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'Time credit' - I like it. One thing that really bugs me is when you tell somebody about some entertaining or worthwhile pursuit of yours, and they reply saying

by Tycho 17y ago

'Time credit' - I like it. One thing that really bugs me is when you tell somebody about some entertaining or worthwhile pursuit of yours, and they reply saying 'It sounds interesting, but I don't have time for it unfortunately.' Thereby implying that you are lazy, and they are busy. Argh! Incidentally, has anyone ever conducted a study correlating number of emails sent within an organization and productivity? I've walked through large offices and seen nothing but Lotus Notes on peoples' screens (and I don't mean frivalous emails either, these are 'important' emails/memos).

jmatt 17y ago
One thing that really bugs me is when you tell somebody about some entertaining or worthwhile pursuit of yours, and they reply saying 'It sounds interesting, but I don't have time for it unfortunately.' Thereby implying that you are lazy, and they are busy. Argh! I totally agree and have heard that before and thought the same thing. I've walked through large offices and seen nothing but Lotus Notes on peoples' screens (and I don't mean frivalous emails either, these are 'important' emails/memos). My experience: productivity == 1 / count(email + phone calls) This may be something that is specific to programmers on small teams. I think many of these metrics apply to other areas in business such as Sales where there may be a relation between phone calls or emails and results (Or similarly in customer relations or customer service). A common exception when programming is fixing bugs. When progress is being made there may be a flurry of communication as the source of the bug is identified and fixed.
jodrellblank 17y ago
Msybe they are taking offence that you are implying they have so little to do that they could take up your hobby as well.
stingraycharles 17y ago
[..] and they reply saying 'It sounds interesting, but I don't have time for it unfortunately.' Thereby implying that you are lazy, and they are busy. Don't assume they're implying you're lazy, it could very well be a way of telling you that they don't find it that interesting without being rude. Besides, what's wrong with having different interests? Isn't it normal that one person finds something more interesting than the other, and therefore is willing to spend more of his spare time on it? That doesn't imply one is more lazy than the other, that just means they have different passions.
- Tycho 17y ago
  The first problem with saying 'I just don't have time for it' is its a bare-faced lie! I have to resist the urge to scream 'BUT YOU HAVE TIME TO WATCH EASTENDERS?!' ;) The second problem is - why not just tell the truth? 'It doesn't really appeal to me, personally.' (talking about neutral subjects here, not requests for favours etc)

by Tycho 17y ago

jmatt 17y ago

One thing that really bugs me is when you tell somebody about some entertaining or worthwhile pursuit of yours, and they reply saying 'It sounds interesting, but I don't have time for it unfortunately.' Thereby implying that you are lazy, and they are busy. Argh! I totally agree and have heard that before and thought the same thing. I've walked through large offices and seen nothing but Lotus Notes on peoples' screens (and I don't mean frivalous emails either, these are 'important' emails/memos). My experience: productivity == 1 / count(email + phone calls) This may be something that is specific to programmers on small teams. I think many of these metrics apply to other areas in business such as Sales where there may be a relation between phone calls or emails and results (Or similarly in customer relations or customer service). A common exception when programming is fixing bugs. When progress is being made there may be a flurry of communication as the source of the bug is identified and fixed.

jodrellblank 17y ago

Msybe they are taking offence that you are implying they have so little to do that they could take up your hobby as well.

stingraycharles 17y ago

[..] and they reply saying 'It sounds interesting, but I don't have time for it unfortunately.' Thereby implying that you are lazy, and they are busy. Don't assume they're implying you're lazy, it could very well be a way of telling you that they don't find it that interesting without being rude. Besides, what's wrong with having different interests? Isn't it normal that one person finds something more interesting than the other, and therefore is willing to spend more of his spare time on it? That doesn't imply one is more lazy than the other, that just means they have different passions.

Tycho 17y ago
The first problem with saying 'I just don't have time for it' is its a bare-faced lie! I have to resist the urge to scream 'BUT YOU HAVE TIME TO WATCH EASTENDERS?!' ;) The second problem is - why not just tell the truth? 'It doesn't really appeal to me, personally.' (talking about neutral subjects here, not requests for favours etc)