Technical Advise Week #34 - The Hills are Alive

Did you ever wonder what the tipping point of life is? What monumental event that would take place that would impact your life, your job, or your contribution to the 'world' that is most important to you? Maybe our thoughts are provoked by a movie we recently saw, "The Bucket List". It's about two guys, from two different ends of the spectrum in terms of social status who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. They decide to make a list of things to do before they die, but to not just dream about it but do it. The backdrop is their families who either have turned away from them or view this as a selfish act. We wonder whether this is a bit like our technology/work contribution. If we knew that we only had a little bit of time (in the job, before retirement, or in life) would we have a list of things that we might wish to accomplish? Are they centered on us, or are they centered on our families (aka 'our business stuff'). While we have done any extreme thinking about this, because this was provoked by the weekend movie, we feel that we are living the 'bucket list' daily. For us, we live today as though there is no tomorrow. What is wonderful is that when there is tomorrow we are not only thankful for this but also are encouraged to continue our pursuit. Do you feel this way, or do you simply look at your today plate? In looking back, do you get discouraged with the path? Is this path because it wasn't driven by the immediacy of the work. For many organizations we need to renew our enthusiasm, drive and innovation. We need to learn to think, and not just look for a cook book answer to life (or business). I am sure that we could construct a cookbook that would cover 80% of the conditions, but we know deep down inside that it doesn't contribute to the betterment of our society. Canned answers are to easy, and when confronted with new unknowns that the cookbook will not work (and you need to rely on thinking). We hope you create your 'bucket list' and that it involves the seeking of information for feeding your knowledge. Off to the airport where we will be visiting Dusseldorf-Stockholm-Kiev-Tianjin. All the best, Mabel & Max.

Technical Advise Week #33 - Over-the-Edge

Have you ever wondered why people hang on so strongly to things that only a slight moment ago we were so quick to cast aside. Some would argue that this is the direct result of moving away from our safety zone, whereas others would contend that it's man's (or woman or pug...) nature to complain. Yes complain, not with cause but because it is so much easier to take the negative then to employ the positive. Yet... why is that when tests are built, or special efforts are exercised to do stellar development, that we turn a blind eye to preventative steps or negative testing (a trait for the purpose of bullet proofing an application)? We guess we would complain and deduce it's laziness, legitimized by time, than a concerted effort to do right engineering. So what do you think? Why do we over produce tests and work that has low yield yet turn a blind eye to potentially rich opportunities? Let us know.
We want to also give you a head's up that we will be quiet for the next three weeks but will return with lots of exciting news. So don't turn away... we will be back very very soon. - Mabel & Max