I originally wrote these rules, when I was a self-employed Consultant, but they remain fairly relevant, and I thought it might be useful to post them again, and possibly re-order and reflect upon what they mean.

Originally, they were:

  1. All Software Sucks
  2. In All likelihood Garrett is correct, try to save time and effort by agreeing in advance.
  3. Software that performs the required functionality is continually re-written, simply to make the software run on the platform that was rewrote, in order to make better software.
  4. I'd rather be lucky than skilled. Skill will only take you so far. Luck can get you everything.
  5. I don't believe in bibles. You can learn from a book, but books don't tell you what to do. (subject of an upcoming post for certain).

Now, the new Rules:

  1. I'd rather be lucky than skilled. Skill will only take you so far. Luck can get you everything.
    This is my new #1 rule. I just finished doing some reading and researching as to what "luck" really is.  It turns out luck  is something you do, not something you have. In either case, I believe the application of the principles can really assist you make the most out of life.
  2. That which admits no fault is not complete.
    This is a replacement for the old rule #1, with a good dose of Publilius Syrus.  It has occurred to me in the past that my loose and unfocused way of saying "All Software Sucks", was neither complete, nor enlightening.
  3. Trust the word of one who knows.
    As the replacement for #2, this really is the hubris-free version of the same thing. I think that it's important to use people who are well versed in their domain, and not to foolishly argue that which you know little of.
  4. Software that performs the required functionality is continually re-written, simply to make the software run on the platform that was rewrote, in order to make better software.
    Unchanged. It's an observation, and I'm still trying to come up with the general version.
  5. Books are the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, not the end.
    I'm not a subscriber of the concept that books are all there are to understanding anything, whether that be people, spirituality, technology, or pretty much everything. With each book, we can learn, but quoting books as a source of wisdom, is quite silly.