The long way through Software Craftsmanship

Self-Study in May 2017

May 1, 2017 - 4 minute read - Comments - self-study-aggregationmay2017readadadblockadvertisementbeliefblogcareerchapterclean-architecturecomiccommunicationcomparisoncomputer-visioncssdefinitionguildhappinesshenrik-kniberghistoryhtmlian-malpassjason-koeblerjavier-garzasjohn-sonmezlanguage-programmerlauren-moonleadershiplisticlematthew-inmanmodel-view-controllermodel-view-presentermosaicmvcmvpoatmealpeoplepersonalpluginprogrammerquoteremoteremote-workrobert-martinroyaltysabbaticalsharky-laguanasimon-lancasterspeechspotifysquadteam-managementtedtedxtrellotribeublockuncle-bobvideoviolawwwzack-bloom

The real reason why the Spotify model is broken

I’ve read this article by Sharky Laguana, comparing several royalty models for spotify

Tags: sharky-laguana, spotify, comparison, royalty

[Day 3 of 7] “Badass” developer gets a RUDE awakening

I’ve read this email that John Sonmez sends, about being a programmer vs a language programmer. Some quotes:

Someone who could tear apart complex, confusing puzzles and engineer elegant, reliable solutions… whether those challenges were software, hardware or “wetware.”

In other words, they wanted a professional problem solver who could jump in and deliver what the company needed, to meet THEIR customers' demands.

I started looking for ways that I could add value to my employer outside of the code I wrote.

I developed my “soft skills”—my ability to communicate, learn quickly, and pass my knowledge on to others.

Tags: john-sonmez, programmer, language-programmer, quote

6 Rules To Live By When You Work In An Office But Have Remote Team Members

I’ve read this article by Lauren Moon about how trello works remotely:

  • Value Individuals Over Infrastructure
  • Avoid Impromptu Meetings At Someone’s Desk
  • If One Person Is On A Video Call, EVERYONE Is On A Video Call
  • Communication Is Asynchronous. Deal With It.
  • Socializing Is Not Around A Watercooler
  • The Tools You’re Using Matter. A Lot.

Tags: remote, remote-work, lauren-moon, listicle, trello, team-management

Princeton’s Ad-Blocking Superweapon May Put an End to the Ad-Blocking Arms Race

I’ve read this article by Jason Koebler on the tool a university has written and published, that using computer vision, is able to detect sponsored content in native form.

Tags: jason-koebler, computer-vision, ad, advertisement, ublock, adblock

On Sabbaticals

I’ve read this article about sabbaticals by Ian Malpass. In it, he explains why we need sabbaticals, how to take them, and some details about them.

Some principles:

  1. If you think you can’t take a sabbatical, you need to take your sabbatical.
  2. Day-to-day work pushes us to think tactically; sabbaticals push us to think strategically. Both are valuable.
  3. Do the work to gain confidence that you can be away, and then trust that that the mechanisms you put in place are good.
  4. Just because your team can function without you, doesn’t mean they want to.
  5. There is rarely a good time to leave work for an extended period of time - don’t let this stop you.
  6. Allow room for serendipity, the unexpected, and exploration.
  7. Plan for your return before you leave, to avoid worry.
  8. The sabbatical process doesn’t end after six weeks.
  9. You don’t have to be unhappy or frustrated in your work to go on sabbatical.

Tags: sabbatical, ian-malpass, team-management, career

Hasta pronto…

I’ve read this article by Javier Garzás, where he explains that he’ll stop blogging for a while and why

Tags: javier-garzas, blog, personal

The principles of Clean Architecture

I’ve watched this video about the clean architecture (with a client’s lunch and learn initiative). By Uncle Bob (Robert C. Martin)

A quote:

the plugin is vulnerable to the plugged-in system, at the source code level

Separate the detail from the general things

Tags: clean-architecture, uncle-bob, robert-martin, video, mvp, model-view-presenter, model-view-controller, mvc, quote, plugin

The Languages Which Almost Became CSS

I’ve read this article by Zack Bloom on the origins of CSS and the languages to add representation to HTML pages / markup.

Describes the origins of these languages (e.g., RPP, PWP, CHSS, PSL, FOSI, DSSSL) and how the acceptance of CSS came to be:

it was the technology which was easiest for a beginner to pick up which won, rather than those which were most powerful for an expert.

Zack Bloom

Tags: css, html, history, zack-bloom, mosaic, violawww

You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you

I’ve read this comic by Matthew Inman about how we process information from outside, especially when it conflicts with our beliefs

Tags: matthew-inman, comic, oatmeal, belief

How to be perfectly unhappy

I’ve read this comic by Matthew Inman about the definition of happiness and how it affects the author

Tags: matthew-inman, oatmeal, happiness, comic, definition

Spotify Engineering Culture - part 1

I’ve watched this video about the Spotify engineering culture: team organization, the terms they introduce and some general culture about them.

Tags: team-management, people, spotify, henrik-kniberg, squad, chapter, guild, tribe

Speak like a leader

I’ve watched this TEDx Talk by Simon Lancaster in which he explains the importance of rhetoric in our speech. Explains 6 techniques for achieving better communication:

  • Three breathless sentences: “Mangia Bene, Ridi Spesso, ama molto”, “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer”
  • Three repetitive sentences
  • Three balancing statements: if we hear the statements as balanced, we imagine that the underlaying thinking is balanced
  • Metaphor
  • Exaggeration
  • Rhyme

Tags: simon-lancaster, tedx, ted, quote, speech, leadership, communication