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I am myself a passionate developer, that doesn't mean I have the time to make massive open-source projects just to get a better resume, because I'm neck deep in

I am myself a passionate developer, that doesn't mean I have the time to make massive open-source projects just to get a better resume, because I'm neck deep in writing code for the company I have been running for the last 7 years. Not all people have the luxury to figure out something worthwhile do do and put on github. I hate hiring people and putting a price tag on them, it's a cruel world but not every job interview has to be like American Idol if you know what I mean. Of course he should try to find people that care but that doesn't mean that the people that care has to write excellent code, or that they have to write tons of open source code. They just need to deliver at work.

kkowalczyk 15y ago
You're absolutely right: they just need to deliver at work. At the same time let's assume, for the sake of the argument, that having side coding project is the best predictor whether someone can "deliver at work". If that's the case then it's perfectly rational for an employer to look for people who do that. Is it the case? I certainly think that when I look at someone's non trivial code, I can better tell whether he's a competent programmer than from reading a one page resume or even an hour long interview. Important note: it's not the existence of the code that is important but an existence of good code.
ctdonath 15y ago
At risk of inspiring ire... I'd have certain doubts of someone who does produce lots of open-source code, insofar as that could be construed as they don't think highly enough of their own code to sell it. (As I write I'm waiting for GCC to rebuild due to the need to fix a bug therein. That such a bug exists at this late date in a product so widely used as a foundational tool does not inspire confidence in OSS. I find such flaws tend not to occur in "closed" software, where someone is paid to polish the corners that nobody wants to.)
- orangecat 15y ago
  I'd have certain doubts of someone who does produce lots of open-source code, insofar as that could be construed as they don't think highly enough of their own code to sell it. Also, people who do volunteer work are obviously unqualified. I find such flaws tend not to occur in "closed" software, where someone is paid to polish the corners that nobody wants to. "A" bug in gcc proves that open source stinks? Have you used IE6?
- dlo 15y ago
  Out of curiosity, what bug did you encounter?
prodigal_erik 15y ago
Running a company for seven years would exempt you from any questions I could have about your passion.

kkowalczyk 15y ago

You're absolutely right: they just need to deliver at work. At the same time let's assume, for the sake of the argument, that having side coding project is the best predictor whether someone can "deliver at work". If that's the case then it's perfectly rational for an employer to look for people who do that. Is it the case? I certainly think that when I look at someone's non trivial code, I can better tell whether he's a competent programmer than from reading a one page resume or even an hour long interview. Important note: it's not the existence of the code that is important but an existence of good code.

ctdonath 15y ago

At risk of inspiring ire... I'd have certain doubts of someone who does produce lots of open-source code, insofar as that could be construed as they don't think highly enough of their own code to sell it. (As I write I'm waiting for GCC to rebuild due to the need to fix a bug therein. That such a bug exists at this late date in a product so widely used as a foundational tool does not inspire confidence in OSS. I find such flaws tend not to occur in "closed" software, where someone is paid to polish the corners that nobody wants to.)

orangecat 15y ago
I'd have certain doubts of someone who does produce lots of open-source code, insofar as that could be construed as they don't think highly enough of their own code to sell it. Also, people who do volunteer work are obviously unqualified. I find such flaws tend not to occur in "closed" software, where someone is paid to polish the corners that nobody wants to. "A" bug in gcc proves that open source stinks? Have you used IE6?
dlo 15y ago
Out of curiosity, what bug did you encounter?

prodigal_erik 15y ago

Running a company for seven years would exempt you from any questions I could have about your passion.