Evaggelos Balaskas - System Engineer

The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel

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Aug
18
2018
books
Posted by ebal at 14:27:00 in blog, books

I’ve spent some time to gather most of the books I have read in my adult life,

so this is my current Read‎ (147) list

mybooks.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
May
11
2018
Taking Up Serpents
Posted by ebal at 10:53:44 in blog, books

Brody Taylor Thriller #2 By Ian Sutherland

 

a couple years ago, I was looking for a fiction book related to the hacker scene. I came across Ian Sutherland. It is really enjoyable.

 

takingupserpents.jpg

 

book page

 

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Apr
17
2018
Toyota Kata
Posted by ebal at 16:19:03 in blog, books

Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results

Must read for continuous improvement

toyota-kata.jpg

book page

some of the key elements of the toyota way !!

  • Continuous improvement
  • Blameless postmortems
  • Constantly getting feedback
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Metrics & Measurements
  • Lean (eliminating waste)
  • Observe the bottlenecks - go back and observer again
  • Automation
  • Create standards
  • Making work visible to expose problems
  • Improve your team , group
  • Organizational learning - leaders as teachers - mentorship
  • Resolve conflicts (problems) when it’s hot (occurs)
  • Problem solving: Identify cause and solve it quickly - then go back and fix it by changing one thing at a time.
  • Problems will occur.

also … try to remember to pull the “Andon cord ” when an error occur in production !!!

Tag(s): books, toyota, kata
    Tag: books, toyota, kata
Apr
17
2018
Beyond
Posted by ebal at 16:02:00 in blog, books
  • Beyond the Goal: Theory of Constraints
  • Beyond the Phoenix Project: The Origins and Evolution of DevOps

You can click here to read about TOC

  • Book page: Beyond The Goal
  • Book page: Beyond the Phoenix Project

beyond-the-goal-theory-of-constraints.jpg

beyond-the-phoenix-project-the-origins-and-evolution-of-devops.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Apr
07
2018
Anything You Want
Posted by ebal at 12:31:22 in blog, books

40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

Derek Sivers tells his story of “10 years of experience in one hour”.

Book link

anythingyouwant.jpg

This is now one of my all time favorite books

You are thinking: 1 hour and 31 minutes ?
Yes, it is short in length, however every phrase in this book is pure gold!

You are going to re-listen this audiobook (or re-read it) many many times.

quotes about customers:

Never forget that absolutely everything you do is for your customers.

None of your customers will ask you to turn your attention to expanding.

The way to grow your business is to focus entirely on your existing customers.

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Feb
26
2018
The Goal and The DevOps Handbook
Posted by ebal at 12:44:59 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin, planet_fsfe

thegoal.jpg

thedevopshandbook.jpg

I’ve listened two audiobooks this month, both on DevOps methodology or more accurate on continuous improving of streamflow.

also started audible - amazon for listening audiobooks. The android app is not great but decent enough, although most of the books are DRM.

The first one is The Goal - A Process of Ongoing Improvement by: Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox

I can not stress this enough: You Have To Read this book. This novel is been categorized under business and it is been written back in 1984. You will find innovating even for today’s business logic. This book is the bases of “The Phoenix Project” and you have to read it before the The Phoenix Project. You will understand in details how lean and agile methodologies drive us to DevOps as a result of Ongoing Improvement.

https://www.audible.com/pd/Business/The-Goal-Audiobook/B00IFG88SM

The second book is The DevOps Handbook or How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, and Security in Technology Organizations by By: Gene Kim, Patrick Debois, John Willis, Jez Humble Narrated by: Ron Butler

I have this book in both hardcopy and audiobook. It is indeed a handbook. If you are just now starting on devops you need to read it. Has stories of companies that have applied the devops practices and It is really well structured. My suggestion is to keep notes when reading/listening to this book. Keep notes and re-read them.

https://www.audible.com/pd/Business/The-DevOps-Handbook-Audiobook/B0767HHZLZ

Tag(s): books, devops
    Tag: books, devops
Jan
29
2018
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck by Mark Manson
Posted by ebal at 15:50:09 in blog, books

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

by Mark Manson - Narrated By Roger Wayne

 

theartofnotgivingafck.jpg

 

This book in a nutshell is covering the bases for mental health and personal happiness by not giving a fck to things that doesnt matter. Also how to experience pain, not pass the responsibility to others and in general dont be a d1ck.

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Jan
24
2018
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Posted by ebal at 10:51:48 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin, planet_fsfe

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I’ve listened to the audiobook, Narrated by Wil Wheaton.

