[thelist] Teach Old Programmer New Tricks

[Frank Marion]

On 2011-01-27, at 5:28 PM, Hassan Schroeder wrote:
>> Now he is looking to get into it because
>> his other "career" has fizzled out. I told him I could advise him
>> regarding web work, but my advise would probably be to forget about
>> it.
>
> I agree from your description that it would be a tall mountain to  
> climb;
> not impossible, but he would have a *lot* to learn (and unlearn) and
> it doesn't sound like he's that technically focused. And obviously he
> would be competing for work with people who live and breathe tech.
>
> And if he wants to do it -- why isn't he already? There's zero barrier
> to entry, if he's already got a PC. Tutorials, references, tools --  
> all
> over the Internet, much of it free. If he can't self-start on this,  
> then
> the answer really is "forget it".

It's a really delicate subject, because, really, who is one to tell  
another to do it or not? And as a friend, it's a catch 22: Yea: False  
hopes and potential failure, Nay: not supportive as a friend.

I personally agree with the old gu... er... Hassan, that all the  
resources are available at his finger tips, and that a good way to  
approach it might be "If you are interested, this is what you will  
need to know as basics and  here are some good places to start." and  
then let him make up is own mind as to whether he wants to plunge in  
or not.


--
Frank Marion
lists [_at_] frankmarion.com