« December 2004 | Main | February 2005 »
January 25, 2005
The First Law of Management
This is very close to my heart. Making mistakes is not the exception, its the norm. Dealing with them, accepting them - and forgiving when necessary - is part of management charisma:
You are human. You make mistakes. Since you cant be perfect, learn how to recover.
Heres how to recover:
1. Notice that what you are doing isnt working.
2. Notice what you are feeling about that.
3. Center yourself.
4. Generate options.
5. Ask for help if you need it.
6. Acknowledge your mistake.
7. Apologize if necessary.
These steps will go along way in helping you recover from management mistake.
Posted by Basileios at 05:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 20, 2005
Google to 'Prevent' Comment Spam
According to their recent post in Googleblog Google promotes a new attribute (rel="nofollow") to be used ;automatically' in blog comments so that the websites will not get any credit when they rank websites in our search results.
In principle one would say that this is a good measure but thinking a little deeper I think that this attribute isn't really going to stop comment spamming by any chance. The discount pharmaceuticals, sex, and casino sites are not just placing comments for the benefit of their pagerank but as an 'awareness' method for visitors as well. It also worries me that some 'clever' webmasters may even use the attribute in their websites in order to build their own PageRank.
Sad as it is I don't believe this will be the end of comment spam.
Since we are on the subject let me thank Jay Allen once more for his wonderful spam blocking MT blacklist.
Posted by Basileios at 08:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 14, 2005
Google Betas...
It looks like we are not the only ones who complain about Google leaving their products on beta for a long time. A comment on ZDNet UK this week talks exactly about this phenomenon.
It seems that taking products out of beta can be a way to separate 'real programmers' from 'boys'. Be a bit braver guys...
Posted by Basileios at 05:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 12, 2005
Another Desktp Search Tool
Yahoo! has launched another desktop search tool (in beta) yesterday and they are joining Google in their 'battle' against Microsoft and the power of the Desktop search.
Microsoft's moves at the moment seem slow but I must say rather confident. The look they want to promote is the one of the giant who is ready to crush the mosquitos that are buzzing next to his ears, but I am sure that deep inside they are worried on the timing of the next move that will be able to do this 'crushing of the mosquitos' and unfortunately for them Longhorn seems so far away (more than a year away).
Will we soon see Google and Yahoo! promoting and supporting strongly Open Source achitectures as a way to weaken the giant?
Posted by Basileios at 05:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 11, 2005
IBM makes 500 patents available to Opens Source Developers
The opening of the 500 patents to open source developers by IBM is certainly a gesture that opens 2005 with a sense of freedom and optimism.
'It is a small but significant measure for a company with major efforts to patent its research, then license those patents. However, the vast majority of IBM's 10,000 software patents in the United States aren't being shared so freely.'
However, it must be stated that although this is a significant step for the promotion of the Open Source initiative (and a bit of a disturbance to Microsft and Bill Gates who recently equated Open Source Developers with communists) there are many steps that have to be taken in the future for the Open Source to gain a stronger foothold in hoi polloi's PCs. Not only must other software companies follow along the open steps pf IBM but IBM itself must change its strong software patent status in Europe.
Read the full IBM pledge (pdf)
Posted by Basileios at 06:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 06, 2005
Tsunami Help
Google has a page with links on helping Tsunami victims. Pass it round and make the most out of it. Remember that all these countries have severe financial problems and are in heavy debt. Its not enough to send just a few dollars now, the best future for all these people can be secured by abolishing their debt. And this is something that your goverments can do. Think about that next time you vote.
Posted by Basileios at 12:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack