personal improvement

Cover of the Summer 2018 issue of Better Software magazine What's in the Summer 2018 Issue of Better Software Magazine

For twenty years now, Better Software magazine has published articles offering helpful tips and techniques for those in the software industry. The new issue celebrates those two decades of knowledge-sharing—and, of course, gives you more ideas. Articles this issue focus on leadership and software quality.

Ken Whitaker's picture
Ken Whitaker
GEDI May the Forest Be with You: A New GEDI Laser Is Coming

There’s a new laser device coming to the galaxy this fall that will be good for the forests here on Earth. NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation Lidar (GEDI) will be the first space-borne laser designed to map the world's forests in 3-D to help us study and understand forest changes.

Pamela Rentz's picture
Pamela Rentz
Email icon showing 99 unread messages How to Slim Down Your Bloated Email Inbox

If you're spending too much time checking and answering your email—and frankly, who doesn't feel that way—you may just need to revamp your email routine. Here are some techniques for getting a handle on your messages, including better prioritization and categorization. You may even get to the coveted inbox zero.

Beth Romanik's picture
Beth Romanik
Microphone Send the Right Message: Monitor Your Choice of Voice

When we communicate with our coworkers, what’s important in getting our point across is not just what we say, but how we say it. Most of the time, we intuitively moderate our tone to convey friendliness, seriousness, or disappointment, but that can change when we're stressed. Be sure you're sending the right message.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Woman looking at question marks on a chalkboard What Intelligent People Say Instead of “I Don’t Know”

It takes a certain level of self-confidence to admit to not knowing something when people view you as the expert. Still, if you don’t know the answer and you (or others) think you should, you have some options other than “I don’t know.” These alternative responses are more useful to you and to your questioner.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
work and relax street signs Relax This Summer and Be a Maker

For many, it's time for a much-needed break with a summer vacation at the beach, listening to the ocean waves with toes in the sand. But numerous studies show it’s important to take time to find a way to destress on a regular basis. If doing nothing isn't your cup of tea, Pamela Rentz has some project ideas.

Pamela Rentz's picture
Pamela Rentz
A person with writer's block struggling to write on a red typewriter The “Dear Mother” Approach to Getting Past Writer’s Block

If you want to be a thought leader in the software community, you may want to share your expertise by getting published. But no matter how knowledgeable you are in your particular domain, writing about it is another matter entirely. If you're struck by writer's block, try writing a letter to unblock your thoughts.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
An organized desk with computer, planner, calendar, and more Stress and Project Management: 5 Ways to Relieve Project Pressure

Project managers have many sources of stress. They are responsible for the performance of their team members, and often for whether a project is successful or fails. Keep the pressure off with these five tips for reducing your stress and ensure a smoothly functioning team.

Krystle Dickerson's picture
Krystle Dickerson