I HAVE MOVED!

Finally got my domain name sorted, come visit me here -> carolineggordon.com

The essence of it all

Really love this podcast from Agile Revolution reeling over all sorts of topics around
- software development
- university education for software developers
- passion for what you do

I really wonder why when the essence of what all of us do in tech is to create the conditions to allow code to be written, the right code, written right, then why don't we actually talk about code and coding?

I would love to see more of this kind of talk at conferences, meetups. Let's get over our walls, cards, and process for long enough to talk about what really matters - writing code.

Love especially the talk about the 1% (well OK they figure 2%) of coders that really care. Somewhat depressing, but maybe this is true. How many coders out there are really passionate about what they do and are pushing the boundaries of learning, experimenting and just compelled to explore more? 

Thanks Agile Revolution! (and now some more podcasts to add to my exploding playlist - illegalargument and codingbynumbers.

Blowing the top of your head off

I always remember a great description of good poetry - that it 'blows the top of your head off'. It suddenly says something so perfectly, so exactly summing up and expressing something that it does blow the top of your head off.

Well,  today a Macbook Air entered my house. What is not to LOVE about the size, shape, texture, feel, weight - this is the perfection that is Apple.
Then playing with I was told, just swipe up with 3 fingers - what 3 fingers on that touch pad and OH - the top of my head was right off.

The gestures are just so perfect, release me from mediocrity and bring me to the light!

Thinking back, I did always love Macs, I got to use them at uni (late 80s) and actually learned smalltalk on them, even wrote my thesis on one. Just never had the money, the reason to splash out or was at a company that would give me one.

All I can say is 'IT'S TIME!'

Lean Startup in the Enterprise

Some thoughts on my experiences so far with Lean Startup in the Enterprise. Required reading in this space is The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses and Escape Velocity: Free Your Company's Future from the Pull of the Past.

Thoughts on Steve Jobs

Being half way through the Steve Jobs biography, I'm really enjoying getting to know more about him. Together with my thoughts about Apple culture I'm developing some ideas about what made him successful. I'm up to his move to Next and Pixar which is apparently where he actually learned the lessons that enabled later success.

If there are positive elements there, they would be around this:
- he demands excellence, he sets the bar high
This brings out the best in people, and those that aren't up to giving their best are not tolerated. Ultimately this is good, the team left are stronger. Survive and be excellent.
- sharing a strong vision
This was almost a weakness because his vision was so strong that it would distort other people's opinions

I see no evidence that the public humiliations, lack of empathy and mood swings were in any way positive and they were definitely a hindrance.

In fact reading the biography, it is quite horrifying to think there is anyone out there modelling themselves on him.  Do take the pursuit for excellence and push for better, faster, more. Don't be an arsehole while doing it!