theAdmin.orgGrowing a simple software business

Current

• JavaScript: The Definitive Guide - Programming
• Beautiful Code - Software Development
• The E-Myth Contractor - Business
• Micro-ISV - Business
• Book Yourself Solid - Business
• Revelation Space - Fiction

Next

• Adding Ajax - Programming
• Introduction to Algorithms - Programming
• The Design of Everyday Things - Business
• Good to Great - Business
• Growing a Business - Business
• How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling - Business

Completed

• Addison-Wesley Professional Ruby Series Writing Efficient Ruby Code - Programming
• Ajax on Rails - Programming
• Agile Web Development With Rails v2 - Programming
• Deploying Rails Applications - Programming
• The Rails Way - Programming
• Practices of an Agile Developer - Software Development
• Extreme Programming Pocket Reference - Software Development
• The Pragmatic Programmer - Software Development
• The Dip - Business
• The Business of Software - Business
• How to be a Freelance Rockstar - Business
• Million Dollar Consulting - Business
• The 10 Day MBA - Business
• The IT Consultant - Business
• E-Myth - Business
• Getting Started in Consulting - Business
• Get Clients Now - Business
• A Writer’s Coach - Writing

I try to read 3-4 books at a time. I’ve found that reading different subjects let me retain them better. I think it’s because I can take a break from one type and let its ideas sink in deeper. My main subjects are:

1. Programming - nitty gritty details of programming. These are read to improve my programming skills in the short term.

   Examples: Ruby Cookbook, Programming Ruby, and PHP Phrasebook

2. Software Development - larger issue of creating software. These are more along the lines of looking at software as a process and how to manage and improve it. These lessons will slowly improve my overall development skills over time, no matter what direction software heads in.

   Examples: Pragmatic Programmer, The Art of Project Management, and Refactoring.

3. Business - dealing with running and starting a small business.

   Examples: Book Yourself Solid, the 10 Day MBA.

4. Personal Development - improving myself and how I work and play.

   Examples: Getting Things Done, The Now Habit.

5. Fiction - allows me to enjoy an imaginative story about people. I also find that after reading a SciFi novel, I really want to write software for NASA.

   Examples: Hitchhikers Guide, Foundation Series, Ringworld.