tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.comments2023-06-26T01:56:43.751+10:00Plato's RevengeHein Boumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-82060416523301426592012-12-12T21:41:10.699+11:002012-12-12T21:41:10.699+11:00Here another interesting view. The consumerisation...Here another interesting view. The consumerisation of truth: http://blogs.gartner.com/thomas_bittman/2012/12/11/the-consumerization-of-truth-and-virtual-villages/<br />Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-7936553513933064492011-12-05T09:01:16.377+11:002011-12-05T09:01:16.377+11:00We won't have the Kindle Fire under our Christ...We won't have the Kindle Fire under our Christmas tree. Only available in the US :(Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-3687059743091400632011-09-01T20:16:19.627+10:002011-09-01T20:16:19.627+10:00this is a cracker ..i love the title 'bulild p...this is a cracker ..i love the title 'bulild profitable relationships and create customer delight' ...sugary goodness!thatsthathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15615078654426545877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-79165940911476766752011-02-02T08:32:36.829+11:002011-02-02T08:32:36.829+11:00In "The Grand Design" Hawking says that ...In "The Grand Design" Hawking says that we are somewhat like goldfish in a curved fishbowl. Our perceptions are limited and warped by the kind of lenses we see through, <i>“the interpretive structure of our human brains.”</i> Albert Einstein rejected this subjective approach, common to much of quantum mechanics, but did admit that our view of reality is distorted.<br /><br />Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity has the surprising consequences that <i>“the same event, when viewed from inertial systems in motion with respect to each other, will seem to occur at different times, bodies will measure out at different lengths, and clocks will run at different speeds.”</i> Light does travel in a curve, due to the gravity of matter, thereby distorting views from each perspective in this Universe. Similarly, mystics’ experience in divine oneness, which might be considered the same "eternal" event, viewed from various historical, cultural and personal perspectives, have occurred with different frequencies, degrees of realization and durations. This might help to explain the diversity in the expressions or reports of that spiritual awareness. What is seen is the same; it is the <i>"seeing"</i> which differs. <br /><br />In some sciences, all existence is described as matter or energy. In some of mysticism, only consciousness exists. Dark matter is 25%, and dark energy about 70%, of the critical density of this Universe. Divine essence, also not visible, emanates and sustains universal matter (mass/energy: visible/dark) and cosmic consciousness (f(x) raised to its greatest power). During suprarational consciousness, and beyond, mystics share in that essence to varying extents. [quoted from my e-book on comparative mysticism]Ron Krumposhttp://www.suprarational.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-32483300612063444422011-01-28T17:04:33.249+11:002011-01-28T17:04:33.249+11:00Interesting view: http://motls.blogspot.com/2010/0...Interesting view: http://motls.blogspot.com/2010/09/energy-efficiency-increases-energy.htmlHein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-54857980034977919602010-12-10T13:47:32.289+11:002010-12-10T13:47:32.289+11:00Steven Chan responding to my query:
http://blogs.o...Steven Chan responding to my query:<br />http://blogs.oracle.com/stevenChan/2010/11/ebs_11i_extended_support.html<br /><br />(same article but is a repost)Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-69034046827043002692010-12-07T08:46:10.803+11:002010-12-07T08:46:10.803+11:00You are right. One of my java developers admitted ...You are right. One of my java developers admitted that one of the applications we were building could have been done with .NET. That's quite something from a java developer!<br /><br />You say "many", that means not all. And java is for the application I refer to a suitable technology.<br /><br />But...<br /><br />If you have a large IT shop with over 100 developers, you can easily put 5 to the side focussing on a different programming language. When you have a much smaller team, you will spread your knowledge and skills thin of you focus on too many technologies. So if you already have a skilled java team to develop and maintain the large enterprise apps, then you just as well let them do the others as well. That will be quicker and cheaper in the end.Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-36228991911443220962010-11-17T12:50:38.526+11:002010-11-17T12:50:38.526+11:00I like how the security issue of people reading co...I like how the security issue of people reading confidential documents or emails on public transport is always overlooked. As more people have access to these devices the more people I see showing off these gadgets to everyone.<br /><br />I like to see peoples reactions on trains as I "blantanly and deliberatly" look over their shoulders and read the documents they are working on. I get a look of me being rude but they still keep them open. Just glancing at an anonymous persons Facebook can tell you a great deal about a person. Where they work and what they do and with whom.<br /><br />What about the basic questions you get from banks and other institutions when you forget your pasword over the phone. What is your DOB and whats your address at home? Pretty easy answers you would get from asking anyone at work.<br /><br />How many times have I read on BBC where a MOD (Ministry of Defence) laptop has been stolen, lost or sold with all the information still intact and insecure. One occurence happened just last week when a laptop was purchased on eBay with all the details of soldiers fighting in Afghanistan was stored.<br /><br />The more access and ways of getting access to information will make interesting times for IT departments and interesting over shoulder glances for me :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-53943590366707559142010-11-16T14:22:25.369+11:002010-11-16T14:22:25.369+11:00It is now very clear that any organisation that ca...It is now very clear that any organisation that cares only a bit for their staff will need give them all an iPhone:<br /><br />http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/exec-tech/a-call-for-help-is-just-two-clicks-away/story-e6frgazf-1225949643333<br /><br />There is a real risk that I get bitten by a snake on my way from home to work.