humor

Overheard: Jake Kuramoto explains why I have too many meetings

Before technologies like conference calling bridges, VoIP, and online conferences, meetings were constrained by the physical scarcity of conference rooms and offices. The assumption here is that due to physical scarcity, only the most important (think blockbuster) meetings were held. Technology has again removed the scarcity constraint and allowed “consumers” access to the Long Tail of meetings. So now, meetings of all levels of importance (blockbusters, indies, B-movies, classics, etc.) can be held. Jake Kuramoto, The Long Tail of Meetings

One key component of the Long Tail model is that it allows consumers access to more content that was previously unavailable due to scarcity. This is a good thing for the consumer. When applied to meetings, however, I think the conclusion is that maybe it has become too easy to hold a meeting.

Jake is a brilliant observer. I feel SO much better knowing there’s a scientific reason for my messed-up calendar.

Overheard: Shpigler coaches Yahoo on how to negotiate more effectively

Overheard: Your life is a cartoon

Microsoft is running another viral marketing campaign — this time they’re creating a comic strip about IT pros. The strip will run for six months and they’re inviting readers to send in story ideas. That’s right — you think up the situation and they’ll create the strip for it (if they chose your idea).

The HHH Comic Series is a daily web comic that adapts tech stories from actual IT Professionals and Developers - a web comic that reflects the real lives of IT Hero’s such as you. Every business day we will release a new episode driven from suggestions from the IT community. Make sure you sign up for the RSS feed so you can have it delivered straight to your RSS enabled inbox or favorite RSS client when a new episode has been released. And remember - We want you to help drive the story!

You can submit your story ideas here. I’m going to submit one about computing in the cloud.

What is IT? Keyboard for pirates

I’ve seen this several places — if anyone knows who I should credit, please let me know. Cute.

Overheard: Secret dress code for programmers

“Holy crap. Alan Cox and Richard Stallman must have been long lost brothers.” Justin Etheredge, The Programmer Dress Code

One of the things I like best about posting in this blog is getting to see what people look like. Justin Etheredge gives a sweet, respectful poke at programmers who seem to have their own secret dress code. I doubt any of them would have ended up on my daughter’s list of the Ten Sexiest Men in IT, but then again — competence is sexy any way you look at it.