Freelancing is absolutely the best way to understand a lot more about the software industry - learn more, earn more, and laugh more (as you tend to be away from the politics). I couldn't agree more - well said.

You hit the nail on the head with agile, at least for me.

I tend to pan it a lot myself, relentlessly, as I've seen it used as a panacea over and over again when it just isn't.

Great to see software engineers writing about working in the industry!