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The Perils of Childbirth: Unveiling the Hidden Risks

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Introduction

Childbirth, a natural process that brings new life into the world, is often hailed as a joyous and miraculous event. However, beneath the surface of this profound human experience lie hidden dangers that demand our attention. Despite significant advancements in medical technology and maternal healthcare, childbirth remains a perilous journey for many women around the world. This article sheds light on the often-overlooked risks associated with childbirth and emphasizes the need for continued efforts to safeguard maternal health.

Maternal Mortality: A Global Crisis

While the world has made substantial progress in reducing maternal mortality, the numbers remain alarming. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. This means that, on average, a woman loses her life every two minutes due to complications during pregnancy or delivery. The majority of these tragic deaths occur in low-resource settings where access to proper healthcare is limited.

Complications and Medical Challenges

Childbirth carries inherent risks, and despite medical advancements, women continue to face numerous challenges. Hemorrhage, infections, hypertensive disorders, and obstructed labor are some of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Additionally, pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity can further exacerbate the risks associated with childbirth.

Insufficient Access to Quality Healthcare

One of the most critical factors contributing to the dangers of childbirth is the lack of access to quality healthcare, particularly in developing regions. Many women face barriers such as distance, cost, and cultural norms that prevent them from receiving timely and appropriate prenatal and obstetric care. Insufficient access to skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal support increases the likelihood of complications going undetected or untreated, leading to tragic outcomes.

Inequalities and Disparities

The dangers of childbirth disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. Women in rural areas, ethnic minorities, and those living in poverty are particularly vulnerable. Lack of education, limited resources, and discrimination further restrict their access to quality healthcare, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring that no woman is left behind in the pursuit of safe childbirth.

Psychological Impact on Maternal Mental Health

The physical risks of childbirth are not the only concerns women face. Pregnancy and the postpartum period can also have a profound impact on mental health. Conditions such as postpartum depression and anxiety can emerge, affecting not only the well-being of the mother but also the bonding with the newborn. Recognizing and addressing the psychological challenges faced by mothers is essential for a comprehensive approach to maternal healthcare.

The Way Forward: A Call to Action

To combat the dangers of childbirth, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Governments, healthcare providers, NGOs, and communities must collaborate to ensure universal access to quality prenatal and obstetric care. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, training of healthcare professionals, and community education are essential components of a comprehensive strategy.

In addition, raising awareness about maternal health issues, both locally and globally, is crucial. Public campaigns, media engagement, and advocacy efforts can help mobilize resources and support for initiatives that aim to reduce maternal mortality and improve the overall well-being of mothers.

Conclusion

Childbirth, though a natural process, is not without its dangers. From preventable deaths to systemic disparities, the risks faced by women during pregnancy and delivery demand urgent attention. By addressing the challenges related to maternal healthcare, we can ensure that every woman receives the care she deserves, regardless of her socioeconomic background or geographical location. The quest for safe childbirth is a collective responsibility that requires unwavering commitment from all stakeholders. Only through concerted efforts can we secure a future where childbirth is no longer marred by unnecessary risks and where every mother can experience the joy of bringing new life into the world without fear for her own well-being.

While progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality rates, there is still much work to be done. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality prenatal and obstetric care, and addressing the underlying social and economic inequalities that contribute to the dangers of childbirth, we can strive for a safer and more equitable future.

The time to act is now. The perils of childbirth must no longer be swept under the rug or dismissed as inevitable. Every woman deserves the right to a safe and healthy childbirth experience, and it is our collective responsibility to make this a reality. Let us join forces, advocate for change, and work towards a world where childbirth is truly a joyous and life-affirming event for all women.

In the face of the dangers that persist, let us remember the strength and resilience of women throughout history who have endured childbirth. Their experiences and sacrifices have paved the way for the advancements we enjoy today. It is our duty to honour their legacy by continuing to strive for safer and more compassionate maternity care.

