I'm waiting for the textbook industry to parrot the pharma industry with "we can't guarantee the purity or effectiveness of textbooks bought overseas." Especially from Canada;)
While I agree wholeheartedly with your Open Office sentiment, the grim reality is that the 2 Hojillion Pound gorilla will $!#7 where it wants to.
I also agree that their stance vis-a-vis the Hebrew language is difficult to imagine. Has M$ grown so big that it can afford to overlook whole countries? I thought only the Pharma industry could do that. One can only hope that Israel will adopt Open Office and, as you say:
those OpenOffice users will be requiring interoperability from their vendors...
Oh, if only I could live to see that promised land!
You were quite right in pointing out my mistake in my first paragraph. Sometimes my anger just grabs control (*sigh*).
I await any comments you might have on my second paragraph. Third paragraph was, unfortunately, just "out there". I've been "rightsized" too many times...
All the Kapitalists forget that if the software industry was really healthy (i.e. not a monopoly) then the open source movement would not exist (i.e. software would be priced more reasonably, more software types would be employed, and fewer people thinking about how to get even...).
What really scares 'em is working for a living (somethng you have to do every day), instead of living from a portfolio (something you just have), which can be created as easily from skull sweat as skullduggery.
Your Management Team has decided to make a Very Few Economic Adjustments. Thank you for your years of service. Please follow the officers quietly out the door to your left...
I'm 40-something myself, and I've pretty much given up on the boob-tube and replaced it with the internet. I'm just not sure I've replaced one or two corporate controlled news sources with a hojillion ill informed news sources:)) (sorry,/.)
On a positive note, I find I'm much more productive with the internet. It *is* my reference library, for better or worse.
On the whole, I would rather have the internet. Now all we have to do is put our resources into open source (and openly funded) search engines:(
I was a contractor for No Such Agency a looong time ago. My usual reply to "who do you work for" was "I contract for a three letter intelligence agency that doesn't get caught". My bad, I guess.
Thanks for the great story, and dead on to boot. Upper management types are usually not planners per-se, they are *negotiators*, and unless you find a way to push back you're going to get fsck'd.
May the Gods of Comedy smile on you, my hat is off to you sir! To fill you in on my source material:
Groucho Marx was a real person, one of the Marx Brothers. They started out as a Vaudville act, progressed to movies, and finally split up. Groucho went on to TV to host a popular game show "You Bet Your Life!"
"You Beat Your Wife" was actually an old Bugs Bunny routine where Bugs impersonates Groucho and grills a hapless Elmer Fudd (part of many skits in "Wideo Wabbit"). Sadly, this classic seems to have been heavily censored in the last few years.
You probably know all this, but what the hell, it was a nice trip down memory lane. Ah, the days when cartoon violence was actually violent! Nobody died, but you took your lumps, that's for sure...
I agree with the above. They make an accusitory question, and arrange it so the public doesn't think they have to support the accusation...it's up to the accused to supply proof of innocence...
"Hello, I'm Groucho Marx, and welcome to another edition of "You Beat Your Wife". Tonight's contestant is Mr. Hideo Knutts, from Sarasota, Florida. Tell us, Mr. Knutts, what do you do, and how often do you beat your wife?" "I...I *dont't* beat my wife" "Oh, come on, Mr. Knutts, dont' be shy. Just whisper the number in my ear. I won't tell" (FX: Audience laughter) "But I don't beat my wife!" "Ah, an *alleged* wife, beater, eh? It'll be interesting to see how long he gets away with it, folks!" (FX: applause)
Oh come on, have a sense of humor! This is slashdot version of the latest Gulf War. Just think of McBride as the Iraqi Information Minister. "There are no competing claims to ours! Only we own UNIX! And if others say otherwise, they lie! Lies, lies, and more lies! We will crush them and be victorious!"
Shoulda put a YMMV disclaimer on:) I came off Holier than Thou. After 20 years in the biz, I figured I could get away with it. (*Bzzzt* Thank you for playing!). Thank you for reminding me that this is "/."
So, we're back to the question of how to balance Corporate/Political Necessity with Pride in Your Own work. I told you how I deal with it: tell 'em what you think the right way is, document it, and then follow orders. If the economy is tight (like it is now) document your decisions a lot. If the economy is good, find another job.
And if you can do a good job in spite of the Pointy Haired Bosses, do it. And find a relaxing hobby...
"Jeepers, if I can't look like Morpheus, can I at least look like
Trinity... " The Kid
Sorry, Ace, you took the Red Pill.
