Earlier quoted context omitted.
"It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission".
"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."
"Never rub another man's rhubarb."
Life's too short to write shitty software
41–50 of 107 posts
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#42For those of you now browsing Hacker News at his cubicle during his break under soul-sucking fluorescent lights : You can have it both ways (work for BigCo and build cool stuff), but it's not easy. You have to make it happen within the corporate systems and structure. I have many times. A few examples: - Boss to me: "Purchasing is complaining that the legacy system isn't doing what it should. Go find out what they ne…
One warning with this kind of behavior is that it doesn't actually insulate you from the insanity of the environment. Some of your cool stuff is going to be buried because people don't understand it and won't buy in, or because it obsoletes something they did, etc... People will complain about you "not being a team player" when you do things they don't expect. Some managers simply can't handle employees like this and will try their hardest to muzzle you lest you say something embarassing. I've seen all of the above, even at small environments where you wouldn't expect it.
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#43This piece of article is definitely targeted :). Kind of like self-help but for geeks. Nice SEO though. That aside, I believe people can find a niche developing software targeting these soul-crushing jobs. Basically have a product that solve problems people hate to deal with. Java EJB 1.0 and Struts sucks? Write your own framework, call it Spring Framework: worth $400M. JDBC sucks? Make Hibernate. Dealing with Rails…
JDBC sucks? Make Hibernate. Because JDBC didn't suck enough ...
because Hibernate is awesome!!
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#44I read this while I was writing my TPS cover sheet.
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#45For those of you now browsing Hacker News at his cubicle during his break under soul-sucking fluorescent lights : You can have it both ways (work for BigCo and build cool stuff), but it's not easy. You have to make it happen within the corporate systems and structure. I have many times. A few examples: - Boss to me: "Purchasing is complaining that the legacy system isn't doing what it should. Go find out what they ne…
One warning with this kind of behavior is that it doesn't actually insulate you from the insanity of the environment. Some of your cool stuff is going to be buried because people don't understand it and won't buy in, or because it obsoletes something they did, etc... People will complain about you "not being a team player" when you do things they don't expect. Some managers simply can't handle employees like this and…
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Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#46The "non-shitty" software the author works on is an ad-serving platform. Advertising is only one or two steps above TPS middleware.
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#47This piece of article is definitely targeted :). Kind of like self-help but for geeks. Nice SEO though. That aside, I believe people can find a niche developing software targeting these soul-crushing jobs. Basically have a product that solve problems people hate to deal with. Java EJB 1.0 and Struts sucks? Write your own framework, call it Spring Framework: worth $400M. JDBC sucks? Make Hibernate. Dealing with Rails…
Your last sentence really hit the nail on the head. Start-up or corp, you'll have plenty of shitty times along with the good.
It's an attitude issue. The right attitude towards the bad (and good) things will make all the difference to your happiness in life.
What people often forget is that they are completely in control of their own attitude towards life too. The way you react to situations around you can be a positive influence instead of negative if you want it to be.
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#48I lived mostly the same story as this guy, except I was working in a startup when this happened. I was working on great software, but I hated my job and hated everyone around me. And yet I joined this startup because I felt it would be the best job ever. I was so wrong. I finally left for BigCo afer 6 months and I plan on staying there for years and years because this job is incredible. We write the most beautiful so…
I can hear the chorus of HNer's working at startups saying "yeah, but just wait until we go IPO or get bought or go viral then you'll see why we worked so hard so late so often for so long..."
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#49I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. - Steve Jobs A couple of years out of college I started living by this quote and it has worked out great for me.
I really enjoyed that speech too, in particular this quote.
It can be hard to live by that quote though, especially when you have a lot of responsibilities.
Re: Life's too short to write shitty software
#50I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. - Steve Jobs A couple of years out of college I started living by this quote and it has worked out great for me.
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