The perils of childbirth may be daunting, but they are not insurmountable. With unwavering commitment, compassion, and collaboration, we can create a future where every woman can bring new life into the world with confidence and without unnecessary risk. The journey toward safe childbirth begins now, and it is one that we must embark upon together.

The Invisible Minority: Unraveling the Anglo-Irish Identity Conundrum in the UK

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In the mid-1970s, as an Anglo-Irish lad on the grimy streets of Birmingham, I learnt early that the sharp cut of prejudice and discrimination ran deep. I was schooled not only in mathematics and English but also in the raw lessons of hate – that being Irish in England was equivalent to being the “other”, an undesirable. Yet, today, when discussions of racism and ethnic minorities rear their head in the UK, the plight of the Anglo-Irish community is conspicuously absent. We are neither acknowledged for the hate we bore nor included in the efforts towards ethnic diversity and inclusion. It is as if we, who have endured the harsh sting of bigotry, are invisible.

During the dark periods of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the Anglo-Irish were discriminated against ruthlessly. Job postings brazenly sported signs “No Irish need apply”. Bricks were thrown through windows of Irish homes and crude caricatures of us flooded the newspapers, accentuating our ‘otherness’ with brutal clarity. We were demeaned, dehumanised and treated as second-class citizens. The echoes of this era still linger, and yet, they are largely forgotten.

We have been conveniently erased from the narrative of ethnic minorities in the UK. As society rightly fights for the rights of those facing discrimination based on their race, ethnicity or religion, why are the Anglo-Irish left out of this crucial conversation?

The problem is twofold. Firstly, it’s a matter of definition. The UK’s Equality Act 2010 defines ethnic minorities concerning race, colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins. The Irish, whether from Northern Ireland or the Republic, are deemed as ‘White’ under these categories, and so, despite the historical and ongoing discrimination, we are not officially recognised as an ethnic minority.

Secondly, there’s a potent cultural amnesia at play. The collective memory of the Irish diaspora’s historical suffering in the UK seems to have been conveniently set aside. This intentional forgetfulness doesn’t make sense unless it is seen as a part of the larger project of concealing inconvenient histories and avoiding difficult conversations.

Are we to forget the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974, or the Guildford pub bombings the same year? The consequent rampant anti-Irish sentiment was no less racially charged than the horrors we see today, inflicted on other ethnic minorities. Does our paler skin or our geographic proximity to England make our suffering less valid?

Let it be clear – we do not seek to compete in an oppression Olympics. Rather, we seek recognition of our past, inclusion in the present, and safeguards for our future. We cannot build an inclusive society by picking and choosing the stories we wish to remember and the histories we wish to acknowledge.

Inclusion and equality should not be a selective process, and the silencing of the Anglo-Irish community’s past and present experiences is a disservice to the principles of fairness that the UK purports to uphold. Ethnic minorities are not simply those who are visibly different, but those who have been marginalised, demeaned and treated as less than equal, based on their ethnic, national or racial backgrounds.

In this light, the neglect of the Anglo-Irish community is not only a historical failing; it’s a present failing of our societal conscience. If we are to truly strive for a diverse, equal and inclusive society, then the struggles and the experiences of all ethnic minorities, including the Anglo-Irish, should be acknowledged, understood and tackled.

The road to a fairer society is bumpy and difficult, but it is one we must all tread. We need a paradigm shift in the understanding of ethnicity, one that recognises the experiences of discrimination, prejudice, and hatred that are not bound by the colour of one’s skin but are anchored in the collective cultural memory of being the ‘other’. The narrative must change; the Anglo-Irish should not be made to feel that they are ‘less than’ any other ethnic group. We must ensure that the wider society acknowledges our historical struggles, understands our unique cultural heritage, and accepts our place in the mosaic of multicultural Britain.

Acknowledging the Anglo-Irish community as an ethnic minority is not an exercise in tokenism. Rather, it represents a fundamental principle of equality – that all who have suffered discrimination and prejudice based on their ethnicity are entitled to be seen, heard and protected. To exclude the Anglo-Irish is to dismiss a vital chapter of the UK’s complex multicultural narrative. It is to undermine the efforts towards creating a society where all its members, regardless of their ethnic or racial background, are treated with respect and dignity.

