Today, a development team I've worked with solved an architectural problem by adding a factory method. And they did it without any prompting from me!
They grow up so fast.
Large Fonts
A few days ago, I finally had to change my Windows machine's settings from "Normal" font size to "Large" font size. Normal-sized text was getting too hard to read.
It's certainly not the first sign of aging I've noticed, but this is the first time I've had to make an …
Good-bye SCons, Hello CMake
Last year, I wrote of my initial impressions of SCons for controlling software builds. My initial impressions were positive, but even then I was wary of performance issues.
A few months later, I wrote about a performance problem with SCons and MSVC. I was able to hack SCons to make …
Buying an Engagement Ring
I'm getting married. You may congratulate me.
I asked The Question, and she said yes. I know you're supposed to buy an engagement ring first, and present it as part of the proposal, but I wasn't really prepared when the conversation happened. So, the following day, we went out to …
41
Another year has gone by. I didn't really set many goals for myself last year, so I'm not disappointed by any failures (although I am disappointed that I didn't set any goals). I lost 20 pounds and ran the Peachtree Road Race, but I've regained the 20 pounds.
The biggest …
Death March
The term "death march" is commonly used for software projects that are behind schedule, over budget, have no end in sight, and yet must be completed. There is a book with that title.
I've recently become involved in one of these projects. I should say "re-involved," because I was involved …
Science, Evolution, and Creationism
The National Academy of Sciences has issued a report that documents the methods of science and the overwhelming evidence in support of the theory of evolution. It also presents the arguments against the teaching of creationism and Intelligent Design in public-school science classes. However, it also clearly outlines the reasons …
Slower Traffic Keep Right
Having driven a few thousand miles over the holidays, I decided I'd like to present the following message to all the drivers of America:
If you are driving in the left lane on an interstate or other multi-lane highway, please check the following:
- Are there cars right behind you, but …
Two Years Later
The two-year anniversary of my private pilot checkride went by recently. This has legal significance, as a pilot is not allowed to exercise the privileges of the certificate (license) unless one has had a checkride or a flight review in the past 24 months. So, as of the end of …
Learning Jazz Guitar
After spending way too much time playing Guitar Hero, it occurred to me that if I had spent the same amount of time practicing with my real guitars, I might be able to play by now.
I have collected a lot of books about rock guitar over the past 20 …