Metrics based Refactoring for cleaner code
Refactoring is a key practice to improved code hygiene. Making refactoring part of your next project is one thing but if you have just joined a team or project with a significant amount of debt how do you work on … Continue reading →
Oh My ZSH
oh-my-zsh is framework for managing zsh configuration. The default configuration adds some interesting enhancements. The following shows all the Java files in the current and sub directories. ls **/*.java Ryan Bates has a nice Railscasts episode covering oh-my-zsh I have … Continue reading →
AgileDC β Introduction to Continuous Delivery
Yesterday I presented a talk entitled Introduction to Continuous Delivery at AgileDC. The audience was great and the room packed which is always a recipe for success. I really enjoyed talking about Continuous Delivery and there were some really interesting … Continue reading →
Agile DC
I am really syched about talking at AgileDC tomorrow. The topic of my talk is an Introduction to Continuous Delivery.
Encapsulating Databases
Small systems grow with success. As these systems grow they often take on more and more functionality either directly into the main system component or into sub-systems. As the systems grow in complexity and responsibility their database requirements grow at … Continue reading →
Insulating against failure using Caching Reverse Proxies
Reverse proxies have been around for a very long time and depending on your application either interesting additions or a key element to your architecture. Despite their long history I was recently reminded of some interesting applications of Caching reverse … Continue reading →
asciidoc experiments
I have always been interested in text processing systems. This is probably rooted in the time that I discovered computing and programming. At that time the state of the art was ROFF (T)ROFF and a whole family of plain text … Continue reading →
Site Info
Welcome to my website. This site is really a hub for me to be able to find all the things that I participate in online. I imagine that if you found this website hoping you will find out about me please feel free to dig around.
I have been developing software professionally since 1985 in a fairly wide range of technologies for quite a few industry areas. Happily I learn something new every day. I like to think that there are no "bad" projects just learning opportunities.
Some time ago I was working on a "difficult" project. The technology was not that inspiring but the challenges facing the client in a large programme of work were daunting. Learning to help with those challenges and form a strong relationship with the client.
I work for ThougthWorks as a Principal Consultant. I have found ThoughtWorks to be the most inspiring organization I have ever worked for. The Planet TW and ThoughtWorks Blogs are very insightful.
About Me
Born in 1962 near Bristol (England). I have a passion for software, technology, climbing and the
great outdoors.
Spent 1982-1985 at the University of Kent at Canterbury working late into the night mixing for
bands and helping out with college discos.
1985 - now learning the error of my student days by working far too hard but enjoying most of
it.
Interests
- Software Development
- Photograph - viewing and taking
- Walking
- Climbing