Rob Farley on Talking Shop Down Under

LobsterPot Solutions’ very own Rob Farley is this week’s guest on the Talking Shop Down Under podcast!

Since my last post about podcasts I’m listening to, I’ve now added the following to my collection:

• Talking Shop Down Under – Interviews with Australian developers
• The Home Server Show – Latest on Windows Home Server
• FranklySpeaking – Microsoft Australia’s Andrew Coates and Michael Kordahi
• Elegant Code – Quiet since November 2009. One contributor now appears to be involved in PluralCast
• Daily Audio Bible – Brian Hardin reads through the entire Bible in one calendar year.

Adam Cogan on PerformancePoint 2010

Last night the Adelaide SQL Server User Group had Adam Cogan visit us from Sydney to talk about Microsoft PerformancePoint 2010. Adam is Chief Architect of SSW, a Microsoft Regional Director and a Microsoft MVP (Visual Studio Team System).

Usually the meetings are at lunchtime, but the group were asked to move to the evening timeslot this month (something about a Windows Phone 7 series talk). The other difference was that we got KFC supplied for supper.

Adam stepped through the features of PerformancePoint 2010 and showed some of the new additions. Probably the most significant is that it ceases to be a separate (expensive) product and now will ship as part of SharePoint Server 2010.

It was an entertaining evening, with a lively discussion between Adam and the audience. At the end of the night I think it’s fair to say we’d all learned a lot (even Adam!)

Updated 30/3

Adam thought readers might find these resources useful:

• SSW Rules to Better Business Intelligence
• SSW Performance Point Server Suggestions

The consulting cycle

How do you combine exercise, family and consulting work?

I’m trying to figure out how I can squeeze in the occasional ride to work, whilst still retaining that degree of separation that is appropriate as a consultant (eg. not using client’s shower facilities!)

My requirements are relatively simple. Somewhere to:

• securely to store my bike
• shower and change
• leave bike clothes/towel to dry

Rob had a good suggestion of checking out local gyms in the Adelaide CBD – maybe they might offer a cheap “change facilities only” membership deal. I read that Melbourne now have a dedicated “Bike Pod” for their cyclists to use. Wouldn’t it be great if Adelaide had something similar!

I’d be interested to hear of other suggestions and/or solutions.

Whilst I do like the idea of a “LobsterPot Solutions” branded bike top and knicks (the red claw would be very eye catching!) I’m not sure that our clients would be happy with me wearing that around the office all day :-)