NOT Easy: What software development is.

I am, as a small population of you out there already know, a computer programmer/software developer/software engineer/enterprise architect/hacker.  Just in my job “title” alone you can already see that defining what I am and do, a creator of or creating software, can be difficult, and inherent to that is the job itself which is of developing software, is also equally difficult to do.

There is design, prototype, develop, iterate, refactor, prototype, design, iterate, iterate, refactor, and so on. And I did not even mention how requirements, specifications, documentation, validation, and the-list-goes-on-ations come into play. So it is not a wonder that the occupation, or pre-occupation thereof, of software development is a very complex activity that can only be described, defined, specified, and estimated as, yes, simply put, as very complex.

Blogs about “Oh just learn it!”, “Just *expletive* do it, learn coding, and build it yourself!”  And yes it is easy with all the resources at hand and available, but let’s face it.  There is a “shortage”, a need, a gap in the workforce that is programmers and techies.  And like they say, “If it was easy then everyone would be doing it.”  And frankly (or bobly or joely or whatever-ly), not everyone is doing it are they?  Yeah right, yes, it is easy somehow, but let’s face it, it is certain types that get programming and that makes it easier. But just like I learned to make a loud whistling sound by putting 2 or 4 fingers in my mouth and blowing (I get it), but it was hard to learn and I am not especially good at it. I accept that and you can also rest easy knowing that programming is NOT EASY!  IT IS HARD to learn, HARD to do, and when you do either or both, you may not be especially good at it. Accept it and move on with life.  You do not have to be the best at everything and will not be that so… whatever!

In the meantime put in a good word in your blogs or comments on blogs that want all those people out there to believe that anyone and everyone can just magically become a programmer. WRONG! Programmers unite! Put in a good word that they are WRONG and that you tried it and that you actually can say first hand that it is hard and that there is nothing wrong with saying that and owning that.  Take it from someone who has put in the magical Ten Thousand Hours and I tell you from personal experience that developing software is a lot of things, but EASY is not one of them.

100 words blogZ

Day 12

5000 Bonus “Cool! U get me!” points for understanding the last two 100 words blogZ.  I look back and wonder myself.  So, there are some things that I of course keep private and yet a great many other things that I leave or put right out in front of everyone. Something to think about:  It’s amazing how easy it is to connect to the whole world and yet your connection is oh so amazingly small.

da Lewis Xperrmints: Happier, healthier kids!

Allow me to introduce…Myself! I am a startup entrepreneur and a techie guy with a mission to make happier, healthier kids!

I am fortunate and very happy to have two beautiful, happy, healthy daughters and I wiill try my best with them to give them a life where they are even happier and healthier. On top of that I am going to use what I know and care about, sports and technology, to try to do the same for as many youth in the world that I can.

Now whether directly, or indirectly, applying, or pursuing, sports or technology as a way to make happier, healthier kids is not of consequence. That, which is of consequence, is that I can make a positive impact on the lives of youth. That is important for me and for the startups that I involve myself with. Hmmmm, so I how do I do that because well making happier, healthier kids is like soooo esoteric and immeasurable.

Well, with that said, please allow me to introduce myself again. I am a guy that wants to make happier, healthier kids by being a startup entrepreneur creating a company that will make software that gives kids a chance to learn, teach, grow, and “give back” to the world and community around them.

So for me the why…

I want to make a positive impact on the lives of youth.

And the how…

Learning. Teaching. Sharing. Growing.

is not so hard. The what…

Well, that is the fun adventure that is da Lewis Xperrmints. Join my journey.

“Pass or Fail? How to avoid failure and never fail again: Step 2

“Why did the duck cross the street?”  I think most people know this joke and I guess what makes it timeless is that it is easy to remember, maybe not the most funny joke in the world, but definitely easy to remember.  For those who don’t know it then the answer is as simple as it is memorable: “To get to the other side.” (insert huge laughter and applause here)

We are on the topic of failure and more importantly, how to never fail again!  In Step 1 we talked about “the Dream” and the why this dream.  Step 2 is about never giving up on “the Dream”.

Read More

100 words blogZ

Day 9

Creativity or lunacy:  Ramblings of a maddFounder is exactly that. Not an Acronym.  We believe madd is like silly crazy, meaning that you are just so silly that you’re crazy. Yes, I know that doesn’t really explain it better, I know, I know, but the point is this.  Everyone with a big idea or dream or fantasy is a little bit madd, because you have to be just silly enough to think of something so wild and great and then be crazy enough about making it happen to make it happen. That is the way I see the maddFounder.

100 words blogZ

Day # Something way past the day I thought it was

This is going to be long so get comfortable, dear reader.

VoiceBitz, or in other words, me, myself and I! I missed the application deadline for semi-finalists for the OEC today!  Actually yesterday, and although, yesterday I was feeling positive about getting done in time, it is today that I realized that it was a BIG, FAT FAIL!!!  How could I have done this? Well, actually, I know exactly how I could have done this and I am so upset with myself. Ah, but the ultimate optimist reminds us to look forward and do something about something that still can be done.

(editors note:  this blogZ was used in a longer blog series about failure.  see also: “Pass or Fail? How to avoid failure and never fail again.“)