The Anglo-Irish, despite decades of enduring prejudice, have contributed immensely to the UK in myriad ways, from arts and literature to politics and science. The James Joyces and the Oscar Wildes are part of the cultural DNA of this land as much as any other ethnic minority. To overlook this is to rob the UK of a rich tapestry of diversity and dynamism.

The painful legacy of prejudice against the Irish in Britain is a stark reminder of the suffering that can result from intolerance and misunderstanding. Yet, the silence surrounding the discrimination faced by the Anglo-Irish today perpetuates this injustice. By excluding us from the discussions on ethnicity and minority rights, the UK fails not only the Irish but all those committed to the cause of equality and diversity.

So, I ask, not merely as an angry yet hopeful Anglo-Irish man in his fifties, but as a member of this intricate tapestry we call Britain, don’t allow our narrative to dissolve into the annals of obscurity, that our story not be swept under the rug. Our shared history must not be a spectre that haunts us, rather it should be the compass that guides us, pointing towards a horizon of inclusivity and acceptance.

The Anglo-Irish story, imbued with strife and endurance, deserves more than a footnote in the grand volume of Britain’s multicultural narrative. Our voices need to reverberate in the halls of discussions on ethnicity, diversity, and minority rights. The mosaic of Britain’s multicultural society, resplendent in its varied hues, can only be seen in its entirety when every piece is honoured. To neglect even one piece is to distort the integrity of the whole.

Because, who among us, would willingly embrace a Britain that is less than it can be? Who would be content to inhabit a Britain that doesn’t echo with the diverse voices of its people? The strength of Britain lies in its ability to embrace all its narratives, to give voice to each of its citizens. Our collective future depends on our ability to acknowledge our collective past.

It’s time the Anglo-Irish narrative became an integral part of Britain’s multicultural symphony, not a forgotten refrain. It’s time we lived in a Britain that is, in every sense of the word, whole.



The Inadvertent Blindspot: BAME and BIPOC Labels in the UK

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The categorisation of people based on their ethnicity has always been a contentious issue, often leading to impassioned debates and, at times, spirited disagreements. In the United Kingdom, acronyms like BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) are widely used to signify non-white individuals or groups. While these terms aim to encompass diversity and foster inclusivity, they inadvertently create an exclusionary dichotomy that leaves some communities, like the Anglo-Irish, on the periphery.

Despite their laudable intent, these terms are binary in nature, differentiating people into the broad categories of ‘white’ and ‘non-white’. This oversimplification fails to consider the intricate historical and socio-cultural dynamics that have shaped people’s experiences and identities.

Take, for instance, the Anglo-Irish community. Historically, this group has faced significant discrimination and prejudice in the UK. Despite this, they are typically categorised as ‘white’ and, therefore, left out of discussions about ethnic minority rights and racial discrimination. This omission underscores the inherent shortcomings of terms like BAME and BIPOC. By ignoring the Anglo-Irish community’s unique experiences of marginalisation and ‘othering’, these labels inadvertently perpetuate a form of racism by exclusion.

The Anglo-Irish are not alone in this predicament. There are other communities of ‘white’ ethnic minorities, such as Eastern Europeans, who face similar situations. The broad-brush approach embodied in terms like BAME and BIPOC overlooks these nuances, failing to capture the richness of people’s diverse experiences and backgrounds.

However, the solution is not simply to expand the acronym. Instead, we must acknowledge the limitations of any categorisation system that attempts to encapsulate the vast complexity of human diversity within a few letters. We must push for a more nuanced understanding of ethnicity that recognises the unique histories, experiences, and struggles of all ethnic minorities, not just those who are visibly different.

The challenge lies in striking a balance between acknowledging shared experiences of racism among different ethnic groups while also recognising the distinct histories and challenges faced by each community. While BAME and BIPOC may serve as useful shorthand in certain contexts, they should not be allowed to erase the unique struggles and experiences of any community, including the Anglo-Irish.

