Tag software, everything about software

Coders and Musicians

Posted by Eric Stewart Sat, 18 Feb 2006 16:10:00 GMT

Not quite sure why coding and designing are considered separate activities, particularly with software. Kind of like asking someone to write a song with no instrument present. Sure can be done and many do it but I wouldn’t prescribe it as a precept.
—Bruce Trask from the Pragmatic Programmers mailing list

I like this analogy and would add that the practice should fit the piece/project; use what makes sense. Instruments, metronomes, recordings, mixers, effects processors, etc. are all just tools that a musician can use in performance as well as practice.

A composer might spend great lengths of time with only pencil and paper, recording notes on staffs or chord progressions, harmonies, and other portions of a work as they weave the parts together to make a whole. But occassionally they might go pick up an instrument and try an idea that is in their head, or seek the right sound.

This is like a developer working on a spec, or set of stories stepping aside to work on a spike or other proof of concept. Writing some code not necessarily with the intent of its inclusion in the final product, but to help with overall process. And sometimes those excercises are fruitful enough to use what comes out of them directly, with little rework.

In other cases, a group of musicians might be composing together, or just having a jam session. They bounce ideas off of each other, react to what the others are contributing, maybe perform a solo at times, duet at others, harmony at others, or simply provide the supporting rythm that keeps the piece together and gives it form.

Sounds like group planning, pairing, and other team development activities. Someone has to kick of the group and keep them in type and in the right key, but on top of that the group or sub-group can do some very interesting things.

Since I have now battered this analogy to death I will end witht a parting thought. All those great recordings you listen to on CDs, MP3s, vinyl, eight-track, or just on the radio were developed somehow whether it’s a single song, a concept album, or an entire symphony. All the great musical works you love were composed in many, many different ways.

Try telling all those musicians that they were supposed to compose their works without picking up their instruments and playing a note!

Posted in Software Development | Tags development, quotes, software | no comments

Did somebody pull the plug?

Posted by Eric Stewart Fri, 17 Feb 2006 04:06:00 GMT

Is Alexander Muse right? In Brain Drain for Austin he muses that Austin is losing ground to our neighbor up the road, Dallas.

Another hi-tech company has given up the ghost and decided to leave Austin for the Dallas suburb of Plano. General Bandwidth, …

This loss follows several high profile losses for the city including Tyco’s departure last year. And one of several big wins for Dallas including Wednesdays announcement of QI System’s move to the city from Canada. I think we are witnessing a gravitational shift from Austin to Dallas – Austin will still be important, but the resources (human and otherwise) available in Dallas will irresistable for companies seeking a place to live.

Certainly Dallas is a much bigger city, but Austin has always had a strong tech presence including big players like IBM, Motorola (now Freescale), AMD, and National Instruments just to name a few. Not to mention the multitude of smaller players and startups. In fact, Austin just recently won out in a battle over the new future headquarters of Freescale. There is a ton of talent here.

Or is there?

By far, most of the jobs I see listed in the Austin market are for generic J2EE web/enterprise shops. I know there are companies with other software/hardware products out there. Has Austin’s talent pool become too heavy in one area? Are there just not enough tech workers? Or is it just the usual tax incentives game?

Maybe Alexander is jumping the gun. I hope not. If so, what can be done to attract more companies?

I’m not really sure either, but can someone check the plug just to be safe?

Posted in Austin, Software Development, Java, Misc., Technology | Tags industry, jobs, software, tech, technology | no comments

Accessibility: Thinking about the numbers

Posted by Eric Stewart Sun, 20 Nov 2005 00:22:00 GMT

I’m just doing a little pondering about accessibility. When you think of how many users would be left out of a totally inaccessible site, consider the numbers.

Chad Helps With Outsouring

Posted by Eric Stewart Thu, 19 May 2005 16:51:00 GMT

Looks like Chad Fowler will soon strike again with a new Pragmatic Bookshelf title.

My Job Went to India is the kind of book (from the description) I have wanted to see more of. Having lived and worked in India for a while as well as stateside, I would expect Chad to a very insightful perspective on the topic of dealing with increased outsourcing.

I had the pleasure of meeting Chad briefly at RubyConf 2003. Based on that impression, this will probably be a pretty no-nonsense take on the subject without a lot of fluff.

Go get your copy when it’s out: My Job Went to India

Posted in Software Development | Tags books, outsourcing, software | no comments