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  3. When do you loose your interest in programming ??

When do you loose your interest in programming ??

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  • S Shog9 0

    Hasn't happened yet, and i've been at it for over half of my life. It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction. My wife thinks i need counseling, complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her, spending too much of my life hammering away on the keyboard. "Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..." :rolleyes:

    Citizen 20.1.01

    'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

    R Offline
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    Ravi Bhavnani
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    Shog9 wrote:

    It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction.

    My sentiments exactly.  There's nothing else in the world I'd rather do. /ravi

    My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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    • S Shog9 0

      Hasn't happened yet, and i've been at it for over half of my life. It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction. My wife thinks i need counseling, complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her, spending too much of my life hammering away on the keyboard. "Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..." :rolleyes:

      Citizen 20.1.01

      'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

      P Offline
      P Offline
      Paul Conrad
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      Shog9 wrote:

      Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..."

      :laugh: I minimize computer stuff with mine. Learned that when one day I was going on about a very interesting lecture I just went through in my algorithms class years ago. The topic was on NP-Completeness Theory. She is a very intelligent woman, and NP Theory was just too much :laugh: Now I just keep things more mellow like software development methodologies and design considerations.

      "The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon

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      • S Shog9 0

        Hasn't happened yet, and i've been at it for over half of my life. It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction. My wife thinks i need counseling, complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her, spending too much of my life hammering away on the keyboard. "Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..." :rolleyes:

        Citizen 20.1.01

        'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

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        Dalek Dave
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        That sounds so much like what happens in my house! :) (gave a 5 for that btw!)

        ------------------------------------ "I want you to imagine I have a blaster in my hand" - Zaphod Beeblebrox. "You DO have a blaster in your hand" - Freighter Pilot "Yeah, so you don't have to tax your imagination too hard" - Zaphod Beeblebrox

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        • J jhaga

          Every time programming gets boring I just do something else for a while. I don't think you ever loose interest. jhaga

          How to earn $103/month.

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          Shog9 0
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          jhaga wrote:

          I don't think you ever loose interest.

          I loose my interest every day! It does me no good to keep it bound... ;P (yeah, i know, the OP misspelled it first...)

          Citizen 20.1.01

          'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

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          • J Joe Woodbury

            Programming started out very fun. It turned into job with a few spots of joy ten years ago after programming for 18 years, 10 professionally. About three years ago, after a very mentally and physically draining project, it turned into drudgery. I can still do it well, but the joy is almost entirely gone. Now, I'm just working for retirement, though I still insist on doing highly professional work which is increasingly causing problems with managers who have a maddening acceptance of mediocrity and a lack of respect, even contempt, for the engineering process. In the end, this latter thing is what has burned me out more than anything else. Of course, there's also the been-there-done that feeling in so many projects. All too often, I'm really just doing the same thing I've already done.

            Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke

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            Franc Morales
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            "been-there-done-that"... yes, at some point it simply becomes work and the amount of interesting problems to solve grows to zero. When you know that you are going to spend several days doing something that you can write in your sleep, it is time to move on, really... or, at least, to pick up a side project.

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            • F FyreWyrm

              I loose my interest for progamming every six months on my reviews. However, I lose interest in programming at 5:00 pm every work day and don't get it back until 8:00 am the next workday. I don't code for fun at home and my employer strictly forbids contract work on the side.

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              Mycroft Holmes
              wrote on last edited by
              #15

              Tough stuff - while I don't have a second outlet for my needs (developing) at the moment it is the first time in 25 years I have not had 2 or more development streams. I don't think I could work for a company that restrictive!

              Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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              • J Joe Woodbury

                Programming started out very fun. It turned into job with a few spots of joy ten years ago after programming for 18 years, 10 professionally. About three years ago, after a very mentally and physically draining project, it turned into drudgery. I can still do it well, but the joy is almost entirely gone. Now, I'm just working for retirement, though I still insist on doing highly professional work which is increasingly causing problems with managers who have a maddening acceptance of mediocrity and a lack of respect, even contempt, for the engineering process. In the end, this latter thing is what has burned me out more than anything else. Of course, there's also the been-there-done that feeling in so many projects. All too often, I'm really just doing the same thing I've already done.

                Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke

                M Offline
                M Offline
                Mycroft Holmes
                wrote on last edited by
                #16

                Joe Woodbury wrote:

                been-there-done that feeling

                A few months ago I had a stand up shouting argument with the business who wanted a particular solution which was really stupid and would open up a support nightmare. I eventually got my way by handing in my resignation. It was not accepted and we did it my way. I got a formal letter of thanks from the business user last week when they needed to make yet another change to the structure and found it would be possible under the design we used. Now that don't happen often.