Look, here's what I have learned:
90% of everything is crap (Sturgeons Law). Than includes this post.
Of the "requirments" you are given, concentrate on the one's that will actually solve the customer's problem. The rest are political/cosmetic. Do you want a beautiful failre, or an ugly success?
Given the above, try to design your "bedrock/core code" 'the right way'
To many executives, the difference between "prototype" and "product" are the words "ship it". Avoid "public" prototypes if you can.
The first one is always crap (Mythical Man Month)
The second one you build will be even worse (Mythical Man Month)
use email to your advantage. If they make you do something that you disagree with, write a memo describing the various solutions to the problem. Give a copy to your boss (and whoever else you can distribute it to w.o. getting fired). Keep a copy. Then do it their way.
This is a bitter pill to swallow: It's their money, and if they want to put clown shoes on the Veanus di Milo it's their perogative (sp?)
Don't tell them everything if it truly won't hurt them. I was once told not to use XML for a parameter file. I said O.K. The only difference between my delivered paramater file and an XML file? "<?xml version="1.0"?>". Of course, I wrote the code that used the parameter file.
Never underestimate the value of a good API
Don't openly defy them, go around them if you can. Don't damage their authority. Discretion IS the better part of valor.
Remember, your job within your corporation is to make your boss look good. You're boss' job is to keep the jackals off your back so you can make them look good
Gods, can you tell I'm over, uh, 35? Very few of us get to do it "the right way". Just try to do the most important parts "the right way". Remember to test. Remember to document. Pray a lot, even if you don't believe. It certainly can't hurt.
Below the projects that are marginally successful is the dark underside of open source, the thousands of dead and moribund projects on SourceForge. The SourceForge people like to boast about how many projects they have, but for most of them, they're just providing free hosting for trash.
The "dark underside" you refer to exists regardless of the development model. I can't tell you how many projects I've worked on in the "real" (read "commercial") world that went exactly nowhere. The difference, of course, is that these "real" projects (and, occaisionally, a career or two) would die a quiet death in a shallow grave in a cubicle, rather than in public on freshmeat.
IMHO, the mortality rate for OS projects is just about right. And try not to think of failed projects as "trash". Think of it as rich loam, the vital compost that will spawn new (and possibly) better OS software. Or not;)
Re:100% Right on the money!
on
Ageism in IT?
·
· Score: 1
I have to agree. The only way to combat this, unfortunately, is to work for almost as little as the kids are:(
The last time the economy was in the toilet (late 80's early 90's) I had to take a substantial pay cut to stay employed. This time around, I was unemployed for 9 months before I found my current job (current employer be praised), but I had to take a pay cut (over my last position).
And for the record, I'm 40-mumble and very supprised I'm still in IT...
I would bet that another application is the use of the weapon to prepare freshly popped popcorn. The smell of freshly popped buttered popcorn will probably be enough to cause mass surrender. The only remaining problem: having enough for everybody...
Not really his fault. He was trying to make a point as a usability guy. The slashdot crowd could have made his article "slashdot compliant" (*shudder*) with a little CSS magick.
They chose not to do so. Are they trying to make a point?
In any event, you may wish to "veiw page source" and put yourself in the role of software responsible for parsing the page for a blind person. It's an interesting change in perspective...
Slashdot Mirror
I'm waiting for the textbook industry to parrot the pharma industry with "we can't guarantee the purity or effectiveness of textbooks bought overseas." Especially from Canada ;)
How long do they stay crunchy in milk?
While I agree wholeheartedly with your Open Office sentiment, the grim reality is that the 2 Hojillion Pound gorilla will $!#7 where it wants to.
I also agree that their stance vis-a-vis the Hebrew language is difficult to imagine. Has M$ grown so big that it can afford to overlook whole countries? I thought only the Pharma industry could do that. One can only hope that Israel will adopt Open Office and, as you say:
Oh, if only I could live to see that promised land!
You were quite right in pointing out my mistake in my first paragraph. Sometimes my anger just grabs control (*sigh*).
I await any comments you might have on my second paragraph. Third paragraph was, unfortunately, just "out there". I've been "rightsized" too many times...
CERonin
Execute Elder Perl Script:
All the Kapitalists forget that if the software industry was really healthy (i.e. not a monopoly) then the open source movement would not exist (i.e. software would be priced more reasonably, more software types would be employed, and fewer people thinking about how to get even...).
What really scares 'em is working for a living (somethng you have to do every day), instead of living from a portfolio (something you just have), which can be created as easily from skull sweat as skullduggery.
