Alan Williamson

Observations on software, leadership,
and thinking like a CTO

  • Art of Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

    We, humans that is, love to complicate things and it seems to come naturally without too much effort. The longer we work with a given project, the more complex it becomes. I am not just talking about software engineering, but pretty much anything we undertake. Yet how does this seem to happen? The short answer…

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    Art of Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

  • Ghostbusters (1984)

    31 years ago one of the best logos in the world burst into our lives.  Originally designed by Dan Aykroyd it has become as iconic as the movie to which it is attached to.  If you haven’t seen Ghostbusters, then one has to ask to which rock you have been living under and at what point Read Post ⇢

  • Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

    Centering around a hit man, who models his life and philosophy around the ancient Japanese Samurai warrior living and operating in New Jersey, sees himself the target of the local mafia who take hum bridge for a hit that left a loose end. Forest Whitaker plays the self titled, Ghost Dog, who lives on a roof Read Post ⇢

  • Three Amigos (1986)

    It was a Friday evening, a great day out with the family and what a wonderful way to relax in front of a roaring fire than to throw on a real classic from your childhood. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short, three comedic legends of the 1980′s, surely this can’t fail to be a hit Read Post ⇢

  • National Theatre Live: Hamlet (2015)

    This was an experience different from the normal run of movies so far.  In a traditional cinema but watching a live broadcast of the Hamlet play happening in the Barbican Centre from London.  There was something quite unique watching this shared live experience, even though all the clapping and standing ovations happened down in London. Read Post ⇢

  • Some Kind Of Beautiful (2014)

    Pierce Brosnan,  Salma Hayek,  Jessica Alba and Malcolm McDowell in a single movie but I bet you haven’t heard of it.  After seeing this, I am sure each of them are quite glad this has slipped you by.  With such a beautiful cast, this romantic comedy had so much potential. We have Mr Brosnan, playing Richard the Read Post ⇢

  • The Rock (1996)

    Can you believe this movie is nearly 20 years old?  This was one of Sean Connery’s last major movies before retiring.  Though, even as a 66 year old he looked like he could have gone another 10 years yet, considering how much output the likes of Arnold and Stallone are pumping out in their mid 60′s. Read Post ⇢

  • The Age of Adaline (2015)

    This is a rather sweet romantic thriller built upon the premise that the leading the lady never ages after getting into a road accident in her early 20′s.   Therefore she never wants to fall in love because she knows she will out live any partner.   She also moves around a lot, both to Read Post ⇢

  • The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

    How does one do justice in describing this masterpiece?  We have a multi-generational retelling of how a rather grand, gooky, hotel came into the possession of someone that started off his career as a lobby boy. Ralph Fiennes steals the show as Mr Gustav the concierge that maintains the quality and prestige of the Budapest Hotel. Read Post ⇢

  • Pixels (2015)

    This movie has all the ingredients to make this a complete and utter waste of time and money.   Adam Sandler staring should be everything you need to know.  But it gets better, an alien race, takes on the form of the arcade games from the early 1980′s to invade the planet using pixelated boxes of Read Post ⇢

the leg-end that is, Alan Williamson.

For over 20 years, I’ve shared my thoughts whenever the muse strikes. It’s unpredictable, honest, unedited, and occasionally witty. I’m living the best years of my life, working harder than ever, and enjoying every second.