Insights Into Business and Technology is primarily of a listing from LinkedIn Posts on business and technology insights. There is also coverge for important books to read in technology and business.

Articles By Devon
Why There Are Two Layers to Strategic I.T. Planning
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Why There Are Two Layers to Strategic I.T. Planning

There are two layers to Strategic I.T. Planning: The Business Layer and The Technical Layer. The Business Layer is built top-down, starting with The Strategic Business Plan and building down into a Strategic I.T. Plan...

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There are two layers to Strategic I.T. Planning: The Business Layer and The Technical Layer. The Business Layer is built top-down, starting with The Strategic Business Plan and building down into a Strategic I.T. Plan...

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I.T. Process Improvement and Operations Mapping (2016)
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I.T. Process Improvement and Operations Mapping (2016)

As you know, the purpose of business process mapping is to map business processes in order optimize customer value, increase efficacy and eliminate inefficiencies as part of process improvement initiatives...

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As you know, the purpose of business process mapping is to map business processes in order optimize customer value, increase efficacy and eliminate inefficiencies as part of process improvement initiatives...

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Customer Acquisition, Retention and Attrition Management for Your I.T. Organization
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Customer Acquisition, Retention and Attrition Management for Your I.T. Organization

Sales leaders, marketing leaders, and account managers spend a significant amount of time controlling for the costs of customer acquisition, customer retention, and customer attrition.

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Sales leaders, marketing leaders, and account managers spend a significant amount of time controlling for the costs of customer acquisition, customer retention, and customer attrition.

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I.T. Budgeting and Return on I.T. Investment
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I.T. Budgeting and Return on I.T. Investment

The annual budgeting process is primarily based on historical data. Information technology managers typically use backward-looking budgets and estimates to predict future events in constantly changing business environments

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The annual budgeting process is primarily based on historical data. Information technology managers typically use backward-looking budgets and estimates to predict future events in constantly changing business environments

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I.T. Department Sales and Customer Service
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I.T. Department Sales and Customer Service

Why Sales and Customer Service Is So Important to My I.T. Department?

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Why Sales and Customer Service Is So Important to My I.T. Department?

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Selecting Team Resources
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Selecting Team Resources

How to More Effectively Select Team Members for Your I.T. Organization?

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How to More Effectively Select Team Members for Your I.T. Organization?

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Emotional Intelligence: What Makes A Great Leader?
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Emotional Intelligence: What Makes A Great Leader?

Emotional Intelligence is commonly characterized as one's ability to connect with, persuade, and lead people. While the result of emotional intelligence is unique leadership ability, the path or way to emotional intelligence is an inward maturation process…

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Emotional Intelligence is commonly characterized as one's ability to connect with, persuade, and lead people. While the result of emotional intelligence is unique leadership ability, the path or way to emotional intelligence is an inward maturation process…

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Managing Technology Investment Decisions
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Managing Technology Investment Decisions

Managing Technology Investment Decisions Using A Management Consulting Framework

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Managing Technology Investment Decisions Using A Management Consulting Framework

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The Business Case That Never Starts
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The Business Case That Never Starts

Examines why many initiatives fail before they begin and how to structure effective business cases.

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Examines why many initiatives fail before they begin and how to structure effective business cases.

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How I.T. Department Management and Business Management Fit Together
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How I.T. Department Management and Business Management Fit Together

Why Managing an Information Technology Department Is Similar to Managing Your Own Business?

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Why Managing an Information Technology Department Is Similar to Managing Your Own Business?

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Innovation and A.I.
 

AI Energy Conservation

At the most basic level a computer’s energy consumption is based on 3 things: how much the computer thinks, e.g. CPU (compute), how much readily accessible information is currently in short term memory, e.g. RAM (memory), and how often the computer needs to access its long term memory, e.g...click on this text to read more.

At the most basic level a computer’s energy consumption is based on 3 things: how much the computer thinks, e.g. CPU (compute), how much readily accessible information is currently in short term memory, e.g. RAM (memory), and how often the computer needs to access its long term memory, e.g. Disk Storage (storage).

A simple and very effective way for AI consumers to reduce AI energy consumption is to ask very specific questions which provide sufficient context in every prompt. The more back and forth clarifications, interpretation and research a question requires; the more energy AI consumes. Asking questions that are very specific reduces energy consumption and also significantly improves the quality of the responses.

One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way
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One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way

The Kaizen Way is more than a how to guide for making changes in your life by breaking change down into small, incremental steps. It is a mindset of continuous innovation realized by sustainable, incremental improvement.

The Kaizen Way is more than a how to guide for making changes in your life by breaking change down into small, incremental steps. It is a mindset of continuous innovation realized by sustainable, incremental improvement.

