@craigmaloney @tas @zigg Yeah, I've noticed a lot of places that value polyglots rather than folks who really understand whatever language they have. Not that it's a bad thing, but it also seems the new language hotness is Go or Rust. That's partly why I learned some Scheme: to better understand language fundamentals and functional programming.

I still consider JavaScript as my nemesis, but it seems you can't even get past HR without some JavaScript experience.

@craigmaloney @zigg Where I'm at right now very much prefers polyglots in terms of business workflows / etc (what we model in software) but tends to prefer we know our internal frameworks like the back of our hand.

On one hand it's great: domain expertise. On the other: less broad knowledge of other approaches (sometimes).

I'm with you on JS though. If that's a job requirement I don't think I'd get past 'resume pile'.

@tas @craigmaloney JavaScript in particular is a sore point, and I 100% get why. Until my latest project, I didn't want anything to do with it. We needed to, though, because of the browser, and because of community attention.

But I've been increasingly working with React, Redux, and TypeScript and I think those three together have created a much more workable and solid environment. It's literally the first time single-page apps haven't been something my brain actively fights against.

@craigmaloney @tas @zigg Yeah, ECMAScript 6 is the first time I've looked at JavaScript code and not wanted to throw up.

I'm still on the fence about React. I don't trust Facebook and have been looking into alternatives like Vue.js for learning a front-end framework.

@craigmaloney @zigg +1 for FB distrust.

We need better non-corporate tools 😉

@tas @craigmaloney There's always Preact 😁

https://preactjs.com/

@zigg @craigmaloney Now I think you're trying to needle me 😉

@tas @craigmaloney Haha. Nah, actually, some people have discussed using that as an alternative in case Facebook goes nuclear with their patent protection license clause. Apparently it's pretty much a drop-in

@zigg @craigmaloney Wasn't there a recent ripple about the patent protection clause basically trashing the ability to re-use react in other OSS style projects?

I could see some smart people easily arguing that the patent clause is the nuclear option already. 🤔

@tas Yeah, that was the discussion.

The one thing I don't know is if Facebook actually holds any patents in React, or if they'll just pull your rights to use React if you trip the patent stuff. The latter could be dealt with by using Preact; the former is probably impossible to deal with.

@tas @zigg Apache took a stand on another FB project relating to the patent clause and got the clause removed. So now folks are wondering if FB will budge on React and the clause.

@craigmaloney @zigg One can hope and 🙏

@zigg @tas yeah, there is that. But then there's the worry of how closely it mirrors the original and whether it introduced bugs.

Blah blah blah blah

@craigmaloney @zigg Oh the joys of being a developer and scholar of licensing. 😢

@zigg @craigmaloney I'll make you a deal: if I ever need more than the basics in JS, I'll call you and pay well 😉

My problem with React/Redux/TS/et all is that it's another layer on top of a difficult (at best) functional language with unique quirks between interpreters. I really don't have the patience for that...

@tas yeah, no worries.

I need to reinvent myself in some way or other. The "right way" (in my head) is to get myself so I'm not reliant on the whims of employers.

Unfortunately that is risky.

The safe way is to suck it up, put on the brown lipstick (corporate suite #6), and figure out what employers really want.

Unfortunately that makes me want to puke.

😣

@craigmaloney Is it more inherently risky than employers though? Employers seem to have some absurd whims these days that are almost no better than being a contractor. Granted, it depends on the industry in question but the point generally stands IMHO.

You could go COBOL or J2EE. There are some big industries that are hurting 😉

@tas what I'd love to do is professional game design / development. I have a lot of ideas on some pen and paper games that I'd like to publish. And some themes that haven't (afailk) been explored.

They're interesting to me.

The fun part though is P&P RPGs measure success in the hundreds of dollars. So making any kind of reasonable income from that would be ... interesting.

Still, making something is better than nothing.

😣

@craigmaloney you could do P&P releases once a months as a supplemental maybe?

Also, doesn't some huge game studio have an office near you?

@tas Stardock. And they're Windows-only.

I'm not familiar with programming in Windows. Windows is about my 3rd choice for a target platform. :)

@craigmaloney I'd recommend putting it ahead of mobile. I don't regret leaving that industry at this point.

@tas As far as I'm concerned Mobile is akin to targeting slot machines: Already established large players and diminishing returns once you get noticed because of rampant IP theft.

@craigmaloney 🤣

I like it. Can I borrow the analogy?

@tas Feel free. :)