About

Taming Data

Initially, I began “Taming Data” to explore the many ways that large-scale data is being managed and preserved by the researchers and data scientists who create and acquire it, as well as the data managers and librarians who must ensure its longevity. My primary focus was supposed to be on data management and preservation in the research, academic, and private sectors. I still plan to write about those topics, as time permits.

I have found since I began this blog that dissertation-related time constraints prevent me from writing serious academic or business type analyses of data management issues and trends. Instead, this blog has become my recreation; a break, if you will, from the more serious issues of long-term digital preservation and machine-level policy implementation in a data grid that are the focus of my dissertation work. Currently, the topics trend towards “how” someone or some organization disseminated, used, and managed (“tamed”) their data, and I post a related visualization, animation, or video. Short and sweet, both for this writer and any readers….

I still want to improve my ability to summarize and write about often complex and complicated data management technology issues, and the best way to do that is to just…write. Hence, this blog is also my practice area for learning to write concisely and clearly.

Me

My name is Jewel Ward. I have worked with one form or another of data in one form or another of digital management since the early- to mid-1990s. I’ve worked in corporate, research, and academic environments that include decision support, an ISP/ASP, a research library, an academic library, and, now, a Data Intensive Cyber Environments (DICE) Center. I first began editing web pages in 1995, and I have jumped in and out of web design and webmastering since. Currently, I’m a doctoral student in Information and Library Science. I live and breathe large- and small-scale data management and preservation. Yes, I am available for occasional freelance and consulting projects, but my primary focus is my doctoral work.

Inspiration

I’d like to thank my colleagues at the DICE Center for the inspiration for the title of this blog (p. 8). I originally called it “Taming the Data Deluge”, and even registered the domain for it, but I am a lazy typist, so “Taming Data” it is.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own or those of co- or guest authors or commentators. Said opinions do not represent the official opinions or policies of any group or institution for whom I/they work, unless otherwise specified.

Colophon

Site hosting by Dreamhost. Blog by WordPress. WordPress theme is Thesis 1.x by Chris Pearson. Site design and development by me. Fonts used are Ariel, Ariel Narrow, and Ariel Black. Cowboys/lassos/wild horses photos are by Gary Alvis via iStockPhoto. For design guidance, I rely heavily on Robin Williams‘ The Non-Designers Handbook. (I still use the 2nd Ed., but I linked to the 3rd Ed.).