Fun

Unit Test? Yes (also btw here’s a Diagnostic Tool that may help with moving from good to great)

Collins states going from good to great requires discipline (disciplined people, thought and action). Taking software quality from good to great likely requires some of the same (including relative to unit testing) while progressively building increased levels of fun. To some unit testing is common sense and their answer to “Is unit testing beneficial?” would likely be a form of yes, or that increasingly it should be (e.g., may help with ensuring value that is inherent, intrinsic and pervasive… for some projects or applications you may even say it would be critical and innately part of developing capability maturity and being socially responsible).

On a slightly different note here is a Diagnostic Tool that may help each of us along our respective journeys. Perhaps it can somehow be applied to help us along our collective one too as the IT profession moves from good to great and toward truly being built to last and increasingly more so for the benefit of all.

Watch these fun videos and give thought to upcoming events

It may be said that it is good to have 100% network availability. It may also be said that it is nice to choose when to relax, step away from the computer and perhaps enjoy the outdoors. Have a nice weekend. Hope you enjoy the videos (and give thought to the related site, results and future plans). Hope you also give thought to the upcoming Earth Hour. This post takes no credit. Inherent quality today and in the future is largely you, and thanks to you. Keep making things better. Thanks for doing so.

Read this fun look at a serious topic (network availability)

Looking for an enjoyable, funny, colorful post to read? Try this one! Although the topic is based on something fairly serious (Internet down!!!), it is an enjoyable read simply because of the fun way in which it is written (nice job Nicole!). Also enjoyed was a particular comment which referred to this fun site, It’s A Wonderful Internet (nice research find Asad!). Perhaps some readers of VIIP remember this post which is about a movie with a similar title. Perhaps some remember this post which contains serious numbers in terms of what a single hour of outage means to particular industries (millions per hour!!!).

Has your organization had a network outage recently?

If so feel free to share how long you were down, whether you and others accomplished objectives for the day regardless, and whether you or someone somehow tried to make a positive difference in the day for others regardless. Ideally some good came to the day. Ideally appropriate thanks was plentiful for the inherent quality brought to the day, or the risk management practiced, which allowed objectives to be accomplished regardless of the network unavailability.

The career, Software Developer (your comments appreciated)

There are many who began their career in IT as a software developer (aka computer programmer or software engineer). Within this group there are also many who no longer regularly author code. Many of these individuals were once very good at generating code that met requirements and had all reported bugs fixed prior to the code going into production on time and on budget. Today, after decades of significant change within IT, there are many positions within that do not require incumbents to author code or to even have much understanding for the skills and daily challenges of software developers. Today in many organizations and on many projects, it is not surprising to discover that there are more people scoping, managing, testing and supporting the work of software developers than there are software developers. Improvements in talent, process, languages, tools and so on potentially could be behind this (e.g., now you can do more in less time and with better results, so you don’t need as many developers). You may particularly say this is so, if the bulk of the people in the organization are focused on activities unrelated to the work of software developers. Many opportunities today however can be enabled by software and technology so you may think it would not be surprising to see a growth in the number of people employment globally in IT, and particularly as related to software development. While quality is increasingly driving results, deadlines are still a big part of reality. In today’s world it may be true that software developers experience fun with the pressure of deadlines (e.g.), however beyond simply imposing increasingly challenging deadlines one way to grow excellence in results may be related to increasingly discovering ways to grow excellent programmers and in making software development increasingly a fun and rewarding career.

Draw upon the above paragraph and 20 questions below as input to your thinking, and comment on the career of computer programming. Thank you for doing so. Your comments may help evolve the world towards increasingly better results for all from various perspectives while helping software developers feel appreciated for the inherent quality they are and help increasingly to produce.