Only by understanding and addressing these nuances can we foster a truly inclusive society where every voice is heard, and every story is acknowledged.

Grace Horkan (4th July 1927 – 11th May 2022): A Eulogy

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Good afternoon, 

Writing this eulogy was hard. Much harder than I imagined. Every time I tried to write it I’d be over come with grief and start crying. I was a mess. 

Nan was always tidy, well presented. She liked a floral print dress, and they liked her. I loved and admired Nan. She was incredibly strong. She was determined and she “knew her own mind”. She did everything possible for her children, and me, and my children. She was tireless in providing for the family. 

I haven’t just lost my Nan, I lost my friend. You might not know this but I spent a lot of time with my Nan.

When I was a little boy, Mom and Dad would be at work, and I’d finish school and spend the afternoon with her until Mom or Dad turned up. Sometimes the old fella was there but often he’d be at work too, as would Maureen, and Shirley at school then college. 

Nan loved the cheesy Australian soaps that had stared in the 80s. Neighbours, Home and Away, but her favourite was Sons and Daughters. I’m sure we watched the first and last episodes of that together. 

It wasn’t just Australian day time TV. She loved watching the royal wedding when Diana married Charles; that was pretty damn boring for a lad.

We also spent a lot of time together on holidays, at first at the caravan, but later other holidays.

Nan could be playful. When I was in my teens the family visited the Lake District, where my Mom’s Mom lived. We went to Blackpool and visited one of those sit down fish and chip shops. It wasn’t all that at all. At the end of the meal and after we paid, Nan smiled a mischievous smile at me and lifted up a hanky over her handbag. She’d taken the salt and pepper. I think what was funny was she was enjoying how I shocked I looked.

We also had a series of holidays with Nan, Grandad, Maureen, and Shirley, as my boys were growing up. Andy, Joe, and Billy. We went to Wales, Cornwall a couple of times, and Devon. 

When we went to Wales Andy and Joey and their Aunt Vicky hid a five foot inflatable dinosaur in Nan’s bed and covered it over. Nan played along with the children and pretended to be surprised. They were all laughing and giggling. It was brilliant.

Nan loved us all. But she was mad for my children. She has loved every one of them and she would light up when holding or cuddling them. About six months ago we visited Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens and Nan waited patiently for Leo to calm down. He spent the day running around and gamboling. The usual two year old fun. As we were leaving Leo held Nan’s hand and walked her across the forecourt and to the car. I don’t think I’d seen Nan look happier. She’d waited all day for that and was so pleased. And we all were too.

I realised later in life that Nan was just as much a little girl at heart as most people are and I took to buying her cuddly toys as presents. Something I would not of imagined Nan to like, but she loved them and kept them near to her when she slept. 

Nan taught me a lot. She taught me to knit, to bake, to sew, use a sewing machine, make curtains. The knitting is pretty mediocre, and the baking isn’t anything to write home about, but the sewing and curtain making seem to have stuck.

But she also taught me that real strength is preserving though difficult times with dignity. That sometimes you just have to “get through” and to do that you just keep going. No mithering.

In part losing Nan makes me think and feel about losing Grandad and my Dad again. While she was alive, they were alive in her. Now it’s up to us to remember them all. 

I’m going to miss you Nan. I already am. We will all miss you. Thank you for being such a big part of our lives. I hope I can be as strong as you were and love you all through every adversity. 

God bless you Nan.

Transforming Border Security: The Home Office’s Big Data and Machine Learning Strategy

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In September 2015, I had the opportunity to represent the Home Office and Border Force in a panel discussion at an event covered by Diginomica, where we delved into the transformative potential of Big Data and Machine Learning technologies. Alongside industry leaders from Jaguar Land Rover and Zurich Insurance, I discussed how the Home Office is actively leveraging Hadoop and other open-source tools to modernise its data management and decision-making processes, particularly within border security operations.

