Comments for (the) Mark Savage vs Tech http://marksavage.wordpress.com Why we are doomed to play catch-up Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:21:16 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on My co-workers think I’m left-handed by michael http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-103 michael Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:21:16 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-103 I work in the I.T industry as a network Engineer. Over the past 15 years I have notice a lot of my co-workers are left handed like me. I have right handed co-workers too. However the number of left handed people (most male) working in the I.T industry seems to be higher than the global average of 10% . Has anyone else notice this ? I work in the I.T industry as a network Engineer. Over the past 15 years I have notice a lot of my co-workers are left handed like me. I have right handed co-workers too. However the number of left handed people (most male) working in the I.T industry seems to be higher than the global average of 10% . Has anyone else notice this ?

]]> Comment on My co-workers think I’m left-handed by michael http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-102 michael Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:15:22 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-102 I use the mouse with my left hand. When I needed to used Ctrl+C Ctrl+V , I just extend my left thumb to the Left Ctrl Key and use my right hand for the C or V. My left hand hardly leave the mouse. I use the mouse with my left hand. When I needed to used Ctrl+C Ctrl+V , I just extend my left thumb to the Left Ctrl Key and use my right hand for the C or V.
My left hand hardly leave the mouse.

]]> Comment on The Fine Art of Ruining Your IT Résumé by Dozer http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/the-fine-art-of-ruining-your-it-resume/#comment-91 Dozer Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:09:55 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/the-fine-art-of-ruining-your-it-resume/#comment-91 Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway ... nice blog to visit. cheers, Dozer. Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway … nice blog to visit.

cheers, Dozer.

]]> Comment on The Fine Art of Ruining Your IT Résumé by Ellis Benus http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/the-fine-art-of-ruining-your-it-resume/#comment-87 Ellis Benus Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:15:46 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/the-fine-art-of-ruining-your-it-resume/#comment-87 Hey boy! I have not posted since November! We need to whip our blogs back into shape. I've got a number of articles I want to write but have not done. What would you say to us making sure the other one writes at least one thing per week. We should be able to handle that, don't you think? Hey boy!

I have not posted since November!

We need to whip our blogs back into shape.

I’ve got a number of articles I want to write but have not done.
What would you say to us making sure the other one writes at least one thing per week. We should be able to handle that, don’t you think?

]]> Comment on My co-workers think I’m left-handed by n-known http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-85 n-known Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:17:56 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-85 DWEH Says: (...)Being a developer myself, it seems that using the mouse with your left hand would reduce the speed of Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V. This is the fundamental step of an innovative programming paradigm(...) Fully agree, that's why I am using [CTRL]+[INSERT]/[SHIFT]+[INSERT] combo to copy paste. It works like charm, unless you develop something using Apple-oriented crap written by one-handed folks. DWEH Says:
(…)Being a developer myself, it seems that using the mouse with your left hand would reduce the speed of Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V. This is the fundamental step of an innovative programming paradigm(…)

Fully agree, that’s why I am using [CTRL]+[INSERT]/[SHIFT]+[INSERT] combo to copy paste. It works like charm, unless you develop something using Apple-oriented crap written by one-handed folks.

]]> Comment on The problem with Compensation by James D. Newman http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/the-problem-with-compensation/#comment-80 James D. Newman Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:04:36 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/the-problem-with-compensation/#comment-80 The obvious intent of the article that you are criticizing is "pay me something or treat me in some way that lets me know that I am appreciated." You do such verbal gymnastics to get around that patently obvious fact, that if I had only your response to the article to go on I would suspect that you are one of those managers who resent your producers as a cost and not an asset. No doubt it is dangerous to remember that the people who's work you mark up and sell to pay your own salary are actually deserving of all the kind indulgences that you lavish on yourself -- but if you can't at least fool me that you think that is the case, and I have a choice of where I am going to work, I can assure you that it will not be for you. The obvious intent of the article that you are criticizing is “pay me something or treat me in some way that lets me know that I am appreciated.” You do such verbal gymnastics to get around that patently obvious fact, that if I had only your response to the article to go on I would suspect that you are one of those managers who resent your producers as a cost and not an asset.

No doubt it is dangerous to remember that the people who’s work you mark up and sell to pay your own salary are actually deserving of all the kind indulgences that you lavish on yourself — but if you can’t at least fool me that you think that is the case, and I have a choice of where I am going to work, I can assure you that it will not be for you.

]]> Comment on The problem with Compensation by Pete Gontier http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/the-problem-with-compensation/#comment-79 Pete Gontier Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:53:25 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/the-problem-with-compensation/#comment-79 I have a problem with the language of entitlement used in these blog posts. One sure way to turn off management is to act as if one "deserves" this or that compensation. These things have to be expressed in terms of market economics or they just sound like self-important whining. One insight I've acquired over the course of my career is that I'm valuable solely due to my scarcity. It's not that I'm more skilled or work harder than someone in fast food service; no employer cares about that; it's simply that there are fewer people willing and/or able to do my job. Once you realize this, you can stop using language which turns off your manager. The other insight I wanted to share is that geeks, if they're so full of market economics bravado, need to stop being passive-aggressive about compensation. If you sit and wait for an inadequate raise, then leave for greener pastures as a form of revenge, then you've just done everyone involved, including yourself, a disservice. Much better to make sure your employer understands that you are influenced by market economics well before your performance review. I have a problem with the language of entitlement used in these blog posts. One sure way to turn off management is to act as if one “deserves” this or that compensation. These things have to be expressed in terms of market economics or they just sound like self-important whining. One insight I’ve acquired over the course of my career is that I’m valuable solely due to my scarcity. It’s not that I’m more skilled or work harder than someone in fast food service; no employer cares about that; it’s simply that there are fewer people willing and/or able to do my job. Once you realize this, you can stop using language which turns off your manager.

