The IT pro's vacation planner: Must you unplug to unwind?

My answer to ComputerWorld is yes!  Everyone have a good weekend...

During the past week, you may have noticed that I'm posting less here at CMS Report. I love the opportunity I've been given to blog about content management systems and pointing readers to the great articles I've read at other sites on the Internet.  Discussing information systems and information technology is not only part of my career, but it is also my hobby.  However, when the weather warms, the trees grow their leaves, and children playing outside can be heard...I yearn for a break from technology.  The other me beckons to spend time camping, hiking, going to baseball games, and simply being outdoors.

So, as I have done in past years, I'm taking a break from technology. By posting less during the summer months, I hope to recharge my blogging batteries for the cold weather that is sure to follow.  I will make an effort for the quality high for those articles I do post this summer, but the quantity of posts will be somewhat lower.  My slogan for this summer's tech break is Blog less, breathe more.  I hope some of the other blog junkies out there join me and take a similar technology breaks.  Life is too short to live and die by the computer.

As always, I appreciate help in any articles or links posted here at CMSReport.com.  If you want to help, create an account today and start contributing your own CMS stories here at this site. Thanks for your support!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I've been very fortunate to see CMS Report's numbers of visitors grow as much as it has this past year. While I don't always have all the CMS answers out there, I hopefully have shown that I do have the enthusiasm to keep plugging away. Better yet, I've been able to connect with some people who are just as obsessed as I am with content management systems and other information systems. This year has been a good one!

While my enthusiasm for CMS remains, once again it is time to turn this computer off and rest my weary eyes. I put in some long hours last week at my real job and I need the break. The week started with a software load on our operational systems with a post-install that never seemed to quit. It was one of those weeks that leave you with just one thought: "I hate computers". Those of you in the IT business know the kind of week I'm talking about so I don't think I need to explain further.

To regain my love for computers, I plan to use the holidays to also take another week-long break from IT. I may do a few minor post here or there, but don't expect too much. Perhaps, it is also time for you to turn your computer off and rest your eyes too?  Go ahead, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and take the break you deserve.  Three out of five IT professionals recommend it. 

Once again, Happy Holidays and I'll see you again as we approach 2007!

As some of you may have noticed, I returned a few days ago from my low-tech week. It's taking me awhile to adjust being stuck at the computer so you'll have to bear with me. It's been tough enough to spend the PC time at work, so spending my "free time" on the PC is challenging. It's kind of like not eating fast food for a week and then suddently having to ingest it for every meal. Drupal addict and Yoga for Geeks guru, Sarah Pullman, mentioned a similar experience in one of her posts. To add insult to injury, I blew up three sites on my VPS and had to put the pieces back together.

So how did I spend my time last week? The family drove north to visit our Canadian neigbors and spend some time camping. We camped near Grand Beach at Lake Winnipeg. Lake Winnipeg is in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It wasn't completely without some technology as we had electricity available for the pop-up camper. Translation...lights, water pump, and even a furnace were available. Considering, I usually spend my time camping in the US national forests without electricity this was a camping luxury for the family.

Surprisingly, we were about the only US citizens in the campground which surprised me. If Texans and Californians can spend there time in Colorado...you would think some folks from the Dakotas and Minnesota could visit Manitoba more often. When I get a chance, I'll have to maybe add a picture or two of our time camping, swimming, or hiking. Translation...I still need to find where we put the digital camera.

During the weekend, we spent our time in the city of Winnipeg. This was my third visit to Winnipeg, but the first time for my family. Most of our time was spent in the city's river front area, the Forks. For me the most exciting time was visiting the children museum with my 3 year old son! They have the coolest real train in that building. My son and I literally fought over the conductors chair. In the Forks shopping area, I felt like we were traveling with the Beatles. Japanese tourists have a strong interest in my son and even begged us to be photographed with him. Something in the Japanese culture inclined them to tell us just how cute they thought he was. As strange as it was, I'm proud to say some of my genes were involved in those good looks!