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Exploring Real-World Applications of Hadoop and Big Data, with HortonWorks, Jaguar Land Rover, Zurich Insurance, and The Home Office

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In a recent event, celebrating the opening of HortonWorks’ new London offices, three prominent organizations, Jaguar Land Rover, Zurich Insurance, and the UK’s Home Office, were invited to highlight their pragmatic use of Hadoop and big data technologies to extract value from unstructured data. I was pleased to be asked to represent the Home Office.

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Sun Microsystems Leads the Charge on Cloud Sovereignty and Security: Wayne Horkan, Sun CTO for the UK and Ireland, to form Cloud Security Forum

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In May 2009, at the Cloud Expo Europe in London, I announced my intention to form a cross-sector forum aimed at addressing the pressing security issues surrounding cloud computing. The goal was to ensure that cloud computing, especially as it becomes a critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure, remains secure and compliant with UK laws and regulations.

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Come and discuss Data Center Efficiency with The Green Grid at Sun’s London Offices on the afternoon of Tuesday the 9th of June, 2009

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We are delighted to invite you to join The Green Grid (TGG) for an EMEA Members Seminar on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in London at Sun’s City Offices. Please note that this is a member-only event and pre-registration is required. During the workshop, attendees will learn about TGG’s objectives to improve energy efficiency in data centers, along with TGG’s collaboration with industry and government bodies. Participants will also discuss TGG’s latest research, including:

Places are limited and the event is almost full but if you or any of your colleagues are interested in attending, please email: admin@lists.thegreengrid.org

Feel free to contact TGG Administration at the above email address if you have any questions.

The core details for the event are:

  • Date: 9th June 2009
  • Time: 14:00 to 17:30
  • Location: Sun Microsystems Customer Briefing Center (CBC), 45 King William Street, London EC4R 9AN (near to Monument Tube station, map here)
  • Cost: Free, open to TGG members only and pre-registration is required from: admin@lists.thegreengrid.org

Sun’s liason with TGG is Mark Monroe, and you’ll notice many of the white papers and guidelines available from TGG have Mark as an author, joint author or contributor; Mark is our Director for Sustainable Computing and a member of the Eco-Responsibility Group team working out of SunLabs, our R&D; hot house.

Hopefully I should be around, although I’m currently triple booked for the day and am desperately juggling my diary; however there will be Sun staff members to help and answer any questions you may have, as required.

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EURIM 2009 Annual General Meeting at the House of Lords

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Yesterday I was at the Palace of Westminster, or rather the House of Lords, for the 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of EURIM, the European Information Society Group, which “brings together politicians, officials and industry to help improve the quality of policy formation, consultation, scrutiny, implementation and monitoring in support of the creation of a globally competitive, socially inclusive and democratically accountable information society”.

I brought up three points with the EURIM Board, firstly the disparity of R&D; spending by Industry sector (and the fact that in the UK 75% of all business R&D; is done in the manufacturing industry alone, an industry provides just 13% of the GDP of the UK), secondly I asked what EURIM’s position was in response to EU Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding’s call for the US to hand over control of ICANN so it can be overseen by an independent international tribunal, and thirdly in regards to the UK stimulation package and it’s support, or rather lack of, the UK’s ‘Digital Infrastructure’ (more on this topic in a separate article as I’d planned for it to be one of my pieces on the economic recovery of the UK).

All three were well received, and I especially enjoyed a discussion that arose around the ‘Professionalism in IT’ agenda, and it’s likely resurgence as a topic of interest across the major stakeholders in the UK after a relatively quiet period of activity.

After the meeting I continued the conversation about IT Professionalism with Michael Gough, Head of Government Affairs at EDS and ex-Chief Executive of the National Computing Centre (NCC) where he spent eight highly productive years (Steve Markwell has taken over the reins of CEO). Of course during his tenure the NCC was one quarter of the “Prof IT Alliance“, an alliance of interested parties looking at supporting the IT Professionalism agenda (along with Intellect, the BCS, and the e-Skills Council UK, the sector skills license holder for IT and Telecoms skills).

