DPL Reading List – May 1, 2015
Here are some of the articles we’ve been reading around this office this week.
The Redesign of the Design Process (Thanks to Jarrod Wubbels for recommending this article) – “Today, the best designs aren’t coming from a single designer who somehow produces an amazing solution. The best designs are coming from teams that work together as a unit, marching towards a commonly held vision, and always building a new understanding of the problem.”
‘Ransomware’ a Growing Threat to Small Businesses – “Cybercriminals have made it possible for fraudsters with few, if any, coding skills to launch attacks that lock up computer systems at small businesses, among other targets.”
Microsoft Expands its Bug Bounty Programs to Include Azure, Sway, and Project Spartan – “Microsoft today announced it has expanded the scope of its bug bounty programs to encompass new products. Microsoft Azure and Office Sway have been added to the Online Services Bug Bounty Program, while Project Spartan, Internet Explorer’s successor in Windows 10, has gained its own bug bounty program.”
Top VC Firm Says Techies Need to Get Along With Government – “This move is a strong sign that the Berlin Wall that’s risen between Silicon Valley and government is beginning to crack as tech companies realize they can accomplish more by working with the powers that be instead of against it. Meanwhile, the federal government at least is gradually becoming more receptive to tech and has started recruiting top tech talent like former Googler and current US CTO Megan Smith into its ranks.”
Tech Bubble? Maybe, Maybe Not (Thanks to Nate Lowry for recommending this article) – “If you read the headlines about multi-billion-dollar valuations for companies like Uber (one of our portfolio companies), Airbnb and Dropbox, it’s easy to see why some people are feeling antsy. Is everyone irrationally excited about new platforms and economic models in the same way folks were excited in 1999? Or is this different? There are two sides to the case.”
Car Safety System Monitors Your Body Language to Prevent Accidents – “Many collision avoidance systems watch out for other cars or pedestrians to keep you safe. But this new one called Brains4Cars being developed by Cornell and Stanford University researchers adds a camera that monitors you (or the driver’s, if it’s someone else) body language, as well.”
This Presentation Trick Makes You Sound Brilliant – “While most people can repeat a story that they’ve heard, if you ask them “what exactly makes that a story?” they come up blank. That’s why, when creating a presentation, they fall back on the bullet list. So what exactly is a story? Here’s a definition that works for presentations: A story is a series of actions that overcome obstacles in order to achieve a goal.”
Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe (Thanks to Paul Bauer for recommending this) – “What makes a great leader? Management theorist Simon Sinek suggests, it’s someone who makes their employees feel secure, who draws staffers into a circle of trust. But creating trust and safety — especially in an uneven economy — means taking on big responsibility.”
