So I'm sitting here reading Scott Berkun's Confessions of a Public Speaker , pretty good book by the way (from the Viaboxx library). I'm just through the chapter about "Working a hard room". And then it hits me: I actually spend an effort being a good audience at talks . I go to the odd conference and user-group meeting, and whoever is speaking, and even if the talk is not hitting home with me, I always try to... Sit down in the middle, close to the speakers where they can see my face Focus my full attention on them - no smartphone/laptop React to what they're saying with my face, friendly smile when they say something smart, raise my eyebrowsand smile when they say something surprising Laugh at their jokes (I mean, not fake laugh, but be open to laugh) Ask questions when I wonder about something Hold my criticism till after the talk, if any, and give it in person Think about and note any questions I'd like to ask in the Q&A A good spea
My thoughts on software development.