A new day

I've arrived at the end of a new day, and yet again there was just not enough time to do it all. As usual, more demands, less time. Clients pushing dates back as a result of not knowing what a "Report" is not to mention a "Report Requirement". Other clients, coming to the conclusion that they actually do need some guidance. Pushed and Pulled in multiple directions seems to be the way... Feast and Famine, when it rains it pours, etc... you name it.

But, I don't think I could have it any other way. Where else can you work on some custom servelets one day, ORACLE the next, MS SQL Server Stored Procedures after that, then an IBM WebSphere installation for some custom web apps and SSO? I think I'd be bored anywhere else.

So, with all of my extra time, here to the new blog

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Passing Parameters to a Scripted DataSet;or any DataSet for that matter The first time I heard the phrase "parameter binding to a data set" cold chills shot down my spine. I was thrust right back into my first OO Programming Class, where concepts like "pointers", "polymorphism" and others were thrown around like we were all just born to understand these abstract descriptions. Why not call it something simpler... like Parameter "place-holder" or "access point" ? Using the word "parameter binding" just makes it sound more complicated than it has to be. ...Maybe that's the idea? We are talking about nerdy techie types after all. That said, I will try to make sure I don't needlessly try to impress with my cryptic verbage. So, here it goes. If you are both new to BIRT and have to use a scripted source the way IBM’s Maximo implementations do, you might not know where to begin right off the bat. I will break it down into sm
Read more

Automating; the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

So, when it comes to building a reporting solution why is it that users just want to "Automate" their already overly complex and convoluted Excel or Power Points? Almost every engagement requiring a "Report" seems to start out the same way. There are two primary trains of thought, the first is to "Get Everything" and the second is to "Automate Everything". Business Analyst say they want "everything" when they don't know exactly what a "Reporting Application" is or they don't know exactly what they want in a Report or Report Application. It's kind of like the General Contractor, who'll tell you he does "anything" when you contact him/her to build you a Deck or replace your Roof. Anytime I see ambiguity at this level, I question the understanding level of the individual making the claim or request. There are two tactics I find very helpful when faced with a request that seems to be less than well though
Read more