productivity

here is an interesting link concerning productivity in software projects. The model is called the devil's quadrat (by Harry Sneed) and visualizes the interdependences between the following 4 characteristics of a typical project:
quality,
quantity,
time,
and cost.
Productivity can be measured in either of these; however, ignoring the mutual dependencies between the factors can have tremendous effects on your estimates.

The reason is that a team's productivity is invariant; it can not be changed (easily). In the model shown on the web page it becomes clear that each one of a projects characteristics can be changed only at the expense of the others. For example, if one wishes to have high quality, the project will unavoidably take longer to complete, be more expensive, and provide a system with less functionality.

The other side of applying the model is to see how far one can get under given constraints. If, for example, your budget and time are set already (as is the case in many projects) you can (starting from a model of ideal circumstances) estimate how much you can achieve with the resources at hand.

blow your mind

By now it is a well-known trick to break obsessive perfectionism: Do something out of your routine. Like taking the wrong bus, remain in your train one or two stops too long and see where it takes you to, take the other turn on your way home.. or the other staircase.

On my hitlist these days are: inviting a stranger for tea (to be precise, someone who thinks you are your own sister), going to perform music knowing only place and time but not people and pieces, playing scotland yard with the public transport, greeting someone with good wishes without needing anything from them, not even information. Probably most of these things sound rather trivial. Maybe they are, but one thing i've learned is that doing simple things you're not used to can be quite difficult.

The results of this study are quite varied, with one common element: the outcome was always interesting and positive, as well as relaxing. Like fresh air blowing through my head, taking away all the dullness and over-focussedness of everyday life. The best experience was being surprised by the world, even sometimes surprising myself (which usually proves even more difficult). And as surprises are, one remembers them and the special aspect of the world which made them happen.

Baseline of the whole thing: I warmly recommend you to try breaking your routines (that is, if you do have them). One thing to keep in mind though is to try this when you're alone - you can't coordinate so well when you don't know what you're going to do next!

munich north

no space pictures

i realised that i find taking pictures most interesting when being in transit - somewhere on my way between some 2 well defined locations. maybe it's because i know that what my camera catches is something which does not really exist like that in the 'normal' world and which is unlikely to be observed again in exactly the same way - a transition between different states of existence

experiment of the day

is it possible for a group of geeks to party with normal people without being uncovered?

[edited 22.02.09: the answer is no]

stupid lecture passtime

imagine how all the people would look if they were bald - and don't laugh ;)

Abstract writing

as some of you are about to hand in their thesis soon, I decided to post this for you to give you some handy advice ;)

good luck!

over the top - and it's not even April :D

I'm still not completely able to believe THIS - street signs in all US have to be replaced because XING.com now established their brand name?? One would dearly hope that it can't be true, it would be THAT idiotic! Imagine, one would have to patent each and every name or word used on traffic signs, just to prevent one international company from doing the same thing and forcing you to change all your signs (apart from the totally ridiculous nature of the problem it also imposes an considerable strain on the states budgets. and nothing hurts more than HAVING to spend public money on totally useless things in times of serious trouble).
[how right I was about not completely believing! but I guess I should have been even more trusting my intuition :D]

clouds on the ground

going home through the dense fog last night really was a remarkable experience. it was like walking in a cloud, like it sometimes happens on the mountains in winter. suddenly all the familiar views were hidden and there seemed to be no sound at all except for the crackling and crunching noises caused by my own steps. there were few other people hurrying home but they were hardly much more than fuzzy schemes. the only intense sensation in this moment was the prickling feeling on my face, caused from the icy humid air.

nice thing of the day

there was a lot of ugly stuff today. however, one thing definitely cheered me up: i managed to solve Rubik's cube for the first time in my life! (of course, as soon as i had finished it, i had to experiment with creating patterns and managed to destroy it nearly instantly.. but then, somehow it does not bother me at all! i'll just try it again ;)