Avram Joel Spolsky

Avram Joel Spolsky is an American author, software engineer, and entrepreneur. He is most known for his books Smart and Get Things Done, as well as his involvement in the development of a web application platform called Trello. Throughout his work, Spolsky has been credited with introducing the world to innovative ways to structure and organize the workplace, as well as providing his readers and followers with insight into the process of programming and engineering.

Spolsky was born in 1967 in Seattle, and much of his early career was dedicated to programming. After attending Stanford University, he founded his own software development firm, Fog Creek Software, in 2000. Fog Creek specialized in computer programming and development, as well as creating distributed software systems. Spolsky is credited with developing FogBugz, an award-winning web-based ticketing system for customer service, as well as Trello, a web application platform for project management, task management, and list tracking.

In 2009, Spolsky released his first book, Smart and Get Things Done, a guide to productivity and organization. At the heart of the book is Spolsky’s personal experience and musings on what it takes to be productive. He argues that traditional task management methods, such as to-do lists, are counter-productive, and instead advocates for a “system of systems” approach, which combines the best of different productivity systems.

In addition to Smart and Get Things Done, Spolsky has self-published a handful of other books, including Leadership Secrets of the World’s Most Successful CEOs and Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science. In these books, he continues to share his insights into productivity and success, and how it aligns with different software development processes.

In his personal life, Spolsky is an avid reader, often frequenting his local library for new books. He has been a touchstone for aspiring software developers over the years and his website, Joel on Software, continues to be a popular destination for software engineers and coders.

Spolsky’s philosophy and writing have had a lasting impact on the development community, and his work continues to be seen in many of the software tools and applications that are used today. His writing has demonstrated that successful software development is not only about the technical aspects, but also the principles and values that drive it forward. If you are looking to learn more about this modern day writer, engineer and entrepreneur, then Avram Joel Spolsky is certainly worth a read.