Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!claris!krazy
From: krazy@claris.com (Jeff Erickson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Is it worth it?
Message-ID: <9043@claris.com>
Date: 9 Mar 89 11:33:55 GMT
References: <8903080648.aa02724@SMOKE.BRL.MIL>
Organization: Claris Corporation, Mountain View CA
Lines: 40

From article <8903080648.aa02724@SMOKE.BRL.MIL>, by PGOETZ@LOYVAX.BITNET:
> 
>         Do you think the computer takes more than it gives?  That is, after
> years of dedication, was it worth it?  Does the understanding, accomplishment,
> peer approval, job skills, money, etc., outweigh the frustration, lost
> time, unrewarded effort on unused programs, rejections by publishers, nerd
> image, lost social opportunities, alienation from the computer ignorant, etc?
>         This entails discussion of what you would consider success in
> programming, i.e. distributing a program under a major label, having a monthly
> column in a major magazine, being a nationally respected programmer / computer
> scientist, making more than $50,000 a year, whatever.

It's a good thing I get paid for what I do.  Otherwise, I'd probably starve.

I started programming because it looked challenging.  I kept programming
because it was FUN!!  The programs I write on my own, I write mostly for
myself, not for the money.  This was true on the Apple II+ in high school,
the VAX in college, the IIgs at StyleWare, and the Mac at Claris.

"Success" is three things to me.  First, the successful completion of whatever
program I'm working on.  Second, the lucky coincidence that I can get paid
to do what I consider play.  Third, having people come up to me and ask 
"Hey Jeff, how'd you do this?" and walk away later understanding my answer.

There is some frustration at times.  Programming is, among other things, an
addiction (much like the Net :-)), and it can get in the way of other parts
of my life.  Since I do make money at it, I don't have complete freedom to
work on what I want all the time.  Deadlines are the worst invention since 
the bubonic plague.  Having the tools I'm trying to work with break is
horrible.  But despite all this, most of the time it's worth it.

Programming is a craft/art/science/trade/addiction/way of life/adventure/
skill/learning process/tool/foundation/trick/game/challenge/creative 
outlet/chance to play God/job/pain in the ass/hell of a lot of fun.

-- 
Jeff Erickson     \  Internet: krazy@claris.com          AppleLink: Erickson4
Claris Corporation \      UUCP: {ames,apple,portal,sun,voder}!claris!krazy
415/960-2693        \________________________________________________________
____________________/              "I'm so heppy I'm mizzabil!"