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September 28, 2005

this is just wrong

Smash-up Derby's mashup of Nirvana and Michael Jackson is pretty darn funny.

keep the beat

Jason at 37signals writes about an interesting motivational tool for software teams: release something today.

Although the overall point about motivated teams producing better product is definitely true, I'm not so sure I agree with the final advice of "find something we can do and release in 4 hours". Doing something quick just to do it can lead to some seriously sub-optimal work breakdowns. However, keeping teams engaged through incrementalism, daily (or more frequent builds) and constant review of the product is right on. If you do that consistently, you never have to resort to the parlor trick of doing something in 4 hours.

September 23, 2005

never forget

This is an excellent use of technology - keeping me out of trouble.

September 17, 2005

Retreads

The NYT has an article (registration required) about a program IBM is starting to re-train some of their veteran employees to become science and math teachers, who are in very short supply.

IBM will help pay for their teacher certification, allow a leave of absence while they do their student teaching and help with placement. This sounds like an excellent way to provide employees with help on pursuing a second career that might, in turn, benefit IBM in the long run. More companies should do things like this.

September 13, 2005

Finally

The DOJ is finally moving against one of the groups with the most flagrant anticompetitive practices in the US - realtors. Although I'm skeptical that we will see change in the short-term due to the political clout of the real estate brokerage lobby, it is a good sign in the long run. Nobody should get 6% of a transaction anymore (except the government ;-)

September 09, 2005

Sugar is not so sweet?

Sugar CRM has been getting press for being an "open source" software company that is proving the model. An article by Dan Farber on ZDNet lets a little air out of the story and raises some interesting questions about the meaning of the term "open" vis a vis commercial software.

September 01, 2005

The French are dumb

Or, at least their president is dumb. Why in world is the president of a supposedly major country even worried about what language Google is using?

Why?

A laptop that allows you to complete that "I-have-serious-inadequacy-problems" look.