Lessons Learned: Slack API

Lessons Learned: Slack API

I wrote last month about launching FantasyHockeySim.com and replacing the old DetroitHockey.Net Community Forums with a Slack team.  At the time I promised a future post about the work I did with the Slack API. The Slack API uses OAuth for authentication, which isn’t really a surprise.  It does open up problems if you want to […]

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It’s Quiet Uptown

It’s Quiet Uptown

So Jenny is obsessed with Hamilton and has been for months.  We got our tickets to see it in Chicago last week, she’s had tickets to see it in New York for months, she’s had the recording on a near-constant loop for quite some time, all that. Of late, I’ve found myself listening to it pretty […]

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Building Physical Things

Building Physical Things

Part of why I love software development is that I get to make things.  Through my efforts, something new has been created.  It’s a pretty awesome feeling. As much as I love it, there’s something even better about building physical things.  Even something as simple as an Ikea bookcase. You start with a box.  It’s […]

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On “Guaranteed Installation Windows” and Comcast

On “Guaranteed Installation Windows” and Comcast

Seemingly everyone has a Comcast horror story.  No one likes the company and people who use their services do so begrudgingly. Except for me. Oh, sure, I know they’re ridiculously overpriced but I recognize that they can get away with that.  I don’t expect them to charge less than market value out of the goodness […]

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Fixing the Joe Louis Arena Farewell Season Logo

Fixing the Joe Louis Arena Farewell Season Logo

Given my recent history, it would seem that I’m contractually obligated to dislike any graphics package any team in the Detroit Red Wings’ organization puts out. I didn’t like the Red Wings’ Winter Classic jerseys in 2014 or their Stadium Series jerseys for this year.  I don’t like their Hockeytown logo.  I didn’t like the […]

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Martin Biron, John Scott, and Software Development

Martin Biron was the last player in the National Hockey League to wear #00.  It’s one of my favorite stories because it mixes hockey with the pitfalls of software development. Biron, then a rookie goalie for the Buffalo Sabres, appeared in three games in the 1995-96 season wearing #00, which he had worn during his […]

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Failing Fast is Still Failing

Failing Fast is Still Failing

I love agile development methodologies.  Specifically the ability to fail fast and adapt as necessary. I love cloud services for making failure cheaper and therefore easier.  We can try new things because the risks are lessened. We have the process for failure figured out.  We have the technology for failure figured out.  I think we’ve still […]

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