Almost anybody I've ever known who has moved onto being the lead architect isn't handling much (if any) code anymore. You're operating at a different level... the overall design, the components that make it up, and working with the dev team to sort out problems. And, of course, working to define the requirements, use cases, and all of the other stuff like that.
Yep (although you might have a business analyst type to work on the use cases and so forth). But you're right about getting away from the programming. I have a close colleague who's doing exactly this right now. He's been a programmer for, well, not sure, but much longer than 10 years, probably more like 25 or 30. He decided he wanted to move into an architect position. It took him a while to get used to defining work for other programmers to do and not do it himself, but he's gotten better now.
He loves it. Fresh lease on (professional) life for him. It's been a big challenge, and continues to be challenging, but in exactly the way he wanted, and he couldn't be happier that he made the move.
Doesn't mean everyone will find it as much fun, especially if your passion is for coding.
If you want to do something very different, consider something like a business solutions architect role.
Thank goodness, someone who made a sensible point and got modded up.
The majority of this discussion so far has been rampant speculation. Rant:why can't people read the &^%* articles occasionally? End rant
The second linked article from Technet gives a lot of answers. This is particularly useful:
In Windows Server 8, the recommended application model is to run on Server Core using PowerShell for local management tasks and then deliver a rich GUI administration tool capable of running remotely on a Windows client.
(Emphasis mine.)
It also goes into quite a bit of detail about something called the Minimal Server Interface.
The Minimal Server Interface enables most local GUI management tasks without requiring the full GUI Shell or Internet Explorer to be installed. It is an intermediate state that is installed by enabling the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure Windows feature and not enabling the Server Graphical Shell feature.
As you say (and as most people on/. should realize), managing a server locally is pretty anachronistic for day to day tasks.
I think it makes perfect sense, and I can't for the life of me understand why people aren't getting this. There've been so many complaints about this on/. in the past. It seems to me that they're getting rid of the huge big GUI on the server, which helps with resources (not such a big deal these days, but...) and certainly won't harm stability, whilst at the same time giving all the GUI folks the ability to keep doing their GUI thing from a remote management tool.
Lots of other things I could say, but do yourself a favor and skim the Technet link. And please, Slashdot readers, try and think about these things rather than giving a knee jerk reaction. There's nothing that Xest says which requires an enormous leap of mental powers.
It's a stupid flamebait analogy. The summary goes like this
* Windows PCs are as secure as a piece of tissue paper (LOL, for teh win!) * Cars with their increasingly computerized systems are now becoming vulnerable to hacking. * Windows PCs are vulnerable to hacking.
I think it's pretty clear that in the taxi driver example there's a difference between a willing and an unwilling actor. A taxi driver who gets threatened with a weapon unless he drives...probably not going to get into too much trouble.
If I make a search on my work computer and it takes me to a site that is prohibited by work policy, then I close it. If security asks me about it, I say it was an accident and they're okay with that. If they shoot back at me with "an accident happens once, but you visited that site another 37 times in the past week", well, that looks a bit more purposeful, doesn't it?
Disclaimer: I know nothing about the Pirate Bay, have never used it.
From Wikipedia:
Initially established in November 2003 by the Swedish anti-copyright organization Piratbyrån (The Piracy Bureau)
I suppose you're referring to the idea that the people who run TPB don't upload files themselves, they merely facilitate it for other people? (This is pure conjecture on my part, too, having never used it and knowing nothing about them.)
Tripleevanfall asked a good question and asked it politely. You ranted back and insulted him. That's why most business people think I.T. guys are dicks - because of past experience.
Actually, I'm not 100% certain that the submitter meant to discuss "geek issues". That's the title of this story, but that phrase isn't used in the summary.
Personally, I think that's a good thing. If one is determined to cast a vote based solely (or even mainly) on a candidate's viewpoints on net neutrality or SOPA, I think one needs to reevaluate one's priorities. With all that is going on in the world today, and in America specifically, I have a difficult time seeing these as the most pressing issues for our elected representatives.
