Re: Euphoria jobs?
- Posted by Ray Smith <smithr at ix.net.au> Jun 19, 2001
- 445 views
Hi Lewis, ... this is just my opinion ... I'd be very surprised if you found any specific Euphoria programming positions. I'd also be very surprised if you found anyone even mentioning Euphoria in a job advertisment. At this stage (and possibly for ever) "I think" Euphoria would only be used commercially by a few individuals who happen to use Euphoria as a hobby as well ... and then they would only use it to do small "one off" tasks. If you are getting your own contracts to produce software ... then that is different ... you can use whatever tools you like as long a you produce the goods. If someone is paying you to produce software they will want guarantees that your development tools are proven and complete. I'm not talking about shareware authors ... I'm talking about people paying you money to write programs. There is a world of difference between the two. There are also hundreds of other languages / compilers / development systems out there. Some of which have many millions of dollars invested into them with project teams consisting of hundreds of people ... other systems are 100% free, open source with dozens of people developing them. It's difficult for Euphoria to compete with these. I would definitely push down the VB line and by all means mention Euphoria in job interviews but don't push the point too far. IT managers are constantly bombarded with "the next big thing" ... and to be honest ... "Euphoria" won't be it. If you can showcase some nice software you have written using Euphoria it will be a great selling point for you to impress employers. In fact if you can showcase nice software developed in any language it would "I beleive" be a great selling point. I've done a bit of interviewing in my time and as long as you apply for the right jobs (ie entry level) ... experience isn't the thing I look for. Enthusiasm and commitment will get you alot further. A lack of commercial experience will make it more difficult but as long as you keep enthusiastic I have no doubt you will get a job. If you want to program with Euphoria I beleive you will have to be your own boss and get your own contracts. I like Euphoria ... I like using it for my hobbies, but you should be realistic about what it is and more importantly what it isn't. As good as Euphoria is ... it is developed by one person ... and probably in his spare time. OK ... granted many people contribute libraries but they are mostly not complete, poorly documented and not fit for commercial use. I think you would be a very brave (and probably stupid!) to risk your future livelihood on it. I know you said don't respond if you have nothing good to say ... and what I have wrote is just my opinion ... but if I was you I'd be looking around for a VB job to pay to bills and if you still want to program in Euphoria start writing some good shareware/freeware programs to get experience then maybe trying to get contract work to develop specific software for people. Saying all that I beleive you should have a look at what other languages are available and what type (and quality) of software people are willing to pay money for ... and how these development tools help you produce this type of software. I don't think "business" decisions should be made because it is "fun" to write programs in a language but more importantly what quality (and type) of software can be produced with development tool "X". I'm not sure if there are any shareware mailing lists around but from what I hear very few shareware authors make any more than pocket money. Actually you could ask Rob his opinion on the subject. I'm not sure how old Rob is or if he has any children but ask him if his son (or daughter) asked the same type of question how would he respond. If you where my son (not that I'm old enough!). I'd be suggesting you learn as much VB as you can and write some software in VB to show employers at interviews ... or just load it on the net and tell them the URL to download it ... complete with source code. If you do this (and are visually presentable) and have a good attitude I'd almost guarantee you'll get a job. If you have any questions I'm sure everyone on the list would be more than happy to help in any way they can. By all means look out for Euphoria jobs ... but look out and be prepared for other possibilities as well. Your future is a very important thing and anyone who advises you otherwise won't have your best interests at heart. All the best Ray Smith > I haven't posted to the list in a while becuase I have been busy job > searching since I graduated. I have moved to Texas (Dallas area) and am > searching here. I haven't seriously considdered looking for Euphoria jobs > even though I consider myself in the top 10% or 15% of Euphorians skillwise. > The reason: there doesn't seem to be any Euphoria jobs out there. However, > since my job search has yet to be successful, and I am getting desperate, I > think I will give it a try. I have included "Euphoria" in the search > keywords on various job search websites but it never seems to turn up > anything. However, I haven't yet tried HERE: the Euphoria mailing list. So, > anyone hiring? :) Or can anyone give me any tips for getting a Euphoria job? > I think Irv Mullins has mentioned that he uses Eu at work. Any advice? Would > anyone here pay me to write them a program or two or three? :) Know someone > that would? > I am quite aware of the UNLIKELINESS of finding a Euphoria job that's why > I've been looking for a VB job. I don't need any discouraging comments right > now. I know there ar a lot more VB jobs out there but most of them require a > lot of experience and more in additional technologies that can be used with > vb. I have aproximately 2 years vb experience but more than 4 in Eu I think. > Rob, how long have I been on this list? I started learning it before that. I > have posted 10 things to the Euphoria page over the years and have earned > $4.40 in the microeconomy. I could do more but I lack the motivation (read > money) I just can't justify spending a lot of time on personal projects when > my bank account is dwindleing before my eyes. > Well, I'll stop my whining now and get back to my job search. I just thought > I'd check here for the small chance of a job lead or opening. > > later all, > Lewis Townsend