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Fair point. The context of my question: - I want to build my own websites, 3 months to learn (not unheard of, right?) - I need cash quite fast and if I can bui

Fair point. The context of my question: - I want to build my own websites, 3 months to learn (not unheard of, right?) - I need cash quite fast and if I can build my own website, why not somebody else's too...

gregjor 16y ago
Good luck. Why programming? Why not learn bookkeeping in three months? Or get a real estate license? Plumbers make good money. I can snake my own drain and hook up a sprinkler -- why not do it for other people and charge them? Three months to learn to do a dynamic, secure, database-backed website is unheard of. I have 30+ years experience programming, 10+ on the web, and I specialize in fixing/replacing sites put together by developers who got in over their head and didn't know what they were doing. I have worked on hundreds of web sites and I've never seen a customer happy with their $25/hr site their nephew or power-user business partner or overseas oDesk consultant cobbled together. By all means learn web development -- it's a good job with lots of work. But don't expect to be making $30/hr in three months. No client is going to hire you without a portfolio and a track record. When I was eager to learn programming I got a job at a place where I could learn from professional programmers. I'd advise you to look for a tech support job somewhere you can conceivably move into programming and web development with someone mentoring you.
- ebaysucks 16y ago
  Why programming: A basic trend is that everything becomes digital. Hence I want to be in web startups. If I'll be doing web stuff for the next couple of decades I might as well learn how to program. It's possible to run a cab company without a driver's license, but it's not very convenient.
  - gregjor 16y ago
    Nothing wrong with learning to program. You might get farther asking for help and advice if you didn't assume it's so easy that you can learn how to do it from books and web sites in a few months. You're insulting people who have put lots of time and effort into programming and web development. You will get a similar reaction from any skilled professional or tradesperson if you suggest you can go from zero to employed in a few months by reading books. It probably is possible to learn how to drive a car and the rules of collecting cab fares in three months. It's probably not possible to learn how to efficiently navigate a medium-sized or larger city in that time. London cab drivers study for nearly three years and average 12 exams to get their hack license. Good luck with your career change. I think your expectations are unrealistic, and I've worked with a lot of programmers, but I'm prepared to be surprised. Post again in three months to tell about your first contract job.
    - ebaysucks 16y ago
      Thanks. I didn't intent to insult anyone but you're right my post implies that.

gregjor 16y ago

Good luck. Why programming? Why not learn bookkeeping in three months? Or get a real estate license? Plumbers make good money. I can snake my own drain and hook up a sprinkler -- why not do it for other people and charge them? Three months to learn to do a dynamic, secure, database-backed website is unheard of. I have 30+ years experience programming, 10+ on the web, and I specialize in fixing/replacing sites put together by developers who got in over their head and didn't know what they were doing. I have worked on hundreds of web sites and I've never seen a customer happy with their $25/hr site their nephew or power-user business partner or overseas oDesk consultant cobbled together. By all means learn web development -- it's a good job with lots of work. But don't expect to be making $30/hr in three months. No client is going to hire you without a portfolio and a track record. When I was eager to learn programming I got a job at a place where I could learn from professional programmers. I'd advise you to look for a tech support job somewhere you can conceivably move into programming and web development with someone mentoring you.

ebaysucks 16y ago
Why programming: A basic trend is that everything becomes digital. Hence I want to be in web startups. If I'll be doing web stuff for the next couple of decades I might as well learn how to program. It's possible to run a cab company without a driver's license, but it's not very convenient.
- gregjor 16y ago
  Nothing wrong with learning to program. You might get farther asking for help and advice if you didn't assume it's so easy that you can learn how to do it from books and web sites in a few months. You're insulting people who have put lots of time and effort into programming and web development. You will get a similar reaction from any skilled professional or tradesperson if you suggest you can go from zero to employed in a few months by reading books. It probably is possible to learn how to drive a car and the rules of collecting cab fares in three months. It's probably not possible to learn how to efficiently navigate a medium-sized or larger city in that time. London cab drivers study for nearly three years and average 12 exams to get their hack license. Good luck with your career change. I think your expectations are unrealistic, and I've worked with a lot of programmers, but I'm prepared to be surprised. Post again in three months to tell about your first contract job.
  - ebaysucks 16y ago
    Thanks. I didn't intent to insult anyone but you're right my post implies that.