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  3. From software developer to where?

From software developer to where?

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  • M Marc Clifton

    S2003RDS wrote:

    What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it?

    Several amusing options: You become an industry consultant in say, Agile Programming. That's a bit passe now, so pick something more modern, like Silverlight, WPF, etc. You develop your own applications and struggle trying to market them and attract investors. You write a book and discover publishing a book doesn't pay the bills. You join or create an open source project, work for free, and make a name for yourself bashing Microsoft until Miguel convinces Novell to actually hire you. Marc

    Thyme In The Country
    Interacx

    People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
    There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
    People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

    V Offline
    V Offline
    Virtual Coder
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    Marc Clifton wrote:

    Several amusing options: You become an industry consultant in say, Agile Programming. That's a bit passe now, so pick something more modern, like Silverlight, WPF, etc.

    'Agile' cannot die because it's now a religion. But if you are not a convert Silverlight, WPF, or RoR is the better option.

    Marc Clifton wrote:

    You develop your own applications and struggle trying to market them and attract investors.

    Highly specialized software for an industry sector may be promising, certainly not Nagware (a.k.a. Shareware).

    Marc Clifton wrote:

    You write a book and discover publishing a book doesn't pay the bills.

    Not even Charles Petzold's. But it may make a name for yourself.

    Marc Clifton wrote:

    You join or create an open source project, work for free, and make a name for yourself bashing Microsoft until Miguel convinces Novell to actually hire you.

    This is the best proposal so far. But who wants to be hired by Novell when you can have 10M in venture capital and will probably be bought in a year by Oracle for a multiple: http://www.infoq.com/news/2007/05/interface21-gets-funding[^] The Ultimate Career Option is: Become a SAP consultant! Look at the Job offerings: SAP was top 10 years ago and 5 years ago. It's top now and will be in the future.

    M 1 Reply Last reply
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    • C Christian Graus

      I think it's called death.

      Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )

      V Offline
      V Offline
      Virtual Coder
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      Christian Graus wrote:

      I think it's called death.

      Social death, a.k.a. unemployment.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • V Virtual Coder

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        Several amusing options: You become an industry consultant in say, Agile Programming. That's a bit passe now, so pick something more modern, like Silverlight, WPF, etc.

        'Agile' cannot die because it's now a religion. But if you are not a convert Silverlight, WPF, or RoR is the better option.

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        You develop your own applications and struggle trying to market them and attract investors.

        Highly specialized software for an industry sector may be promising, certainly not Nagware (a.k.a. Shareware).

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        You write a book and discover publishing a book doesn't pay the bills.

        Not even Charles Petzold's. But it may make a name for yourself.

        Marc Clifton wrote:

        You join or create an open source project, work for free, and make a name for yourself bashing Microsoft until Miguel convinces Novell to actually hire you.

        This is the best proposal so far. But who wants to be hired by Novell when you can have 10M in venture capital and will probably be bought in a year by Oracle for a multiple: http://www.infoq.com/news/2007/05/interface21-gets-funding[^] The Ultimate Career Option is: Become a SAP consultant! Look at the Job offerings: SAP was top 10 years ago and 5 years ago. It's top now and will be in the future.

        M Offline
        M Offline
        Marc Clifton
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        Virtual Coder wrote:

        Become a SAP consultant!

        If I'm going to hell, I'd rather wait until I die. Marc

        Thyme In The Country
        Interacx

        People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
        There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
        People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • S S2003RDS

          Hi all, I need some advice. I've been a software developer for the last six years. I've progressed to development manager within that time and that for me still involves a lot of programming. I feel it's time for a change. What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it? Thanks for your time Sion

          P Offline
          P Offline
          PIEBALDconsult
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          If you even consider not being a software developer, then you shouldn't be one. I, and I suppose many others here, wouldn't consider anything else, it's what we do, we do it for fun even when we're not being paid. If you're that type get out now. Even if I became rich and bought a Carribean island I'd spend too much time inside at a computer.

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          • S S2003RDS

            Hi all, I need some advice. I've been a software developer for the last six years. I've progressed to development manager within that time and that for me still involves a lot of programming. I feel it's time for a change. What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it? Thanks for your time Sion

            A Offline
            A Offline
            Allen Anderson
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            I started my own company, got bought out and am now a COO. I programmed for a long time and now it's sorta nice to be in executive management. I'm enjoying the travel and customer interaction a lot. Programming was a lot of fun, but eventually most move on.

