Windows Mobile 6.5 - I'm overly excited

This might make me stop wanting to get a G1 for a bit:

http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7759.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2333601,00.asp

Picking a programming language

You can't pick a language to develop a project in, if you don't know:

• anything about the languages you are picking from.
• the pros and cons of using each of those languages.
• what will be required of the project.
• the libraries/resources you will be required to interface with.
• how the languages relate to other languages that are known by the developers of the project. (If any of  the languages will be new.)
  

Getting Real with Jason Fried

Maintain momentum

don't make roadmaps / projections

Red flag words: need, can't easy, everyone, nobody

Interruption is the enemy of productivity

Give things away - educating as marketing

• why are we doing this?
• what problem are we solving?
• Is this actually useful?
• Are we adding value?
• Will this change behaviour?
• Is there an easier way?

Give up on hard problems

Curate your product


persona = abstraction ? - get to the real people

customer experience defines the project

cashflow will follow integrity?

keep track of what is important today

give away enough  for free to get a good feel of a product and encourage them to want to pay

Controlling your life on-line

There's an argument that you should publish to the web (via blogging, etc.) to control what information is available about you.

However. You can't control everything.

You can just put the things you want to be there there.

You can't get rid of (some? most?) of the things you don't want to be there.

If you spend enough time and create enough content you may be able to influence what people find first.

But that's probably enough.  Unless there are some very bad things about you on the web, the fact you can control the first impression people will get of you, from the web should be enough.

Dev Evening 13 Nov - What to expect (+registration now open)

On the 13th of November I will be giving my first user group presentation. If you know me you've probably guessed that it will be about Windows Mobile.

Here's a synopsis:

It won't be a case of me showing how to develop for the Windows Mobile platform. (Microsoft already have already created enough resources like that.)
Rather, I'll point out the key things you need to know to develop applications which will be better received by users.

Along the way I'll show some of the tools available for mobile development. (For those who may be have not done it before.) Plus, I'll also point out some key lessons for those not developing for mobile devices, but are also relevant for those developing for the desktop or the web.

If you would like to come, you can register here.

There will also be a talk by Ian Pettman on SQL Server 2008.

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko : Daniel H. Pink & Rob Ten Pas

https://youtu.be/WtRNiMZsTro?si=Bk1WJV05BoYpzfTv

America’s first business book in manga and the last career guide you’ll ever need. 

I highly recommend this book.  It's amazing to read and has great lessons.

1. There is no Plan.
2. Think Strengths, not weaknesses.
3. It's not about you.
4. Persistence trumps talent.
5. Make excellent mistakes.
6. Leave an imprint.
   

A few fave quotes:

• Life: it's like an algebra problem painted by Salvador Dali. 
• X might lead to W, and W might lead to the color Blue. And the color blue might lead to a chicken quesadilla.
• Is this mind-numbingly repetitive? Or repetitively mind-numbing?
• That's why intrinsic motivation is so important. Doing things not to get an external reward like money or a promotion but because you simply like doing it. The more intrinsic motivation you have, the more likely you are to persist. The more you persist, the more likely you are to succeed.

FOM: I want to go

If only I had £245, or was a student. (I'm guessing student of life doesn't count!)