https://twitter.com/adinnaplus/status/1266772475003768838 Have you heard about open-spaces before? Have you ever been to an unconference? If yes, find something else to read. Otherwise, keep on reading. I'm going to describe how I experienced a virtual unconference I recently attended. By the end, you will have some good reasons to join one. What is an unconference? I've … Continue reading CITCON 2020, a virtual unconference
A framework for handling difficult conversations
Communication is one of the few skills for which the return of investment is immediate, applies to all areas of life and compounds over time.personal insight For a couple of months, difficult conversations have been a topic of great interest to me. The way I used to handle them is to go into conflict avoidance … Continue reading A framework for handling difficult conversations
Checklist for learning Scala
https://twitter.com/ConstantinHoria/status/1351458487088406529 Learning Scala doesn't have to be painful. In a previous article, I proposed the use of a checklist to give structure to learning a new programming language. My intention with this article is to demonstrate how to use a checklist to learn scala. The checklist Mindset Personal why's for learning Scala: I've wanted to … Continue reading Checklist for learning Scala
Checklist for learning a new programming language
Update 22/01/2020: I've applied the checklist to learning Scala and I'm updating it based on that experience. In a workshop that I recently gave, I compared learning a new programming language with learning a new natural language. Depending on your experience, learning a new programming language might be a medium difficulty task or a hard … Continue reading Checklist for learning a new programming language
Mobile app makers review
A friend came to me recently with the idea of creating a mobile app that would support the learning platform that he already has. We discussed what features he wanted and what his budget was. The budget was tight, and I realized that developing the app from scratch was not an option. I used this … Continue reading Mobile app makers review
Unit testing algorithms
In the last weeks, I've been improving my computer science knowledge by solving programming problems. Since these problems have multiple solutions, I find myself writing duplicated unit tests. And refactoring these tests is cumbersome (if find&replace doesn't work). To make the point clear, I'm going to pick a problem with many possible implementations: sorting an … Continue reading Unit testing algorithms
Xiaomi MiBand3 and privacy… not much
29/12/2020 Update: Almost a year after my complaint, I received an answer: the Dutch Personal Data Authority are not going to research my complaint further because they can't say if they are able to be effective in reaching the goal of the complaint. Additionally, there were no other complaints against Huami, so they consider it … Continue reading Xiaomi MiBand3 and privacy… not much
Database integration tests
Did you ever struggle while trying to write integration tests without mocking the third party? I know I did. I've known about Martin Fowler since I was a junior developer. He is one of my favorite technology thought-leaders and I enjoy reading the thought-provoking articles that he publishes on his blog. In this post, I … Continue reading Database integration tests
Setting up a “fresh” MacBook
Only for developers that use macOS… Setting up a “fresh” laptop for development is always painful, be it windows, macOS or Linux. It’s the second time in the last year when I do a fresh install of macOS on my MacBook. I’m tired of installing all the apps that I need in one-by-one fashion. I’m … Continue reading Setting up a “fresh” MacBook
Simple (and fun) 360 feedback process
In the last year, I’ve been testing a new feedback meeting style that is surprisingly valuable. The meeting is intense, but it energizes me and gives me a team-feeling that will last for days. Additionally, I get an idea of what I need to tackle at work in the next months. I'm happy with these outcomes so … Continue reading Simple (and fun) 360 feedback process