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • J JimmyRopes

              Christian Graus wrote:

              I think it's called death.

              Or prison, depending on your past accomplishments. :~

              Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
              Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
              I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

              R Offline
              R Offline
              realJSOP
              wrote on last edited by
              #15

              Nah - I've been to prison, and I was a programmer before and after that particular event.

              "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
              -----
              "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

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              • S Shog9 0

                S2003RDS wrote:

                What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it?

                I cook and drink, not necessarily in that order.

                ----

                i hope you are feeling sleepy for people not calling you by the same.

                --BarnaKol on abusive words

                D Offline
                D Offline
                devenv exe
                wrote on last edited by
                #16

                Write your own operating system.:laugh:

                0 errors: 0 warnings: 0 messsages

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • R realJSOP

                  Nah - I've been to prison, and I was a programmer before and after that particular event.

                  "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
                  -----
                  "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

                  E Offline
                  E Offline
                  ednrgc
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  :wtf:

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • R realJSOP

                    S2003RDS wrote:

                    What do poeple do after software development

                    There's an "after"?

                    "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
                    -----
                    "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    lashmun
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    Ditto :-D - I've been a software engineer since 1978 (embedded systems for the automotive industry) and can not think of anything else I would want to do. 'After' for me would be retirement (in ten years or so).

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                    • S S2003RDS

                      Hi all, I need some advice. I've been a software developer for the last six years. I've progressed to development manager within that time and that for me still involves a lot of programming. I feel it's time for a change. What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it? Thanks for your time Sion

                      S Offline
                      S Offline
                      Steve Naidamast
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      If you already want to leave technical work after only 6 years that is an indication that you were never cut out for it in the first place. Moving to another area in the IT field would probably not find you any more satisfied if it still deals with the technical areas. As for management, good software developers usually don't make good managers with exception. And if you don't have the technical background required you will make an even worse manager. In this instance, its a catch-22. This is why IT is populated with so many bad managers. Maybe you should go back to school for a complete career change. I have been in the field for 34+ years. If its not technical in IT, it simply isn't and you are wasting your time...

                      Steve Naidamast Black Falcon Software, Inc. blackfalconsoftware@ix.netcom.com

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • S S2003RDS

                        Hi all, I need some advice. I've been a software developer for the last six years. I've progressed to development manager within that time and that for me still involves a lot of programming. I feel it's time for a change. What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it? Thanks for your time Sion

                        B Offline
                        B Offline
                        bekiser
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        The sad truth is that you are probably stuck in programming to some degree. The big question that will determine this is, do you have any other skills? If the answer is no, realistically you're not going anywhere unless you're independently wealthy. -Brian (developer for 15+ years)

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • L lashmun

                          Ditto :-D - I've been a software engineer since 1978 (embedded systems for the automotive industry) and can not think of anything else I would want to do. 'After' for me would be retirement (in ten years or so).

                          K Offline
                          K Offline
                          karl1101
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          lashmun wrote:

                          since 1978

                          OMG I was born in 1978!! They had computers back then? :)

                          L 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • S S2003RDS

                            Hi all, I need some advice. I've been a software developer for the last six years. I've progressed to development manager within that time and that for me still involves a lot of programming. I feel it's time for a change. What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it? Thanks for your time Sion

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Leeland Clay
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            I've been a programmer since I was 12. I can't imagine NOT programming. I think a lot of it has to do with how you actually feel about programming. Are you a programmer or do you hold a position as a programmer. This may sound silly...but I really believe that programming is in your blood. don't get me wrong...ANYONE can learn how to sling code...but a true programmer looks at what they do as art. You can't learn that. It becomes part of you. I've seen a LOT of people go through classes and learn to program and enjoy doing it...but didn't last. The reason is typically because they actually listened to the commercials from ITT (and others) who said take this course and earn $70k+/year. While money is nice, it shouldn't be your ONLY guiding factor. If you want my honest advice on what to do next...look inside. What makes you happy??? Whatever it is, do it. If you were given a choice between 24 hours of unlimited access with Linus (or any other genius of development) and 24 hours of something else...and you didn't take the coding...then you're probably in the wrong profession. /babbling off :)

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                            • K karl1101

                              lashmun wrote:

                              since 1978

                              OMG I was born in 1978!! They had computers back then? :)

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              lashmun
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              Now, now...be nice...us geezers can't afford to get too wound up...:zzz: And yes...the 'Flintstone' era computers were a little different (made of rocks and such).

