Are you models skillful...

If you get a chance, you should consider watching this TED Talk

I'm not asking you to watch it to increase your belief in the hoax that is global climate change, but rather to hear his argument about the models themselves.

He takes the position of asking if the models are "skillful."  In other words, do the models offer us more than if we didn't have the models at all.

Are Your Post Google Activities Making You Smart...

The link below is of an interesting interview: Is Google Making Us Stupid? This interview got me thinking...

I get a lot of crap from coworkers (and other observers) because I keep a LOT of browser windows open at once (hundreds). However, as this discussion points out, the web makes it easy to gather information but it's rather poor at letting you ponder and consider this information. By keeping things in my context I can shuffle and reorganize the info. Sometimes I get ideas about things days after I've found it and have had time to consider the implications and reflect on the idea. This is because it's open in a window and in my consciousness - it stays in context.

Innovation is status quo. Discovery and invention is still hard to do...

When a tech company (or car company, which today are tech companies) say INNOVATIVE what they mean is "WELL DESIGNED."

How I Spent My Spring Break or Why I Took the "Architect Master Class by Juval Lowy"

Getting to where I could practice being a software architect has actually been a much bigger problem over the years than the act of trying to decide on how to structure the software or apply this framework or that one.

In one fell (week long) swoop, Juval's Architect Master Class has propelled my understanding forward by years, probably decades.

Agile Says What It Values, How About What It Doesn't?

The signatories of the Agile Manifesto are quick to point out that they value all the things mentioned in the manifesto.  For example, when the manifesto says, "Individuals and interactions over processes and tools," the signatories point out that they mention processes and tools because they value them, they just value individuals and interactions more.  A lot has been written about this point.

So that got me thinking, what about the things that Agile really does not value.  

Whiners Are Both the Canary in the Coal Mine and ... well, whiners

I worked on one of my previous employer's largest projects and it was a complete disaster.  I've tried and tried to take away really great lessons from that experience.  But here's the lesson I find most frustrating.  It's not that resources were squandered.  It's not that money was wasted.  It's not that opportunity was lost.  It's not about profit or loss. No, the lesson I find most frustrating is this:

From the president right down to the interns, the people on a project that whine the most will provide the least amount of actionable feedback and will contribute the least to avoiding the problem next time.

Explain Your Framework Before Implanting Your Memories...

Please explain your framework before telling me how to use it