Computer Programming, High School

To argue that computer programming should be a required high school course is absurd. But I’ve learned that many high schools still don’t offer any kind of computer programming/computer science classes. This is surprising to me, because even my high school, a mostly rural school with children of blue collar families and farmers, offered Computer Programming I…

On Publishing and Writing and Documenting

Reading I was telling my daughter the other evening that it is important to know how to spell, and just as important to know how to write (and write well). She’s going into 5th grade, so such a lecture may be a bit premature. No worries. This lecture will be a repetitive one. As I…

What’s The Value of College?

Not long ago I found myself working alongside a brilliant college dropout–A young junior programmer who was just plain gifted when it came to software development. I was very surprised that he hadn’t completed a degree of any kind. It made me wonder why I had, without much consideration, put such high value on a…

Working Oneself Out of a Career

This is going to be a tough question, and I suspect many won’t like the anwer. Are you working yourself out of a career? If this question confuses you, chances are you are doing just this. Perhaps you’re the main guy or gal on your project, and your company values your work (for now). What…

Coding Horror/The Software Career

I don’t like to just post links to another blog or article. Anyone can do that, and there are far too many blogs out there that create no original content. So I try to write original thoughts and articles. That said, sometimes this is a rule worth breaking. Jeff Atwood has a great post over…

Where Are the Females?

I have an idea for an article, but I’m not entirely sure how to approach. It’s a subject that I believe some have written about, but as a male, it isn’t a subject that I have given much though to until recently: Where are all the female software engineers? I suppose the only reason I’ve…

The (un)Healthy Developer (Part 1)

Assertion #1: You may not like me. (Not immediately.) My Fellow Software Developers, Architects, Designers, Engineers, Leaders, Quality Assurance Analysts… Whatever your job title (and whatever your real role, as a job title says little). I have a prediction: You will either read this article and agree wholeheartedly or read this article and take offense.…

My Fellow Software Developers (we’re in bad shape!)

As a group, we’re out of shape. I’m working on an article on this subject, but I want to do so in a motivational way, not with a lecturing or accusatory tone. More to follow.

How About a Book Club at Work?

The other day I had a thought–Why not start a book club at work? I read a lot, and I generally like to have two books going at a time. One book is fiction (just for fun). The other book is something related to my career, whether it is technical/software, business, or leadership related. A…

Mistakes

The other day my daughter wanted to heat up some soup in the microwave. She insisted on doing it herself. The lid of the Campbell’s Soup can the type with a tab that can be opened without a can opener. She stood in front of her mother as she attempted to open the can, wrestling…

Life at Google

NY Times has an article about working at Google: Looking for a Lesson in Google’s Perks. Among them: private reading areas comfy chairs (take your laptop elsewhere for a change of environment) custom workspaces (let employees choose their equipment) fitness classes in-house courses (on a range of subjects) free food/snacks All of this is designed…

Success as a Technical Lead – Article

I stumbled upon this article today. Its a little dated (from 2008), but still relevant. I don’t think the list is comprehensive, and I certainly think other technical leads would have varying opinions on things. All of the points listed are good, but there are a some points that really stand out: 6. Be part…

“Grandpa” the Programmer

I don’t buy into the idea that older programmers are less up on newer technology/languages/methods/etc. than their younger counterparts. It depends on the individual. It may be true that at some point people become less interested in learning new things, but this is very different. [Computer World: Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols: Grandpa the programmer]

Well Paid Programmers

Here is a very interesting article (pointed out by my friend Eric).

Staying Current

During nearly ever job interview I’ve ever had, on the phone or face-to-face, I’ve been asked some form of the question, “How do you keep your experience current?” Sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) this is asked by someone who seems impressed that I have such knowledge on a fair amount of “new stuff.” More often this…

The care and feeding of software engineers – Link

I really like and agree with this article:

http://www.nczonline.net/blog/2012/06/12/the-care-and-feeding-of-software-engineers-or-why-engineers-are-grumpy/

Interview Tests – JavaWorld

I recently interviewed with a number of companies for a number of positions. Some of these interviews were phone screens and some face-to-face. A few times I was asked some very specific “test” type questions which, as a good Java programmer, I should know. Sadly, more than a few times, I fumbled for an answer……

Here’s how to solve America’s developer shortage – JavaWorld

I want to write more about this article when I get a chance. Having recently been back on the job market I have some opinions about this. I don’t think there is a shortage of IT workers. Rather, I think there is a shortage of GOOD ones. Here’s how to solve America’s developer shortage –…

What Every *Good* Developer Should Know

I came across this guy’s blog post titled “10 Things Every Good Web Developer Should Know.” The post is geared toward web developers, but it did get me thinking a bit about the more general questions. I’ve noticed shortcomings among developers (myself included) for a many years. What are some of the things that all…

The Software Glass Ceiling: Software Management

The Peter Principle says, basically, that people are promoted until reaching a level of incompetence. I think the reverse of this can be true as well: An employee may not be promoted because he or she performs very well in a given role. This is just me talking, but I think there are a few…

The Software Glass Ceiling: Career Path?

This is a somewhat old article (2006), but it eludes to something that I have found a bit bothersome about attitudes regarding software engineering career paths. I recently interviewed for a Business Analyst position with the CIO of a large multi-national software development firm. This man was in charge of the company’s worldwide IT operations,…

The Myth of the Genius Programmer

I’ve always gotten a chuckle from job posts or emails that state that an employer is search for a “Ninja” or “Genius” programmer. I always assume this to mean that the employer is looking for a single person who can handle an incredible workload alone. I like this video because the presenters (Brian Fitzpatrick and…