#12in23 and Advent of Code 2023

#12in23 and Advent of Code 2023

Last year I did have too much time on my hand, and while I spent a lot of time chilling, I did miss using my brain at least a little. So I worked on these two challenges. Exercism #12in23 I am a big fan of exercism, which is a site with exercises to learn all kinds of programming languages. The quality of the tracks varies a lot, nonetheless the most popular ones are very useful. There is also a mentoring element, which I haven't used myself. ...

January 8, 2024 · 3 min · Christof Damian

2023 in Books

My year in books (according to Goodreads). 8443 pages read in 26 books. I mostly binged on thrillers and series I am already following. Just one non-fiction! I am currently reading / being stuck in these: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig - this is a reread. I read it as a teenager, and I am not getting through it at the moment. Obsessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder by Dave Barter - collection of articles. The title might be the best bit. Edges by Linda Nagata - I am not very excited. Fiction Mark DawsonI just continue reading his multiple series. Sandstorm (Charlie Cooper Thrillers #1) - a new series in the Group Fifteen universe. It is a short book and quite entertaining. The Red Room (Atticus Priest #3) Pistolero (Beatrix Rose #5)Uppercut (John Milton #22)The Chameleon (Charlie Cooper Thrillers)Viveca SternA new series by Viveca. I confess, I only read them because of the cosy setting in Sweden. It is more "Nordic cosy", than "Nordic noir". ...

January 2, 2024 · 4 min · Christof Damian
Friday Links 23-31

Friday Links 23-31

I was lazy due to the festive season and travels. That means plenty of links for today. LeadershipEngineering strategy notes. - I think I posted the articles in a previous edition. Many good resources in this one. Navigators - interesting approach. I guess in some companies these are architects or staff engineers. ...

December 29, 2023 · 4 min · Christof Damian

Friday Links 23-30

I liked the story about Backstage from Spotify. The monaspace font is also lovely. LeadershipAdam Bryant on how to know if you’re ready to become a leader. [Podcast] - lots of good stuff. A Practical Handbook For Engineering Management- another guide. I have just browsed a bit for now. Team Charters are a trap. - oh, I quite like them, but … “Empowering bottoms up mission-setting in an organization that practices top-down resource allocation is a trap." ...

November 17, 2023 · 2 min · Christof Damian

Friday Links 23-29

If you want to watch something inspiring today, I recommend the video about Germany's Green City and Pedal to freedom. Overall, a lot of interesting stuff to think about this week. LeadershipHow Do I More Effectively Build Stakeholder Alignment? [Podcast] - excellent example of coaching, where the thinker is already aware of the answers. ...

November 3, 2023 · 4 min · Christof Damian