Programmer. Works every time. No one has ever asked me to explain what it means.
Then again though it sounds like you're shutting down the conversation when people ask - that's probably not good.
Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
11–20 of 64 posts
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#12"I run a business that sells websites to videogame players"
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#13Programmer. Works every time. No one has ever asked me to explain what it means.
Then again though it sounds like you're shutting down the conversation when people ask - that's probably not good.
Not necessarily. Some people ask me at what company I'm working or they want to find out more details about my work, e.g. what kind of products I'm building.
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#14A related question I struggle with - how to explain to other people how qualified you are? You and I could both say we "know" Java but there's probably a big difference there. It's really hard without showing them your work.
When non-techies ask what you do, they are probably not trying to determine if you're qualified to build a CRM system for them.
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#15Visitors to this country are often surprised to find that Americans like to begin a conversation by asking "what do you do?" I've never liked this question. I've rarely had a neat answer to it. But I think I have finally solved the problem. Now, when someone asks me what I do, I look them straight in the eye and say "I'm designing a new dialect of Lisp." I recommend this answer to anyone who doesn't like being asked what they do. The conversation will turn immediately to other topics.
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#16"I create products."
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#17"I write software" or simply "computer shit".
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#18I break stuff and I kick people out of places where they've broken stuff.
Or
I break into banks and investigate bank break-ins. (I don't just do banks but it paints a picture of a fathomable scenario in the non-techie mind).
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#19"You know this metal rectangle full of little lights? I spend most of my life pressing buttons to make the pattern of lights change however I want."
http://xkcd.com/722/ (of course)
Re: Ask HN: Explain to non-techies what you do: Programmer? Developer? Engineer?
#20These stick for programmers: do computers, startup, make money on the internet, websites, make iPhone apps.
For designers: websites, logos, posters, ads.
Lowest common denominator though.