So Much to Learn, So Little Time

I once saw a bumper sticker that read, "So many pedestrians, so little time." I admit, my Dad's quirky sense of humor damaged me for life, and I thought it was one of the funniest things I had seen on a bumper sticker. Well, while I won't be knocking off pedestrians any time soon (or ever, as a matter of fact), I am always trying to quench some insatiable thirst for knowledge. My latest quest (in addition to computer programming) is Product Management. In a nutshell, this is the solution to years of computer programmers building software for themselves, and making the rest of us suffer for it.

I have made it about half-way through a book titled, The Inmates are Running the Asylum. While the book may not be digestible by the average Jane, the second chapter on Cognitive Friction redeems and vindicates all of those humans who seem to think that they are just not technical enough to handle technology. If you are ready to feel like you are not an idiot after all, search for the section titled "Apologists and Survivors" on Google Books.

Another newfangled addition for me is Safari Books, where I can read ten books a month for about twenty bucks. My version of "reading" is often as follows:

• Find a digital copy of a book (ie, Safari Books)
• Use Natural Reader to read the book to me
• Copy interesting quotes or phrases in OneNote for later reference

And this after trying to simplify technology for others. Hey, it works for me! It is like washing the car, getting the laundry done, and cleaning the house, all in one fell swoop! You should try it!