[thelist] Are Web designers a dying breed?

[Peter Small]

Palyne Gaenir wrote:

>I have to say that apart from a lot of answers I never would have
>gotten otherwise -- many given to others -- the coolest part about
>lists like Evolt is the inspiration.  To realize, you know, that
>these people who can just breathe out something complex and cool,
>they taught themselves just like anybody else for the most part; and
>if I pay attention and work on doing things well, eventually, I can
>do it too.
>
>I feel an interesting sense of 'community', knowing that many other
>independent web developers (and a few who aren't independent) are
>also familiar with the working 24/7 live on a string overworked
>overcoded chronic deadline kind of life

There is a downside to belonging to these e-mail communities though. They
are *too* interesting and it handicaps your ability to mix in the real
world.

Every now and again I think to myself that I'm getting too nerdy and decide
to go down to the local pub to meet real people. I am always aghast at the
low content value of the conversations. They are probably normal
conversations but I have this distorted view of them.

The only encouragement that I haven't gone completely over the top is when
I go to the occasional real life pub meets of user groups. Everyone then
seems really interesting and normal. But, I still have a sneaky suspicion
that perhaps we are all weird.

We have a real life meeting of the freelancers e-mail discussion group next
week in London. I wish I could get a normal person to give their view on
what we sound like.

peter
http://www.avatarnets.com




>I have to say that apart from a lot of answers I never would have
>gotten otherwise -- many given to others -- the coolest part about
>lists like Evolt is the inspiration.  To realize, you know, that
>these people who can just breathe out something complex and cool,
>they taught themselves just like anybody else for the most part; and
>if I pay attention and work on doing things well, eventually, I can
>do it too.
>
>I feel an interesting sense of 'community', knowing that many other
>independent web developers (and a few who aren't independent) are
>also familiar with the working 24/7 live on a string overworked
>overcoded chronic deadline kind of life -- we have all spent far too
>much time working at 2am, drinking too much caffeine, and eating
>pizza or top ramen 'cause it's faster and/or cheaper than 'real'
>meals.  Working on your own can be a pretty lonely job in a way,
>especially if you work a lot of hours.  A sense of community.... no
>matter how virtual.... helps a lot.  Thanks, Evoltians.  -- Palyne
>
>> In that regard... it has certainly been my experience that
>> subscription to lists such as this one (I am diligently reading 6
>> these days) has had a marked effect on my efforts and abilities.
>
>
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