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This got a chuckle out of me. Really though, what does this mean for people who work in Software? Take a more complicated project than you think you can handl

by gxs 9y ago

This got a chuckle out of me. Really though, what does this mean for people who work in Software? Take a more complicated project than you think you can handle? More speaking engagements (assuming you don't do that regularly?) Asking people out to lunch? Hard to say.

lliamander 9y ago
I think you have the right idea. Here are my interpretations: - never take a job for which you meet all of the "required skills and experience" (e.g. look for jobs in which there is at least one new technology in the stack) - never take on a project that's a rehash of one you've done before It's never bad idea to get paid to learn something new.
- randcraw 9y ago
  Take a software job that requires you to change roles from those you know, or take the lead, adding responsibility in one or more ways: - technical expertise (esp a subject new to you) - project time management - project cost estimating - writing up and publishing your work - coordinating resources for new contracts - writing proposals for new projects - speaking publicly in promotion of what you will do or in explanation of what you have done - exploring / growing a new business area There are many ways in software to expand your range.
- twoquestions 9y ago
  > never take a job for which you meet all of the "required skills and experience" Is there a way to do this without knowing someone who can get you through the HR firewall, then being known as "That Idiot" until you figure it out? EDIT: Difficulty, you must be an average programmer. Linus could probably get a job wherever.
  - groby_b 9y ago
    Since we're all "That Idiot" to somebody anyways, might as well not worry about it. Leaves the HR firewall. You undermine that by having somebody on the inside refer you. Or by having a work history that gets you in the door (which, of course, has a bootstrap problem). Or by working on OSS in that field. In other words: Anything that makes you stand out positively from all the other average programmers.
dwaltrip 9y ago
It's basically the tried and true idea that progress and growth comes from difficult exertion of one form or another. If the muscle isn't ever tired, it probably isn't getting stronger. If there is no uncertainty in how to solve any parts of the problem, one won't learn as much. Fortunately, difficulty is often correlated with interestingness (not always though).

by gxs 9y ago

lliamander 9y ago

I think you have the right idea. Here are my interpretations: - never take a job for which you meet all of the "required skills and experience" (e.g. look for jobs in which there is at least one new technology in the stack) - never take on a project that's a rehash of one you've done before It's never bad idea to get paid to learn something new.

randcraw 9y ago
Take a software job that requires you to change roles from those you know, or take the lead, adding responsibility in one or more ways: - technical expertise (esp a subject new to you) - project time management - project cost estimating - writing up and publishing your work - coordinating resources for new contracts - writing proposals for new projects - speaking publicly in promotion of what you will do or in explanation of what you have done - exploring / growing a new business area There are many ways in software to expand your range.
twoquestions 9y ago
> never take a job for which you meet all of the "required skills and experience" Is there a way to do this without knowing someone who can get you through the HR firewall, then being known as "That Idiot" until you figure it out? EDIT: Difficulty, you must be an average programmer. Linus could probably get a job wherever.
- groby_b 9y ago
  Since we're all "That Idiot" to somebody anyways, might as well not worry about it. Leaves the HR firewall. You undermine that by having somebody on the inside refer you. Or by having a work history that gets you in the door (which, of course, has a bootstrap problem). Or by working on OSS in that field. In other words: Anything that makes you stand out positively from all the other average programmers.

dwaltrip 9y ago

It's basically the tried and true idea that progress and growth comes from difficult exertion of one form or another. If the muscle isn't ever tired, it probably isn't getting stronger. If there is no uncertainty in how to solve any parts of the problem, one won't learn as much. Fortunately, difficulty is often correlated with interestingness (not always though).