(Originally posted 2011-08-11.)
Usually when I go away on holiday I bring something back with me. Often in the form of fresh ideas. This year it’s been such a hectic one that all I did was to flake out. So no new ideas this time. Perhaps that’s a good thing, perhaps not. π
But I think I did achieve something: Mental decluttering. So I can, for example, look at stuff I was working on with a fresh take.
And the timing is actually pretty good for that: On Sunday I fly to Poughkeepsie to begin a four-week residency. We’ll be writing a Redbook on "Batch Modernization", following on from Batch Modernization on z/OS, which people seem to have rather liked. π
I actually don’t know who will be on the team: I expect a mixture of the previous team (any of whom I’d be glad to be working with again) and new people (pleased to meet you). π
I also don’t know what we’re going to write about. So I really do start with a "clean mind". π Or at least, I hope, an open one.
I think some of what I’ve talked about in recent posts could be useful – if not immediately reused – in the Redbook. I’ve also a few bits and pieces in my mind. But it’s a team effort to define shape and content. (And one of my ideas is that we look at each other’s stuff more this time around – to provide a different perspective.)
Now, I think there are two things that concern you, dear reader :
- A question: Are there topics in the Batch Modernisation realm you’d particularly like to see covered? No promises, but I am interested…
- A hope: I’d like to think I could take some extracts from what we’re writing and post them here. Again, no promises as the rest of the team might not be happy with these "teasers".
I should point out that it’s not MY residency: My friend Alex Louwe-Kooijmans is running it. And, further, it’s a team effort. But I’m raring to go, recharged from holiday, and hoping to share what I can with you.
(And actually I did experiment with one thing while away: Programming Mac OS X – both Applescript and with Objective C. It’s the first time I’ve really had the chance to get to know my Macbook Pro.)
One thought on “Back From Vacation And Raring To Go – To Poughkeepsie”