Want to hear about the help link paradox that means we can’t test a thing until it’s published because the XML points to the finalised URL and there’s no obvious way to spoof it prior to the point of release?
No? Shame. You could have solved it for me and made me look really good. And sometimes at work I think I could do with looking good.
It’s weird saying ‘at work’ these days. The ‘at’ doesn’t mean anything. I sit at a desk in my spare room, click a button and I’m apparently ‘at’ work all of a sudden. Except I’m not; I’m at home - and I spent a long time trying to prevent home and work overlapping like that. There’s no such thing as ‘at work’ any more. Location is redundant.
I’ve noticed that some Americans say ‘out of’ instead of ‘at’ or ‘in’. We had a team meeting today where everyone introduced themselves...
“Hi I’m Dave,” said Dave, “working out of Oakland.”
“I’m Sarah,” said Sarah, “I work out of Iowa.”
It’s almost a subtle reflection of that outward-looking, pioneering, bigger and bolder spirit. I’m based here, says the average Dave or Sarah, but boy I’m going places. I’m working ‘out of’ here.
“I’m Matt,” I said in a slightly posher British accent than normal, “And I work in the U.K.” It’s true, I do, and I’m quite content with this sceptred isle. Perhaps I was making my own point about the cultured introversion we’re slightly famous for. I heard myself clipping my consonants like something out of Mary Poppins.
Well at work or not quite at work, at meaning intentionally busy, or meaning present in a particular place, I could still do with looking a bit good sometimes. And I’m sure there must be a solution to the help links paradox? It feels like a puzzle that can’t not be solved forever, even if it means making a few bigger compromises. I shall solve it! Even if I have to work out of my spare room to do it!
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