Ford Explorer - 7.6" Toyota Highlander - 8.1" Jeep Grand Cherokee - 8.6" Subaru Outback - 8.7" Nissan Pathfinder - 9.0" Nissan Xterra - 9.1"
I just picked most of these (except the Xterra - I picked that because it's mentioned further down) at random because they're what I see in the parking lot at work. Yes, the Nissans have more ground clearance but I don't think that half an inch is going to be the difference between yay and boo.
I'm not really sure how Musicians, Artists & Actors, etc can implement a similar system, but I don't doubt they can.
We did, several hundred years ago. It was called patronage. Do you really want us to regress to that way of doing things?
(Apparently, with the lack of respect shown to our work, the answer is yes. Which, ironically, would result in a significant decrease in the amount of art disseminated amongst the public.)
And don't feed me any of this greater good or terrible economy crap
Dear Slashdot, I have xyz problem, what do you suggest?
(Slashdot readers chime in with suggestions)
Don't give me those suggestions, I don't like them.
After reading a lot of comments on this post, and your rebuttals to a number of them, and looking at the attitude in the original submission, I have come to the conclusion that there's no helping you. Don't ask a question if you only want the answers which feed your ego.
So don't go to 3D movies... problem solved. Honestly... all the 3D movies are also shown in 2D - and for less money. I don't get the complaints. People on slashdot are generally pro-choice unless it's something they can sit on their high horse and whine about all us bourgeois who might actually like something they don't.
You do realize you are posting in a thread about - why people are not going to the movies...
Also a thread that is being dominated by the same sneering crowd ("movies are sim-ply dreadful"..."I do agree, nothing new has been done for simply decades") that will then turn around and pirate-sorry-infringe-copyright those same allegedly crap movies by the hundreds.
You make a valid point, and I can't disagree with it. I contend, however, that if you have the freedom/ability to do something (audit an open source product), but don't take advantage of that ability, then you really haven't gained anything.
You hit the nail on the head. The part I left out was that it's so frustrating to see this kid has taken the initiative, made himself an opportunity, and now is squandering it for...what? The hope of a few extra dollars? Pride? Because he's not sure what he wants, but he know he wants something, or else?
If he follows your steps, really it should be a win-win no matter what, unless he sticks with the attitude and can't follow through on 4b (getting a better job).
You *do* deserve to be paid for time spent writing something if its on your own time; you don't give it away from free unless *you* want to.
He already gave away the time for free, regardless of whether his employer pays for anything. You might think he *deserves* to be paid for it. I think he *deserves* to be paid the agreed-upon wage to do the agreed-upon work, and if he goes ahead and develops something extra, on his own time, unasked, without telling anyone, knowing full well that the employer has no current intention of paying for a package, then he's taken a gamble, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose on a gamble. If you don't like the downside or risk, then don't make the gamble. Or hedge somehow, if you can.
In this case - if you know there's little to no chance of getting paid to do this extra project, but you go ahead and do it anyway, on your own time, and then whine that you're getting nothing, I tend to think you are getting exactly what you deserve.
1. How much of Linux have you audited? Go ahead, give me the LOC count...I'll wait.
2. See 1.
3. If they're qualified to, then yes, they can. If they do the audit. See 1.
4. All the laws? Never. Some of the major laws that I know will affect me? Yep. And I've had the conversations with a police officer to make me grateful that I did. Mind you, I also read mortgages, fully, and ask if I don't understand something.
Okay, back to #1. What's the answer? If it's greater than zero, then how did you audit it? What's your testing and certification criteria? Are you an accredited ITCA? Even if so, how do I know I can trust you? How do I know you're competent and skilled enough to find bugs/malicious code?
But the main problem still is #1. You can audit source if you have it, but how many people do? (Answer - look back over some stories in the last year here on Slashdot to see that the answer is, evidently, not enough.)
