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  • Remote Workers...We're Not That Bad!

    - by user12601034
    I work from home a lot – my team is located in different cities and countries, my manager is in a different city, and most of our work is done via conference calls, email and collaboration through Oracle Social Network. We’ve figured out how to be effective and involve team members, regardless of where we are all located. When I mention that I work from home, a lot of my friends will laugh, roll their eyes or use their fingers to make quotation marks around “work from home.” Their belief is that I’m sitting at home, eating bon-bons and watching television. The attempts at humor only multiply when they know that my husband also mostly works from home. So, it was with great joy that I read the Lifehacker article Why Remote Workers Are More (Yes, More) Engaged. I’m not going to re-write the article for you, but four highlights from the article include: Proximity breeds complacency –because communicating with employees sitting next to you is so easy, you may not do it well. Absence makes people try harder to connect – because you have to make an effort to connect to your team, you tend to pay better attention when you do connect Leaders of virtual team make better use of tools – when working remotely, you will use technology (many different forms of it) to connect with your team. This daily use of the tools makes you more proficient with those tools Leaders of far-flung teams maximize the time spent together – getting together takes effort, time and money, so leaders tend to filter out distractions when teams do get together. These points made me happy because I’ve seen the same things play out in my team located around the world. And I’m not saying that a virtual team is more effective than a co-located team – but my virtual team doesn’t have the option of filing into a conference room for a face-to-face meeting whenever we want. Instead, we have to figure out how to work effectively without meeting face-to-face. Am I more engaged as a remote worker? I’d like to think that I am. I’ve been on calls with colleagues at 3am – this would never happen if my only option was to be in the office. I can leave my “office” to pick up my kids from school…and I’m willingly back online after kids are in bed to finish up anything I need to. Oracle Social Network lets me use my iPad to engage with my teammates when I’m waiting at music lessons, the doctor’s office or any place else with a network connection. I feel like I’m more connected with my team, and I feel like I’m more connected with my family life. So yes, I am a remote worker, and I am engaged. If you lead a virtual team, I challenge you to increase the ways that you communicate to effectively engage your team. If you are on a virtual team, I challenge you to think about how you might interact with team members to keep both them and yourself engaged in your work. And if you have some great ideas on how to make virtual teams (and workers) effective and engaged, please share those ideas in the comments! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get a bon-bon...   :) Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

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  • Moving data files failing