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Vibe Coding and Technical Business Analysts

Since everybody is making AI predictions, in a few years I predict that Vibe Coding will reach full maturity and be production system capable which will create demand for Technical Business Analysts who can gather business requirements and write optimized prompts from the requirements. I...click on this text to read more.

Since everybody is making AI predictions, in a few years I predict that Vibe Coding will reach full maturity and be production system capable which will create demand for Technical Business Analysts who can gather business requirements and write optimized prompts from the requirements. I still think that the next step in the workflow for any high-quality system will be for a developer to conduct a code review and make architectural and functional refinements. We will see...

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Ideo
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Ideo's Future of the Book

When I first saw Ideo's Future of the Book in 2010, I was really taken with the idea that digital books would lead to collaborative content creation, discovery, and interactive storytelling.

When I first saw Ideo's Future of the Book in 2010, I was really taken with the idea that digital books would lead to collaborative content creation, discovery, and interactive storytelling.

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Marketing and AI

I think it's fair to say that AI is still in early adoption, over time marketing and advertising professionals may start to change their focus from potential customers to AI engines as AI increasingly guides customers in the product selection process.

I think it's fair to say that AI is still in early adoption, over time marketing and advertising professionals may start to change their focus from potential customers to AI engines as AI increasingly guides customers in the product selection process.

AI Will Close the Global Education Gap
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AI Will Close the Global Education Gap

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Technology Transformations and AI
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Technology Transformations and AI

AI is one of a kind. But there have been many other game changing technology innovations just over the course of my technology career, not to mention my dad's. It's still way too early to tell where all of this will lead. The best suggestion I can make is to Embrace, Engage, and Keep It All In Perspective.

AI is one of a kind. But there have been many other game changing technology innovations just over the course of my technology career, not to mention my dad's. It's still way too early to tell where all of this will lead. The best suggestion I can make is to Embrace, Engage, and Keep It All In Perspective.

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How AI Will Improve Business Competition
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How AI Will Improve Business Competition

One of the ways in which AI will improve global business competition is to provide consumers with powerful tools for making much more rational choices when buying products and services. Six months ago I bought a scale from Amazon and bought the scale based on price and appearance. About a...click on this text to read more.

One of the ways in which AI will improve global business competition is to provide consumers with powerful tools for making much more rational choices when buying products and services. Six months ago I bought a scale from Amazon and bought the scale based on price and appearance. About a month ago, I realized the day to day weight reported by my scale was fluctuating too much because of the uneven hardwood floors in my apartment. So I asked Copilot about scales that were better able to handle uneven floors. I quickly had a recommendation for a scale that was the same price as the original scale, was much better in terms of materials and engineering, was much better for uneven floors, and was also available at Amazon. More rational consumers mean that the businesses that make the best products win.

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Bill Gates On Energy
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Bill Gates On Energy

"In the next 25 years, we’ll need nearly three times as much energy as we do today. With breakthroughs in geothermal, fusion, and hydrogen energy, I believe we’ll get there—with options for generating affordable, reliable, clean electricity at a scale the future demands."

"In the next 25 years, we’ll need nearly three times as much energy as we do today. With breakthroughs in geothermal, fusion, and hydrogen energy, I believe we’ll get there—with options for generating affordable, reliable, clean electricity at a scale the future demands."

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Value Proposition of AI by McKinsey

This is relevant and timely, especially for I.T. folks.

This is relevant and timely, especially for I.T. folks.

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British Journal of Political Science Goes Open Access
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British Journal of Political Science Goes Open Access

I think the Open Access movement is super important because it will broaden access to important research as well as broaden collaborative dialogue.

I think the Open Access movement is super important because it will broaden access to important research as well as broaden collaborative dialogue.

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Business & I.T. Management
3 Business Strategy Concepts Hopefully Made Easy
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3 Business Strategy Concepts Hopefully Made Easy

Value Proposition – How does your business deliver more of what your customer’s want for lower prices than your competitors?

Core Competency – What is the unique DNA of your business that creates the organizational capabilities that result in a market leading value...click on this text to read more.

Value Proposition – How does your business deliver more of what your customer’s want for lower prices than your competitors?

Core Competency – What is the unique DNA of your business that creates the organizational capabilities that result in a market leading value proposition?

Competitive Advantage – How is your business positioned to win in new and existing markets?

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Practical Professional Training Courses
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Practical Professional Training Courses

My first ever professional training course was for new managers at SkillPath. The course was filled with practical advice, the instructors were very good communicators, and the courses are really budget approval friendly.

My first ever professional training course was for new managers at SkillPath. The course was filled with practical advice, the instructors were very good communicators, and the courses are really budget approval friendly.

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4 Points of People Management

The ultimate goal of managing people is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of each person on your team while keeping in mind each person’s professional –and even personal— goals. It’s highly rewarding when you get it right; it can really take a lot out of you when it doesn’t go w...click on this text to read more.

