http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/ Passionate about Startups and MicroISVs Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:26:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-234 http:// Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:53:14 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-234 >>>> Someone who complains often will be ignored rather quickly >>Or, in my experience, promoted to manager. Sad but true in some places. Developers who complain loudly get more notice than quiet developers. But the article is great. It really applies to any kind of profession, but I think developers need this kind of reminder more than, say, testers. It's easy to tell someone their code is crap and a waste of your time, but that kind of comments pollute the team environment (unless the developer is really bad and you're firing him/her). Much better to give specific constructive critisism. >>>> Someone who complains often will be ignored rather quickly >>Or, in my experience, promoted to manager. Sad but true in some places. Developers who complain loudly get more notice than quiet developers. But the article is great. It really applies to any kind of profession, but I think developers need this kind of reminder more than, say, testers. It’s easy to tell someone their code is crap and a waste of your time, but that kind of comments pollute the team environment (unless the developer is really bad and you’re firing him/her). Much better to give specific constructive critisism.

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-233 http:// Fri, 29 Sep 2006 01:17:16 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-233 I have been reading People Skills by Robert Bolton. It talks about communication and how to do it right. Well worth the time to read it. I have been reading People Skills by Robert Bolton. It talks about communication and how to do it right. Well worth the time to read it.

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-232 http:// Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:37:19 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-232 I find the positive correlation with sale price argument highly misleading. The fact is that houses with granite counters or state-of-the-art kitchens actually do have a higher value, and lying in the real estate listings is probably not very productive. So the vague words are for covering up the fact that the counters are formica and the kitchen is standard. Note too that we have no way of measuring how "actually expensive" these words are, so the whole exercise is suspect. This is a case of how to lie with statistics. And what do real estate prices have to do with good criticism anyway? I find the positive correlation with sale price argument highly misleading. The fact is that houses with granite counters or state-of-the-art kitchens actually do have a higher value, and lying in the real estate listings is probably not very productive. So the vague words are for covering up the fact that the counters are formica and the kitchen is standard. Note too that we have no way of measuring how “actually expensive” these words are, so the whole exercise is suspect. This is a case of how to lie with statistics. And what do real estate prices have to do with good criticism anyway?

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-231 http:// Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:52:06 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-231 >> Someone who complains often will be ignored rather quickly Or, in my experience, promoted to manager. >> Someone who complains often will be ignored rather quickly Or, in my experience, promoted to manager.

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Brian Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:51:21 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-230 Change our code? No way.. it's like our children man! Seriously, I liked the article. In other words, it's all about being tactful. Code reviews benefit no one if they degrade into verbal (or physical) punching matches. Change our code? No way.. it’s like our children man! Seriously, I liked the article. In other words, it’s all about being tactful. Code reviews benefit no one if they degrade into verbal (or physical) punching matches.

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-229 http:// Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:01:32 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-229 Misleading Article Title! it should really be "How to Criticize Software Without Getting Punched by the Developer" Misleading Article Title! it should really be “How to Criticize Software Without Getting Punched by the Developer”

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-228 http:// Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:35:08 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-228 Cool article! Well said. Cool article! Well said.

]]> http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/comment-page-1/#comment-227 Bobby Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:56:37 +0000 http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/09/27/how-to-criticize-a-software-developer-punched/#comment-227 This doesn't apply to just coders either. This doesn’t apply to just coders either.

]]>