    - by Miles Hayler
    Trying to migrate data from C: to D: via the SBS console is failing. The wizard starts running but drops out in the first few seconds. I'll post the full logs, but the important lines appear to be as follows: An exception of type 'Type: System.IO.FileNotFoundException, mscorlib, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089' has occurred. Message: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002) Stack: at TaskScheduler.TaskSchedulerClass.GetFolder(String Path) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.StorageException: GetServerBackupTaskStatus: fail to find the task --- ErrorCode:0 I've been googling for days with no luck. I have found that mscorlib is a component of .net, and I've discovered multiple instances of the file in %windir%, %windir%\winsxs, %windir%\Microsoft.net Anyone come across and fixed this one before? --------------------------------------------------------- [1516] 110315.190856.1105: Storage: Initializing...C:\Program Files\Windows Small Business Server\Bin\MoveData.exe [1516] 110315.190856.2875: Storage: Data Store to be moved: Exchange [1516] 110315.190856.5305: TaskScheduler: Exception System.IO.FileNotFoundException: [1516] 110315.190856.5605: Exception: --------------------------------------- An exception of type 'Type: System.IO.FileNotFoundException, mscorlib, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089' has occurred. Timestamp: 03/15/2011 19:08:56 Message: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002) Stack: at TaskScheduler.TaskSchedulerClass.GetFolder(String Path) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) [1516] 110315.190856.5625: Storage: Exception Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskSchedulerException: [1516] 110315.190856.5635: Exception: --------------------------------------- [b]An exception of type 'Type: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskSchedulerException, Common, Version=6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' has occurred.[/b] Timestamp: 03/15/2011 19:08:56 Message: Failed to find the task path Stack: at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.ServerBackupUtility.GetServerBackupTaskStatus() --------------------------------------- An exception of type 'Type: System.IO.FileNotFoundException, mscorlib, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089' has occurred. Timestamp: 03/15/2011 19:08:56 Message: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002) Stack: at TaskScheduler.TaskSchedulerClass.GetFolder(String Path) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) [1516] 110315.190856.5665: Storage: Error Retrieving Server Backup Task Status: ErrorCode:0 BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.StorageException: GetServerBackupTaskStatus: fail to find the task ---> ErrorCode:0 BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskSchedulerException: Failed to find the task path ---> System.IO.FileNotFoundException: The system cannot find the file specified. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070002) at TaskScheduler.TaskSchedulerClass.GetFolder(String Path) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.WindowsTaskScheduler..ctor(String taskPath, String taskName) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.ServerBackupUtility.GetServerBackupTaskStatus() --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.ServerBackupUtility.GetServerBackupTaskStatus() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.Helper.get_ServerBackupTaskState() [1516] 110315.190857.6216: Storage: Backup Task State: Unknown [1516] 110315.190857.9347: Storage: Launching the Move Data Wizard! [1516] 110315.190857.9397: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(null) = Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage [1516] 110315.190857.9417: Wizard: TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage is on ExpectedPath [1516] 110315.190857.9577: Wizard: Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage entered [1516] 110315.190857.9657: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage) = Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage [1516] 110315.190857.9657: Wizard: TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage is on ExpectedPath [1516] 110315.190857.9657: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage) = Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage [1516] 110315.190857.9657: Wizard: TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage is on ExpectedPath [1516] 110315.190857.9657: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage) = null [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: ---------------------------------- [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: The pages visted: [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: Current Page := [TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage] [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: [TOC] : TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: [TOC] : TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage [1516] 110315.190857.9697: Wizard: Step 1 of 3 [1516] 110315.190907.0406: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage) = Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage [1516] 110315.190907.0416: Wizard: Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage exited with the button: Next [1516] 110315.190907.0416: WizardChainEngine Next Clicked: Going to page {0}.: Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage [1516] 110315.190907.0496: Wizard: Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage entered [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage) = Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: Admin:QueryNextPage(Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage) = null [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: ---------------------------------- [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: The pages visted: [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: [TOC] visited: TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.GettingStartedPage [1516] 110315.190907.0606: Wizard: Current Page := [TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.DiagnoseDataStorePage] [1516] 110315.190907.0616: Wizard: [TOC] : TOC Storage.MoveDataWizard.NewDataStoreLocationPage [1516] 110315.190907.0616: Wizard: Step 2 of 3 [19772] 110315.190907.0656: Storage: Starting System Diagnosis [19772] 110315.190907.0656: Storage: Getting Data Store Information [19772] 110315.190907.1086: Storage: Create the list of storage and DB directory path [19772] 110315.190907.1246: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingTasks..ctor [19772] 110315.190907.1546: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingTasks.Initialize [19772] 110315.190907.1596: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.Initialize [19772] 110315.190907.1606: Messaging: Exchange install path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\bin [19772] 110315.190908.4157: Messaging: E12 Monad runspace created ID: Microsoft.PowerShell [19772] 110315.190908.4237: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190908.4287: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-exchangeserver [19772] 110315.190910.2369: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190910.2369: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.Initialize [19772] 110315.190910.5699: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingTasks.GatherAdminInfo [19772] 110315.190910.5699: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190910.5719: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-user -Identity "dmagroup.local\Administrator" [19772] 110315.190911.0870: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.0880: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.0880: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-mailbox -Identity "d2ae2bf0-48a7-4ce9-9e72-bb3c765454ac" [19772] 110315.190911.1300: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.1310: Messaging: User Administrator is mail enabled and can use MessagingManagement to send mail. [19772] 110315.190911.1310: Messaging: Email address used for user: [email protected] [19772] 110315.190911.1440: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.1440: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-group -Identity "Domain Admins" [19772] 110315.190911.1630: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: User Administrator is a member of Domain Admins and can use MessagingManagement to manage Exchange. [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingTasks.GatherAdminInfo [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: MessagingManagement enabled for Exchange management: True [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: MessagingManagement enabled for mail submission: True [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingTasks.Initialize [19772] 110315.190911.1640: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Tasks.TaskMoveExchangeData.CreateDataStoreDriveList [19772] 110315.190911.1670: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.Initialize [19772] 110315.190911.1670: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.1670: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-storagegroup -Server "SERVER01" [19772] 110315.190911.2990: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.3070: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.Initialize [19772] 110315.190911.3070: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.3070: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-mailboxdatabase -Server "SERVER01" [19772] 110315.190911.4440: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.4520: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.Initialize [19772] 110315.190911.4520: Messaging: Begin Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.4520: Messaging: Executed management shell command: get-publicfolderdatabase -Server "SERVER01" [19772] 110315.190911.5240: Messaging: End Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Messaging.Management.MessagingRunspace.StaticExecute [19772] 110315.190911.5510: Storage: Data Store Drive/s Details:Name=C:\,Size=12675712420 [19772] 110315.190911.5510: Storage: Data Store Size Details: Current Total Size=12675712420 Required Size=12675712420 [19772] 110315.190911.5510: Storage: MoveData Task can move the Data Store=True [19772] 110315.190911.8401: Storage: An error was encountered when performing system diagnosis : ErrorCode:0 BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.StorageException: WMI error occurred while accessing drive ---> System.Management.ManagementException: Not found at System.Management.ManagementException.ThrowWithExtendedInfo(ManagementStatus errorCode) at System.Management.ManagementObjectCollection.ManagementObjectEnumerator.MoveNext() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DriveUtil.IsDriveRemovable(String drive) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DriveUtil.IsDriveRemovable(String drive) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DataStoreInfo.LoadAvailableDrives() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.MoveDataUtil.CanMoveData(DataStoreInfo storeInfo, MoveDataError& error) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.DiagnoseDataStorePagePresenter.DiagnoseDataStore(Object sender, DoWorkEventArgs args) [1516] 110315.190912.0331: Storage: An error occured during the execution: System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> ErrorCode:0 BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.StorageException: Diagnosing the Data Store failed (see the inner exception) ---> ErrorCode:0 BaseException: Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.StorageException: WMI error occurred while accessing drive ---> System.Management.ManagementException: Not found at System.Management.ManagementException.ThrowWithExtendedInfo(ManagementStatus errorCode) at System.Management.ManagementObjectCollection.ManagementObjectEnumerator.MoveNext() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DriveUtil.IsDriveRemovable(String drive) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DriveUtil.IsDriveRemovable(String drive) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.DataStoreInfo.LoadAvailableDrives() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.Common.MoveDataUtil.CanMoveData(DataStoreInfo storeInfo, MoveDataError& error) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.DiagnoseDataStorePagePresenter.DiagnoseDataStore(Object sender, DoWorkEventArgs args) at System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.WorkerThreadStart(Object argument) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.DiagnoseDataStorePagePresenter.backgroundWorker_RunWorkerCompleted(Object sender, RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e) --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeMethodFast(Object target, Object[] arguments, SignatureStruct& sig, MethodAttributes methodAttributes, RuntimeTypeHandle typeOwner) at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture, Boolean skipVisibilityChecks) at System.Delegate.DynamicInvokeImpl(Object[] args) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.InvokeMarshaledCallbackDo(ThreadMethodEntry tme) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.InvokeMarshaledCallbackHelper(Object obj) at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.runTryCode(Object userData) at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.RuntimeHelpers.ExecuteCodeWithGuaranteedCleanup(TryCode code, CleanupCode backoutCode, Object userData) at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.InvokeMarshaledCallback(ThreadMethodEntry tme) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.InvokeMarshaledCallbacks() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.DebuggableCallback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam) at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessageW(MSG& msg) at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ComponentManager.System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IMsoComponentManager.FPushMessageLoop(Int32 dwComponentID, Int32 reason, Int32 pvLoopData) at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context) at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context) at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.Wizards.Framework.WizardFrameView.Create() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Common.Wizards.Framework.WizardChainEngine.Launch() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.MainClass.LaunchMoveDataWizard() at Microsoft.WindowsServerSolutions.Storage.MoveData.MainClass.Main(String[] args)

