And we're back

[Ian]

Thanks, @Ian !

Over at other boards in the past, they would for some reason all of sudden decide to do maintenance around the NFL draft and drive people crazy....

BTW, are you an IT guy by profession? Just wondering how much of this is "self taught".....

LOL, no, not an IT guy. My server knowledge is definitely limited but I know enough to at least navigate through most of it on my own, with the more complex stuff generally done with the assistance of the techs. But as far as the programming, site design, etc. all of that is 100% self-taught and I do all of it. But it's not too crazy because you have to keep in mind that it's been 20-years, so it's been a long road.

This place started out really basic and then all I really did was learn one thing and then try and take another small step forward. The best analogy I guess I can give is it's just like learning a language. You learn a word, and then you try and learn another one and then after a while you start putting a few of those together and can start saying sentences.

That's sort of what programming is like. You do something basic, then try and do something a little tougher, and a little tougher. For me, I learned everything with books so I have a ton of them. The hardest part is just the fact that it's constantly changing so just when I feel like I know anything, I have to learn things all over again. I've actually torn this place down and redone it countless times and I try and add new things as I've learned a little more. You've been here for a long time, you've obviously seen it.

But yes, I have an entire bookcase full of books. Between programming, audio/video editing, social media, writing, etc. I've learned a lot. Although how does the saying go? Jack of all trades, master of none? That essentially describes me...hence the reason I've been selling appliances in the real world for 20+ years.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

New term for the members to use: IAN like quickness...

 

[fnordcircle]

Completely unacceptable that this site has been down so much.

I have contacted my congressperson. Prepare for pain, Ian, your despotic rule is coming to an end.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Completely unacceptable that this site has been down so much.

I have contacted my congressperson. Prepare for pain, Ian, your despotic rule is coming to an end.

He just can’t keep politics out of it.

 

[jah]

LOL, no, not an IT guy. My server knowledge is definitely limited but I know enough to at least navigate through most of it on my own, with the more complex stuff generally done with the assistance of the techs. But as far as the programming, site design, etc. all of that is 100% self-taught and I do all of it. But it's not too crazy because you have to keep in mind that it's been 20-years, so it's been a long road.

This place started out really basic and then all I really did was learn one thing and then try and take another small step forward. The best analogy I guess I can give is it's just like learning a language. You learn a word, and then you try and learn another one and then after a while you start putting a few of those together and can start saying sentences.

That's sort of what programming is like. You do something basic, then try and do something a little tougher, and a little tougher. For me, I learned everything with books so I have a ton of them. The hardest part is just the fact that it's constantly changing so just when I feel like I know anything, I have to learn things all over again. I've actually torn this place down and redone it countless times and I try and add new things as I've learned a little more. You've been here for a long time, you've obviously seen it.

But yes, I have an entire bookcase full of books. Between programming, audio/video editing, social media, writing, etc. I've learned a lot. Although how does the saying go? Jack of all trades, master of none? That essentially describes me...hence the reason I've been selling appliances in the real world for 20+ years.

I'm sure you already know this, but this site alone could easily land you a job in IT or web development if you ever decided that was the way to go. Far less competent people such as myself get hired and find success in the field.

At the same time, my friends and family "can't imagine sitting at a computer for a living", so it's probably not as enjoyable for most people as it is for me. Totally understand why someone would only do programming on the side.

 

[Ian]

I'm sure you already know this, but this site alone could easily land you a job in IT or web development if you ever decided that was the way to go. Far less competent people such as myself get hired and find success in the field.

At the same time, my friends and family "can't imagine sitting at a computer for a living", so it's probably not as enjoyable for most people as it is for me. Totally understand why someone would only do programming on the side.

I've applied for a few jobs using this site on my resume when I was trying to make a career change into that years ago, but I couldn't even get an interview. The site name tends to garner an eyeroll...people don't quite get it. But I've done some freelance stuff here and there and was thinking about maybe someday doing something along those lines. The hard part, as I'm sure you probably know, is it's hard to walk away from the stability of having a decent job with a mortgage, kids in college, etc. and doing that. But hopefully someday, because I do enjoy doing this and that's always been the cool part about this place. It's fun trying to do new things and between hanging out and talking with people here and working on stuff to try and keep making it a little better, it's always been a nice distraction. A lot of people have hobbies. Mine just happens to be this

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

I've applied for a few jobs using this site on my resume when I was trying to make a career change into that years ago, but I couldn't even get an interview.