                Joe Woodbury wrote:

                Now, I'm just working for retirement,

                That's got to be painful, at least I'm a contractor and have the option to move to another contract. I'm taking that option in January as this contract has deteriorated to support development.

                Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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                • S Shog9 0

                  Hasn't happened yet, and i've been at it for over half of my life. It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction. My wife thinks i need counseling, complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her, spending too much of my life hammering away on the keyboard. "Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..." :rolleyes:

                  Citizen 20.1.01

                  'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Mycroft Holmes
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  A friend of mine's wife started up the computer widows club, if she could ring you at 2 am and get an intelligible answer from the husband you qualified. I remember having to get a quieter keyboard when younger (and poorer) so the wife could sleep while I worked. Ever since we/she has insisted the house has an office.

                  Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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                  • S Samer Aburabie

                    Developers, thats what we are, but I beleive there are types of them: type of which they are writing code out of fun, and type who writes code out of money, and there is a type of which started as fun and turned to the money part, so ... when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                    Sincerely Samer Abu Rabie Software Engineer

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                    J Offline
                    Josh Smith
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    I love programming and do it for fun. I also do it for money. I usually enjoy my side projects more than my work projects, but, hey, it is work after all. I find that having other hobbies, such as playing the piano, writing articles, and studying history, help to reinvigorate my interest in programming when it diminishes. For example, I recently applied some knowledge gained by studying 18th century British political theory to a software design problem. It resulted in this article[^]. I find that each of my hobbies positively influences the others.

                    :josh: My WPF Blog[^] All of life is just a big rambling blog post.

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                    • S Samer Aburabie

                      Developers, thats what we are, but I beleive there are types of them: type of which they are writing code out of fun, and type who writes code out of money, and there is a type of which started as fun and turned to the money part, so ... when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                      Sincerely Samer Abu Rabie Software Engineer

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                      C Offline
                      Chris Austin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      I only write code that I think is fun and I make a lot of money doing it. I tried the enterprisey route but for me it sucked. If there wasn't money in coding it would be a hobby.

                      Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long

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                      • J Josh Smith

                        I love programming and do it for fun. I also do it for money. I usually enjoy my side projects more than my work projects, but, hey, it is work after all. I find that having other hobbies, such as playing the piano, writing articles, and studying history, help to reinvigorate my interest in programming when it diminishes. For example, I recently applied some knowledge gained by studying 18th century British political theory to a software design problem. It resulted in this article[^]. I find that each of my hobbies positively influences the others.

                        :josh: My WPF Blog[^] All of life is just a big rambling blog post.

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                        P Offline
                        Paul Conrad
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        Josh Smith wrote:

                        I usually enjoy my side projects more than my work projects, but, hey, it is work after all.

                        I second that.

                        "The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon

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                        • S Samer Aburabie

                          Developers, thats what we are, but I beleive there are types of them: type of which they are writing code out of fun, and type who writes code out of money, and there is a type of which started as fun and turned to the money part, so ... when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                          Sincerely Samer Abu Rabie Software Engineer

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                          E Offline
                          El Corazon
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          Samer Abu Rabie wrote:

                          when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                          going on 23 professionally, 28 as an amateur... is it supposed to change? When I talk about enjoying a career, I often tell a story from high school. There was a girl there I still owe an apology to. She was a genius, great at all studies, aced her SAT and ACT, she could go to any school, choose any career and she chose clothing design. I had words with her I regret. I was a bit jealous, I worked hard to get in the top 10 and was kicked down to 12 in the last half of 12th grade. It wasn't her fault, nor was it her fault my brother had it easy too, he was a genius as well. I struggled, and struggled and she had the choice of any career, and she chose a career that was related to what was denied me. I was refused art from my family, she had choice I did not.... anyhow the words were harshly spoken, and we never spoke the last few weeks of school, nor since. It took me another 10 years to truly understand. It took me a job in accounting with a bad boss, and beautiful office, to understand that there is more to a job that money, and a gilded cage. Happiness, joyful passage of time. THAT is what makes a job livable. If you find yourself miserable at work and just getting money, what is there left to do? get more money? how? by being more miserable? Does then money equate with misery rather than happiness? what are you earning it for? I found a job that was happier, and closer to the art I enjoyed too. Then I understood, it isn't just the money as my family always thought of, happiness is worth more. My family still want to know how much I make, because they need to compare my success with theirs, I lie by shorting myself from reality, they are happy I make less than them... or so they believe. I have a job that I enjoy, that is all that matters. Amazingly enough, the money increased when I enjoyed it more as well.

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                          • S Shog9 0

                            jhaga wrote:

                            I don't think you ever loose interest.

                            I loose my interest every day! It does me no good to keep it bound... ;P (yeah, i know, the OP misspelled it first...)

