It is difficult to work in a particular field and then come home and do the same thing. As an electronics enthusiastic from a very early age, due to a series of life events, I eventually wound up building a small audiovisual/electronics/computer repair shop for an educational agency. We even did some of the early computer networking with Corvus networks (what fun keeping them going).
The problem was that as much as I enjoyed my work, and sometimes I could hardly believe I was getting paid to do something that was challenging and yet enjoyable, it just was not something you wanted to do when you came home at the end of the day. Now that I am retired and have a modest workshop, I find that I only rarely do much with electronic building because it is so difficult with poor eyesight accomodation, such as being able to solder without special binoculars. SMT would be really hard now. I tried learning programming a few decades ago and realized that it just was not something I was smart enough or capable enough to do. Especially not machine language level stuff. But at least I have a crude understanding how it works. I think I speak for many, of not most of us, that we are amazed and in awe really, of those who can do good coding. If I had the ability I would be doing it now, but only a tiny handful of people can do this kind of work well. Ham software has done very well over the years for many categories. Far better than I ever expected was possible. It only takes one gifted person to do some excellent coding and have a great program. I expect even more amateur radio software in the future as more people have access to computers and computing, even in developing countries. Thanks to all who are so successful and are willing to share this with the rest of us. 73, Rick, KV9U Simon Brown wrote: >I bang my head against a large lump of concrete while supporting / >developing for all of 'Windows / VMS / OS400 / Linux / UNIX (6 flavours)' >for my company, I am *not* going to do it for a hobby! (I sometimes doubt my >sanity in programming as I do in my spare time.) > >Easy it is not, soul-destroying - yes! And my customers are professionals, >just imagine supports thousands of enthusiasts - show me the way to the >padded cell please. > >IMO Ham software is not financially viable, without sponsorship and use of >my company's assets I couldn't do what I do at the moment. >----- >Simon Brown, HB9DRV > > > > >
