The 5 Minute Tech Break : Dec 14

Book we have enjoyed 

Worst Language I Ever Used

We're involved in a new project, which will be kicking off in the new year. The validation process has given us an opportunity to evaluate the latest developments in technology, particularly across the continuous integration / continuous deployment arena.

Have to tell you, we're having some issues with some indeterminism in an underlying system, causing more than a few expletives!

Reminds me of the worst language I ever used. PAL for Paradox database. 

Don't believe any of the praise heaped on it! 

I was once an intern way back in a previous century and was asked to write a car mileage database using Paradox. I dutifully learnt the language and built the system. [JN]

Ran it and it worked. Made a minor change, ran it again and it decided not to work. Eventually I rang support, to be told "It was a write once only language and could not be edited after first run".

Cue, intern led expletives before throwing it into the bin!

Gates & Buffet on Controlling 'Time'

We always find it fun to watch these two together.

This short clip is a particularly enjoyable look at Buffets diary management and his approach to the use of time and creating space to think.

It's an important issue for everyone to consider in their working lives and in particular, as you aim and reach senior levels of management.  The discipline needed to manage your schedule and carve out necessary "me" time can be critical for your well-being and impact on the work and environment around you. [AW]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ox93uTQds4

FAANG: Are we witnessing the end of an Era?

Alas, those same shares (Facebook -34%, Apple -27%, Amazon -19%, Netflix -35% and Google -17%) have been taking a collectively kicking these last couple of months.

Facebook in particular are suffering from ongoing revelations about data sharing, though it's their dirty tricks in hiding facts and being known at the highest level that's really hurting them.

Certainly some entertaining mud slinging taking place as they tried to deflected the issues onto other companies and these revelations have made us focus on if/how we want to continue using the platform.  The challenge for us is that they have a powerful reach to our target customer, so it's tough to ween yourself off, even if you want to.

The smartphone market is also changing as Apple struggle to maintain iPhone sales, as phones last longer and Chinese markets are trying to commoditise the space.

These companies have become part of our everyday lives but with monopoly positions come significant responsibilities and so we watch to see if they can keep ahead of both the product and PR game.

I'm seeing that pal for a Xmas drink. He will be buying. [JN]

Quote from another century ...

Nativity Front Row and Playing Santa ...

I carved out time this week to attend daughters Nativity play and what a joy.  A bunch of cherubic 5 year olds, giving it their all ... wonderful.  I got so enthusiastic on the front row that I was collared by the headmaster and convinced to become next weeks visiting Santa Claus ... sure beats another afternoon grappling with Google Analytics!! [AW]

Additional Course Material : What Would You Like?

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch about some of the existing courses and also with thoughts about what would be useful in the future.

We wanted to open this out .... if you'd like to see particular topics covered, then please get in touch.

CTO Academy is due to expand significantly during 2019 and part of that expansion will be to introduce a range of external speakers  and experts.  We want to add content that is relevant to our community and customers so please do get in touch.

That's it for this week.

If you've got an insatiable appetite for more '5 minute tech breaks', you can review all the old ones here. 

Love to hear from you about anything and everything so feel free to contact us or tweet @ctoacademy

Have a great friday and a super weekend.