One of the problems of being at a startup is the overwhelming amount of work. So much to do, so little time!
Luckily, this helpful flow-chart helps you decide what to do next.

I used to work for a company that built a complicated desktop application, let’s call it Roloduck. The original version was written in about 1999-2000 and subsequent versions (including a total rewrite) were built over the first six years of the new millenium. Over that time my job title varied between developer, senior [...]

I always forget how to do this so I’m writing it down (especially as it’s really easy and git, as usual, makes me feel stupid as Linus is so much smarter than me).
Suppose you’ve been working in branch X and you’re about to merge those changes into branch Y …

work in branch X [...]

Writing estimates up-front is a really tricky part of client work.
From the customer’s point of view it’s pretty essential. You need to know how much you are spending before the work begins so you don’t get stung.
From the developer’s point of view it’s pretty difficult to do because [...]

When dealing with people (whether friends, family, customers or suppliers), remember: there is an absolute world of difference between “I think that’s rubbish” and “it is rubbish”.
One is a statement of opinion, the other is likely to get people’s backs up. Words and phrasing are important to people.
It’s why naming in computer [...]

The launch of isitruby1.9.com is exciting for a couple of reasons.  The obvious reasons are that this is something that we, as Ruby developers, needed.  It gets the Brightbox name out there.   And it’s also nice to get people together and give something to “the community”.  
But personally, what I like best about it, is that the entire [...]

I spent this weekend in the Lake District in the wet north-west of England. A beautiful part of the world, but one lacking in 3G connectivity. Not great for browsing (although Mobile Twitter and email were fine) but fantastic for battery life.
On Sunday morning, I awoke to find an email from [...]

 
Sometimes you have a moment where you know that you’re on the right path.  
I was hunting through an archive of work done for Brightbox and found this message trail.  I had just tracked down a bug and posted a small screenshot of the fix.  
John’s response let me know that this would be a [...]

Google’s Chrome browser is making big waves on the Internet. “Watch out Microsoft, Google is coming to get you” they are saying.
But they are wrong.
Mozilla should be worried. Even Apple should be worried. But Microsoft should not.
You see, if Chrome is successful it will take search revenue (from the little online search [...]

It’s not your technical ability.  That’s a given, otherwise you wouldn’t be in this job would you?
It’s not finding a push-over client.  The client is busy and has their own problems to solve.  
It’s a combination of organisation, management and communication.  
Stay organised.  Always know what is outstanding, who is doing it and when it [...]