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  • How to Open a Remote Text File using Server.MapPath in ASP.Net?

    - by NJTechGuy
    This is what I have right now for a file residing on the same server and it works. Dim FILENAME as String = Server.MapPath("Output.txt") Dim objStreamWriter as StreamWriter objStreamWriter = File.CreateText(FILENAME) dr = myCommand.ExecuteReader() While dr.Read() objStreamWriter.WriteLine("{0}|{1}|{2:yyyy-MM-dd}|{3:yyyy-MM-dd}", dr(0), dr(1), dr(2), dr(3)) End While objStreamWriter.Close() I was planning on FTPing the file to another server once done but is there a way to do it on a remote server? i.e create a text file on a remote server and write to it? Did not find any instances of that usage. How to use ServerXMLHTTP to replace Server.MapPath in this instance? Thank you so much for your time.

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  • What is a good software development plan?

    - by Totophil
    Whilst browsing through answers on SO I came across something that is, in my view, one of the more frequent software development management misconceptions: "[software development] plan is a reasonably detailed description of all the activities you need to undertake". Hence the question: what is good software development plan? Can it be boiled down just to a work breakdown structure; is WBS the single most important thing for a software development plan anyway?

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  • Authoritative sources about Database vs. Flatfile decision

    - by FastAl
    <tldr>looking for a reference to a book or other undeniably authoritative source that gives reasons when you should choose a database vs. when you should choose other storage methods. I have provided an un-authoritative list of reasons about 2/3 of the way down this post.</tldr> I have a situation at my company where a database is being used where it would be better to use another solution (in this case, an auto-generated piece of source code that contains a static lookup table, searched by binary sort). Normally, a database would be an OK solution even though the problem does not require a database, e.g, none of the elements of ACID are needed, as it is read-only data, updated about every 3-5 years (also requiring other sourcecode changes), and fits in memory, and can be keyed into via binary search (a tad faster than db, but speed is not an issue). The problem is that this code runs on our enterprise server, but is shared with several PC platforms (some disconnected, some use a central DB, etc.), and parts of it are managed by multiple programming units, parts by the DBAs, parts even by mathematicians in another department, etc. These hit their own platform’s version of their databases (containing their own copy of the static data). What happens is that every implementation, every little change, something different goes wrong. There are many other issues as well. I can’t even use a flatfile, because one mode of running on our enterprise server does not have permission to read files (only databases, and of course, its own literal storage, e.g., in-source table). Of course, other parts of the system use databases in proper, less obscure manners; there is no problem with those parts. So why don’t we just change it? I don’t have administrative ability to force a change. But I’m affected because sometimes I have to help fix the problems, but mostly because it causes outages and tons of extra IT time by other programmers and d*mmit that makes me mad! The reason neither management, nor the designers of the system, can see the problem is that they propose a solution that won’t work: increase communication; implement more safeguards and standards; etc. But every time, in a different part of the already-pared-down but still multi-step processes, a few different diligent, hard-working, top performing IT personnel make a unique subtle error that causes it to fail, sometimes after the last round of testing! And in general these are not single-person failures, but understandable miscommunications. And communication at our company is actually better than most. People just don't think that's the case because they haven't dug into the matter. However, I have it on very good word from somebody with extensive formal study of sociology and psychology that the relatively small amount of less-than-proper database usage in this gigantic cross-platform multi-source, multi-language project is bureaucratically un-maintainable. Impossible. No chance. At least with Human Beings in the loop, and it can’t be automated. In addition, the management and developers who could change this, though intelligent and capable, don’t understand the rigidity of this ‘how humans are’ issue, and are not convincible on the matter. The reason putting the static data in sourcecode will solve the problem is, although the solution is less sexy than a database, it would function with no technical drawbacks; and since the sharing of sourcecode already works very well, you basically erase any database-related effort from this section of the project, along with all the drawbacks of it that are causing problems. OK, that’s the background, for the curious. I won’t be able to convince management that this is an unfixable sociological problem, and that the real solution is coding around these limits of human nature, just as you would code around a bug in a 3rd party component that you can’t change. So what I have to do is exploit the unsuitableness of the database solution, and not do it using logic, but rather authority. I am aware of many reasons, and posts on this site giving reasons for one over the other; I’m not looking for lists of reasons like these (although you can add a comment if I've miss a doozy): WHY USE A DATABASE? instead of flatfile/other DB vs. file: if you need... Random Read / Transparent search optimization Advanced / varied / customizable Searching and sorting capabilities Transaction/rollback Locks, semaphores Concurrency control / Shared users Security 1-many/m-m is easier Easy modification Scalability Load Balancing Random updates / inserts / deletes Advanced query Administrative control of design, etc. SQL / learning curve Debugging / Logging Centralized / Live Backup capabilities Cached queries / dvlp & cache execution plans Interleaved update/read Referential integrity, avoid redundant/missing/corrupt/out-of-sync data Reporting (from on olap or oltp db) / turnkey generation tools [Disadvantages:] Important to get right the first time - professional design - but only b/c it's meant to last s/w & h/w cost Usu. over a network, speed issue (best vs. best design vs. local=even then a separate process req's marshalling/netwk layers/inter-p comm) indicies and query processing can stand in the way of simple processing (vs. flatfile) WHY USE FLATFILE: If you only need... Sequential Row processing only Limited usage append only (no reading, no master key/update) Only Update the record you're reading (fixed length recs only) Too big to fit into memory If Local disk / read-ahead network connection Portability / small system Email / cut & Paste / store as document by novice - simple format Low design learning curve but high cost later WHY USE IN-MEMORY/TABLE (tables, arrays, etc.): if you need... Processing a single db/ff record that was imported Known size of data Static data if hardcoding the table Narrow, unchanging use (e.g., one program or proc) -includes a class that will be shared, but encapsulates its data manipulation Extreme speed needed / high transaction frequency Random access - but search is dependent on implementation Following are some other posts about the topic: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1499239/database-vs-flat-text-file-what-are-some-technical-reasons-for-choosing-one-over http://stackoverflow.com/questions/332825/are-flat-file-databases-any-good http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2356851/database-vs-flat-files http://stackoverflow.com/questions/514455/databases-vs-plain-text/514530 What I’d like to know is if anybody could recommend a hard, authoritative source containing these reasons. I’m looking for a paper book I can buy, or a reputable website with whitepapers about the issue (e.g., Microsoft, IBM), not counting the user-generated content on those sites. This will have a greater change to elicit a change that I’m looking for: less wasted programmer time, and more reliable programs. Thanks very much for your help. You win a prize for reading such a large post!

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  • How do I prove I should put a table of values in source code instead of a database table?

