Exploring the human factors that make software engineering so unique, so difficult, so important and all consuming. Learning to work with the systems, not against them.
The Human Software 281 - When Does Change Happen?
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Working in software you get to see some pretty stupid stuff. And I mean crazy, stupid stuff. Decisions that float down from on high from multiple disparate spheres of influence - sales teams, other business units or just vice-presidents with a Great New Idea[tm] or a pet project. The narrative goes a little like this - the important people get to make choices and us techies have to live with consequences them. Sometimes these decisions are on a whim, an industry hype, a desperate attempt to make an impact or even occasionally in the misbegotten idea that it does some good for the company. The techies sit and watch the ideas come and go while we sit here doing what we do best - fixing stuff while the rest of the business tries to screw it all up. Of course, this is only our perspective. Not everyone would agree with it. But whichever way, when really significant change in the business or in a technology occurs - can we even recognise it anymore? The chances are that now, in the midst of the ongoing AI revolution, there is too much noise both inside and outside the technology business to make any sense of the signals that are coming through. So why worry? In the same way we can decide to turn the sound down on the news or turn off our mobile phone, we shouldn't focus on the hype. Instead, we should focuss on what's important - the people we work with, the people we live with, the people who matter. I'll be in London this week, once again at the Fast Flow Conference. This time I'll be distributing copies of Human Software to those who have prepurchased as well as giving a few away to those who have been kind enough to review it. If you're attending then let me know and I can reserve you a copy. Feel free to come and say hello if you see me around. And a reminder that I'm having a little, informal launch party at The Wheatsheaf in the West End on Wednesday 15th October. There will be no presentation, just a meet up and I won't be providing drinks but I'm pleased to say hello and discuss the book! Have a great Sunday! Why Did I Write a Novel about IT and Software Engineering?Published on October 10, 2025 When I look at my career trajectory, it’s a bit like a misfiring rocket. I started as a passionate techie, then became a stone-cold contractor, an Open-Source Warrior, a justified team lead, a passionate Product Owner, an unconvincing consultant, and then a confused manager. Now, I’m a contented DevOps engineer and author. So how did… Read More »Why Did I Write a Novel about IT and Software Engineering?
Is Self-Publishing Something for You?Published on October 7, 2025 I attended a discussion at the Amercian Book Center in Amsterdam last month. Authors, readers and agents met with some representatives of the traditional publishing industry and heard their tips for succeeding in 2025 and beyond. What was clear from the fifty or so attendees was that self-publishing is already very popular and continues to… Read More »Is Self-Publishing Something for You?
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The Human Engineer
Exploring the human factors that make software engineering so unique, so difficult, so important and all consuming. Learning to work with the systems, not against them.
A few weeks before Christmas I asked ChatGPT a series of questions along the lines of "ok, so what next?" I was out of ideas. I was tired. My freelance contract was coming to an end so I was already looking for a new one. Launching Human Software had been exhilarating but exhausting. I'd burned the candle at both ends on social media plus done some podcasts (a few of which are yet to see the light of day) and also put myself in front of bookshops and chased reviews and talked talked talked...
REBRAND ALERT!! So it's been a while since I renamed this newsletter but I feel it's due a slight sidestep following the launch of my book. So welcome to episode 286 overall, but episode #1 of The Human Engineer. Despite me constantly rename this newsletter, over these years the subject has never really varied too much. I talk about software systems and how they relate to human systems. I find my work increasingly focusses on the human side of the this divide - because it is a divide right?...
Last couple of weeks, I've been rebuilding some Windows base images in order to comply with corporate patching policies. The new images are CIS hardened which means they follows guidelines set out by the Center for Internet Security benchmark. This ultimately means that the images are restricted in what they can do, what they can access, what is installed upon them by default. These security measures work in opposition to the automation we already have in place for our customers. This is the...