Beyond Hobbyist Programming

[Boofo]

You can join the royal marines at 16?

[Jase2]

Yes, you sure can!

Entry Requirements: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6251

To apply to the Royal Navy you must be no younger than 15 years, 9 months. On entry you must be no younger than 16 (17 for Officers) and no older than 36 (up to and including your 37th birthday). The maximum age for Officer entry varies according to specialisation.

Please Note: if you are under 18, the consent of your parents or guardians is required. This will be asked for at the application stage.

[Transverse Styles]

You can fight and die, but you can't (legally) drink alcohol... good luck, it's a great cause, at one time, the world's most powerful navy...

[Boofo]

Well, I can sleep well tonight and not have to worry about being invaded by England. If they are allowing 16 year olds in, then I will just spank the first one that shows up here.

Whew! That is a load off of my mind.

[Jase2]

They still drink though hehe.

It's going to be great. I plan staying in there until I'm in my 30's.

[Boofo]

Talk to me in a year and tell me then what you think about staying in until you're 30. I thought the same thing when I signed up.

[Jase2]

You never said you were in there? Why did you quit? Anyway, everyone has different preferences - were not all the same! Acutally Boofo, if you were in the Royal Marines - you would of known you can join when you're 16.

[Adrian Schneider]

Originally Posted by Boofo

So... that is a bad thing?

Yes, Bob. You are excused though.

Originally Posted by Jase2

Where have I said you have no social life?

My point is being, I'd never do coding as a profession -- there is more to life. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE! At least in the Royal Marines you get a sense of achievement

I'm not on the computer as much as I'd like now - life is too short to sit in front of a computer all day.

I never that you said that. There's more to life than anything, the fact that you work as a programmer has little effect. It's life... you have to work to make money, and once you are older you will realize this.

Personally I would rather be with my family and friends as much as possible rather than be shipped off to make new friends while missing my family. Life is too short.

You can get a sense of achievement in anything you do as long as your heart is in it.

(Danny, feel free to split the thread up).

[Jase2]

It goes down to preference then. Most computer users are seen as GEEKS. I've seen so many people who use computers a lot to be told to get a life. Most people really think that.

Yes, life is too short. So, why not get out there and explore the world? I've been working for a while (part time, of course) so I know how important money can be. But, there is still more to life. I'd rather be with the love of my life, than have all the money in the world. As I've stated earlier, money cannot buy love, friends ect. However, lets disagree to agree

[Adrian Schneider]

Originally Posted by Jase2

It goes down to preference then. Most computer users are seen as GEEKS. I've seen so many people who use computers a lot to be told to get a life. Most people really think that.

Yes, life is too short. So, why not get out there and explore the world? I've been working for a while (part time, of course) so I know how important money can be. But, there is still more to life. I'd rather be with the love of my life, than have all the money in the world. As I've stated earlier, money cannot buy love, friends ect. However, lets disagree to agree

My problem is you are grossly stereotyping / judging people from an entire profession.

Ironically enough, it's the people who do this stuff as a hobby who are the geeks rather than those who do it professionally. Not to point fingers, but I think that would make you fall under this category, and also explain your attitude towards the matter. If you (or anyone) spends a ton of time on the computer not doing anything productive and its getting in the way of real social interactive, then yeah, get a life.

It's not bad to be a geek, as long as you don't go overboard. Who cares what your interests are; people shouldn't be so judgmental. There are tons of people here who ,if you met, you'd never know they spend all day online. All my of my serious contacts on vb.org are either married with children, or have been with their girl for years. One of them actually quit the military to work as a programmer for reasons I've outlined earlier.

Money is a novelty when you are younger, but when you live on your own then it's a much bigger deal. Trying to finance your car, or house, or take care of a family. The average adult probably spends their whole adult life slaving away to pay back their mortgage. It won't buy you friends, but the lack of it can destroy your life.

My point is that you can work however you want and still "live". If you think the problem only lies in coding jobs, then it's inevitable you'll have the same problem no matter what job you take.


Danny, maybe a new thread focused on working as a programmer?