Moria and Rivendell

Aaron Mavrinac

VP of Operations, Opreto

3 minute read

As software continues to eat the world, modern software development is flourishing and evolving in a variety of domains: web and cloud applications, industrial automation, embedded systems, gaming and graphics, scientific and high-performance computing, enterprise systems. My company, Opreto, does most of its work across the first two of these domains, and thrives in their differences. To contrast the respective development methodologies and practices of web and cloud software and industrial software, I will compare them to Rivendell and the Mines of Moria in The Lord of the Rings.

The Software Industry’s Insane Commitment to Terrible Tools

Alan P. Laudicina

President, Opreto

1 minute read

The software industry has a habit of clinging to outdated, bloated tools long past their expiration date. Let’s talk about one.

Agile Software Architects are Torchbearers

Dylan Herbert

VP of People, Opreto

2 minute read

Our clients are heroes, forging ahead with courage and determination to shape a better world. Each one carries a unique mission, a sword in hand and a burning quest in their heart, driving them to rescue the metaphorical royal captive, save the kingdom, or defeat the dragons that stand in their way. We are their guide and light the way.

Copywrong.

Aaron Mavrinac

VP of Operations, Opreto

5 minute read

The legal basis of software licensing, the reader is no doubt aware, is copyright law. But copyright law, originally designed to protect artistic and literary works, was not crafted with software in mind. Software, after all, is a functional tool, a set of instructions designed to perform tasks, not a creative work in the traditional sense. Yet, due to historical circumstances and the lobbying of powerful interests, software has been shoehorned into this framework, leading to a range of philosophical and practical problems that continue to affect the industry today.

Building Strong Client Relationships with the T.R.U.S.T. Model in Agile Software Development

Dylan Herbert

VP of People, Opreto

3 minute read

In the frenetic world of agile software development, it’s crucial to maintain strong, transparent, and effective communication with our clients. That’s why we’ve put a lot of thought into developing the T.R.U.S.T. model to guide our interactions. T.R.U.S.T. stands for Tact, Responsibility, Understanding, Speed, and Thoroughness. Each element of this model plays a crucial role in fostering a trusting and collaborative environment, and we strongly believe in the power of these principles.

Mastering Time: My Journey with AI Scheduling Tools

Alan P. Laudicina

President, Opreto

3 minute read

Managing your time is hard, but it’s the cornerstone of personal and professional success. Without a structured approach to time management, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by tasks and commitments. This overwhelming feeling often increases stress, reduces productivity, and causes the dreaded overload-induced task dropping.

Common Sense Password Policies

Xavier Spriet

VP of Technology, Opreto

3 minute read

When you overcomplicate security, you compromise user experience. When you compromise the user experience, your users have to fight back. When your users fight back, they compromise security. D’oh!

Fully Remote Work All The Time

Dylan Herbert

VP of People, Opreto

3 minute read

Fully Remote Work, All the Time!

The upsides outnumber the downsides. If you can get away with it, you should. If there is any way that you can restructure your company and/or your line of business to accomodate fully remote work, you should employ it. You should get as far from limitations like WhErE yOu ArE rIgHt NoW as quickly as you can. If you don’t work in a business that can make that transition to fully remote right now, you should seriously consider changing your vocation and getting the hell out of your industry.

Because the Robots Are Coming.

The Plight of the Power User

Aaron Mavrinac

VP of Operations, Opreto

2 minute read

The 1980s. A simpler time, when hair was big, music was loud, and computer interfaces were… well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly what you’d call user friendly. Unless, of course, you were one of the chosen few. The elite. The engineers and the proto-geeks. For some of us born at the cusp of the digital dawn, the call to wield that power was irresistible.

To Olympus: Replatforming on the Cloud

Dylan Herbert

VP of People, Opreto

2 minute read

There is a particular synergy that springs from engaging an agile software development agency as an integrated software partner, and having them platform your software into the cloud. The sum of the two is truly greater than its parts. When launched together, the entire tech saga becomes truly epic for your business; you are freed to focus on your business, and we carry you up on our back. Do not fret, good citizen, we’re here to help.