Posted by IsoM on February 22, 2002, at 13:40:12
In reply to Re: Just a thought ... » IsoM, posted by christophrejmc on February 22, 2002, at 2:10:08
Chris, my son programs in a multitude of languages, most of them self-taught. There's Assemby language, C, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, Java (not Java script), & COBOL. I'm missing 2 more as I know he knows 9 diff languages but can't think of the last two. At least, he can't program in binary or hexadecimal, whew! ;-)
Right now, he's busy learning to program graphics with either Java or C using OpenGL or XGA. That's part of a course that's needed for his degree, not for his work, though he's having lots of fun with it.
I think he appreciates sharing a place with me. (No bragging - just stating a fact) but both of us are very brilliant in somewhat different areas. He loves the fact that while I don't have the mind for a programmer (I'm not linear enough), I do understand his work & his very clear, simple explanations. Then there's the flood of questions I have afterwards about it. Not many people other than programmers like to discuss it, but I do. (Remember me saying that just about *everything* interests me?)
Does POSIX have much application in industry or software today so that you could use X Windows? NOT Microsoft-based, but "a windowing system developed at MIT, which runs under UNIX & all major operating systems. It lets users run applications on other computers in the network & view the output on their own screen."
If you love programming, I'd really suggest you learn Java. It's the programming language of future applications for the next while till something better gets developed down the line. My son started learning Java on his own & learned lots, but now his company's going to pay the costs of him getting certification from Sun Microsystems. Pretty sweet, huh?
He doesn't have ADHD, that's another son who doesn't quite know what to do with his life (like me) & moves from one thing to another. I'd imagine ADHD to be a handicap in programming, but I'm only looking at it from my standpoint - could be wrong. My programming son has Asperger which really makes it difficult to interact much with people. Despite that, all his contact with fellow workers, bosses, & clients seem to come off very well. Probably because he does it more by 'rote', following strict standards of politeness. He's gotten so he can read people a little, I've really tried to teach him from when he was young & he was always a willing student. He was called into one of the bosses' office the other day & told how impressed some clients were with him, not only on his knowledge but his whole demeanor, & then was given a bonus!
Finding a niche for him has done so much for his depression - more than meds ever could alone. We were discussing it the other day & he mentioned what an enormous change there's been over the last four years. From being hospitalised for wanting to commit suicide & being on welfare for a handicapp (depression coupled with Asperger) to being a highly valued programer with other people's respect! He told me that when I'd stopped him from suicide that time (bundled him into the car & drove him straight to the hospital), he'd never believe that something this good would happen to him. I think he gives a strong ray of hope to many.
Chris, I'd strongly encourage you to buy some programming books & take it from there. Programming sounds like an ideal career for your social shyness. Start playing around with learning - with no pressure, deadlines, exams, etc. Regard it as fun. If you can get a comfortable feel for some languages like Java, when you do need to learn more, it'll be familiar & not so stressful.
I read a post of yours where you felt so dull & thick compared to being younger. I did when I went back to college too. But it did clear up with some studying & effort. Think of our brain like a muscle which hasn't been used for that particular work for a while - it's hard till we build strength in those muscles again. Same with the brain. My son went through the same thing too.
Even being depressed makes our thinking *so* sluggish - like trying to swim uphill in a river of molasses. Do you take any stims? He takes Dexedrine regularly & I need adrafinil, otherwise the river of water starts to thicken.
---Deep voices & buzzers going off --- what will the neighbours think?
Just "oh, it's only Judy. That's okay." There's a young couple in their twenties just beside me. They are the BEST ever. They're everything I am - into the same sci-fi shows, loves aquarium fish, gardening, Renaissance fairs & history, computers & similar games, same bizarre off-the-wall humour. Their dog I've played with from when she was a puppy (she's a mix & looks like a wolf). She thinks I'm her big sister, just another funny looking dog who's good to romp with. They think nothing unusual of me when they hear strange noises from my place & vice versa!Just a short story:
Once in summer with windows wide open, I had some trance opera on loud, singing happily along with it. The doorbell rang & opening the door, a young police officer, female, stood there. She said "Your music is too loud & you have to turn it down" & then cracked up. I started laughing too & put my hands on my hips saying "No!" She'd actually come to inquire of neighbours if they'd seen anything suspicious in the area but couldn't resist a wise-crack like that. How many funny, cheerful police do we get to meet like that? She made my day.Emma Shapplin links:
http://www1.bigcelebrities.com/celebs/emmashapplin.html
I'd highly recommend you check out her songs - she takes your breath away.
poster:IsoM
thread:18688
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020214/msgs/18705.html