Yes, but this type of FS organizational structure you're lauding worked because:
1. There was an informal higherarchi but it was nevertheless organized as you've illustrated.
2. you all shared a common ultimate goal. 3. Your group of software developers was small. 4. There were consequences to inaction or hostile action.In this wild west of list serves such structure is impossible. I myself prefer a systems approach to I/O management--university of cause and effect.
Matthew---- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Hofstader" <chris.hofstader@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 4:34 PM Subject: Managing Software Jobs was:RE: email list for new programmers
Hi, I've been programming professionally since 1979 and as a hobbyist since I was 11 years old at Lawrence Berkeley Labs in 1971. I believe that I have most definitely earned my veteran programmer stripes. With that said,though, although I mostly lurk on this list, I do not think that more than afew days ever passes without me learning something new on this list.Although I have been hacking since well before Sina was born, he has taughtme a lot about new technologies and other strategies for building software using techniques more modern than those I grew up using. Thus, I believe that, at some level, we are all new programmers as none of us know everything although some certainly act as if they believe they do.I have led software development teams and entire departments. My management style was based upon a cross between matrix management (for those of you who follow the Sloan School at MIT) and Management by Walking Around (for those of you who prefer Harvard). Without going into a management seminar, I willbriefly describe how my "defer to the expert" system worked for us at FS.Glen Gordon was and remains the FS CTO. He knows a whole lot about a wholelot. Waishan Lau was, when I worked there, the youngest software engineer when she joined us straight off the University of Florida (Go Gators!) campus.Not long after Waishan joined the team, she became the most expert person we had on the build process, the various installers for our software (includingPAC Mate) and was the number two on the ILM authorization scheme. Within six months of Waishan joining the team, Glen Gordon would call her with questions that fell into her area of expertise. If Waishan had a question, she might ask Carl who, when he needed help, might ask Marinelle and so on around the 20+ software engineers we had there. This level of cooperation both empowered the young, "new programmers" and help eliminate the problem where a senior engineer would insist that ajunior hacker do something his or her way even if the kid's ideas are bettersuited to completing a task.I, as VP of the department at FS acted as the member of the team responsible for the management tasks and insisted that the people on my staff challengeany decision I might make if they felt I might be wrong. This includedeveryone from newly hired testers all the way up to Glen. This is what made us both innovative and smoothly functioning as a team and, contrary to what you may think, caused each of us to respect the others on the team more thanI've seen in top down management schemes.On this list, I've learned from long time hackers like Jamal, from kids like Sina and Ace and from lots of others whose level of experience I don't know.Also, sometimes a new programmer will ask a question that will fuel a terrific discussion that will bring lots of other good ideas forward. The new programmers may be the most valuable assets we have on such a list. I'll join the new programmer list not because I think I can do much instruction but, rather, because I'll learn a lot there. Happy Hacking, cdh -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of alex Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 3:24 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: email list for new programmers Okay veterin programmer...----- Original Message ----- From: <Tristan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 3:24 PM Subject: Re: email list for new programmersHuh? Looser? Make sence for once Alex. And this list is for programmers, not new-to-programmers... Tristan Bussiere Founder, ACE Games http://www.acegamesonline.net Skype: tristanbussiere MSN: Tristan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx----- Original Message ----- From: "alex" <laptop456@xxxxxxxxx>To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 3:15 PM Subject: Re: email list for new programmersI am excited! As long as Tyler Littlefield (the go and figure it out you looser) does not join. I will enjoy hearing from you all.----- Original Message ----- From: "ryan mcmanomy" <kb9ram@xxxxxxxxx>To: "Programming blind" <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 3:12 PM Subject: email list for new programmersIf you are a new programmer be sure to joyn our new programmers list! A list for new programmers that are tired of ridicule. And those of us new programmers that want to be able to ask a question and not be made to feel dumb. Or be told to Look it up on Gugle! If we could find it on our own why would we be emailing the list for help. If you are a programmer and are willing to help us who are trying to learn. then you are wellcome as well! to subscribe send a blank email to newprogrammers-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx < to post to the list send your email to newprogrammers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to unsubscribe send a blank email to newprogrammers-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Email kb9ram@xxxxxxxxx MSn r.mcmanomy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Yahoo rmc_manomy Skype rmcmanomy1079 __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.2/1053 - Release Date: 10/6/2007 10:18 AM__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ NOD32 2575 (20071006) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ NOD32 2575 (20071006) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com
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