New developments, part 2

We've listened to the feedback and have modified our training course portfolio accordingly.
From now on, we'll be offering a full-day training course on Tick-the-Code instead of just the half-a-day course.
In addition, there are extension modules for the management on offer.

Tick-the-Code training course options

DayTick - immerse yourself in code for a day
- enables software developers to use Tick-the-Code in their work. Raises their quality-awareness.
- 7h (+ lunch), max 10 participants

QuickTick - the fastest Tick-the-Code training there is
- enables software developers to use Tick-the-Code in their work.
- 3h, max 10 participants

Extension modules

PoliTick - inform managers of Tick-the-Code
- helps managers support their software developers in using Tick-the-Code
- 2h

PlanTick - ensure successful deployment of Tick-the-Code
- helps plan the deployment of Tick-the-Code in the organization
- covers aot. practical arrangements, written guidelines, incentive system
- 2h, max 6 participants (for an effective meeting)

For more details, see The Course page.

New Developments

Tick-the-Code diversifies!
So far there has only been one version of the Tick-the-Code training. Now there are two! The standard, extremely efficient training lasting only 3 hours is now called QuickTick and the new training that lasts a whole working day is called DayTick. As soon as I get the details thought out I'll update the course page on the site, too.

There will be two extensions, too. For the management to get an idea about Tick-the-Code technique, there will be a module called PoliTick and in order to make a plan of the practical arrangements of deployment a module called PlanTick will help. They are both short two-hour sessions.

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I visited the Hannover Messe yesterday. The theme was industry and there sure are hundreds of companies dealing with software even though their products don't necessarily look like it. With a product like Tick-the-Code, independent of application area, that can only be good news. If you want to help out in marketing this winner quality method, let me know.

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The newest customer, OpusCapita Oy from Tampere has been added to the Customers page.

Haikus

On The Snack page you'll find a Tick-the-Code haiku. I'd really like to hear your comments on it. You can even send me your suggestions on any topic...

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Bochum in winter
Raindrops keep falling on me
Like summer only colder

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Dusty tracks salty
Springtime wind blows in a rush
Sand grinds in my teeth

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Sit down stand-up starts
The audience yells at me
As the line doesn't punch

Finland, South America and David Hasselhoff

-5 degrees centigrade was a freezing reminder of how north Finland actually is. Luckily, just two days ago I sat on our balcony charging the sun's energy in my personal batteries. Some of the energy I used for a drawing, but more on that later.

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Kaj's Odyssey: We have written records stating that Kaj has been in Arica, Iquique, San Pedro de Atacama, Coliapo(?), La Serena and in some nature reservation near Bolivia. Santiago de Chile was his location before yesterday.
Our fearless traveller has now reached the Easter Islands. He did in a fashion unknown to software developers; early. It is apparently +23 degrees and the palm trees, and only the palm trees are swinging in the breeze. Believe if you want.

The temperature is the only reason why the islanders export all the chocolate eggs they find (left by the Easter Bunny, a species whose nesting habits are mysteriously linked with the huge stone statues on the island. The Easter Bunny is the only native mammal on such a far-away island. All the other species have been brought to the islands somehow.)

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I'm sitting in a restaurant (Teerenpeli in Tampere has free WLAN connection) and what do they play? David Hasselhoff seems still to be "Looking for Freedom". Like I wouldn't hear that enough in Germany. Catchy tune...I've been looking for freedom, still it can't be found, hmm, hmmm

Ruling classes

The C# modifications to the Tick-the-Code rule cards are done. The cards are being printed as we speak in Finland. The nice thing about the modifications was that it was an adjustment of the rules to fit all object-oriented programming languages than just C#. Most of the rules were anyway usable as such (20/24) and even two pointer rules could be modified so as to fit to C# and Java better.

The new cards are missing a few rules, namely CONST 1ST, PLOCAL and FAR. In addition, the rule NULL is now called CLOSURE and deals also with other resources besides dynamic memory. Rule ARRAY is now called INDEX, and applies to tables, loops, strings and not just arrays. NEVERNULL was modified, but the name kept.

This kind of evolution is normal, and the rules must change from time to time. When you learn to follow a rule unconsciously, you don't need a card to tell you that. As long as following a rule isn't completely autonomous, there's always a risk that under pressure you'll inadvertently break the rule and possibly cause more complexity than necessary.

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The spring is here. Temperatures of way over 20 degrees in the sun allow one to sit with a T-shirt on the restaurant terraces that thiw winter never really closed. I've been inline skating three times already, each time I've went three times around the Kemnader See and everytime it is getting easier.

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Finally, I'm continuing to write. It was bothering me that during the dark winter I didn't really get much of anything done. I have a lot of ideas noted down, but it seemed that finishing them is impossible. Now I went through Chapter 3 of my Tick-the-Code book and found it almost totally written. I added some conclusions, had an idea for a quality comic, which probably should be called "The Quality Comic", and was generally happy with the way the chapter turned out. I sent it out for review and hope to get feedback in May. There's two more chapters to finish. I could be done by June...

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If you know of software producing companies in Denmark, especially in Copenhagen, let us know. We intend to drive in June through Denmark and Sweden and we thought we could introduce Tick-the-Code on the way. We're grateful for any tips.

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Suomeksi: Kevättä ilmassa, aurinko paistaa, mehiläiset pörrää kukkivissa puissa, Virpi aivastelee ja linnut laulaa. Näinhän ne päivät kuluu.