05.28.10

Ottomatization.

Posted in Penny Circular at 12:44 PM by Myles

Lately, one of the kicks I’m on is automatizing what I can in order to save me a few seconds or minutes here or there.

The latest deal is an automatic signature on my blog. Yes, I mean that every single blog post I’ve made for the past 6 years has had a hand-typed signature that wasn’t automated. Until now. Seconds over years means serious time.

I always seem to have more to automate… a key thing would involve the stuff I sell; I’m half automatized, half not. Finding something as customizable but not as intensive as Excel is key… if there was a way to feel “in control” at the same time.

Like the man said… it’s a struggle.

Be Seeing You.

05.21.10

Blind When You’re Born.

Posted in Penny Circular at 1:12 PM by Myles

There has been a lingering fad amongst TV shows that just will not die, limping along and rearing its ugly head: the devotion of an entire episode to the format and style of a musical.

I don’t like musical episodes on principle. Contrary to popular belief, I like musicals [at least ones I think are decent at minimum] and have seen a good handful of them — both live and on DVD; most of the time, my personal requirement is that they be “culturally significant” ['Cats', 'Sound of Music', 'Phantom of the Opera', "&c &c &c"]. However, when watching a TV show of girl-power vampire killers or whatever… no thanks. Just stake the bastard and hope you charged the dust buster last night already.

The one musical episode I know I like is from ‘Lexx’ of all places; probably because it’s fatalistic and about the coolest dude in the Two Universes — you know it must end up with the extinction of the human planet that once saved the Light Universe from the Insects… save one, who will survive as an Undead Assassin destined to be the downfall of his dark master… a musical episode riffed off of ‘Brigadoon’ [another one I was audience for, Long Ago & Far Away].

Anyways. “&c, &c, &c”.

Be Seeing You.

05.19.10

“So far, so weird.”

Posted in Penny Circular at 2:56 PM by Myles

It’s nice to be able to make measurable progress on stuff, even if it’s small.

Even if it means bad scripting.

Be Seeing You.

05.17.10

You’re Doing It Wrong.

Posted in Memo at 3:42 PM by Myles

The umbrella project I’m on at work at work has been going on for decades. It should not have been going on for decades, but it has been. One of the problems that contributed to it’s extended lifespan [and reputation] is that everyone keeps changing the requirements.

You do not keep changing a project’s requirements. The more you do it — and the further along the project’s life you do it — the more you increase the cost of the project by  increasingly exponential amounts. This is true no matter what project you are talking about, no matter what type of organization you’re talking about. Look it up.

I’ve already mentioned my employer. I shall now mention the church I currently attend [and serve]. To do something properly, money must be spent. Then, requirements are changed… which alter the original decision to spend money at the time money was spent. Who’s fault is this — the boss’ fault for not spelling out the requirements accurately, the employee’s fault for not asking the right questions based on his//her telepathic inabilities, or Your Favorite Divine Entity’s [since it's a church we're talking about]? I had even asked!!! Over The Phone!!! Specifically For This Reason!!!

Utterly Vile. At least “I am in control” of the debacle, to some extent, at this point in time. Of course, this means I’m also “on the hook”, but there are certainly times where the two at least balance each other out.

But Frak. Let this be a lesson to me in dealing with this person. “Thou Shalt Spell  In Painfully Clear Detail Out Or Else”, twice over.

Be Seeing You.

05.15.10

In The Air.

Posted in Penny Circular at 7:58 PM by Myles

Getting down to “the wire”, I’ve gotten to the more interesting part of sorting through stuff.

For example, today I partially sorted through a bunch of computer cables and manuals. More to do on this, no doubt, but at least the preliminary stuff has been performed. Let me tell you — it can be daunting. Do I keep both floppy cables or just one? The black one or the see-through one? Can I get this manual online and risk not being able to read it in a catastrophe, or do I keep the hard copy?

Like I said… preliminary go-around.

Just like several other projects I’ve got going at the moment.

Busy busy busy…

Be Seeing You.

05.07.10

Oddly Config.

Posted in Penny Circular at 1:35 PM by Myles

What’s with running into coworkers on the way out from work? Whatever.

Configuring, exploring and tweaking the new Ubuntu [10.04] appears to be fun so far, and not in the dangerous way. Knock on wood. Great upgrade so far [I installed fresh], and I’m glad it’s the latest LTS.

“As Time Goes By…”

Be Seeing You.

05.05.10

“It’s Been…”

Posted in Penny Circular at 3:37 PM by Myles

This week, I passed the 1 Year mark at my current job, having been hired on the 39th year anniversary of that college massacre in Ohio.

Odd how days get linked up… or how I link days up.

Yay for being employed, apparently gainfully at that.

Then again, I have a UU church board meeting this evening…

Be Seeing You.

« Previous entries Next Page » Next Page »