Re: DM: DM/KDD Training

[eric]

Mr./Dr. Krueger,

The following recently appeared in the electronic newsletter DS *.  
(If
you're not familiar with DS *, it is an "On-Line Executive Journal for
Data-Intensive Decision Support."  I believe you can request 
subscription
info at: dssub@tgc.com.)   The course might apply toward the goal you
stated of taking your data mining knowledge to the next level in a 
short
period of time.


May 13 and 14, 1998
  DATA MINING: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
  Location: Herndon, Virginia (DC Metro Area)
  Contact: http://www.gordianknot.com
           800-405-2114
           agent@gordianknot.com
           (For full details, send a message with
           "DM Course Info" in the subject field)
Those in attendance of this Gordian Institute short course will learn 
about
different methods of modeling and how those models apply to real 
business
problems.  Those who desire to make data mining an integral part of 
their
business process are target candidates.  Attendees will learn to:
     - Uncover valuable information buried in data.
     - Learn what data has real meaning and what data simply takes up 
space
       (also known as "data prospecting")
     - Examine which data mining methods and tools are most effective
     - Avoid pitfalls in the analysis of results
Gordian's "Data Mining: Principles and Practice" seminar focuses on 
actual
use and implementation of data mining techniques in the real world.  
The
instructor has been deeply involved with the development of data 
mining
methods and the means of their use.  Actual products will be 
reviewed, as
will results drawn from real data mining applications.
Those who would like a hands-on perspective to the instructional 
sessions
may
attend an optional third day application workshop.  The workshop will
highlight superior performance as well as pitfalls resulting from 
various
tools and techniques when applied to different types of data intensive
problems.  Objective evaluations of popular data mining products can 
save
immeasurable time and effort in assessing and selecting which suite of
tools
will perform best for your application.
-------





James.R.Krueger@HealthPartners.Com on 02/13/98 01:08:40 PM

To:   datamine-l@nautilus-sys.com
cc:    (bcc: Eric King/AHC)
Subject:  DM: DM/KDD Training




Hello-
My name is Jim Krueger and I'm new to the mailing list and relatively 
new
to
data mining/knowledge discovery.
My question is: what do others on the mailing list recommend that I 
do to
learn
more (much more) about this field?  I have gleaned a fair amount of
information
from the internet, but am interested in learning more specifics about 
the
various DM/KD techniques as well as gaining hands-on experience with 
some
of the
more popular softwares.
As it stands, my current organization (a large HMO) will probably not 
enter
the
realm of DM/KD for about another two years.  I'd like to push that
timetable
ahead somewhat (okay, a lot).
My background is in actuarial, data analysis, statistical analysis, 
data
warehousing project management (user), reporting, and consulting 
(sorry if
this
is beginning to sound like a resume).  My technical background 
includes at
least
  a smattering of SAS, SPSS, JCL, SQL, Access Basic, NOMAD, Focus, 
PCFocus,
Access, Paradox, Fortran, and Pascal in a variety of PC, C/S, and 
mainframe
platforms and environments.  I know enough "to be dangerous", enough 
to
meet my
analytical needs, and usually pick up new applications very quickly, 
but in
order to become knowledgeable in DM/KD, do I need to focus on the 
technical
side
or is the project management/consulting side a viable alternative?
I'd like to take my knowledge about DM/KD to the next level, do it 
soon,
and at
an affordable cost.  Are seminars/conferences the only option or are
training
courses available?  I have a passion for problem-solving and making
customers
happy and DM/KD sounds like the right way to do it.  Plus, it seems 
to me
like
it would be just plain fun.
Any suggestions that would help me to achieve these goals would be 
greatly
appreciated.  Thank you!
--Jim Krueger--