                            Citizen 20.1.01

                            'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

                            J Offline
                            J Offline
                            jhaga
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            Not misspelled, just a case of loose typing on a sloppy keyboard. :) jhaga

                            How to earn $104/month.

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                            • S Samer Aburabie

                              Developers, thats what we are, but I beleive there are types of them: type of which they are writing code out of fun, and type who writes code out of money, and there is a type of which started as fun and turned to the money part, so ... when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                              Sincerely Samer Abu Rabie Software Engineer

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              Nice question! I used to be a 'code monkey' years ago but am now more interested in the overall project rather than just the software This is in part because I've moved around quite a bit and my life has been very unsettled. I'm still not as focussed as I would like to be but finally things are taking off at work and there is something I can get my teeth into again which is another part of it.

                              Visit http://www.notreadytogiveup.com/[^] and do something special today.

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                              • S Samer Aburabie

                                Developers, thats what we are, but I beleive there are types of them: type of which they are writing code out of fun, and type who writes code out of money, and there is a type of which started as fun and turned to the money part, so ... when do you think this turn will happen?? in 3 years ?? 5 years ?? 10 years ?? more than that ??!!

                                Sincerely Samer Abu Rabie Software Engineer

                                realJSOPR Online
                                realJSOPR Online
                                realJSOP
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                I used to code at home from the time I got home from work to the time I went to bed at night, and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Nowadays I can't stand to look at a computer if I'm not at work. That started around 2001... I've been coding for a living since 1979.

                                "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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                                • F FyreWyrm

                                  I loose my interest for progamming every six months on my reviews. However, I lose interest in programming at 5:00 pm every work day and don't get it back until 8:00 am the next workday. I don't code for fun at home and my employer strictly forbids contract work on the side.

                                  G Offline
                                  G Offline
                                  Gary R Wheeler
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  FyreWyrm wrote:

                                  my employer strictly forbids contract work on the side

                                  That's a crock. What you do on your own time is your business, not theirs, whether it's doing volunteer work for a charity or working as a stripper in a downtown club.

                                  Software Zen: delete this;
                                  Fold With Us![^]

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                                  • M Mycroft Holmes

                                    Joe Woodbury wrote:

                                    been-there-done that feeling

                                    A few months ago I had a stand up shouting argument with the business who wanted a particular solution which was really stupid and would open up a support nightmare. I eventually got my way by handing in my resignation. It was not accepted and we did it my way. I got a formal letter of thanks from the business user last week when they needed to make yet another change to the structure and found it would be possible under the design we used. Now that don't happen often.

                                    Joe Woodbury wrote:

                                    Now, I'm just working for retirement,

                                    That's got to be painful, at least I'm a contractor and have the option to move to another contract. I'm taking that option in January as this contract has deteriorated to support development.

                                    Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

                                    G Offline
                                    G Offline
                                    Gary R Wheeler
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #26

                                    Mycroft Holmes wrote:

                                    I eventually got my way by handing in my resignation.

                                    Not many of us have either the life situation or the stones that would let us do that. I've worked at my current employer for a long time, and there have been a couple of instances when I should have done that.

                                    Software Zen: delete this;
                                    Fold With Us![^]

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                                    • S Shog9 0

                                      Hasn't happened yet, and i've been at it for over half of my life. It's simultaneously my longest-running hobby, occupation, love, and addiction. My wife thinks i need counseling, complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her, spending too much of my life hammering away on the keyboard. "Hey baby," i tell her, "at least i let you watch..." :rolleyes:

                                      Citizen 20.1.01

                                      'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

                                      G Offline
                                      G Offline
                                      Gary R Wheeler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      Shog9 wrote:

                                      complaining that i don't pay enough attention to her

                                      I doubt that has anything to do with your profession. All wives do that.

                                      Software Zen: delete this;
                                      Fold With Us![^]

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                                      • G Gary R Wheeler

                                        Mycroft Holmes wrote:

                                        I eventually got my way by handing in my resignation.

                                        Not many of us have either the life situation or the stones that would let us do that. I've worked at my current employer for a long time, and there have been a couple of instances when I should have done that.

                                        Software Zen: delete this;
                                        Fold With Us![^]

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                                        M Offline
                                        Mycroft Holmes
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        Yah - long time contractor so the cost of changing jobs is already factored into my life style. This is the main difference between contractor and FT, and the fact that I don't have to put up with office politics where the food chain is concerned. There are of course down side to each employment type, job security is one for me ;P.

                                        Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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                                        • realJSOPR realJSOP

                                          I used to code at home from the time I got home from work to the time I went to bed at night, and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Nowadays I can't stand to look at a computer if I'm not at work. That started around 2001... I've been coding for a living since 1979.

                                          "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

                                          M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          Mycroft Holmes
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #29

                                          Mid 80s and I still code on the weekends, evenings are for me, a nice bottle of red and the wife!

                                          Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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