Thank you Microsoft (Joe Healy) for the I.M. Wright's "Hard Code" book which is probably going to become a bloggers best friend simply because I can switch to just about any chapter and have something edgy to blog about. That's much better for my career than picking fights between Netflix and Microsoft ;-) (reference previous blog)

What is interesting about the book is that it represents 49 "Hard Code" opinion columns written by a Microsoft development manager Eric Brechner, who used the pseudonym I.M. Wright. Buy this book and you get to share the wisdom (or rubbish, depending on your perspective) with thousands of Microsoft developers internally. If you don't want to buy it, attend a user group meeting and you run a chance of winning one.

Because it's spread over time, it is interesting to see how the authors views changed progressivley, even if slightly. Because his comments could have been construed as disrespectful of Microsoft management, one wonders how he retained his job. I wonder if his comments were more tongue in cheek than serious.

As an example, one job I will not ever be applying for at Microsoft is the role of PUM – or Product Unit Manager. I have no idea what this manager does (the title gives most of it away) but according to Wright, PUMs are nothing more than bums. And in an attempt to not insult actual bums, Brechner makes it clear that actual bums do not all suffer from mental illness – however PUMs have not escaped that curse.

PUMs apparently spend hours in meetings "talking strategy" and foster "key relationships with partners and customers". Isn't that called doing business? As a consultant with a Microsoft partner, I see a value in a person who fills that role. Call me crazy.

I guess the biggest complaint of Brechner is that PUMs aren't down in the trenches and don't appear to understand the daily struggles of the team because they are wrapped up in more abstract things. The closest thing in my world I have to relate with a PUM is either a practice director or an account executive – people who "make it rain". I'm not sure I want these people in the trenches with me – I prefer that they are in the trenches with current and future clients. Maybe that isn't an apple to apples comparison to a PUM – I sure hope I get to meet one someday so I know about this mysterious PUM person. If you have the book reference page 189 and you will see what I am talking about.

So I started blogging about a week ago and now I can't stop. Joe encouraged me to start – you've unleashed a monster! I don't take this all that serious because after all, it's a blog. Who, besides a handful of Lakeland UG members are going to read this blog? This is much cheaper than a therapist.