When I was in College, I was amazed that the suits (”Business People”) are so willing to pay me good money just to spew out pieces of code that would eventually end up in a crappy system somewhere. Well, that was the time when I thought that working as programmer is just about programming. Or, that was the time when I believe that majority of a programmer’s time would be spent writing code… building stuffs.
Nowadays, when people ask me about my typical day at work, I always tell them that I’m working on a Localization Project. Most often than not, the common reply is “What’s that? Does it involve programming?” Yes, it involves “programming”, if you consider replacing a bunch of strings to their localized equivalent as “programming”.
As Mike Rowe will put it…
Localization… It’s a dirty job!
Why is it a dirty job, you ask? Consider the English phrase “Preview and Spell Check”. Now let’s see how it will translate to different languages:
French: Prévision et contrôle de charme
German: Vorbetrachtung und Rechtschreibüberprüfung
Russian: ??????????????? ???????? ? ???????? ????????????
Continue reading “Localization: A Programmer’s Dirty Job” »
Lo and Behold, I will now commit geeky heresy by confessing that…
“Programming is NOT a talent”
Dummies can learn programming, too.
We, the nerds and the geeks, would like to believe that programming is a talent. That programming is… Something special. Something that cannot be learned fully. Something inherent — a gift from the gods. We would like to believe that programmers are born – not made.
Continue reading “What makes a great programmer?” »
Jeepney Drivers in the Philippines
I was wrong.
For a very very long time, I’ve always thought that the reason why Software Developers leave our country and work abroad is because of pure greed.
The realization came on the day of my job offer. Don’t get me wrong, their offer was good enough. In fact, it made me think of those developers who are receiving “average” or “below average” salary.
A lot of realization came to me that day… I realized why the people of this country is so angry with the government and corrupt government officials (READ: Taxes). I also realized that even if I graduated Cum Laude in a prestigious school and even if I am working for a Global 500 company earning above average salary, I will not be able to live on my own comfortably.
On that very moment, I am living in reality… the real world — Not in the fantasy world presented on those success stories in Time Magazine about how a geek changed the world and earned a few billion dollars in the process.
Continue reading “1 Software Developer == 2 Jeepney Drivers” »
Searching for Programming jobs?
So… After 3-4 (or 5 if you’re really SPECIAL) years struggle with school, the time has now come for you to move your as* out of mama’s house and earn a livin’ for yourself. Yes? Right!
This guide assumes the following conjectures:
1. You’re a Geek (or a nerd, whatever, you get the point)
2. You love programming (More than you love your pet dog!)
3. You live in the Philippines
4. You’re a fresh graduate (and looking for an entry-level job)
3. and Your vision of work is writing codes
And oh, if you’re reading this, you’re the type that believes that Wikipedia is a modern substitute to encyclopedia and other valid references.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Continue reading “Ian’s Guide to Choosing an Employer (For Programmers)” »
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