Don’t even try to remember it all. Remember that what you’ve seen is possible. Remember what is an integral foundation to what you’re doing. Remember what you work with every day. Then remember to build a good reference library … for the rest.
– Robert Vieira (Professional Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Programming, Page 20)
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Books, Memory, Quote, Quotes | 
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Posted by kramii
The premise of Make Today Count (MTC) is summed up by its subtitle, “The Secret of Your Success Is Determined by Your Daily Agenda”. Maxwell points out that what we become is the result of what we do today, that every day is preparation for the next. Therefore, the only way to change your life is to change what you do daily. Maxwell lists his “daily dozen”, the 12 areas of life that he focuses upon in order to make his own life a success. These are:
In the 12 chapters that follow, he addresses each of these areas and gives practical advice and examples from his own life on how each area can be developed. At the end of the book, he encourages the reader to make their own list, using the “daily dozen” as a model, and to work on these priorities daily in order to live a successful and fulfilled life.
The book is well written. It has a clear objective, is well structured and divided into self-contained chapters. The writing is consise, uses plain language and contains plenty of concrete examples to illustrate Maxwell’s points. The book is relatively short – at around 160 pages (3.5 hours audio), it makes for a fairly quick read. The narration of the audio version is evenly paced, and I found the narrator’s voice neither tiresome nor grating. Maxwell’s occasional humorous remarks were delivered rather deadpan, but I admit that this is vastly preferable to over-emphasizing the jokes. I also found the pace of the narration a little slow. Indeed, I turned playback speed on my player up to 120% without missing a word. With its smart, business-like cover the printed book would look quite respectable on bookshelf or in any briefcase or handbag.
Faith is a subject of an entire chapter of MTC, and I was intrigued to see how Maxwell presents his religious convictions in the book.
Maxwell’s earlier books have had significant success amongst business leaders and in other secular markets. Nevertheless, in MTC Maxwell unashamedly proclaims that his Chrisitan faith has formed the basis of his life’s work, and cites the Bible as the source book for many of his ideas. For him, faith is fundamental. Of course, some people will find any reference to religion unpalletable. In Maxwell’s defence, he is simply stating what has worked for him. He doesn’t say that his list of priorities is right for everyone, rather that it is a model upon which we can base our own personal list.
On the other hand, significan numbers of Christians also read Maxwell’s books. For some believers, however, MTC appear be too secular. Why? Because, for may Christian readers, a clear Biblical mandate for the principles by which they live is essential. However, Maxwell provides few Bible references or examples to back up his assertions, and he chooses to put the faith chapter in the middle of the book rather than in first place where it belongs. As a believer myself, I quite understand these objections. Nevertheless, I recognise that Maxwell has succeeded in writing a book that is intended to be accessible to people with a wide variety of religious perspectives. I can only hope that it will inspire a few to research the basis of the author’s own growth and development. So, can a book like this help me grow as a Christian? Maxwell contends that his principles are to be found in scripture, even if he doesn’t always tell us where to look. Clearly, if I want in-depth Bible-study on these topics, I will have to look elsewhere. Nevertheless, a life wholely dedicated to God should be the aspiration of every believer, and the areas that Maxwell covers in MTC are certainly imporant in that respect. As such, I find that Maxwell’s MTC deeply challanging and inspirational.
According to Amazon, much of the material in the book was covered in his earlier work, Today Matters, so readers of the earlier volume may not find much new material here. Others may find much of the material self-evident or common sense. Franky, I envy such people! For everyone else, I think there are valuable lessons to be learned from this text. As such, I think it is well worth the cover price.
Apparently, Stephen R. Covey calls this book,
A persuasive, inspiring, and greatly needed message!
I can’t help but agree. I found it profoundly challanging, and will undoubtedly read it again.
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Book Review, Books, John C Maxwell, John Maxwell, Personal Development, Time Management | 
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Posted by kramii
Last year, I made a list of Great Programming books. Here is an update to that list.
I have read and highly recommend the following:
These are often recommended by people who have read the above:
Other people’s ideas about great programming books:
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Books, Computing, Productivity, Programming | 
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Posted by kramii
My personal library is overcrowded, so over the years I have found it necessary to dispose of many books on outmoded technology. This book by Charles Petzold is different. Indeed, its unparalleled coverage of graphics programming techniques make it worth every inch of the space it takes up on my shelf.
Indeed, this book is a timeless classic. Although this it was written some time in the 1990s, its contents apply equally well to modern versions of Windows. Of course, it lacks details of the innovations that have occurred since it was written, but the programming techniques that it espouses will be as useful now as ever they were. Indeed, it is hard to find fault with a single example given in this volume.
Some people may find the book a little brief in places. Indeed, it does lack the depth of cover found in Petzold’s other books. Nevertheless, this book is without comparison in its subject area. If anyone is looking for a book on Windows Graphics, you’d be hard pressed to find one that is as informative as this one.
Sadly, Amazon lists this book as out of print. But, if you can obtain a copy of this book, I urge you to buy it. You won’t be sorry.
In short, highly recommended!
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Posted by kramii
A copy of computing ( 31sth July 2008 ) has just landed on my desk. It carries an article about the British Library’s need to digitise information. I was reminded of an idea that I had some time ago…
Apparently, the British Library already holds “a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland”. I believe that the availability of digital versions of these publications is at the voluntary discretion of publishers.
My proposal is that:
This would:
Of course, there would be costs:
There would be a burden on publishers to provide the electronic documents. However
The remainder would need to be digitised by the publisher, but the cost of digitisation could be spread amongst the beneficiaries of publications:
The other cost is the maintenance of equipment and knowledge needed to actually read all these publications. However:
In my view, these measures would leave future generations with access to the Ultimate Library.
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Posted by kramii
In 2008 I plan to read at least 12 books:
3 Great Novels
3 Personal Development Books
3 Spiritual Development Books
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Posted by kramii
It is not enough to read good books, nor even vert good books. Life is too short for all that. We must resolve only to read great books, and to read them again.
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Posted by kramii
Here are my notes on, “The Rules of Work: A Definitive Code for Personal Success” by Richard Templar.
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Posted by kramii
These are the ones I have read. I highly recommend them:
These are the ones I intend to read, as they have come highly recommended from others:
Other suggestions are most welcome.
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Posted by kramii
Yesterday, I was reading the preface to the book “The Pragmatic Programmer”, and came across the word “Kaizen” for the first time.
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Posted by kramii
