Complete Developer Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Writing Technical Specs Jan 21, 2016

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;">The episode begins with BJ detailing his recent experience writing his first technical spec for a client and what he learned from that along with questions about the process. Will then leads the conversation into a discussion of best practices for writing technical specs that will help both junior and senior developers while answering BJ's questions along the way.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://iotlist.co/posts/foobot-indoor-air-quality-monitor" target="_blank">Foobot</a>

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Asking Questions and Giving Advince Jan 14, 2016

Show notes

This week the guys broke the episode into two parts. BJ starts out with a study from Harvard University on the perceptions of asking for advice. The first half of the episode then outlines good question asking strategies for newbies and junior developers. Starting with closed ended questions leading into longer open ended questions and when to use each. This can also apply to senior developers as well in areas they don't have as much knowledge. They then talk about planning out your questions and detailing what you have already attempted.

The second half of the episode Will gives advice to senior developers on giving advice to junior developers. Starting out by realizing that you are helping junior developers and know they will mess up. Also keep in mind that you might be wrong. Tell them how to do something or show them but do not do it for them.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://www.iotnewsnetwork.com/lifestyle/haize-minimalist-urban-bike-navigation/" target="_blank">Bike Navigator</a>

<a href="http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Advice%20Seeking_59ad2c42-54d6-4b32-8517-a99eeae0a45c.pdf" target="_blank">Harvard Study</a>

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<a href="http://www.bizsuccess.com/articles/ask.html" target="_blank">Biz Success</a>

<a href="http://www.bradaronson.com/how-to-ask-questions/" target="_blank">How To Ask Questions</a>

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<a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-amazingly-good-asking-questions.html" target="_blank">Amazing Questions</a>

<a href="https://www.mendix.com/think-tank/tips-for-bringing-novice-developers-up-to-speed/" target="_blank">Bringing Novice Developers Up To Speed</a></div>

<h4>Editors Note:</h4>

Unfortunately there was a technical error with the recording of Will's microphone and therefore the body of the episode was taken from BJ's recording. Also throughout the episode there is a high pitched sound that could not be removed in post production.</div>

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Predictions for 2016 Jan 07, 2016

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;">Being the first episode of 2016 the guys give their predictions for the tech world this year. Some optimistic and some not so optimistic predictions from both. Will and BJ give six predictions each for 2016 five in the development or technology field and the last prediction about the future of the podcast. Enjoy the discussion when they have similar predictions and the debate when they disagree.</p>

<h3>Links</h3>

<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Delightful-Interactive-Toddler-Spoon/" target="_blank">Toddler Spoon</a>

<h4>Editor's Note:</h4>

Due to technical difficulties Tricks of the Trade will not be in this episode. Check back next week to see what Will has for us.

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Review and Resolutions Dec 31, 2015

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;">The guys start off the episode with a year in review of their journeys this past year as well as a brief description of setting up the podcast and how it all started. Following this they each give their resolutions for the new year.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://bowtiebeej.com/building-a-raspberry-pi-computer-for-my-nieces/" target="_blank">Bowtie Beej Blog</a>

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Take Control Of Your Life Dec 24, 2015

Show notes

As we approach the end of the year BJ and Will discuss strategies for setting goals to take back control of your life. Actively setting and reviewing goals helps to maintain focus and motivation. It gives significance to our long term improvements. The guys take a top-down approach to setting goals with analogies to programming structure. They start with lifetime goals and work down to daily to do lists to achieve those goals. The majority of the episode is spent discussing the well known S.M.A.R.T. criteria for goal setting and how it applies to programmers at work and in personal life. The episode closes with some tips on prioritizing and maintaining goals in the long term.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Links</h3>

<li><a href="http://iot.ieee.org/images/files/pdf/ieee_iot_newsletter_authors_flyer.pdf">IEEE Authors</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2015/01/08/smart-goals-can-sometimes-be-dumb/" target="_blank">Forbes Article</a></li>

<li><a href="http://topachievement.com/smart.html" target="_blank">Top Achievement</a></li>

<li><a href="https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html" target="_blank">Mind Tools</a></li>

</ul></div>

<li><a href="https://east.madison.k12.wi.us/files/east/Smart%20Goals%20Information%20CC%2011_0.pdf" target="_blank">SMART Goals PDF</a></li>

<li><a href="https://smartgoalsneverfail.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/r-relevant-your-goals-must-matter/" target="_blank">Your Goals Must Matter</a></li>

<li><a href="https://www.baremetalsoft.com/baretail/">BareTail</a></li>

</ul></div>

<h3>Offline Referrences</h3>

Doran, G.T. (1981). There's a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management's goals and objectives. Management Review, 7(11), 35-36.</div></div>

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Using A Time Tracker To Improve Your Career Dec 17, 2015

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;">This week starts a new series titled Developer Power Techniques. The series will not be in back to back fashion as the Health Series though each episode in the series will be announce and the series in general can be followed on the Developer Power Techniques page of the website.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Will starts the episode out explaining why he started tracking his own time. He describes feeling like his career wasn't going where he wanted and that he never had enough time to get everything done. The guys then discuss why using a time tracker can improve both your career and your personal life. On explaining how to use one they break it down into short and long term processes. In the short term they suggest tracking how you feel at regular intervals and then comparing this to what you have been working on and note correlations. Making yearly goals and re-evaluating them on a quarterly basis helps to track long term goals. Selecting and setting goals will be discussed further in next week's episode on goal setting.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://www.iotnewsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">IoT News Network</a>

<a href="http://www.clicktime.com/timesheet-template-excel-spreadsheet" target="_blank">Excel Templates</a>

