Hey Ted,
Thanks for your feedback. And, considering the LAST comment you made
below - I figured I might as well send this response back to the ProFox
list...
On 11/12/2012 11:56 AM, Ted Roche wrote:
One of the best programmers I ever worked with was one of the world's
leading authorities on brass musical instruments of the Middle Ages.
Really. He performed in world-recognized ancient-instrument bands and
orchestras, wrote articles about the unusual musical instruments, and
traveled world-wide doing performances.
However, he had a wife and kids and bills to pay. So, he wrote Fox
code for a vocation, while music was his avocation.
You don't have to choose, you just have to find the balance that works
for you.
Well - considering your friend - I guess that I can surely relate to
him. I've had a lot of students over the years that really liked how I
taught - and some of them even appreciated it that I would really push
the students to do well - and push them to create better 3D CG
creations. What's always great, as a teacher - is to have at least one
student who really made it in the Big Time. One can say that may have
helped that student - at least a little bit - to motivate them to where
they are today.
The 1st class I ever taught (and I was SO Nervous - doing teaching for
the very first time) was an intro to 3D animation - circa 1997 - using
back then 3DS for DOS. Well, I had this one student, he was always
looking around for special plugins - and applying it to his projects
(even though at times I would get on his case saying it was cutting
corners).
Well, a couple of years ago, I was actually thrilled to know that he
actually got an Academy Award for his special effects work. I think it
was for his work on the last Superman movie - but, not sure about that.
Prior to him getting the award - he actually came BACK to Pratt Inst. -
where I had taught his class - to give a lecture about the special
effects on that Superman movie for the local NYC SIGGraph chapter. And
it was great seeing him again. So - you can imagine my surprise when
like a year later I heard he won that award. Pretty cool indeed!
But if you're sticking with computers, I think it's a good idea to try
to keep up as a generalist, or decide to become a specialist. I have
several friends and colleagues who specialize in rescuing FoxPro
projects, or upgrading FoxPro DOS to VFP or maintaining VFP projects.
Well - truth is - I kinda just fell into being a VFP specialist.
Although - there were a number of times over the years when I tried to
get other Technologies under my belt on the job - but, it never panned
out - with that last attempt being Horribly Futile at the job I just
left! I actually DID want to work with other Tech. - but, just so you
know - to learn it on the job - since, outside of work - I was always
dedicated to doing my 3D CG stuff (and, more recently - the 3D printer
stuff) - and, of course, outside of work - family life with my son - now 11.
You need to keep up whether you're busy or slack. I have friends who
spent decades flat out cranking out code who are now on the bench
because their clients moved on, and no one is hiring, especially not
if the hair is turning gray or the resume doesn't include the latest
buzzwords.
I hear you on the Grey hair stuff - although - personally, I keep
sticking to dye jobs! Still trying to keep looking younger than I really
am...
So - yeah - I would prefer to get Out of programming - and JUST do
3D CG - but, alas - its programming that has paid my bills for
years and Years! As such, since that is my Primary skillset - its
what must Still pay my bills - at least for now!
I hope you understand. And, of course, this split career thing has
frustrated me for years and Years!
FYI - some of my replies above I may repost to the List - just not
this last bit...
Yeah, no one on the list would be surprised to hear this...
So - there you go Ted - since you mentioned that - I figured I would
post my reply to the List!
L8r,
-K-
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