 

The book is AMAZING! Taking a trip down memory lane to ’80s pop culture, video games, music & movies. A sci-fi futuristic book that online gamers are trying to solve puzzles on a easter egg hunt for the control of oasis, a virtual reality game.

 

readyplayerone.jpg

 

You can find more info here

Tag(s): books, readyplayerone
    Tag: books, readyplayerone
Oct
25
2017
Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
Posted by ebal at 11:09:35 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin, planet_fsfe

autonomous.jpg

Autonomous by Annalee Newitz

The year is 2144. A group of anti-patent scientists are working to reverse engineer drugs in free labs, for (poor) people to have access to them. Agents of International Property Coalition are trying to find the lead pirate-scientist and stop any patent violation by any means necessary. In this era, without a franchise (citizenship) autonomous robots and people are slaves. But only a few of the bots have are autonomous. Even then, can they be free ? Can androids choose their own gender identity ? Transhumanism and extension life drugs are helping people to live a longer and better life.

A science fiction novel without Digital Rights Management (DRM).

Tag(s): Autonomous, books
    Tag: Autonomous, books
Sep
23
2017
Walkaway by Cory Doctorow
Posted by ebal at 09:36:47 in planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin, planet_fsfe

Walkaway by Cory Doctorow

Are you willing to walk-away without anything in the world to build a better world ?

walkaway.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Jun
20
2017
No Place To Hide
Posted by ebal at 22:10:13 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin, planet_fsfe

noplacetohide.jpg

An Amazing Book!!!

Must Read !!

I’ve listened to the audiobook like in two days.
Couldnt leave it down.

Then organize a CryptoParty to your local hackerspace

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Apr
20
2017
Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage
Posted by ebal at 16:04:43 in books

I’ve just finished listening the audio book version of Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage by Gordon Corera and liked it.

As the name suggests, It is about the History of surveillance mostly in UK & US.

cyberspies.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Apr
05
2017
Ghost in the Wires
Posted by ebal at 14:01:46 in books

I’ve just finished listening the audiobook version of Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker and really liked it a lot.

Everything you need to know about social engineering on a previous era of technology.

Totally recommended on understanding the value of ethical hacking

ghostinthewires.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Mar
24
2017
The Phoenix Project
Posted by ebal at 20:02:11 in blog, books

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win (2013)

An amazing book about IT and devops philosophy, you have to read it.

thephoenixproject.jpg

Tag(s): ThePhoenixProject, books
    Tag: ThePhoenixProject, books
Feb
29
2016
audiobooks feb 2016
Posted by ebal at 18:29:04 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin

I spent a lot of time on commute, so the last year I’ve spent a lot of time listening to podcasts and audio books!

Here are the latest books (in random order) I’ve heard:

little_brother_cory_doctorow.jpg
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

information_pb_cover_pr_lo-res_web.png
Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free by Cory Doctorow

h2g2_uk_front_cover.jpg
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (radio edition) by Douglas Adams

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Oct
22
2015
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Posted by ebal at 19:53:29 in blog, planet_ellak, books, planet_Sysadmin

I did a road trip last week and had almost 11 hours to “kill” while driving.
So I’ve downloaded an audio book to accompany me all those hours.

I chose ‘I, Robot’ a collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov.

i_robot.jpg

I have to admit that although I was aware on the core beliefs and the Three Laws of Robotics, I had never had the change to read (or listen) I, Robot.

These dystopia stories captivate me from the start!
If anyone havent yet read these stories, PLZ make yourself a present and read (or listen) them.

After that, you should really watch the swedish TV series Real Humans / Äkta människor and/or the british version Humans which are about androids!

Tag(s): books, audiobook
    Tag: books, audiobook
Sep
19
2015
book status
Posted by ebal at 22:30:47 in blog

Just finished

τα ουγγρικά ψάρια του Γιάννη Πλιώτα

ouggrikapsaria.png

Μπορείτε να διαβάσετε ολόκληρο το βιβλίο εδώ

Απίθανη, μυστηριώδης, κωμική απαγωγή !

Ματωμένο Μήνυμα του Jussi Adler-Olsen

matomeno_minima.jpg

Ενοχή του Jussi Adler-Olsen

enochi.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Aug
24
2015
The Keeper of Lost Causes - Jussi Adler-Olsen
Posted by ebal at 22:14:01 in books

Μου αρέσουν τα σκοτεινά βιβλία … δεν μπορώ να προσδιορίσω το γιατί. Ίσως μιλάνε υποσυνείδητα σε μέρη που δεν μπορώ ηθικά να φτάσω …

Ειδικά οι συγγραφείς των Σκανδιναβικών Χωρών έχουν γράψει αριστουργήματα κι ο Γιούσι Άντλερ-Όλσεν δεν αποτελεί εξαίρεση.

