speaker: MichaelSchwern

If a developer ever says “it’s really simple”, run and do not look back.

Developers often throw around terms like “easy” and “obvious” but what do they tell them about what to do to make something “easier” and “more obvious”? What does it tell them about whether somebody else will find something “easy” and “obvious”? Not a lot.

Giving simple questions simple answers tells how to take action to make things easier and more obvious to the casual user. Embracing the task of providng simple answers rejects the fallacy that complex implementations mean complex answers. It creates a new relationship of respect between the user and the developer; a good user can ask a simple question illuminating what people want to do, and a good developer fulfills the user’s desire for a simple answer. What does it mean to be simple?

• How do you find it?
• What are its benefits?
• What happens when you don’t seek simplicity?

pdx.pm governance

Before the presentation, we'll have a short discussion about the future of the monthly group meetings as Eric Wilhelm is no longer able to be the sole organizer.

As usual, the meeting will be followed by social hour at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub.