Teammate on most recent team gave me this parting feedback: “I learned a ton, we got lots done, our team dynamics were awesome, and I’ve never felt this kind of team feeling before.”

If your business makes software, I might be good for your business.

https://schmonz.com/snac/schmonz/p/1750949585.435936

Fun #PubMob session this morning with Tony and Chris. Tony had written characterization tests for some confusing #notqmail code, we looked at them together, and between the three of us came to a much better understanding.

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/ #LegacyCode

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106153930740998197

Another part of an executive’s job is to choose which risks to take. (“No risks” is never one of the available options.) Doing the job well means choosing with awareness and anticipation of potential consequences. Doing the job poorly looks like less strategy and more surprise.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106149965321953917

Thinking about trying Legacy Open Source Fridays? See what folks are saying: https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

Register for any Friday in May to join the #MobProgramming with our regulars (and occasional special guests). Or if you wanted to join us tomorrow, you're not too late. #PubMob

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106149185538492127

Part of an executive’s job when crafting a message is to anticipate how people with less power might hear between the lines, so you can make it harder to extrapolate meanings you don’t intend.

When your message reaches your people via public channels, this goes about tenfold.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106144583243623020

Want your workplace to be free of social or political discussions?

That’s easy. Just have zero coworkers and zero customers.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106144190067039167

Organizations that don't listen closely for unmet needs may get to hear them loud and clear.

Organizations that design obstacles to individual autonomy will observe it flowing turbulently.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106143070928180346

Today's Legacy Open Source Fridays #PubMob: zero code.

With regular participants getting more invested, we instead talked about:

- How notqmail got where it is
- Some of the unique constraints it's under
- Better and worse paths for wriggling free

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106115274104241516

What would have to be true for this verdict not to have been an emotional touchstone for so many people?

That's why it's an emotional touchstone.

What would have to be true for this verdict to have been entirely unneeded?

That's why it's needed.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106102582682128729

This Friday, play with someone else's #LegacyCode, accompanied by an experienced guide (moi). Encounter some familiar puzzles and some novel ones. Then return to your own code with new insights and confidence to find new ways forward.

Register at #PubMob: https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106092753869011884

Time for a semi-periodic update of my #pkgsrc and #notqmail build farm. Current tenants:

- macOS
- #NetBSD 9 and -current
- CentOS 7 and 8
- Debian 9 and 10
- Devuan
- FreeBSD
- OpenBSD
- Solaris
- Tribblix
- Ubuntu 16, 18, 20
- Void

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106069893376549142

Sorry, no #LegacyCode #OpenSource this Friday. Sign up now for April 23: https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

Wanna play this Friday on your own? Ideas:

1. Browse https://github.com/notqmail/notqmail/wiki
2. Install notqmail
3. Read, run, and break the stralloc tests to get acquainted with its string library

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106053081903174864

@r3vlibre Je ne connais pas bien CGD, mais pour monter peut-être on peut essayer avec "cgd0a" à la place de "rcgd0a"?

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106051439599213404

In this morning's Legacy #OpenSource Fridays, in a https://tmate.io session, we:

- Learned #vim tricks
- Felt tensions between old #LegacyCode conventions and what we prefer
- Built a skeletal test program: https://github.com/schmonz/notqmail/commit/20b80575dc55d98d501e65f7ab91ca36bb0fe80c

This afternoon's group will fill it in😁

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106035018349914447

Make that _three_ participants booked every week through the end of April. (May dates available soon.)

Any Friday.

Either of two timeslots: one suited for EMEA/AP, one for Americas.

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

@PubMobDotCom #PubMob #EnsembleProgramming #MobProgramming #LegacyCode

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106028869205854978

Maybe you missed yesterday's @JerseyCityJUG. Maybe you just want to watch it again.

Here are Heidi Mitre and Cat Swetel on "Continuous Verification: Beyond Chaos Engineering".

https://youtu.be/nR-iPf-ZXAQ

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106023404577885613

Kid wants to know, if this is an Einbahnstraße, where’s the corresponding Ausbahnstraße?

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106011528619954719

Today’s jaunt.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/106002227553462660

First ever “Legacy #OpenSource Fridays” is in the books — and already one participant has signed up for the next four sessions.

