Seven years ago I dropped out of IT and bought a bar (in NZ). There's a long story in there somewhere (that began in Philly), but in the end it's worked out better for me. I'm like most IT folks I think, in that if I'm absorbed in my work in front of a computer, I have no desire to leave, even if there is a great big party somewhere or something that involves human interaction. Bar work gets you out there and it sure as hell beats sitting in a cubicle.
Probably the best thing about the switch is that bar transactions have a beginning and an end. You want a bourbon and coke? Okay, here's your drink, thanks for the money. If they want another drink, it's a new transaction. People don't come back with a drink and say, "you know, this is just great, and what would make it even better is if it had round ice cubes instead of square ones - no, let's make that two square ones and three round ones, and with more synergy." That drove me nuts as a coder.
That being said, I still developed my own touchscreen till system and back-end tools for the bar. And I've got a couple of hobby game dev projects on the side. It's in my blood, I can't get away from it and I really don't want to. It's a nice balance to earn a buck from a social job, and then have a coding hobby.
Although I think I'm at the end of this run and will likely sell the bar within the next year. That's probably my entrepreneurial side that feels that seven years is too long to be doing the same thing. Not too sure what's next, but I've been thinking about bees lately...
Nothing in this instance has anything to do with censorship. This has everything to do with censorship. It's self-censorship because these game companies (hardware and software) live with the constant spectre of being censored, fined or shut down by the goverment. Self-censorship comes from fear, based on what the real censors will do if they are not placated in time.
Regardless of why they did it, they backed off, apologized and cancelled the application. I know I'm coming close to invoking Godwin's Law here, but imagine if Mr Bush were to back off, apologize and cancel the invasion. As in this case, I wouldn't even care why he started the process, I would simply be impressed that he had what it takes to say "whoops" and then stop it.
Seek and ye shall find...
on
Game with God
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· Score: 1
...imagine you are an explorer and scientist in a vast sandy desert. You have traveled thousands of miles on foot only to stumble on a TINY oasis. In that oasis is a fantastic looking insect that you are the first to discover in the universe. Would you smash it and move on?
I just visited friends and family back in the US. The kindly old gentleman at the Auckland airport kept apologising while taking apart and searching my check-in luggage. He said the FAA insisted on them searching however so many passengers on flights to the US. And he admitted that he thought it was pretty useless.
Once I got to the US however, it was a different story. Apparently, all mall security guards have been promoted to airport security. These guys loved every minute of it and never bothered apologising. Especially memorable was the guy security wanding the little 3 year old girl for about a full minute. This is one of the worst parts of the whole panic - giving ordinary shmucks significant, yet arbitrary power over law-abiding citizens.
And I still heard the stories like my mom getting on to a plane with a long, sharp penknife in her handbag that she forgot about.
In comparison, I took a train from San Diego to LA - and it was blissful. I got there late with only 5 minutes until departure. It took me 30 seconds to buy my $18 ticket, and 4.5 minutes to wait for the train. Nothing else was involved. And to top it off, there was a power outlet at every seat, so I got 2 hours of quality coding done during the ride.
But anyway, even when NZ is forced to do the same thing that the US does, they do it in a human and reasonable way - as opposed to being dickheads about it.
Just keep waving your hands in the air menacingly while shouting "Microsoft is the Devil!". And then hand out little cartoon booklets that tell a story of a penguin that loves us so much that he gave us his only kernel.
In the question, the AC ends with "management is more than willing to work with us."
And you start off with: Employers always want to take advantage of their labour. This is exactly the sort of thing that unionizing would be able to prevent, yet most geeks will scoff and roll their eyes if you even mention it.
Is it any wonder why/. readers tend to see unionists as aggressive bullies itching for a fight?
(Not to mention that the whole 'bully' thing is probably a sore spot with most slashdotters..;)
Slashdot Mirror
Seven years ago I dropped out of IT and bought a bar (in NZ). There's a long story in there somewhere (that began in Philly), but in the end it's worked out better for me. I'm like most IT folks I think, in that if I'm absorbed in my work in front of a computer, I have no desire to leave, even if there is a great big party somewhere or something that involves human interaction. Bar work gets you out there and it sure as hell beats sitting in a cubicle.
Probably the best thing about the switch is that bar transactions have a beginning and an end. You want a bourbon and coke? Okay, here's your drink, thanks for the money. If they want another drink, it's a new transaction. People don't come back with a drink and say, "you know, this is just great, and what would make it even better is if it had round ice cubes instead of square ones - no, let's make that two square ones and three round ones, and with more synergy." That drove me nuts as a coder.
That being said, I still developed my own touchscreen till system and back-end tools for the bar. And I've got a couple of hobby game dev projects on the side. It's in my blood, I can't get away from it and I really don't want to. It's a nice balance to earn a buck from a social job, and then have a coding hobby.
Although I think I'm at the end of this run and will likely sell the bar within the next year. That's probably my entrepreneurial side that feels that seven years is too long to be doing the same thing. Not too sure what's next, but I've been thinking about bees lately...
Regardless of why they did it, they backed off, apologized and cancelled the application. I know I'm coming close to invoking Godwin's Law here, but imagine if Mr Bush were to back off, apologize and cancel the invasion. As in this case, I wouldn't even care why he started the process, I would simply be impressed that he had what it takes to say "whoops" and then stop it.
Have a look at http://www.jesusfreakin.com/
You haven't been paying much attention on this planet, have you?
HOW TO MOUNT A BUTTERFLY
Once I got to the US however, it was a different story. Apparently, all mall security guards have been promoted to airport security. These guys loved every minute of it and never bothered apologising. Especially memorable was the guy security wanding the little 3 year old girl for about a full minute. This is one of the worst parts of the whole panic - giving ordinary shmucks significant, yet arbitrary power over law-abiding citizens. And I still heard the stories like my mom getting on to a plane with a long, sharp penknife in her handbag that she forgot about.
In comparison, I took a train from San Diego to LA - and it was blissful. I got there late with only 5 minutes until departure. It took me 30 seconds to buy my $18 ticket, and 4.5 minutes to wait for the train. Nothing else was involved. And to top it off, there was a power outlet at every seat, so I got 2 hours of quality coding done during the ride.
But anyway, even when NZ is forced to do the same thing that the US does, they do it in a human and reasonable way - as opposed to being dickheads about it.
Just keep waving your hands in the air menacingly while shouting "Microsoft is the Devil!". And then hand out little cartoon booklets that tell a story of a penguin that loves us so much that he gave us his only kernel.
;)
This is Virginia after all
I have Pi tatooed on me.
It's accurate to up to 214 decimal places.
Unless it's real cold outside, then it just gets rounded to 3.
And you start off with:
Employers always want to take advantage of their labour. This is exactly the sort of thing that unionizing would be able to prevent, yet most geeks will scoff and roll their eyes if you even mention it.
Is it any wonder why /. readers tend to see unionists as aggressive bullies itching for a fight? ;)
(Not to mention that the whole 'bully' thing is probably a sore spot with most slashdotters..
Ed
As the story goes:
I have seen several friends on H1 Visas abused in the workplace. I would happily join a union that would address this - and other issues.
Are there any unions that are pro-immigrant? Anywhere?