Podcast Update

• Robert Lefkowitz, VP Enterprise Systems & Architecture, AT&T Wireless, talks about The Semasiology of Open Source. Before you ask, semasiology refers to the study of the development of words and their meanings. Robert does an excellent job of dividing the term "open source" into a variety of possible connotations and such. This very interesting presentation includes consideration for how an IT organization might view open source from an accountant's perspective. For those of you familiar with FASB 86, this is quite interesting. Robert also notes the changes that have occurred in how we diagnose problems with systems and how this has changed over the last 20+ years. In this context, logging has become perhaps more important then being able to use a debugger. A very interesting idea indeed, when was the last time you, if you are a techie, checked the contents of a register. Robert also talked about what constitutes source for open source. His discussion would apply to closed source too. In this context, he builds a good case that it isn't just the code. In fact, it starts with the requirements. This is a rich presentation with great analysis and wonderful historical references. ITConversations includes a link to a transcript of the presentation too.
• David Ritter, VP Boston Consulting Group, delivered an inspiring and information packed presentation about Making Connections. I recommend listening to this one while viewing the slides which ITConversations provides. This presentation talks about how networking has changed the dynamics of many industrial processes including, but not only, software. Networking, in this context, while enhanced and aided by technological capabilities like the Internet, is more about how organizations and people connect with each other. David's presentation includes a good selection of examples including what happened with a single provider of a critical component for ALL Toyota cars burned to the ground. Many other Toyota providing vendors worked together with the original provider to bring Toyota plants back online (an amazing story). David drives home the importance of transparency and offers some interesting tidbits about network analysis in this regard. I highly recommend this presentation. ITConversations also provides access to a transcript of this presentation.
• Steve Gillmor (ZDNet), Glenn Reid (Five Across), Dorée Duncan Seligmann (Avaya), David Sifry (Technorati), and Linda Stone (Apple) talked about Attention. My first glance at the description of this session made me think I wouldn't find this presentation interesting. To the contrary, this interesting panel discussion brought to light the real essence of what my everyday is like in many ways. The whole notion of continuous partial attention is so apt. I highly recommend this presentation.
• Jonathan Schwartz, President of Sun Microsystems, was interviewed by Kevin Werbach. Jonathan offers some very interesting perspectives about open source and the importance of decentralizing the control of technology. Jonathan is insightful and outspoken. This is another presentation I would highly recommend especially if, like me, you share an interest in software development and open source from a software vendor's perspective.
• Kartik Subbarao, Hewlett Packard, talks about embracing Open Source within an enterprise. Particularly, he uses an interesting analysis incorporating a metaphor of water (open source) and earth (closed source) and Venice. He talks about the characteristics of both are necessary to support Venice's existence (and yes he addresses the fact the Venice is still sinking). His examples include HP's use and contributions to OpenLDAP. I highly recommend this presentation. The world of enterprise software today is not just choices between buy and build. Open and closed source. Great, fast, short presentation.
• John Smart delivered the opening presentation at the Accelerating Change conference. This presentation was predominantly an overview of the other presentations to come and at first swipe, this may sound uninteresting. The contrary is true. I am actively seeking the podcast of the presentation on technical singularity to which John referred now. Go listen. :)
• Several lawyers, Lauren Gelman and Wendy Seltzer, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Jennifer Collins about the legal rights and responsibilities of bloggers. This is a very informative and interesting discussion that any blogger would find value listening to. They provide good coverage of the issues surrounding borrowing text, using music, and talking about others.