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Good API Etiquette

APIs are great! Every developer you talk to will usually say that an API is the preferred way to go when you want to talk to other systems. Now ask that developer if they like working with APIs. Specifically, other peoples’ APIs. They will normally answer ‘if….’ otherwise – no! I’ve both built and integrated [...]

Letting Go……

There are generally 4 types of technical director/leader/cto etc. Founder technical director. Often a dev leader who’s job progresses outside of this due to growth. Operational leader. Someone who reports to a CIO and just runs the day to day. Deep thinker leader. Someone who concentrates on innovation and most likely does a lot of [...]

The importance of rest – Part 2: A leader’s perspective

Some of you may have read my initial post on the importance of rest: http://kirstiehaxby.com/development/the-importance-of-rest If you have – you’ll have read why it’s so important to implement effective methodologies and how to recognise the times where you need time off and to make sure you make the absolute most of it to relax, recuperate and [...]

Hiring PHP Developers – Silicon MilkRoundAbout

In my capacity as Head of Tech at StylistPick, the onus falls on to me to ever expand our technical team to meet our needs. Problem is – I need really good PHP Developers! Where are they?! I have spoken to several people about the plight of hiring really good PHP Developers lately and it [...]

PHP UK Conference 2011

Well it’s that time of year again where the UK’s PHP Developers descend on Islington Business Design Centre for the day to hear about the latest trends, technologies and hopefully expand some knowledge. I was celebrating my new job title (Head of Technology for StylistPick.com) so was a bit late unfortunately… So I missed the [...]

Good API Etiquette

March 8th, 2012

Kirstie

APIs are great! Every developer you talk to will usually say that an API is the preferred way to go when you want to talk to other systems. Now ask that developer if they like working with APIs. Specifically, other peoples’ APIs. They will normally answer ‘if….’ otherwise – no! I’ve both built and integrated with 3rd party APIs and I have to say, it’s actually one of my favourite elements of software development. However, some APIs drive me very close to a whole load of crazy induced by what can only be described as a whole parade of stupid. Error codes that say the same thing for every error – *scream*! Language or library specific integration – *scream*! Terrible or non existent documentation – *scream*!

I could go on….

Letting Go……

October 19th, 2011

Kirstie

There are generally 4 types of technical director/leader/cto etc.

Founder technical director. Often a dev leader who’s job progresses outside of this due to growth.
Operational leader. Someone who reports to a CIO and just runs the day to day.
Deep thinker leader. Someone who concentrates on innovation and most likely does a lot of R & D work.
Customer facing director. Someone who sells the technology to others. A salesman with a good amount of tech knowledge.

I am number 1 (I am not a founder – I will explain this) and many start up CTOs, Technical Directors or IT Leaders are.

The importance of rest – Part 2: A leader’s perspective

October 16th, 2011

Kirstie

Some of you may have read my initial post on the importance of rest: http://kirstiehaxby.com/development/the-importance-of-rest

If you have – you’ll have read why it’s so important to implement effective methodologies and how to recognise the times where you need time off and to make sure you make the absolute most of it to relax, recuperate and recover.

To add to that – this post will show you how to rest and recuperate when you can BUT when you also CAN’T take time off.

Hiring PHP Developers – Silicon MilkRoundAbout

May 9th, 2011

Kirstie

In my capacity as Head of Tech at StylistPick, the onus falls on to me to ever expand our technical team to meet our needs. Problem is – I need really good PHP Developers! Where are they?! I have spoken to several people about the plight of hiring really good PHP Developers lately and it seems that there is a real industry problem at the moment. One problem is that I see a distinct different between web developers and real PHP Developers as do a lot of people. (Funnily enough I have blogged about people who can’t differentiate between the two before… http://kirstiehaxby.com/development/the-plight-of-the-php-developer). I have adapted my view since I wrote this post – it was a bit reactionary to a current project I was working on and now I’m not, my true vision comes forward. I think it’s so important to have a broad range of knowledge as we are usually within some kind of front facing environment. I myself am currently using Magento heavily and need to know a lot of web technologies very well. Here it comes, wait for it; BUT: PHP in itself is vast and to master it (if you reckon you have completely – this is a whole other blog post!) even just enough to do a good job, you really should know a bit more than your average web developer….To do that, you must spend a good proportion of your time devoted to backend tech.

PHP UK Conference 2011

February 26th, 2011

Kirstie

Well it’s that time of year again where the UK’s PHP Developers descend on Islington Business Design Centre for the day to hear about the latest trends, technologies and hopefully expand some knowledge.

I was celebrating my new job title (Head of Technology for StylistPick.com) so was a bit late unfortunately… So I missed the keynote speech which was a bit annoying as I was looking forward to seeing Marco Tabini talk for the first time. Never mind!! I turned up in time for the first talk which I selected purely to see how PHP Developers see Mobile Development.