First - as Oligonicella points out, your exercise in pedantry is not only a vanity but also incorrect. Piracy is commonly used (and defined in the dictionary) to equate to copyright infringement. Words can have more than one meaning.
Second - so what?
Tell me how ignoring copyright infringement is for the greater social good. What do you pirate - sorry, copy illegally? Music? How is not paying for it part of the greater social good? Films? Ditto.
I think you're just a cheapskate who likes being able to get movies and music for free because you don't want to pay for something. If they're not worth the money, then don't acquire them.
* you saw a place where some software could really help; * you knew they wouldn't buy it; * you were told they wouldn't pay you to write it; and * it wasn't in your job description to write it (side note: seriously?)...but * you wrote it anyway; and * now what?
With all of this, I'm left wondering why you wrote it? You say you like a challenge, but was this the only way? You further write:
am easily capable of writing something to meet their needs, but do not believe I should be A) asked to or B) required to, as my job description and employment terms are not based upon this skill set
Well, hey there, genius - you said you weren't asked to, or required to. So, again - why'd you do it? What did you think would happen? What did you expect? Your whole story really confuses me.
Oh yes, to get back to a recommendation about what to do: I don't have one. Your attitude is petty and small-minded, and I can't give any suggestion that would fit in with that attitude. If you had some decency, you'd go to your management and show them what you'd done, maybe get some kudos, and use it to boost your resume. Taking initiative looks good. If you had some entrepreneurial inclination, you'd start a small company and market it.
But I think you'd rather just maintain a constantly surly attitude and fold your arms and huff "I'm not gonna get paid for it? Well, screw you". Squandered opportunities, dude. Sometimes you have to take a risk, you know?
TFA specifically is about why American corporate software can't be trusted - because of SOPA.
As a result (of SOPA), American corporate code cannot be trusted from this day onwards...Therefore, the shift (away from Microsoft and Apple), needs to start as soon as possible.
He then goes on to say don't shift to Android because that's also American-made. Again, it's referring explicitly to the rules imposed by SOPA.
Pretty tired of seeing this nonsense that the U.S. is the only country on the planet that helps other people being repeated.
Firstly, I do hope you realize that very rarely does the U.S. get engaged in something unilaterally. They are usually part of an international force, with many other nations participating.
Look up places like Timor, MINURSO in the Western Sahara, MONUSCO in the Congo, etc., etc. Read the history of WWII. Look up the number of times other countries have offered to help the U.S. and either been refused (goodness knows why - because the U.S. didn't want to look weak?) or their help has been accepted but you never hear about it.
Remember the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana a year ago? 17 countries offered assistance, including several that could've really helped as they had a lot of experience. BP accepted help from Mexico and Norway. The Biscuit fire in Oregon had firefighters helping out from Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Did you know about these examples and just choose to ignore them because they don't help your case, or had you never heard of them because, well, for whatever reason?
Saying something like this not only betrays your ignorance/xenophobia but is pretty insulting to the millions of brave non-Americans who continue to fight wars, engage in peace keeping missions, and offer assistance to Americans. They may not worry as much about self-publicizing, but it doesn't mean nobody else does it. I'm not bashing the bravery of American peacekeepers, firefighters, what-have-you by any means. But please don't be so insulting to the rest of the world.
It cures? I had not heard that; I was under the impression it relieved pain and other symptoms. Would you point me to a reputable study (NORML commentaries without references don't count) that says marijuana cures illnesses/sicknesses/diseases? Genuinely interested.
Slashdot Mirror
Almost anybody I've ever known who has moved onto being the lead architect isn't handling much (if any) code anymore. You're operating at a different level ... the overall design, the components that make it up, and working with the dev team to sort out problems. And, of course, working to define the requirements, use cases, and all of the other stuff like that.
