Something More Than a Machine

Managing Software Engineers

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:23:00 +0000

On office aesthetics:

Programmers don't have the same need for wood-paneled expensive plushness that, say, corporate lawyers or investment bankers might. However, the office has to be aesthetically satisfying or it will be tough for anyone to take seriously the idea that the company values aesthetic internal design of computer programs. Similarly, the office has to be finished and well-executed or nobody will believe that the organization is committed to finishing products. In the long run it is impossible for an organization to be excellent in one area and mediocre in all others.

McDonald's Closes Shop in Iceland

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:42:11 +0000

Come to think of it, I never once saw a McDonalds in Reykjavík.

Feed Store :: My Other Shirt Is In a Shitty Meeting

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:11:31 +0000

I wonder if I could get away w/ this shirt at work?

Daring Fireball: Pound the Quality

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:26:12 +0000

“If you have the facts on your side, pound the facts. If you have the law on your side, pound the law. If you have neither on your side, pound the table.”

Nepal's latest adventure sport: parahawking

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:40:17 +0000

Badass.

We don't need roads - Working without distraction : my minimalist Macintosh experience

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:35:40 +0000

Iceland looks to serve the world

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:55:14 +0000

Could this be an opportunity to move to Iceland for a high-tech job?

Google Docs Spreadsheet list of every TED talk

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:45 +0000

Great for rainy days.

C graffiti - Boing Boing

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:40:41 +0000

Clever form of Graffiti, but it's buggy and won't work as intended.

Mysterious Mushrooms - a set on Flickr

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:42:39 +0000

Need help identifying these mushrooms and potential ways to keep them under control. If disturbed they disintegrate into a fine brown powder not unlike smoke.

Adobe UI Gripes

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:39:23 +0000

Kind of like Fail Blog, but for Adobe Products.

Costco - $799.99 after $200 OFF Shelf Reliance THRIVE™ 1-year Supply Dehydrated

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:25:18 +0000

I'm really having a hard time resisting this. 4,700 servings, 20 year shelf life and a wheat grinder?! Can YOU think of a better way of spending $800?

YouTube - iPhone bug

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:10:03 +0000

Can't figure this one out and Apple is mum re: causes. Hoping to spread the word and get some attention to the problem.

Put down the compiler until you learn why they're not buying

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:19:57 +0000

Existing customers bought in spite of barriers to sale, so they're no help in identifying the barriers. Listen to them to increase your product's value, but listening to them to increase sales is classic survivor bias.

Where the Wild Things Were (my backyard) - a set on Flickr

oxtopus@gmail.com (Austin Marshall) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:59:53 +0000