When someone is joining the company for the first time, there is a lot of preparation required to bring them onboard and make them feel a part of the company and the team.

I have joined companies in the past where I have turned up and had to:

• Clear out the previous occupants desk
• Find a comput...

Something I learned about today, was the different ways to host people in MS Teams.

1 on 1 calls are great, but sometimes you want to talk to a large group. Normally I reach straight for a "Meeting" in Teams when I want to talk to a bigger number of people.

But if you are talking to a whole depart...

2021 has been a mixed bag for me:

• COVID
• Home schooling
• Continuing to deal with grief
• Building my office
• Starting a new Remote role.

But here we are, at the tail end of it, and I suppose its time to reflect.
Its time to take stock, and reconsider the future.

I enjoyed home schoo...

Most software engineers in the UK have been having virtual meetings for over a year now, due to Lockdown, and new colleagues working remotely.

Some of my thoughts on how to keep these effective.

• Cameras on
  This one is controversial for lots of good reasons, but I find it a lot easier to connect...

In order to get upto speed at my new job, I have suggested I Pair program with some of the developers.
This will help me get upto speed, help me learn the systems, the processes, the people and the tools.

It seemed like the existing engineers were hesitant, but that was quickly overcome. I believe...

My latest job is fully remote. That means no access to an office in person.
Therefore in order to start working at a new position, some basic things are needed:

• PC
• Multiple monitors
• Headset
• Webcam
• Notebook & Stationary
• Chair
• Desk
• Software Logins
• Software licenses

Day 1 - No Hardw...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

Building the floor

Now I have the base dug out, and the block pillars sighted (note they are not secured yet), its time to build the base frame.
This frame will also be the floor of the office!

I have decided on a...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

Research

Now I know where the office will sit, and how it will affect the garden, neighbours and fauna, its time to figure out how to get it erected.

The first decision to make, is to self build, buy prefab, or "g...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

When will the digging stop?

I continue to dig, its like the great escape, there is always more to dig. However I don't have a cool name for my hole, nor do I have anyone else to help.

I'm very close to the end no...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

"The roots have to go!"

My ethos with this build has always been to nestle it among the trees and therefore to ensure they stay healthy too.

It is intended to be nestled between 2 trees, a May tree (Red Hawthorn...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

Digging!

I have spent the day digging again!

I am trying to maintain the trees that my office will be sitting between.
Therefore I need to dig out the ground without hurting the trees.

My intention is to have th...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

I have been clearing the area of debris and plants using my new favourite digging tool. It's called a Mattock and it breaks through roots, and hard soil and plants with ease. B...

See the full series of posts, to find out how we got here.*

For the forseeable future, I have decided to work from home. We live in a 2 bed bungalow with 3 people. That means there is not a dedicated space to work in. Right now I am working i...