    - by FastAl
    <tldr>looking for a reference to a book or other undeniably authoritative source that gives reasons when you should choose a database vs. when you should choose other storage methods. I have provided an un-authoritative list of reasons about 2/3 of the way down this post.</tldr> I have a situation at my company where a database is being used where it would be better to use another solution (in this case, an auto-generated piece of source code that contains a static lookup table, searched by binary sort). Normally, a database would be an OK solution even though the problem does not require a database, e.g, none of the elements of ACID are needed, as it is read-only data, updated about every 3-5 years (also requiring other sourcecode changes), and fits in memory, and can be keyed into via binary search (a tad faster than db, but speed is not an issue). The problem is that this code runs on our enterprise server, but is shared with several PC platforms (some disconnected, some use a central DB, etc.), and parts of it are managed by multiple programming units, parts by the DBAs, parts even by mathematicians in another department, etc. These hit their own platform’s version of their databases (containing their own copy of the static data). What happens is that every implementation, every little change, something different goes wrong. There are many other issues as well. I can’t even use a flatfile, because one mode of running on our enterprise server does not have permission to read files (only databases, and of course, its own literal storage, e.g., in-source table). Of course, other parts of the system use databases in proper, less obscure manners; there is no problem with those parts. So why don’t we just change it? I don’t have administrative ability to force a change. But I’m affected because sometimes I have to help fix the problems, but mostly because it causes outages and tons of extra IT time by other programmers and d*mmit that makes me mad! The reason neither management, nor the designers of the system, can see the problem is that they propose a solution that won’t work: increase communication; implement more safeguards and standards; etc. But every time, in a different part of the already-pared-down but still multi-step processes, a few different diligent, hard-working, top performing IT personnel make a unique subtle error that causes it to fail, sometimes after the last round of testing! And in general these are not single-person failures, but understandable miscommunications. And communication at our company is actually better than most. People just don't think that's the case because they haven't dug into the matter. However, I have it on very good word from somebody with extensive formal study of sociology and psychology that the relatively small amount of less-than-proper database usage in this gigantic cross-platform multi-source, multi-language project is bureaucratically un-maintainable. Impossible. No chance. At least with Human Beings in the loop, and it can’t be automated. In addition, the management and developers who could change this, though intelligent and capable, don’t understand the rigidity of this ‘how humans are’ issue, and are not convincible on the matter. The reason putting the static data in sourcecode will solve the problem is, although the solution is less sexy than a database, it would function with no technical drawbacks; and since the sharing of sourcecode already works very well, you basically erase any database-related effort from this section of the project, along with all the drawbacks of it that are causing problems. OK, that’s the background, for the curious. I won’t be able to convince management that this is an unfixable sociological problem, and that the real solution is coding around these limits of human nature, just as you would code around a bug in a 3rd party component that you can’t change. So what I have to do is exploit the unsuitableness of the database solution, and not do it using logic, but rather authority. I am aware of many reasons, and posts on this site giving reasons for one over the other; I’m not looking for lists of reasons like these (although you can add a comment if I've miss a doozy): WHY USE A DATABASE? instead of flatfile/other DB vs. file: if you need... Random Read / Transparent search optimization Advanced / varied / customizable Searching and sorting capabilities Transaction/rollback Locks, semaphores Concurrency control / Shared users Security 1-many/m-m is easier Easy modification Scalability Load Balancing Random updates / inserts / deletes Advanced query Administrative control of design, etc. SQL / learning curve Debugging / Logging Centralized / Live Backup capabilities Cached queries / dvlp & cache execution plans Interleaved update/read Referential integrity, avoid redundant/missing/corrupt/out-of-sync data Reporting (from on olap or oltp db) / turnkey generation tools [Disadvantages:] Important to get right the first time - professional design - but only b/c it's meant to last s/w & h/w cost Usu. over a network, speed issue (best vs. best design vs. local=even then a separate process req's marshalling/netwk layers/inter-p comm) indicies and query processing can stand in the way of simple processing (vs. flatfile) WHY USE FLATFILE: If you only need... Sequential Row processing only Limited usage append only (no reading, no master key/update) Only Update the record you're reading (fixed length recs only) Too big to fit into memory If Local disk / read-ahead network connection Portability / small system Email / cut & Paste / store as document by novice - simple format Low design learning curve but high cost later WHY USE IN-MEMORY/TABLE (tables, arrays, etc.): if you need... Processing a single db/ff record that was imported Known size of data Static data if hardcoding the table Narrow, unchanging use (e.g., one program or proc) -includes a class that will be shared, but encapsulates its data manipulation Extreme speed needed / high transaction frequency Random access - but search is dependent on implementation Following are some other posts about the topic: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1499239/database-vs-flat-text-file-what-are-some-technical-reasons-for-choosing-one-over http://stackoverflow.com/questions/332825/are-flat-file-databases-any-good http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2356851/database-vs-flat-files http://stackoverflow.com/questions/514455/databases-vs-plain-text/514530 What I’d like to know is if anybody could recommend a hard, authoritative source containing these reasons. I’m looking for a paper book I can buy, or a reputable website with whitepapers about the issue (e.g., Microsoft, IBM), not counting the user-generated content on those sites. This will have a greater change to elicit a change that I’m looking for: less wasted programmer time, and more reliable programs. Thanks very much for your help. You win a prize for reading such a large post!

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  • what's the key different between data management and data governance?

    - by Sid Xing
    i just read some articles about these two theories, and i thought they have the similar goal, but DG is more about process management by follow some best practice. So my 1st question is about the difference between DG & DM. I'm confused. There're so many concepts around data management. Data quality, data security, data governance, data profiling, data integration, master data management, metadata management.... It seems like neither of them is EXACTLY separated, they're together. My 2nd question, or ask for your suggestion to help me better understand the relation between these concepts. Appreciate your help.

