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Badass: Making Users Awesome by Kathy Sierra

 
author & internet detective
Posts: 41860
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Eclipse IDE VI Editor Java
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[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xvlrCalzL._AA160_.jpg[/img]
[size=10]Image from O'Reilly[/size]
Publisher: O'Reilly

[size=18][b]Summary[/b][/size]
[quote=O'Reilly]Imagine you’re in a game with one objective: a bestselling product or service. The rules? No marketing budget, no PR stunts, and it must be sustainably successful. No short-term fads. This is not a game of chance. It is a game of skill and strategy. And it begins with a single question: given competing products of equal pricing, promotion, and perceived quality, why does one outsell the others? The answer doesn’t live in the sustainably successful products or services. The answer lives in those who use them. Our goal is to craft a strategy for creating successful users. And that strategy is full of surprising, counter-intuitive, and astonishingly simple techniques that don’t depend on a massive marketing or development budget. Techniques typically overlooked by even the most well-funded, well-staffed product teams. Every role is a key player in this game. Product development, engineering, marketing, user experience, support—everyone on the team. Even if that team is a start-up of one. Armed with a surprisingly overlooked science and a unique POV, we can can reduce the role of luck. We can build sustainably successful products and services that rely not on unethical persuasive marketing tricks but on helping our users have deeper, richer experiences. Not just in the moments while they’re using our product but, more importantly, in the moments when they aren’t.[/quote]
[size=18][b]Book Preview (when available)[/b][/size]


[size=18][b]From the publisher[/b][/size]
[list][url=http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920036593.do]Table of Contents[/url][/list] [size=18][b]Where to get it?[/b][/size]

[list][url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1491919019?tag=jranch-20]Amazon.com[/url][/list] [list][url=http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920036593.do]O'Reilly[/url][/list]
[size=18][b]Related Threads[/b][/size]
[list][url=http://www.coderanch.com/t/647735/Game-Development/java/Badass-build]Kathy's thoughts on what the book builds on[/url][/list] [list][url=http://www.coderanch.com/t/647773/Game-Development/java/late-change-title]Kathy's thoughts on the title[/url][/list] [list][url=hhttp://www.coderanch.com/t/647712/Game-Development/java/deliberate-practice-feedback]Kathy's thoughts on deliberate practice in development[/url][/list] [list][url=http://www.coderanch.com/t/647713/Game-Development/java/kathy-favorite-book-design-element]Kathy's favorite book design elements[/url][/list] [list][url=http://www.coderanch.com/t/647732/Game-Development/java/Badass]Kathy's thoughts on when the book makes a difference[/url][/list] [list][url=http://www.coderanch.com/t/647758/Game-Development/java/Badass-Making-Users-Awesome-input]Kathy's thoughts on the video[/url][/list] [size=18][b]Related Websites[/b][/size]

 
Jeanne Boyarsky
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My 10 horseshoe review

When I read a book about software development process, I view it as a successful read if I have a bunch of things to try to make things better. Badass isn't a software process book, but it passes that test with flying colors. I have a page of thoughts. Another test I use for process books is whether I am likely to have different/more ideas if I read it again. I've put on my calendar to read this one again in three months. I can tell now, it will be just as motivational and thought provoking then.

I enjoyed seeing the "Head First" elements including thought bubbles, pictures, graphs, etc. Plus there were cute pictures of chicks! (and yes, they were relevant to the point.) I also liked the "breadcrumbs" at the bottom of each page showing where the page fits into the book. I don't recall having seen that before.

I also liked that the ideas can be applied at many different levels. My "things to try" range from the personal (post its with skills to make better use of practice) to mentoring teammates to helping people better use the apps I support.

---
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher for reviewing it on behalf of CodeRanch.
 
Destiny's powerful hand has made the bed of my future. And this tiny ad:
a bit of art, as a gift, the permaculture playing cards
https://gardener-gift.com
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