Joel Spolsky
Joel Spolsky
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Joel Frederick Spolsky is a well-known American software developer, entrepreneur, and writer. He is also the co-founder of Stack Overflow, a popular question-and-answer website for programmers.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 4, 1969, Joel Spolsky is still active in his career as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Spolsky holds dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. He is primarily known for his work as a software developer, entrepreneur, and writer, with expertise in programming languages, software development methodologies, and startup culture.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Spolsky developed an interest in computer science at a young age. He attended the University of Waterloo, where he earned a degree in mathematics and computer science. After completing his education, Spolsky moved to New York City to pursue a career in software development.
Major Accomplishments
Spolsky's career is marked by several notable achievements:
In 1999, he co-founded Fog Creek Software, a company that developed the popular project management tool Trac. The company was later sold to VisualSVN.
In 2008, Spolsky and his team launched Stack Overflow, which quickly became one of the largest communities for programmers worldwide.
Notable Works or Actions
Spolsky has written extensively on software development and startup culture. His articles have been published in various online publications, including Inc.com, Forbes, and The New York Times. He is also a prolific blogger, with his personal blog, Joel on Software, attracting millions of visitors each month.
Impact and Legacy
Spolsky's contributions to the software development community are significant:
Through Stack Overflow, he has democratized access to knowledge for programmers worldwide, providing a platform for them to share their experiences and learn from one another.
His blog, Joel on Software, has become a go-to resource for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and developers seeking advice on building successful companies.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Spolsky's expertise in software development and his ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner have made him a sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide. His quotes on topics such as coding, startups, and entrepreneurship are widely shared across the internet, offering valuable insights into the world of tech.
With his unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience, Joel Spolsky has cemented his position as one of the most respected voices in the software development community.
Quotes by Joel Spolsky
Joel Spolsky's insights on:
The secret of Big Macs is that they’re not very good, but every one is not very good in exactly the same way.
That’s another flaw with performance-based rewards: They are easy for one of your competitors to top.
If your goals is to produce something of permanent value, you start to think differently about you want on the site.
I’ve been using Vista on my home laptop since it shipped, and can say with some conviction that nobody should be using it as their primary operating system – it simply has no redeeming merits to overcome the compatibility headaches it causes.
Beware of Methodologies. They are a great way to bring everyone up to a dismal, but passable, level of performance, but at the same time, they are aggravating to more talented people who chafe at the restrictions that are placed on them.
Remember, just because Microsoft can do something, doesn’t mean you can. Microsoft makes their own gravity. Normal rules don’t apply to them.
People ridiculously overvalue aesthetics and beauty when evaluating products. It’s one of the reasons iPods, and, for that matter, Keanu Reeves, are so successful.
If something seems possible, that’s probably because someone is already doing it. When something seems that it can’t possibly work, nobody tries it. Real innovation happens when someone tries anyway, overlooking an obvious flaw, and finds a way to make an idea work.
Full service brokers, in this day and age of low cost mutual funds and discount brokers, are really nothing more than machines for ripping off retail investors.
Watching nonprogrammers trying to run software companies is like watching someone who doesn’t know how to surf trying to surf. Even if he has great advisers standing on the shore telling him what to do, he still falls off the board again and again.