Why Software Isn’t Like Building Construction
Many software development and management methods are founded on a basic assumption – that constructing software is rather like building a bridge or a house. Once we’ve “done the design”, actually generating the software ought to be a completely predictable, Continue reading
Waltzing with Bears
A good book covering an important and negelected area Continue reading
Application Development Strategies
I recently attended a day of the Butler Group “Application Development Strategies” Symposium. I’ve just posted a short report on some of the more interesting discussions and presentations. Almost all of the presentations shared a reminder that we still have Continue reading
Review – My Early Life
I’ve just posted my review of this wonderfull book, by one of the world’s greatest leaders. The book is exciting, inspiring and, most of all, fun. I urge you to read it (and my review)! Continue reading
The Laws of Identity
Microsoft have just published an excellent paper by Kim Cameron discussing the characteristics of an “identity metasystem” which must evolve if we are to have proper trust in the Internet and interactions which take place through it. The paper is Continue reading
Growing a Language
I’ve just read a wonderful paper by Guy L Steele, “Growing a Language“. He argues strongly that programming languages must be “small”, but able to grow. Such a language will have a relatively simple structure, syntactic rules, and a small Continue reading
Valuing Flexibility
I’ve just posted my review of “Real Options”, a book about financial market techniques to put a quantitative value on the benefits of flexibility. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed by the book – read my review to find out why. Continue reading
Real Options
A rather disappointing book for the general reader Continue reading
Why Do Buses Come in Threes?
An excellent reminder about why maths is fun Continue reading
Why Do Buses Come in Threes?
I’ve just posted my reviews of two excellent books by Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham. “Why Do Buses Come In Threes?” and “How Long is a Piece of String?” The messages of these books are that mathematics is important to Continue reading
How Long Is A Piece of String?
Another excellent introduction to the fun of mathematics Continue reading
Enterprise Integration Patterns
Integration, like other design activities, can benefit from sharing ideas and proven strategies in the form of patterns. An excellent starting point is Gregor Hohpe and Bobby Woolf’s Enterprise Integration Patterns website and book. In my recent work I’ve discovered Continue reading