The other insight I wanted to share is that geeks, if they’re so full of market economics bravado, need to stop being passive-aggressive about compensation. If you sit and wait for an inadequate raise, then leave for greener pastures as a form of revenge, then you’ve just done everyone involved, including yourself, a disservice. Much better to make sure your employer understands that you are influenced by market economics well before your performance review.

]]> Comment on My co-workers think I’m left-handed by Ellis Benus » Blog Archive » Use Two Mice to be More Productive http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-56 Ellis Benus » Blog Archive » Use Two Mice to be More Productive Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:19:36 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/my-co-workers-think-im-left-handed/#comment-56 [...] friend, and co-worker, of mine wrote about how people think he’s left handed because he uses his mouse “left handed.” However, he is not left handed but rather uses [...] [...] friend, and co-worker, of mine wrote about how people think he’s left handed because he uses his mouse “left handed.” However, he is not left handed but rather uses [...]

]]> Comment on Trust me: don’t fire that bad developer just yet (part 2) by padraic2112 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/trust-me-dont-fire-that-bad-developer-just-yet-part-2/#comment-45 padraic2112 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:10:00 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/trust-me-dont-fire-that-bad-developer-just-yet-part-2/#comment-45 I like the "steer their career elsewhere" idea. If someone isn't a productive member of your team, you can't keep them around indefinitely, as they're a drag. On the other hand, cutting off your team members just because they don't work well on your team isn't the best course either. First, you may never know when they actually *do* know something that nobody else knows (and they take that institutional knowledge out the door). Second, every person is a resource, and while they may not work on your team, they might work out well on somebody else's team. Third, if you up-front tell someone, "Look, I'll be honest with you, I have a certain process for dealing with this group and I don't think you're fitting in. Here's why...[edit]... so the question is, do you actually *want* to change to fit this team, or not? If you do, then great, let's give it a shot. If you don't, I don't blame you, not everybody is going to be comfortable working under my style just like I wouldn't be comfortable working under just anybody else's style either. I don't want to cut you off at the quick, because that's bad for you, and it's bad for me. Let's work at finding you someplace you'll be more comfortable, while finding me someone who is more suited for your job." Then, *help* the guy find a new job. This has a number of advantages. He won't leave your org pissed at you and the world. If you need to touch base with him later to learn something only he knew, he is likely to be receptive. He has time to transition from one job to another, so you're not just firing someone and knowing that he's got to go on the dole while he tries to find another job. You maintain a relationship, so if he finds someone at his new job that might fit better on your team, you may get a pingback. I like the “steer their career elsewhere” idea. If someone isn’t a productive member of your team, you can’t keep them around indefinitely, as they’re a drag. On the other hand, cutting off your team members just because they don’t work well on your team isn’t the best course either. First, you may never know when they actually *do* know something that nobody else knows (and they take that institutional knowledge out the door). Second, every person is a resource, and while they may not work on your team, they might work out well on somebody else’s team. Third, if you up-front tell someone, “Look, I’ll be honest with you, I have a certain process for dealing with this group and I don’t think you’re fitting in. Here’s why…[edit]… so the question is, do you actually *want* to change to fit this team, or not? If you do, then great, let’s give it a shot. If you don’t, I don’t blame you, not everybody is going to be comfortable working under my style just like I wouldn’t be comfortable working under just anybody else’s style either. I don’t want to cut you off at the quick, because that’s bad for you, and it’s bad for me. Let’s work at finding you someplace you’ll be more comfortable, while finding me someone who is more suited for your job.” Then, *help* the guy find a new job.

This has a number of advantages. He won’t leave your org pissed at you and the world. If you need to touch base with him later to learn something only he knew, he is likely to be receptive. He has time to transition from one job to another, so you’re not just firing someone and knowing that he’s got to go on the dole while he tries to find another job. You maintain a relationship, so if he finds someone at his new job that might fit better on your team, you may get a pingback.

]]> Comment on I’m 100% certain that nothing is certain by padraic2112 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/im-100-certain-that-nothing-is-certain/#comment-44 padraic2112 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:57:25 +0000 http://marksavage.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/im-100-certain-that-nothing-is-certain/#comment-44 I'm 100% certain of quite a few things, but they're all things that are dependent upon physics or other rule systems that require an arbitrarily high amount of energy to circumvent :) About what people want, I'm about 60% certain about people that I know reasonably well, but once you get outside my immediate circle, and (more importantly) outside of 4 years below my current age, that number starts to plummet. Those young kids, they have some crazy ideas! I’m 100% certain of quite a few things, but they’re all things that are dependent upon physics or other rule systems that require an arbitrarily high amount of energy to circumvent :)

About what people want, I’m about 60% certain about people that I know reasonably well, but once you get outside my immediate circle, and (more importantly) outside of 4 years below my current age, that number starts to plummet.

Those young kids, they have some crazy ideas!

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