Then automate the hell out of it...

Software development automation is a great, but underused technique. I call it a technique because it is not a technology. It is one of those things like unit testing, that when you start using it, it is hard to stop.

An important thing to remember with automation is, that it is easy to start using, but it does require maintenance. This means that for it to really succeed it needs a champion and a hero!When a project starts out, all focus is on the functionality we need to develop and on the end goal of the project. The way we get there, besides hammering out code in our favourite IDE, is not foremost on the teams mine, hence the champion.

All developers on a project are busy working on their tasks, which is usually many and underestimated (let's be honest!) The individual developer will probably not have time or indeed desire to take part in the ongoing maintenance, hence the hero.

While the champion will burn with desire to automate the hell out of it, restraint is advisable. This is especially the case, if the organisation or the team is new to automation. Automation can seem scary, as what you do is essentially to give up control. And giving up control to a process you don't understand, developed by a person that might not be around forever can seem like the recipe for disaster to any developer who has ever been on the sharp end of a manager's rage against why you can't deploy the damn code.

Start small. Start with the basics. Start with something where the future of the project is not in question. Start with just compiling the code. Win over the team. And then automate the hell out of it...

Our spaceship

I was just listening to a new (for me) podiobook which is about this young man who has to leave his planet because he doesn't have a job. He gets a job on a space freighter as a mess boy. At some point they have a fire drill, and everyone does their duty and the drill is a success. The boy asks what all the fuss is about (it is just a drill) and the answer is, that he should "consider it a down-payment on saving his life in the future". The fact is that their survival depends completely on the survival of their space ship, and they have to treat it accordingly and be prepared.

This made me think on how we treat our planet, which is our space ship. If it breaks we will be left on a lump of rock and nobody is going to come and save us. Why can't we see...

But what is wrong..?

The approach taken by distributions as mentioned is to provide lots of functionality in an easily downloaded package, that can be installed on most PCs, though it wasn't always like that, indeed even today installing Linux is still not for old aunt Annie.

I think the problem is, that concurring the world one download at the time just isn't going to make any real difference. Granted there has been some "success" stories about whole towns and medium sized companies switching, but as it stands today the installed desktop Linux base is still small and fragmented between a huge array of distributions.

In any venture which the goal of changing the world, the most critical issue is to convince the ones who can make a difference the they should change. Lots of effort has been made in convincing CTOs and CIOs and other CxO people, that Linux is the way forward. Mostly the cost of Linux has been promoted as the winning reason for why they should change. Obviously any CEO worth his salt will listen to such an argument, but as most CEOs are not IT experts, they often refer the question to their IT staff. And that is where I believe the answer lies!

The real decision maker is not the CEO, but the IT staff!

IT staff are usually not made up of geeks the likes to tinker with the OS on their PC, but are make up of professional people that has a specific problem to solve. If a solution comes along that solves a current problem better than the solution they already have, most of them will switch to that new solution. The problem for Linux on the desktop is, that it doesn't solve a current problem better than the solution the IT staff currently have, and as long as that is the case, ubiquitous Desktop Linux will remain a wet dream of the fans of the penguin.

Linux on the desktop - status

Over the last few years there has been a lot of talk of "linux on the desktop", however it seems like not a lot has happened, despite all the talk and all the promises that "this is the year when it will take off", Linux on the desktop is still only on the enthusiasts desktop.

In the beginning the reason given for the lack of uptake was that it was too difficult for the average user to install and to use and the switch from Windows was too complicated. But in the last couple of years we have seen Linux distributions that actually are quite user friendly and that I would expect even non-tech savvy users would be able to install and use. Ubuntu being the prime example of this type of distribution. Surprisingly at the same time, it seems like the calls for near Linux world domination has quieted down as well...

The focus of most distributions has been to add functionality and to look as much as Windows as possible (while adding it's own unique feel) to make the transition transparent and to prevent expected complaints of "why can't I do in Linux what I can do in Windows". While this approach is understandable and to a large degree necessary it is also unambitious. For me it begs the question of why would anyone switch if I don't get any more than I already have.

The converted will reply that you do get more: No viruses, it is free, masses of software, the ability to run on older hardware etc. But to be honest is that enough to start the revolution (an a revolution is needed!) of switching users from Windows to Linux in numbers that are meaningful?

I don't think so...

Nasa plans return to Moon by 2020

Don't get me wrong! I am all for returning to the Moon! And I don't care if people say "why, we have no reason to go there". I believe that just going is reason enough, but the plans NASA have are so lacking of ambition. If you want to go back to the Moon, and nothing else then don't just copy the way it was done previously with just bigger rockets! If you just do that you would have learned nothing! The way it is proposed now have no vision. The primary ambition (going there) is nothing new; it has already been done. The secondary ambitions (new technology, etc) are..well non existing; the whole thing is based on old technology. If the reason is, that NASA does not have the finances to do it better, then NASA must go internationally. In any case I think that is the only way forward with projects on this scale. And id isn't only space programs that could benefit from some internationalisation...

Going through the motions

Well, it has been a while, and it has probably been the period in my life where most have changed! Maybe that's why... Anyway! The main thing that has happened is obviously that I have got married! I have married the most beautiful woman in the world in the most spectacular wedding. It lasted 3 days and I had many friends and family coming in from Denmark to attend. You all made our day!! Thanks!! Second, the redundancy became real. The Friday after the wedding I was told that I was going to be made redundant by 22nd August. I sort of expected it, but when it happens is always gives you a knock. I suppose it is reality sinking in. So what do you do? Do you become angry or just accept your fate... The most important thing is to get off to a good start in searching for a new job. The psychological impact is the most important to deal with immediately. Then later you can deal with all the financial etc. stuff. In any case I tried to act "professional", seeing it from their point of view, that they didn't have enough money to keep me and they were in trouble and that I would have done the same in their situation. I believe that will also serve me better in the long run - slamming doors always leave a bitter taste in your own mouth... So the last two months I have been looking for work...

Redundancy looming

I can not believe that I am potentially in it again! That I now again have the threat of redundancy hanging over my head. And this 4 days before my wedding!!! Is this a test? Maybe, but as they say within every test or obstacle lies an opportunity to learn - to do it better. However it does sound kind of hollow when you have been through it before. In any case, this time I am going to do it better than last time. This time I will show determination and the will to succeed. Last time I did not take the responsibility, but this time I have to. If I in any way deserves to be married to this beautiful girl, I have to take the responsibility, because this time it is not only for me... This blog will now change focus to see me through this...

What does it take to be successfull?

Passion for what you do and a bit of luck...