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The Human Dimension of Software Engineering

The Human Dimension of Software Engineering

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Screen-Time, Dangers and Fallacies

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Parental Struggles with Screen-Time

As a parent, the general notion of screen-time is challenging to disregard. I spent a lot of time thinking about it, as it is a concept that bothers me. It is also an important concept that cannot be ignored as it hides real risks. What troubles me is not the widespread concern about the dangers of screen-related obsessive behaviors; that concern is healthy, and I share it. The problem I have is more about semantics, generalizations and dangerous nuances.

Screen-time is an expression that describes any time spent in front of a screen. Watching TV, playing video games, reading e-books, using social media, reading or watching the news, watching videos, coding, etc. It is all technically screen-time; but, is all screen-time bad? ... 

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6 Career Ratholes to Avoid in Software Engineering

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

There are virtually infinite paths you can take to have a successful and fulfilling career in the software industry. Then again, many roads can lead to long-term issues and career ratholes.

The world of tech forgives compared to other fields. Just think of the areas of law, medicine, and politics for example, where a weak reputation can follow you around and be a disaster hard to recover from. In tech, you might not risk being blackballed from the industry or losing a professional license. However, you can still waste years of growth by getting stuck in the wrong place or walking the wrong path. ... 

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Understanding And Overcoming Coder’s Block

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Reading Time: 7 minutes

What is Coder’s Block?

Coder’s block is a period during which a developer struggles to write good code or any code at all. During a block, ideas don’t materialize, and the overall goal of a project seems far and out of reach.

Writing code is a creative pursuit that requires using a combination of both the left and the right brain. All such activities sometimes run into a block that can be described as a lack of creative energy; this is a well-known issue with writing (it’s called writer’s block), but it affects coding just as much. ... 

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Interviewing Engineers, Patterns and Common Behaviors

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Reading Time: 7 minutes

Interviewing engineers is a normal part of the life of a developer. Most software engineers sooner or later are asked to do it, but there is rarely any formal training that teaches them how to be effective interviewers.

Interviewing is an art; not everyone is good at it. With experience, you get better, and you start observing recurring patterns. In this post, I am going to describe some typical behavioral patterns you’ll encounter when interviewing engineers and some suggestions on how to interpret them. ... 

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15 Best Ways To Give, Ask For And Receive Feedback

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Reading Time: 7 minutes

The meaning of feedback.

I define feedback as a process in which the effect or output of an action or behavior is ‘returned’ — fed-back — to modify the next action or behavior. Feedback occurs when an environment reacts and provides information, and when someone who is attuned to the situation can translate that chaotic information into well-formed thoughts.

Why is feedback important?

When you get feedback from a mentor, your boss or co-workers, you have an opportunity to achieve growth. Feedback tells you how others perceive you. Even if it is not an accurate description of reality, it is an accurate description of other people’s perception of you, which is a key factor for your success. ... 

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