> I don't think we take software reliability seriously enough, most of our focus is on speed of release, ever quicker cycles and it being OK to break things. This culture ruined these peoples lives. Things must change. This isn't a unique issue to Fujitsu it is something most of the software industry is doing, this story could be about just about any piece of software.
This won't change until executives go to jail.
A few years ago, we were fighting against tight deadline and skipping unit tests, QA, processes, etc. Someone brought up one of the recent major breach (Equifax?). Developers started to say that people will go to jail. Basically, devs were using this breach to imply that they will personal responsibility for releasing a product that might have security flaws. Our director laughed and said no one will go to jail and if our product ever got in trouble, they will personally take responsibility.
> The only frustrating thing is how clearly it's been highlighted that the rich and powerful countries get all the vaccines and we'll only get them here once everyone in the west has been vaccinated three times over.
Shouldn't countries that developed vaccines should take care of their citizens first?
If programming as a hobby, then start with something visual with a quick feedback. You don't want to get stuck in months long projects. When I was kid, I bought a book on video games programming and just typed in code from it. I still remember when I was able to move a box on screen.
Another option might be Arduino. After years of writing CRUD, my love for programming reignited when I was able to make LED blink.
> All I hear about is "Everybody else can do X! We're the only ones that can't."
This is the main issue. If they don't participate in online communities where their friends are, they will have significant social disadvantage.
As a grown up, I had quit Facebook for about a year, and I noticed my social life was declining slowly. Someone would forget to invite me to some event. Someone might be shocked that I didn't know so and had a baby. And I am sure people started to label me as weirdo for not having Facebook.
Back to kids, yeah this is a social issue, not something that one can solve alone for just their family.
True, but that may be a good thing. This may prevent people from suing for small infractions.
On other hand, let's say, if your average software developer knows that they can be sued into bankruptcy, then they will not release unfinished code and voice strong opposition to it. Thus shifting responsibility to middle managers. Now if middle managers know that they can be sued into bankruptcy, they will not override developers concerns and extend deadline and refuse to push unfinished product. Executives may try to override managers decisions but then responsibility shifts to them and they would not want to lose significant portion of their net worth. Board or managing-owners may try to override CEO, but then they will be responsible and they would not want to be personally sued and lose a portion of their personal wealth.
Yes this may not impact billionaire owners but that is a small number. Most companies will be more ethical and people will have a high degree of personal responsibility.
A common theme on this site. I myself have conflicted with this. In my mid-30s, I realized that I need to move into management because I was not able to keep up with new paradigms such as functional programming and DevOps. I didn't want to be stuck in endless cycle of learning on my own time, just so that I can change job to get a pay raise.
But last few years been horrible as a manager. Now in my forties, I realized I am not a good manager. Programming is my hobby and I get to do that as a developer. But as a middle manager, I have no real power, but I am responsible for delivery of product. Moving higher up also seems like too much work and politics. I tried to get a job as developer but I got rejected multiple times mostly due to the fact I am rusty as coder. But I still want to go back to programming. So now I am studying LeetCode in my evenings.
My current plan is:
* Study LeetCode and get a job in FANNG\
* Always be preparing for interviews\
* Switch jobs often, I spent too much time at my current company to climb the ladder\
* Specialize in something such as Java or Python\
* Find a way into consulting firm. I could start focusing on this now, but I want to build up some cash reserves with FAANG salary\
* Become independent consultant\
Once independent consultant, I am hoping I won't have a real boss, I can work with clients and if they are abusive, I can fire them. The hard part is specializing in the right thing and then building reputation and network.
Please don't work for free. Call in sick if your company won't approve PTO. Also take a few sick days because stress is not good for your health, don't waste your vacation time on recovering from stress. My company officially consider "Mental Health" as one of the reason for calling in sick.
And definitely don't quit without finding the next job. You will be under a lot more stress and it would affect your performance.
> In modern no-religion societies, where is the pull for good old family values? What we are seeing is better rights and fairness for individuals (same-sex marriage, etc) but is that good for society as a whole?
I understand where you are coming from, I struggle with my atheism/beliefs too.
But without doubt, this is good for society. Think about it, we had slavery because bible and other religions, approved of slavery. Then women had no rights because of religion, finally they do. These are good things. I believe homosexuality is next big step for humanity. Once this is accepted, no one would even think about questioning it.
As for old old family values, I am not really sure what it means, but if it means close family ties, then I have seen non-religious families who are very close and religious families who fight all the time. And vice versa.
As someone who is semi-atheist, I have started to think that the invention of God was mostly to discipline children and to give them hope. Eventually, those children grew up and told same stories to their kids and until one day those stories became religion. Then came prophets who decided to prey upon these people and sold organized religion.
I say this because I got a toddler and sometimes it is easier to make up stories instead of telling truth, like when someone dies they go to heaven. Or if you clean up your room, then maybe elves will come at night and leave a present. It is almost like I can see a religion forming in front of my eyes. Sometimes I am using traditional religious stories like for life and death questions. And at other times, I am using fairytale creatures. This whole thing has made me more atheist while at the same time let me appreciate what religion does.
Which leads me to Santa Claus. I think Santa Claus is a great way to give subtle hint for thinking minds to realize that childhood stories are not real.
But can people still feel good without believing in religion? Do we have atheist societies? What do atheists tell their young kids?
I know religious folks who are the most miserable people ever. Because they get jealous when someone else worship more than them. They will criticize and belittle everyone they can. And I know atheists who are way more chill than so called hippie/spiritual/religious folks claim to be. Just because one is atheist doesn't mean they will be greedy capitalist or sex-addict or something else.
Why is empathy important? I would love to be able to help people without feeling overwhelmed with their issues. Can one just learn to listen and respond accordingly?
In addition to it just working, it also is great for writing from anywhere. I have a technical + personal blog. This let me log into blog from anywhere and write a quick draft or even publish a post. It is pain to type a post on cellphone but doable.
This won't change until executives go to jail.
A few years ago, we were fighting against tight deadline and skipping unit tests, QA, processes, etc. Someone brought up one of the recent major breach (Equifax?). Developers started to say that people will go to jail. Basically, devs were using this breach to imply that they will personal responsibility for releasing a product that might have security flaws. Our director laughed and said no one will go to jail and if our product ever got in trouble, they will personally take responsibility.