Blogger Disclosure Information
Brent Ozar said that we bloggers should have one of these pages and that we could copy his format that appears here. Also, the US Federal Trade Commission requires that bloggers disclose their relationships publicly. Plus, I think it’s a fine idea for you to be informed about me if you are going to the trouble of visiting my blog. Here we go.
Are you paid to blog?
I am not paid to blog. I blog as part of providing an online web presence or persona. Through this I hope to deepen my connection with communities both online and in the “real” world. I also might promote myself a little bit along the way. I like to think that by working with others I’m providing help, and this blog gives me an avenue for letting people know I’m out here.
So if you don’t get paid to blog what’s your line of work?
Currently, I work at the headquarters of a 2012 U.S. Presidential campaign as a database engineer. From the time that I started writing this blog in July 2010 until July 2011, I was a full-time employee of Insignis Inc., a data service provider to the financial industry. My title at Insignis was Vice President of Engineering and Development.
Also, I co-own an S-Corp, The Constant Group Inc., with my wife, and we conduct business through this firm. For me this has primarily consisted of consulting work. I am a minority shareholder in this firm.
Can you tell me more about this consulting work?
I sometimes work as a consultant/contractor doing bill-by-the-hour work, typically related to database technology – development, design, performance and optimization, etc. The Constant Group Inc. (mentioned above) is my vehicle for conducting such work.
Other activities in which The Constant Group has engaged includes management consulting, business advisory, business brokerage (buy and sell side) plus business appraisal/valuation related activities. I have participated at some level in several of these engagements.
What about blog comments and other web activities?
Comments left on this blog by others are generally reviewed by me for approval, unless it’s a repeat commenter who has previously received my approval (in such cases I still get a notification and will read the comment as time allows and moderate it if necessary). I don’t use any kind of identity verification for commenters, so take this into account.
I do leave comments on other blogs and typically use my full name “Noel McKinney” when doing so, although you might run across some cases (usually older comments) where I’ve just used my first name. My comments on these sites are not under my control.
I’ve been on Twitter as @NoelMcKinney since June 2009 and I post there frequently. My content on Twitter is sometimes more personal and “in the moment” than content on this blog. Anything I post on Twitter reflects my own opinions and views.
I’m also on LinkedIn and sometimes participate in technology-related sites and forums such as SQLServerCentral.com, ServerFault.com and StackOverflow.com. I’m on FaceBook as well.
What about events and free goodies?
I’ve blogged about community and training events such as SQL Saturday, the PASS Summit, SQLCruise, etc. However, I have not received compensation for writing about these events.
Any goods or services I have received generally fall into the same category as things received by many participants to such events. Examples include everything from pens, laptop stickers, and squeeze balls, or further up to food and beverages, and as far as value goes I’ve topped out at books. The retail value of such books is around $50 at the most. On this blog I have reviewed or mentioned some of the books received at such events, but never for compensation or in exchange for said book.
Anything else worth mentioning?
Most of my investments are in the form of mutual funds rather than individual financial instruments. I own a condo in downtown Chicago. I don’t own a car. I don’t have any pets.
I have agricultural-related interests due to family relationships, trusts, etc. This involves farmland (tillable, pasture, lumber), commodity grain operations (corn, soybeans, wheat), and livestock production (sheep and cattle), as well as wind generation leases and residential rental properties.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me.