The ultimate goal of managing people is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of each person on your team while keeping in mind each person’s professional –and even personal— goals. It’s highly rewarding when you get it right; it can really take a lot out of you when it doesn’t go well. Best practice people management is almost like having a second job. To truly do it right, you need a somewhat formalized plan for each of the points below and to be actively --and regularly-- engaging with each of your direct reports on the 4 points.

1. Professional Growth and Development Plans
2. Performance Improvement Plans
3. Standards and Requirements Compliance Assessment
4. Personal Context Assessment and Plan*

* Learn about and take into account the personal circumstances of --and even personal goals of-- each person on your team.

Creating Modern Capitalism by Thomas K. McCraw
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Creating Modern Capitalism by Thomas K. McCraw

On one level this is a compelling history of great businesses and their most important leaders in 30 page chapters. On another level this is a comparative analysis of national business systems that have driven the economic success of some of the most economically advanced nations in history.

On one level this is a compelling history of great businesses and their most important leaders in 30 page chapters. On another level this is a comparative analysis of national business systems that have driven the economic success of some of the most economically advanced nations in history.

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Better PowerPoint Presentations
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Better PowerPoint Presentations

If you want more compelling PowerPoint presentations with only a little bit more work, I highly recommend buying a bundle of PowerPoint templates. While it does take some time to find your favorite slides from the 100+ decks, they are less than $100 and are a big bump up in terms of visual presentation quality. Below is the link to the one I went with.

If you want more compelling PowerPoint presentations with only a little bit more work, I highly recommend buying a bundle of PowerPoint templates. While it does take some time to find your favorite slides from the 100+ decks, they are less than $100 and are a big bump up in terms of visual presentation quality. Below is the link to the one I went with.

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Software Companies and UI Design

Most software companies don't prioritize look and feel. Consumers and businesses buy with their eyes. Functionality matters, look and feel sells. Find a great UI/graphic designer and actively work with them like you do your product delivery team. The spend can be very reasonable. The impact on customer response is outstanding.

Most software companies don't prioritize look and feel. Consumers and businesses buy with their eyes. Functionality matters, look and feel sells. Find a great UI/graphic designer and actively work with them like you do your product delivery team. The spend can be very reasonable. The impact on customer response is outstanding.

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I.T. Role Descriptions
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I.T. Role Descriptions

I thought it might be good to have a more concrete description of some standard I.T. roles. Below is my shot at that.

I thought it might be good to have a more concrete description of some standard I.T. roles. Below is my shot at that.

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Legacy of Bill Gates
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Legacy of Bill Gates

Bill Gates is the Henry Ford of our time. The jobs and opportunities Microsoft has created in the United States, and globally, is astounding. Microsoft was a substantial part of making a computer in every home a reality by making computers affordable for the average American. For people...click on this text to read more.

Bill Gates is the Henry Ford of our time. The jobs and opportunities Microsoft has created in the United States, and globally, is astounding. Microsoft was a substantial part of making a computer in every home a reality by making computers affordable for the average American. For people like me who are self-taught technology professionals, he made it possible to make a career out of it.

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Organizational Culture and Leadership
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Organizational Culture and Leadership

There are number of groundbreaking insights in this book. For me the most impactful concept in this book is the lifecycle of disruption and innovation in organizational culture that Professor Schein describes; and the way in which effective leaders drive that transformation in order to ensure organizational success in the face of market disruptions.

There are number of groundbreaking insights in this book. For me the most impactful concept in this book is the lifecycle of disruption and innovation in organizational culture that Professor Schein describes; and the way in which effective leaders drive that transformation in order to ensure organizational success in the face of market disruptions.

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Be-Know-Do
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Be-Know-Do

Be-Know-Do is a concrete, practical system for solving problems and getting results. While a U.S. Army Manual may seem like the wrong fit for business, the United States Military re-designed American MBA programs shortly after World War II as a push away from war and towards business. This...click on this text to read more.

Be-Know-Do is a concrete, practical system for solving problems and getting results. While a U.S. Army Manual may seem like the wrong fit for business, the United States Military re-designed American MBA programs shortly after World War II as a push away from war and towards business. This book is a fast read and was a go to book for business leaders in the 1950's and 1960's when American business really took hold.

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Project Management
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Project Management

This is the best Project Management book that I have read. It is a good introduction to the various Project Management Methodologies and also provides practical decision-making criteria when selecting the methodology that fits the specific project. Teams often get bound to one methodology,...click on this text to read more.

This is the best Project Management book that I have read. It is a good introduction to the various Project Management Methodologies and also provides practical decision-making criteria when selecting the methodology that fits the specific project. Teams often get bound to one methodology, but project success is best realized by choosing the methodology that best fits the project’s characteristics.

