Tag Archives: consulting

General

Nature software

Hmmm, looking at the credits on an episode of planet earth, I don’t see any credits for software/IT support staff. I’m sure there _is_ some, but the fact that it’s uncredited probably indicates that there isn’t as much computing going on in the production of such a series as there ought to be. I can think of lots of ways that software and computing infrastructure could support efficient production, insightful exploration of A/V materials and data, exceptional editing, etc., and I’m sure that current off-the-shelf software can’t be doing everything that can be done there.

So, if anyone reading this is a nature documentary producer, I’ve got two requests of you: produce lots and lots more content on the level of quality of planet earth (even a level or two lower quality would still be great), and talk to me about how to make more and better stuff through software magic.

General

Work space

Hmmm, might have to finally go read some of this guy’s stuff, just because he’s a lot like me in this way: Malcom Gladwell/My Work Space

General

Specs, waterfalls, terminal completeness

I’m working on a project in which some of the deliverables are specifications. I haven’t written many documents that would properly be termed ‘specs’ before, so I’m learning a good deal from the experience.

One thing I was just pondering is that if one works for the goal of making a ‘complete’ spec, one is assuming a waterfall model of development (Wikipedia: Waterfall model, Why people still believe in the waterfall model), which is bad. In real life, a spec is a sort of snapshot of a continuing process, which is therefore not ‘complete’ (unless your philosophical orientation says that a thing is always complete in itself by its own definition).

This does remind me, though, of one of the complaints one often sees about consultants. One way to relieve the tension between completeness and a continuous process is to construct a shiny veneer of completeness, then take the money and run before the process comes back around to show the holes in the veneer.

Of course, it’s necessary to choose some point at which to exchange artifacts for money and call it “done enough for now”, so maybe it’s all in the attitude.