Convocation babble

I've lost count of the number of times I've watched Steve Jobs convocation speech at Stanford on youtube. It's one of the most amazing speeches I've heard - it was interesting, inspirational, enlightening. It was perfect. This summer, when it was my time to don the 18th century convocation gowns, I was really looking forward to a similar speech. In fact, that was probably the only thing I was looking forward to at the convocation considering I wasn't receiving any fancy gold and my borrowed gown was a couple of sizes smaller making me look crudely slutty.

Unfortunately, the chief guest (I've blissfully forgotten her name in an effort to erase all memories of the speech), decided to speak about staying healthy, eating right, working hard and being professional (stop it! my grandma told me that when I was 5). If there was as award for most boring or least inspirational speech ever delivered, this one would've won both. Hands down.

In the words of a friend, a convocation speech is symbolic of the torch passing from one great of the present/past to a thousand greats of the future. If sometime in the future, you happen to be one of the greats and you are invited to speak, remind yourself that it is a memorable occasion for thousands of students. Don't screw it up.

Text of Steve Jobs' speech:
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

Top ten all-time best graduation speeches
http://www.gradspot.com/Lifestyle/Socializing/The+Top+Ten+AllTime+Best+Graduation+Speeches

Book Review - Getting Real

If you're the geek entrepreneur dreaming of starting your web empire, I highly recommend you start with Getting Real.

Writen by the same bunch that started 37signals (heard of ruby on rails?..they made it), the book offers a non-conventional and practical approach to small web startups - from planning and development to promotion, and launch. The message is simple- Get Real! - no fancy specs, no million tests, no boring meetings. Just do it.

The good:

The writing style is refreshing - light and sweet. The 180 page book can be read in 3 hrs (if you read at the same pace as I did). The chapters are sprinkled with quotes from founders of successful startups, giving different perspectives. The book gets you charged up!

The bad:

The book tries to be whacky and attention-grabbing in parts - (Say NO to customers, Nothing functional about functional specs, No Meetings) and says things they don't really mean. The second half is distinctly less interesting than the first.