Basecamp Scheduled Maintenance Message

I’ve been using Basecamp to track projects and I really like it.  It’s simple yet powerful.  I just had to share something that cracked me up that I saw on their site today.

A message was posted telling that some maintenance will be happening tonight.  I love the wording they chose:

We’re just making a quick tweak that will let us store account settings more comfortably.

Here’s a screen shot:

As a software development firm, we use words like “a quick tweak” all the time.

For example, a client might ask for a new feature or update to a website and the reply is “Oh, it’s just a quick tweak.”  To most people, that just leaves them scratching their heads wondering what needs tweaked.     To that we could reply “don’t worry about that…the developers are the one’s doing the tweaking and the developers know how to tweak.”   It’s just a code tweak.  Developers, how many times have you had said that?!?

I also love the wording “that will let us store account settings more comfortably.”    Many times on software projects hindsight is 20/20 and you learn so much during the process.  Many times requirements change or it’s hard to pin a client down on exact requirements at the very beginning, so you must be nimble.    Sometimes when the project is done you may say to yourself “I wish I would have coded such and such a little different.”   You’re not 100% comfortable with the outcome.

The next time someone asks you what you’re updating, just be vague as you can and tell them you’re making a quick tweak to make you feel more comfortable.

If you’re not using Basecamp, give it a shot.  I really like it and I’ve researched a bunch of PM options.

There Is Power In Presence

I’m finding that I need to relax some and let things happen.  I feel like when we’re on a missions trip like this we have an urge to want to dive right in and get things done.   One part of us just coming and showing up is that the people we see and meet with are blessed and encouraged.  The achiever side of me wants to jump into action immediately.   Some of the battle for me is to learn to relax and simply enjoy being in the moment by encouraging and smiling.

I tweeted a week or so ago that there is power in presence.   I was thinking that was relevant in the realm of family and parenting.  At the time, I was thinking about truly being in the moment and focused on what you’re doing as a family and not your phone and work.  This goes for when you’re hanging with friends too.

Today, I understand that the “power of presence” goes so much deeper than that.    A person can fly half way around the world from Indianapolis to Accra, Ghana and by simply being present that person can provide much encouragement.

Yes, there are plans being made and there are things to do, but today was a lesson in presence and knowing that there are people across the world that share common goals and visions and that is so cool.

Software as a Mission – Leaving Today For Ghana West Africa

Those of you that know me personally, know that I have a heart to serve and use my gifts and talents to help others.    I’m getting an opportunity to use my business and technology skills across the world in Ghana, West Africa.

Those of you that don’t know me personally, well, maybe we can change that.   I hope to write some blog posts while I’m on this trip to give you a glimpse of what I’m getting to experience.

Our team’s focus is to build upon a strong partnership we have with Manna Mission.  We are working on some initiatives like business as mission, micro-lending programs, hospital expansions and technology ideas for internal business systems.

I’m excited to see where this goes and I’d encourage you to follow along with me.   It’s going to be a fun ride.

You can track with me via this blog, the RSS feed, facebook or twitter.

Bill