<br /><br /><br />But these life saver apps raise a question. If I download all apps that I ever might use in the future to my iPhone, I probably have downloaded a couple of thousands (provided that I have the storage capacity), then when in case of emergency it probably will take a little while before I have located this app. Maybe calling 000 might be quicker. Or in case I need info, Google...?Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-19005817142336075782010-10-01T11:07:50.663+10:002010-10-01T11:07:50.663+10:00Its interesting that the CIO article you refer to ...Its interesting that the CIO article you refer to mentions "Agile" practices and states "even if they don't know what they are". <br /><br />I think that the point you hit on well and seems a consistent theme across the IT solutionns delivery spectrum is breaking down the barrier between the business stakeholders and the technical delivery team. <br /><br />Traditionally the BA is a big part of this interface and as you describe, the value of experience in both camps cannot be underestimated as it can be such a lynch pin role in the success or failure of a project.<br /><br />In theory a well implemented Agile process for solutions delivery should help to bring down these barriers as well in a variety of ways. <br /><br />One aspect of agile development that is worth examining in relation to your post above is the concept of 'test driven development'. This feature of agile ties in very well with the idea of a BA being involved in the testing of a project. <br /><br />The concept being that in order to write a piece of functionality properly a developer first needs to understand the requirements well enough to know how that functionality will be tested - thus by writing (or attempting to write) the tests first, prior to developing the code, it is quite likely that potential inconsistencies in the requirements or miscommunication or misunderstanding of requirements will be identified and resolved earlier in the exercise. <br /><br />Adhering to the test-driven development methodology effectively forces the technical team to think about the end stakeholder goals very early in the process.<br /> <br />Having the tests written before hand then provides a benchmark that will help to prevent the technical team getting carried away with over-architecting a solution to the extent that they lose sight of the original requirements and goals of the project. <br /><br />There are numerous other ways a properly implemented Agile methodology can help to increase communication and feedback between the delivery team and the business takeholders.<br /><br />This includes shorter and more regular delivery/feedback cycles, requirements management mechanisms which explicitly cater for adjusting to changing understanding of business processes and various other features about the way teams and communication are structured that if implemented properly can achieve signficant benefits. <br /><br />The business stakeholders are a key part of making the process work, so if the business stakeholders are not participating in, understanding or seeing those benefits then the Agile process is not being implemented properly and the disconnect still remains. <br /><br />Because the Business Analyst plays a key role as an interface between the technical team and the business stakeholders, a BA with a good grasp of the ideas and objectives behind Agile methodolgy can play a key role in facilitating an effective implementation of this methodology.gamozziihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964039410734634961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-90039973244206022312010-09-27T12:24:22.357+10:002010-09-27T12:24:22.357+10:00Hi Hein,
Great blog! Very comprehensive and insi...Hi Hein,<br /><br />Great blog! Very comprehensive and insightful. <br /><br />Yes, you’re right. It’s all about the conversations you have about your Profile, not the Profile per se. Having said that, there are a lot of valuable insights in the Team Management Profile (TMP) which are very useful from a self-awareness & development perspective. But as long as we get you talking about your behaviour at work AND doing something positive about it, then we’re happy. And the TMP is very work focused, which helps a lot. It also stops that stigmatism you mentioned, as this is only about you at work. Of course you’re different at home, or at a party or at your mothers for Sunday lunch. Behaviour is a function of the individual and the situation. So there is no need to generally label people.<br /><br />Also, just to take you up on your point, if I may, there are many advantages to using psychometrics in your learning and development programs. They are that using a valid and reliable psychometric, like the TMP you mentioned: <br />• Saves time and guesswork, by gathering relevant and work focused information that would otherwise take a long time to collect<br />• Is objective and standardized, making it far less personal and subjective, and allowing you to base your conversations & training action plans on objective and standardized data<br />• Provides you with a comprehensive Report to which both management and the learner can refer when required over time, which aids the transfer of learning back to the workplace. It helps stop your program being just a one off event, with little impact in the long term.<br />• Provides a common business language for people to use, to minimize misunderstandings and misinterpretations at work, which again helps the transfer of learning<br /><br />All the best with our programs there Hein. Thanks for your positive feedback. We do hope to be able to assist you again in the future.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />Julie Pigdon<br />Pigdon | Business Development<br />Team Management Systems<br /><br /><br /> <br />P: +61 7 33682333 | F: +61 7 33682311<br />PO Box 1107 | 9 Gardner Close | Milton | QLD | 4064<br />access@tms.com.au | www.tms.com.au | www.tmsoz.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-76837504147437116872010-07-21T19:49:39.343+10:002010-07-21T19:49:39.343+10:00Nick, yes. The loss of knowledge is always problem...Nick, yes. The loss of knowledge is always problematic. That's why I try to keep contractors as long as possible and move them from one project to another.