26th May, 2010, 5:54pm
Archive for the 'Random Toad' Category
, 5:49pm
BarCampBelfast – planning
22nd Feb, 2010, 11:53am
What’s changed?
Matt Johnston commented recently that the recent surge in activity in the community side of the local tech & business scene could be “the ‘real’ end of the ‘Troubles’?”. It’s definitely a positive thing, I’m delighted the next generation of technologists in Northern Ireland has a growing & diverse community around them. Something that was sorely lacking in my formative years, where it seemed that the only exposure to technology was from inside the technology firm you worked in. [and I'm a committed technologist, not a 9-5 salary man]. So what’s changed?
Many of us are of a similar age, all in full-time IT roles from the mid-90’s onwards, some for much longer. Is it the relatively recent additions that have invigorated us? People like the hyper-active Andy McMillen, or what’s caused “the old guard” like Matt to push on with xcake & startvi, or Colm & Norbert to persevere with MobileMondayBelfast, or Darryl & the first Open Coffee Belfast?
Surely none of us would admit to letting Northern Ireland’s previous problems get in the way of the way we lead our lives?
So what changed? How do we make sure we don’t loose momentum?
How much would your life changed if you had the community & adventure surrounding you 10-15 years ago when you first discovered your passion for technology could pay the bills? Would you have endured the 10 years in big, faceless corporations? [how did we get brain washed into thinking that the best IT career involved one of 3 or 4 companies in NI?]
Would I still be doing what I’m doing now? Probably, but probably not for who I’m doing it for. And I hope I would have had a much interesting & independent path here.
7th Oct, 2009, 12:15am
Union Hand-Roasted sumatra (dark insight)
Brand: Union hand-roasted
Bean: sumatra, extra fancy
Region/Producer: Gayo Mountain Co-Operative, Aceh.
Roast:
Grind: Cafetière
Test brew: Espresso
Test Equipment: Kenwood Cremissimo
Full bodied, deep rich taste, minimal bitter aftertaste, but not overly sweet. Very impressed. 4/5
30th Mar, 2009, 4:41pm
Open Source Solution Centre, Portadown
The Open Source Solution Centre are running an information evening at the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown on Monday 30th March 2009, there’s more info here and here. I hope attend and help convey what open source can do for business users and what the tangible benefits and advantages are. There is more information about the Open Source Solution Centre here. You can find more about Job Done Right, my open source consultancy and advice service here.
20th Jan, 2009, 11:50pm
Things Obama & I have in common
- We both fluffed our vows, he fluffed his inauguration vow, I fluffed my wedding vow, only one is on the web for the world to see
- there is no 2.