“here is an old bull and a young bull standing on a hill overlooking a field full of young heifers. the young bull says to the old bull “Let’s run down the hill and screw us one of those heifers”. The old bull pauses for a moment and replies ” Let’s walk down the hill and screw them all!” (source: Folk)

I read a great professional book. first in a very very long while. The book is called “Getting Real” by 37Signals and is available as PDF for well worth $19. 37Signals is a privately held, Chicago based company and creator of a variety of web based collaboration apps. If Microsoft is the old bull then 37Signals definitely represent the young and energetic one. Their moto is keep it simple, purify your thoughts, work fast and avoid complications. Their foundation of achieving excellence is constituted on small and harmonious teams, on avoiding all bureaucracy and on not attempting to do the impossible. They construct simple and effective steps to delivering good software quickly in a way that I gladly identify with. Their philosophy is collaborative, their language is simple, their analysis is clear. Most importantly, 37Signals look like a bunch of guys I’d like to be friends with. They don’t take themselves seriously in a very serious and professional way. Even when they over simplify it has a point. (more…)