<br />Luckily I worked over the years with a great bunch of people and was able retain some contractors for many years or was able to get good people back in again.Hein Boumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543110818680861065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-70668478914970961532010-07-07T05:04:51.872+10:002010-07-07T05:04:51.872+10:00Good read...so your conclusion for scarce IT skill...Good read...so your conclusion for scarce IT skills? If you have to contract a partner the associated risks (such as IP loss) are a necessary evil?<br /><br />Nick HadleeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-73795567174557491072010-04-07T20:23:40.423+10:002010-04-07T20:23:40.423+10:00Thanks for this post. There is a lot here and mayb...Thanks for this post. There is a lot here and maybe you can take a few key points and break them down into further posts in the future.<br /><br />You really hit it on the iterative approach especially the note about not promoting 'agile development'. There is no doubt in my mind that with a balanced team and iterative approach you can cut certain corners to get the job done.<br /><br />For me one of the big challenges is the business simply does not want in many cases to have their 'processes analyzed'. It could be a fear factor (maybe someone will find out we are not compliant or that John really does not know how to run the department correctly) or even worse maybe the staff simply don't care. They have a process - albeit broken - but they are able to navigate through - albeit painfully at times - and that's that everyone goes home at 5 and leads a happy life. Perhaps it is time to find a new team or for you to find a new job ;-)<br /><br />I think the Service Delivery Manager as you mentioned can really assist in 'selling' the idea of a better working life through logical change. It is of course key not to oversell but users do need to be inspired to think critically of how they do their day to day tasks so we can help find more efficient or in some cases less painful ways to complete the job at hand.<br /><br />As an aside, I think the job description you would require for the quintessential BA may make them the best paid employee in the company - CEO's better watch out!thatsthathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15615078654426545877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-86680296978913970852010-03-29T15:09:31.908+11:002010-03-29T15:09:31.908+11:00I think this is the best one yet! I particularly l...I think this is the best one yet! I particularly like the vignette about files.<br /><br />I am reading a book right now called ‘You Are Not a Gadget’ by Jaron Lanier and he goes hard too on the file/folder idea.Here is a hilite I excerpted reading on the weekend on my Kindle.<br /><br />Your highlight and note at location 246<br />Entrenched Software Philosophies Become Invisible Through Ubiquity An even deeper locked-in idea is the notion of the file. Once upon a time, not too long ago, plenty of computer scientists thought the idea of the file was not so great. The first design for something like the World Wide Web, Ted Nelson’s Xanadu, conceived of one giant, global file, for instance. The first iteration of the Macintosh, which never shipped, didn’t have files. Instead, the whole of a user’s productivity accumulated in one big structure, sort of like a singular personal web page. Steve Jobs took the Mac project over from the fellow who started it, the late Jef Raskin, and soon files appeared. UNIX had files; the Mac as it shipped had files; Windows had files. Files are now part of life; we teach the idea of a file to computer science students as if it were part of nature. In fact, our conception of files may be more persistent than our ideas about nature. I can imagine that someday physicists might tell us that it is time to stop believing in photons, because they have discovered a better way to think about light—but the file will likely live on. The file is a set of philosophical ideas made into eternal flesh. The ideas expressed by the file include the notion that human expression comes in severable chunks that can be organized as leaves on an abstract tree— and that the chunks have versions and need to be matched to compatible applications. What do files mean to the future of human expression? This is a harder question to answer than the question “How does the English language influence the thoughts of native English speakers?” At least you can compare English speakers to Chinese speakers, but files are universal. The idea of the file has become so big that we are unable to conceive of a frame large enough to fit around it in order to assess it empirically.<br /><br />I believe you are correct on the notes about the Cloud. Perhaps this will make for another blog post.<br /><br />It is interesting - we often speak about data format standards or technology protocols but rarely do we see 'standards' in the space of interface design. It seems the norm here is 'make as unique and cutting edge of an interface as possible so your site looks cooler than the next guys' and 'to heck with the users'.<br /><br />pgthatsthathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15615078654426545877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-81381637387126170322010-03-20T18:53:31.256+11:002010-03-20T18:53:31.256+11:00Maar jouw blog moet er ook strakker uitzien, toch?...Maar jouw blog moet er ook strakker uitzien, toch? Voor de rest kun je alles vinden op internet.Aleidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14879900359124975066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665333919884629248.post-6109158550923988302010-03-05T23:27:30.706+11:002010-03-05T23:27:30.706+11:00It is no difference if you are a IT worker or a nu...It is no difference if you are a IT worker or a nurse: no matter how many soft skills you have, the computer aswell as the patiënt never do what you want them to do. ;)<br /><br />soft skills: the term is misleading, you don't have to be a softy or a weenie to have them.<br /><br />geeks normally communicate very well with other geeks. <br /><br />Hans (half a geek, half a nurse)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610137580528423903noreply@blogger.com