2006

Well, finally 2006 is here. Delayed by a second. I didn't notice that delay. All I felt was jammed networks. So people sent me SMS well before 2006, just to make sure they don't miss out. Somehow, it is no longer strange to wish people in advance, such is the hectic pace of life now-a-days. Imagine, wishing happy fatherhood to somebody whose wife is expecting 8 months later... "better later than never" is now changed to "better earlier than ever"... Wonder what next? If we could predict future, perhaps the day when son is born, we would congratulate the new father with his son's first rank in college and then strut around to show what we are the first one.

Another new year. Another resolution. I have seen some people who make a long list of resolutions for the coming year. I don't make one. I am yet to follow the last one I made couple of years back. Times have changed but the need of that resolution is fresh as ever. So continuing with that. If I can achieve that, I'll make another.

Been very busy lately. Got some relief today. Wrote a small poem on the new year resolutions for my close friends, similar to that jokes/poems of Ahsaan Qureshi of The Great Indian Laughter Champions fame. I like his style more than any one else in that show. आखिर, व्यंग भी काव्य का एक अंग होता है ।

God's Debris

This a good read by Scott Adams. I like his books (and Dilbert) but this is very different. In fact, this is the first time I finished a book at single sitting. Its interesting. Or perhaps, that comment says something about me.

I think he has used a lot of concepts from Hinduism in the book. Wonder from where the thinking came from? If you have read vedas, mainly Rigveda, you will discover a lot of similarities.

The best sentence of the book, IMHO, is "Ideas are the only things that can change the world. The rest is details."

Cricket: Videocon Cup - India vs Sri Lanka

Well, everybody in India loves cricket (the sport). I'm no exception. I was thrilled by the performance of Indian team in the 3rd test match (till now). I felt that last pair should have been given chance to score till they can, when Sehwag declared at 316/9. Bhajji was in top form and could have made a half century, and would have given much needed batting practice to him looking at the fixtures coming up. 509 or 519, there isn't much of difference to either side. Sri Lanka looks set to loose this one unless two of their players hit double hundreds - highly unlikely on a 4th and 5th day pitch. Surprisely, pitch is holding much better than I thought.

I think the fielding efforts from Indians have been slipping below the standards again but couple of fumbles and some strange field settings. They should not let these victories go in their heads. Like Chris Rock says in "Head of State", God bless India and everybody else.

Architects in Software Industry

I was reading this article on architect personas. I tend to disagree with just 3 there. I believe there are many more here. From experience, I'm listing down what roles I think should be here:

Enterprise Architect:
Defines what enterprise needs in terms of application and integration.

Application Architect:
Evaluates applications/softwares in line with directions from Enterprise Architect. Makes Build/BUY decision.

Integration Architect:
Defines EAI standards

Data Architect:
Defines flow of information and events (Senior, enterprise wide app-to-app, junior, at app level)

Network architect:
Defines network topology, DR strategies

Technical Architect:
Defines architecture for single app and its interfaces

I believe "Software Architect" is best suited as general term to differentiate from general (Civil) Architects and in all of the above you can replace Architect with "Software Architect" as "Enterprise Software Architect" to better quality them.

Big Bang

Finally, I have made myself start writing a blog. I had been thinking about it since 1998, but wasn't able to commit to it. Oh gosh, thats 7 years.

Now I have to think(?) and type... or may be just type. I remember I used to be a good writer but my writing skills are fading with more and more concentration on technical documents. I hope to revive them.

Actually, construction is going on in my office near my cubicle so it is really difficult to concentrate on work now a days. These wanderings have finally led me to create the blog.

I guess, before I start on it any further (and post my profile), I need to introduce myself. I know the risk I run looking at examples of people getting fired for expressing them liberally, so I will keep my office life separate. Ok, I'll try my best at that. Though, I don't mind getting fired since market is hot and I can make more money that I'm doing now but I like the work I have (since last 3 months).

So I'm a 28 yr old guy who likes to play Civilization III and used to play billiards and snooker. I like history, particle physics and astronomoy. I also like working on computers, travelling and trying new things. I have been to USA (Boston, New York, Indianapolis, San Francisco), The Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and New Zealand, apart from my home country India where I have been to Agra, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Badrinath, Bangalore, Chennai, Darjeeling, Dehradun, Delhi, Devprayag, Gaya, Gangotri, Guwahati, Hardwar, Indore, Jaipur, Kanyakumari, Kausani, Kedarnath, Kolkatta, Ladakh, Lucknow, Madurai, Manali, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nainital, Nalanda, Ooty, Rameshwaram, Rampur, Raipur, Roorkee, Shillong, Silchar, Udaipur, Ujjain, Yamunotri and various other places. My next plans for India is Andamans. If I can get to convert the videos to computer formats, I'll post some here.

One day, I will be a CTO in a big organization.