08.24.05

Finally, above average in something

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:19 am by Todd

I have finally found a way to claim that I am above average. I think I can safely say that I waste more than 2.09 hours per day at work, most notably when we are getting close to a release of Bandera. I spend an enormous amount of time waiting on unit tests and system tests during the final push (which gives me plenty of time to columns by Bill Simmons).

Ok, so maybe I don’t actually waste that much time, but somedays it seems like it.

08.16.05

A different 10 Commandments

Posted in Programming at 3:00 am by Todd

Just found a page that lists the ten commandments of Egoless programming. Just thought others might also enjoy this as well. Now, if I could just apply these lessons.

08.11.05

Another crazy developer like me

Posted in Programming, SAnToS at 2:19 am by Todd

Wow! I cannot believe that there are others out there that put everything in the repository. But sure enough, I have found someone else. Now I just hope this will get everyone in the lab to layoff me since other “smart” people do the same thing. Or maybe not.

For those of you that don’t regularly browse the CVS repository for the Bandera project, I keep everything in there. The source, build scripts, test cases, test case data, all the libs we use, an ant release, the libs for ant, and even a kitchen sink (just in case I need to wash my hands after a particularly nasty hack makes me feel dirty). And I have build scripts for as much as possible including updating of the libs from source (like downloading and building the Bogor jars), building releases, running tests, and building Java source from schemas (using castor).

Because of this system, it is easy to get a new development environment setup and running (one checkout, set a couple of environment variables, and start working). However, this means it takes a long time to download and is not obvious (no flashing neon sign) how you update the libs. I suppose life is just a sequence of choices that have trade-offs and this is just one of them.

By the way, I believe I got this crazy idea while working at a company in Wichita, KS called Loudfire. My boss, Kent Johnson, setup the CVS repository and did this same thing (although he was not nearly as anal about automation as I am now!). So, if anyone hates this system, blame him (as far as I know, he is working here). You should note that loudfire.com is not the company I worked for. The domain name must have been sold when the company was bought by Intellisync.

08.08.05

Big Charts to help drive developers?

Posted in Programming, SAnToS at 11:45 pm by Todd

Found an interesting article on a novel way to help drive developers. It is all about publicly posting the current status of a project. I guess the theory is that people can ignore web sites, file email, and will tend to ignore the status during a meeting. But if you create a big chart and post it in a public place, it will be constant reminder of how the team is doing (or more specifically, how the team is doing at achieving it’s goals).

I am really considering this for the Bandera project but I don’t know what I will post on the chart just yet. And, I am not sure where this chart will be located (since my office door is not a high-traffic location for most of the team). I guess we will see if I implement this and how it works.

08.05.05

My new mp3 player might be a bit heavy

Posted in Technology at 8:09 pm by Todd

After reading this blog, I am tempted to buy a new mp3 player that will run off of punch cards. Granted, it would have to have it’s own engine so it could carry the weight of just a single CD, but I think it would be worth it. Aren’t punch cards the coolest?

A new way to organize Java docs

Posted in Programming at 8:03 pm by Todd

Ran across this site while reading a blog today. Thought it was an interesting way to market and/or organize documentation on Java. Put another way, nice themed Java site.

08.02.05

A new tool for use in our lab

Posted in Programming, SAnToS at 11:51 pm by Todd

Wow, I think I have found the best tool every created. It is called the Commentator and it is brought to us by the wonderful people at Cenqua. And for all you XP junkies out there, this is a must have product. This company has also brought less worthy products like Clover and FishEye.

Now, if I could just get Robby to use the Commentator tool I would be all set!