My goal: to become a great systems architect / Daily crono and defeating bad guys / A…
Only dull people are interesting at breakfast. Oscar Wilde
I have come to realize, that I just passionately love systems architecting. I want to become as good as possible a systems architect, hopefully one of the best in the world. Not because of getting money, fame, or prizes (although some of it may follow or then not), but just because I consider systems architecting very important, and fun too. The better one becomes, the funnier it is to do SA. So, whatever I do after SDM (this stint at MIT, another is coming soon) has to help me in getting better in my trade, to widen my experience, to learn new systems, new things about managing SA, get to know great systems architects everywhere in the world. I do think I am quite a decent SA already, but I need to get much better, if only to be able to live a life which I consider good and worth living. I am a very simple-minded man.
An interview was the first thing today. Then, to celebrate, cycling to the cemetery, having lunch in the local Chinese (a'la Glenn Gould: always the same or mapotofu), continuing celebrating by reading, writing some more applications, then getting positive feedback, getting even jollier, leaving for MIT with Kumar and Ashok for a RFID-presentation, later dinner/coffee in the mall. American style. Now listening to the news Rammstein-CD. It is not as good as their older ones.
In the RFID-presentation they were talking so seriously about the movie-plot threat of "bad guys" sending a nuclear bomb in a container and then detonating it somewhere in USA. To prevent this they have designed a way of detecting automatically (using RFID) if a container has been opened and, maybe, a bomb placed inside. When they detect such a container, they inspect it. Now, what prevents the bad guys installing their own "container-opening" detector and detonating the bomb right there? At that point, they would know that the bomb is in USA, and any harbor is close enough a major city to cause sufficient level of panic. Causing panic and terror is the goal of terrorists, not maximizing casualties or damage. Just exploding one (even the only one) and telling that more are on the way would be quite enough to stop the international trade. Anyway, all these are just movie-plot level, but the RFID-solution is not valid. But using the argument may well be a clever way of getting some federal money - which is always very good business.
Some opinion writer had the most strange proposal in today's Boston Globe. He proposed, that bar owners should be made responsible for accidents their patrons have while driving under influence. Since this would cause huge liabilities for the small bars, the proposal also required a mandatory liability insurance for all bars. And the proposal also went further: everyone throwing a party and serving alcohol should be made similarly responsible. To make the legislation really good, the host should be responsible even if the guest would have brought their own bottles.
I am sure the write must be working for either some layer lobbying association or for some insurance company. The proposal is the most idiotic I have read for a while. Reading pays off, entertainment is free.
Well started is half done and will be well done. Thus, how to start a task is of utmost importance. Let me give two examples: cycling and writing.
One would think, that one can just take the bike and go riding. Not so. One has to dress in appropriate clothes, walk around the house several times, read some random books, chat in the phone and do all kinds important things. Only when all things are done, or attended to, one can start and the ride will be pleasant. Sometimes, there is no time left for riding, but tomorrow will come soon.
Writing an article/essay/thesis requires some preparations as well. First, one has to think about the subject for a few minutes, maybe even for 5 minutes. Then one has to find the sofa and take at most 20 minutes nap. During the nap, the text will appear like a mirage in the desert. After waking up, the mirage is real and can be easily turned into words. This method never fails.
Why is cycling prohibited in the Mt Auburn cemetery while driving cars is quite OK as long as one keeps cars away from lawns? I wonder whether one could ride motorcycle in the cemetery. Trying that could solve the mystery. Maybe one must not use non-gasoline powered vehicles in the cemetery.
Holiday season is starting soon. Somehow, it changes everything. People are not active in real estate market, shopping changes, interview process slows down. It seems people are busy with the holiday season itself. The term "holiday season" is bit an oxymoron, though. Most American workers have only two weeks of holiday per year. I am quite sure, that they do not spend it over Christmas. So, where is the holiday in holiday season?
Alun perin julkaistu kuukausikoosteessa "Blogs November 2005".
