Agile/Scrum Training in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Since you asked for the three most important things that non-programmers should know about, and I’ve spent most of my career working with more non-programmers than programmers, I have a few interesting things that would help.

Number One - It Is Impossible To Accurately Estimate Software Projects

No matter what is tried. No matter what tool, agile approach, or magic fairy dust people try to apply to creating software… accurately predicting software project timelines is basically impossible.

There are many good reasons for this. Usually, requirements and feature ideas change on a daily/weekly basis. Often it is impossible to know what needs to be done without actually digging into the code itself. Debugging and QA can take an extraordinary amount of time.

And worst of all…

Project Managers are always pushing for shorter timelines. They largely have no respect for reality. So, at some point they are given estimates just to make them feel better about planning.

No matter how much planning and estimation you do, it will be wrong. At best it will be directionally correct +/- 300% of what you estimated. So, a one year project could actually take anywhere between 0 and 5 years, maybe even 10 years.

If you think I’m joking, look at how many major ERP projects that go over time and over budget by many years and many hundreds of millions of dollars. Look at the F-35 fighter jet software issues.

Or in the small, you can find many cases where a “simple bug fix” can take days when you thought it was hours.

All estimates are lies made up to make everyone feel better. I’ve never met a developer or manager who could accurately estimate software projects even as well as the local weatherman(or woman) predicts the weather.

Number Two - Productivity Is Unevenly Distributed

What if I told you that in the average eight hour work day the majority of the work will get done in a 30 minute timeframe? Sound crazy?

Well, for most programmers there is a 30–90 minute window where you are extraordinarily productive. We call this the flow state.

Being in the flow state is wonderful and amazing. It often is where the “magic” of building software happens.

Getting into flow can be difficult. It’s akin to meditation in that you have to have a period of uninterrupted focus of say 30 minutes to “get in” the flow, but a tiny interruption can pull you right out.

Now consider the modern workplace environment. Programmers work in open office environments where they are invited to distract each other constantly.

Most people need a 1–2 hour uninterrupted block to get 30–90 minutes of flow.

Take the 8 hour day and break it in half with a lunch break, and then pile in a few meetings and all of a sudden you are lucky to get one decent flow state session in place.

That is why I say that most of the work that gets done happens in a 30 minute timeframe. The other 7–8 hours are spent being distracted, answering email, going to meetings, hanging around the water cooler, going to the bathroom, and trying to remember what you were working on before all these distractions.

Ironically, writers, musicians, and other creative professionals have their own version of this problem and largely work alone and away from other people when they are creating new things.

Someday the programming world might catch on, but I doubt it.

Even if this became obvious, it doesn’t sit well with most companies to think that programmers would be paid for an 8 hour day and only be cranking out code for a few hours on a good day. Some corporate middle manager would probably get the bright idea to have mandatory flow state training where a guru came in and then there would be a corporate policy from a pointy haired boss mandating that programmers are now required to spend 8 hours a day in flow state and they must fill out forms to track their time and notify their superiors of their flow state activities, otherwise there would be more meetings about the current flow state reports not being filed correctly and that programmers were spending too much time “zoning out” instead of being in flow.

Thus, programmers would spent 7–8 hours a day pretending to be in flow state, reporting on their progress, and getting all their work done in 30 minutes of accidental flow state somewhere in the middle of all that flow state reporting.

If you think I’m joking about this, I’m not. I promise you this is what would happen to any company of more than 2 employees. (Even the ones run by programmers.)

Number Three - It Will Cost 10x What You Think

Being a programmer, I get a lot of non-programmers telling me about their brilliant app ideas. Usually they want me to build something for free and are so generous as to pay me up to 5% of the profits for doing 100% of the work.

Their ideas are just that good.

Now, I gently tell them that I’m not interested in building anything for free.

At that point they get angry, but a few ask how much it will cost. I give them a reasonable (and very incorrect) estimate of what it would cost to create the incredibly simple version of their app idea.

Let’s say it’s some number like $25,000.

They look at me like I’m a lunatic, and so I explain how much it costs to hire a contract programmer and how long it will actually take. For example’s sake let’s say it is $100/hr for 250 hours.

To be clear, these are made up numbers and bad estimates (See Number One for details…)

In actuality, to build the actual thing they want might cost $250,000, or even $2,500,000 when it’s all said and done.

Building software can be incredibly complex and expensive. What most people can’t wrap their head around is the fact that a company like Google, Apple, or Microsoft has spent BILLIONS of dollars to create something that looks so simple to the end user.

Somehow, the assumption is that something that looks simple is cheap and fast to build.

Building something simple and easy for the end user is time consuming and expensive. Most people just can’t do it.

So, the average person with a brilliant app idea thinks it will cost a few hundred or maybe a few thousand dollars to make and it will be done in a weekend is so off the mark it’s not worth considering their ideas.

And programmers are too eager to play along with these bad ideas (by making bad estimates and under charging for their time) that this notion is perpetuated to the average non-programmer.

So, a good rule of thumb is that software will cost 10 times as much as you think and take 10 times as long to finish.

