User Levels and spreadsheets

I've not been writing since Xmas because I've taken a break from the computer world and sorting out moving house.

Anyway yesterday I realised again it's not a good idea to think that all users can use standard technology on whatever level they work at and have to be shown, lead or taught depending on their technology level.

I'm pretty useless at writing macros and using MS Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc, but there are high level technology users in my office who are equally as bad, and low level users who are brillant.

Technorati Tags: Open Source, spreadsheet, software

Understanding free software and Bloppers in Movies

Having used free software since I came into computing I've had to explain the meaning to many people. This article from freesoftewaremagazine uses a cake as a good analogy to explain what "free" means.

Many movies show their protagonists using computers to save the day. However it's always amazing what the computer can do compared to real life. For example in the 24, they are able to download information to a PDA without problems and there is always someone who can crack the computer code of the enemy just in time which is always helped by the fact they can just demand more computing power when they need it. In Minority Report, Tom Cruise's character is seen using a 3D computer to move files around and collect information. The system doesn't crash and Tom Cruise never gets tired. Anyway more movie bloopers

Technorati Tags: Open Source, Movies, software, Films

JUnit with Annotations

Every since I was at university I've always unit tested my code in some shape or form. A few years ago I came across JUnit which made unit testing easier. Today after having used JUnit 4 for some weeks as it comes preinstalled in Eclipse I came across this article, "JUnit with Annotations".

Java 6 has been out for a few days. As I'm using Java 5 at the moment it seems like a minor upgrade for what I am developing.




Technorati Tags: Testing, Junit, software, Java

Keeping Children Safe On The Internet

While I was reading some blogs I overheard on the radio that the UK government wants to establish a kitemark for software that keeps children safe on the internet from paedophiles.

This news has made me sit and snigger as the fact that any computer contacted to the internet has a browser which allows you to go to any site you like which hosts a message board, forum or gives you access to webmail.

The only real way to keep children safe while using the internet is by being aware of what internet sites they are going on to, using kiddie control software which doesn't let them browse certain sites (surprisely this actually works) and produces a log of what sites they have to, explaining to them that people on the internet are not always who they seem and most importantly actually talking to your child. By talking I mean you get into the habit of asking about "their" day and actually listening. That way they will be more inclined to tell you what is in their letters, emails, etc. In fact they will be so happy that you are interested, you will actually wishing at times they would shut up.


Technorati Tags: government, technology, software, politics, children

No Silver Bullet

I was reading about software development again and came across this article called "No Silver Bullet" The article just reminds you of the fact that software development is a complex process and whatever new methodologies, languages or tools that come around that make development easier they will never be a cure all as software is designed by humans.

A bit of trivia you can find out what ipaddress you are currently surfing from at ip-address.com


Technorati Tags: ip address, technology, development

Teaching People Who Are Scared Of Computers

One of my brother's is scared of the unknown. This means he is scared of using a computer to do things he hasn't been taught because he thinks it can go wrong if he presses the wrong button. This has good points and bad points.

The advantage is that I can teach him to use software such as Firefox and tell him that using stuff like IE is bad because it allows more spyware on your computer. (This isn't explicity true now.)

The disadvantages is that I can set something up for him i.e. parental controls that send him email activity of his kids surfing habits but if I forget to tell him how to read them he won't do it. He will also be afraid to ask thinking I have told him what to do. Luckily he has a wife who is not afraid to use a PC or ask questions on what she doesn't know.

His behaviour remainds me of the things that people put on mailing lists about bosses refusing to teach people how to use new software programs particularly if they are old. The fact is that some people whatever stage they are in life are open to new things in different arenas while others are not. Saying you don't want your staff trained because you think they are not capable of learning new things shows the problem lies in you because noone knows exactly how another individual thinks.

Of course you may think that if you tell people often enough they can't do something they believe you. However in the Western world of work they will a soon realise that you are a money pinching discriminatory bastard resulting in them leaving, suing you or both.


Technorati Tags: software, teaching, skills