What Is System Engineering?

Systems Engineering is an engineering discipline whose responsibility is creating and executing an interdisciplinary process to ensure that the customer and stakeholder needs are satisfied in a high quality, trustworthy, cost efficient and schedule compliant manner throughout a system's entire life cycle. Agile Project Management, as applied to Systems Engineering, is built around a supposed paradigm shift from the past to the future. Although not as strongly worded, the notation that the processes of the past have failed us does not distinguish between an inappropriate process and the inappropriate application of an appropriate process. “A system is a construct or collection of different elements that together produce results not obtainable by the elements alone. The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware, software, facilities, policies, and documents; that is, all things required to produce systems-level results. The results include system level qualities, properties, characteristics, functions, behavior and performance. The value added by the system as a whole, beyond that contributed independently by the parts, is primarily created by the relationship among the parts; that is, how they are interconnected.” Eberhard Rechtin, The Art of Systems Architecting

Back In The Saddle

I've been on hiatus for sometime. Now I need to start posting again. I've found myself in a situation where I am trying to guide a small company into the promiseland of processes. If I'm successful then I'll be a hero, if not, then I'll be a goat. Either way it will be a hellava ride.

Panasonic PV-GS65 Camcorder is the Bomb

As often the case when I get rid of an item, something turns up that requires it. I sold an old Sony camcorder on ebay now I have a need for one.

I have decided on getting a digital camcorder using miniDV tape. I have the software to download and edit whatever movies I take. So having a bunch of tapes lying around will not be an issue.

I found a pretty good web site that does all the comparisons for me. It is called camcorderinfo.com.

I have decided on the Panasonic PV-GS65 Camcorder. It is rated number three by the site. For the price difference between it and the number one pick, a Panasonic PV-GS250 Camcorder, I can buy a decent 6Mp digital camera.

Late Night Tax Jokes

"We ought to thank President Bush. He made it a lot easier for people to do taxes this year. No job, no income tax this year." Jay Leno

"Earlier today, the White House released President Bush's tax return. Not surprisingly, under dependents, the president listed Iraq." Conan O'Brien

"President Bush released his tax returns yesterday. He listed the economy as a liability. He gets to write that off." Jay Leno

"Technically, you're not paying taxes. According to the Bush administration, your bank account is being liberated." Jay Leno

"Today the IRS gave some guidelines on how to avoid getting audited. Number one, don't list deductions that will raise a red flag. Number two, make sure you file on time. Number three, don't make any stupid anti-war speech at the Academy Awards." Jay Leno

"The IRS now says you can deduct weight loss plans off your taxes. You can write it off because the government has officially declared obesity a disease. And it's a disease, you can deduct medical expenses. That shows what a difference an administration can make. See under Bush, obesity is a disease. Under Clinton it was just sexy." Jay Leno

"Monday, April 15th, taxes are due. I just don't pay them. Yeah, this year Arthur Anderson did my taxes, I'm getting $6 billion back." Conan O'Brien

Taxes Suck!

Overworked, overtaxed, underpaid and the Senate Republicans are pussies.

Tested Out BlogMatrix Sparks

I tried capturing a three hour show on talk radio. Sparks worked great and the quality of the sound was very good. In all the mp3's took up 42Mb of disk space.

Technorati: Tech, technology, Web/Tech

I Like ebay

I wish I had invested in ebay when it first started, along with Yahoo, Microsoft and Apple. But alas, I decided to invest in my education instead. Oh well, I guess we all are not cut out to be billionaires. A new franchise is starting which I tried out today. Called iSold It! The Easy Way to Sell on ebay, for approximately 30% of the selling price they will do everything; setup the auction, ship it and collect the money. Its Pretty cool, better than having the stuff sitting around and gathering dust.

Podcasting Will Be the Next Big Thing

I have been checking out BlogMatrix Sparks! 2.0 (HatTip: Scobleizer) and found it to be a pretty good program. Rather than transcribing a conversation from a talk radio broadcast or listing a sequence of instructions, it is much easier to create a podcast. I believe podcasting will follow blogging as the next big thing. Thank you, Steve Jobs.

Technorati: Tech, technology, Web/Tech

I Wonder If The Next Pope Will Blog?

Its amazing to me how ignorant the MSM is about Roman Catholics. Even the pundits who profess to be an RC are pretty lame.

Bottomline, the Curia is a political organ and it will take an act of God (remember JP I) to make them listen to the Holy Spirit. My bet is on an Italian and forget about him taking the name JP III.