Category Archives: Influences and Inspirations

Impermanence and Software Design: on systems

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Karl

When you’re building software, it is probably best to look at things half-Buddhist. Kent Beck writes about building software that won’t be around longer than him in a recent Facebook note: …nothing I am doing now with software will remain … Continue reading →

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On People, Process, and Passion and Persistence

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Karl

My boss back at Bell Atlantic, who became my friend and mentor, Pat Trongo, had the following quote from Peter Senge’s “The Fifth Discipline” on his cube wall in big bold letters. I found it inspirational back then. But now … Continue reading →

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On ever growing complexity in programming: on systems

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Karl

Edsger W. Dijkstra gave a lecture, in 1972, that has since been come to be called “The Humble Programmer”. It’s a short piece that explains why software development, why programming, was growing more, not less complex over time, and some … Continue reading →

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On Making and Working Towards Big Things: on innovation

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Karl

Wondering why we’re living in an age of ever increasing decreased expectations? You are not alone. Author Neal Stephenson wrote a thought provoking must read for World Policy Institute titled, “Innovation Starvation”: The imperative to develop new technologies and implement … Continue reading →

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A Mathematician’s Lament: on education

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Karl

Paul Lockhart wrote an accessible read on what is wrong with math education and the popular perception of math that is reinforced in culture that has been shared on the Web in quite a few corners. It deserves a wider … Continue reading →

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Understanding the Maker Movement

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Karl

YouTube: Maker Faire: “The Long Slow Make: Understanding the Maker Movement”: “Anil Dash shares his observations and insights into the development of the Maker movement He sees it as a kind of political movement that is apolitical in nature but … Continue reading →

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A few thoughts on Steve Jobs stepping down as Apple’s CEO

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Karl

Apple is far more than the creation of one man. A casual scan of Folklore.org, a site focused on its history, will tell you that. But so would Steve Jobs. He’s created a culture at Apple that is going to … Continue reading →

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“Right Now”: On the present, being present, and practice (TEDXPhilly related)

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Karl

1. Breathe. 2. Remind yourself: Whatever you are doing – right now – you are practicing. 3. Remind yourself: Whatever you practice – you are improving, you are building, you are growing. 4. Ask yourself: Is this what you want … Continue reading →

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The Web is 20

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Karl

I’d like to say thank you to Tim Berners-Lee and all those who were part of making the Web happen. The original announcement (where? on Usenet of course!) W3C Design Issues for the World Wide Web World Wide Web Foundation … Continue reading →

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Joy bigger than the universe, and sorrow for a lifetime

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Karl

Absolute must read – Jennifer Lawler: “For Jessica”. The latest: “A vigil for Jessica”: Now, between the crisis and the catastrophe, you know you should lift a glass of champagne, but you have failed to lay in supplies yet again. … Continue reading →

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