Learning new stuff (was: RE: Visual RPG vs. Other Visual languages was ->RE: Is RPG available on any other platform ?

--- Richard B Baird <rbaird@esourceconsulting.com> wrote:
> Use it or lose it.  That's why I am not especially eager to
> tackle a new language at this point.  There isn't a demand
> for me to learn those skills, I don't get the same
> satisfaction (at this point anyway) coding in those
> languages as I do with RPG.
>
> It isn't a lack of ambition.  It's a lack of ROI.  I spent
> a lot of time on VB and Notes, and didn't retain enough of
> those skills to have made it worth my while.  If I were being
> asked 'we are a little slow now, so why don't you start
> learning java, so we can do this and that... ', I would
> jump at the chance.
>
> and, Rob, I do try to keep up with the new release stuff,
> as much as is practical.  some of it I use right away,
> others I think 'that would be cool next time i need to do
> something like that' and the rest, I file away in the
> 'probably won't have a use for that anytime soon' category.
>
> I'm currently working in a consultant/contractor capacity.
> my day is filled with things on my plate that I SHOULD
> ALREADY KNOW.  My current client will not stand for paying
> my hourly rate to learn a new language.  And i won't get
> good enough at one by doing hello worlds on weekends.
>
> call me lazy if you want.  i've got other stuff i'd rather do.
>
> Rick

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! on "use it or lose it" and the ROI standpoints.

However, I would say that there *is* a demand for AS/400 pros having VB
and/or Java skills (I realize that wasn't exactly what you were saying
Rick).  I have VB'd at home off and on for several years now, but all
of the places I have interviewed at that wanted VB skills required that
the experience must have come in the workplace!  Talk about damned if
you do, damned if you don't!

Ditto on everything else!

- Dan

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