I also spoke with industry friends and peers (including those from IBM, Microsoft, Atkins, and others), as well The Lord Renwick, EURIM President, and Dr David Wright, EURIM Deputy Secretary General.

Almost everyone asked about the Oracle acquisition of Sun, and I had to say that due to SEC rulings we wouldn’t be seeing any integration until the deal was sanctioned by the US Government. This sort of thing is the norm in large scale mergers and acquisitions born out of the US and everyone who asked were understanding of this.

The next EURIM event I’m due at is with the Conservative Technology Forum entitled “The Future of the NHS IT Program” event, where we are due to partake in a forum hosted Guy Hains, EMEA CSC Alliance, Pearse Butler, Dir UK Healthcare CSC, Dr Glyn Hayes, President of the Primary Health Care Specialist Group of the BCS, and Stephen O’Brien MP, the Shadow Minister for Health. More on the CSC Alliance here: https://www.csc.com/cscalliance

I took a few photographs yesterday whilst around and about Westminster and from within the Main Hall (the only place guests are allowed to take photos whilst in the Houses of Parliament), and thought that I’d share them with you too.

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links for 2009-02-07

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The greatest motivation poster ever conceived? 'Keep calm and carry on'

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Friday the 13th Black Sabbath

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Happy Birthday to Black Sabbath’s first album ‘Black Sabbath‘, released on this day 39 years ago; yes that’s right on Friday the 13th, the wags.

Favourite song? ‘The Wizard’ the harmonica at the start is ace. Yes, this post is very short, and, no, it doesn’t contain any technology content.

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The Open Group release TOGAF 9

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Today the Open Group released the latest version of their Enterprise Architecture (EA) Framework “TOGAF 9” (The Open Group Architecture Framework version 9).

It’s been more than a few years at version 8 so an update was due; according to the Open Group the new version has a number of enhancements, including:

  1. Modular structure
  2. Promotes greater usability & encourages incremental adoption
  3. Supports evolutionary release management
  4. Content framework (donated by Capgemini)
  5. Extended guidance on using TOGAF
  6. Explicit consideration of architectural styles (includes integration SOA with TOGAF)
  7. SOA and Security
  8. Further detail added to the Architecture Development Method (ADM)

Allen Brown, President and CEO of The Open Group, said this about the launch:

Today sees the launch of the much anticipated TOGAF 9. From the beginning TOGAF 9 was always intended as an evolution from TOGAF 8 and this is exactly what has been delivered.

A number of enhancements within TOGAF 9 support greater usability of the overall specification. The modular structure of the specification makes it easier for an architect to consider a specific aspect of the architecture capability. In all areas, the specification seeks to add detail and clarity above and beyond previous TOGAF versions.

I wish TOGAF 9 the continued success of its predecessors and extend my thanks and appreciation to all Architecture Forum members who have involved themselves in its development at any level. It is an astonishing achievement and I am delighted to have been able to play a small part.

There have already been a number of reviews and articles about it being released, some of which are well worth having a look at, including Mike Walker’s blog article “TOGAF 9 Release and Impressions” and online IT industry magazine eBizQ’s “Open Group Releases TOGAF Version 9; Ready for SOA“.

As a whole TOGAF 9 is still rather process focused, and I doubt we’ll see a resolution to this in the short term, despite Capgemini ‘gifting’ the new Content Framework to TOGAF. As such I expect that this issue will continue to drive people to adopt elements from other EA Frameworks which are more artifact focused, however given the extensive material on how to integrate TOGAF 9 with other frameworks I don’t see this as a major issue, unless you come from an organisation where there is, or has recently been, an EA “religious war” based around a single EA ideology. If that is the case you may need to take a more pragmatic approach to deliver your EA strategy.

If you are an Architect, or work with Architects, I recommend being familiar with TOGAF and becoming certified (if this is a viable cost option). Principally because I see TOGAFs main value in bringing a common and standardised language, set of semantics and terminology to EA; acting as a “lingua franca” for the architectural community, as well as acting as a standardised approach to EA and as a robust EA Framework in it’s own right.

