I don’t really give a tulip any more

[Mich the Tester]

As an American contributor to another board put it, if the terminal had a coin slot beside it, I'd have been feeding in quarters to get to do more programming.

In my early days I was kicked out by night security, dragged out to the pub by colleagues, etc. Now it's a case of stay on course, where else would I make such money. And I'm ashamed to say I can't come up with a plan B.

Still, it was fun.

I remember that too. The fun’s been managed out of IT, and with it has gone the productivity and the innovation.

[Pogle]

Obviously something wrong with me then, 12 years on and I'm still enjoying IT - when I've got a contract that is...

[expat]

Obviously something wrong with me then, 12 years on and I'm still enjoying IT - when I've got a contract that is...

Yeah, the first 12 years were OK

[d000hg]

Forgot to mention. Why I go to initial client meetings I often ask what they use for a code repository, found it a fail-safe way of determining their ****ed-up-ness.

If it's CVS they're OK, if it's Subversion they've got a few too many anal types

?!?!

Also, you didn't mention SourceSafe

[Purple Dalek]

?!?!

Also, you didn't mention SourceSafe

I didn't mention the system using coke cans with file names scribbled on them either. For much the same reason.

[Mich the Tester]

I didn't mention the system using coke cans with file names scribbled on them either. For much the same reason.

Could a highly efficient code repository not be constructed from some old pot noodle tubs and a permanent marker?

[ratewhore]

I remember that too. The fun’s been managed out of IT, and with it has gone the productivity and the innovation.

It's not that the fun has been managed out of IT, it's that these days, IT has been streamlined into the business much more. Rather than building stuff because you can, the industry is now building stuff because the business has a need that required fulfilling. It's part and parcel of becoming a more mature industry.

If you want fun, go and become a therapist. I reckon other peoples sob stories would cheer you up no end...

[Purple Dalek]

Could a highly efficient code repository not be constructed from some old pot noodle tubs and a permanent marker?

Indeed, many use coke cans, but the advantage of pot noodle tubs is they can be stacked and hence take up less space.

Just hope everyone on the team is as good with the alphabet when checking in and out a file...

Locking a branch would be ramming a knitting needle through a whole stack.

[Spacecadet]

Obviously something wrong with me then, 12 years on and I'm still enjoying IT - when I've got a contract that is...

same here... although 10 years not 12

Can't see myself doing anything else. I enjoy the mental stimulation too much and I can't think of any other careers which I could easily move into which would provide the same satisfaction.

[gingerjedi]

If you want to do interesting stuff and money is not a driver, then academia is just the thing. The road is long and hard though especially if you do it part time - I know, I've just started on it

Please say you're going to become a climatologist… please, please..