[jfk13]

Personally, I've had some great experiences pair-programming on a specific project; but it's only ever been for a few days of intensive sprint, at intervals of 6-12 months. I wouldn't want it to be my regular mode of work, certainly.

[voodootrucker]

It's a skill and an art like anything else. I had to teach it before I was really well versed in it myself. I was skeptical , but now swear by it.

Not like religiously... my pair for today wanted to break early to develop a deeper understanding of the code on his own, so we split up, but I do have to say I came into today pretty low, and left our session pretty high, and look forward to see what his results were and how he wants to go about refactoring tomorrow.

As your stereotypical autistic basement dwelling programmer type, who studied talking to humans like any other field of study, I have to say it really is just that, and it's also worth the effort. IMO.