Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by LaminatorX on Friday June 13 2014, @03:49AM   Printer-friendly
from the Whackathon dept.

A recent article from Dzone highlighted how overwork can lead to Chronic stress. The workaholic nature of IT coupled with a culture that deems late night hacking a good thing can cause problems IT workers, and the list of systems lines up perfectly with many experienced coders.

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by My Silly Name on Friday June 13 2014, @04:25PM

    by My Silly Name (1528) on Friday June 13 2014, @04:25PM (#55035)
    Excellent and relevant post. Why AC?

    The thing is not to be too firmly stuck to a single career path. I was a sysprog for many years, but jumped from a toxic workplace in the middle of the economic recession in 1990 to train as a blacksmith. I carried on doing that for 10 years, then took a degree course in molecular biology and ended up as a cheesemaker. Meanwhile, I make stringed musical instruments, which is something that has fascinated me since I was a teenager.

    It makes it complicated to answer when people ask "what do you do?" but at least the answer isn't totally boring.

    One of the saddest things I have heard in my life is when an old(er) guy gave way to me in a checkout queue at a supermarket, saying "I've got nothing to do, and all day to do it in".
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +1  
       Insightful=1, Total=1
    Extra 'Insightful' Modifier   0  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @04:50PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @04:50PM (#55046)

    The main reason people go to work is to make money to support themselves and their dependents. Yet that aspect is almost never addressed in posts about career changes.

    If you wouldn't mind, could you tell us if you had a family to support, and a vague range of how much a blacksmith or cheesemaker brings in per year? Just ballpark.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @05:05PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @05:05PM (#55050)

      The main reason people go to work is to make money to support themselves and their dependents. Yet that aspect is almost never addressed in posts about career changes.

      If you wouldn't mind, could you tell us if you had a family to support, and a vague range of how much a blacksmith or cheesemaker brings in per year? Just ballpark.

      Can't speak for the blacksmith, but I can tell you that I do have a family (and did back when I burned out and went broke, which isn't good for a family in case you're wondering), and as a writer I knock down six digits in annual income.

      My biggest love: all the new indie author options (Amazon rates a special mention).

      My biggest gripe: Pelosicare's demented meddlings which invalidated my previous healthcare and left me with no good options. Fortunately, I'm sufficiently productive and well off to absorb the costs.

      • (Score: 2) by velex on Friday June 13 2014, @05:50PM

        by velex (2068) on Friday June 13 2014, @05:50PM (#55067) Journal

        Questions if I may. How did you get started as a writer? Was it indie or through a traditional publisher?

        What genre do you write? How often do you publish?

        I'm considering this option and was interested by Amazon as well although I don't know enough yet to properly judge that option. I probably couldn't knock down six digits (won't know until I try though I guess) but it would be nice to have an additional source of income.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @06:17PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @06:17PM (#55076)

          Questions if I may. How did you get started as a writer? Was it indie or through a traditional publisher?

          Don't confuse writing with getting published. One is a prerequisite for the other, that's all.

          I got started as a child. When I'm not creating, I itch. Then I twitch.

          Publication: I started free, using blogs. I built exposure, and built my following. Ultimately, I published for money, all electronic, all indie.

          What genre do you write? How often do you publish?

          I write in a couple. Classic fantasy. Near future dystopia. Hard science fiction. I try to get something new out once every six months, but that's more aspirational than a hard timetable. In a good year, I get three out the door.

          I'm considering this option and was interested by Amazon as well although I don't know enough yet to properly judge that option. I probably couldn't knock down six digits (won't know until I try though I guess) but it would be nice to have an additional source of income.

          Amazon has not done me wrong, but it's good to consider your options.

          What helps you hit a living wage is exposure, and a tribe of people who know you, like you, and will reliably purchase what you put out. That, and a back catalogue so that new readers who find you will probably put a few bucks in your pocket at a time just to catch up on you.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @04:53PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 13 2014, @04:53PM (#55047)

    Excellent and relevant post. Why AC?

    Thank you. AC because the excellence and relevance do not depend on an attached identity.

    The thing is not to be too firmly stuck to a single career path. I was a sysprog for many years, but jumped from a toxic workplace in the middle of the economic recession in 1990 to train as a blacksmith. I carried on doing that for 10 years, then took a degree course in molecular biology and ended up as a cheesemaker. Meanwhile, I make stringed musical instruments, which is something that has fascinated me since I was a teenager.

    I was less of a programmer, than a devops/sysadmin/dba sort. Paid my dues with CAT5 in my teeth crawling under desks.

    The pervasive, pernicious ageism of the industry helped me make up my mind to leave it. Now I write for a living, and make wine as a hobby.

    It makes it complicated to answer when people ask "what do you do?" but at least the answer isn't totally boring.

    One of the saddest things I have heard in my life is when an old(er) guy gave way to me in a checkout queue at a supermarket, saying "I've got nothing to do, and all day to do it in".

    I'm always willing to allow for people who have found their zen. If your life's goal was to be able to put your feet up, that's your idea of heaven. It's not mine, but I won't judge someone for it.