Figured I'd begin my first blog at the beginning...
Back in 1972, I came kicking and screaming into the world. I remember the look of horror on the doctor's face...
OK, not that beginning. How about circa 1997 when I had just hung up a illustrious|terrifying career as a high school English teacher. I was going to be all Dangerous Minds and get those unruly kidz to learn them some good English. But then I came to my senses and packed it in. Fortunately for me, I was working with the uber-geek Kyle who suggested I check out this Perl script he'd been writing. Before then, I'd always been a closet geek at best. I had associated computer expertise with pocket protectors, punch cards and a gut that hung over the belt. I had quietly "programmed" (I put this in quotes, because c'mon, I was 14) in BASIC at the public library on an Apple 2e in the 80's and always seemed to know how to fix my own computer problems, and then in college you'd hear me say I had "computer-phobia", while I actually built my own PCs from parts. I would never admit to my love of the machine. But Kyle had none of the attributes I feared must come of a career in computers. He was blonde, funny and ridiculously smart. And he also made more money then than I would likely make until 20 years of teaching. "Maybe I should reconsider my stance on computers," said I. I bought the "Camel Book", which by the way, I absolutely do not recommend as a first programming book (maybe as the second, better the third), installed Perl, and started reading and hacking.
So on I went to establish a career! Basically, I read volumes and always found excuses to automate whatever boring work there was at hand, slowly proving myself as a programmer professionally. And if ever there was a "recreational programmer", it was me. Man, did I write some good shelfware at home. But man, did I learn! Those early apps I wrote that actually saw the light of day were horrible: epic subroutines, copy-paste inheritance, abbreviated names, all the worst-practices you would imagine. But as I worked and read and coded and experimented and learned from and talked to other programmers, I discovered faster, smarter, better ways of making computers dance.
This blog aims to capture some of my experience. Various "tips and tricks" I've learned. Perhaps a slick solution to a recent problem. Or maybe a nasty workaround. The importance of discipline and humility. Some business knowledge or insight. And hopefully some moderately amusing writing.
Until next time...
