Ideal workspace / office for developers
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I like most of it except how they set up monitors. I hate people reading over my shoulder when I work, though I do want someone to be able to sit comfortably next to me. I prefer having my desk set up such that when people come into my office, I can make eye contact immediately and talk to them without twisting around in my chair. Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
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I'm trying to create the best environment for our programmers (money permitting), but it's not the easiest thing. We've got decent machines and a super-casual environment ... all under a thatch-roof which is pretty cool. What's the general feeling on what makes a good working environment? My list (no particular order): technical managers :cool: zero-politics fast PCs Good bandwidth foosball table little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors feedback on what the company is doing flexible working hours Enough deskspace to bring monitor toys from home Good chairs Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
article :: animation mechanics in SVG blog:: brokenkeyboards -
SimonS wrote: zero-politics hmm, I would think this one was impossible. SimonS wrote: foosball table Why? If it is a good working environment they will want to work. Why play games at work when you could go home. The aim of every developer should be to get the job done and then go home to their family and friends. SimonS wrote: little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors hmm, 5 years ago I would have agreed. However with the changing programmer job market. The more a developer understands the business and can deal with the people, the more chance they have of making a telling contribution to the company. SimonS wrote: feedback on what the company is doing Good communications is always a plus. Michael 'Logic, my dear Zoe, merely enables one to be wrong with authority.' - The Doctor: The Wheel in Space
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SimonS wrote: little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors Like others, I strongly disagree with this, though great care needs to be taken when doing this. SimonS wrote: Good chairs Make that "good physical workspace". It's not just chairs, but lighting, desks, etc. I recommend, "Don't go cheap with 3rd party tools." I am continually baffled when companies are willing to pay me what they do, buy nice systems and even MSDN, but then balk when asked to spend $300 on a library or books. Oh yeah, add "Give them a book allowance and let them keep the books they buy." SimonS wrote: feedback on what the company is doing This is critical for building trust. Fortunately, I work for such a company right now. Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
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I'm trying to create the best environment for our programmers (money permitting), but it's not the easiest thing. We've got decent machines and a super-casual environment ... all under a thatch-roof which is pretty cool. What's the general feeling on what makes a good working environment? My list (no particular order): technical managers :cool: zero-politics fast PCs Good bandwidth foosball table little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors feedback on what the company is doing flexible working hours Enough deskspace to bring monitor toys from home Good chairs Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
article :: animation mechanics in SVG blog:: brokenkeyboardsMy list: 1. Socialable, BUT TECHNICAL manager - Human Resources professional put too much attention to the softer side of things. Everything is matter of right balance. 2. Dim lighting - At least I work more efficiently in dim/relaxing environment. But, it's more "politicaly correct" to go with a "well lit" office. 3. Decent choice of office furniture - doesn't has to be expensive to avoid a fashion disaster. But, fortunately, most disasters happens in manufacturing/engineering sector only. Personally, Ikea would do. Just because we're developers doesn't mean we have to be anti-social, bad taste... and all other attributes the society has come to expect of us do we? 4. Music is great, as long as everyone uses headphones. 5. (Good) Coffee, snacks... 6. Shower room - best way to re-vitalize. Gym perhaps. 7. Plants flowers (Can we have pets even?) 8. Clean tidy work place. I don't mind if people are messy, as long as they keep that inside their own cubicle. But, washroom should be clean. Imagine the curly hair... okay, I'd pass on this. 9. Dressing down is fine. Be decent though - no fashion disaster. But, I guess can't really dictate what another person choose to wear. McDonalds has a tradition of making their employee wear disgusting uniforms, I guess that's part of their effort to make their employee feel they're part of the "family". norm
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I'm trying to create the best environment for our programmers (money permitting), but it's not the easiest thing. We've got decent machines and a super-casual environment ... all under a thatch-roof which is pretty cool. What's the general feeling on what makes a good working environment? My list (no particular order): technical managers :cool: zero-politics fast PCs Good bandwidth foosball table little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors feedback on what the company is doing flexible working hours Enough deskspace to bring monitor toys from home Good chairs Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
article :: animation mechanics in SVG blog:: brokenkeyboards1. You need a cool office like this: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/BionicOffice.html 2. Free drinks (Coke!). 3. Big screen TV, PS2 and XBOX. 4. DVD library. 5. Small amounts of marijuana and beer in the boss' office, to be used after late night work to raise the spirit and show respect for them. 6. Fitness room. SimonS wrote: little exposure to clients, but good exposure with MS and other vendors Not a good idea. Many developers see their career path ending in management. They feel exposure to customer is a recognition of this path by the company they're working for. Extreme isolation leads to developers feeling that the "stupid suits" are getting all the credit for their engineering geniality. In addition, analysts and management are commonly not really the ones to whom you could trust software design. So for the customer it is good to have at least exposure to usability engineers and database and object specialists. The only persons who do not need exposure are juniors - but then again, you need to teach them how to treat the customer so you might just as well invite occassionally too. Tomaz