How Promotions Ruin Dev Careers w/ Shopify’s Dir. of Engineering James Stanier

In so many professions, the reward for exceptional work is a promotion to management. Unfortunately, for developers whose programming gets them singled out for promotion, the skills to manage a team have nothing to do with the work that got them recognized in the first place.

James Stanier, Director of Engineering at Shopify, understands the pitfalls of being promoted from an IC to an engineering manager, and began writing as a way to think through the mistakes he himself was making. 

Productive Downtime: A New Productivity Method to Implement in 2022

It is no secret that the standard model for productivity is broken. Burnout is rampant in the corporate world, with workers pushed to their limits in an attempt to achieve more.

But, quite often, in an attempt to achieve more—less is done. We think we’re being productive but really, all we’re doing is completing work for the sake of it. And too often, this results in poor quality work, that either has to be redone or negatively impacts the business’s image with a client

The Best VS Code Extensions for Remote Work

Programming is a team sport and without proper communication, you can’t really expect spectacular results. A remote setup can make developer-to-developer communication challenging, but equipped with the right tools you have nothing to fear. 

Let’s take a look at the best VS Code extensions that can seriously improve your remote working routine.

Working From Home? 10 Cheap Ways To Set Up Your Home Office

Thanks to recent global events, scores of people around the world suddenly find themselves working from home – if they are lucky enough to be able to continue working at all. For newcomers to remote working, this can be a jolt to your lifestyle and pocketbook. Having to figure out how to set up a productive home office environment can be stressful and costly. But it doesn’t have to be.

In this post we are going to suggest some unconventional and creative ways to bring the cost of setting up your home office down by substituting more expensive home office supply necessities with less expensive solutions. By utilizing these ideas you can save a significant amount of stress and money and get your home office up and running quickly and affordably.

The Freelance Designer Toolbox

Unlimited Downloads: 500,000+ Web Templates, Icon Sets, Themes & Design Assets
All starting at only $16.50 per month


Laptop Stand

Do you dock your laptop in a stand where it’s closed and you use exterior monitors, keyboard and mouse? If so, you could easily find yourself paying at least $30-$60 for such an accessory. Why not use a paper towel holder that you can grab for only $9.99? Not only will it perform the same functionality, but it will look slick sitting on your home office desk.

Laptop Stand - Home Office

Monitor Stand

Fancy monitor stands will cost at least twice as much as using a fiberboard box such as this one. At only $15.81, you can raise your monitor up to eye level and also use it for storage at the same time.

Monitor Stand - Home Office

Pens, Mail, and Other Accessories Organizer

Keeping all of the loose items on your home office desk is not only important, it is necessary for your piece of mind and productivity. Rather than paying $25 or more, pick up a cutlery tray like this one to keep your accessories in, for less than $15!

Pens, Mail and other accessories - home office

 

Desk Pad

You can’t find a quality desk pad for under $20, so why not use kitchen shelf liners instead? You can cut them to your desired size, they are non-slip, they wipe clean easily, and they’re only $5.47.

Desk Pad - Home Office

Cell Phone and Tablet Stands

Here’s a cheap alternative to more expensive cell phone and tablet stands that will prop your smaller screens up for constant visibility on your desk. At $5.99 per pair, these can’t be beat!

Cell Phone and Tablet Stands - Home Office

Foot Rest/Stand

Ergonomic foot rests for underneath your home office desk can get crazy expensive, not to mention many of them are not the most pleasant to look at. While this recommendation is not repurposing something meant for another use, it’s a creative, fun, and unique way to give your feet a lift, and it’s only $10.99!

Foot Rest - Home Office

Desk Lamp

This is another desk necessity that is not repurposed, but for at least half the price of more decorative solutions this clip-on LED desk lamp is a steal at under $15!

Desk Lamp - Home Office

Cable Organizer

Substitute this kitchen utensil rest for more costly cord and cable organizers to clean up your desk area. Run your cables through the slots and enjoy inexpensive organization for only $6.

Cable Organizer - Home Office

Multi-Use Hanging Hooks

Use these clip on hooks as a way to organize cables underneath your desk or to hang other accessories you may have for easily reachable access. This easy organizational solution can be bought for only $6.29.

Multi-Use Hanging Hooks - Home Office

Utensil Holder

This bamboo organizer will add inexpensive yet stylish flair to your home office desk. At only $7.48, this is a great buy that will help keep your desk organized and writing and other utensils easily accessible.

Utensil Holder - Home Office

Do you have other creative home office solutions?

Hopefully our list has provided you with some creative ideas, and sparked you toward coming up with your own solutions that will make your personal working space unique and simultaneously affordable.

Dev Productivity Is Way Down

Dev team productivity is way down at LinearB right now. Over the last two weeks, many of our outputs are down 60-75%.

From the iteration overview dashboard in LinearB.

Our cycle time (the amount of time it takes us to deliver work from start to finish) is up almost 80%.