Did they change the site? Every comment is about having to download an extension before trying out the search engine, but the site works and I've not even been prompted to install anything.
In the final example the handwriting is adapted to the application, and differs significantly from the original handwriting used in earlier examples. Then it goes on to say that the app has everything you need, while needing to learn to write in monospace for it to work.
Being someone with poor handwriting, this would slow down writing for me. A possible answer for this would be to update the expected places for a character by taking the boundaries of previously written ones.
It helps with the follow through, because you'll let someone besides yourself down if you don't. Besides that, they help you plan and keep things sustainable. When you send goals that are poorly defined, they help you convert them into actionable ones.
Ultimately, you decide priority on these matters, but it helps to have that second mind that actively thinks with you.
The entire idea is based around a visionair which people can rally behind. Ideally, this would consist of a leader, creating his/her team by handpicking people who believe in his/her idea.
Democracy divides a team more because people usually agree with the loudest voice, not with the best idea. The leader might not have the best idea, but he's more likely to pick a good idea provided by the team if he's given the time to properly think them through.
You don't have to silence the opposition, anyone can do with some advice from time to time. If a choice is made, however, either accept it or leave. Don't hold grudges that will eventually grow into holding a team back.
You have a point, although it is more likely that the success of a hierarchical management style is more closely related to the effectiveness of the person in charge. Given that the one in charge isn't being undermined by next-in-command. Note: followers.
In my hypothesis I was already assuming a somewhat perfect leader and followers, which is impractical at best and unrealistic.
I do think it's time that people start valuing the individual more than the team. In my experience a team is usually less effective then the sum of its parts.
I think you're right. In my personal experience I've found that in most small teams, there are few who want to lead. If you have mature members, this becomes less of a problem. However, I still find diffusion of responsibility a common theme in small teams, appointing a leader to absolve them from any personal responsibility.
Combining a "more dominant someone" with atomic responsibility is probably the best way to go with small teams.
People overvalue (democratic) teamwork. I'd like to argue that a good leader with a team of followers is more effective than a team where everyone is equal. For example: the pyramids, cannot be build by one man, but wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for central leadership.
Take Steve Jobs, it was his vision that made Apple successful.
Teams need skill, but they must also be undivided. Democracy in teams essentially divides the team, those opposed and forced to act according to the majority will not be cooperative. The best results are that of a single visionair with or without a team of followers.
The problem a lot of people have with code academy is that they just tell you to type x into some text file and it works.
The question is, what do you want to learn? the syntax? the high level concept? frameworks? What do you want to be able to do with javascript when you're done? Build a hybrid app? a node server?