And that leads to a bonus point…

BONUS - Software Is Never Done

Programmers never complete a software project, they only stop working on it. Software is never done.

I’ve worked at many software companies and I’ve never seen a software project “completed”.

Sure, software gets released and used. But, it is always changing, being updated, bugs get fixed, and there are always new customer requests for features.

Look at your favorite software and you’ll quickly realize how true this is. Facebook, Instagram, Google Search, Google Maps, GMail, iOS, Android, Windows, and now even most video games are never done.

There are small armies of developers just trying to keep all the software you use every day stable and bug free. Add on the fact that there are always feature requests, small changes, and new platforms to deal with, it’s a treadmill.

So, the only way out of the game is to stop working on software. At that point, the software begins to decay until it is no longer secure or supported.

Think about old Windows 3.1 software or maybe old Nintendo Cartridge video games. The current computers and video game consoles don’t even attempt to run that software anymore.

You can’t put an old video game in your new Nintendo Switch and have it “just work”. That is what happens when you think software is done.

When programmers stop working on software the software starts to die. The code itself is probably fine, but all the other software keeps moving forward until your software is no longer compatible with the current technology.

So, those are the four most important things that non-programmers should know about programming. I know you asked for only three, so I hope the bonus was valuable to you as well.

How to use a global variable in Python

[Mar, 28, 2014] |
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The python keyword global is used in a function to distinguish a local representation of a variable with the same name.

glbvar = 0

def setglbvar():
    global glbvar # include this declaration so that updates to glbvar are NOT LOCAL to this function
    glbvar = 1

def printglbvar():
    print glbvar     # No need for global declaration to read value of globvar

setglbvar()
printglbvar()       # Prints 1

Weekly Tech Things You Need to Know (January, 13th 2014)

[Jan, 16, 2014] |
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The IRS is enabling taxpayers to download their tax transcripts over the internet from the Internal Revenue Service. The official secure URL for the transcripts download followed immediately after The White House fact sheet confirmed the decision. According to the Tech Crunch You Can Now Download Your Tax Returns From The IRS article, there are some minor bug issues when registering. Given that security has long been problematic with the IRS, the best course of action for the public is to take some precautions when downloading personal information on mobile devices, pc’s and laptops. Installing disk encryption software on all your devices will protect your files reduce risk
Have an awesome Start-Up with products in ‘stealth or private beta” that you want like to pitch for a chance to get a table at Disrupt NY? TechCrunch is heading to Atlanta and New Orleans February 18^th and 20^th 2014 and will host a beer fest night in exchange for your thoughts and pitches. Tickets are $5, and all entrepreneurs, investors, dreamers or tech enthusiast are welcome.
Cloutex, a cloud computing future enabler has just secured their first round of seed funding. Cloutex is an Estonian tech startup, which connects and syncs various web applications such as e-marketing, CRM and accounting tools under one convenient hub. The United Partners, SmartCap and EstBan business angels seeded the start-up with $6000, 000.
Could you get everything important that you need to know about living successfully from a computer program? Ryan Dube seems to think so. In his 6 Life Habits That Programming Could Teach You Today he speaks in flow charts, loops and program modules, in the same breath as paying off debt or buying a house. How can your programming skills help in life skills by modeling some of the same principles?
10 Incredibly Simple Things You Can Do To Protect Your PrivacyPassword protect your devices. Put alerts on your name in Google; simple tasks that can be significant in protecting your privacy.
Adobe Brings 3D Printing Support to PhotoshopAmong the latest updates in Adobe, Photoshop users have the ability to design 3D models from scratch as well as being able to toy around with color, shape and angles.

Basic Java Tutorial - Elements of Popularity in a Programming Language

[Nov, 08, 2012] |
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Different programming languages gain popularity for different features. Java tutorials have proven particular popular over a long period of time, thanks to a diverse group of strengths inherent to the language itself. Let’s examine some of the basic elements of Java, and find out what it is both powerful and popular:

· WORA – Write Once Run Anywhere is a programming ideal that has never been effectively achieved. The goal is to be able to write code a single time, and have it deploy in the same way across multiple platforms. Although it is still an ideal, proper Java tutorials exist that demonstrate how we are moving closer to success.

· Object-Oriented – This programming philosophy designates that there is no coding that takes place outside established class definitions. A large class library is also available right within the core language pack.

· Compiler plus Interpreter – Once you have written your code, you can compile it into bytecodes which are then fed into a JVM, or Java virtual machine. You can then follow popular Java tutorials to see how you can extensively debug your code using this functionality.

Tech Life in Florida

Software developers in Florida, have reasonably great opportunities for development positions in Fortune 1000 companies scattered throughout the state. In town and in reach, Floridians have access to corporate headquarters for Citrix Systems, Tech Data Corporation, the SFN Group, and the Harris Corporation just to name a few.

Conceptual integrity is the most important consideration in system design. Frederick P. Brooks, The Mythical Man-Month

other Learning Options

Software developers near Port St. Lucie have ample opportunities to meet like minded techie individuals, collaborate and expend their career choices by participating in Meet-Up Groups. The following is a list of Technology Groups in the area.