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Marketing and Product Management
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Marketing and Product Management

At the most basic level business is about customers, products and revenue. Marketing is the gateway to a better understanding of your customers and products. The importance of marketing is often discounted, but for anyone who is designing a product or service for a customer, it is foundational.

At the most basic level business is about customers, products and revenue. Marketing is the gateway to a better understanding of your customers and products. The importance of marketing is often discounted, but for anyone who is designing a product or service for a customer, it is foundational.

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Investment Management And Project Management
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Investment Management And Project Management

One of the things I discovered while studying Finance in business school is that Investment Portfolio Management offers some key concepts to use in Project Portfolio Management. Risk and Reward, Diversification, Risk Management, Asset Allocation and even Modern Portfolio Theory offer way...click on this text to read more.

One of the things I discovered while studying Finance in business school is that Investment Portfolio Management offers some key concepts to use in Project Portfolio Management. Risk and Reward, Diversification, Risk Management, Asset Allocation and even Modern Portfolio Theory offer ways in which to optimize the return of your project portfolio while reducing the risk in your project portfolio.

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The Language of Business
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The Language of Business

This is a good reminder from the Stanford School of Business about the ways in which to most effectively communicate with senior leaders in an organization, especially when you are trying to obtain budget approval for your work, like a project or initiative.

This is a good reminder from the Stanford School of Business about the ways in which to most effectively communicate with senior leaders in an organization, especially when you are trying to obtain budget approval for your work, like a project or initiative.

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Software Engineering
Infrastructure Management Considerations
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Infrastructure Management Considerations

I am not an infrastructure expert, but I have worked with some over the years. This is my summary of things to consider based on what I have learned from them --and by trial and error. It's not exhaustive, but meant to be a good starting point.

I am not an infrastructure expert, but I have worked with some over the years. This is my summary of things to consider based on what I have learned from them --and by trial and error. It's not exhaustive, but meant to be a good starting point.

Free Tools and Software All-Star List
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Free Tools and Software All-Star List

I've been doing more hands-on IT work over the last year, and thought I'd share my all-star list of free tools and software —some old, some new.

I've been doing more hands-on IT work over the last year, and thought I'd share my all-star list of free tools and software —some old, some new.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop
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Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Google Chrome Remote Desktop is really easy to setup, currently free and very lightweight. Great for personal use.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop is really easy to setup, currently free and very lightweight. Great for personal use.

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Design Patterns
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Design Patterns

Truth be told, Design Patterns was a little deep for me. At the same time, it helped me to much better understand how to develop reusable and flexible object structures based on the 23 patterns covered in this book. If you want to learn more about Object-Oriented Design and Object-Orient...click on this text to read more.

Truth be told, Design Patterns was a little deep for me. At the same time, it helped me to much better understand how to develop reusable and flexible object structures based on the 23 patterns covered in this book. If you want to learn more about Object-Oriented Design and Object-Oriented Programming, Design Patterns is probably not the best choice for a first read, but it is a must read. Design Patterns unlocks some of the secrets to truly great programming and design.

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Application Delivery & Use Cases
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Application Delivery & Use Cases

Some time back I needed the best way to document requirements at a very granular level that went so far as to specify system level procedural logic. I found the right guide at the exact right time in Alistair Cockburn's Writing Effective Use Cases. It's a quick read with customizable templ...click on this text to read more.

Some time back I needed the best way to document requirements at a very granular level that went so far as to specify system level procedural logic. I found the right guide at the exact right time in Alistair Cockburn's Writing Effective Use Cases. It's a quick read with customizable templates that anyone can use to effectively communicate everything a developer needs to understand in order to build a system. Once we selected a vendor to deliver the system, we had a fully functional application that was built exactly to spec in 6 months.

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University of Virginia Free Computer Science Course
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University of Virginia Free Computer Science Course

This professor at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Virginia offers several YouTube video series on Computer Science that go well beyond writing code. His style is very approachable and even somewhat lighthearted. Worth a look for sure.

This professor at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Virginia offers several YouTube video series on Computer Science that go well beyond writing code. His style is very approachable and even somewhat lighthearted. Worth a look for sure.

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Database Design
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Database Design

This book took me from building databases to designing databases.

This book took me from building databases to designing databases.

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Building Better Software
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Building Better Software

Code Complete is one of the best guides ever written on how you build better software through standardization, structure and code convention. It completely transformed my programming style when I was a developer back in the 1990's. Ironically, it may be even more important today as developers integrate AI into their workflow.

Code Complete is one of the best guides ever written on how you build better software through standardization, structure and code convention. It completely transformed my programming style when I was a developer back in the 1990's. Ironically, it may be even more important today as developers integrate AI into their workflow.

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TwinBasic: A Revival of Visual Basic 6
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TwinBasic: A Revival of Visual Basic 6

Amazing to see a twin of Visual Basic 6 available with a community edition.

Amazing to see a twin of Visual Basic 6 available with a community edition.

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