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Top Ten Techie TraitsAugust 29, 2008 Library software developers need a variety of technical proficiences as well as possess a set of useful character traits to be fully effective. No one who has all of these has probably yet accepted a library position, but were you to strive to be the best library coder you could be, you could do worse than starting with this list.1. The ability to speak simply and directly about technical topics, either without using jargon or by explaining technical terms simply - If we only needed to talk among ourselves we wouldn't need this trait, but the world doesn't work that way. Some of us are the only person in our institutions who know what 'rm -R *' does and we should be able to explain it in terms others can understand ("Don't ever do this" comes to mind). 2. Knowledge of a somewhat popular programming language - It doesn't entirely matter which language in many cases, although the well-equipped techie will be proficient in one of the more popular languages since having a large community of developers helps a great deal in terms of availability of modules, ease of finding someone to answer your question, etc. 3. Humility - Sure, we can do things that can make mere mortals believe that we walk on water, but it's best not to let that go to our heads. Others in the enterprise are often doing things just as important and it's a good idea to treat them as you wish to be treated. 4. Facility with one or more databases and one or more indexing tools - Databases and indexers are how you can make any pile of data or text searchable, and are essential tools for the well-equipped library techie. Databases like MySQL and SQLServer are common, while indexing tools such as Solr and Swish-e can be very useful too. 5. A sense of humor - Not a "practical joke" sense of humor, but the ability to not take oneself too seriously. An ocassional self-deprecating joke is a good thing. 6. Ability to configure and manage web server software - So much of what we do depends on a web server as a foundational application. Knowing about access control, how to use rewrite rules, proper logging and log rotation, etc., are all fairly essential skills theses days. 7. Skill at user interface design - This seems as much of a talent as a skill, and it is something that may be better hired out to a company with a proven track record. But if you can somehow acquire facility in creating user interfaces that users find effective and easy to use, you have a long and successful career ahead. 8. XML and XSLT proficiency - We increasingly seem to be involved with moving data around, whether in batch or interactive modes (for example, via RESTful web services), and it usually means in XML. And anytime you need to work with XML, it's a good idea to be proficient with XSLT. 9. Ability to manage projects well - So many of our library development tasks are really projects -- whether large or small. Knowing how to stage them, keep them on track, involve others as needed along the way, and keep tabs on it all is a very useful set of things at which to be good. 10. The intelligence to stay away from top ten lists - There are "top ten" lists everywhere, and if you don't avoid them you'll find yourself wasting way too much time that could be better spent writing software. So get out of here! Go code! Posted by Roy Tennant on August 29, 2008 | Comments (0) Industries: News & Features
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