So, I'm a big fan of KNIME Analytics platform, and I can't hide it.

I want to connect my data, I want to show you how I connected my data, and I want to give the solution away, without supporting the solution because it's complex.

Is that too much to ask?

*KNIME enters the stage.*

KNIME Analytics Platform

KNIME Analytics Platform is the open source software for creating data science applications and services. Intuitive, open, and continuously integrating new developments, KNIME makes understanding data and designing data science workflows and reusable components accessible to everyone. (source)

(you may sprint ahead like I did because you already know how to gain value from a free analytics platform...)

BUT Before you ask any questions on the forums...

...check out the FAQ.

I already failed hard there. And... FAQ is the sauce! Learning hub is next too.

Personally, I usually avoid diving into documentation - and try to see what I can develop without being told where things are and how things work.

It gives me a really un-biased opinion about what a product champion will likely do when using the software. It's likely they won't touch a FAQ or documentation, and will expect the software to work, and provide value - without non-stop googling.

If I can't gain value from the software without googling, then I feel the value of the solution will not scale. Luckily I was able to do A LOT of cool stuff, with ease, and it taught me new ways to solve... And it directly impacted a project I was stressing about.

WINNNING!

Below, is my first attempt using KNIME.

It did not take long, and I built an API web scrape tool that outputs job data in 49 high population cities.

Why don't you use another software?

Knime is free and offers scheduling in the desktop application, you don't need a server - or at least that's what I'm gathering. Of course a server is a big step in moving to the enterprise level, administrating workflows, permissions, user portal, etc... but I don't want a server.

I'm just little Tyler, I don't have thousands and thousands to spend on software.

Nor do commercial businesses.

NOW, with KNIME, they have a free option!

So, even though I work for software companies, these companies are built to sell software, not give Tyler free software because he wants to blog and be disruptive.

KNIME has a different strategy - so...

You can go download knime too.

It's a desktop application and it's kick ass.

Okay now you have the product, what's next?

A ramp up?!

I need to ramp up too.

On that note, I've decided I will begin explain my journey, and give away applications that solve business problems, along the way.

I will document everything, how it works, and how to get moving.

I hope you join me because...

Data, analytics, SQL, ETL, data warehousing, coding, etc...

Tech helped me start a family, work from home, and be an available husband/father.

After working at a bunch of terrible jobs, even 3 jobs to get through college, I'm learning that if everyone could get started on this product, knime...

Maybe they won't have to work those crap jobs?

YOU can begin learning a career path immediately...

A career path that will lead you to more insights, more time failing because you don't know the answer, and increase your chances of success moving forward.

But just downloading Knime, my recommendation, and a few apps free workflows won't really sell the value of a free ETL, data science, etc... solution.

I guess the usual is 'zero to hero.'

I bought a domain, I installed wordpress, I built the color palette, designing the core pages & keyword strategy next.

I even studied color theory for a few hours...

(it never changes but I keep studying it)

The goal is to give away free applications in #knime, and I'm going to document every step of learning.

Lots of blog/videos posts about ETL, the basics...

Because usually the basics are where most people need to be good.

Having a bunch of non-technical running around isn't the best thing, but it's also kind of great. I explain clearly below.

I spend my day deep in the weeds between 20+ databases, a few API connections, and writing ad-hoc SQL...

When you're within 5000 lines of SQL, a non-technical person can step in...

Clear the weeds, clear the water, wash off your dirty glasses, and become a be a big help...

So why don't we ARM these non-technical peoples? (too)

Without charging them an arm and a leg?

So...

Yeah, I'm gonna give away a bunch of Knime solutions, blog about it, blog about the tools, and give away common solutions to problems like "dynamic parameters."

I'm also going to compare it to other tools I've used over the course of ten years of #ETL, data warehousing, and front end reverse engineering...

Yes, you gotta reverse engineer the front end if your tableau guru doesn't know #SQL, other wise your tableau server will go slow

But here's the thing, having a non-technical tableau guru, allows you to build the foundation of #analytics, #automation, SQL, data science, and I can't stress enough the power of having a no bullshit business analyst on your team.

Someone who isn't thinking about split second time saving, someone who is instead thinking, "we need to ensure we get this dashboard completed and in front of the boss."

And that person can stop you from wasting 2 weeks trying to build some "smart" piece in the ETL solution, when the boss might say "NO." And there goes 2 weeks of wasted time.

Non-technical business logic owners kick ass. The technical ones are great too but you know who you are and you know we kinda complicate stuff because we know the environment. It's our job to do that, it's their job to table that "behind the clock explanation."

Someone who can say, "yeah I heard you talk for 5 minutes, here's the 5 bullets I'm going to say to the business." Someone who can comfortably say, "slow it down for me, I'm the idiot, okay so I heard all of that, but where's the value?" Someone who forces you to change your stroke, change your stance, say it again, say it better, say it without sounding this way, or that way...

The least technical people in my career have taught me the most about social engineering.

Typos by tyler garrett

Tyler Garrett, rogue tableau consultant.

Future Tree Trimming expert in Austin Texas.

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