Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What is Dogfooding? Why should I try to eat my own?

Does the idea of opening a big can of Ken-L-Ration and plunging in with a large spoon for your next lunch scare you? Gross you out? Make you nervous about diseases, mad cow, etc?

The subject today, folks, is a #techterm (to make the term search-able is why the pound sign is there) known in the technology business as Dogfooding. What in the name of time is Dogfooding? As you may be able to guess, it means eating dogfood that you yourself have made, or simply, using your own product and solutions.

If you are a private or independent technology consultant, as I am, this idea is critical. But, in all walks of life, dogfooding is important, as it prevents a dreaded symptom of not taking our own medicine; Hypocrisy. No one wants to be or even feel like a hypocrite.

Yes, using your own solution to fix your own issues is very important and a fine way to learn more about yourself, your needs, your industry, et cetera, and on and on...however, even I get tired of Dogfooding, sometimes...like in the previous sentence. Have a great day, dear readers.

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