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Posted in Keeping it Simple 
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CBQ
Here are 4 reasons for prototyping applications first. By prototyping, I mean an emphasis on building working applications rapidly:
1. It is much easier to edit an existing application that to try to dream one up with nothing visual and interactive to work with.
2. Too much planning leads to over-complication. Sometimes you can be too smart for you own good. “What if the user wants to do X or Y.” Don’t guess, find out.
3. A working application that can be tweaked beats a theoretical application that is perfect (and either sucks when it’s “done” or never sees the light of day)
4. A Prototype forces you to focus on the core functionality, that makes or breaks your idea. Trust us, the logo is not your killer feature.
Credit is due to our good friend Mike Landman of Ripple for Reasons #1 and #3.
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CBQ
Highgroove is attending Startup Riot 2009 tomorrow. We’re excited to be attendees this year (last year we were presenters on Scout).
If you’re attending, be sure to say “hi!” to Matt and I!
Posted in Ruby on Rails, Business Comments
CBQ
I’ve been in the New York Times newsroom at 5 pm on a Friday, when a reporter dropped in with brand new test score results from across the New York public school system—suddenly, it was like a machine springing to action. There were graphic designers loading SQL dumps of data, collaborating with developers and reporters, all working with the numbers to culminate and disseminate the information, and create factual reporting. It was truly amazing – even better than the afternoon I spent in the pits at a NASCAR race.
I bring this up not simply because of this fantastic article on nytimes.com about these Renegade Cybergeeks at the Times, but because I have seen what kind of great things happen when you put smart, motivated people together, towards great causes.
Last week, we got the chance to work with these developer/journalists (or perhaps journalist/developers) once again—and I couldn’t help but be simply thrilled to help, in a small way, by providing hands-on consulting and training to their Interactive and Computer Aided Reporting Teams.
We’re delighted to associate with these geeks.
