Why’s that someone might ask. Well, I’ve been busy with work and other things. During the pandemic I switched roles, I’m still at IBM but now work in an area known as ZTPS. That means the high volume transaction processing software for the Z hardware – what the man in the street might know as a mainframe.
What do I do there, I have a mixed responsibility. I started writing and updating the technical documentation, focused on CICS security. I’ve migrated to look after the build process for our documentation, which now ranges over many other products, handling tools and related aspects, and still updating documentation, but it tends to be more wide-ranging in context. I’ve worked on z/OS Connect most recently, an OpenAPI based piece of software to allow movement of data that uses the OpenAPI standard on Z systems.
The build work focuses on configuring, maintaining and resolving issues that arise with the IBM developed build mechanism used to process DITA content. DITA is a system to write technical content that was developed by IBM, moved to be open source, and now used by a huge number of organisations to write documentation. I highly recommend it.
More recently I’ve been applying coding skills to some projects where we have been transforming our content. One example was converting what was two distinct versions into a single version stream. There are other projects, but apologies if I skip over details.
Outside of work, I continue to be a gamer, although I am disappointed that the volume of great content that always used to be around is no longer as prevalent. Now you have to wait months between releases of good games, which is why I finally relented and bought a Microsoft Xbox Series X to play Starfield and now the DLC for Starfield. All while I wait for the next big game to drop. (There are way too many silly games around, mind-numbing entertainment, so sad).
And aside from that, I’ve been dabbling with the odd bit of cooking. This is more for when I retire and can’t afford Deliveroo or microwave meals.
I often visit Dad to help him with whatever latest technical challenge he has encountered. He does well in spite of being 88 and not technologically minded. Earlier this year I got him to use ApplePay for the first time – and he was astounded with the ease of payment!
I’m also continuing to extend my knowledge and capability with Python. It’s an amazingly capable and flexible language, with what I think is quite a low starting barrier, providing you have a mind suited to programming.
Oh, and if you want to comment, you might find it best to email me, I’ve had to tighten up controls on comments due to some very naughty hackers who keep trying to break in. No idea what they think they’ll gain.
Be good, be nice to others, be considerate to everyone. You never know what is going on in anyone’s life and we all need a little kindness at times.