...because he raves on about simplicity yet took something beautiful -- Smalltalk -- and turned it into a steaming pile of complex, manager-friendly, dog-shit; a.k.a. Java. Oh, and -- WOW -- he's just now getting around to figuring out that a farking dynamic code model and not idiotic text files, is the way development should be done. Too bad that was in Smalltalk too!
Our industry is going to implode and it's all our fault. When we accept bullshit artists like Gosling we deserve what we get.
Oh, flamebait for the day: Emacs is a piece of shit too. Simplicity my ass.
Let me ask you all a question: If any language that you currently use is compiled into native machine code (for x86, or PPC, etc.), then why wouldn't.NET or the JVM support it?
You have to remember that both IL and JBC (Java Byte Code) are essentially virtual CPUs that have some high-level features tacked on to simplify implementing certain kinds of langauges. However, they are still just basic assembly like langauges. Anything one could do in native assembler, one could do in IL or JBC. In fact, not trying to support one or the other, IL is probably a slightly better candidate here because Microsoft uses it to compile to native x86 assembler. Hence, there is support for direct memory manipulate (something the JBC doesn't have).
So, can someone implement Lisp using IL? Why not? They did it with C or assembler before. Can someone implement Smalltalk? David Simmons already has at http://www.smallscript.com.
I applaud Miguel for trying to bridge the gap between the Windows and *nix world in innovative ways. Good luck!
Many of the posts here revolve around the relative level of work for each option, but there are other considerations here. If your desire is to be on your own (i.e. you really don't want to be somebody's employee), then the first two are your only choice.
However, there is a significant difference between the two in the context of being able to find and keep clients. In my experience, what you're calling an Independent Contractor (or sole-proprietorship as the IRS likes to call it), might work for some cases but not many. Many corporations and even contract management companies won't do business unless there's a legal entity between you and the "business". This helps to save their ass when the IRS comes knocking on their door and asking why they didn't pay-as-you-go for individual XYZ.
Some other things to consider: If you want to go out on your own you'll need lots of insurance. If you have an office or equipment you'll need Property, you will need General Liability of at least $1 million. These two can cost around $3000/year, depending on who you go through, etc. Also, I would highly recommend Errors and Omissions insurance, which is very expensive, but worth the cost. (Something else to consider is that it can be very difficult to actually get these insurance policies).
Get a great attorney, and make sure you like them and they'll do good work for you. Find an accountant that will do all of your corporate and personal accounting; you should be good to go.
Here! Here! I couldn't agree with you more! Problem is, if they dropped all of the fat (much like the areospace industry about 10 years ago), the stock market would go in the trash... -= i Know notHing. thAt is Why i Program Komputers. =-
Slashdot Mirror
Slashdot is really going down the tubes.
...because he raves on about simplicity yet took something beautiful -- Smalltalk -- and turned it into a steaming pile of complex, manager-friendly, dog-shit; a.k.a. Java. Oh, and -- WOW -- he's just now getting around to figuring out that a farking dynamic code model and not idiotic text files, is the way development should be done. Too bad that was in Smalltalk too! Our industry is going to implode and it's all our fault. When we accept bullshit artists like Gosling we deserve what we get. Oh, flamebait for the day: Emacs is a piece of shit too. Simplicity my ass.
Let me ask you all a question: If any language that you currently use is compiled into native machine code (for x86, or PPC, etc.), then why wouldn't .NET or the JVM support it?
You have to remember that both IL and JBC (Java Byte Code) are essentially virtual CPUs that have some high-level features tacked on to simplify implementing certain kinds of langauges. However, they are still just basic assembly like langauges. Anything one could do in native assembler, one could do in IL or JBC. In fact, not trying to support one or the other, IL is probably a slightly better candidate here because Microsoft uses it to compile to native x86 assembler. Hence, there is support for direct memory manipulate (something the JBC doesn't have).
So, can someone implement Lisp using IL? Why not? They did it with C or assembler before. Can someone implement Smalltalk? David Simmons already has at http://www.smallscript.com.
I applaud Miguel for trying to bridge the gap between the Windows and *nix world in innovative ways. Good luck!
Many of the posts here revolve around the relative level of work for each option, but there are other considerations here. If your desire is to be on your own (i.e. you really don't want to be somebody's employee), then the first two are your only choice.
However, there is a significant difference between the two in the context of being able to find and keep clients. In my experience, what you're calling an Independent Contractor (or sole-proprietorship as the IRS likes to call it), might work for some cases but not many. Many corporations and even contract management companies won't do business unless there's a legal entity between you and the "business". This helps to save their ass when the IRS comes knocking on their door and asking why they didn't pay-as-you-go for individual XYZ.
Some other things to consider: If you want to go out on your own you'll need lots of insurance. If you have an office or equipment you'll need Property, you will need General Liability of at least $1 million. These two can cost around $3000/year, depending on who you go through, etc. Also, I would highly recommend Errors and Omissions insurance, which is very expensive, but worth the cost. (Something else to consider is that it can be very difficult to actually get these insurance policies).
Get a great attorney, and make sure you like them and they'll do good work for you. Find an accountant that will do all of your corporate and personal accounting; you should be good to go.
Good luck!
Here! Here! I couldn't agree with you more! Problem is, if they dropped all of the fat (much like the areospace industry about 10 years ago), the stock market would go in the trash... -= i Know notHing. thAt is Why i Program Komputers. =-