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  • SQL SERVER – Remove Debug Button in SSMS – SQL in Sixty Seconds #020 – Video

    - by pinaldave
    SQL in Sixty Seconds is indeed tremendous fun to do. Every week, we try to come up with some new learning which we can share in Sixty Seconds. In this busy world, we all have sixty seconds to learn something new – no matter how much busy we are. In this episode of the series, we talk about another interesting feature of SQL Server Management Studio. In SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) we have two button side by side. 1) Execute (!) and 2) Debug (>). It is quite confusing to a few developers. The debug button which looks like a play button encourages developers to click on the same thinking it will execute the code. Also developer with a Visual Studio background often click it because of their habit. However, Debug button is not the same as Execute button. In most of the cases developers want to click on Execute to run the query but by mistake they click on Debug and it wastes their valuable time. It is very easy to fix this. If developers are not frequently using a debug feature in SQL Server they should hide it from the toolbar itself. This will reduce the chances to incorrectly click on the debug button greatly as well save lots of time for developer as invoking debug processes and turning it off takes a few extra moments. In this Sixty second video we will discuss how one can hide the debug button and avoid confusion regarding execution button. I personally use function key F5 to execute the T-SQL code so I do not face this problem that often. More on Removing Debug Button in SSMS: SQL SERVER – Read Only Files and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) SQL SERVER – Standard Reports from SQL Server Management Studio – SQL in Sixty Seconds #016 – Video SQL SERVER – Discard Results After Query Execution – SSMS SQL SERVER – Tricks to Comment T-SQL in SSMS – SQL in Sixty Seconds #019 – Video SQL SERVER – Right Aligning Numerics in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) I encourage you to submit your ideas for SQL in Sixty Seconds. We will try to accommodate as many as we can. If we like your idea we promise to share with you educational material. Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com) Filed under: Database, Pinal Dave, PostADay, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL in Sixty Seconds, SQL Query, SQL Scripts, SQL Server, SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Tips and Tricks, T SQL, Technology, Video

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  • Windows Azure Management Tool (MMC)

    - by kaleidoscope
    The Windows Azure Management Tool was created to manage your storage accounts in Windows Azure. Developed as a managed MMC, the tool allows you to create and manage both blobs and queues. Easily create and manage containers, blobs, and permissions. Ram, P

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  • Coherence Based WebLogic Server Session Management

    - by [email protected]
    Specifications Supported Configurations WebLogic Server 10.3.2( or 10.3.1 ) Coherence 3.5.2/463 If you use other verion above, then please check the following matrix:   WebLogic Server 9.2 MP1 Weblogic Server 10.3 WebLogic Smart Update Patch ID: AJQB Patch ID: 6W2W Minimum Coherence Release Level/MetaLink Patch ID 3.4.2 Patch 2-Patch ID:8429415 3.4.2 Patch6-Patch ID:11399293 Environment Variables %COHERENCE_HOME%: coherence installation directory %DOMAIN_HOME%: weblogic domain foler. Instructions We Will create to weblogic domains: domain_a, domain_b. To configure those domains with coherence-based session management . Then the changings of session variable value in one domain will propagate to another domain. Main Steps WebLogic Server create domain_a The process is ignored copy %COHERENCE_HOME%\lib\coherence.jar to %DOMAIN_HOME%\lib startup domain deploy %COHERENCE_HOME%\lib\coherence-web-spi.war as a Shared Library repeat step 1~4 at domain_b Coherence duplicate %COHERENCE_HOME%\bin\cache-server.cmd at the same folder and rename it to web-cache-server.cmd modify web-cache-server.cmd java -server -Xms512m -Xmx512m -cp %coherence_home%/lib/coherence.jar;%coherence_home%/lib/coherence-web-spi.war -Dtangosol.coherence.management.remote=true -Dtangosol.coherence.cacheconfig=WEB-INF/classes/session-cache-config.xml -Dtangosol.coherence.session.localstorage=true com.tangosol.net.DefaultCacheServer startup web-cache-server.cmd Testing develop a web app  with OEPE or JDeveloper and implment functions: changing, viewing, listing  session variables. ( or download sample codes here ) modify weblogic.xml with following content: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <wls:weblogic-web-app xmlns:wls=http://xmlns.oracle.com/weblogic/weblogic-web-app xmlns:xsi=http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance xsi:schemaLocation="http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/javaee http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/javaee/web-app_2_5.xsd http://xmlns.oracle.com/weblogic/weblogic-web-app http://xmlns.oracle.com/weblogic/weblogic-web-app/1.0/weblogic-web-app.xsd"> <wls:weblogic-version>10.3.2</wls:weblogic-version> <wls:context-root>CoherenceWeb</wls:context-root> <wls:library-ref> <wls:library-name>coherence-web-spi</wls:library-name> <wls:specification-version>1.0.0.0</wls:specification-version> <wls:exact-match>true</wls:exact-match> </wls:library-ref> </wls:weblogic-web-app> deploy the web app to domain_a and domain_b change session varaible vlaue at domain_a and check whethe if changed at domain_b References Using Oracle Coherence*Web 3.4.2 with Oracle WebLogic Server 10gR3 Oracle Coherence*Web 3.4.2 with Oracle WebLogic Server 10gR3

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  • Improving the Industry’s Best Cloud Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Solution – New Release of Instantis EnterpriseTrack