                              K 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • S Shog9 0

                                S2003RDS wrote:

                                What do poeple do after software development and how do they go about doing it?

                                I cook and drink, not necessarily in that order.

                                ----

                                i hope you are feeling sleepy for people not calling you by the same.

                                --BarnaKol on abusive words

                                A Offline
                                A Offline
                                aubndez
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                Isn't that a requirement to be in software development in the first place? :laugh:

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • L lashmun

                                  Now, now...be nice...us geezers can't afford to get too wound up...:zzz: And yes...the 'Flintstone' era computers were a little different (made of rocks and such).

                                  K Offline
                                  K Offline
                                  karl1101
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  To be honest I have the utmost respect for anyone that programmed in the 'Flintstone' eras. You programmed by knowing how the computer worked unlike a lot of *new* developers who haven't even heard of the stack and heap.

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • K karl1101

                                    To be honest I have the utmost respect for anyone that programmed in the 'Flintstone' eras. You programmed by knowing how the computer worked unlike a lot of *new* developers who haven't even heard of the stack and heap.

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    lashmun
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #26

                                    Stack and Heap???!!! Everything was in assembler 'back then". I didn't start using C (on the job anyway) until about 1989. These were eight bit micro-controllers (think Motorola 6800, 6802, 68hc11) with about 10k to 16k of ROM space with only about 1k - 2k of RAM to work with (sometimes less). We thought about memory usage in BITs not KBytes. The good 'ole days...what ever happened (OSes that take 2 gig or more of disk space...sigh) :-D

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                                    • L Leeland Clay

                                      I've been a programmer since I was 12. I can't imagine NOT programming. I think a lot of it has to do with how you actually feel about programming. Are you a programmer or do you hold a position as a programmer. This may sound silly...but I really believe that programming is in your blood. don't get me wrong...ANYONE can learn how to sling code...but a true programmer looks at what they do as art. You can't learn that. It becomes part of you. I've seen a LOT of people go through classes and learn to program and enjoy doing it...but didn't last. The reason is typically because they actually listened to the commercials from ITT (and others) who said take this course and earn $70k+/year. While money is nice, it shouldn't be your ONLY guiding factor. If you want my honest advice on what to do next...look inside. What makes you happy??? Whatever it is, do it. If you were given a choice between 24 hours of unlimited access with Linus (or any other genius of development) and 24 hours of something else...and you didn't take the coding...then you're probably in the wrong profession. /babbling off :)

                                      A Offline
                                      A Offline
                                      aubndez
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      Leeland Clay wrote:

                                      I've been a programmer since I was 12.

                                      Wow! Impressive.

                                      Leeland Clay wrote:

                                      don't get me wrong...ANYONE can learn how to sling code...but a true programmer looks at what they do as art. You can't learn that. It becomes part of you. I've seen a LOT of people go through classes and learn to program and enjoy doing it...but didn't last.

                                      True to a point. I suppose I am an "anyone" that learned how to code ... and I enjoyed it for awhile. And no, I don't really anymore. But being a perfectionist at everything I do in life still makes me strive to the absolute best. Eloquent code my professor used to call it. To do it correctly, or not do it at all.

                                      Leeland Clay wrote:

                                      If you want my honest advice on what to do next...look inside. What makes you happy??? Whatever it is, do it.

                                      While this is awesome advice, and I'd love to take it myself ... if you have bills to pay and kids to feed -- it's not gonna happen. Cuz there ain't no way I can support my family greeting people at the greasy spoon down the street and pouring coffee all day! (Sad yes, but I was the most happy in life just waiting tables! :))

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                                      • S S2003RDS

                                        What's involved in the architect route? I assume it's more design. Are there any architects out there who wouldn't mind giving a run down of there role?

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                                        L Offline
                                        Luke van der Hoeven
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        I've heard of a few guys getting into law... You can make a killing as a technical savvy lawyer.

                                        -Luke vdH

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • L lashmun

                                          Ditto :-D - I've been a software engineer since 1978 (embedded systems for the automotive industry) and can not think of anything else I would want to do. 'After' for me would be retirement (in ten years or so).

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          ClockMeister
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #29

                                          Me too - in about 10 12 years. I've been doing this a little over 30. I think I'll be spending more time in the cockpit of a Cessna - don't get to do it enough right now. -CB ;)

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