there is already another calendar management app called Clockwise, maybe try a different name to avoid confusion?
Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
91–100 of 146 posts
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
> - We have 10 min standup every day At my workplace we now have 90 minute daily standups because it was perceived the employees are not doing enough quick enough. It has obliterated any hope of progression in a single work day without overtime (unpaid!) since these typically will run over by a long margin, eating up what little time we had for actual development.
I've seen teams that have a 30+ minute morning standup, and an end-of-day standup of unlimited duration based on how much the lead wants to rant that day.
This.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#93This is incredibly passive aggressive lol.
I call it RDD: Rage Driven Development.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Just change jobs" isn't always feasible just like "just break up with them" isn't always feasible in relationships. Kids, health situations, money issues, professional enjoyment, location, and needed benefits (particularly remote work) can all play factors into why one might need to stay at a particular job. And further, we should always be encouraged to first try to solve our issues before running from them. Yes, s…
It's pretty good for SWE to have positive alternatives to everything you mentioned these days, isn't it?
If by positive alternatives you mean backup plans, savings, and safety nets, then yes, I agree that emergencies should be prepared for as much as possible. However, life sometimes gets in the way.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#95Technical solutions to social problems don't usually work, why would this be different?
I don't see this as a technical solution to a social problem. I see this as a technical tool to help with a social solution to a social problem. Specifically, finding a way to communicate the opportunity cost of a meeting, which is a social solution to the social problem, because I don't need this app to do it, but it could help.
Unfortunately, the kind of place where such indirections are expected to work is the kind of place where feedback about meetings won’t be allowed (it is like this for a reason, maybe a top level prefers it, and _that_ is what needs addressing, IMHO)
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#96This always seems to be such a controversial view here, but if you think a meeting is pointless and that you have nothing to gain from it or contribute to it, just don't go. We're all grown-ups at work, and are ultimately responsible for our own productivity. Be prepared to articulate exactly why you feel some other use of your time is more appropriate, in case someone asks, but nobody is holding a gun to your head t…
i've seen similar techniques used before where meeting cost has been calculated. it's kinda geek-cool, but it's also pretty passive aggressive, a little petty (not only are you wrong for calling the meeting, but hey, everyone look how wasteful it is) and dare i say, toxic.
sometimes it can be hard to break out of routines and have frank conversations, and it's certainly easier to complain behind closed doors, ignore or otherwise be passive aggressive... but all that does is create a toxic environment where fear, speculation and rumor rule the day. i think the correct answer is to pull the organizer aside and provide direct feedback on the utility of the meeting... 9/10 times, they will listen and respond in a positive manner.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#97As lead I tell devs: you dont need to attend any meeting that is not useful & cuts into your dev.
Some empowerment required, cross-functional explanations on my part.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#98Surely this is a guaranteed path to get nailed as a toxic employee. Conducive if the goal is to get fired and collect unemployment.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#99Fun app for personal use, but it seems rather passive aggressive to display this in Zoom if you aren't the one who called the meeting. Voice a concern if you think a meeting isn't necessary. Don't quietly try to undermine the meeting as it is happening. And odds are if this is something everyone on the team wants to include in a meeting, the team probably already puts a priority on not wasting time in meetings.
Agreed. Passive aggressive approaches like this app should be left to fantasy.
If you have a problem, learn to handle it like a professional adult. Talk it out. Propose alternatives. If you find yourself in a 127-person Zoom call that isn’t relevant to you, just leave and send a note to the meeting organizer that you’re not available for such meetings and ask them to please let you know if anything comes up that is specific to you.
Making a scene by holding up an app and being passive aggressive about the point you’re trying to make is not a productive way to communicate. It likely won’t have the intended effect, either.
Re: Show HN: An app that helps engineers fight back against pointless meetings
#100I think this problem is institutional rather than technical. But I could be wrong.