oneafrikan.com

I recently rented the TV series “Shaka Zulu” from Amazon (yes, they do a 4 movie per month rental and it’s better than going to Blockbuster), and really enjoyed it. I’m not a historian, and claim no real working knowledge of the Zulu king other than what an apartheid schooling system fed me and what I’ve read since, but nevertheless have admired what he achieved since first learning about him at school.

Being an African, instead of naming my machine after Abe Lincoln or Winston Churchill, I called it Shaka, and my laptop Impi. Go figure… I guess it has something to do with the mystery that surrounds him, and the way he both created and united the Zulu kingdom.

I remember the same television series being aired on TV when I was a boy, so I had some memories from then, but they were mostly of the gruesome bits and the witchdoctor/hyena scenes. Watching it again was pretty surreal ‘cos there is actually a lot more detail and meat to it than I can remember, and although I’m not sure of it’s entire historical accuracy, it is a well told masterful story that I really did enjoy this time around.

I’ve often wondered whom I would invite to dinner if I could invite anyone I liked, and I’m going to add Shaka to my list. I think Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and Shaka would both be very interesting and stimulating company. Imagine the conversation! Shaka is recognised to have ruled mostly through force and assimilitation into his tribe, whereas Madiba is known for forgiveness and reaching out to his people - quite differing strategies in very different times.

Speaking of history, there doesn’t seem to be an accurate, historical account of Shaka’s life. From the reading I’ve done in the last half hour or so there seems to be many differing versions (hadn’t they heard of version control then? ), some playing his legend down while some bordering on hard to believe. So, I’m going to give you the stuff I’ve already read now, and am wondering whether you know of any other sources of information?

_ Johnny Clegg website
_ Wikipedia
_ MSN Encarta
_ http://www.southafrica-travel.net/
_ http://www.carpenoctem.tv/
_ http://campus.northpark.edu/

Tags: Shaka Zulu, South Africa

_ Fractals of Change: Startup Skills: The Nerd as Plumber

At a startup you’ve got to do whatever needs to get done,” I said. But then I remembered to be tactful. “Of course at AT&T, I wouldn’t have spent the better part of an hour being an overpaid (AT&T paid more than ITXC) and underskilled plumber.”

Eloquently and humourously describes why most corporate type people just don’t get what it’s like working at/on a startup…and they probably never will ‘cos they’re corporate type people…

_ Read, Learn, and Think Your Way to Success
Read, Learn, and Think Your Way to Success

From the article below…. Recommended reading.

Hat tip: Merlin

_ 43 Folders: On the culture of distraction; one pipe for all interruptions?

Pretty interesting.

I’m not sure that emailing within an organisation is the best way to share data. Sure, when you’re forwarding something on, from a customer, partner, whatever, then it’s probably easy and quick that way.

But when you’re typing up actions / thoughts / documents that apply to a bunch of people, then sending them all over the wire seems counterintuitive, now.

I’m as guilty as the next guy (I can remember sending 10MB flash files via email once, to people in the same office and a client - but I was young then), so I’m not saying I’m the best example, but there are a growing number of tools that can be used to accomplish what was done with email, but still lessen the overall load on systems and Inboxes.

I’ve implemented a quarterly “think weekend” recently, which is a hoirizontal planning and thinking period of time, for me only, which I’ve found very useful, and also refreshing. Would be cool to have a week though

As for the API - that’s a great idea. Wonder who will be first to make it happen? If you think about it, you’re probably consuming XML from most all the types of data you can get, then presenting that in a nice way. Makes for nice dreaming!

_ Joel on Software - Hitting the High Notes

Once again, Joel elucidates what you should instinctively know, but can’t quite communicate as well.

I like the reference to Winamp ‘cos that’s exactly how I felt back in the day, and to the iPod which is without a doubt the best consumer gadget around.

As for the best software developers, “there is a lot of talk about this next song, it’s not a rebel song, this song is” Web 2.0 and it’s all about web services and making the customer feel that they love what they use.

_ Pretty Pink Ponies Edition%u2026 � SVN on MacOS X

I’ve had some issues with SVN lately on Windows and Ubuntu, so found this useful. One day, when I get a Mac, it will be even more useful.

_ Forbes names Lifehacker among the “Best of the Web” : Lifehacker
_ Check out the Forbed review
Way to go guys!!

_ WP.com
Looks interesting enough to sign up in anticipation.

Hat tip: Donncha

_ GLOBALISATION: This Light Shines Out From the Developing World

GLOBALISATION:
This Light Shines Out From the Developing World
Sanjay Suri

LONDON, Jul 27 (IPS) - The sun is shining on this particularly globalised project. An Indian has been encouraged by a British award to begin manufacturing solar lamps in China with material sourced in Japan to sell to South Africa and Australia.

This is inspiring

_ NSOrg - Microsoft Released Windows Vista Beta 1 (Screenshots)

Windows Vista beta 1 is an important milestone on Microsoft%u2019s path to releasing the final version of Windows Vista. Beta 1 is being delivered to more than 10,000 beta testers.

I must admit I do like the screenshots - and don’t think that MSFT can say that they aren’t imitating the Mac at all - but am also thinking that the minimum requirements of 512MB RAM is pretty heavy…

Hat tip: Norman

_ Good Morning Thinkers!: 5 Rules from Wieden Kennedy
Liked this one the most:

** Be Fearless. “Do anything, say anything. In the worlds of our president, Dan Wieden, ‘You’re not useful to me until you’ve made three momentous mistakes.’ He knows that if you try not to make mistakes, you miss out on the value of learning from them.”

Hat tip: Noah