I only managed 40 years programming before I "got retired" by the company I worked for. I was past my full Social Security entitlement age so I could have voluntarily retired but I wasn't ready. They felt they could hire a couple of younger people for what they were paying me. That was true, but they lost a lot of experience that will cost them more dollars than their salaries!
Ask HN: Am I the longest-serving programmer – 57 years and counting?
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Re: Ask HN: Am I the longest-serving programmer – 57 years and counting?
#552I am 80 years old and still working full time in IT. Although I evolved from pure programming to project management and business analysis the past few years. Originally started out working at Cape Canaveral as a radar and telemetry engineer and moved into programming after I left there. Whenever I interview, I completely ignore the age issue. If the interviewer is to dumb to recognize the value of my knowledge and ex…
I just found this thread and it's so great. You are an inspiration dear sir/madam. Do you still exercise?
Re: Ask HN: Am I the longest-serving programmer – 57 years and counting?
#553Shorewall author is about your age https://sourceforge.net/p/shorewall/mailman/message/36589783...
Re: Ask HN: Am I the longest-serving programmer – 57 years and counting?
#554Earlier quoted context omitted.
Programming is the thing you love the most and if it was 100% up to you what to do with your time you’d still do it? I mean I don’t hate my job but damn I’d just sit in front of the TV and go for walks if that was an option.
I spend most of my free time programming for fun. It is not unheard of.
I'm 78. I do the same. I select problems from Codeforces or Codewars and work on those. I did enter contests for awhile but needed more experience to successfully compete.
I learned python a few years ago and have experience with several other languages as well. Python is perfect for someone like myself. To me it is a thing of beauty.
I read a lot - history and biography mainly. Favorites: The Fatal Shore and Empire of the Autumn Moon. Travel 2-3 times a year. Been to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America as well as all over North America. Favorite place? Singapore.
Walk 2 miles+ a day.
Am a top backgammon player on ZooEscape.
Been married 51 years today and been blessed with 3 great kids.
Not rich but comfortable. Always been a saver or what my sister calls a cheapskate.
Am definitely slowing down. Am more cranky. And think the world is going crazy. Other than that life is better than I expected it would be at this age.
Re: Ask HN: Am I the longest-serving programmer – 57 years and counting?
#555I am 47, I started with basic a TI99 4/A, I loved computers but I stopped at school when I was 15. At 30 I went back to evening classes and in 10 years I finished high-school and an IT degree while working full-time. I managed to get a job in Italy (I am Italian) but it was frustrating there that I emigrated to England. I have been hating my life and job since the superficiality and ignorance of people, all these horrible corporations using Java or .NET. On March I finished a contract and I cannot find another one, because of the changes in the IR35 law that the pathetic UK government made and the virus after. I was working only for the money, now everything is gone.
I am 47, too coward to kill myself, too terrified to take more shit.