    - by Melissa Centurio Lopes
    Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} By Yasser Mahmud, Vice President of Product Strategy & Industry Marketing, Oracle Primavera We know that in today’s rapidly changing world, organizations and leaders must adapt to fierce competition, business climate change and customers consistently demanding more for less. And project portfolio management (PPM) initiatives are a key component to help organizations thrive and stand out among competitors. That’s why I’m excited to announce Instantis EnterpriseTrack 8.5. Since Oracle’s acquisition of Instantis late last year, we’ve been busy working to enhance the leading cloud PPM solution. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Here’s what’s new: Perform more precise resource planning and management  Gain more precise capacity visibility for resource planning and project execution with resource calendars that capture vacation, LOA and part-time resource availability Ensure compliance and governance processes  with activity labor cost capitalization Improve project labor cost estimation, tracking and administration with variable resource rates Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Optimize Project Demand Management And Execution Enhance productivity and analysis with project request flexible staffing plan and simplified finance estimation Improve project status communication and execution with estimated time to complete (ETC) in timesheets and projects Achieve audit compliance and governance with field change history for key project and project request fields Enforce proper financial accounting processes with the new strict finance lock/close period option Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Improve Reporting and the User Experience Enhance user productivity and analysis with improved listing pages Improve program reporting with new program filters in listing pages and reports Run large data volume user defined Excel reports with MS Excel 2010 support Accelerate user productivity and satisfaction with an improved user interface for project issues, risks, and scope changes Enjoy faster system response and improved user experience with  optimized listing pages, resource planning, and application cache Deliver user self-service training on demand with UPK support And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also made additional improvements to timesheets, field change history and finance lock/close period. Learn more about Instantis EnterpriseTrack 8.5.

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  • SCALE 8x: Color management for everyone

    <b>LWN.net:</b> "Color management is sometimes unfairly characterized as a topic of interest only to print shops and video editors, but as Cruz explained at the top of his talk, anyone who shares digital content wants it to look correct, and everyone who uses more than one device knows how tricky that can be."

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  • This Week on the Green Data Center Management Front

    Among the big news this week in green data center management: a new industry group is trying to apply open-source principles to the design and build of data centers using new technologies such as green IT, and Viridity Software unveils its EnergyCenter data center.

