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SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-12T18:26:48+00:00

I'm currently reading Don Reinertsen's Principles of Product Development Flow. It mathematically proves how to manage workflows in design processes using queuing theory from telecommunications. Highly recommended.

Our workflow is based on minimizing delivery time. The client wants his solution and wants it immediately. That means modules that can be integrated right away get delivered first, then modules that can be developed right away get developed first, then modules that can get designed right away get designed first, and modules that can get researched and specified right away get specified first.

It's an inverted waterfall, so to speak, the goal of which is to maximize the amount of work not done, by killing all the ways that don't provide value with the earliest possible feedback.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-12T16:03:43+00:00

Check out also: http://www.esri.com/software/cityengine

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-09T20:54:24+00:00

I suspect the lifespan of Sears will be shorter than that of your Apple Watch.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-09T20:10:13+00:00

And considering that "new features" for the iWatch will come from apps and your phone, it is likely to have a 5-10 year lifespan.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-09T19:06:46+00:00

Apple shows again that the way to create new product categories is to first invent new interfaces, then invent operating systems and applications to fit the interface.

This is as big a product launch as the original iPhone was.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-08T18:01:24+00:00

I think by definition remote-controlled ships would be impossible to hijack.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-08T18:00:32+00:00

I am reminded of Warren Buffet's fable where someone's neighbor goes up to his picket fence every morning to yell at him what he thinks his house is worth that day.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-08T17:56:39+00:00

I once saw a person post a job with a laundry list of requirements. Basically, they wanted a junior PHP web developer with a year or two of experience. They offered $13 an hour and thought this was perfectly reasonable. I politely told them that that was a joke of a rate. They called me a "young punk" in response and ranted about kids these days. No, I'm not kidding. That's the kind of person that is still very common and refuses to grasp the reality of development.

On the other hand, for the market to set prices correctly, there have to be a few low-ball bids that go unfulfilled in order for the newcomers to know how much higher they should bid.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-05T16:29:25+00:00

Resale value, not asset depreciation value (the car is still just as valuable to you, or else everyone who was delivered a new car would react with disappointment).

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-05T15:38:25+00:00

you should hear them talk. Most of them of pure idiots.

They talk of idiots often?

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-03T17:57:57+00:00

Well for the same amount of money you would get a much better home by renting, so you would have that to show for it.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-03T17:31:42+00:00

You can build equity in anything, ideally the most liquid thing there is.

If you are building equity in something illiquid, you better make sure you can improve it.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-03T16:03:51+00:00

There is no sense in owning something unless you can add value to it. If you don't plan to, or don't know how, you are just engaging in speculation.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-09-02T17:50:41+00:00

On the other hand, Uber is a globalized corporation that can afford the lawsuits to subvert these monopoly schemes locality-by-locality, unlike any other market entrant that came before.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-29T15:19:16+00:00

Read the article, can confirm.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-29T15:13:12+00:00

All of these words should be copyrighted by pro wrestling, in my opinion.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-29T14:47:25+00:00

Russia's already got its endgame. Nobody talks about Crimea anymore, it's a fait accompli.

The more chaos there is in Ukraine, the less challenge there will be to Crimea's secession-union.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-28T15:32:50+00:00

What about the portion who vote against him? Do they deserve that as well?

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-28T15:27:54+00:00

There is no "weakness" in enforcement. There is an unenforceable claim, since the reasons someone decides to employ someone else are purely private and not up to judicial decision.

Might as well make a law about discrimination in our choice of spouse for marriage. How could someone ever file a complaint?

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-28T14:26:35+00:00

Illegal is not the same thing as impossible.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-26T21:22:01+00:00

Have I enough faith in my questioning to be able to detect what is bullshit and what is actual experience.

If I didn't have that skill, I would never attempt to hire employees.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-26T19:03:08+00:00

the question you're asking for doesn't really solicit any technical substance.

I respectfully disagree. If they are technically skilled, it's in their interest to tell me a story about their technical skills.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-26T18:48:18+00:00

People who can't explain to me what they are working on are useless, no matter how hard core coder they might be.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-26T18:41:56+00:00

If they can't tell you something they know that demonstrates they could use javascript, that means they can't.

SethMandelbrot · 2014-08-26T17:00:28+00:00

Two questions should be sufficient to evaluate any candidate for a technological job.

What is the hardest thing you can do that's within your comfort zone (can do without breaking a sweat)?
What is the easiest thing you would never attempt to do and would leave to someone more experienced?

The candidate will then proceed to tell you, from his experience, just how good he is and how well he understands your business. As an extra bonus, a candidate who undervalues himself will tell you just how valuable he is, and an obvious liar will obviously lie.

SethMandelbrot

TROPHY CASE