1. Are computer programmers over worked (e.g., not involved in providing estimates and asked to deliver quality in periods of time that impose risk and stress)?
2. Can someone be an IT Pro if they never coded?
3. Do you need to be able to read code (perhaps with a bit of assistance from a full-time developer) in order to be an IT Pro?
4. What makes an excellent software developer?
5. Are excellent software developers (aka computer programmers or software engineers) able to trouble-shoot a program if they never saw the language or code base before?
6. What are a few inherent qualities of excellent software developers (e.g., strong logic and math skills, broad understanding of technology and business, diligence, endurance, self-motivated, highly energetic and ethical)?
7. Does an excellent computer programmer make it a standard part of their processes to test their own assumptions early and regularly?
8. Do they provide tests and documentation with the code they produce so there is a complete versioned package of intellectual property, and so regression testing can more easily and quickly be done in an automated way for entire eco-systems?
9. Are excellent software developers always advocates and catalysts for that which is socially responsible and eco-friendly? 
10. Do excellent software developers (aka computer programmers or software engineers) have a common quality foundation, and do they maintain a regular practice of knowledge sharing and keeping current so they can utilize or recommend that which may help to make quality and value increasingly more intrinsic and pervasive?
11. Are the best computer programmers working as part of the force for good, or are hackers on the dark side the best software developers?
12. Everyone has a stake in prevention (i.e. quality assurance), and each role has a purpose that ideally provides value, however if you had to pick the most important role would it be software developer?
13. Can security and many issues be solved proactively by globally growing excellence in software developers?
14. If there was a round-table of executives and visionaries meeting to determine the next steps to make things increasingly better, should the round table include a couple of the best computer programmers?
15. Who would you say are some of the best computer programmers of all time and why?
16. Would looking at the answers for question 15 help to identify innate characteristics that could become part of the quality foundation for the current and next generation of software developers?
17. Does belief help to program reality (e.g., if you believe you are an excellent programmer, will you strive smarter and harder in various ways to progressively ensure excellence in the code produced by you and the global IT profession)?
18. Are tools increasingly helping to produce better results while making the job of software developer easier?
19. Will peer programming in the future involve a human and robot?
20. What tools and languages do you think are the best for a software developer to utilize today and why?

Science fair genius

For a bit of fun, watch the clip and imagine the science fair genius that may come from our children’s children thanks to the power of the Internet to attract, educate and inspire minds, old ones, and perhaps particularly very young ones.

New browser based fun, including Google Sky

Earth and beyond.

Fairly new and perhaps kind of cool bits of fun

This post shares awareness of a couple of items that are fairly new and perhaps find of cool bits of fun:

• GanttHead.Com’s first-ever virtual conference and exhibition (PMXPO2008, May 15, 2008)
• TransparentCorp.Com’s media center for your mind (related demo-endorsement by Bob Doyle, WealthBeyondReason.Com, who you may remember from The Secret)

A new way of communicating, the next trend in online communications

A new way of communicating is emerging, and the next trend in online communications could be tied to the fact that people enjoy watching movies or videos. Are Video White Papers the next trend in online communications?

6,868,617 and counting since July 22, 2006: Business Time (funny)

For a bit of learning via YouTube, see this Sept 17, 2007 VIIP Post. The ease of use and fun associated with YouTube are innately part of its success. While the video below is simply for fun, the fact that it has been viewed 6,868,617 times and counting since July 22, 2006 is an example of success and popular usage. From a business and IT alignment perspective, it is perhaps a nice companion for the Geek Love Song of the ten most entertaining tech videos of 2007.

Mindset, process, everyone helps elements of fun (QA at Jagex)

At 250,000 to 1, the mindset is important, as is the process and everyone effectively helping to assure quality and elements of fun. 

Read this article to learn about QA from and at Jagex (Java gaming experts).

At Jagex, the QA team has more of an opportunity to influence the product. One of the luxuries we have is that QA and developers can work so closely together.” — Mod LewisG QA

March 4, or for, thoughts and examples pertaining to the notion of inherent quality

A mindset that regularly practices what “due diligence” means is an example inherent quality. For a few other thoughts and examples pertaining to the notion of inherent quality, dig within VIIP, IQS101, and the Weblog (which you can also view inherent to the related site by selecting the Weblog menu item). At some point additional tags may be assigned to all VIIP posts as a means of further indexing. This may be particularly good if there were hundreds more posts than at present. Of course search refinements may also help you find something quickly. In the meantime, enjoy the fun of digging, discovering and helping to share and mature something related in a positive way. Thank you for doing so.

Budget 2008 and the road ahead for more true global fellowship

March is a month whose name implies action, so this post is a trek into Canada’s Budget 2008 and thoughts of the road ahead for more true global fellowship.

