I had a R2 also and was thoroughly disappointed with it from an e-reader perspective. Not easy or straightforward getting files on the device and so few file formats supported.
That's interesting, i've just switched to using one and haven't noticed any discomfort, yet.
Are you laying your wrist flat when using it? I could see maintaining a fully pronated posture leading to wrist aches over time. I try and keep my hand as neutral as possible when using it, in realist i'd estimate my wrist angle off the desk to be ~45deg, then I use my middle and ring fingers on the pad.
Completely agree re the value of having side projects. I wish I had the luxury of time right now, maybe in a few years once the kids are older.
The leetcode dance is, at least for me at this point, much lower effort than starting a side project on the understanding the code I produce will be reviewed during interviews. It's like Sudoku, once you've done a "few", you get to the point where you're able to solve them quickly.
I could do this and would welcome this type of interview experience. I'd be able to talk in general terms about the problems I work on and their solutions but not the low level specifics.
To add some context, my work is in Financial Services, trading systems and whatnot.
Yep, agree. 95% of the code I write is owned by my employer and is under NDA various other privacy / IP laws. The 5% that isn't, has no place in an interview. It's a bunch of brittle glue code automating and backing up data between my devices.
"Passion projects" in my "spare time"... maybe once the kids have grown up and flown the nest...
Leetcode is easy... I memorise a bunch of stuff, do the dance and pass the interview. If i'm lucky I get a problem i've not seen before and actually have to use my brain during the interview.