Guilt

[minestrone]

If you do feel guilty, read this book;

linkywinky

It’s a brilliant analysis of what’s really going on in large office environments. Whole legions of zombies pretending to be busy, but actually doing very little having had all their motivation knocked out of them by piss poor management. I agree with a lot of what he says, but I’m not convinced by his idea of employing specialist ‘professional managers’ who need know little about the nuts and bolts of a business; I actually think those types are part of the problem.

I worked close to a PM a couple of years ago who apparently said in a meeting when a developer tried to explain some technical issues "I don't care what it f****n' is, just tell me when you are going to start it and when you are going to finish it". The guy might as well be running a team in a double glazing fitters.

I had to explain to my PM a few weeks ago what a VM was, she has been working in a java team for about 5 years, I don't expect her to write a multithreaded server, just have an appreciation of the very basics of the basics.

I think the most successful teams are the ones where the majority of people have a good understanding of the technology, it may be fairer to say that you can tell a successful team when the managers understand the technology.

In Google the PMs are expected to do some coding and that is probably why they are where they are.

[minestrone]

Take it you guys take your own laptop onsite for anything regarding PlanB? Do typical contractor contracts have the permie clause that any work you do on-site belongs to your client?

I upload and download my stuff to the works PC using getdropbox.com and store it hidden under my documents, about 6 directories down, I have a delete batch file and have a shortcut that runs on CRTL + SHIFT + D to run it instantly if I feel they are onto me.

[d000hg]

I upload and download my stuff to the works PC using getdropbox.com and store it hidden under my documents, about 6 directories down, I have a delete batch file and have a shortcut that runs on CRTL + SHIFT + D to run it instantly if I feel they are onto me.

Well in that case I think you should feel guilty, using their equipment for your private work is cheeky if not breaking your contract.
In my mind, using time you're being paid for is not too bad if you genuinely have nothing on your TODO list, beyond that is taking the pee somewhat.

[d000hg]

I worked close to a PM a couple of years ago who apparently said in a meeting when a developer tried to explain some technical issues "I don't care what it f****n' is, just tell me when you are going to start it and when you are going to finish it". The guy might as well be running a team in a double glazing fitters.

Why does he heed to know? As long as developers can give good estimates and point out any needs/prerequisites in terms of hardware/software, the PM can do his job effectively.
Of course technical knowledge can be an advantage but the last thing you want is the PM saying "well we never needed OO back when I worked for 20 years as a C programmer, stop wasting time with design patterns and unit test and write some damn code".

[Platypus]

"well we never needed OO back when I worked for 20 years as a C programmer, stop wasting time with design patterns and unit test and write some damn code".

Have we met?

[minestrone]

Well in that case I think you should feel guilty, using their equipment for your private work is cheeky if not breaking your contract.
In my mind, using time you're being paid for is not too bad if you genuinely have nothing on your TODO list, beyond that is taking the pee somewhat.

ClientCo should feel guilty for the way they have ran my pension for the last 10 years, I see this as getting something back from the useless feckers.

[gingerjedi]

If you do feel guilty, read this book;

linkywinky

It’s a brilliant analysis of what’s really going on in large office environments. Whole legions of zombies pretending to be busy, but actually doing very little having had all their motivation knocked out of them by piss poor management. I agree with a lot of what he says, but I’m not convinced by his idea of employing specialist ‘professional managers’ who need know little about the nuts and bolts of a business; I actually think those types are part of the problem.

I wouldn't want that book to depress me, I'm reading this as recommended by The Faqqer, I surprised myself by how much I've already moved towards what he talks about, I'm on the road to freedom!!