This post is perhaps part of a start of a progressive march into uncertainty with increasingly smarter government, global cooperation and balance. As an initial step, think of what it means, or should mean, to be human. Next think of the term fellowship; for example as analogous to funding, however also as analogous to effectively working together, such as people effectively working together, and such as machines and people working effectively together, and such as the intrinsic and pervasive aspects of software and technology architectures doing the same. In our interconnected universe, what you do can make a difference; so too can increased unity, especially when increasingly combined with diversity. Fortunately there is growing support and evidence for collaboration, convergence, unification and simplification from various perspectives. Fortunately this is beginning to show more so within thoughts (i.e., within the individual and shared thinking of people, organizations, communities and governments). However, imagine the pure potentiality of the same throughout the world relative to increasingly working well together. Imagine how this may improve the budget of any country, and when the planet operates more as one, how this may improve the world.

Below are a few words from the Budget 2008 speech by Canada’s Minister of Finance delivered to the House of Commons on Feb 26, 2008 (full version here). A related article on the web (National Post) is, “Budget 2008 an uninspiring cure for insomnia”. Imagine how growing a fellowship of public and pros (IT and other) could enable unprecedented positive results. Imagine the collective energy, the collective imagination, the collective innovation, the collective benefits, the collective wisdom. Imagine the new dimensions of peace (value) and joy (quality) that inherently would materialize for the benefit of all in this generation and those of the future. March is a time for all to begin again, fresh, new, springing forward. A time to really start a forward thinking march for greater awakening. If more put their heads together, as well as their hearts together, it just may be possible for people to enable what seems impossible and truly wonderful. Imagine all having their hard earned money back while having tax free savings without limits. Imagine global economic prosperity, better services, and greater peace and joy. Of course the type of mindset change required, for such wonderful things to be reality, will not occur overnight. With enough collective positive energy wonderful possibilities may however come true, and sooner rather than later. Now is the time to really start a march towards something unprecedented and truly worthwhile… something life evolving, something that elevates life. Every country has challenges (including for Canada such things as the Minister of Finance noted: the economy slow down of our biggest trading partner, the U.S.; volatility in global financial markets; struggling economy sectors; slow economic growth projections for coming years), so the world must think differently as the only way the world is really going to make tremendous forward leaps is through radical paradigms shifts from the edge of rational collective imagination and innovation. Among other it is nice to see that Budget 2008 aims to further address matters pertaining to infrastructure, health, education and so on, including the need for increased research and innovation, and including the need to further tackle high purposes (e.g., environmental stewardship, and homelessness). Still more must be done, or one day everyone could be homeless. An evolution of global proportion is needed. Ideally the Internet will be an on-going tremendous help. Ideally more will awaken to their life’s purpose. Ideally a 2020 global vision will result in tremendous gains before, by and beyond the leap year of 2020.

There is evidence of a continually emerging change of mindset, and of a new worldview. And there is an essential critical need for all to be —increasingly— advocates, catalysts, enablers and solution architects for it, from a worldwide perspective, not simply organization or country perspectives. Thank you for all you do.

investing in research and development to strengthen our economy and stimulate innovation and discovery

technology is quickly evolving and we must be relentless in our pursuit of new breakthroughs

automotive innovation fund

secure Canada’s leadership in the global marketplace through research and innovation

university research

helping Canada’s communities

roads, bridges, water systems, public transit and international gateways

creating a seamless, modern, safe and secure transportation system for the benefit of all Canadians

ensure that the next generation of Canadians has the opportunity to excel in this increasingly competitive world

student grant program

develop and attract the next generation of world-class researchers

attract the best doctoral students from here and around the world to study in Canada

To strengthen the ability of Canadian universities to attract and retain the world’s top scientific leaders, our Government will provide $21 million to establish Canada Global Excellence Research Chairs.

These prestigious Research Chairs will be offered in the four priority areas identified in the Government’s Science and Technology Strategy:

• The environment;
• Natural resources and energy;
• Health; and
• Information and communication technologies.

This funding will allow each Chair to assemble outstanding research teams and undertake cutting-edge research in areas of strategic importance to Canada.

shift from social services to economic development and skills training

changing the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to improve and speed up the application process

Canadians demand and expect that action is being taken to reduce harmful emissions and to crack down on polluters.

Since 2006, our Government has announced numerous initiatives to support cleaner energy, clean transportation alternatives, cleaner air and water, and the development of green technology.

