Procrastination Backlog #1
13 02 2008My blog is like a product, and each blog post I write is like a feature, although admittedly some features are more important than others. Like any product, there is a backlog of features that I would like to add but they either aren’t sufficiently defined or there isn’t sufficient resources to add them.
I usually come up with one or two post ideas to add to this blog every day, but I usually don’t get a chance to add them because I am too busy coding or desperately in need of sleep. Some posts however I think could be genuinely useful but I think I would like feedback from you (my customer) on how to prioritise the backlog.
What I propose is this - on a regular basis I post a “procrastination backlog” like this which lists out all the post ideas that I currently have loaded onto my stack. If there is something you are particularly interested in - let me know and I’ll devote some time to writing it up, if I don’t hear from you the list will build and I will knock things off them in whatever order I see fit.
My current procrastination backlog looks like this:
- Write a post about implementing a rolling log file trace listener that works with the System.Diagnostics API.
- Write a post about creating a trace listener that creates time stamped log files like IIS.
- Write a post about how to use the data contract serializer to store LINQ to SQL results in out-of-process/SQL ASP.NET session state.
- Write a post on how to host the PowerShell runtime in your own application and use it as a macro language.
- Write a post on how to expose application specific data via a PSProvider in PowerShell, and how to write custom Cmdlet’s.
- Write a post on how to use PowerShell to control Virtual Server 2005 to backup virtualised TFS environments.
- Write a rant about how the design process being separated from the development process leads to re-work and scheduling delays.
- Write a post on using Team Foundation Server for release management based on a slide deck I already have.
- See whether the world needs a post on how to close a NamedPipesServerStream.
Want to add something to the list? Anything need to be a higher priority? Let me know via comments - I’m going to bed!



First off, great idea on the backlog. I feel like I’m in the same situation most of the time, lots of ideas and topics but just not enough time (or in my case motivation) to execute them. Secondly, I personally would like to see #4, 3 and 7 in the near future.
For me #4 wins
—–
Shay Levi
$cript Fanatic
http://scriptolog.blogspot.com
I started doing that lately, too. I have a draft in Windows Live Writer called Post Topics, with a big long list. If I start a draft (one of the cooler features in WLW) then I keep it listed in Post Topics, but add “(post started)” afterwards.
I’m finding that it’s really helpful when I find a few free minutes and wonder what I should write about.
I’d most like to see 3,4, and 7 (in no particular order).
Looking forward to these posts from your. It will help me get over my procrastination
Hi Mitch,
Be good to get you view on how to host the PowerShell runtime in your own application and use it as a macro language. There have to be some DSL options here that could be explored.
Blair
[...] To: Host the PowerShell Runtime 23 02 2008 A few days ago I posted up my first procrastination backlog post. My procrastination backlog is a list of posts that I want to write but for which I haven’t [...]
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