Comments on: If you were on a deserted development island…

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:21:56 +0000

Mr. Bunny is off my list due to this comment:
“The author has considered a gloabal search-and-replace to substitute the latest buzzword for ActiveX. However, this would also involve editing the technical content of the book, and he has forgotten which page that was on.” though I would buy him a beer on my island.

By: Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:12:14 +0000

I’d choose something with Mr. Bunny in it. http://www.mrbunny.com/.

By: Robert Barlow-Busch

Robert Barlow-Busch — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:46:55 +0000

I’m thinking something along the lines of the British SAS Survival Guide… But okay, more to your point. An island of developers might need an occasional reminder that the rest of the world still in fact exists, so I’d recommend Designing From Both Sides of the Screen.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/105-8698177-5558816?ie=UTF8&a=0672321513

By: s woodside

s woodside — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:23:47 +0000

Joel on Software. Not only useful, but also midly entertaining.

Wait, actually, I’d probably get one of the big thicks ones like Peopleware because I know I’d be really bored….

By: Terry Goertz

Terry Goertz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:23:06 +0000

Hmmm, only one book? I would get the team “Software Project Survival Guide” (http://stevemcconnell.com/sg.htm).
This book shows the other, often missed side of developing software; planning, executing, and shipping. I found the ‘bombs’ hit close to home on more then one occassion.

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:17:36 +0000

Jesse… good one.

Marc… thanks, “Rapid Development” is on my shelf, haven’t read it in years but I remember it being good. “Code Complete” is another in a similar vein.

By: Marc Bernard

Marc Bernard — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:02:51 +0000

What is this “book” thing of which you speak? Seriously, though, the first place I usually head for technical answers is The Google.

The most recent book our team bought was “Advanced Windows Debugging”. It’s one of those books you’re glad you have, but wish you didn’t need. For a good all-purpose book, I’d recommend “Rapid Development” – a little dated now, but full of too-close-to-home tidbits.

By: Jesse Rodgers

Jesse Rodgers — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:58:12 +0000

I would get them The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t by Robert Sutton. Developers know how to code but do they know how to behave or how what they do or say effects people or deal with difficult people? It’s a great book.

http://tinyurl.com/34kyxf