Archive through January 14, 2001

The ClubHouse: The Game II - Mysterious Puzzler: The Virtual House: The Living Room: Archive - Jan.13-16, 2001: Archive through January 14, 2001

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:00 am Click here to edit this post

Hi everyone.

How are you feeling, Elitist? I actually have something I want to talk to you about the next time I catch you in chat.

<smells the aroma of Merlin's coffee and goes to make some>

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:05 am Click here to edit this post

Well I hope it isn't the crack about Amarillo!

Love Texas - especially West Texas.

Merlin

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:12 am Click here to edit this post

LOL at guru,
your telling Elit you have something you want to talk about in chat next time made me flash back to a time when I have heard a female say:

"Honey, can we talk?"

And then you say to yourself,

"I wonder what I did now."

Maybe I better watch this Java Joe coffee, it seems to have a kick to it.

Newamush

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:14 am Click here to edit this post

Or are people planning stategies already.

da da da DA

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:28 am Click here to edit this post

No, no. Nothing like that. I just read your bio, E, and wanted to ask you some things about your career, if you don't mind talking about it.

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:29 am Click here to edit this post

No problem Guru. Actually we can talk about it here if you want. Or the hot tub over a cold beer?

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:30 am Click here to edit this post

Ok Merlin, don't trip on the eggshells.


uh huh huh

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:46 am Click here to edit this post

Thanks for everyone for asking about my cold. And no - I still have it and probably will for a while.

Being sick really sux.

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 10:50 am Click here to edit this post

I could probably do that right here, E. I'm trying to formulate which direction I want to head for the future. Currently, my skills are hardware based and I understand you are a software engineer.

Do you work for a company or independently?

I noticed you had a PhD which is pretty much a first class ticket to corporate management in the computer field. How have you seen your career and the financial benefits of your position evolve over the years? Have you been pleased and do you still enjoy programming or do you find yourself wishing you were doing something else? If so, would it be in the same field or a different field? Also, what time constraints do you have?

I only ask this because I assume you've been in the industry long enough to be savvy. I see how a lot of corporations operate with cutbacks and downsizing and such. I would prefer not to get in a situation where I rarely get to see my future family because of the time constraints of my career. That may just be a job hazard though.

I was also curious to know from your perspective what you feel: 1. the most needed and/or 2. the most profitable position is in the computer/telecommunications industry or will be in future years?

I'll stop there as I don't want to bombard you. I'm good at doing that.


Sometime, I'd like to hear some specifics of what you do in your career though. I know some people come here to get away from work, so I understand if it's something you'd rather not talk about.

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 11:01 am Click here to edit this post

First off, my PhD is in Chemistry, not computer science or some other computer related field - go figure. But Chemistry was THE THING of the past, information is now THE THING.

I work somewhat independently. For the past 4 or 5 years I have gotten my contracts myself, but I go through a third party to handle liability insurance and get good group medical rates. Since I do most of the work, they take a minimal cut. Having a friend who has a successful business doesn't hurt - or at least good contacts in the business.

I am extremely pleased with what I am doing - mainly because I chose this avenue from another career. I love programming (I have been doing it since 1973), but get a bigger thrill from doing full life cycle development - i.e. thinking up the Big Idea and seeing it all the way to installation and production. Have done this a few times with both success and failure.

There were two reasons I went on my own. The first is I do not like working for a corporation - everything from disliking corporate structure to knowing how much money they make off of you. Secondly my wife and I started a family, and the 80 hour weeks and 2 hour commutes were just too much. Now I still have the commutes, but only work a 4 day week at the client (actually just 3 now) and have a small office I leased near home where I do my work. The time constraints are self-imposed because you always are thinking about billable hours.

More later - don't want to make the post too long.

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 11:11 am Click here to edit this post

The thing about working in the information industry is that it changes so fast that if you don't keep on your toes you will be obsolete.

The other thing is that there are a LOT of really bad programmers/developers out there, and there are a lot that wish to do "their thing" and not be bothered with anything new or different.

The real winners are people who can think out-of-the-box and/or have a broad experience/knowledge base. These people make the big bucks and are kept on when downsizing occurs. They are also the ones that can find the new jobs and bigger money.

I was really scared when I first went contract - I figured I would run into these hotshot young computer science kids that would laugh at me. It didn't take long to find out that my breadth and depth of knowledge was such that I was an asset wherever I went. Though I was hired as a PowerBuilder programmer, I was getting database, SQL, Windows, VB, network, hardware questions thrown at me, most of which I either knew about or were able to figure out.

I also made sure I expanded my skills to other languages and new technology.

So my recommendation is to keep your skills current and keep them broad. The more you know, the more valuable you will be.

Elitist

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 11:16 am Click here to edit this post

Specifics - I am a Powerbuilder and Visual Basic programmer who is picking up Visual C++ and Delphi (hope to move to Java soon). I have several commercial packages that I have developed for different clients that have been successful (read multimillion in sales). I usually get sucked into managing people or projects which I enjoy, but I hate the maintenance phase after the product is finished.

I also recently purchased a small software package that was going to be phased out and am trying to revive the sales. It is a documentation utility for Powerbuilder and Visual Basic.

So is that enough Guru? Can I go home now?

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 11:42 am Click here to edit this post

Yes, you are released from detention.


I really appreciate your response. I think we both have the same thoughts about corporate structures. Thanks. You've been helpful in those 3 posts.

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 02:51 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi everyone, I'm awake from my coma. Will be back shortly, I have a couple of things to do. Just wanted to check in.

Cammie

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 03:22 pm Click here to edit this post

Anyone here? Just checking in before I leave for "date night" with hubby.

Spamgirl

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:04 pm Click here to edit this post

Date night... so much of that lately :) everyone's having their date nights... sigh :)

ah well, i'm here if anyone else is

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:06 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi Cammie, don't know if anyone is around ? I just arrived back myself. Had a few errands to run.

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:09 pm Click here to edit this post

I'm here Spam, how have things been going around here today ?

Azriel

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:11 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi MissLibra, I'm here, too :)

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:11 pm Click here to edit this post

I need to go and check out whats been going on I guess since I just arrived. I think I'll do that. I'm nosey I like to see what going on in every part of the house.

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:12 pm Click here to edit this post

Hey AZ how you be today ?

Azriel

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:23 pm Click here to edit this post

Great, MissLibra. I'm in chat with Spammy right now Cmon in :)

Spamgirl

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:34 pm Click here to edit this post

We're in chat, ML, if you wanna join us...

pretty slow around here...

Misslibra

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:35 pm Click here to edit this post

Ok just a sec, I have a few more rooms to check out. I just finished talking on the internet cam.

Spamgirl

Sunday, January 14, 2001 - 04:38 pm Click here to edit this post

ok :)