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<P>>I have worked on numerous projects the last few years and seen a lot of different talents. Some that stick out in my experience are:</P>
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<P>>a.. Technical proficiency ? ie knowing already what is likely to be the best technology to use to tackle a new problem </P>
<P>>b.. OO depth. Is it innate or learned? How is it best learned? </P>
<P>>c.. Ability to mentor and guide others through existing code</P>
<P>>Curious to hear specifics from you as you have the reputation of a Delphi authority!</P>
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<P>I was never a great programmer, I'm an Electronic Engineer that ended up in computers. I had a computer business in South Africa, Computer 2000 LTD, with 5 staff. I employed school leavers with high math marks and 'trained them' in my coding practice. Most sayed with me for 5+ years and move on to much greater things. </P>
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<P>The basic requirements of software is to make the customers life easier. Simple user interface and reliable code. I didn't loose any customers in 13 years, (bar one that had to change because the main office in Europe made them). I sold the customer base, software and 2 remaining staff members when I left for NZ. </P>
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<P>I had a call last year from one customer for a query on support for my accounting software I wrote for them 32 years ago. Still using it for his paint manufacturing business. </P>
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<P>When I post Delphi questions on one of the other forums these days, I get so many varied and different ways of solving the simple problem, it boggles me. </P>
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<P>I think the best thing any company can do is to develop a standard way of doing/coding things and train everyone to follow suit. In the long term it will pay off. </P>
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<P>Cheers Wallace</P>
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<P>Now machining for a living. A lot less variables. </P>
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