The idea of a book club came up in the last meet up.
The suggested book is The Art of Unit Testing by Roy Osherove.
The idea is to read a chapter a week and discuss (and the perhaps write about it?)
There are two things I would like to know
1) How do we do the discuss every week? I would prefer an online way so it easier, tho I recon disucssing in person will make the commitment more meaningful.
2) and most importantly Who’s in?
PS: I might be able to get the ebook from manning for free if we actually review the book once we are finished. ( I ll update with this info)
15 Comments
What would be the goal of the book club? Simply to read the book and talk about it?
I got the book (and the e-book, which you get for free). It’s a very good book, but I am afraid that going through one chapter at a time may be too little. I would suggest splitting it into 3-4 parts and talking about those.
You have previously talked about an Alt.NET open source code project. Perhaps the book club could be a way of developing and applying good code practice to such a project.
I’m about to start the Osherove book, probably followed by xUnit Test Patterns[1] and a re-read of Feathers’ Working Efectively with Legacy Code[2].
Has anyone read The PragProg’s NUnit book ? [3].
Maybe we can do a quick-fire ‘recently I’ve read’ discussion as part of the general meeting – but only if people consider it worth everyone’s time?
[1] http://www.amazon.com/xUnit-Test-Patterns-Refactoring-Code/dp/0131495054/ref=pd_sim_b_2
[2] http://www.amazon.com/Working-Effectively-Legacy-Michael-Feathers/dp/0131177052/ref=pd_sim_b_3
[3] http://www.amazon.com/Pragmatic-Unit-Testing-NUnit-2nd/dp/0977616673
Well I guess the goal would be to build on our skills and what I think could turn this into something really interesting is how different people reading the same thing can get different interpretations out of it, or can pick up concepts that escaped you.
Also the fact that you read it with a group it makes it more alive.
It was also a way to learn how do we do things as a community. So yeah, as you are saying it would contribute somehow towards the idea of doing some project.
I would love for something interesting to come up I think the fact that we are all aware of this is good, I think there are a good few of us that would really like to contribute to something, but it has to be interesting and necessary enough. And it should cure some current pain.
If anyone else out there want to take on splitting the book in 4 parts I d by up for that too. Manning jsut come back to me saying that they can give the ebook for free once they get a written review in return ( if you dont have a blog we can post it here in dublinalt.net) so just comment here and I ll reply privately
I’d be totally up for this, I find it rather difficult to discipline myself into reading techy books.
As for how it should be split up, I’d say depends on the book, some books have very long chapters and some have bits that are very difficult to get through, so any given static measurement is going to be completly arbitrary.
Also while you do want to make the discussion meaningful, you don’t want to overburden people with what might seem possible the first week when it’s novel and slowly become something they have less and less time for.
What I’d recommend is someone who has had experience with this or similar before decides. Alternatively make a guess, but aim low.
Also in person is always better. I recommend during the day and with coffee nearby.
Sounds like a good idea, I’d be into this. Keep It simple and read one chapter a week. Maybe we can meet up for coffee at lunchtime once a week and discuss this rather then online, thereafter we can present the review in our monthly meeting?
Cool can we round this up?
In my case I have a pretty hectic few weeks ahead, so the one chapter a week seems good for me, however if everyone else wants to go for more I can help organise this for whoever doesn’t have the book.
So people, can you comment for who s in for one chapter a week and who s in for splitting the book in four?
I reocn we are all for meeting for discussing.
Din sent me this really cool paper about learning in groups [http://www.industriallogic.com/papers/khdraft.pdf ] this is how this whole Book club idea started.
i’m in for a chapter a week.
I would prefer splitting the book in 4. As far as meeting goes, I work in Sandyford, so lunch time meetings would be inconvenient. I’d prefer something like 6-7 during the week.
I’d be on for a chapter a week as well. I think it’s a nice amount to start with and we can always speed up if we find progress is too slow.
Since majority wants a chapter a week ( and me too
) I d say lets go for that
How about 7pm on tuesdays or wednesday, we could start now and meet next week?
please email me if you want the free ebook, I know some of you have it already
Wouldn’t be able to make it Tuesday, would be able to make it Wednesday
Cool, let s make it Wednesdays then
I was thinking Kennedys in Westmorland Row, as its close to the dart, big pub, and has free wifi , but sure we can change if that doesnt work.
yeah?
I’m in!
Sean
I may be a bit late, but will try to make it.
I’ll be there.