I debated whether to review this book or not. But I have read the whole book, and I can tell you that it is a great book. The internet has changed the terms of work for many, and for many programmers they can work where they like.
The author has written many books, and he was invited by WordPress to be a leader of a team inside WordPress. This tale describes how a guy who used to work for Microsoft could succeed in an unstructured environment like WordPress.
During his tenure, his team created great products for users, like Jetpack, and a consistent comment system.
The title of the book stems from the idea that bloggers write in their pajamas — they don’t wear pants. But WordPress powers over 20% of the websites of the internet. It is a quiet and significant power over the internet.
The book deals with the culture of WordPress, the challenges of offering software versus offering a website, and more. The creation of Jetpack, and a new comments system occupy a large portion of the book.
Only non-local businesses can benefit from this book. Most businesses require people to be together regularly. The book overstates that it is the future of work. Being local is a big thing, particularly when services are personal, or when transport costs are high.
Quibbles
There are a few grammar errors in the book; it could have used a better editor. Was there an editor?
Who would benefit from this book: Anyone trying to understand how to manage a dispersed workforce would benefit from this book. If you want to, you can buy it here: The Year Without Pants.
Full disclosure: The publisher sent me the book after asking me if I wanted it.
If you enter Amazon through my site, and you buy anything, I get a small commission. This is my main source of blog revenue. I prefer this to a “tip jar” because I want you to get something you want, rather than merely giving me a tip. Book reviews take time, particularly with the reading, which most book reviewers don’t do in full, and I typically do. (When I don’t, I mention that I scanned the book. Also, I never use the data that the PR flacks send out.)
Most people buying at Amazon do not enter via a referring website. Thus Amazon builds an extra 1-3% into the prices to all buyers to compensate for the commissions given to the minority that come through referring sites. Whether you buy at Amazon directly or enter via my site, your prices don’t change.
By David Merkel, CFA of Aleph Blog
