Function Point Analysis Resources / Tools

Function Point Analysis is one of the most important methods in use right now for estimating the 'size' of a project, the aim being to break down a project into smaller parts that can be used as the basis for estimation. However, it can be complex, and before somebody rushes into this area, it is advised that they read more on this area. So here are some resources and tools that should help (if you know more that should help, please add them in the comments):

International Function Point Users Group: The mission of IFPUG is to be a recognized leader in promoting and encouraging the effective management of application software development and maintenance activities through the use of Function Point Analysis and other software measurement techniques. IFPUG endorses FPA as its standard methodology for software sizing. In support of this, IFPUG maintains the Function Point Counting Practices Manual, the recognized industry standard for FPA.

Bulletin Board for discussions on the above site. There are a large number of discussions on this forum.

Newsgroup on FPA. Access via Google.

An older FAQ on royceedwards.com

Function Point Analysis on Wikipedia

Function Points Analysis on Total Metrics: More resources including such material - How to use FP Metrics in a Project, Which Functional Size Method to Use?, etc

Cosmic-ISO: The New Generation of Functional Size Measurement Methods

Metrics Documentation Toolkit on totalmetrics.com

Free function point manual (111 pages of goodness in a PDF file)

Online Function Point training on softwaremetrics.com

Article explaining levels of FP counting

Tools page at usc.edu

PQMPlus tool at Q/P Management Group

FP resources at devdaily.com

Tool: Metre v2.3

Tool: Function Point WORKBENCH. Available at this site.

Tool: Function Point Analysis GUI Tool: Read / Download.

A great resource: Joel on Software

For a long time now, I have been reading the content posted by Joel Spolsky on his blog. I like his writing enough to have taken an email subscription to his feed so that I get notified whenever he writes a new article. His feed typically provides the opening paragraph of the content, and then I go to the Blog to read the rest. And what is the link of the Blog, you may ask ? Well, here it is (link)
As Joel says, "This is Joel on Software, where I've been ranting about software development, management, business, and the Internet (ack) since 2000. Rest assured, however, that this isn't one of those dreaded blogs about blogging." He spent some time in various jobs including Microsoft Consulting, and then chucked it all up, and went onto found his own company called Fog Creek Software in September, 2000.
I like a lot of his articles where he talks about design, usability, and sundry other topics. The articles are not long or preachy, but are instead quick reads and, if you are in the software business, you should consider them as part of an ongoing education.
Joel has written books as well, and this is his latest one: