Perhaps Bradford won't fall much with Saffold, Jason Brown and a better line in 2010.

3. CB Jerome Murphy. I've argued that corner back was the biggest weakness on this club in 2009. The Rams need good cover men who go get the ball. Pencil him in as a starter.

4. WR Mardy Gilyard. A great pick and great value in the fourth round. Some say he's no different than the other Ram WRs. I project Gilyard as a 2010 starter and a play-maker, something greatly needed.

5a. TE Michael Hoomanawanui. If the glass is half empty, you don't need a blocking TE. However, if your mug runneth full, he's a tackle with a number in the 80s who protects Sam Ram and opens holes for the offense's only known commodity: Steven Jackson.

5b. DE Hall Davis. Need to address DE, especially if Leonard Little is not back. A better scenario? Sign Little and let Davis learn under him.

6a. TE Fendi Onobun. He's a name game pro bowler already. He can also be the go-to-guy on the Rams summer hoops team since he played at Arizona. I'm not holding my breath and would rather see a proven pass catcher for Sam Ram. With his athleticism, it's OK to take a flier in the sixth round.

6b. DE Eugene Sims. See Hall Davis above.

7a. DB Marquis Johnson. Not many Ram DBs should have job security, so he has a chance.

7b. DE George Selvie. A former All America taken in the 7th round? Nice job, Devaney.

7c. LB Josh Hull. Penn State LBs are beloved. Remember Shane Conlan? Ran like he had a stick in his pants but could make the tackle.

Summary: Not sure the Hershell Waker trade bounty of the Cowboys could've addressed all this team's needs. However, give the Rams credit for addressing just about every one.

CJ Spiller, this year's RBs were not special. If the Rams sign Bryan Westbrook I will bump up the B grad to an A-.

They need to address TE, and especially WR, is still there.

1	1	Sam Bradford	QB	Oklahoma
2	33	Rodger Saffold	OT	Indiana
3	65	Jerome Murphy	CB	South Florida
4	99	Mardy Gilyard	WR	Cincinnati
5	132	Michael Hoomanawanui	TE	Illinois
5	149	Hall Davis	DE	La.-Lafayette
6	170	Fendi Onobun	TE	Arizona
6	189	Eugene Sims	DE	West Texas A&M
7	211	Marquis Johnson	DB	Alabama
7	226	George Selvie	DE	South Florida
7	254	Josh Hull	LB	Penn State