They saw the GDTs, didn't they?

Regards,
Chris

 

[Kontradiction]

I've applied for a few jobs using this site on my resume when I was trying to make a career change into that years ago, but I couldn't even get an interview. The site name tends to garner an eyeroll...people don't quite get it. But I've done some freelance stuff here and there and was thinking about maybe someday doing something along those lines. The hard part, as I'm sure you probably know, is it's hard to walk away from the stability of having a decent job with a mortgage, kids in college, etc. and doing that. But hopefully someday, because I do enjoy doing this and that's always been the cool part about this place. It's fun trying to do new things and between hanging out and talking with people here and working on stuff to try and keep making it a little better, it's always been a nice distraction. A lot of people have hobbies. Mine just happens to be this

I'd hire you in a heart beat as a Business Analyst. With your calm attitude, you'd probably end up as my right hand man/specialist in no time. A lot of what we do, as far as projects are concerned, is IT-related. You'd have to put up with me as a boss though. If you read the Brinkman book "Dealing With People You Can't Stand," I'm "The Tank."

 

[Ian]

I'd hire you in a heart beat as a Business Analyst. With your calm attitude, you'd probably end up as my right hand man/specialist in no time. A lot of what we do, as far as projects are concerned, is IT-related. You'd have to put up with me as a boss though. If you read the Brinkman book "Dealing With People You Can't Stand," I'm "The Tank."

LOL, I appreciate that. Thinking about when my son gets done with college maybe I'll start taking some classes and getting a degree, that's obviously the thing that I'm missing. My wife and I have talked about it, so that will hopefully be the plan.

 

[maust]

Thinking about when my son gets done with college...

The pot o gold at the end of that particular rainbow must be getting close enough to see soon I expect.

 

[Ian]

The pot o gold at the end of that particular rainbow must be getting close enough to see soon I expect.

Yeah, we somehow got my daughter through and now him (almost). She's working and self sufficient, so when that day eventually comes for him, we'll be feeling pretty good about ourselves

 

[Kontradiction]

LOL, I appreciate that. Thinking about when my son gets done with college maybe I'll start taking some classes and getting a degree, that's obviously the thing that I'm missing. My wife and I have talked about it, so that will hopefully be the plan.

Don’t get complacent. You’re never too old to learn a thing or two. With that comes growth. Now is the best time to work on yourself, with the kids getting self-sufficient. Go hard on the books, then the career, and retire earlier. Give me a holler whenever you’re ready.

 

[maust]

Yeah, we somehow got my daughter through and now him (almost). She's working and self sufficient, so when that day eventually comes for him, we'll be feeling pretty good about ourselves

And shortly thereafter will come weddings, helping with their own homes and grandkids then providing seemingly perpetual daycare. Not saying grandkids aren't the greatest thing in the universe because they definitely are, they are your reward for not eating your own young when it could easily have been justified, just that the lull between getting your kids out of college and new demands on your time and energy often isn't long so don't let the grass grow under your feet if you want that degree.

 

[Clonamery]

LOL, I appreciate that. Thinking about when my son gets done with college maybe I'll start taking some classes and getting a degree, that's obviously the thing that I'm missing. My wife and I have talked about it, so that will hopefully be the plan.

My sister is a BA Mgr for Northwell Health down on Long Island. She has your temperament. Her career took off when she switched from programmer to analyst. Challenge your weaknesses.

 

[Patsgofor4]

Is there any way to increase the file size limits on uploads? The current limits are severely limiting my sarcastic/snarky GIF options.

 

[Ian]

Is there anyway to increase the file size limits on uploads? The current limits are severely limiting my sarcastic/snarky GIF options.

Yes, I just increased it

 

[maust]

Challenge your weaknesses.

Unless your weakness is redheads, then never ever even so much as think about it

 

[oldrover]

Is there any way to increase the file size limits on uploads? The current limits are severely limiting my sarcastic/snarky GIF options.

 

[IcyPatriot]

How many times has Ian been back over the years ...

 

[farn]

@Ian : forget the courses and “using this site on your CV”. The reasons you are employable are far more important than those. You are dependable, you remain calm under fire, you are able to be (almost) universally liked by hundreds of strangers, and your moral compass is beyond reproach.

When you decide to put your name out there, those are the qualities that’ll get you the job. Papers, schmapers.