How Far Computer Technology Has Come
We are in the process of refreshing some server hardware for a client. We have servers ranging from 6 plus years old to fairly current in use.
In that relatively short time frame, we have gone:
- From single core processors where it was pretty much all about clock speed to get better performance,
- To single core processors with hyper-threading,
- To 2 core processors,
- To 4 core processors with hyper-threading
- (6 and 8 core processors with and without hyper-threading have been released or are on the way)
One 2 processor (4 cores with hyper-threading) server now has enough horsepower to replace at least eight servers from 5-6 years ago or […]
Gog is Watching
Once upon a time, you could do something silly or downright dumb. A few people might notice and someone might talk about it. Video cameras were huge and no one carried one in their pocket. Cameras had film and required having the pictures developed. Usually, only the major news companies could broadcast either to millions, let alone the entire planet. Fortunately, not enough people cared about the exploits of Bongo the town idiot to make it worth their while. So unless you were famous or important, you could be almost anonymous.
Today, everything you do in public can be caught on camera. Cameras […]
Tracking Tools for Agile Software Development
Further to my previous post, we decided to purchase Axosoft’s OnTime Enterprise Edition. The software will allow us to track:
- Bugs and defects
- Features
- Tasks
- Incidents
The cool part is the support for scrum/agile processes including a planning board, burn-down charts, reporting, release and sprint planning, etc.
It includes:
- an SDK and API so we can extend it into our applications
- a customer portal
- incoming and outbound e-mail support
- an iPhone application
- integration with VIsual Studio and SVN
- Desktop and Web versions
- Etc.
To be honest, when evaluating products like these (it lists at $3995 US for a 10 […]
Differentiating Your Product or Service
I recently saw a fido ad on TV. They usually have dogs in their ads and because of that they seem to catch my attention.
In the most recent one one guy is talking to another guy and hucks a big water bottle into the distance and a dog brings back a cell phone. Then the guy says something like, this cell phone contains parts made from a recycled water bottle. Apparently fido sells several that do.
Ok, nice.
But fido doesn't make cell phones. They resell cell phones made by other companies.
They provide voice and data services.
How much recycled plastic is in […]
Tuning Web Service Calls in .NET
Troubleshooting a single applications is an art. Troubleshooting a single application with a database requires yet more skill.
When you get in a multi-tiered service oriented architecture you may have:
- Multiple applications including web services,
- A database server,
- Multiple servers,
- Third party or open source components,
- Networking,
- Firewalls,
- Load balancing,
- Web servers,
- Operating systems,
- Hardware, and
- The .NET Framework
You need a very broad set of skills for this (or a team), access to a search engine and some luck.
If you are finding that your web application is calling external web services and seems to be under-performing, be sure to check your Machine.config default settings. Out of the box, IIS and .NET have […]
You Don’t Care Anymore, Do You?
If you are in the software development world, you've pretty much got to like or eat pizza once in a while.
I used to be a big fan of Panago pizza. The toppings and flavours were pretty darn good.
But Pizza isn't just about the toppings, it is about the part that holds the toppings as well. Would it be a pizza if the toppings were served on focaccia bread? How about un-cooked dough? Mastering the pizza dough is an important part of the great pizza equation.
The last few years, quality has been suffering. I think the pizza places are running the ovens […]
10 Things I’ve Learned About Business
In honour of our 10 year anniversary (22 June) I have decided to write a few lists about 10. This one is about 10 things I've learned about business.
- Running a business is harder than it looks (the lows can be really stressful).
- Defining a core segment and sticking to it is hard (you could be doing so many things).
- When you are getting going and even after, you need to develop skills you were unaware of when you started (even if you delegate or outsource functions, ultimately you still need to make informed decisions).
- Reading, interpreting and negotiating legal documents is […]
More from the Great Game of Business
I've included a few more quotes and my thoughts on the book, "The Great Game of Business" and how it applies to what we do.
Cost/Value
"… to stay in business you have to be the least cost producer or have something nobody else has."
Being the least cost producer would give you some advantages, but I think being in the same range is probably strong enough for most companies in the commodity world. Of course having a unique or perceived value proposition is always better. But don't forget those costs, you don't want to be throwing money away; chances are, […]
When the S–t Hits the Fan
in software development things often don't go according to plan. Sometimes the fault lies with a third party vendor, sometimes you have to re-factor a design that no longer works and sometimes you get a bug that doesn't show up right away.
Whatever the case, you are way off estimate.
Developers will sometimes question if it even possible to estimate time on a development project.
You know what though. In reality few things of any complexity actually go according to plan.
So why plan at all?
Well for starters you need to commit to shipping a product. In business, saying we will build something someday […]
Entrepreneurs, Stories and Selling
Entrepreneurs who build software products really know their product inside and out and have a lot of a passion for it. This is great and bad. Bad because sales often become dumps of technology, facts and features instead of truly listening to the customer.
As well, technology companies tend to focus on the product first and sales afterward.
Telling a story right from the get go is a way to bridge the gap between building and selling.
Paul Kenny gives a good presentation on how this works (posted on Joel on Software). If you are in technical sales […]