Mark Edgington

I like simple ideas and Chirp is one of them. We all have an ever growing list of social network sites and Chirp aims to bring these together in one place. The thing I like about the idea is it’s a screen saver. I think this is smarter than trying to be a web page or true desktop application, as people are more willing to try a screensaver. Also I think it may be a great time to get an update on your networks; just when you return to your machine.

At the moment it only links into Flickr and Facebook, but more are on the way. I’m not biggest fan of Facebook, but many are, so this screensaver may be popping up on a desktop near you.

I am happy to announce that my team have just launched the new Sky Travel site . It is a complete re-development form the ground up and integrates with multiple providers to provide a breath of product offerings.  It has been built using open source Java technology (Tomcat, Mysql, Apache) and uses the Spring and Hibernate frameworks.  The site is fully content managed and uses the open source Incendiary Blue CMS.

At long last, after countless issue with Parcel Force i received my N810. I had been without one since selling the N800, but the wait was worthwhile. Its screen and keyboard are excellent and the battery life is as good as ever. The new interface is slick and a joy to use. My only issues are that the internal GPS is just too weak, in the manual it says something like ‘ works best in blue sky’ (it’s not kidding and i will be sticking to my Tom Tom for in car navigation) and the email client is poor (but can be rectified by downloading and installing Modest). The thing i’m most happy about is the ease with which you can install Java, just follow the simple instructions posted on Jayson Falkners Blog and your ready to deploy standard application, rather than just running applets.

Its the new year and I’ve not posted for  while, why? lack of slack, so after finishing the excellent book ‘Slack’ by Tom DeMarco,  I have decided to make myself and the people around me some.  The book is a must for anyone involved in running projects and it should be compulsory for anyone who is involved in the running of a business.  Like many books of this type and in this case time (2000-2001, a time of downsizing)  there are cringe worthy moments; when its all a little to American focused.  But, throughout there are gems for the taking.  Rather than list them i just give one that sets the tone for the book:

‘ Slack at all levels is necessary to make the organisation work efficeintly and to grow.  It is the lubricant of change.  Good companies excel in the creative use of slack.  And bad ones con only obsess about removing it.’

Google immediately springs to mind, i would not be surprised if they had read this book