The life and times of David Bates, Programmer, Graphic Designer, Webmaster, Handyman, Logical Thinker, Husband, Father, and an INTP. Just sit back and take it in one post at a time.
So Windows is making a mobile operating system. Yes is the short answer, and it is brilliant but it seems up until now people never associated windows mobile with Microsoft maybe it was due to Microsoft itself never hyping the OS or maybe it’s the manufacturers fault. Who knows, who cares… As the local tech person for everyone I know I have had a lot of questions that start something like “why would Microsoft try to get into the mobile os business now? Is it because both Apple and Google have one? They must be trying to copy them huh?” I just smile and say well windows has been in mobile phones for a very long time… remember the Motorola Q? They all shrug and then say “yeah but it sucked”… and I say yes that is why they put so much effort into windows phone 7 series, because they needed to to stay in the game.
So now that I got their attention I delve into why Windows Phone 7 Series is an OS worth having such a long name. I think they got it right. First they are requiring the device manufacturers to have certain features like touchscreen, accelerometer, and three hardware buttons along the bottom. Then they are basing the phone on an already existing platform, Silverlight and XNA both of which are highly used on the xbox 360 Microsoft’s gaming platform. Finally they are making the tools free. This is a big step for Microsoft and you can still see on the http://developer.windowsphone.com/ they still charge $99 per year for developer access to legacy SDK’s and samples. What freelance developer wants to pay that… especially when Apple and Google both have free tools (Apple is not completely free as you have to buy an Intel mac) and the phone up till now did not have powerful processors or GPU’s. Windows Phone 7 Series even goes one step further to make the software on the phone support full multitasking or as some like to call it multi-APPing. Combine that with a slick UI and sound UI standards we have a real contender on our hands. I wish this phone would be released a lot sooner than the Christmas time-frame that they currently predict.
Now I have downloaded the SDK and even followed the keynote given at http://live.visitmix.com/ to make a picture viewing app. It worked great, was easy to follow given I already knew the tools from silverlight development and fast… on my computer the emulator outperformed any picture app I ever had on my IPhone. I can’t wait to see what comes of the app store and I hope that MS takes a hint from Apple and Google and decide to make it free to publish apps but charge for advertising and take a cut of sales. If so I’m in.
At work recently (and in every other enterprise I have worked for) I have been noticing that policies and procedures reign even if the policy or procedure is completely wrong for a certain scenario.
I pride myself in being a very logical thinker and creating steps/procedures/functions to solve a problem is what I get paid for so when I see others using a procedure that is not fit for a particular scenario or developing a new procedure because it worked one time in a certain environment I cringe.
So I would like to take a moment and share with you a few tips on handling projects in the enterprise and avoiding policies/procedures that can hinder:
1. Start each project with a brainstorming meeting where you include all parties that could be involved.
Doing this will give you the advantage of nailing down procedures that will be involved and even flesh out other people that may need to be involved that you didn’t think about. Doing this will help reveal broken procedures or policies that will get in the way. having the meeting early will also give the people involved a heads up to when you will be making further meetings and will let them know when to schedule time to devote to your project. Come up with stages or phases during this time so that the parties involved will be able to put a name or number to their task. Given the time constraints I see everybody under these days the parties involved will appreciate the heads up.
2. Document as you go.
In programming this is essential and I would say this is essential in other areas as well. When creating code, procedure, new processes, or even documentation itself document it. This is always easier said than done but if you document as you go you will familiarize yourself with the subject matter and will be better prepared to dispute the nay-sayers and policy-spitters that come along during long projects trying to deter your efforts.
3. If you find a faulty procedure don’t abandon it go to the source and find out why it was created.
Many many times procedures are made by people who don’t have a clue about the effects of it but create them anyway to satisfy a need they have. So never abandon a procedure unless you first find out what need is to be satisfied. Most procedure writers will work with you to come to a common goal and some will even improve the procedure so that it better meets their need.
4. Don’t get pushed around.
People will doubt your systems and methods especially if you are in a position to create procedures that they must abide by. Always consider their needs but never change the end goal of a project or allow them to push your scope outside of your goal. Policy-spitters will also come along and tell you that you are stepping out of line. Be prepared to discuss the matter but be well versed in your goal and project so that they cannot push you into a position that may hinder production.
5. Send update emails.
Most people will not read update emails as they see it as a waist of time but it will allow the people who need to know what stage you are at. Put the stage near the beginning of the subject line as most users will see the subject and can decide if it is time for them to step in. This is where the defining stages point in #1 comes into play.
I wont guarantee that these steps will keep polices or procedures from getting in your way when working in the enterprise but I can assure you that by putting the effort up front to include as many players as possible and updating them along the way you will be able to reduce the problems you encounter.
I have been chatting up the #GoogleGSO thread this morning after hearing the JoshInTheBox Google Song on 1075KZL this morning.
Play it here:
It seams like there is a lot of discomfort around how the city of Greensboro is handling the marketing campaign to try and lure Google into our town. First they abandon their 1,400 follower twitter account in order to create a new branded one instead of simply using a hash-tag, and then they pay $10,000 for RLF to build a wordpress site, which is Google’s competitor for blogspot. when there already where good standing grass roots movements like http://www.google4gso.com/, and the twitter hashtag #GoogleGSO on twitter.
I hope we get it, it would mean a lot to our community but if Greensboro as a city is going to make these kind of basic mistakes on a marketing campaign we made need to look for better business leaders to help us next election season.
One thing I will give them credit for is the google crate… that is awesome
This weekend was perfect >60° weather, sunny with a light breeze. It felt so wrong playing outside after having a snow shower less than a week ago.
Jess’ family came down to visit and that is always a lot of fun. They have two bright and wonderful girls that Daniel loves to play with. You can read about her family from her Mom’s blog http://merryheartcrafts.com/ Anyway we had great food and lot’s of outdoor time. We even washed all of our vehicles. I even felt better as I have been fighting a sinus infection for about 2 weeks now. But that changed. Daniel started to get sick on Saturday and Jess on Sunday. It started out as what just felt like a tickley throat but now is a full blown chest cold with fever. I feel like I stepped back about two weeks and am starting this sinus thing all over again. As I drove to Walmart this morning at 5AM to get Daniel a new thermometer it started to rain… What a way to start a Monday…At least we had the weekend.
As the title suggests someone very close to me passed away last week. My grandmother Doris Jones died on Feb. the 23rd. Her health had been declining for several years and she really started to decline in health about 3 months ago. She died from complications from COPD a very harsh disease that bassically renders your lungs useless.
My G’MA as we lovingling called her was someone I greatly admired and loved. She helped to raise me and was there for me during every event of my life. She will be missed greatly.
Her funeral was held over the past three days and was fitting. Her friends and family where beside of her and she was laid to rest beside of her husband Charlie Jones (POP’s) I had created a video tribute to her and will try to post it here over the next couple of days.
I would like to thank all of you who sent cards, flowers, visited, and even tweeted to me to help me through this time.
