Software Creativity 2.0 Book and Contest

Independent software development books publisher developer.* Books (DeveloperDotStar.com) is proud to announce the forthcoming publication of Software Creativity 2.0, by software pioneer Robert L. Glass, in November 2006. The release of this updated, expanded, and revised edition will be the culmination of a ten year odyssey for this great book, which started out with disappointing sales for its original publisher and later became an in-demand cult classic. Many consider it a must-read in the software field. (At the time of this writing, copies of the original edition are nearly impossible to find and are selling for upwards of $1,000 on the collector's market--keep reading for information about a contest and search for owners of the first edition.)

About the Book

In Software Creativity 2.0 Glass offers a powerfully felt, personal perspective: that software construction is primarily a problem-solving activity; that all problem-solving requires creativity; that software problem-solving is deeply complex, perhaps more deeply complex than any other activity; and that, therefore, software problem-solving requires the ultimate in creativity.

Part I of the book features the author's exploration of the role of software creativity in software development, in the process facing head-on some of the major controversies of the last two decades. Readers will encounter a surprising variety of topics and perspectives, including essays such as "A Guilt-Free Approach to Software Construction," "The Faking of Software Design," and "The Role of Intuition in Decision-Making." This updated edition also includes two new chapters on the connections between creativity and the Agile and Open Source movements.

Part II takes on the topic "Making Creativity Happen," including insights into the role of creativity in the software organization. Essays include "Managing for Innovation," "Control and Corporate Culture," and "Creativity and Software Design: The Missing Link." The essay "Creativity Meets Reality: A Case Study" is a must-read for anyone looking for proven ways to inspire and enable creativity on a software team.

Part III offers "A Brief Look at Creativity in Other Fields," and Part IV presents "Summary and Conclusions" to tie together the many strands explored throughout the book.

developer.* Books is now accepting pre-orders for Software Creativity 2.0, which is scheduled for release in November 2006. Readers who pre-order directly from the publisher will receive a 30% discount off the $34.99 cover price and free shipping. You will not be charged for the book until it is ready to ship. International orders welcome. Send your name and mailing address and quantity to softwarecreativity~AT~developerdotstar.com. (Please DO NOT send credit card number.)

A Companion Volume

The release of Software Creativity 2.0 will follow closely the developer.* Books release of Software Conflict 2.0, also by Robert L. Glass, which was published in March 2006. Taken together, these two volumes on Conflict and Creativity cover a spectrum of topics relevant to everyone in the world of software engineering, from the halls of academia to the cubicles of corporate development shops. Readers who are eagerly anticipating the release of Software Creativity 2.0 will find much to like in the meantime in Software Conflict 2.0, which is available now from directly from developer.* Books or wherever books are sold, including Amazon.com.

Contest and Search for Book Lovers

To celebrate the forthcoming publication of Software Creativity 2.0, publisher developer.* Books is sponsoring a contest for people who have read or owned (or still own) the scarce first edition of Software Creativity. The three best stories will be chosen and the winners will receive free copies of both Software Creativity 2.0 and Software Conflict 2.0 signed by author Robert L. Glass and a free one year subscription to Glass's long running newsletter The Software Practitioner. (More information here.)

Anyone wishing to enter the contest should send to developer.* Books the story of his or her experience with Software Creativity. Stories could include elements such as when and how you first found out about or obtained the book, whether you bought it new or used (and how much you paid for it!), how the book affected you, and anything else you would like to share. Photos of your copy of the book are suggested but not required. The publisher will feature the stories and photos it receives on the developer.* web site at www.DeveloperDotStar.com. If you wish to enter this contest or find out more information, send an email to softwarecreativity ~AT~ developerdotstar.com.

Do you know one of those people who are just hooked on software books? You can spot them easily because they have books stacked up on the desk and overflowing off the shelves, and they always seem to be reading something. Help us find the Software Creativity owners and readers scattered around world by forwarding a link to this message, or linking to us from your blog. Your book-loving friends may just be one of our three contest winners.

About the Author

Robert L. Glass held his first job in computing in 1954. Author of over 25 books, he is one of the true pioneers of the software field. He is the editor and publisher of The Software Practitioner, and also writes regular columns for Communications of the ACM and IEEE Software. In 1995 he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. from Linkoping University of Sweden, and in 1999 he was named a Fellow of the ACM professional society. His unique viewpoint and timeless writings have for decades offered insights to practitioners, managers, professors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students alike.

World-renowned author and teacher Gerald M. Weinberg said about Robert Glass, "Over the years, in the software business, there have only been a handful of writers consistently worth listening to. Bob Glass is one of these rare individuals. If you care about your profession, listen to what he has to say."

Doug King called him "The Mark Twain of the computer industry."

About the Publisher

developer.* Books was founded by the producers of the award-winning DeveloperDotStar.com web site. Our focus is general-interest, non-technology-specific titles that appeal to practitioners, researchers, and managers. A developer.* book has a timeless quality, apart from the pace of change in the underlying technologies.