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Projects while 'benched'

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    Projects while 'benched'

    I have loads that I could do. I have all the software to do them with. I have lots of books and free time.

    I can't be arsed though.

    I start off well enough, but after I've got a feel for using something new I kind of lose interest rapidly. Still, at least I do learn something in the 5 minutes that I am interested

    Funnily enough, when I'm being paid to do something my interest seems to remain.

    #2
    You could always offer your services on Rentacoder for the technologies you want to learn. You get a real project to practice on and you might actually get paid ( a small amount ) for doing it. You can also stick it on the CV afterwards.
    "Being nice costs nothing and sometimes gets you extra bacon" - Pondlife.

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      #3
      Try and setup a Samba PDC using LDAP and getting the windows and other samba machines to recognise it! A "project" I have been working off and on for a few weeks now. Got the PDC working now..just have to migrate the local accounts to the domain accounts now....wheee...

      Get on to the Samba 4 team and help them get it out sooner damn it!
      http://devel.samba.org/samba/devel/TODO.html

      Just a selfish suggestion.
      McCoy: "Medical men are trained in logic."
      Spock: "Trained? Judging from you, I would have guessed it was trial and error."

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        #4
        I'm the same, when benched I can't be bothered to do virtually anything useful, now I am working I have cleared out the whole house, had it painted and carpeted, built new furniture etc. Before that I sat on the couch for months thinking, I should really get this sorted out...

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          #5
          Use your skills; improve your CV; feel better

          How about finding a project with a defined end point: charity work.

          There is IT 4 Communities http://www.it4communities.org.uk/

          There is IT Can Help http://www.itcanhelp.org.uk/

          Either of those look really good on a CV.

          Have a look and see if there is anything that you want to do and go for it.
          Drivelling in TPD is not a mental health issue. We're just community blogging, that's all.

          Xenophon said: "CUK Geek of the Week". A gingerjedi certified "Elitist Tw@t". Posting rated @ 5 lard points

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            #6
            Originally posted by lukemg View Post
            I'm the same, when benched I can't be bothered to do virtually anything useful, now I am working I have cleared out the whole house, had it painted and carpeted, built new furniture etc. Before that I sat on the couch for months thinking, I should really get this sorted out...
            Yep, thats me too. working away from home, I'm like a whirlwind at the weekends sorting everyone out. Now I'm benched and at home all the time I simply cannot be arsed
            I'm sorry, but I'll make no apologies for this

            Pogle is awarded +5 Xeno Geek Points.
            CUK University Challenge Champions 2010
            CUK University Challenge Champions 2012

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              #7
              I guess I'm the one breaking the mould (hopefully not getting mouldy). Over the last 7.5 months on the bench I've:
              • Designed, developed and deployed a content management system as a vehicle to learn ASP.NET etc
              • Built a website in my CMS
              • Learnt a fair bit of Silverlight and published some working samples of stuff I've developed with downloadable code. Been working on this some more today
              • Recently got more interested in design patterns
              • Been brushing up on UML to support the design patterns stuff
              • Developed a skeleton high level enterprise system design for a potential gig to try and gather a bit of momentum with an old client
              • Tiled the bathroom
              • Cut the grass
              • Done other mundane crap around the house
              I couldn't sit on my arse doing nothing thing, but do I mostly sit on my arse tapping away on the keyboard. What's doing my head in is the constant phoning after every gig I go after because after a while they all seem to descend into treacle.

              When I think about it, it's the thought of becoming homeless that's keeping me motivated.
              Moving to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Pogle View Post
                Yep, thats me too. working away from home, I'm like a whirlwind at the weekends sorting everyone out. Now I'm benched and at home all the time I simply cannot be arsed
                Imagine what happens when you retire? I often think its better to keep yourself busy by volunteering..keep the mind and body active and you'll live longer!
                McCoy: "Medical men are trained in logic."
                Spock: "Trained? Judging from you, I would have guessed it was trial and error."

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