Yep (although you might have a business analyst type to work on the use cases and so forth). But you're right about getting away from the programming. I have a close colleague who's doing exactly this right now. He's been a programmer for, well, not sure, but much longer than 10 years, probably more like 25 or 30. He decided he wanted to move into an architect position. It took him a while to get used to defining work for other programmers to do and not do it himself, but he's gotten better now.
He loves it. Fresh lease on (professional) life for him. It's been a big challenge, and continues to be challenging, but in exactly the way he wanted, and he couldn't be happier that he made the move.
Doesn't mean everyone will find it as much fun, especially if your passion is for coding.
If you want to do something very different, consider something like a business solutions architect role.
Thank goodness, someone who made a sensible point and got modded up.
The majority of this discussion so far has been rampant speculation. Rant: why can't people read the &^%* articles occasionally? End rant
The second linked article from Technet gives a lot of answers. This is particularly useful:
In Windows Server 8, the recommended application model is to run on Server Core using PowerShell for local management tasks and then deliver a rich GUI administration tool capable of running remotely on a Windows client.
(Emphasis mine.)
It also goes into quite a bit of detail about something called the Minimal Server Interface.
The Minimal Server Interface enables most local GUI management tasks without requiring the full GUI Shell or Internet Explorer to be installed. It is an intermediate state that is installed by enabling the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure Windows feature and not enabling the Server Graphical Shell feature.
As you say (and as most people on /. should realize), managing a server locally is pretty anachronistic for day to day tasks.
I think it makes perfect sense, and I can't for the life of me understand why people aren't getting this. There've been so many complaints about this on /. in the past. It seems to me that they're getting rid of the huge big GUI on the server, which helps with resources (not such a big deal these days, but...) and certainly won't harm stability, whilst at the same time giving all the GUI folks the ability to keep doing their GUI thing from a remote management tool.
Lots of other things I could say, but do yourself a favor and skim the Technet link. And please, Slashdot readers, try and think about these things rather than giving a knee jerk reaction. There's nothing that Xest says which requires an enormous leap of mental powers.
It's a stupid flamebait analogy. The summary goes like this
* Windows PCs are as secure as a piece of tissue paper (LOL, for teh win!)
* Cars with their increasingly computerized systems are now becoming vulnerable to hacking.
* Windows PCs are vulnerable to hacking.
I can't take this seriously. Right at the top. Nice big search entry box. Bright yello, big, "Search" button.
Mind you, I just go to my.yahoo.com.
I think it's pretty clear that in the taxi driver example there's a difference between a willing and an unwilling actor. A taxi driver who gets threatened with a weapon unless he drives...probably not going to get into too much trouble.
If I make a search on my work computer and it takes me to a site that is prohibited by work policy, then I close it. If security asks me about it, I say it was an accident and they're okay with that. If they shoot back at me with "an accident happens once, but you visited that site another 37 times in the past week", well, that looks a bit more purposeful, doesn't it?
Disclaimer: I know nothing about the Pirate Bay, have never used it.
From Wikipedia:
Initially established in November 2003 by the Swedish anti-copyright organization Piratbyrån (The Piracy Bureau)
I suppose you're referring to the idea that the people who run TPB don't upload files themselves, they merely facilitate it for other people? (This is pure conjecture on my part, too, having never used it and knowing nothing about them.)
already spend enough time dealing with my kid's school's insane focus on Microsoft technologies
Yeah, stupid, insance, irrational school. The idiocy, using products that are niche and unpopular and barely used by anyone...
Oh wait...
Same reason why business people use "I.T. guy" as an interchangeable term for "insufferably rude jerk with no people skills".
Tripleevanfall asked a good question and asked it politely. You ranted back and insulted him. That's why most business people think I.T. guys are dicks - because of past experience.
Actually, I'm not 100% certain that the submitter meant to discuss "geek issues". That's the title of this story, but that phrase isn't used in the summary.
