Wednesday, July 23, 2008

What's the point in software innovation if no-one benefits?

IDC's survey has shown that increased software complexity from multicore, Web 2.0 and SOA are increasing code problems and driving up costs for companies.

Some key stats:

. Nearly 70% of firms surveyed said that their code base was more complex than in last two years

. 72% conceded that debugging was problematic

. A quarter found that they found serious problems in post code review either very often or all the time

. 41% said they had experienced these issues to some extent

. The cost of fixing software defects at $5.2 million to $22 million annually, depending on organisation size

. Yet respondents calculated that if 100% of defects were addressed and remediated prior to production, they would experience 32% cost savings

Usability and reliability are the two fundamentals of any piece of software. Snazzy tricks are great but surely the companies using the product have to feel the benefits?

Monday, July 14, 2008

The Curious Case of... how Brad Pitt has become a good actor

When did that happen? He was never awful but now he's good looking, rich and respected? And this is fair how?

Trailer looks good in fairness

The nuclear debate

The UK government has (again) denied that the sites for several new nuclear power stations are already decided.

The UK already has reactors in Sizewell, Dungeness and Hartlepool among others and is looking at possible sites to add to these in an effort to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

Research since nuclear went into shutdown has allowed the development of the 'new' nuclear energy which will be used as the UK attempts to cuts carbon emmision dramtically over the next 20 years. No point going into details but it's supposed to be safer, cleaner and more efficient. We'll see... no real harm in trying for now.

Greenpeace has of course waded in, arguing that research suggests that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025. Well that's 4% more of a cut that any plan they've ever suggested.

I'm a total green-geek and grew up in the home of 'green' (the Centre for Alternaive Technology). Therefore I should really be walking around with banners (spray painted with CO2 oozing chemicals I'd like to add screaming for the end of nuclear. However, this appears to be the more viable and promising option in the battle to cut CO2 emmisions. Yes there are risks, as there are with everything but until someone comes up with a better plan, this will have to do.

Mobile internet usage on the up

A new report from Nielsen Mobile has shown that the UK has the second largest number of mobile internet users, at 12.9%.

The UK is just behind the US which has 15.6% but ahead of some-would-say mobile leader Italy (home of Tiscali) which has 11.9%.

With the Blackberry taking over the world, it's not a surprise accessing the net from your phone is becoming more popular. Browsing is quicker, navigation is easier and the screen/image quality is always improving.

And yet 'traditional' broadband is still experiencing problems. Not enough bandwidth, loss of connection, security issues, wifi still no avilable in certai areas etc.

The pressure has always been on broadband providers to keep up with demand, the fact that people are now BVB-ing (browsing-via-berry) will mean a lot of late nights and yet more bald heads in the telco world.

http://www.nma.co.uk/Articles/38739/UK+mobile+internet+penetration+reaches+129+.html

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Dark Night

Here's a sneak peak - first five minutes!

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/391830/30803282