staufferjames's blog

Format for design, requirements, etc

Do a "requirements document" and "design document" use an outdated format? Is one monolithic document the right way to handle that information? Are there better ways to handle that information?

Consider this idea:

What kind of programming work do you like best?

When interviewing candidates (only 3-4 interviews) I would ask them the following question:
What kind of programming work do you like best?

They always gave then same basic answer: Creating new software.
Since that isn't the answer that I would give I asked my co-workers and between 4 of us we had 3 different answers:

1. Creating something new
2. Debugging problems
3. Improving (ad
   

Zooming to better use desktop space

On a real-life desktop I will often move toward an object to work with it. i.e. When I want to look at the calendar I will move closer to it. That allows better use of my desktop because some objects are "zoomed out" and therefore take less space (in my field of view). I received an iPod Touch for Christmas and the zooming of web pages and pictures works well.

Defaults have consequences: Microsoft Word margins

How much paper would be saved each year it Microsoft changed the default margins in Word to 1" on each side (or even 1/2")? Remember that when you choose your program defaults.

Form post with URL paramters (after question mark)

I had a URL that I wanted to POST with JavaScript so a made a

        <form name="doForm" action="" method="post">
        </form>

and used JavaScript to set action and call submit. But Tomcat showed the request as a GET (I.E. 7 is my browser).

Naming abstract classes

Normally I see abstract classes named as AbstractClass. But when there are many abstract classes that requires typing at least AbstractC when using code completion. Therefore I suggest that abstract classes be named ClassAbstract so that code completion is more usable.

Autoboxing vs. widening quiz

Does widening or autoboxing happen first? Which param method will be called from the autoboxing method?

Terminal window distinguishing types of input and ouput

I wish I had a terminal program that distinguished (i.e. with different colors) standard output, standard error, standard input, command input, and the command prompt.

Telecommuting tips

I have been telecommuting 1-2 days/week for a few years so I present the following tips to those who want to telecommute:

1. Practice communicating by email (especially when it is easier to talk in person about something) so you get better at writing emails that are complete and easy to understand.
2. Practice doing as many normal activities on your telecommuting days as possible.

Connection Haiku

One connection good.
Then two connections better.
Or maybe not so.

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