Abstract factory

A good article on uses of the Builder and Abstract Factory software design patterns. This helped clarify some ideas I couldn't get out of my head this weekend. Work has been long and hard, which, in turn, means I'm having a harder problem in getting work out of my head.

http://www.developer.com/design/article.php/3769336

Social cues

I had an interesting encounter at work where a new co-worker gave a strong, contested opinion to management without picking up on or feeling out the social dynamic of our work group. Needless to say, many of my co-workers were quite peeved by the comments.

It got me to think about how to approach the new co-worker in a gentle fashion to give him a heads up that he was commenting on a very sensitive work topic and that his comments, in particular, were not received well.

It also got me thinking how it's not my battle to fight and he's on his own to learn his own lessons.

I'm not sure which road to take here.