I’m talking to “Doc” List about proposing an open space for Agile 2009. Here are my initial notes. I know the deadline is any day now…

“the meteoric rise of interest in and sometimes tremendous criticism of Agile Methodologies is about the mushy stuff of values and culture” — Jim Highsmith, History: The Agile Manifesto

We, workers, sometimes feel pressure to overlook ethical lapses and compromise personal values in order to provide for our families.

We may turn a blind eye to unfair treatment, un-sustainable pace, and less candor than agile principles demand. Particularly in this economy, we may relax the types of businesses/clients for whom we are willing to labor, what we are willing to build and the code we are willing to commit.

We may pragmatically define performance as doing what we’re told to the potential detriment of end users, the long-term success of our projects and the mastery that builds careers.

Can we create a safe, open space where software workers can discuss these challenges with a community of peers for advice, critique and kinship?

Short link: http://jkat.me/dH4gp1

Tag(s): Jim Highsmith, software workers

Comments: none

Walking the village past the bankrupting sublet of our first new york month

refurbished sweatshop infested with more dogs than roaches

where our 3 month old shimmied off the unfamiliar bed into the bedside stand

where I commuted to the mid-bust media job after the first of five layoff rounds

realizing it’s been one bitch of a firefight since day one

Short link: http://jkat.me/gRjhla

Tag(s): mid-bust media job, New York

Comments: none

Here’s to competence, experience, courage and tremendous luck.

Short link: http://jkat.me/gXdrCf

Tag(s): good work

Comments: none

From Engadgit, A lightweight, large e-reader using a plastic lcd display.

Plastic Logic’s targeting the business market is an interesting idea. It worked for Blackberry before iPhone cracked the consumer market.

I want color e-paper and the ability to roll or fold the display. Come on, that would be cool.

Short link: http://jkat.me/gC9WrH

Tag(s): e-paper, e-reader, iPhone, technology

Comments: 2

My favorite restaurant.

Where I fell in love with Thai food fifteen years ago. Lunch prices all the time. Dinner and weekend hours.

Fifteen years ago, I ate there several times a week.

The owner has resisted the urge to change. Same menu, almost the same prices.

In Seattle for a weekend last month, I found time for thom ka kai. Nothing could live up to memories of soups past but I wasn’t disappointed.

Working hard, doing the job well, and unspoiled by success.

Short link: http://jkat.me/koXpKB

Tag(s): food, Mae Phim Thai, My favorite restaurant, photo, Seattle

Comments: none