In with the new tech... out with the old?

Technology changes in a heartbeat. For people like us on the edge, we have to constantly keep up with the new tech that comes our way. Somehow, after being in the IT business for a number of years, I see that new tech sometimes is not really new at all. It could be a rehash of something old which came up a number of years back, given with a couple of new acronyms and fandangled terms, it becomes brand new...

I have to admit that whenever there is a version jump in any API or product, we are buzzing with happiness and glee... thoughts like "Ok, lets see how good you REALLY are" and "Lets crash this bugger!!!" immediately come to mind. However, for some of us who were so busy with doing work, whenever a new tech comes out, we go "Oh no, not again!" or "Dang it! I just finally finished my certification for that!!!!!!".

It is inevitable that technology needs to change in order to change civilizations. As history has taught us, civilizations have crumbled when technology failed. So, we are forever caught in a vicious cycle? ?

Ok... back to work... or the unending cycle of design-coding-testing-design-coding-testing.... VICIOUS... ain't it?

Losing someone you love

Everyone knows the pain of losing someone you love. My family lost a loved one last Friday, 16th October 2003, when my dog passed away after suffering from an internal bleeding. She underwent a spaying operation but it went awfully wrong after the operation when there was internal bleeding which caused her to lose her life. I believe that the vet's tools were not properly sterilized before the operation began.

Oofy was a very lovable dog. She was a lively little dog who spread love to everyone whom she met. I miss her a lot... We buried Oofy in the garden and I plan to decorate her grave with flowers and a small hand-made headstone for her.

*sigh*... Didn't have much mood to work and I decided to join up a community portal , where there was a small spot to grieve for Oofy.

Anyway, I will always remember Oofy for she brought me out of my misery when I had to work late nights during June-July 2003 for a project...

May she rest in peace... Amen

Back... Better? Nah... More relaxed...

Hehe... It has been a couple of weeks ** really??? ** since my last update to my BLog. I have to say that I enjoyed my little time off from my job as I really, really needed it after working like a dog for so long.

Anyway, I would certainly recommend that one takes a long break once in a while in order to get perspectives right, to clear the mind and just relax. One week in Sydney without touching any computer was like heaven to me. When I got back to my notebook, I nearly forgot how to type but after a few mouse-clicks, I was back to my good 'ol programming style...

I can see that my colleagues are getting a little stressed out and so, I would recommend that they go on a holiday. It does not have to be so far away like Australia or New Zealand, it could be a closer spot like Langkawi or even Port Dickson (???!!!!). Hehe... Port Dickson is a small, popular beach spot here in Malaysia, situated in the state of Negri Sembilan (literally translated to "9 States"). I would not recommend that one takes a holiday at home because that would mean just resting (like what we do on a weekend) and not taking a real break. A new location may refresh the mind and also "sharpen the saw" once one returns to work.

I can really see the effects of taking a really good "off-shore" (if one can afford it) break. Once I got back, I could solve bugs rather quickly and without much brain-bending. As Leonardo Da Vinci once said,

Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.

Certainly good advice from the master, himself!

Will describe some of cool stuff I did in Sydney... in a few days time. *^_^*