Welcome

Software architects occupy a unique space in the world of IT. They are expected to know the technologies and software platforms on which their organization runs as well as the business that it serves.  A great software architect needs to master both sides of architect's coin -  business and technology.  This is no small challenge. It's my sincere hope that this site will be a source of inspiration and guidance for software architects throughout the world.  It's also my hope that software architects will use this site to share advice and insights into what is perhaps the most challenging profession in information technology today.


The idea for "97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know" was not concocted in a vacuum. There are many people who deserve credit for the idea and execution. In order, I would like to thank Jay Zimmerman who suggested I do a presentation for the No Fluff, Just Stuff symposium called "10 Things Every Software Architect Should Know"; Bruce Eckel for managing the mailing list on which this site is founded; Jeremy Meyer for suggesting that I create a book out of what was going to be a simple slide show; Nitin Borwankar who suggested doing a public wiki; and the members of Bruce's mailing list who, on nothing more than a promise, chose to donate their time and contribute axioms to this site. Their names are listed in no particular order.

Nitin Borwankar                            Dave Murihead                           Erik Doernenburg

Neal Ford                                       Kevlin Henney                            Philip Nelson

Mark Ramm                                   John Davie                                  Barry Hawkins

Mark Richards                               Dave Barlett                                Edward Garson

Randy Stafford                              Norman Carnovale                    Craig L. Russell

Einar Landre                                 Dan Chak                                     Evan Cofsky

Udi Dahan                                     Dave Quick                                  Gregor Hohpe

Michael Nygard                            Jeremy Meyer                              Aleksandar Seovic

Keith Braithwait                            Allison Randal                             Rebecca Parsons

Niclas Nilsson

O'Reilly deserves credit as well for listening to this idea with open ears and backing what is more-or-less an untested method of creating a book. O'Reilly also deserves credit for agreeing that all content will be open source (Creative Commons, Attribution 3) and that the content will be available for free to anyone on the web.  People at O'Reilly I would like to thank specifically include Mike Loukides, Mike Hendrickson, Laura Painter, and Laurel Ackerman. Without out your help and guidance this project would not be possible.

We are also developing other "97 Things" projects. The idea is to create a new and unique series that leverages the collaborative intelligence of experts in every field that is practical.  Project management, software development, gamming, are just a few of the topics we are already pursuing.


I hope you will find the contents of this web site inspiring and that you will be inspired to contribute your own axioms!


All the best!


Richard Monson-Haefel

Series Editor, 97 Things

Contact

For technical issues please email support@near-time.com

For book proposals related to this series email Richard Monson-Haefel (note challenge/response mail filter used).