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.
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.
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. :)
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.
While driving last Friday from Miami to Orlando, I stopped and recorded a road thoughts video. I was planning to talk about something else, but the location inspired me to talk about history.
I'll also be collecting links to people to read about, as well as important topics after the embedded video. If you have other people that are worth reading about, please leave links in the comments, and I'll promote them up to this post.
At the end of the 4th week of this tour, and with this week marking the 6 month mark since I first got on the road, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me through it, both hosting me and sponsoring me financially. Also, to all of you who have been following my videos, commenting, blogging about my tour, coming up and talking to me when I am out, I want to thank you, too. It has been a sincerely amazing time for me, and I look forward to what the future holds. My current plans have me returning to Cleveland around the 3rd of August; it is still a long ways to go.
Enjoy the road thoughts! As usual, I love to read comments, emails, read blog post with responses to some of what I talk about.
In the comments, Bil Kleb mentioned my plug for the Thomas Jefferson Hour podcast. I'm a big fan of Jefferson, and I love this podcast. You really should start listening to it. Unless you hate America, of course.
I was invited to give an Intro To Ruby talk at the Tampa and Orlando Day of Ruby events organized by Cory Foy. It was a lot of fun, and, of course, I love sharing the love of Ruby. Here's the slides:
Interested in finding out where and when I am and who I'm with?
I'm keeping a calendar and map updated with my schedule. You can always find the link off my homepage at www.coreyhaines.com, but here's a direct link:
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