Work goes quickly when steps are small, informative, and readily available. We set out to observe, record and organize the best techniques of our everyday developers.
Graph a Structure with Graphviz approached three ways: by hand, in a batch program, and interactively with svg.
Reflective Interviews lets you experience another's creative success in a way that will expose tacit knowledge.
Trace a Command with system tools for guidance reading unfamiliar source code.
Balanced File Queue illustrates (and annimates) various system interactions using short shell commands.
Example
We model a queueing system by writing small loops in shell script. We run each script in a separate window. This lets us watch and interact with our model using familiar shell commands.
YOUTUBE v5f8nfJn33E The balanced file queue hovers about half full.