Open Source Guide
November 30, 2005via NetSquared
O’Reilly has just released Open Sources 2.0: The Continuing Evolution “a collection of insightful and thought-provoking essays from today’s technology leaders that continues painting the evolutionary picture that developed in the 1999 book Open Sources: Voices from the Revolution. Both those links provide tables of contents and sample chapters — in the latter case, the whole book is accessible.
The latter is a fantastic resource. I’m looking forward to checking out ths new offering.
Why I Love My Mac — Reason #0002
November 29, 2005On the rare occasion that I have to use Force Quit (the equivalent to Ctrl-Alt-Del) it actually works! Windows on the other hand, rarely seems to be able to kill applications/processes that are ‘not responding’. This is the case even with other Microsoft apps such as Internet Explorer, which is probably the worst culprit. So there you have it — two reasons in one:
- 1. Forcing a program to quit works
- 2. I don’t have to bother with Internet Explorer
Creative Generalism
November 24, 2005To describe what it is that I do isn’t always easy. If you asked members of my family what I do for a living, there’s no telling what they might say. One might say, “computer stuff” while another could say, “he’s a business consultant” or “he makes web sites.” What I do is more than any of those alone.
I’m the type of person who likes to see the “big picture”. In other words, I have a lot of interests and talents that most people see as separate but that I see as working together. Most people might find this strange and at times I’ve often felt that I just have to live with the fact that most people just don’t get it.
Then the other day, I came across this little nugget. What a relief to know there are others out there that have a similar world view!
I’ve used the word ‘gerenalist’ before to describe myself — I’ve even posted a couple of rants previously about it! Yet, according to the article:
Generalism does not register with the Merriam-Webster, the Oxford English or the American Heritage dictionaries. Apparently, there is no field of generality. The wellspring of ideas and the foundation upon which creative specialties are built is yet to be defined.
How is it that I came to use this term and identify myself with it, when it itself has no definition? I applaud Steve’s effort to try and not only define what generalism means but also to outline the importance of this talent and the contribution that generalists can and will make towards society …
Nothing substitutes depth of analysis and there’s proven value in the methodical and incremental process of specialization—it’s what education, career paths, scientific research, and technological innovation are built on—but generalism is the hidden talent, the missing link. With so much complex information, that is fragmented in so many ways and developing faster and faster, it is increasingly important to have generalists around to make sense of it all.
The author Steve Hardy also has a blog, to which I immediately grabbed the feed and added a link in my Blogroll. Generalists unite!
Why I Love My Mac — Reason #0001
November 21, 2005This is the first post in what I image will be a series of similar posts. I often find myself extolling the benefits of using a Mac v. using a PC, so I’m going to start keeping a running sheet of all the reasons that I love my Mac and why I continue to ’sell’ Macs without compensation from everyone’s favorite fruit-named company.
The last couple of days we’ve been experiencing intermittent network / connectivity problems in the office. It all came to a head today — a couple of our windows machines have been struck down with a nasty trojan virus (hacktool.toolkit). What a real hassle. Looks like drastic action (read rebuild) will be required for a number of machines. It could end up being a rebuild — or at least drastic intervention for ALL machines bar mine. Why? … Oh yeah, I’m using a Mac! And I’m not backwards in reminding everyone either. I think I’ve finally convinced Nick to bring in his own 12″ PowerBook. But if I’m not careful I’ll be hung, drawn and quartered soon. Keeping quite will be difficult.
10 books that will change your (business) life
November 15, 2005Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba from Church of the Customer blog list their top ten books that “provide a foundational understanding of grassroots marketing, word of mouth and customer evangelism“. I liked this idea, but have widened my criteria to match their blog title of “10 books that will change your (business) life”.
This was a lot harder than it looks. Here’s mine (in no particular order):
1. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
There are not too many books that I have read more than once, but I have read this one cover-to-cover twice and often pick it up to read sections. A challenging read, but well worth the effort.
2.The Cluetrain Manifesto
An epiphany occurred to me when I read this book. Its main thesis is that “markets are conversations†among humans who use language that is “natural, open, honest, direct, funny and often shocking†and above all “unmistakably genuineâ€.
3.The Cathedral & the Bazaar
Eye-opening stuff. A discourse on the philosophy and mechanics of “Open-Source” software.
4. A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
“Abundance, Asia, and automation.” If you don’t take these three words into serious consideration, there is a good chance that sooner or later your career will suffer because of one of those forces.
5.Sleepers, Wake!
I credit my passion for technology to this book, which I read in my first year at Uni. In Sleepers, Wake! Jones looks at the impact and future implications of Information technology on the labour market and society in general.
6.Mind Maps at Work
The title says it all. Unleash your creativity and get things done with Mind Maps.
7.The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
This book provokes thought and causes you to challenge your thinking. Based on Buddhist teachings, outlines how to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, and jealousy.
8.Emotional Intelligence : Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Our emotions play a much greater role in thought, decision making and individual success than does IQ.
9.The Seven-Day Weekend : A Better Way to Work in the 21st Century
Semler’s manifesto of work/life balance and strategies for achieving it.
10.The Circle of Innovation
There is one line from this book that is indelibly etched into my brain …”All Value Comes from the Professional Services”. A must read for any white-collar professional or consultant.
What are your top ten?