“You seem to have a good vision and confidence in the project. That energy is contagious. Everyone felt the excitement.”

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105996624564280715

Wondering what you'd be supporting? My GitHub Sponsors page (https://github.com/sponsors/schmonz) gives a high-level overview.

Also, at the end of each month I summarize my efforts. For example, here's December's post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/december-news-45650445

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105978913610300289

Lots of ways to foster a healthy software commons without supporting the FSF.

An easy one: caffeinate some #OpenSource developers whose approach you appreciate. If that's me, try https://github.com/sponsors/schmonz

Or if you'd like to contribute together, join me: https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105978393162175956

For the April meetup of the Jersey City JUG, we're pleased to bring you Cat Swetel and Heidi Mitre presenting "Continuous Verification: Beyond Chaos Engineering".

Examples will of course be Java-oriented, but the concepts apply to any sociotechstack.

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Jersey-City-Java-User-Group-JC-JUG/events/276869374/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105973205463851478

@joeyh it me, except the delay was just me not ever wearing my glasses (and now needing them to drive). The 3D effect when rotating my head makes me a little queasy. OTOH, my brain has been working overtime always interpolating faraway shapes; I’m sure that compute power can be repurposed to learning what new input it can safely ignore.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105946986296558088

New glasses, who dis? But seriously, why does every flat surface now look like I can’t put my coffee down on it because it’ll slide right off?

Also rectangles… aren’t.

Gonna take some getting used to.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105944224592638714

In my new talk, "Inside-Out TDDDD"(https://schmonz.com/2021/03/19/ao-webinar/):

- #tocot
- stable and unstable work-environment equilibria
- what #Scrum leaves out
- what #LegacyCode means to me
- what agility looks and feels like
- applied empathy woven throughout

Watch:

https://youtu.be/HqjrvJbuf3g

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105940000911919140

On Friday, I gave a new talk — called "Inside-Out TDDDD", because I couldn't resist — about joy and humanity in software development. I'll share the video as soon as it's up. In the meantime, here's a taster of what got talked about: https://schmonz.com/2021/03/19/ao-webinar/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105939265607865984

Join me…

This Friday (free): a talk + Q&A on how to strengthen human relationships in #SoftwareDevelopment. https://tech.ao.com/event/amitai-schleier #SoftwareCraft #TDD #XP

Any/every Friday in April, not free: mend some #OpenSource #LegacyCode via #MobProgramming. https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105906567268740122

On March 19 (noon UK time), come hear me talk about joy and humanity in software development.

We’ve all felt it. Our work goes better when we do. When we don’t, thoughtful changes can bring it back.

Brought to you by AO. Details: https://schmonz.com/talk/2021-ao-march

#SoftwareCraft #TDD #XP

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105872877164754067

Yesterday, the Jersey City Java User Group hosted Angie Jones breaking down, by example, what's new in modern #Java.

If you couldn't be there, here's what you missed: https://youtu.be/sNiWs2b_MBM

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105865617920108459

New on #PubMob:

Every Friday I’ll be facilitating improvements to a historically significant #OpenSource #LegacyCode project. Note the significantly lower price point, and join us as regularly as you like.

https://pubmob.com/offerings/amitaischleier-legacy-open-source-fridays/

#EnsembleProgramming #MobProgramming

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105850285008566185

For the February meetup of the Jersey City JUG, Dave Nicolette presented "Java on the Mainframe".

Few of us have programmed mainframes. Dave, an experienced programmer and agile coach, has. He gave us a basic understanding of the platform, what’s similar and different from familiar environments, and examples of mainframe code — plus a view into his new Cobol test framework.

Watch the session: https://youtu.be/5MPKvjc4gX4

#java #agile #softwaredevelopment #extremeprogramming #dev #tdd

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105746485103705422

My haul from yesterbirthday:

1 bespoke hand-drawn hurricane labeled “DADA”
2 German-language book on Agile
3 new CD of Medtner songs
4 making progress learning a Medtner sonata
5 takeout döner two ways
6 homemade cake
7 cuddles
8 nap
9 sorted details for an upcoming appearance

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105707491493647299

Hey #OOPdigital, thanks for attending “Strangle Your Legacy Code”! Slides are up: https://schmonz.com/2021/02/08/oop-konferenz-2021-strangle-your-legacy-code/

Like my approach? Peruse “the simplest essays that could possibly work” from Agile in 3 Minutes, as cheaply as Leanpub allows: https://leanpub.com/agilein3minutes/c/oop21

Want to try more #MobProgramming with experienced facilitators on a variety of topics? See http://pubmob.com

Love #LegacyCode? Join the #LegacyCodeRocks community (free!): https://www.legacycode.rocks

---

original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105697600227742608

One does not simply walk into Bensen.