Your Management Team has decided to make a Very Few Economic Adjustments. Thank you for your years of service. Please follow the officers quietly out the door to your left...
I'm 40-something myself, and I've pretty much given up on the boob-tube and replaced it with the internet. I'm just not sure I've replaced one or two corporate controlled news sources with a hojillion ill informed news sources :)) (sorry, /.)
On a positive note, I find I'm much more productive with the internet. It *is* my reference library, for better or worse.
On the whole, I would rather have the internet. Now all we have to do is put our resources into open source (and openly funded) search engines :(
I was a contractor for No Such Agency a looong time ago. My usual reply to "who do you work for" was "I contract for a three letter intelligence agency that doesn't get caught". My bad, I guess.
Thanks for the great story, and dead on to boot. Upper management types are usually not planners per-se, they are *negotiators*, and unless you find a way to push back you're going to get fsck'd.
May the Gods of Comedy smile on you, my hat is off to you sir! To fill you in on my source material:
You probably know all this, but what the hell, it was a nice trip down memory lane. Ah, the days when cartoon violence was actually violent! Nobody died, but you took your lumps, that's for sure...
I agree with the above. They make an accusitory question, and arrange it so the public doesn't think they have to support the accusation...it's up to the accused to supply proof of innocence...
"Hello, I'm Groucho Marx, and welcome to another edition of "You Beat Your Wife". Tonight's contestant is Mr. Hideo Knutts, from Sarasota, Florida. Tell us, Mr. Knutts, what do you do, and how often do you beat your wife?" "I...I *dont't* beat my wife" "Oh, come on, Mr. Knutts, dont' be shy. Just whisper the number in my ear. I won't tell" (FX: Audience laughter) "But I don't beat my wife!" "Ah, an *alleged* wife, beater, eh? It'll be interesting to see how long he gets away with it, folks!" (FX: applause)
Oh come on, have a sense of humor! This is slashdot version of the latest Gulf War. Just think of McBride as the Iraqi Information Minister. "There are no competing claims to ours! Only we own UNIX! And if others say otherwise, they lie! Lies, lies, and more lies! We will crush them and be victorious!"
Us? Bitter? Noooooo, we're not bitter...
Shoulda put a YMMV disclaimer on :) I came off Holier than Thou. After 20 years in the biz, I figured I could get away with it. (*Bzzzt* Thank you for playing!). Thank you for reminding me that this is "/."
So, we're back to the question of how to balance Corporate/Political Necessity with Pride in Your Own work. I told you how I deal with it: tell 'em what you think the right way is, document it, and then follow orders. If the economy is tight (like it is now) document your decisions a lot. If the economy is good, find another job.
And if you can do a good job in spite of the Pointy Haired Bosses, do it. And find a relaxing hobby...
Gods, can you tell I'm over, uh, 35? Very few of us get to do it "the right way". Just try to do the most important parts "the right way". Remember to test. Remember to document. Pray a lot, even if you don't believe. It certainly can't hurt.
The "dark underside" you refer to exists regardless of the development model. I can't tell you how many projects I've worked on in the "real" (read "commercial") world that went exactly nowhere. The difference, of course, is that these "real" projects (and, occaisionally, a career or two) would die a quiet death in a shallow grave in a cubicle, rather than in public on freshmeat.
IMHO, the mortality rate for OS projects is just about right. And try not to think of failed projects as "trash". Think of it as rich loam, the vital compost that will spawn new (and possibly) better OS software. Or not ;)
I have to agree. The only way to combat this, unfortunately, is to work for almost as little as the kids are :(
The last time the economy was in the toilet (late 80's early 90's) I had to take a substantial pay cut to stay employed. This time around, I was unemployed for 9 months before I found my current job (current employer be praised), but I had to take a pay cut (over my last position).
And for the record, I'm 40-mumble and very supprised I'm still in IT...
O.K., that's really two questions. 1.5 Questions? Is it permissible to have a fractal number of questions? Anyway, thanks in advance.
I would bet that another application is the use of the weapon to prepare freshly popped popcorn. The smell of freshly popped buttered popcorn will probably be enough to cause mass surrender. The only remaining problem: having enough for everybody...
And I thought I had issues...
Not really his fault. He was trying to make a point as a usability guy. The slashdot crowd could have made his article "slashdot compliant" (*shudder*) with a little CSS magick.
They chose not to do so. Are they trying to make a point?
In any event, you may wish to "veiw page source" and put yourself in the role of software responsible for parsing the page for a blind person. It's an interesting change in perspective...