How did you get started in Software Development?
September 8, 2009 by derek · Leave a Comment
How old were you when you started programming? I was 16 when I had my first exposure in school. 21 when I had my first job writing a utility for a project.
How did you get started in programming? I took a night class at IBM and and loved the challenge of looking at problems and solving them.
What was your first language? Wrote a modem communications program in C Language.
What was the first real program you wrote? At Apple I wrote a test program that tested all the printer commands but the second version was much more advanced testing modem functionality which got me into Modem Communications where I worked on a few Modem Application for some smaller startups.
What languages have you used since you started programming? Think Pascal & C; Turbo C/C++; MPW Pascal & C/C++; CodeWarrior C/C++; NewtonScript; Visual Studio Basic, C/C++; Perl, Flash ActionScript; Eclipse Java; Xcode C, C++, Objective-C
What was your first professional programming gig? I left Apple Computers as a Permanent employee to work at a small startup for a year. Before that I only did part-time projects.
If you knew then what you know now, would you have started in programming? Absolutely! But I never would of left it like I did a few times. I was a Sys Admin on a project, and then did some WhiteBox texting, Functional Automated Testing (all C, C++, Visual Basic still). But I always enjoyed Software Development more than all my other ‘industry’ jobs.
What was the most fun you ever had programming? Hard to isolate this to a single time as there were 4 times in my career. (1) The first time I was at Apple (I later returned 3 times as a Consultant). as an employee where I taught myself first Pascal then later C and wrote utilities for several projects I was working on. (2) After I left Apple my first time I was full-time working on projects for Macintosh, Dos, Windows. (3) Wrote some projects in Flash Actionscript the most fun was a CDROM project. (4) Most recently now I am back working on a product from Apple, but this time Xcode and iPhone
I have the most fun when I am challenged with a problem and then research, read to figure out the best way to solve and implement the solution.
My Strengths Finder – Deliberative – Futuristic – Significance – Individualization – Strategic
August 20, 2009 by derek · Leave a Comment
Below are my top five themes of talent, ranked in the order revealed by my responses to the Clifton StrengthsFinder.
How well do you think these themes describe me?
Deliberative
People who are especially talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by the serious care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles.
Futuristic
People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.
Significance
People who are especially talented in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized.
Individualization
People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
Strategic
People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Business of Software by Michael A. Cusumano
June 26, 2007 by derek · Leave a Comment
The Business of Software What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know to Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad by Michael A. Cusumano presents a solid overview of the software business appropriate for software managers and entrepreneurs:
- Do you want to be mainly a Products company, or a Services company?
- Do you want to sell to Individuals, or Enterprises | Mass market, or Niche market?
- How horizontal (broad) or vertical (specialized)is your product or service?
- Can you generate a recurring revenue stream that will endure both good and bad times?
- Will you target mainstream customers, or do you have a plan to avoid the chasm?
- Do you plan on being a Leader, Follower, or Complementor?
- What kind of character do you want your company to have?
- Case studies
Software Entrepreneurship:
- Strong management team
- Compelling new product, service, or hybrid solution
- Strong evidence of customer interest
- An attractive market
- A plan to overcome the credibility gap
- Business model showing early growth and profit potential
- Flexibility in strategy and product offerings
- Potential for large payoff to investors
Technorati Tags: book review, business, entrepreneur
Mind Maps at Work by Tony Buzan
November 20, 2006 by derek · Leave a Comment
Be the Best at Your Job and Still Have Time to Play
I’ve used mind maps for years to
- Organize projects at work
- Take notes to remember books
- Identify goals
- Outline papers I’m writing
This is the latest book by the author Tony BuzanMind Maps at Work.
- Mind Maps are a revolutionary thinking tool
- Visual and colorful form of note-taking
- Unleashes creative and logical sides simultaneously
- Plan and strategize effectively
- Solve problems creatively
- Recall facts easily
- Maximizing every individual’s creativity and productivity
Technorati Tags: entrepreneur, mind maps, Tony Buzan, work productivity
Tricks of the Podcasting Masters
May 15, 2006 by derek · Leave a Comment
Tricks of the Podcasting Masters Rob Walch and Mur Lafferty is a good read if you want to find out the who, what, when, why and where of the podcasting phenomenon. It is a discussion of the creative side of podcasting, its history, personalities, techniques, tricks and motivations. It is a good read for anyone interested in creating and promoting a podcast, and also for anyone who is interested in the inside scoop on what makes podcasters do what they do.Have you wondered:
- How do I interact with listeners and get them to come back next week?
- How do I conduct a great interview over the phone?
- How do I attract sponsors?
- How do I stay motivated?
This book goes far beyond what is available on the web.If you want to craft a show, promote it, shape it into a business, then get this book.
Technorati Tags: blog, podcasting, book review, marketing
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