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Abstract
One+AbstractInspired by an article on Richard Veryard’s SOAPBox Blog, this piece considers the business equivalents of expansion capabilities like the spare slots in a desktop PC.
Author Archives: Andrew
A Fast Diff Algorithm
21 February 2005 - Please share: 
This recent posting to The Code Project is an implementation of a Diff
algorithm in VB.NET, with various techniques to improve performance, while
keeping the code simple.
Architects – Masters of Order and Unorder?
18 February 2005 - Please share:
Do you work in an ordered environment, where things follow rules in a nice, predictable way? Or does your environment exhibit “unorder”, characteristics of complexity or chaotic behaviour. If the latter, you need to read this paper to understand how your domain may differ from others, and appropriate techniques to use as an architect, analyst or designer.
Domain-Specific Modelling Techniques
18 February 2005 - Please share:
Sometimes formalised modelling techniques like UML are not the best solution. Microsoft have recently started talking about “Domain-Specific Languages”, specialised modelling techniques for specific tasks. My Domain-Specific Modelling Techniques page outlines some useful DSLs I have developed or discovered.
Posted in Agile & Architecture, Thoughts on the World
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Architecture, Design and Engineering
16 February 2005 - Please share:
Is IT architecture about the “hidden bits of plumbing”, or should it focus on the “visible design” delivered to users, developers and other stakeholders? Read this paper, and consider your view.
Review: The New World of Mr Tompkins
George Gamov's Classic Mr Tomkins in Paperback, By George Gamow, Russell Stannard
19 September 2004 - Please share:
An excellent update to a classic introduction to modern physics
My introduction to the world of the mild-mannered bank clerk with an interest in modern Physics came through copies of the original 1940s books rescued from a school library "disposal" pile. Unlike the school librarian I treasured those books, which presented hard science in a humorous, accessible way, and learned a lot from them.
George Gamow brought his original material up to date for "Mr Tompkins in Paperback" shortly before his death in 1968. However, since then Physics has moved on still further, and a new update was appropriate. Russell Stannard took on the challenge, and has done a superb job.
The new version brings both the science and the charming human back story fully up to date, and also addresses some inconsistencies in the earlier text and illustrations caused by their derivation from a group of separate magazine articles.
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Review: The Coming Global Superstorm
By Art Bell, Whitley Strieber
19 September 2004 - Please share:
A good book, slightly spoilt by psueo-science
This book, which sired the recent blockbuster "The Day After Tomorrow", is a well-written and accessible analysis of how global warming may lead to not gradual but catastrophic climate change, potentially destroying much of our current civilisation. Given how the powerful fossil fuel lobby, led by the current US administration, seems determined to ignore such risks to ensure their own short-term profits, it is essential that books such as this exist and are able to present a discussion of wider considerations.
Architects Anonymous
27 June 2004 - Please share:
Is Architecture an Addiction?
This rather tongue in cheek piece was inspired by a “group therapy” session at the IRM/Meta group Enterprise Architecture Conference 2004.
Review: In Code
A Mathematical Journey: A Mathematical Adventure, By Sarah Flannery
8 May 2004 - Please share:
An inspiring and encouraging book
This is an inspiring book, telling the story of a young woman’s introduction to, and enamourment with, of all things, mathematics. In an era where enthusiasm for the sciences is often seen as "uncool", it is delightfully encouraging to read the story of a family, and in particular the author herself, who understand both the value and the pleasure of such interests.
The book balances two quite separate elements. On the one hand there’s the story of how Sarah became interested in mathematics, did an interesting science project, and got a lot of attention when as a seventeen year old Irish girl she nearly invented a powerful new cryptographic system. On the other hand there’s a very clear introduction to the mathematics underlying modern cryptography, presented using a range of interesting examples, puzzles and clear explanations.
Categories: Reviews. Content Types: Biography & Endeavour, Book, Cryptography, and Mathematics & Statistics.
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Review: Digital Fortress
By Dan Brown
7 May 2004 - Please share:
Mr Brown should stick to what he's good at
It’s not often I give up on a fiction book part-way through, but I just couldn’t take any more of this.
If you’re going to write a thriller about cryptography, where the central characters are code makers and code breakers, then you have to have a passing understanding of the subject – Dan Brown clearly doesn’t.
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Review: Modeling XML Applications with UML
Practical e-Business Applications, By David Carlson
3 April 2004 - Please share:
An excellent book covering an important niche
Like many web-related technologies XML and its many derivatives have evolved much more quickly than the support from traditional modelling and development tools. As a result many developers creating XML-based applications are doing so with the crudest of tools, and find it very difficult to either exchange ideas with more traditional developers, or to benefit from the strengths of more powerful tools and modelling approaches. This book sets out to address that issue, and it does an excellent job.
At the same time, the book provides a valuable introduction to a range of XML and e-Business technologies for those more familiar with traditional approaches. I found it answered a lot of questions I had about XML which had not been addressed by reading more typical “how to” books, so this book bridges the divide both ways. Read the full review 
Categories: Agile & Architecture and Reviews. Content Types: Book, Modelling & Analysis, and Programming & Development.
Posted in Agile & Architecture, Reviews
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Review: More Secrets of Consuting
The Consultant, By Gerald Weinberg
9 March 2004 - Please share:
Very good, but a harder read than "Secrets"
The original “Secrets of Consulting” is probably one of the most important books in my collection, and I had great expectations of this follow-up volume. However, where the first book focuses outwards, largely on what a consultant does, the second book focuses in, much more on what a consultant is, and to my mind makes much less comfortable reading.
Don’t get me wrong. This is not in any way a bad book: it’s still as well written and humorous as Weinberg’s other books, and chock full of amusing stories and “laws” derived from them. Anyone involved in consulting of any sort will still get a great deal out of it. But if, like many men, you’re uncomfortable talking and reading about “feelings” you may find this less easy to read.
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