My goal: to become a great systems architect
I have come to realize, that I just passionately love systems architecting. I want to become as good as possible a systems architect, hopefully one of the best in the world. Not because of getting money, fame, or prizes (although some of it may follow or then not), but just because I consider systems architecting very important, and fun too. The better one becomes, the funnier it is to do SA. So, whatever I do after SDM (this stint at MIT, another is coming soon) has to help me in getting better in my trade, to widen my experience, to learn new systems, new things about managing SA, get to know great systems architects everywhere in the world. I do think I am quite a decent SA already, but I need to get much better, if only to be able to live a life which I consider good and worth living. I am a very simple-minded man. Daily crono and defeating bad guys
An interview was the first thing today. Then, to celebrate, cycling to the cemetery, having lunch in the local Chinese (a'la Glenn Gould: always the same or mapotofu), continuing celebrating by reading, writing some more applications, then getting positive feedback, getting even jollier, leaving for MIT with Kumar and Ashok for a RFID-presentation, later dinner/coffee in the mall. American style. Now listening to the news Rammstein-CD. It is not as good as their older ones. In the RFID-presentation they were talking so seriously about the movie-plot threat of "bad guys" sending a nuclear bomb in a container and then detonating it somewhere in USA. To prevent this they have designed a way of detecting automatically (using RFID) if a container has been opened and, maybe, a bomb placed inside. When they detect such a container, they inspect it. Now, what prevents the bad guys installing their own "container-opening" detector and detonating the bomb right there? At that point, they would know that the bomb is in USA, and any harbor is close enough a major city to cause sufficient level of panic. Causing panic and terror is the goal of terrorists, not maximizing casualties or damage. Just exploding one (even the only one) and telling that more are on the way would be quite enough to stop the international trade. Anyway, all these are just movie-plot level, but the RFID-solution is not valid. But using the argument may well be a clever way of getting some federal money - which is always very good business.
A strange proposal
Some opinion writer had the most strange proposal in today's Boston Globe. He proposed, that bar owners should be made responsible for accidents their patrons have while driving under influence. Since this would cause huge liabilities for the small bars, the proposal also required a mandatory liability insurance for all bars. And the proposal also went further: everyone throwing a party and serving alcohol should be made similarly responsible. To make the legislation really good, the host should be responsible even if the guest would have brought their own bottles. I am sure the write must be working for either some layer lobbying association or for some insurance company. The proposal is the most idiotic I have read for a while. Reading pays off, entertainment is free.
The art of starting
Well started is half done and will be well done. Thus, how to start a task is of utmost importance. Let me give two examples: cycling and writing. One would think, that one can just take the bike and go riding. Not so. One has to dress in appropriate clothes, walk around the house several times, read some random books, chat in the phone and do all kinds important things. Only when all things are done, or attended to, one can start and the ride will be pleasant. Sometimes, there is no time left for riding, but tomorrow will come soon.
Writing an article/essay/thesis requires some preparations as well. First, one has to think about the subject for a few minutes, maybe even for 5 minutes. Then one has to find the sofa and take at most 20 minutes nap. During the nap, the text will appear like a mirage in the desert. After waking up, the mirage is real and can be easily turned into words. This method never fails.
Cemetery mystery
Why is cycling prohibited in the Mt Auburn cemetery while driving cars is quite OK as long as one keeps cars away from lawns? I wonder whether one could ride motorcycle in the cemetery. Trying that could solve the mystery. Maybe one must not use non-gasoline powered vehicles in the cemetery. Holiday season
Holiday season is starting soon. Somehow, it changes everything. People are not active in real estate market, shopping changes, interview process slows down. It seems people are busy with the holiday season itself. The term "holiday season" is bit an oxymoron, though. Most American workers have only two weeks of holiday per year. I am quite sure, that they do not spend it over Christmas. So, where is the holiday in holiday season?Alun perin julkaistu kuukausikoosteessa "Blogs November 2005".
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