Dallas Startup Blog http://www.dallasstartups.com The Startup Blog Network Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:05:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 In crappy times: Get better at writing the spec. http://www.dallasstartups.com/2009/04/12/in-crappy-times-get-better-at-writing-the-spec/ http://www.dallasstartups.com/2009/04/12/in-crappy-times-get-better-at-writing-the-spec/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:05:32 +0000 Brandon Cotter http://www.dallasstartups.com/?p=2532 So, maybe I will write a few posts on “crappy times”…not to be jumping on the bandwagon of complaining about how bad things are, but just in recognition that things are tough. Anything we can do to work smarter, faster, more efficiently, lets do it.

I have become a huge fan of Joel Spolsky’s blog, “Joel On Software“. It contains some of the best and most practical lessons for both coders and product managers who long to crank out better software.

As a non-coding manager, I am often stuck in the middle of debates around often “agile” sounding methodologies that launch developers and designers immediately into building mode and more planning-heavy ones that cause you to stop and write some things down before you begin.

Joel does a great job of helping you see the light on these issues. Punchline, you don’t have to measure 5x to cut once, but you do have to measure.

If you are involved in the building of any web business, a web site, or a web-based product, his writings on the topic are invaluable. He even gives you a downloadable sample from one of their projects. Great stuff.


]]> http://www.dallasstartups.com/2009/04/12/in-crappy-times-get-better-at-writing-the-spec/feed/ Welcome to the Dallas Startup Blog http://www.dallasstartups.com/2009/03/12/welcome-to-the-dallas-startup-blog/ http://www.dallasstartups.com/2009/03/12/welcome-to-the-dallas-startup-blog/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:36:51 +0000 Brandon Cotter Friends, welcome to the Dallas Startup Blog.

I am sure that there are a bunch of folks that are better qualified than me to write this blog (yes, I would love your help) but if passion (both for startups and Dallas) and a track record of successful Internet exits and Internet blow ups are prerequisites, then I am qualified.

This blog is part of SpringStage, a network of people interested in promoting entrepreneurship and startups. We call these people catalysts. Once part of the SpringStage team, these catalysts will attempt to promote a sense of community around entrepreneurship in their local communities. You don’t need to move to San Francisco (although it helps) to live a startup lifestyle, you can become part of an entrepreneurial community in your own hometown. Apply to join SpringStage.


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