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  • That Escalated Quickly

    - by Jesse Taber
    Originally posted on: http://geekswithblogs.net/GruffCode/archive/2014/05/17/that-escalated-quickly.aspxI have been working remotely out of my home for over 4 years now. All of my coworkers during that time have also worked remotely. Lots of folks have written about the challenges inherent in facilitating communication on remote teams and strategies for overcoming them. A popular theme around this topic is the notion of “escalating communication”. In this context “escalating” means taking a conversation from one mode of communication to a different, higher fidelity mode of communication. Here are the five modes of communication I use at work in order of increasing fidelity: Email – This is the “lowest fidelity” mode of communication that I use. I usually only check it a few times a day (and I’m trying to check it even less frequently than that) and I only keep items in my inbox if they represent an item I need to take action on that I haven’t tracked anywhere else. Forums / Message boards – Being a developer, I’ve gotten into the habit of having other people look over my code before it becomes part of the product I’m working on. These code reviews often happen in “real time” via screen sharing, but I also always have someone else give all of the changes another look using pull requests. A pull request takes my code and lets someone else see the changes I’ve made side-by-side with the existing code so they can see if I did anything dumb. Pull requests can facilitate a conversation about the code changes in an online-forum like style. Some teams I’ve worked on also liked using tools like Trello or Google Groups to have on-going conversations about a topic or task that was being worked on. Chat & Instant Messaging  - Chat and instant messaging are the real workhorses for communication on the remote teams I’ve been a part of. I know some teams that are co-located that also use it pretty extensively for quick messages that don’t warrant walking across the office to talk with someone but reqire more immediacy than an e-mail. For the purposes of this post I think it’s important to note that the terms “chat” and “instant messaging” might insinuate that the conversation is happening in real time, but that’s not always true. Modern chat and IM applications maintain a searchable history so people can easily see what might have been discussed while they were away from their computers. Voice, Video and Screen sharing – Everyone’s got a camera and microphone on their computers now, and there are an abundance of services that will let you use them to talk to other people who have cameras and microphones on their computers. I’m including screen sharing here as well because, in my experience, these discussions typically involve one or more people showing the other participants something that’s happening on their screen. Obviously, this mode of communication is much higher-fidelity than any of the ones listed above. Scheduled meetings are typically conducted using this mode of communication. In Person – No matter how great communication tools become, there’s no substitute for meeting with someone face-to-face. However, opportunities for this kind of communcation are few and far between when you work on a remote team. When a conversation gets escalated that usually means it moves up one or more positions on this list. A lot of people advocate jumping to #4 sooner than later. Like them, I used to believe that, if it was possible, organizing a call with voice and video was automatically better than any kind of text-based communication could be. Lately, however, I’m becoming less convinced that escalating is always the right move. Working Asynchronously Last year I attended a talk at our local code camp given by Drew Miller. Drew works at GitHub and was talking about how they use GitHub internally. Many of the folks at GitHub work remotely, so communication was one of the main themes in Drew’s talk. During the talk Drew used the phrase, “asynchronous communication” to describe their use of chat and pull request comments. That phrase stuck in my head because I hadn’t heard it before but I think it perfectly describes the way in which remote teams often need to communicate. You don’t always know when your co-workers are at their computers or what hours (if any) they are working that day. In order to work this way you need to assume that the person you’re talking to might not respond right away. You can’t always afford to wait until everyone required is online and available to join a voice call, so you need to use text-based, persistent forms of communication so that people can receive and respond to messages when they are available. Going back to my list from the beginning of this post for a second, I characterize items #1-3 as being “asynchronous” modes of communication while we could call items #4 and #5 “synchronous”. When communication gets escalated it’s almost always moving from an asynchronous mode of communication to a synchronous one. Now, to the point of this post: I’ve become increasingly reluctant to escalate from asynchronous to synchronous communication for two primary reasons: 1 – You can often find a higher fidelity way to convey your message without holding a synchronous conversation 2 - Asynchronous modes of communication are (usually) persistent and searchable. You Don’t Have to Broadcast Live Let’s start with the first reason I’ve listed. A lot of times you feel like you need to escalate to synchronous communication because you’re having difficulty describing something that you’re seeing in words. You want to provide the people you’re conversing with some audio-visual aids to help them understand the point that you’re trying to make and you think that getting on Skype and sharing your screen with them is the best way to do that. Firing up a screen sharing session does work well, but you can usually accomplish the same thing in an asynchronous manner. For example, you could take a screenshot and annotate it with some text and drawings to illustrate what it is you’re seeing. If a screenshot won’t work, taking a short screen recording while your narrate over it and posting the video to your forum or chat system along with a text-based description of what’s in the recording that can be searched for later can be a great way to effectively communicate with your team asynchronously. I Said What?!? Now for the second reason I listed: most asynchronous modes of communication provide a transcript of what was said and what decisions might have been made during the conversation. There have been many occasions where I’ve used the search feature of my team’s chat application to find a conversation that happened several weeks or months ago to remember what was decided. Unfortunately, I think the benefits associated with the persistence of communicating asynchronously often get overlooked when people decide to escalate to a in-person meeting or voice/video call. I’m becoming much more reluctant to suggest a voice or video call if I suspect that it might lead to codifying some kind of design decision because everyone involved is going to hang up the call and immediately forget what was decided. I recognize that you can record and archive these types of interactions, but without being able to search them the recordings aren’t terribly useful. When and How To Escalate I don’t mean to imply that communicating via voice/video or in person is never a good idea. I probably jump on a Skype call with a co-worker at least once a day to quickly hash something out or show them a bit of code that I’m working on. Also, meeting in person periodically is really important for remote teams. There’s no way around the fact that sometimes it’s easier to jump on a call and show someone my screen so they can see what I’m seeing. So when is it right to escalate? I think the simplest way to answer that is when the communication starts to feel painful. Everyone’s tolerance for that pain is different, but I think you need to let it hurt a little bit before jumping to synchronous communication. When you do escalate from asynchronous to synchronous communication, there are a couple of things you can do to maximize the effectiveness of the communication: Takes notes – This is huge and yet I’ve found that a lot of teams don’t do this. If you’re holding a meeting with  > 2 people you should have someone taking notes. Taking notes while participating in a meeting can be difficult but there are a few strategies to deal with this challenge that probably deserve a short post of their own. After the meeting, make sure the notes are posted to a place where all concerned parties (including those that might not have attended the meeting) can review and search them. Persist decisions made ASAP – If any decisions were made during the meeting, persist those decisions to a searchable medium as soon as possible following the conversation. All the teams I’ve worked on used a web-based system for tracking the on-going work and a backlog of work to be done in the future. I always try to make sure that all of the cards/stories/tasks/whatever in these systems always reflect the latest decisions that were made as the work was being planned and executed. If held a quick call with your team lead and decided that it wasn’t worth the effort to build real-time validation into that new UI you were working on, go and codify that decision in the story associated with that work immediately after you hang up. Even better, write it up in the story while you are both still on the phone. That way when the folks from your QA team pick up the story to test a few days later they’ll know why the real-time validation isn’t there without having to invoke yet another conversation about the work. Communicating Well is Hard At this point you might be thinking that communicating asynchronously is more difficult than having a live conversation. You’re right: it is more difficult. In order to communicate effectively this way you need to very carefully think about the message that you’re trying to convey and craft it in a way that’s easy for your audience to understand. This is almost always harder than just talking through a problem in real time with someone; this is why escalating communication is such a popular idea. Why wouldn’t we want to do the thing that’s easier? Easier isn’t always better. If you and your team can get in the habit of communicating effectively in an asynchronous manner you’ll find that, over time, all of your communications get less painful because you don’t need to re-iterate previously made points over and over again. If you communicate right the first time, you often don’t need to rehash old conversations because you can go back and find the decisions that were made laid out in plain language. You’ll also find that you get better at doing things like writing useful comments in your code, creating written documentation about how the feature that you just built works, or persuading your team to do things in a certain way.

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