致中国读者

Gerald M. Weinberg
October 11, 2002

英文原信内容
Preface to the Chinese Editions of Weinberg's Series

　　Last year, I was honored to learn that Tsinghua University Press intended to publish a series of my books in Chinese translations. As an author, I'm thrilled to know that my work will now be within reach of thousands more software engineers, managers, testers, consultants, and other people concerned with using technology to build a new and better world.
　　Early in my career, I wrote numerous highly technical books on computers and software, but as I gained experience, I learned that technology is worthless - even dangerous - if we don't pay attention to the human aspects of both its use and its construction. I decided to add the human dimension to my work, and bring that dimension to the attention of my readers.
　　After making that decision, the first book I published was The Psychology of Computer Programming, a study of the human processes that enter into the development, testing, and maintenance of software. That book is now in its Silver Anniversary Edition (more than 25 years in print), testifying to the desire of people to understand that human dimension to their work. I was very pleased to learn that The Psychology of Computer Programming will be one of the books in this series of Chinese translations.
　　Having my books translated gives me an opportunity to reflect on them as a collection, and to perceive what themes they have in common. As long as I can recall, I was interested in how people think, and when I was a young boy, the few computers in the world were often referred to as "giant brains." I thought that I might learn more about how people think by studying how these giant brains "thought." That's how I first became a computer programmer, and after almost 50 years of working with computers, I've learned a lot about how people think - but I still have far more to learn than I already know.
　　My interest in thinking shows in all of these books, but is especially clear in An Introduction to General System Thinking (now also in a Silver Anniversary edition); in its companion volume, General Principles of Systems Design (written with my wife, Dani, who is an anthropologist); and in Are Your Lights On? : How to Figure Out What the Problem Really Is (written with Don Gause). My interest naturally extended to methods of helping other people to think more clearly, which led me to write three other books in the series - The Secrets of Consulting : A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully; More Secrets of Consulting: The Consultant's Tool Kit; and the Handbook of Walkthroughs, Inspections, and Technical Reviews: Evaluating Programs, Projects, and Products (which is now in its third edition).
　　But as I grew older, I learned that clear thinking is not the only requirement for success in technology. Even the clearest thinkers require moral and emotional leadership, so I wrote Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach, followed by my series of four Quality Software Management volumes. This series covers Systems Thinking, First-Order Measurement, Congruent Action, and Anticipating Change - all of which are essential for success in technical projects.
　　I have already begun to improve my own thinking and writing by working with the translators and seeing my work through different cultural eyes and brains. My fondest hope is that these translations will also help you, the reader, become more successful in your projects - and in your entire life. Thank you for reading them.
　　- Gerald M. Weinberg
　　11 October 2002