I want to run an Agile project

 Entertainment, Process Methodology  No Responses »
Feb 122013
 

To some an ‘Agile’ project means delivering value to a client or business more frequently than with other methodologies.  This can be achieved, with the right people, the right sponsorship within the right organisation which is open to the concept.

Other times, trying to run a successful Agile project will look a lot more like this clip below from YouTube…

Unfortunately, this clip likely is a better representation of reality than we’d care to admit.

Without the appropriate buy-in from all stakeholders in a project, and acknowledgement that the Agile approach doesn’t necessarily align with more stringent or rigid processes and frameworks, an Agile approach simply won’t work.

If you want to know why, perhaps it’s worth reading the Agile Manifesto itself.  Believe it or not, behind all the hype, there’s real method to the principals of the manifesto – many of which fly in the face of more rigid and stringent “quality” measures.

Share this article if you agree….


Celebrating 8 years of technical blog writing

New Equipment: Rega RP1

 Entertainment, Hobbies  No Responses »
Jan 192013
 

Rega RP1

Time for a little “off topic” content.

Just after Christmas last year, I ponied up the cash to purchase a new turntable.  The new equipment – made in England – is the Rega RP-1 and includes the RP-1 performance pack factory fitted, and I bought the “cool grey” finish.  Because my Sony Muteki amplifier doesn’t have a Phono setting, I also bought the Rega pre-amp.

Rega RP1

As I have a fairly decent range of vinyl, I figured it was about time I upgraded the turntable.  I guess now I’ll need to think about the amplifier and speakers, but that’s a problem for another time.

Rega RP1

The reviews for this particular turntable are pretty good.  When I saw the tone arm demonstrated in-shop, I realised just what a work of art this thing is.  The arm moves almost seamlessly down onto the surface of the record, with the slightest touch.

The unit is fully manual – no auto return – but the absence of automation means Rega were able to put in a serious cartridge and drive belt.  There’s also no speed switch, to switch from 33 to 45, one must physically remove the platter and then move the belt, but it’s really simple!  Takes literally a few seconds.

Rega RP1

The unit is striking as well as performing admirably and for something under AUD $600, hard to beat at that price point. 

It takes only a few minutes to set up (it’s almost entirely plug and play) but once you get going, you’ll be astounded by how much more natural base is from your LPs, and how little (actually none) interference comes from the turntable itself.  It’s like being in the studio when an album was recorded.  Sweet.

My previous turntable has been relegated onto the desk in my office where it plays the less conditioned of my LPs.

For more info – here’s a link to the RP1’s manual.

Far Cry 3 Experience

 Entertainment, Games, Hobbies, Personal and Hobbies  No Responses »
Nov 122012
 

image

I’m always a huge fan of the immersive gameplay experience, and the folks at Ubisoft are very, very good at it.  Ubisoft are the name behind some of the most successful game franchises in recent memory, from Assassin’s Creed, Driver, Far Cry to the Tom Clancy series (Rainbow Six/Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon).

It’s been around four years since Far Cry 2 and in case you haven’t heard, Far Cry 3 isn’t too far away.  To lead into the upcoming release, the folks at Ubisoft have prepared ‘The Far Cry Experience’, which is a web series designed to tie into the next release.

What’s in the upcoming release?  I’m glad you asked!  Here’s a little about the plot of Far Cry 3 (courtesy of Wikipedia):

“Far Cry 3 returns the series to a tropical island setting, similar to the first game and unlike the second game, which took place in an African savannah setting.

Players will assume the role of protagonist Jason Brody, a tourist who has been stranded on an island chain in the grips of violent local conflict for years.  Jason has been separated from his girlfriend and, in his search for her, developers have stated he will have to deal with a wide cast of mostly unstable characters who have been trapped on these islands for some time.”

Here’s a bit of info about the web series, “The Far Cry Experience” itself:

“The Far Cry Experience is a four episode mockumentary web series created and produced internally by Ubisoft to tie in with the release of the Far Cry 3 game.

The series stars Superbad and Kick-Ass actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse as himself. It also stars Michael Mando, the voice and performance capture actor for the game’s character Vaas Montenegro.

This web series was designed to give fans the opportunity to experience and interact with the Far Cry 3 world in an original and innovative way.

The idea behind the project was not to create the movie adapted from the game, but rather to expand the game experience by offering a different perspective on the Far Cry universe.  From the very beginning, Far Cry Experience was thought as a big gift to fans.

What would happen if a gamer (represented by Chris) was suddenly immersed in a video game world? How would he react if he was confronted by Vaas, Far Cry 3’s iconic video game villain?

In its execution, the series is aimed to play with the codes of gaming, transcribing its violence while maintaining a humorous tone.”

There’s also an official site for the game located here.  You can read an advanced preview review of Far Cry 3 on the Sydney Morning Herald site too.

To save you some time, here’s episode 1 of the 4 episode series, courtesy of YouTube:

Vidéo virale par ebuzzing

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