(One also has to explain repeatedly that we’re not watching the Paw Patrol songs, we’re just listening to them.)

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105678424254539975

In the words of a wise 3-year-old, "Sometimes it bes like that; sometimes it’s similar." Attending OOP Konferenz online will, I suppose, be similar.

Join me and some very fine speakers next week for "Strangle Your #LegacyCode" and much, much more: https://schmonz.com/talk/2021-oop/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105656729333620883

February at the Jersey City #JUG: Dave Nicolette with "#Java on the #Mainframe".

We all depend on mainframes. And it seems like skilled mainframe programmers are always in demand. But did you know modern #dev tools and techniques are available there?

https://www.meetup.com/Jersey-City-Java-User-Group-JC-JUG/events/276004683/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105629246891397209

Missed yesterday's Jersey City #Java User Group session with @emilybache?

You can still learn with her.

1. Watch the first half of https://youtu.be/NOxThHYEX9I

2. Work through https://github.com/emilybache/Product-Export-Refactoring-Kata

3. Watch the second half

4. Reply here with an a-ha or insight

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105544741825403511

@seasidetesting lovely!

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105492728121512460

My Patreon mission is to make these easy:

1. Run your own systems (any OS) with the software you need updated regularly

2. Host your own flexible, trustworthy mail and web

3. Own your data

4. Contribute to a decentralized internet

One way to support: https://www.patreon.com/schmonz

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105492251933963615

Addenda:

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105480776077113368

Today’s color scheme.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105480670817544507

It’s my year-end wrap-up on #Patreon, with notes on my acceptutils and rejectutils, @notqmail, @pkgsrc, and the Jersey City #Java User Group.

Take a look and a think, if you would, and tell me: what else might you like to see from me in 2021?

https://www.patreon.com/posts/45650445

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105477036235483199

Window view during playtime.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105441493563972854

Announcing next month’s Jersey City #Java User Group: Emily Bache with a hands-on-code session using #ApprovalTests with #LegacyCode.

https://meetu.ps/e/JBJyd/1yLjK/a

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105401372208274900

@liw MacSOUP was really good at this, for both news and mail. Alas, mail never advanced past POP3.

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105390378134386503

Thursday (tomorrow!), I'll be playing the role of a processor architecture debating my merits with another processor architecture played by Sue Johnston. Thanks to the script, we'll be surprisingly articulate. Markus Silpala will moderate.

Details: https://schmonz.com/talk/2020-deliveragile-december/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105389556215253146

Yesterday at the Jersey City Java User Group, J. B. Rainsberger presented "Unlocking the Awesome Power of Refactoring". Here's the video.

https://youtu.be/hGSde7whUyY

#refactoring #tdd #evolutionarydesign #xp #java

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105388749453656913

@stsp that reminds me I explicitly avoided dealing with that for this 2-to-3 update: https://schmonz.com/2018/08/07/legacy-code-lessons-pymsgauth/

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105379763017036805

Removing a program also makes this Before-and-After-and-Compare-and-Contrast diagram slightly easier to follow than it was before, believe it or not:

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105363359461425432

acceptutils, my TLS and AUTH implementation for notqmail (and older #qmail #SMTP systems), has been updated.

Today's release fixes bugs, considerably improves the manual pages, and removes a program that stopped pulling its weight.

Details: https://marc.info/?l=qmail&m=160769029019584&w=2

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105361637012287475

This morning’s surprise was Medtner’s “Vor der Arbeit” on the radio, right when I needed it.

This evening’s surprise: an honestly legit Schweinshaxe in non-southern Germany, right when I needed it (which is, to be fair, always).

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original post: https://octodon.social/@schmonz/105352030302150127