Video Review: Software Architecture Fundamentals - Part 2 by Neal Ford and Mark Richards

If you have read my earlier review http://santoshonsoftware.blogspot.com/2014/04/video-review-software-architecture.html, this is a continuation of the same series for Part 2.

No architecture is a silver bullet. One of the videos explains the trade-offs in choosing different solutions for the same problem. You have to give up something for the greater good. The videos provide coverage on comparing architectures, web services and messaging, SOA architectures, etc. I really enjoyed the video series as this was a much needed thing at this point in my career. I feel confident about being a great architect, defending my design, sticking to industry standards, and providing robust and future-proof solutions to complex IT problems.

Again, I would have given 6-stars to this series but am allowed to give only 5. 

Video Review: Software Architecture Fundamentals - Part 1 by Neal Ford, Mark Richards

Neal Ford and Mark Richards are legendary folks in the Software Architecture world so naturally I was excited to get my hands on this video, part 1.

Being an "Architect" means different things to different people. It is a very complex, scary, world. The expectations are boundless. There are all kinds of architects in the IT world and I had a poor understanding of it before I went through this video. I was impressed by the coverage of all aspects and types of architects. Whether it is continuous delivery, tooling, navigating the political landscape, documentation, design patterns, etc - all are covered in great depth. The feeling is refreshing after you finish this series. A good sense of humor from both the architects keeps the interest piqued.

 The demand and pay for architects is at an all time high. It is the best time in the IT industry to become an architect. The challenges are endless and the bar is really set high. This video puts things in the right perspective and would be instrumental in your success as an architect.

Once you go through this video, no one would be able to challenge your knowledge of what an architect should be or should not be doing. I would have given this 6-stars hands-down but the current system lets me give only 5-stars. 

Book Review: Learn to program with Scratch A Visual Introduction to Programming with Games, Art, Science, and Math

Learn to Program with Scratch

A Visual Introduction to Programming with Games, Art, Science, and Math

By Majed Marji

Publisher: No Starch Press

Released: February 2014

Pages: 288

This is one of those books that I didn't read but feel confident to review. Let me explain - I let my 9-year old read it instead. My kid was thrilled to receive this book and try out the exercises. It rarely came to me for any explanation except for installation of Scratch and some random troubleshooting. 

This is definitely a book I would recommend to any kid. It is very clear and examples are very simple and easy to follow. It kept my kid motivated and is helping him spend his summer vacation well.