(FS:R) - The Accidental Time Machine - Mike Guta
Details
Session Overview:
In software engineering, precision is not the same as accuracy. Small mistakes in units, dates, time zones, or assumptions can lead to surprising problems once software is used in the real world.
In this session, Mike Guta explores the relationship between accuracy and precision through a mix of personal experience, practical software examples, and lessons drawn from everyday product development. Starting with a simple conversion error from one of his earliest programs, he moves into the kinds of issues that arise when technical correctness, user context, and real-world behaviour do not quite line up.
The talk focuses on why software can look correct on paper and in tests, but still fail for the person using it. It highlights how apparently harmless details can introduce false confidence, accidental complexity, and avoidable confusion, especially when data crosses boundaries between systems, interfaces, or time zones.
FutureSkills Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Distinguish between accuracy and precision in software design.
- Spot common sources of error such as unit mismatches, date handling, and time zone confusion.
- Recognise how false precision can make a system less trustworthy.
Personal Bio:
Mike Guta is a Principal Software Engineer at AND Digital with over 23+ years experience. He has a keen interest in science, maths and DIY, as well as the full journey from an idea to a usable product, while balancing simplicity with long-term value.
His main professional focus is on data-centric software, engineering quality, practical architecture, and helping teams build systems that are maintainable, scalable, and useful in the real world.
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Logistics - In-person and Remote
- In person at Pentahotel in Reading
- Online via Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/ics-iddz-uht
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Schedule
18:00: Icebreaker on Miro
18.15: (FS:R) FutureSkills : Reading - Introduction
18.20: - (FS:R) - The Accidental Time Machine - Mike Guta
19:45: Close
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We look forward to seeing you there!
Adam and Stu
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About (FS:R) FutureSkills : Reading - Our mission is to grow the community of future facing technologists in Reading and share new trends and techniques that will help us accelerate into the future.
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We strive to host a friendly and safe environment for all attendees. Please read our Code of Conduct for full details on how we maintain this, and to understand how best to let us know about anything that may be going against this: http://bit.ly/AND-CodeOfConduct