Social The Social Party - Version 3

And what's that supposed to mean, Gunny?


Sabine: I'm currently employed in a two-year contract with a relatively small subsidiary company. After one and a half years - so in one year from now - I will have to decide if I want to stay here long-term or switch over to one of the offices of the parent company; and if I want to continuing with software development or if I'd rather go into IT consulting. The latter is actually what I signed up for, but I know quite a few colleagues who decided to stay on the "tech-y" side of things after their first two years were up, and I can certainly see the appeal of that, too... well, let's just say I'm glad I don't need to make that decision quite yet.

Hmm, I suppose it's worth a try. Are you fed up with your own chosen career path already, though?

 

(I think you meant to say "contain", not "content". )

Yes, I suppose it would still be possible to switch later... and the question "what exactly is it that a consultant does all day, anyway?" is one that I'd like to see answered, too. It's most definitely not customer support on some phone hotline, though! It's more about consulting one single company on how to best run their IT department... not talking to end-users, but to those people in charge of IT. I'm just never quite sure how people can do that every day, for years... how much can there be to advise, really? What does a consultant do all day long?? I suppose it's also about co-ordinating the work of the developers and such, but still, I'm glad I still have some time to figure that out and maybe do some training courses on the subject.


Well, I for one am quite busy enough with just one job. I like having some spare time, too. If you feel you have the time to take on a second job, maybe I'm the one in the wrong position after all?

 

I actually work as a consultant. But for me it means that I'm sent out to different companies to work with a project or just help out if they're in a desperate need of a web developer . The assignments can be anything from just a few hours to several years. I like it so far, maybe because I'm on a long term assignment right now. I'm not sure how I would like it if I had to change company every other week.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't like that either... having to change projects so often, I mean. Our assignments usually last some years, from what I can tell - I think it's much better that way, since it takes a while to really learn all you need to know about a project (our projects tend to be pretty big). I'd hate having to start all over again now that I finally feel at home in the team. And I think it's better for the project too when there isn't too much fluctuation.

Oh, I didn't actually know you did web development. (Or maybe I forgot? ) What technologies/languages are you working with?

 

Love that CVI is going to be in Orlando again, and I'm thinking of going this time. Bowling's giving me additional incentive...I have a friend on my favorite bowling forum site who lives an hour away and I'd like to get together with him for a few games.

 

I mostly work with HTML/CSS and jQuery, but also PHP and to some extent Java.

I'm hoping to go to CVI this time. I've never been to a Celebration (except for Celebration Europe), so it's about time I went

 

Celebration VI is going to be in August 2012, right? Still a bit too far off for me to make any plans... I've never actually been to any convention. I missed Celebration Europe because I wasn't active in fandom at that time, but I think I would enjoy the opportunity to meet so many people from here in real life... And Orlando wouldn't really be a problem for me, since I get really cheap plane tickets through work. (Did I mention I love my job? ) So no "sign me up" quite yet, but will definitely keep an eye out for that one.


Lexi: Now that I think about it, I believe I did ask you about that before... but I had completely forgotten that was you.

I see myself primarily as a Java programmer, the application I'm working on is a Java EE monster (has been running for almost ten years already and dozens of developers have had a hand in it over time... you can imagine the mess ), it has a web interface too, but we're using JSF for that (and JSP in some older areas that still need to be updated). But occasionally I still find myself needing JavaScript, HTML and CSS too, and lately I've been doing quite a bit of SQL too... not quite what I was expected when I applied as a Java developer, but I do enjoy the variety.


Skiara: Goodness, how much spam do you get?? Or rather, what kind of spam? The ones I get are usually just a few K... you'd have receive a massive amount for that to really affect your download traffic. What E-Mail program are you using, is there maybe an option to download the text of the mails without any attachments? (I read that you didn't want to use the automatic filter.)

There are programs that let you monitor your upload/download rate, too, might be interesting for you to figure out how much you're really downloading at any given time?

 

*waves hand at Julia, Sabine, and Lexi*

You want to go to CVI in Orlando.



Yeah, I'm going again. I've already started saving. I'll be driving down with my friends again. Another epic road trip!

 

So our jobs sort of intersect, Julia, although it sounds like you deal with the backend whilst I take care of the frontend

One big reason why I want to go to CVI is to meet a lot of people from here. It would be so nice to set a real face to all the names and avatars

 

Yeah, I'm not really all that interested in the actual convention either. Certainly wouldn't travel all the way to Florida for that! But meeting JC people... that's always great.

Lexi: Yup, sounds like it! Small world, huh?

Hi there, Cindy! Road trip sound fun, but kinda hard to do for us. And boat trip would take way too long!

Sabine: Hmm, 500MB per day does sound quite a bit, but then again I don't have the slightest idea how much I'm downloading per day - should check that on occasion! I assume you're not doing lots of VoIP (Skype calls etc.) or listen to on-line radio all day or anything like that?

 

Hi guys. I've been a little anti-social lately, been doing other things (like working for a change. )

I've got Skype! Same name as it is on here. Shouldn't be hard to find me. I can also use it on my iPod so I have a "webcam".

 

Ohh, I've got Skype too! julia_morgaine is my username, not very surprising I guess. (Why is there no line for a Skype ID on the profile page, anyway??) I've got a second account that I use at work, but if I start adding people from the JC to that one, I'll never get any work done. I tend to forget to turn on my Skype at home though, so you might have to tell me to log on when you see me here.

 

I have Skype as well. I'm not online that often, though, but sometimes My user name is jen_and

 

Julia, I can understand about the not getting work done. Is your work Skype really close to the one that you use at home? I searched using the "_", and I also found your name with a "-", and that one lists as being in Hamburg. I'm so confused! . (Didn't you used to live in Hamburg?)

Lexi, I added you. Maybe we could all have a group chat sometimes.

I'm not on Skype much either, so if anyone wants to talk to me, tell me and I can get on.

Yep, it's almost 3:30am here and I'm still awake. I gotta get to bed earlier!

 

Alright, I've added you two. Would love to do a group chat one of these days!

Skiara: I'm all out of ideas right now, but I'll check on my own traffic next week for comparison.

 

I'm at my parents' for the weekend, but once I'm back at my own computer, I'll install something. Any tools you'd recommend?

Oh, and I forgot to say yesterday: julia-morgaine with a minus is not me! I'm actually not far from Hamburg, but I never lived in the city. Fascinating! I had no idea that account existed. I'm almost tempted to contact that person to find out who's using the same name.