Education, Education and yet again - Education

"Man is a mine rich in gems of inestimable value, lack of a proper education hath deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess." (Baha'i Writings)

This week has been all about education for our family.
Our daughter went to an end of year party for those leaving school; my wife attended a party at the school she taught at which was celebrating 40 years since the school opened; and I spent several days on a training course for Software Testing.

There are some who thing that once they leave school, that is the end of their education. I disagree, as do many more. There are training courses for adults on many different aspects of life - whether it be through employment training, religious groups running (Baha'i 'Study Circles', Christian Bible classes and so on), or through a club such as sports training, learning a new skill or hobby.

Every day is an opportunity to be a better person than the day before. Kinder, gentler, more compassionate, more skilled - that is what we all need to become. Go to it!

Discussion and Consultation

On a training course in Software Testing, and the topic came round to how testing staff should handle the process of informing the developers of the faults that had been found.

Suggestions ranged from "Here, you idiot, look what I've found in your code" to a more diplomatic "I have found a problem here and I am not sure if I have done the wrong thing in my test or there is a problem in the code. Can you help me?"

We all agreed that the more diplomatic way was best, as irritating the developers would not be the way to get their cooperation. I fell to thinking at the lunch break that this is not limited to dealings between developers and testers, but is applicable to all human interactions. I read a book some years ago called "Consultation" by John Kolstoe where he dealt with this and other aspects.

If in a discussion, the people offering the suggestions then detach themselves from those ideas, they will not become offended when the ideas are challenged. In that way it should be possible to reach an agreement without anyone being upset. It is only by holding on to "my idea" that I would become annoyed if it was not accepted.

What a busy life!

Progression and advancement at work - I have been asked to take on more responsibilities, joining a working group to develop and improve our software testing methods and systems, and to become a mentor for some of the less experienced staff.

Together with unpaid voluntary work designing membership systems, it has left me with little time spare this week.

There is a danger that I will neglect my family, but I am determined that should not happen, so for the last two nights we have removed the table cloth and been doing a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle. Many years ago as a teacher I first became aware of 'latch key kids' whose parents were so busy making money that they had no time to share with their children.

We all live in a world where the pace of life seems to be getting faster and faster, yet the quality of life is not improving.

I am reminded of the poem by William Henry Davies -
"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows. ..."

Have a nice day

Today has been a good day. Email support has resolved my computer problem - and now I have the machine up and running again, with email, printing, browser and database all OK. I'm now running Ubuntu.

Cycling in to work and back again was good, going past those cars that were stuck in the traffic. OK, if it rains tomorrow I will go by bus. Whichever way, I am saving lots on not driving a car, am healthier and much more relaxed.

Met new colleagues at work today - three people from Russia over on a temporary basis from one of our contracting 'partner' companies. We shared stories of our families at lunch time. I have found on my travels that humans the world over are not so different from each other.

"The world is one Country and Mankind its Citizens" (From the Baha'i Writings)

Recovery from disaster - part 1

Well, I finally decided to upgrade the operating system in my laptop computer today. First step was to archive off all the files I wanted to keep onto a few CDs, and then make a paper note of basic things like internet settings, firewall passwords, and access details for the important websites I visit regularly.

All in all that little lot took a couple of hours to complete. Why bother, you might ask? Most folks would just plough straight in and do the upgrade. A foolish action that I caution against, and events have proved me right. The upgrade failed just after it had wiped my hard disk!

So, I started my backup plan - get computer running on CD only, then use webmail to contact support desk and continue reading my messages, editing this blog and so on.

Just goes to show, planning is important in all things.

Our consumer society

I am saddened, but not surprised, that so many people seem intent on ruining themselves and those around them. This was brought home to me yesterday by two things that I saw. The first was a set of comments by motorists who feel that the way (ie speed) they drive or the petrol consumption of the vehicle they choose to drive is of no concern of any one else.
The second was a trip I made to a local electrical store, looking for a new hi-fi unit as the one we have has finally broken down. I was shocked to find that most units had a power output well over ten times the value of our current system (and even that I have never turned up to top volume in our large living room)!

I was brought up to think of the consequences of my actions, and to think of other people before myself. Am I in a minority, then? If so, what hope is there for our planet?

Begin Annotating

Annotations - comments in the margins; additional, amplifying explanations; added as and when needed.

This is just a series of comments on life in general, from the viewpoint of my being both a member of the Baha'i Faith, and a computer programmer/analyst/database designer. (For equal lengths of time - 37 years to date).
I have been involved with the internet from way back in the mid 80's, devising a simple set of markings to use between my employer and translators across Europe, and using email to send out the press releases to journalists.
Recently I have been asked to write reviews of some computer books, and just last weekend to 'appear' on local radio to review the Sunday papers (as a 'representative' of the Baha'i Faith).
Today I was asked to help out explaining some computer programing for one of my colleagues. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?