Be a Force Multiplier

Time management and favored coding practices

Transcript

1. Be a Force Multiplier Jim Sowers @jpsowers handmadecode.com
5. e
7. What I'm up to • Thoughtful personal interaction tool • Thoughtful code interaction tool
8. e
9. A factor that dramatically increases ... the effectiveness of an item or group. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_multiplication
10. You can't change the world if you can't find your keys...
11. Get the hardest thing done first
12. Pomodoro Bust a tomato
13. CAGEMATCH TONITE! Stephen Covey vs David Allen
14. • Better Task Lists GTD - David Allen enters the ring • Trusted System • Plan before (Weekly) • Pick tasks based on energy/tools
15. GTD - David Allen starts throwing punches! Do it Something comes into your life What is the next action / good task Delete it Is it actionable? Yep Nope 2 Min or less? More than 2 min Delegate or Defer
16. • Sharpen Your Saw Covey - Stephen enters the ring • Uncle Bob says 20 hrs • That guy is nuts... • Sneak in an hr at lunch • Podcast in car/gym
17. Other Saw Sharpening
18. • Nerd night Covey - Stephen holds the ring • TDD • Code katas • Conway's game of life • In Ruby...
19. Sacred Cows
20. Agile will not help your project
21. TDD will not help your project
23. Durable Persistent Accurate Good Communication is: Clear and easy
24. Lots of kinds of communication • Code - we call 'em languages • Comments • Readme • Visio • Wiki or blog • Automated Tests
25. Ways to communicate in your code • Fight for good names • Name variables based on scope • Keep methods small • Write for a business user • Extension methods for clarity
26. • Not only what but how to • Snake case == super readable Tests are communication • Tests are accurate
27. Comments • Fight for clarity and upkeep • Why not what • Don't use them anyway • Don't use them • Bad comments are not durable but they are surely persistent
28. Open source documentation is always GREAT!
29. • Have one Readme • Have a complete one or link to a good reference page
30. Visio or other diagrams • Don't forget color • Nice 10,000' view code doesn't give • Pictures are great for lots of us
31. Wiki / blog • Cross-link to your hearts content • Ugly is fine, especially at first • Tribal knowledge • Blog - career and snippet repo
32. • Readme, visio, wikis and blogs persist • Tests remain accurate • The code abides... durable Durable - Persistent - Accurate
33. Wrapup • Sharpen your saw • Communicate early and often in as many ways as you can find • Find your keys • No frogs were harmed in the making of this talk
34. Be a Force Multiplier Jim Sowers @jpsowers handmadecode.com