Matrix Method of Decision Analysis

The matrix method can help take subjective opinions and turn them into objective criteria when choosing among several competing alternatives.

Continue Reading

Introduction to Software Craftsmanship

In my observations, I’ve noticed two different kinds of professional developers: Those for whom software is a job, a thing they do between nine and five, a skill they know how to perform, and that they perform in order to get paid.

The other group doesn’t seem to think of software development as a job at all, more of a calling, an obsession, a passion, a drive. Most of the time they’re doing software development all the time – when they’re not actually programming they’re reading about it, thinking about it, learning about it.

A number of individuals in this second group not only have a passion, but a drive to excellence, and a high level of dedication and professionalism. I believe these individuals are software craftsmen (and craftswomen, as quite a few of them were not men at all, but I’ll stick with the one term to include both).

Continue Reading

Be A Horrible Warning: The Ergonomics Factor

After neglecting many ergonomics factors in my own development career, I get to serve as a horrible warning on the effects of this neglect. In this post, I describe a bit of what I’ve done wrong, and how you might want to avoid the pitfalls yourself.

Read More ->