10 New Year's Resolutions for Computer Scientists

I will not learn a new programming language and impose it on my colleagues.

I will not build software I do not have the resources or capability to maintain.

I will make every effort to estimate how long it will take to develop some software rather than spending my time trying to work out the answer the client wants to hear.

I will actually check that the backups can be used rather than relying upon blind faith.

I will not rely upon slashdot as my entire source of news about the world.

I will not use cute variable names.

I will dust the copies of Knuth that I have on the bookshelf in the office, even if I do not read them.

I will not mock: users, sales and marketing, geography graduates, Visual Basic, Windows Vista. At least during the month of January.

I will dispose of Tux the Linux penguin, a foam hammer, rubber d12 dice and 11 unread copies of Communications of the ACM now on my desk.

I will keep my temper when trying to explain 'the cloud' to the person sitting next to me at a dinner party.