Sleep Is For The Weak

About three months ago I started a new job where I was issued a MacBook computer. At that time I wasn’t sure I liked the machine. It did most of what I wanted it to, but had a number of quirks I found rather annoying. I’ve continued using the MacBook, and have come to appreciate some of the software that’s available for OS X. Applications like TextMate, Cornerstone, and CocoaMySQL are fantastic. I’m sure there are similar applications for Windows, and other Unix Like operating systems (FreeBSD, Linux). However the integration between these applications and the operating system really is very good.

The default Apple Terminal application is also very good. Most terminals are suitable for my needs, however the keyboard shortcuts are great. Copy/Paste “Just Works”, opening new terminal windows are just a Command+n away. All in all a solid terminal, with a lot of features, that works with a minimum of annoyances.

Applications like QuickSilver make using the computer even faster. Ctrl+Space itu Enter launches iTunes. Ctrl+Space file Enter launches filezilla. Ctrl+Space text Enter launces textedit. really a simple function to add, and I’ve been told QuickSilver does a lot more than function as an application launcher, but this feature alone is enough to make me happy.

Considering the slow hard drive installed in the MacBook I’m surprised at how snappy the system is overall at most tasks. If I continue editing video from conferences we attend I am likely to have a 320gb 7200rpm drive installed. In part because 1 hour of video is 12gb, and in part because drive speed does matter while editing videos.

I wouldn’t say the MacBook is a superior computer to a commodity PC with a Unix Like operating system installed, and a fair amount of system customization to fit the users individual needs. But I will say that out of the box, with a minimal amount of configuration Apple has provided a pretty fantastic system.

Thanks to: The_Jorr for the image

One important step in Time Management is to plan each day. Before opening your E-mail in the morning you should take 10 minutes and plan out what projects need to be completed.

Start by looking at your calendar and look at what meetings, phone calls, and appointments you have committed to and use that as your basis for the day.

Now on a note pad, take down a list of things you know need to be done. Listen to your voicemail and take down any notes appropriate there as well. Estimate the time each item on your list is going to take, and write that next to the item.

Prioritize these items. I use three categories. Category 1 needs to be completed today. Category 2 needs to be completed no later than tomorrow. And finally Category 3 is to be completed “soon”

Now create a To Do list. Take the items you have already committed to and add them to your calendar with the expected time for the meeting blocked out. Fit your Category 1 items into your To Do list. Be sure to leave time for important things like…. Lunch…. If you have 8 hours worth of work, and four hours worth of meetings, see if you can break some of your longer items into smaller parts and distribute the parts over the next few days, or pass parts off to co-workers as necessary.

Things that can not be completed get moved to tomorrows list. The Category 2 items not finished today become tomorrows Category 1 items. Thus begins a cycle which will hopefully make you far more productive as you will hopefully spend less time wondering what you should be doing next, or trying to decide which of your fifteen thousand things should be worked on.

More on Time Management to come.

Thanks to: mangee for the image

As a system administrator we all have projects that need to be completed. Most of these projects take several hours of uninterrupted time to complete. As a system administrator it’s all too common for small things to interrupt that block of uninterrupted time required to complete your project. The problem is you don’t only lose the two to fifteen minutes you spent working on the interruption, but it also takes quite a while to get back to where you were in your larger project. Most mistakes seem to take place in the steps directly following an interruption. So how can we as system administrators deal with these interruptions?

First it helps to plan your day out in the morning. If you know you have five things to accomplish, and four of them will take under an hour you can schedule them in short blocks around other prearranged events like meetings, lunch breaks, etc. Then take what you know to be the busiest time of day for interruptions, and leave an hour or two open during that block to deal with the interruptions history has shown to come in during those times. If none come in that time can be used to tie off other loose ends, update time sheets, or reply to e-mails. It is also worth noting fairly early that turning off distractions such as your e-mail, twitter, jabber, and other clients during scheduled project time is a huge benefit. This will significantly cut down on the number of starts and stops that take place while working on your projects, which will eliminate a lot of potential for error.

Finally while working on the larger project that you know will take a good number of hours. It helps to set your phone to away if that is possible. If you work with another system administrator have them play the roll of blocker for incoming distractions. They can schedule the time you are working on your project as time open for incoming work. If you do not work with another system administrator perhaps closing your door, moving to another office, or the server room is a way to help cut down on people who would otherwise poke their head in and ask “Could you do XYZ real quick?” Since eliminating 100% of distractions and or interruptions just isn’t a reality in a system administration job it is important to keep a notebook, or similar note taking device handy while working on your project. This way if you are required to stop you can jot down in as much detail as required what you were doing, and what the next steps you will be required to perform will be.

This is only scratching the surface of time management.

Thanks to: jmerelo for the image

24 cans full of Brawndo – The Thirst Mutilator have arrived at the office! The Senior Unix Administrator and I have placed, and received our order of Brawndo from ThinkGeek. We’ve cracked open our first cans, and are looking forward to winning at yelling!

.

.

Come back for a full review & action shots later this week!