I read. A lot. And I share the five best things I read every week. This week’s topics include thoughts from experts on different aspects of making good software, a site for canned emails, an interview with Karpov and an image from when Microsoft developers enjoyed working on Windows.

1. Dave Snowden on software processes
2. Gerald Weinberg on the 8 Fs of Software Failure
3. Canned Emails
4. Anatoly Karpov tells all
5. Back when Windows had character

My notes:

1. Dave Snowden on software processes
Dave Snowden is one of the co-creators of the Cynefin (pronounced Kana-win) framework. This 45 minute talk was fantastic. For software professionals that intuitively feel that software is not always a manufacturing process, this talk will arm you with theory, vocabulary and models to verbalize your ideas. I have watched this video multiple times and kept notes. Yet, after every viewing, I end up noticing new ideas. I cannot recommend this talk enough.

2. Gerald Weinberg on the 8 Fs of Software Failure
Another excellent article (book chapter) from Jerry Weinberg. This article made me think about the ways I am failing and things I can do to improve. If you are past the notion that software failures can be prevented one bug at a time, and are searching for a better way, this article could help you on your journey.

3. Canned Emails
Someone has put up a website for canned emails for common situations. Excellent resource for inarticulate and word-challenged folk like me.

4. Anatoly Karpov tells all
Chessbase is running a three part series on an extensive interview with the 12th World Champion – Anatoly Karpov. I am a fan of every world champion that lived and Karpov is no exception.

5. Back when Windows had character
Windows 95 had hints that developers really enjoyed working on the product. This is kind of the developer humor I expect from software that is going to take over the world.