08 May 2023
08 May 2023

Xerox stars for accessibility

I was working for Xerox when the Xerox Star, precursor to all the computer systems in use today, was introduced. Before then, computer users just had command-line or character-based GUIs. The Xerox Star workstations were displayed for the first time for us insiders in a special room, like a secular chapel, guarded over by the … Read more
05 January 2023
05 January 2023

Don’t Just Chase the Shiny

Fish are beautiful creatures, but they have one minor issue. The main thing I remember from the years I fished is that fish can be susceptible. If you have a fishing lure that shows off with a bright, colorful, shiny appearance that splashes around just right, fish will lose their minds and go after it, … Read more
19 December 2022
19 December 2022

Resolving to Write in the New Year

It is almost New Year’s Day, that time when the optimistic at heart start thinking about making changes in their life on that magical day that ends the year. After the glorious gluttony-fest that has only recently ended in many cultures, it does feel like a great time to start. If you have your life/work … Read more
01 November 2022
01 November 2022

Calling all leaders: People matter

At the turn of the millennium, I was a young adult, just finished education and starting my very first job at a software company. I was excited, enthusiastic, and felt well-prepared for a life of “Office 9 to 5” and was looking forward to earning my keep. But I was naïve when it came to … Read more
01 September 2022
01 September 2022

Starting my dream job…

“ A new adventure, there in your eyes. It’s just beginning, Feel your heart beat faster. Reach out and find your Happily ever after! “ Well, here I am. My first new job in over 20 years and it is a dream come true. I have always wanted to do more to help people learn … Read more
01 September 2022
01 September 2022

Do not be surprised

For the first time in eleven years of travel, I became profoundly sick while on the road. No, I’m not sharing details of any kind. What I will share is just this; I wasn’t prepared. When I travel, I look at the weather, where I’m going, how long, and I pack accordingly. I have my … Read more
03 August 2022
03 August 2022

Technology is hard

I book my travel almost exclusively through a single airline and its affiliates. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the big one is status. And no, not so I get upgrades (although they are very nice), but so when things go wrong, I have a hotline to getting them fixed. However, I … Read more
15 July 2022
15 July 2022

Let’s talk about salary

Said no manager ever. Money is the one thing every candidate at any job interview is advised never to mention. The salary on offer for the role is treated almost like a *dirty secret. Job advertisements only reveal a band or range, which makes sense to a certain extent, given that the candidate may be … Read more
01 June 2022
01 June 2022

One more about Star Trek

I can’t move on from editing Simple Talk without one  more editorial about Star Trek. There are over 600 hours of episodes and movies to watch, and despite being a fan, I don’t think I’ll ever catch up. Even worse, I haven’t watched most of what I’ve seen more than once. Lately, I just completed … Read more
20 April 2022
20 April 2022

A day without meetings

Back when it was more difficult to work from home due to bandwidth, I would often head into the office to work for several hours on some weekends and bank holidays like President’s Day. I was a database administrator and was always involved with many projects, but what would make me give up my well-deserved … Read more