> The problem with the 15 minute rule is that you are > breaking the work and concentration of the developer > who didn't have a problem. Joel goes into the effects > of this a bit when he talks about why programers > need doors.
> I'd say you should send email to all the developers > in your office. That way you are breaking everyone > concentration by walking into thier office and > starting a conversation. If the other developers > are deep in work, they can just ignore the email > until later. At my day job currently I have a door... though the undocumented 15 minute rule in our office is that when you're stuck, you come ask me (including the Chief Architect, Vince - my immediate supervisor). No disrespect to the other programmers at all, I'm simply the most experienced person in our office. Usually they will send me an instant message, although Laura who's now in charge of overseeing workflow in the office tends to just knock at my door, and Rich (the other R&D team member asside from Vince) seems to be half-and-half between instant messenger and physically knocking. They wouldn't have to knock except that I'm keeping the door closed lately only because a few people have commented about my streaming 80's music. Although it's true that a physical knock at the door does interrupt my thought process, I don't personally notice that the interruption significantly influences the amount of time I need to complete a task. I generall can walk down the hall, help Rich with some problematic JavaScript or SQL, walk back to my office and immediately remember exactly what it was I was doing. Although I've heard people talk about interruptions being an issue (not just with programming, but say, studying for a class), I don't think they are for everyone. I certainly don't think I'm unique in this respect... I suspect a good number of programmers aren't really hindered by the interruption. That being said, if an individual feels that the interruption is a problem for them, then I do believe they should have a closed door to limit their number of interruptions. s. isaac dealey 954.522.6080 new epoch : isn't it time for a change? add features without fixtures with the onTap open source framework http://www.fusiontap.com http://coldfusion.sys-con.com/author/4806Dealey.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Logware (www.logware.us): a new and convenient web-based time tracking application. Start tracking and documenting hours spent on a project or with a client with Logware today. Try it for free with a 15 day trial account. http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=67 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:4:213977 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:4 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