Our Government has committed to reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions 60 to 70 percent by 2050. This is an ambitious and achievable goal.

better enforce our environmental laws

Canadians want a healthy environment. They also want healthy, safe communities.

another step towards building safer communities and putting criminals out of business

putting more police officers on our streets

We want to ensure Canadians receive full value for the money they pay in taxes.

the economy grew faster than expected a year ago

The extra federal revenues we received have been used in a balanced way.

incremental tax relief to Canadians and Canadian businesses

help workers and communities that are already feeling the effects of the slowing economy

reducing the debt

there are challenges on the horizon

we are seeing increased global uncertainty

We have a long-term economic plan: Advantage Canada.

And we are building on that plan.

Today’s budget is prudent, disciplined and realistic. It is focused on preparing Canada and Canadians for the challenges ahead.

Leap years with collaboration (Microsoft, Cisco, Gore, and more, you)

Peace is value. Joy is quality. The world needs more of both with lots of love and fun included. An increasingly collaborative global society must continually emerge.

Collaboration can help to enable intrinsic and pervasive peace and joy. While there has been a fair amount of collaboration in the past (e.g., P-Cube acquired by Cisco), it is time to deepen, widen and elevate it within the global IT community and relative to all that are and will increasingly be interconnected by software, technology and information.

Start thinking about 2020 and increased collaboration between pros and public, and of the peace and joy that can be driven continually upwards and inwards for the benefit of all.

Never underestimate the power of your customers, their my most valuable designers.—Sean Adams, in third video here.

As a bit more news to go with this post:

• Microsoft and Cisco announcement Feb 26: “Customers to gain more efficient IT architectures and higher performance through integration of Windows services and WAN optimization on common platform”
• Virtual discussion March 19, 2008: Nobel Laureate Al Gore and Cisco CEO John Chambers Host Virtual Discussion on Climate Change and Technology Innovation.

Thank you for all you do to help enable leap years before, by and beyond 2020.

Launch 2008, the space elevator, the future of our children’s children

Launch 2008 (February 27, 2008) ideally goes well and in some way further unifies IT so increasingly it becomes easier for IT to work together on high purposes.

In time who knows what can be enabled for the children of the future. Perhaps all children of the future will be as intelligent as today’s rocket scientists, thanks to an amplified intelligence largely enabled by software, technology and information and related advances of applied imagination and innovation. Perhaps like rockets the children of the future will burst forth new innovations at incredible speeds. Perhaps in the process the children of the future will further show that rockets are inefficient, and that there are less expensive, faster, safer and better ways than what is known in or by the current generation. In a future generation perhaps adults and children will travel out of this world using a space elevator. Perhaps for fun the value-inherent fascinating content of video research libraries will beam knowledge and skills quickly within all people like a movie. Perhaps readers of VIIP will browse the one noted below, perhaps learning about the space elevator and our future, or about various works by PhD students, or about “The promise, the limits, and the beauty of software” by Grady Booch, Scientist, IBM.  

Research Channel 

Microsoft Research

In 1991, Microsoft Corp. became the first software company to create its own computer science research organization. Microsoft Research (MSR) has developed into a unique entity among corporate research labs, balancing an open academic model with an effective process for transferring its research to product development teams. Microsoft recognizes that to create the foundation for future technology breakthroughs, it is necessary to support long-term computer science research that is not bound by product cycles. Today, the world-renowned scientists of Microsoft Research make up one of the largest, fastest-growing and most highly respected software research organizations in the world — one that will help define and redefine the computing experience for millions of people for decades to come.

Bungie.net and Bungeelabs.com sound like fun sites to keep an eye on

As this IQS101 post noted, the X-Play winner for best game of the year 2007 was BioShock. When the time comes to announce the winner for 2008, perhaps it will be Halo 3, particularly given the millions it made in the first 24 hours. As a bit of history, the related company (after having concentrated in the nineties on Macintosh games) was acquired in 2000 by Microsoft. According to this piece in Wikipedia, days after the release of Halo 3 a new arrangement was formed. For interaction between company staff and the community surrounding their games visit Bungie.net. The company prides itself first and foremost on the strengths and abilities of its people, adding that they use the best technology in the best place to create compelling games, stories and worlds.

With respect to Bungeelabs.com, this ZDNet Feb 18 article shared that they launched a public beta of a new version of their BungeeConnect (an on demand application development platform for professional programmers).

Although unrelated and from different perspectives, both Bungie.net and Bungeelabs.com sound like fun sites to keep an eye on. Although viewing from afar, both seem to strive to ensure quality is innately within their organizations and products.