Intro To GNU/Linux Meetup Group · DC727 Penetration Testing/Ethical Hacking · Front-end Developers of Miami ·

Fortune 500 and 1000 companies in Florida that offer opportunities for Agile/Scrum developers

Company Name	City	Industry	Secondary Industry
Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS)	Jacksonville	Software and Internet	Data Analytics, Management and Storage
World Fuel Services Corporation	Miami	Energy and Utilities	Gasoline and Oil Refineries
SEACOR Holdings Inc.	Fort Lauderdale	Transportation and Storage	Marine and Inland Shipping
MasTec, Inc.	Miami	Business Services	Security Services
Health Management Associates, Inc.	Naples	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Hospitals
B/E Aerospace, Inc.	Wellington	Manufacturing	Aerospace and Defense
Roper Industries, Inc.	Sarasota	Manufacturing	Manufacturing Other
AutoNation	Fort Lauderdale	Retail	Automobile Dealers
Watsco, Inc.	Miami	Wholesale and Distribution	Wholesale and Distribution Other
SFN Group	Fort Lauderdale	Business Services	HR and Recruiting Services
Tupperware Corporation	Orlando	Manufacturing	Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing
AirTran Holdings, Inc.	Orlando	Travel, Recreation and Leisure	Passenger Airlines
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.	Tampa	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech Other
Lennar Corporation	Miami	Real Estate and Construction	Real Estate Agents and Appraisers
HSN, Inc.	Saint Petersburg	Retail	Retail Other
Certegy	Saint Petersburg	Business Services	Business Services Other
Raymond James Financial, Inc.	Saint Petersburg	Financial Services	Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.	Jacksonville	Retail	Grocery and Specialty Food Stores
Jabil Circuit, Inc.	Saint Petersburg	Computers and Electronics	Semiconductor and Microchip Manufacturing
CSX Corporation	Jacksonville	Transportation and Storage	Freight Hauling (Rail and Truck)
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.	Jacksonville	Financial Services	Insurance and Risk Management
Tech Data Corporation	Clearwater	Consumer Services	Automotive Repair & Maintenance
TECO Energy, Inc.	Tampa	Manufacturing	Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Lincare Holdings Inc	Clearwater	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Medical Supplies and Equipment
Chico's FAS Inc.	Fort Myers	Retail	Clothing and Shoes Stores
Burger King Corporation LLC	Miami	Retail	Restaurants and Bars
Publix Super Markets, Inc.	Lakeland	Retail	Grocery and Specialty Food Stores
Florida Power and Light Company	Juno Beach	Energy and Utilities	Gas and Electric Utilities
Ryder System, Inc.	Miami	Transportation and Storage	Freight Hauling (Rail and Truck)
Citrix Systems, Inc.	Fort Lauderdale	Software and Internet	Software and Internet Other
Harris Corporation	Melbourne	Telecommunications	Wireless and Mobile
Office Depot, Inc.	Boca Raton	Computers and Electronics	Audio, Video and Photography
Landstar System, Inc.	Jacksonville	Transportation and Storage	Freight Hauling (Rail and Truck)
Darden Restaurants, Inc.	Orlando	Retail	Restaurants and Bars
PSS World Medical, Inc.	Jacksonville	Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech	Medical Supplies and Equipment

training details locations, tags and why hsg

the hartmann software group advantage

why take Agile/Scrum Training with the hartmann software group?

A successful career as a software developer or other IT professional requires a solid understanding of software development processes, design patterns, enterprise application architectures, web services, security, networking and much more. The progression from novice to expert can be a daunting endeavor; this is especially true when traversing the learning curve without expert guidance. A common experience is that too much time and money is wasted on a career plan or application due to misinformation.

The Hartmann Software Group understands these issues and addresses them and others during any training engagement. Although no IT educational institution can guarantee career or application development success, HSG can get you closer to your goals at a far faster rate than self paced learning and, arguably, than the competition. Here are the reasons why we are so successful at teaching:

Learn from the experts.
1. We have provided software development and other IT related training to many major corporations in Florida since 2002.
2. Our educators have years of consulting and training experience; moreover, we require each trainer to have cross-discipline expertise i.e. be Java and .NET experts so that you get a broad understanding of how industry wide experts work and think.
Discover tips and tricks about Agile/Scrum programming
Get your questions answered by easy to follow, organized Agile/Scrum experts
Get up to speed with vital Agile/Scrum programming tools
Save on travel expenses by learning right from your desk or home office. Enroll in an online instructor led class. Nearly all of our classes are offered in this way.
Prepare to hit the ground running for a new job or a new position
See the big picture and have the instructor fill in the gaps
We teach with sophisticated learning tools and provide excellent supporting course material
Books and course material are provided in advance
Get a book of your choice from the HSG Store as a gift from us when you register for a class
Gain a lot of practical skills in a short amount of time
We teach what we know…software
We care…

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Agile/Scrum Training Classes in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Agile/Scrum Training Catalog

Course Directory [training on all levels]

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Tech Life in Florida

training details locations, tags and why hsg

Interesting Reads Take a class with us and receive a book of your choosing for 50% off MSRP.