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Log Judiciously

Judiciously: With good judgement.  Logging is one of the simplest things a developer can do, and one of the easiest things to get wrong. A single misplaced log line can be harmless, but a pattern of careless logging turns into noise, confusion, and even security risk.  The challenge isn’t teaching engineers how to log, it’s helping them understand why they’re logging in the first place. Here I intended to draw that distinction clearly: choosing logs that illuminate behaviour, support debugging, and reveal failures, while avoiding the chatter, duplication, and reassurance‑driven messages that bury the real signals. Finding the Line Between Useful and Noisy Teams often fall into the trap of believing that if they simply “log enough,” the rest of observability will take care of itself. It’s an appealing idea: produce a steady stream of detail, let dashboards and alerts sift through it, and assume that somewhere in the noise the truth will reveal itself. But this mindset skips th...
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5 minutes with Winterfylleth (again)

I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t I do this not long ago? It’s true, I did . Less than 18 months ago in fact. And if Winterfylleth releases another album and does an album launch in the next 18 months I’ll go and do it all again. I left work at 2pm, got the train to London, the Underground to Cambden and spent all of five minutes with the band. I had the latest album signed - which I have twice now, on CD and on vinyl which I collected from Raven Records this evening - my ARD  (mark Deeks' band) CDs and record signed, and all my Necronautical  (Rust Ob Sun's band) CDs signed. They all did the Metal pose, I see them do on social media, with me. They were all very accommodating, which made my week and is why I go! Mark Deeks was there this time, and it was great to meet him in person after much messaging on social media. It was good to meet Rust Ob Sun for the first time too! His Facebook posts are great. In a flash it was over and I was heading back to Norwich, via a few ho...

The Forcek Assignment

  I loved The Forcek Assignment! I’ve read most of Ray Adam’s books and this is by far my favorite so far. It’s short, at about 110 pages, but that means it’s fast paced. There are only a few characters, so you only really get to know Roo Raker, but that’s enough. It has a plot which would be at home in any The Original Series Star Trek film, a mysterious red head and a couple of twists I should have seen coming and didn’t. I’ll never understand Ray’s obsession with creating characters who smoke, but that’s no detractor, and I was left with just one question - well lots of questions, but one big one - why is Roo Raker’s name never shortened?! The Forcek Assignment! Is the first of a trilogy, and I have the second lined up already. Ray Adams ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8679926462

Take a Little Piece of Paul & Charlotte Home

Over the last 18 months, the support you’ve all shown for my writing, speaking, and the journey Charlotte and I have been on has meant more than I can ever say. Every message, every share, every bit of encouragement:  it’s carried us. So we’re delighted to offer something special in return: a little piece of us that you can take with you and love forever. Meet the Paul & Charlotte Plushie Soft, cuddly, and created with so much care, this plushie is designed to bring a smile wherever it goes. It comes complete with: A miniature Paul plushie — glasses, beard, and all the familiar charm A tiny Charlotte companion plushie — warm, cheerful, and full of heart Matching accessories that tie the whole set together and make it perfect for gifting, traveling, or simply keeping close Whether you’ve followed our journey from the beginning or only recently joined us, this plushie is a lovely way to keep that connection alive. Get Yours Here https://paulgrenyer.com/shop   Thank you ...

Stop! Shower Time!

Naked Element to reward team for taking showers. While there is a lot to be said for meeting a problem head on, research has shown that removing oneself from a difficult task, even for a few minutes, can make all the difference when it comes to finding a solution. Engaging in a less mentally challenging activity frees the mind and allows it to consider different pathways and directions. How many times have you struggled to remember the name of a contact, only for it to come to mind while putting the kettle on? Or been stood in the shower and come up with a new way to tackle that tricky code issue at work? Back in the dim and distant past, our director Paul Grenyer lived in Leeds and worked as a software engineer in Sheffield. It was an 80 mile round trip by car everyday, not something that he relished, but that turned out to be his best time for solving software problems (the copious amounts of Black and Symphonic Metal he listened to while driving may have also helped, but that’s anot...

[Workshop] Building Effective Communication Skills

Is great communication important to you, your work, and your relationships? Do you want to improve how you connect with others? What: Building Effective Communication Skills with Amy Eleftheriades When: Thursday, May 14 · 1.00pm to 4.00pm Where: Maids Head Hotel, Norwich How much: £42 Book: https://www.meetup.com/norfolk-developers-nordev/events/313927055/ Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, breakdowns, and conflict. Feeling unheard or misunderstood can be frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Developing effective communication skills can help you: Build stronger relationships Improve teamwork Reduce conflict Boost confidence and wellbeing Ensure your voice is heard What You’ll Learn The importance of effective communication Different communication styles (yours and others’) Practical tools and techniques for work and home How to initiate conversations and share ideas with confidence Interactive Learning Experience Using LEGO® as a hands-on learning tool,...

Winterfylleth - The Unyielding Season

The Imperious Horizon came out on the 13th of September 2024. 18 months (and 2 days) ago. Of course that’s not a long time between albums, especially with bands today - it’s been nearly 8 years since the last Dimmu Borgir album - but it’s also felt like forever waiting for The Unyielding Season. One of my favorite bands, I return to Winterfylleth again and again. The Unyielding Season opens with a single symbol hit which immediately draws you in! In the middle of the album the acoustic guitars come out and are fantastic. It feels like there’s a new level of intensity throughout, even during the orchestral bits. The lead guitar is better than even, but what really stands out is the richer drum sound. The version of Paradise Lost’s Enchantment, the bonus track, is something else! More layers than the original. Longer than the original. The piano is more haunting and Mark Deeks’s vocals are great! I’m only on my third listen, but already this is a great album.