I was in the city a few weeks ago and exclusively used Waymo for the entire trip. My biggest complaint? I needed to walk four minutes to a pick-up spot. Other than that, the car just showed up, traversed San Francisco streets easily, and the cost was reasonable1. Sitting in the back seat watching the… More
Archives
The One About Exercise
In our 90th epsiode, we walk through all the benefits of improving our exercise strategy. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0090.mp3
The Product Engineer
If you work for a company that builds primarily consumer software, there are, hopefully, three groups of humans who believe they are accountable for the product. They are: Engineering. They build the product. Design. No, they build the product. Product Management. No, really… they build the product. Do you see the issue? You have three… More
Ok. So, You’re Failing
Years ago at Borland. My first real gig. I was poached from an internship into a full-time QA gig. When I accepted the offer, they sent me a box of Borland schwag, t-shirts, notebooks, and pens. I was elated. No more hourly wages, I was full-time. Six months in, my manager sat me down at… More
The One About Fiber
In our 89th episode, we talk about the wires that bring us the bits. And then Derrick the editor time travels. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0089.mp3
Just Hard Work
I started this piece in late November. It’s a piece I usually write Christmas as a kick-off to the new year. The precise process by which this yearly piece arrives is a mystery. Probably the mental reset that comes with the New Year. So, what’s with the first draft showing up before Thanksgiving? As I… More
Managing Up
My problem with the phrase “Managing Up” involves a hard-earned historical observation regarding its weaponization. The helpful version of this practice is a clear understanding between you and your manager that there are uncommon, intriguing, or worrying developments that you — without hesitation — share with your manager. Isn’t that their responsibility, as well? It… More
The One About the Software Developer’s Handbook
In our 88th episode and WAY AFTER the book was published, Lyle and I talk about the Software Developer’s Career Handbook. Yes, this book was published a year ago. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0088.mp3
The One About World Building
In our 87th episode, we talk about world-building, but we mostly talk about shows that we love with a minimal amount of spoiler alerts. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0087.mp3
The One About Gifts and Bees
In our 86th episode, we talk timepieces (again), and then we somehow segue to bees. Brace for it. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0086.mp3