Archive for June 2002

Ever since Dvorak made the comment about cats and blogging… cats have become an icon for blogs as many bloggers took potshots at him. Well, guess what O’Reilly animal is on the cover of Essential Blogging. You got it. Cats, cats everywhere!

This is one of the stories I learned in grad school that has stuck with me. Does it work? I don’t think about the theory per se, but I have good days and bad days and it depends on the mood. At the office, I’m not one of those people who goes from meeting to meeting and not getting tasks done. So, I guess I’m doing something right. You may have heard this story before, but it’s always worth a re-read. A List Apart: Time Management – The Pickle Jar Theory.

One of the first things on the Internet that I read regularly was the Internet Scout Report. It unearthed Web sites that I’d never find during a time when we just didn’t know what was out there. They’ve been around since 1994 and moved on up with the Internet Scout Weblog. From the report, Marylaine Block’s Book Too Good to Put Down. Do you think the Scout report has a link to a place to find more time to read? [Link Rebecca]

37signals did it again. They’ve created of what they believe is the future of automotive Web sites. Like the Federal Express Web site, they were frustrated with existing autmotive sites and decided to take the law in their own hands to show how it should be done.

Authors’ Summer Reading Lists for your summer reading consideration. Is The Elephant’s Rope and the Untethered Spirit: A Remarkable, True Story of Healing and Hope is on the list? Or maybe lighter reading fare like, Horns to Toes (And in Between).

A frequent problem in any software development shop is the inability to create estimates for a project. Even my company, which is undertaking CMM level 2, is struggling with estimation. StickyMinds shares a paper on The Test Estimation Process. What I like about it is that, for once, it’s not some complex, mathematician-required process. It’s based on real experience with rules, metrics, tools, and tips that helped a test team through the estimation nightmare.

Another goodie from StickyMinds — Why Is Error Prevention Important? The article urges the software industry to make automatic error prevention a part of the process especially since recent advances have been revolutionary. The author indicates that error prevent comes into play in CMM, but not until level 5 (highest level of certification in the model). It should be there, but not at the top level. Instead, make error prevention part of the foundation of the development process. Mighty good points.

The Webby Awards has announced the winners and included their five word speeches (best awards rule). Lots of familiar Web sites won because they’re obviously head of the class and continue to draw visitors.

Tired of entering long hand into a cell phone, PDA, or instant messager? Learn to shorten everything with transL8it!, a free, translation engine and dictionary for SMS lingo, texting, acronyms and emoticons. [Link Network World Fusion Compendium]

With many looking for employment, it’s beneficial to brush up on résumé and interview skills. Even if you’re not looking for a job, don’t let that résumé get rusty. An acquaintance, former director of IT, asked me to look over her résumé and cover letter. Reading it, I couldn’t believe this was a former director. It was the way she worded things. The letter sounded choppy and the phrasing sloppy. A person reviewing it will likely pass on.

What is she doing now? She is an adminstrator with a private school making $24K per year, down from her previous $90K+ job. Actually, it serves her right since she was a backstabber and did underhanded work. Plus, she did embellish a few things on her résumé.

When writing such a letter or correspondence, try to read it in a way that you’re receipient of the letter and think about these questions:

• Is it direct and to the point?
• Does it focus on “What I can do for you?”
• Does it avoid “What can you do for me?”
• Is it truthful?
• Does avoid rubbing me the wrong way?

That last one sounds weird, but I’ve read many letters that sounded arrogant or show-offy. Yes, you need to toot your own horn, but it can be done in a nice way.

One company contacted me to interview a bigwig from the company. Instead of directly answering my questions, he kept throwing marketing schpiel at me and took control of the correspondence. And… he said the guy was only available for phone and not email interviews. He never got the interview. Not wielding any power here — it was disrespectful.

I’m serious about the truthful part. It’s unbelievable what we’ve heard about people who have lied on their résumé. Three hours from a college degree? Don’t claim to have the degree. Instead say, “Attended so and so university and completed XX hours.” or something along those lines. Learn from a before and after résumé of someone who is trying to switch careers.

More advice in IT Résumé Dos and Don’ts. [Link Webreference]

<edited on June 24>Another article courtesy Webref on dusting off for job interviews. </edit>

Most of you know about Mozilla and Opera as alternative browsers. Preston Gralla offers up two more unknowns to people sick of the limited browser selection in Want MORE alternative browsers? Here you go. Think I’ll give ‘em a try.