Review: Getting Real -- The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

Since mid last week I've been down with a terrible flu. It has been so bad that I haven't been able to look at the computer screen (imagine that!!). To pass time I picked up a book that I picked up from Lulu.com a few months ago called "Getting Real -- The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application". The authors behind the book are the developers behind 37signals (probably most known for developing the Ruby on Rails framework). The contents of the book is actually freely available from their website, but since I'm spending more and more time away from the computer these days I decided to buy a paper copy.

I absolutely loved the book. I knew that I would love the book when I read part of the disclaimer: "If our tone seems too known-it-allish, bear with us. We think it's better to present ideas in bold strokes than to be wishy-washy about it. If that comes off as cocky or arrogant, so be it. We'd rather be provocative than water every down with "it depends..."". It is so refreshing to read something that is written with confidence and not some generic advice that can mean everything and nothing.

The book takes you through the stages of launching a web application from staffing, to interface design, to pricing and post-launch activities. Each chapter deals with a specific stage of the launch and provide easy-to-read, snappy, no bull advices on how to go about the given stage. Although I don't agree with everything in the book it is very enlighting, refreshing and entertaining. It reminds me a lot about the book "How to become a CEO- The Rules for Rising to the Top of Any Organization" by Jeffrey J Fox, which I can recommend for a quick entertaining read.

It's a must read for everything developing web applications. I'll give this book five stars out of five!!