Author Archives: Bill Wake

The System Metaphor Explored

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Bill Wake

The System Metaphor is one of the less popular parts of Extreme Programming (XP). Newer descriptions often even omit it. But metaphor is useful – when you have  a good one, it really helps you understand and organize your system. … Continue reading →

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Independent Stories in the INVEST Model

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Bill Wake

The INVEST model is a reminder of the important characteristics of user stories, and it starts with I for Independent. Independent stories each describe different aspects of a system's capabilities. They are easier to work with because each one can … Continue reading →

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Review: Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns (Nilsson)

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Bill Wake

Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns: With Examples in C# and .NET, by Jimmy Nilsson. Addison-Wesley, 2006. Stir together Eric Evans' Domain-Driven Design with Martin Fowler's Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, mix in C# code, and you've got the flavor of this … Continue reading →

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Review – Ruled Britannia (Turtledove)

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Bill Wake

Ruled Britannia, by Harry Turtledove. This is another of Harry Turtledove's alternative history novels. In this case, the Spanish Armada succeeded in the late 16th century, and Spain has taken over England. This is the time of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, … Continue reading →

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The Vision Thing: How Do You Charter? #agile2011

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Bill Wake

We held a "Fringe" session at Agile 2011 to discuss how people charter or kick off projects.  Elements of "Kickoff" [These are in no particular order.] Vision Release Criteria Success Criteria From and To State Business capability Solution vision Risks … Continue reading →

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Review – Musashi

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Bill Wake

  Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa. Kodansha International, 1995.  Swordplay, true love, and a man climbing up the side of a cliff. It's not the Princess Bride; it's the story of Musashi, the most famous swordsman of Japan. This is a romanticized, historical … Continue reading →

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3A – Arrange, Act, Assert

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Bill Wake

Some unit tests are focused, other are like a run-on sentence. How can we create tests that are focused and communicate well? What's a good structure for a unit test? 3A: Arrange, Act, Assert We want to test the behavior … Continue reading →

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Review – Talent is Overrated (Colvin)

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Bill Wake

Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else, by Geoff Colvin. Portfolio, 2008. Where does talent come from? Nature or nurture? A study of music students found no difference in starting point, but that practice made the … Continue reading →

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Review – Don’t Make Me Think (Krug)

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Bill Wake

Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, by Steve Krug. New Riders Press, 2005. This thin book provides guidance on the basics of web usability. It focuses on the importance of doing things in a way … Continue reading →

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Review – Agile Product Management with Scrum (Pichler)

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Bill Wake

Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love, by Roman Pichler. Addison-Wesley, 2010. This is a fairly easy read (about 120 pages) explaining the role of the Product Owner in Scrum. I'd describe the target as "someone preparing … Continue reading →

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Review – C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Bill Wake

Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis A linguist (Ransom) is kidnapped and ends up on another planet. (The science is wobbly, but it's a classic travel story stretched to unexplored worlds). How will he work with humans or with those … Continue reading →

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Review: The Clockwork Man (Jablonsky)

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Bill Wake

  The Clockwork Man, by William Jablonsky. Medallion Press, 2010. Late in the 19th century, the world's best clockmaker creates a clockwork man (who doesn't like being referred to as a robot). He (it?) lets himself run down, and wakes … Continue reading →

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Review – Pragmatic Guide to Git (Swicegood)

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Bill Wake

Pragmatic Guide to Git, by Travis Swicegood. Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2010.   I'm using git for the first time on a small project with a friend, and wanted a quick focused handbook to help with that. This book fills that bill. … Continue reading →

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Review: Guns, Germs, and Steel (Diamond)

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Bill Wake

Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond. Norton, 2005. Why did Europe take over North America and not vice versa? Guns, germs, and steel certainly made the immediate difference. Europe didn't acquire those randomly, but rather from specific factors. The … Continue reading →

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Review – Beginning iPhone 3 Development

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Bill Wake

Beginning iPhone 3 Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK, by Dave Mark and Jeff LaMarche. Apress 2009. I'm a former NeXT programmer who hasn't programmed the Mac since before Apple pulled in the NeXT development kit. The iPhone environment looks very … Continue reading →

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