November 2004 - Posts - Tina's Mind Dump
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Tina's Mind Dump

My latest pet topic

November 2004 - Posts

  • I need a digital camera!

    Last night some of the saarchitect members came over to my house for a braai. What fun it was. Some folks who did say they will come, did not show up. This is Cape Town, so it is to be expected. I will not rant about it, I will accept it, I will know that they are messing with their own Karma and they missed one heck of a party!

    I am going to stay in bed all day, so that I don't have to look at the dishes staring at me, begging to be washed. They can wait. The kids can eat the leftover meat and I can dream of having a digital camera.

    Why now? Because I only ever get to see the photos later. I don't get the opportunity to “embarras” Ruari or Roaan with pics that I have taken.

    A digital camera will also solve the problem of people asking me what my kids look like. No, I do not carry pics of my children in my wallet. I only have old photos of them. I can never eternalise some of the funny moments. I think I will also take photos of them when they are fighting, to show it to them afterwards. That should teach them...

    Now I will just have to dream on. My salary covers all the bare necessities. There is no small change for a camera. I'll just have to rely on others to post the pics of last night ASAP...

  • What kind of elitist snob am I?

    Now I know why Roaan and I get along so well...

    HASH(0x883c94c)
    You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every
    book ever published. You are a fountain of
    endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and
    never fail to impress at a party. What people love: You can answer almost any
    question people ask, and have thus been
    nicknamed Jeeves. What people hate: You constantly correct their
    grammar and insult their paperbacks.

    What Kind of Elitist Are You?
    brought to you by Quizilla
  • SAArchitect rocks!

    Yesterday http://www.saarchitect.net had its very first session. I was a nervous wreck, especially after receiving 36 RSVP's. That might not sound like much, but it is a brilliant figure for architects! Around 22 people showed, which is also a good turn out.

    I was really nervous doing the introductions. Roaan had such a comfortable attitude though that when I did my bit on RUP, I was relaxed and I enjoyed doing my very quick overview. The audience was wonderful. They asked questions, laughed and did not throw me with items to get me to shut up :)

    The networking over food afterwards was probably the most valuable part of the session. I met some very interesting people. I suffer from Information Overload though and can remember only a few names.

    I have to thank Chad again. He created PowerPoint templates with the SAArchitect logo for us. He also helped Roaan and I to set up our shows so that it looked a whole lot more professional. Chad, you rock! 

    We will definitely have more of these sessions. Members have submitted a very long list of potential subjects.

    There is a strong possibility that I will move to JHB in the new year. I will then work on having sessions in JHB as well. 

    What I have learned out of the experience, is that I definitely need to get a digital camera! Roaan, I'll get you back by taking loads of pics of you and post them! 

  • All excited about MSF

    OK, so I have said it on the forums in both SADeveloper and SAArchitect. I love the philosophy around people in MSF.

    I am sure in the wrong hands it can still be a nightmare. How would an autocratic manager live with MSF? Why is there no proper adoption of MSF in South Africa (that I know of)? Is it possible that we still have too much of the “Baas en Klaas“ (boss and servant) mindset?

    I know for a fact I do not want to be a manager (in the taditional sense). I want to be a leader. There is a huge difference. Think about it. Of course we need the managers - someone has to do the dirty work (wink). I want to inspire people to reach their full potential. I do not believe holding a stick or a carrot can ever do that. I believe the right mirror can though. That mirror should be the respect and admiration I show; both to myself and to the people I am in contact with.

    Right, definitely time for bed! If I get on the topic of people, leadership, management and full potential I get quite passionate and might just not stop in time...

    BTW, Craig, how could you give a signed copy of a TP book away! I think you are either a true friend (and I am not that good a friend to anyone) or you had a momentary lapse of reason... (hmmm so much for respect and admiration)

     

     

     

  • So much to do..

    OK, I'll have to say it publicly, otherwise I'll never do it. I am going to write an article on replacing legacy systems. I already have the title “ Eating the elephant” and the intro. This is a topic that I feel strongly about. Why rip and replace your existing systems? You are only exposing your company to high risk - especially if the functionality being replaced is critical to the business. There are a few better options with less risk. I have never heard or seen a rip and replace that went without serious hick-ups.

    So, now I have made the promise public. I have to keep my word. Where to find the time? I just bought Terry Pratchetts latest book “Going Postal“ and can't wait to read it. I will have to exercise restraint or...who needs sleep anyway?

     

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