taking notes (and a little on UML)

i've written about this on my personal blog, but i'll mention it here again... taking notes helps you remember stuff, so i like to do it even if i never look at my notes again.

not too long ago i interviewed with bill, a manager in the company i work for. while we were talking he took copious notes. while he was doing this he told me not worry, that he always does this even though he normally just throws his notes away.

under the guidance of this principle, i'd then like to write down the following idea from Fowler's UML Distilled:
use cases help you determine requirements; and actors help you determine use cases.

i like the idea because it's simple, easy to remember, and it helps keep the end in mind.