What tools/techniques can benefit a solo developer?
- by Michael Runyon
Hello,
I am a solo developer, working in a very small web development firm. There is occasional support for development from contractors, but for the most part, if code is written in the office, I am writing it.
Many of the articles and such on here talk extensively about the tools and techniques used for collaboration of developers in teams, but that is a non-issue with me, as there is no one to (technically) collaborate with. Yet, I feel that in many ways, there are things that could be adjusted for efficiency. Our small office doesn't participate in many of the meetings/team constructions that most of the techniques rely heavily upon....we mostly just walk around and talk to one another when something is needed.
This works great for all of the Just-In-Time, 15 minute fix stuff that probably populates 50% of my day, but I am also constantly working on major projects that require my total concentration, and between a flurry of tiny fixes, and being the primary admin on the 4-6 servers that we own, I find it almost impossible to get real, heavy lifting done.
What suggestions can you some of you offer to help me/us become more productive/efficient, without adopting all of the corporate/teamwork practices that we are trying desperately to avoid? At what cost for efficiency is our total relaxation?