Personally, I think that's a good thing. If one is determined to cast a vote based solely (or even mainly) on a candidate's viewpoints on net neutrality or SOPA, I think one needs to reevaluate one's priorities. With all that is going on in the world today, and in America specifically, I have a difficult time seeing these as the most pressing issues for our elected representatives.
And millions of geeks observe their heads explode as they realize the companies opposing this bill include:
* AOL
* Facebook
* Microsoft
* Zynga
Gound clearance:
Ford Explorer - 7.6"
Toyota Highlander - 8.1"
Jeep Grand Cherokee - 8.6"
Subaru Outback - 8.7"
Nissan Pathfinder - 9.0"
Nissan Xterra - 9.1"
I just picked most of these (except the Xterra - I picked that because it's mentioned further down) at random because they're what I see in the parking lot at work. Yes, the Nissans have more ground clearance but I don't think that half an inch is going to be the difference between yay and boo.
I'm not really sure how Musicians, Artists & Actors, etc can implement a similar system, but I don't doubt they can.
We did, several hundred years ago. It was called patronage. Do you really want us to regress to that way of doing things?
(Apparently, with the lack of respect shown to our work, the answer is yes. Which, ironically, would result in a significant decrease in the amount of art disseminated amongst the public.)
Case in point: Anonymous.
And don't feed me any of this greater good or terrible economy crap
Dear Slashdot, I have xyz problem, what do you suggest?
(Slashdot readers chime in with suggestions)
Don't give me those suggestions, I don't like them.
After reading a lot of comments on this post, and your rebuttals to a number of them, and looking at the attitude in the original submission, I have come to the conclusion that there's no helping you. Don't ask a question if you only want the answers which feed your ego.
So don't go to 3D movies... problem solved. Honestly... all the 3D movies are also shown in 2D - and for less money. I don't get the complaints. People on slashdot are generally pro-choice unless it's something they can sit on their high horse and whine about all us bourgeois who might actually like something they don't.
You do realize you are posting in a thread about - why people are not going to the movies...
Also a thread that is being dominated by the same sneering crowd ("movies are sim-ply dreadful"..."I do agree, nothing new has been done for simply decades") that will then turn around and pirate-sorry-infringe-copyright those same allegedly crap movies by the hundreds.
You make a valid point, and I can't disagree with it. I contend, however, that if you have the freedom/ability to do something (audit an open source product), but don't take advantage of that ability, then you really haven't gained anything.
You hit the nail on the head. The part I left out was that it's so frustrating to see this kid has taken the initiative, made himself an opportunity, and now is squandering it for...what? The hope of a few extra dollars? Pride? Because he's not sure what he wants, but he know he wants something, or else?
If he follows your steps, really it should be a win-win no matter what, unless he sticks with the attitude and can't follow through on 4b (getting a better job).
You *do* deserve to be paid for time spent writing something if its on your own time; you don't give it away from free unless *you* want to.
He already gave away the time for free, regardless of whether his employer pays for anything. You might think he *deserves* to be paid for it. I think he *deserves* to be paid the agreed-upon wage to do the agreed-upon work, and if he goes ahead and develops something extra, on his own time, unasked, without telling anyone, knowing full well that the employer has no current intention of paying for a package, then he's taken a gamble, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose on a gamble. If you don't like the downside or risk, then don't make the gamble. Or hedge somehow, if you can.
In this case - if you know there's little to no chance of getting paid to do this extra project, but you go ahead and do it anyway, on your own time, and then whine that you're getting nothing, I tend to think you are getting exactly what you deserve.
1. How much of Linux have you audited? Go ahead, give me the LOC count...I'll wait.
2. See 1.
3. If they're qualified to, then yes, they can. If they do the audit. See 1.
4. All the laws? Never. Some of the major laws that I know will affect me? Yep. And I've had the conversations with a police officer to make me grateful that I did. Mind you, I also read mortgages, fully, and ask if I don't understand something.
