General

I work with data. I understand that for most organizations, that the data they own is the most valuable asset the company owns.

One thing I’ve learned from working with data is that unlike application software, data generally outlives generations of applications, is often used by many different applications, and typically just morphs from shape to shape over time. It almost never gets totally refreshed.

This is a good thing.

2017-11-21

Very proud of my daughters this week. As some of you will know, one of my daughters has Rett syndrome. It’s a rare chromosomal disorder that basically only impacts girls. (Boys can get it but they usually do not survive long after birth). Girls develop fairly normally up to about 12 to 18 months of age, then regress markedly. As it affects only about 1 in 10,000 girls, it’s not the sort of thing that gets much research funding.

2014-11-25

I’ve also been looking around for a new phone. It became much more urgent last week after I dropped my iMate.

After trying lots of phones, I ended up opting for an iPhone 3G. And after using it for a few days, couldn’t be happier with it. Well, not quite true, if it worked as a NextG modem as well, it would be even better as the data plans are quite costly here in Australia.

2008-07-22

Well I was called out by Tibor Karaszi’s meme, so here goes:

How old were you when you first started programming?

I’d say I was about 19 when I started. I remember in 1976 that I was at University of Queensland. I was doing an honours degree in physics and maths and didn’t have the slightest interest in those computing people that spent their lunch hours looking at great piles of 15x11 listings. By the next year, I was one of them.

2008-07-08

It was great to see an announcement from Francesco Ballena today that his VB to VB.net conversion tool has finally hit the market. It’s at www.vbmigration.com and looks like the sort of tool that was needed when VB.NET was first released. It sure would have avoided a lot of angst in the community. I was particularly impressed by the discussion in Carl’s podcast . I’d have to say I could definitely relate to the sentiment expressed in it. Congratulations Francesco!

2008-05-28

I was so pleased today to finally get my new geek tool installed. I bought a Rode Podcaster mike a while back but didn’t get a chance to install it till today. I love the balanced (PS1) arm that lets me get it positioned so well while still able to type. And then I can just push it out of the way. It’s a broadcast quality mike and is in a shock mount. I’ve already noticed a major difference in the sound quality, including vastly reduced background noise. I’ve got a pop-filter for it which I might end up using too.

2008-05-19

I was really sad to hear that Arthur C Clarke died today. For those that enjoyed his work, it’s worth watching his “goodbye” video he made on the occasion of his birthday in December 2007. He knew at that time that the end was near. I particularly liked his choice of a Rudyard Kipling poem to read at the end. You’ll find the video here:

2008-03-19