[Fed-Talk] Comments...
[Fed-Talk] Comments...
- Subject: [Fed-Talk] Comments...
- From: Shawn Geddis <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 12:23:47 -0500
Felt the need to address comments here on a previous message ...
Perhaps we could do some collective support as well, rather than all
of us working through these issues individually. For example, once the
NTLM authentication issue booted many of us off windows networks, it
would have been useful to find specific solutions posted to the list.
. .something beyond "AdmitMac is supposed to work". . .
We are all in agreement that collective efforts are the best way to
address technical issues in a timely manor. This is one of the core
reasons that the Fed-Talk mailing list exists and hopefully will
continue. As in the case of NTLM Authentication, not all agencies /
organizations are in agreement as to their real requirements. The US
Army has been very clear, albeit a moving target, as to their
requirements on network based authentication to Active Directory. The
sooner Apple hears about and knows of specific requirements the sooner
prioritized resources can be used to address the issues.
If apple is truly concerned about apple desktops in the DoD community,
and is interested in helping growth (or merely maintaining the scant
current presence) then perhaps some solutions could be researched,
documented and posted, thus saving us the time of figuring them out
individually.
The comment of "If apple is truly concerned about apple desktops in the
DoD community..." has come up on occasion from individuals unaware of
all of the work the Apple Federal Team does on a regular basis to
address these issues. I was the original Systems Engineer brought on
just over 6 years ago in a focused effort to build the Apple Federal
Team.
This Team exists to identify, address and overcome the technical
hurdles faced within the Federal space. There are many core OS
features that exist specifically to address DoD technical needs
(Security/Smart Cards/AD). Apple now also has a Vice President of
Federal Sales in addition to the General Managers and field sales
force. Knowing all of this, one would be hard pressed to make a case
that Apple is not focused on the DoD Community specifically and the US
Federal Government as a whole.
Apple needs to formally engage the CIO-G6s (DoD and Army, for example)
and get an official position and eliminate the rumors and local
interpretations.
I believe this has been appropriately covered in recent messages. As I
noted earlier, Apple Federal has been working closely with DoD
officials for several years now. Many discussions and briefings have
been held over the last several years and progress has been made, but
there is more to be gained moving forward.
Some may not realize or may forget that the most effective method for
introducing change within the Federal Agencies is not for a vendor like
Apple to come pounding on the doors of DoD Officials. The Apple
Federal Team is proactive in both strategic and tactical efforts to
engage Federal Staff at all levels, but much of the initial inertia
comes from the voices within. Never underestimate your influence with
your superiors.
We all know the local DOIMs are not particularly interested in
supporting Macs. . .
"We all know..." hmmm... That is a pretty strong claim to make without
any supporting facts. A significant amount of misinformation begins
with folks propagating statements like "We all know..." , "Everyone
uses ...", "It will never change...", "No Macs are in use at....".
We can all collaboratively advance if we begin by not spreading myths
and misinformation ourselves.
it would help us if we could come to them with solutions that work. .
.detailed, proven solutions that save them and us time and energy. If
the answer is "use virtual PC for everything" so be it, but let's get
an official position.
Excellent suggestion! As noted earlier, this is the reason the
Fed-Talk mailing list exists. I for one can commit to driving the
collection of these "solutions" and having them posted to the Federal
Website [ http://www.apple.com/federal/ ]. This should save all of us
time, since the Federal Website is intended as a portal for Federal
Information and Solutions. Sounds like there is a need and
justification for launching a "Tech Talk Corner" section.
Thoughts ?
-Shawn
___________________________________________
Shawn Geddis
Security Consulting Engineer
Apple Computer - US Federal Government
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