Okay, back to #1. What's the answer? If it's greater than zero, then how did you audit it? What's your testing and certification criteria? Are you an accredited ITCA? Even if so, how do I know I can trust you? How do I know you're competent and skilled enough to find bugs/malicious code?
But the main problem still is #1. You can audit source if you have it, but how many people do? (Answer - look back over some stories in the last year here on Slashdot to see that the answer is, evidently, not enough.)
First - as Oligonicella points out, your exercise in pedantry is not only a vanity but also incorrect. Piracy is commonly used (and defined in the dictionary) to equate to copyright infringement. Words can have more than one meaning.
Second - so what?
Tell me how ignoring copyright infringement is for the greater social good. What do you pirate - sorry, copy illegally? Music? How is not paying for it part of the greater social good? Films? Ditto.
I think you're just a cheapskate who likes being able to get movies and music for free because you don't want to pay for something. If they're not worth the money, then don't acquire them.
If I read this correctly:
* you saw a place where some software could really help;
* you knew they wouldn't buy it;
* you were told they wouldn't pay you to write it; and
* it wasn't in your job description to write it (side note: seriously?)...but
* you wrote it anyway; and
* now what?
With all of this, I'm left wondering why you wrote it? You say you like a challenge, but was this the only way? You further write:
am easily capable of writing something to meet their needs, but do not believe I should be A) asked to or B) required to, as my job description and employment terms are not based upon this skill set
Well, hey there, genius - you said you weren't asked to, or required to. So, again - why'd you do it? What did you think would happen? What did you expect? Your whole story really confuses me.
Oh yes, to get back to a recommendation about what to do: I don't have one. Your attitude is petty and small-minded, and I can't give any suggestion that would fit in with that attitude. If you had some decency, you'd go to your management and show them what you'd done, maybe get some kudos, and use it to boost your resume. Taking initiative looks good. If you had some entrepreneurial inclination, you'd start a small company and market it.
But I think you'd rather just maintain a constantly surly attitude and fold your arms and huff "I'm not gonna get paid for it? Well, screw you". Squandered opportunities, dude. Sometimes you have to take a risk, you know?
TFA specifically is about why American corporate software can't be trusted - because of SOPA.
As a result (of SOPA), American corporate code cannot be trusted from this day onwards...Therefore, the shift (away from Microsoft and Apple), needs to start as soon as possible.
He then goes on to say don't shift to Android because that's also American-made. Again, it's referring explicitly to the rules imposed by SOPA.
Pretty tired of seeing this nonsense that the U.S. is the only country on the planet that helps other people being repeated.
Firstly, I do hope you realize that very rarely does the U.S. get engaged in something unilaterally. They are usually part of an international force, with many other nations participating.
Look up places like Timor, MINURSO in the Western Sahara, MONUSCO in the Congo, etc., etc. Read the history of WWII. Look up the number of times other countries have offered to help the U.S. and either been refused (goodness knows why - because the U.S. didn't want to look weak?) or their help has been accepted but you never hear about it.
Remember the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana a year ago? 17 countries offered assistance, including several that could've really helped as they had a lot of experience. BP accepted help from Mexico and Norway. The Biscuit fire in Oregon had firefighters helping out from Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Did you know about these examples and just choose to ignore them because they don't help your case, or had you never heard of them because, well, for whatever reason?
Saying something like this not only betrays your ignorance/xenophobia but is pretty insulting to the millions of brave non-Americans who continue to fight wars, engage in peace keeping missions, and offer assistance to Americans. They may not worry as much about self-publicizing, but it doesn't mean nobody else does it. I'm not bashing the bravery of American peacekeepers, firefighters, what-have-you by any means. But please don't be so insulting to the rest of the world.
It cures? I had not heard that; I was under the impression it relieved pain and other symptoms. Would you point me to a reputable study (NORML commentaries without references don't count) that says marijuana cures illnesses/sicknesses/diseases? Genuinely interested.