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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>After completing Engineering at UNI, I felt that I
had learned the skills to solve problems and I agree with </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I'm firmly of the belief that for a good developer the toolset being
<BR>used is irrelevant. <FONT size=2 face=Arial> (I however found OO
quite difficult to get into. )</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The problem with software packages is that you are
dealing with other peoples interpretation of how things should work. For you to
write a good app, you almost need to get into the developers head to
understand his thinking before you can do your own. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This is often what companies pay for when they
employ you, both your skillset in what they are trying to achieve and your
knowledge of the software on how to achieve this. Bearing in mind,
sometimes you don't have to be the best, you just know a bit more than your
boss or interviewer.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I never forget when arriving here in
NZ 11 years ago, I applied for a job at Jade through an employment
agency. I had 13 years of commercial programming experience with 5
staff. I did not get past the first interview as I did not know Jade. Later
I was speaking to a lecturer in computing and his comment was,
6 months on Jade training and I would have been away. 13 year of
practical experience takes 13 years to learn.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The question you have to ask yourself is, do I want
to be doing this for the next xxx years or more accurately, with the skills I
have, or would like to acquire, who is going to pay me to use
them?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Anyway I now make a living making things
all day long. Oh what fun. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Cheers Wallace</FONT></DIV>
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