I recently conducted an informal survey of some cloud integration companies and found something deeply troubling. Aside from cookie-cutter or formulaic quick-start projects, more than 70 percent of cloud consulting engagements involving new customers resulted in either a 10 percent cost overrun or a change-order. The bigger the project, the more likely the overrun. You can blame it on stupid consultants or bad estimation or nutty customers or sunspot activity, but blame does no good. Something is going wrong here, and its causing a lot of heartburn for customers and vendors alike. In an earlier article on trends making the cloud consulting market treacherous, I mentioned that a root cause of any cloud overrun is mis-set expectations: customers believing that meeting their requirements will be simpler than it is and that it should cost less than it will. However significant that observation may be, its not particularly actionable. So lets take the next step to understand the driving specifics, and what steps we can take. [ How to compare cloud costs between Amazon, Microsoft and Google ] In most cloud projects, several areas are nicely contained and are unlikely to cause significant cost surprises. If setting up a function is … Continue reading →

Updated February 07, 2017 10:02:49 What makes a song a hit, and why do some songs stay with us years later? Musician turned academic Andrew West has written hundreds of songs, and he designed the world's first Masters degree in songwriting. He explains the secrets behind three classic hits. Pretty Woman shows terrific attention to detail. First of all, there's the tempo. They would have figured that out in the studio: not too slow, not too fast. And the final version of the song moves at a certain pace that feels exactly right. The song also uses a dynamic build, the way that the musicians are playing. That memorable riff gets louder and louder until it seems absolutely necessary for Orbison's voice to come in. It's also important to note the way Orbison uses harmonies on his voice, but only for certain sections of the song. A lot of critical thought has gone into the way the song is arranged. Sometimes having the chords match the musical expression, or the expression of the words, can work against the songwriter because it becomes too obvious. Changing that gives the listener subtext, a backstory, so that you're thinking that maybe the person … Continue reading →

Editors note: This article was originally published August 20, 2014 Heres what happens when an acclaimed artist known for his virtuosic drafstmanship sets himself the task of drawing every day for two years. He produces an astonishing 1,242 individual drawings of wild animals and landscapes, of human anatomy and mathematical formulas, and of classical art and family photographs. James Drakes The Anatomy of Drawing and Space (Brain Trash) is a sprawling installation of 1,242 drawings each 19 24 arranged into ten chapters and pinned directly to the gallery walls. The Anatomy of Drawing and Space (Brain Trash) will be on view at the Blanton Museum of Art opening Oct. 19 and continuing through Jan. 4, 2015. Drakes stream-of-consciousness drawings range from prosaic observations of landscapes and animals to dream-like meditations on weighty themes such as order and chaos, life and death. A Texas native now Santa Fe-based, Drake has long explored via his art the relationship of people and animals, particularity the animality of human behavior. Working across media in sculpture, video, installation, photography and drawing Drakes art has been featured in the Venice Biennale and the Whitney Biennial, among other prestigious exhibitions. More here: Pencil it in: James Drake's … Continue reading →

The Boston Globe Anatomy of a play call: From headset to 'hike!' The Boston Globe Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has until the play clock hits 15 seconds to communicate with Tom Brady through the quarterback's helmet. barry chin/globe staff. By Ben VolinGlobe Staff. February 2, 2017. HOUSTON It always looks simple enough. Visit link: Anatomy of a play call: From headset to 'hike!' - The Boston Globe … Continue reading →