Tom Johnson: From Auto-Documentation to Better Collaboration

Maintainable

In this episode of Maintainable, Robby speaks with Tom Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of Multiplayer. Tom shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of distributed systems, the challenges of maintaining legacy software, and how innovative tools are transforming the way teams collaborate.

Topics Discussed

• Characteristics of well-maintained software, from system-level documentation to effective workflows.
• The importance of debugging tools tailored for distributed systems.
• Anecdotes about managing technical debt, including cutting off a CEO’s database access.
• How auto-documentation and design branches in Multiplayer streamline team collaboration.
• Practical strategies for tackling technical debt and fostering developer morale.

Key Takeaways

• [00:01:16] Defining Well-Maintained Software: Tom explains why documentation, tests, and collaborative workflows are essential.
• [00:06:14] The Case for Locking Down Production: Lessons learned from a humorous but cautionary tale.
• [00:18:11] Debugging Distributed Systems: How Multiplayer’s tools simplify the debugging process.
• [00:25:00] Design Branches and Team Collaboration: Enhancing communication through shared documentation.
• [00:31:39] Prioritizing Technical Debt: Identifying customer and developer pain points.

Resources Mentioned

• Multiplayer
• Tom Johnson on LinkedIn
• Tom Johnson on Twitter
• Book Recommendation: Making Comics by Scott McCloud

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