Στην αρχή του 2013 διάβασα το Βεβήλωση όπου ήταν το 2ο βιβλίο της σειράς Q. Το βιβλίο θυμάμαι το είχα ρουφήξει. Η σύγχυσή μου όταν διαπίστωσα πως είναι το 2ο στην σειρά κι ο Λιβάνης δεν είχε πουθενά το 1ο, απίστευτη. Μάλιστα θυμάμαι πως έχω κάνει φασαρία για το συγκεκριμένο θέμα σε περίπτερο του Λιβάνη σε έκθεση βιβλίων. Ο άνθρωπος στο περίπτερο μίλησε στο τηλέφωνο (καλοκαίρι 2013) μου είπε πως πράγματι δεν είναι διαθέσιμο γκρρρρρρ

Μιας κι η λίστα με τα todo list μου φτάνει στο φεγγάρι, το ξέχασα μέχρι πριν από μερικές μέρες. Όπου η αδελφή μου αγόρασε το 2ο βιβλίο (μετά από προτροπή μου). Μέσα σε 8 ώρες (σάββατο απόγευμα/κυριακή πρωί) ρούφηξα κι αυτό το βιβλίο!!!

Έχουν βγει και δύο ταινίες (βασισμένες στα δύο πρώτα βιβλία του συγγραφέα) -κι αυτές απίστευτες- κι ευτυχώς έχουν βγει και τα επόμενα δύο βιβλία της σειράς Q.

Προσπαθώ να διαβάζω τα βιβλία στα αγγλικά (εάν ο συγγραφέας το έχει γράψει στα αγγλικά) αλλά μιας και δεν μιλώ την γλώσσα του Γιούσι, προτειμώ την εκπληκτική μετάφραση του Χρήστου Καψάλη.

departmentq1.jpg

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Dec
15
2014
Flowers for Algernon
Posted by ebal at 23:44:49 in blog, books

I like spending my free time reading books. Although i don’t have a good memory and my english are far from perfect, i prefer to read books in english.

A few days ago I was wondering what my potentials would be if i could remember everything i have ever read in my life. When discussing that with a good friend, she told me to read:

Flowers for Algernon

flowersforaglernon.jpg

The book is AMAZING !

Is about the life of a retarded person, Charlie Gordon, whom - through a brain surgery - was given the gift of intelligence. The only problem is that no one knows how much time Charlie has, before loosing it all. What would you do if you had all the knowledge of the world, speaking 12 languages and understanding every scientific field there is? We are viewing the progress of Charlie though his reports and seeing him transform from a dummy friendly person to an egoistic self-center genius!

Charlie also has another problem. The problem that no one treats him like a person. Before he was the laugh of everyone, after a guinea pig. As his understanding of the world is growing, the same goes for his mental and physiological state. He is straggling to find out who is he real, what’s his place in the world. To learn from his retarded past, to make amens with his parents, to accept his future.

“First published in 1959 as a short story, Flowers for Algernon was released in novel form in 1966 and has since sold millions of copies.”

There are already two movies (at least), some theatrical plays, audio books, cliff notes, study notes, summaries, reviews, etc etc

You have to read this book!

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
Dec
02
2014
genetics and police procedural
Posted by ebal at 22:06:12 in blog, books

From my previous book-related blog post, I ‘ve read NONE of them and started two new books:

  • CHIMERAS (Track Presius #1) by E.E. Giorgi
  • MOSAICS (Track Presius #2) by E.E. Giorgi

chimeras-final-waward.jpg

mosaics.jpg

So, why did I choose those books?

I am a fan boy of police procedural stories (Jeffery Deaver is the BEST in this category) and the DNA-genetic approach was intriguing me. I had tons of questions and a very good friend of mine answered all of my questions on the subject.

So what’s the story of the first book ?

A detective with a dark side is trying to solve a missing-person case. With a strange twist the missing case is transformed to a series of deaths relating to a company that performs genetic research! The dark side of the detective is based on his primitive instincts and that is a result of genetic chimeras. I dont want to spill the beans and that’s way i will not write more about the book. The story is well written and has a technical base around genetics. The book challenges the ethics of DNA research and at what cost we are going to change the quality of our life.

The second book is the sequel of the detective’s story. The detective doesnt seem to be so stable as in the first book. He has health problems and the biggest one is that he is now trying to catch a serial killer who is defacing his victims with acid! The main story is around a HIV research facility which is doing human trials on a new vaccine. The detective is running out of time as his body crashing and everyone has abandoned him.

Tag(s): books
    Tag: books
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