Road Thoughts - Visible Metrics

I've been thinking about the use of metrics a lot lately, as well as a project that I think could be useful when grouped with some other ideas for community self-regulation. We've had discussion on the software craftsmanship google group about it, so I thought I would stop by the side of the road and do a video about my thoughts on it. Plus, bonus dogs!

I'm using my new camera to record this instead of the flip, as I think I will have better luck with the sound. It seems like it works pretty well.

I think this is the longest road thoughts that I've done, so I apologize for the 18-minute length. I was going to edit stuff out, but, well, that's a lot of work. I think I just talked more slowly.

If you have comments, feel free to post them here, but it might be more effective to reply on the software craftsmanship list to this thread, so everyone can take part.

Update: Matt Heusser has an overview/response to the ideas. It is encouraging to see he gets the gist of what I'm talking about. :)

Enjoy!

Road Thoughts - Visible Metrics from Corey Haines on Vimeo.

Conversation with Ken Auer

Ken Auer is the founder of Role Model Software. Ken's work through the past decade with apprenticeships and his thoughts on software development have been a big inspiration to people I know in the Software Craftsmanship movement. I was fortunate enough to get an introduction after meeting Nathaniel Talbott, and I stayed with Ken for two days in his beautiful, newly-built house/workshop. I had a great time there, enjoying not only some great conversations and code, but also an inspiring time with his family.

Ken was kind enough to not only sit down with me to talk about his thoughts on development, but he also allowed me to video a "How I Got Started In Programming" video with him. That video isn't up yet, as there are a few people in the queue ahead of him, but it is fantastic.

Enjoy!

Part I

Conversation with Ken Auer, Part 1 from Corey Haines on Vimeo.

Part II

Conversation with Ken Auer, Part 2 from Corey Haines on Vimeo.

Conversation with Ivan Acosta-Rubio and Bellatrix Martinez

Ivan and Bellatrix, owners of BakedWeb, hosted me in Miami for a week, and we had a great time writing some fun code: lots of cucumber and rspec! They were a lot of fun, and I got some great insights into the dynamics of a small business from them. We sat down and talked about their thoughts on breaking off onto your own.

Plus, he really got me thinking about going to Venezuela. :)

Enjoy!

Conversation with Ivan Agosta-Rubio and Bellatrix Martinez from Corey Haines on Vimeo.

Conversation with Steven Bristol

Steven Bristol (blog) is a co-owner of Less Everything. They pride themselves on writing applications that undercut their competition, focusing on writing good and useful features, not bloating up with more features. Definitely a 'build half, not half-assed' attitude. I had the opportunity to spend some time with him, and he was kind enough to sit down and talk about their philosophy on software development.

I'm using their product, Less Accounting, to keep track of my expenses/mileage/business stuff for the tour, and I'm loving it; it has just enough stuff for me to manage the essential information.

Enjoy!

Conversation with Steven Bristol from Corey Haines on Vimeo.