<a href="https://toggl.com/" target="_blank">Toggl</a>

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Death Marches Dec 10, 2015

Show notes

<blockquote>In project management, a death march is a project where the members feel it is destined to fail, or requires a stretch of unsustainable overwork. The general feel of the project reflects that of an actual death march because the members of the project are forced to continue the project by their superiors against their better judgment. ~Wikipedia</blockquote>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Will and BJ discuss the troubles and tribulations of the death march. They are typically characterized by heavy turnover, burnout, and timelines that are too aggressive to actually meet. Death marches usually come about though poor management or a disconnect between developers and other departments like sales. Rapid growth may also lead to a death march. Growth of the team or growth of the company if it is a startup. It is best to avoid working for companies or projects that have death march potential. To do this ask upfront what the expectations are regarding hours, overtime, and comp time during the interview. Remember you are choosing the company as much as they are choosing you.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://iotworldnews.com/2015/11/beecham-research-slams-pie-in-the-sky-predictions-for-iot/" target="_blank">IoT is Over-hyped</a>

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_march_(project_management)" target="_blank">Wikipedia Definition</a>

<a href="http://death-march.urbanup.com/2740314" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary</a>

<a href="http://www.portableapps.com">Portable Apps</a>

<h3>Special Note</h3>

Excerpt of The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) by John Williams used in the discussion about the Episode VII was taken from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EYRIBC?ie=UTF8&keywords=starwars%20soundtrack&qid=1449629135&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4" target="_blank">The Music Of Star Wars: 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition</a> .

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Why Developers Hate Distractions Dec 03, 2015

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;">Coming out of a holiday week the guys full on turkey and dressing discuss the impact that distractions have on developers and productivity as well as ways for both developers and management to minimize the amount to distractions faced by developers in a day. They begin looking at the effect of distractions on other professions and explain what a distraction means to a developer. Next Will and BJ talk about the effects of distractions on developers from the productivity as well as the psychological aspect. They end the episode discussing ways that developers and then management can work to minimize distractions.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://hipsum.co/" target="_blank">Hipster Ipsum</a>

<a href="http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000022.html" target="_blank">Joel on Software</a>

<a href="https://www.wireshark.org/" target="_blank">Wireshark</a>

Editor's Note: Apologies for this being published a little later than usual. We ran into some technical difficulties with Audacity.

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Substance Abuse Among Developers Nov 26, 2015

Show notes

<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class=" wp-image-557 alignleft" src="http://completedeveloperpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/aa-logo-300x300.jpg" alt="aa-logo" width="162" height="162" />This being a holiday week the guys chose to air a special episode on substance abuse. This was originally part of the Mental Health episode but BJ went "Full Med Student" on the notes and produced a few shows. As many of us gather with our families this week we can see issues with substance abuse come out more than at other times. Part of this is from not having the responsibility of getting up and going to work and part from the stress that usually comes with travel and large gatherings. In this episode Will and BJ discuss some of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse as well as what to do if you suspect you or someone you know may need help. They begin by defining Substance Abuse as an over-indulgence in or dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol or drugs. Next Will reviews physical, behavioral, and psychological warning signs of a substance abuse disorder. They guys then delve into the medical signs and symptoms of substance abuse and how they may appear different within the development community. Next they take a look at specific workplace behaviors and how drug abuse can effect the workplace, coworkers, and job retention. In the end they provide information on where to look for help if you or someone you know may be suffering from a substance abuse disorder.</p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Links</h3>

<a href="http://www.oracle.com/us/solutions/internetofthings/overview/index.html" target="_blank">Oracle</a>

<a href="http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/Java" target="_blank">Java Definition</a>

<a href="http://www.learnjavaonline.org/" target="_blank">Learn Java Online</a>

<a href="http://ncadd.org" target="_blank">National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence</a>

<a href="http://aa.org" target="_blank">Alcoholics Anonymous</a></div>

<a href="http://na.org" target="_blank">Narcotics Anonymous</a>

<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/worklife/employee-assistance-programs/" target="_blank">Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)</a>

<a href="http://markdownpad.com/" target="_blank">Markdown Pad</a>

<a href="https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/">Daring Fireball</a></div>

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Finding What Motivates You Nov 19, 2015

Show notes

This week the guys discuss ways to find motivation and self motivate in times when developers are down and discouraged. They begin by looking at Frederick Hersberg's study on the two factors that influence employee satisifaction: hygiene and motivation. Which leads them to talking about how different companies motivate their employees from by providing autonomy, mastery and purpose to developers. In the bulk of the episode they discuss different strategies to find your own motivation starting with how developers respond to expectations. Then they look at intrinsic and extrinsic factors involved in motivating ourselves. BJ gives a preview of the goal setting episode and even writes some code in his outline. The guys wrap up the episode talking about how to create and sustain self motivation.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Links</h3>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2006/10/31/nine-things-developers-want-more-than-money/" target="_blank">Nine Things Developers Want More Than Money</a></p>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lessonsoffailure.com/developers/autonomy-mastery-purpose/" target="_blank">Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose</a></p>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/actiontrumpseverything/2012/12/29/how-the-most-successful-people-motivate-themselves-and-stay-motivated/" target="_blank">How Successful People Motivate Themselves</a></p></div>

<div class="grid col-460 fit"><a href="http://thispointer.com/how-to-be-self-motivated-as-a-software-developer/" target="_blank">Be Self Motivated As A Software Developer</a>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://hbr.org/2015/03/to-form-successful-habits-know-what-motivates-you" target="_blank">Form Successful Habits</a></p>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://iqtell.com/2014/04/how-to-find-what-motivates-you-and-use-it-time-and-again/" target="_blank">Find What Motivates You</a></p>

<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://winmerge.org/" target="_blank">WinMerge</a></p>

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