Dru was kind enough to tag me on how I could be a better developer.
I think that in addition to being a better developer, I also need to deliver better applications. We all have different reasons for our geeky ways, and mine is to create applications that save people time. So here is my list:
Start giving more talks - I really enjoy giving my talks on Ajax.net and Real time GPS implications, but I'm not an expert on AJAX and most people find my opinions on GPS to be a bit "abrasive". I need to isolate a topic that I am passionate about, comfortable with and enjoy learning more about. Entity object architecture is something I really enjoy and would like to be an expert on. I'll plan a series of posts on object design that will hopefully turn into a presentation after my current "Real world desktop WPF applications" series
Learn to think like a user - I am involved in the entire development cycle of our GPS products and our next version of ParaPlan. Due to my heavy involvement, it's easy to lose sight of the end goal of delivering a productive, profitable application. I need to do a better job of knowing what features are important to the user and not give priority to a feature just because it's something that I think is important.
Embrace the 80% rule - Scott Adams wrote a post about the golden happiness ratio where his theory is that people that strive for 100% perfection are stressed out and uptight. My personal battle with perfection is something that I need to keep in check. I often reach for the stars when the low hanging fruits are good enough. I have a poster on my bulletin board above my desk that reads "Functionality...Deployment...Refactor". It's a reminder to myself that I can always make something better later, but I need to get it done first :)
Continue to keep with the curve - I try to spend 10 hours a week on research. Reading blogs, testing betas and making sure that our applications are heading in the correct direction. I did not spend enough time in Office 2007 to understand the impact it would have on our software and it's my fault that we have had to scramble to be compatible.
And now I get to tag Kyle Archer, Lance Robinson and Steve Clements