Sun are a partner of the Open Group and a number of us, including myself, take part in the Open Group’s ‘Architecture Forum‘, the community which defines the TOGAF standard itself.

Downloads of TOGAF 9 and other related documents, such as an introduction and a migration overview, can be found on the Open Group’s TOGAF website: https://www.opengroup.org/togaf/

he Open Group release TOGAF 9

Today the Open Group released the latest version of their Enterprise Architecture (EA) Framework “TOGAF 9” (The Open Group Architecture Framework version 9).

It’s been more than a few years at version 8 so an update was due; according to the Open Group the new version has a number of enhancements, including:

  1. Modular structure
  2. Promotes greater usability & encourages incremental adoption
  3. Supports evolutionary release management
  4. Content framework (donated by Capgemini)
  5. Extended guidance on using TOGAF
  6. Explicit consideration of architectural styles (includes integration SOA with TOGAF)
  7. SOA and Security
  8. Further detail added to the Architecture Development Method (ADM)

Allen Brown, President and CEO of The Open Group, said this about the launch:

Today sees the launch of the much anticipated TOGAF 9. From the beginning TOGAF 9 was always intended as an evolution from TOGAF 8 and this is exactly what has been delivered.

A number of enhancements within TOGAF 9 support greater usability of the overall specification. The modular structure of the specification makes it easier for an architect to consider a specific aspect of the architecture capability. In all areas, the specification seeks to add detail and clarity above and beyond previous TOGAF versions.

I wish TOGAF 9 the continued success of its predecessors and extend my thanks and appreciation to all Architecture Forum members who have involved themselves in its development at any level. It is an astonishing achievement and I am delighted to have been able to play a small part.

There have already been a number of reviews and articles about it being released, some of which are well worth having a look at, including Mike Walker’s blog article “TOGAF 9 Release and Impressions” and online IT industry magazine eBizQ’s “Open Group Releases TOGAF Version 9; Ready for SOA“.

As a whole TOGAF 9 is still rather process focused, and I doubt we’ll see a resolution to this in the short term, despite Capgemini ‘gifting’ the new Content Framework to TOGAF. As such I expect that this issue will continue to drive people to adopt elements from other EA Frameworks which are more artifact focused, however given the extensive material on how to integrate TOGAF 9 with other frameworks I don’t see this as a major issue, unless you come from an organisation where there is, or has recently been, an EA “religious war” based around a single EA ideology. If that is the case you may need to take a more pragmatic approach to deliver your EA strategy.

If you are an Architect, or work with Architects, I recommend being familiar with TOGAF and becoming certified (if this is a viable cost option). Principally because I see TOGAFs main value in bringing a common and standardised language, set of semantics and terminology to EA; acting as a “lingua franca” for the architectural community, as well as acting as a standardised approach to EA and as a robust EA Framework in it’s own right.

Sun are a partner of the Open Group and a number of us, including myself, take part in the Open Group’s ‘Architecture Forum‘, the community which defines the TOGAF standard itself.

Downloads of TOGAF 9 and other related documents, such as an introduction and a migration overview, can be found on the Open Group’s TOGAF website: https://www.opengroup.org/togaf/

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Andrew Gabriel, of the UK Systems Practice, awarded joint Patent contributing to Solaris virtualisation

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Congratulation to the UK Systems Practice’s Andrew Gabriel, who has been awarded a joint Patent entitled “Global visibility controls for operating system partitions”, along with Andrew Tucker, John Beck, David Comay, Ozgur Leonard and Dan Price. Issued as US Patent 7437556, this is the main patent covering the key inventions in Solaris Zones. For those not in the know Solaris Zones are a significant component within Sun’s Operating System Virtualisation capability and have been rolled into OpenSolaris.

For more information on Solaris and Virtualisation there’s the official Sun UK Virtualisation page. Alternately you can get in touch here and I’ll connect you with the right people inside Sun UK if I can’t answer you directly.

This is a great example of how the UK technical community is contributing to Sun Microsystems capabilities world wide. A copy of the patent can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.pat2pdf.org/

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