Hey there Ed!
I hear EVERYTHING you are saying - and I appreciate your response.
Ed Leafe wrote:
> On Feb 26, 2010, at 5:57 PM, Kurt Wendt wrote:
>
>
>> The truth if - in the NYC Metro area - it seems that VFP type positions
>> have dwindled greatly over the past 10 years or so. Now to the point
>> that I almost never see any - although some are in the areas of Conn &
>> NJ. I live on LI - and I work in Manhattan - although I wouldn't mind
>> traveling to NJ or CT on a part time basis or as a consultant.
>>
>
> And that's not going to change...
Yes - I agree with you. I figured its not going to change. But,
since this group is a dedicate from of VFP people - I figured, if anyone
would know of something in the NYC metro area - that someone in this
group might.
> ...so I see two choices for you here: hope that you manage to land a
> long-term gig maintaining an existing Fox app, or add a new tool (or tools)
> to your toolbox. And before anyone thinks that this is going to turn into a
> plug for Dabo, it isn't: I think that the number of desktop app positions in
> general is plummeting, so your best bet is to learn how to create web apps.
>
I agree with you about trying to get into new technology. Stephen
Russel wrote back to me with a similar suggestion - with some fine
suggestions and trying to point me in the right direction!
Part of my problem - its almost like a split personality thing
(although - believe me - I'm not schizo or anything). In the very
beginning - before it split - I was doing programming AND graphics
together as one. This was at the start of my computer career - back in
high school in 1980 on an original Apple II - programming in both Basic
(in which they taught the 1st computer course that year at my high
school) and some Hex coding to code in the alien ships and my tank &
missiles(I was trying to recreate Space Invaders for my final project).
However, since that early start - my career took a Major split! I
got a BS degree in CS - but, a did a specialized minor in Fine Arts &
Computer Graphics. But, since graduating - most of my work has been
programming via Foxbase+ thru VFP. While, on the other side of things -
I've been doing graphics from the Artistic end of things (as opposed to
programming of graphics). This included some freelance projects over the
years. But, the main thing I did for a # of years (8 yrs. @ FIT & 1.5
years at Pratt Inst) was teaching of 3D CG classes. I never did end up
landing myself a full time 3D animation job - which would have been
great. However, in the last 8 years - I've been running an e-commerce
Gallery (although unsuccessfully - as I've sold 5 Prints in 8 years -
and shoulda shut down the Gallery by now - but never did). And, recently
started up 2 offshoots of the Gallery - selling the 3D images on
mousepads and shirts. As you can imagine - doing all the work for the
Gallery - although it doesn't pay well - DOES take a lot of time outside
of my day job. You can see the Gallery here: Gallery-3D.com
<http://Gallery-3D.com>
> In the web app arena, there are two main choices: stick with the
> Microsoft family of products, or learn "something else". If you stick with
> Microsoft products, you'll probably feel more at home initially, as
> everything is done with the sort of visual tools you're used to working with.
> You'll also be competing for work with a bunch of young whippersnappers
> who'll work for next to nothing, since that's the skillset they bring to the
> job.
> I would recommend one of the Python web frameworks as an alternative.
> Look for jobs that want Django or Pylons or Web2Py experience to see what the
> demand is; LinkedIn and the Python Jobs Board
> (http://www.python.org/community/jobs/) are good places to start. Start
> playing with them to find which ones are easier to grasp, and to get a
> general feel for the approach to developing web apps.
>
The one thing I have tried to do over the years - even going way
back - was to try and get a job where I could use my current skillset
(like FP or VFP) - while also getting a new tech under my belt. But, it
never seemed to work. Most jobs - as I did a bunch as a consultant -
they only want you for your specific current experience - and you aren't
there to learn new stuff. (Although - on one consulting gig - I go the
go ahead to re-write there system in VFP from FP for DOS - and that gave
me the chance to really learn to work with VFP). Finally - I got the
current job - and I had high hopes of learning C#/.Net - and I DID start
working in it. But, my hopes were dashed when this idiot my boss has in
charge of the project pushed me out of it! And, later - because of his
Nasty attitude - this other young lady quit the job after work on the
system for our co. for only like 4 months.
As for learning new technology on my own - at home - and in my own
hours - well - I generally spend my time on my e-commerce sites and
don't have the time to learn a new technology. And, when I am not
working on the e-commerce sites - I am trying to spend time with my 8
year old son. This weekend - we built a Huge Igloo - including a domed
entranceway type of tunnel!
Sorry about pouring my guts out too much - and making for too long
of an e-mail to read...
L8r!
-K-
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