Comments on: Working With Computer Nerds http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/ Investing and Personal Finance Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:37:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Philip http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-41272 Philip Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:36:27 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-41272 Thanks for the post. It's given me (a manager) some real insight into important co-workers (and good friends). Our IT guy sent me the link... hint hint. Thanks for the post. It’s given me (a manager) some real insight into important co-workers (and good friends). Our IT guy sent me the link… hint hint.

]]> By: Sally http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-40954 Sally Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:09:40 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-40954 great article - I enjoyed the IT people at my former workplace - they were "nerds" but to us they were rock stars -- they also had a very stereotypical way about them about them, in the similar way they dressed, the tone of their voices, the specific kind of way they laughed and that cocked head confused sort of look they would present when you asked a question about something. That look was, seemingly, not because the question stumped them, but that it had stumped us. I used to wonder if they were taught this in tech college, they way we were taught certain ideals of dress and behavior in vocational business college. I found them always helpful without being condescending, and it seemed they were valued and respected members of the staff. But at the same time, it was almost as though they were a different species sometimes, as rude as that may sound. great article – I enjoyed the IT people at my former workplace – they were “nerds” but to us they were rock stars — they also had a very stereotypical way about them about them, in the similar way they dressed, the tone of their voices, the specific kind of way they laughed and that cocked head confused sort of look they would present when you asked a question about something. That look was, seemingly, not because the question stumped them, but that it had stumped us. I used to wonder if they were taught this in tech college, they way we were taught certain ideals of dress and behavior in vocational business college. I found them always helpful without being condescending, and it seemed they were valued and respected members of the staff. But at the same time, it was almost as though they were a different species sometimes, as rude as that may sound.

]]> By: The Carnival of Personal Finance #228: Halloween 2009 Edition | Money Crashers http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39479 The Carnival of Personal Finance #228: Halloween 2009 Edition | Money Crashers Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:34:41 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39479 [...] Cheap from Four Pillars explains what it’s like Working With Computer Nerds. Hey, what’s so funny about working with computer [...] [...] Cheap from Four Pillars explains what it’s like Working With Computer Nerds. Hey, what’s so funny about working with computer [...]

]]> By: Weekend Link Love - Amateur Asset Allocator http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39441 Weekend Link Love - Amateur Asset Allocator Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:42:23 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39441 [...] Working With Computer Nerds by Mr Cheap at Four Pillars.  He pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one. [...] [...] Working With Computer Nerds by Mr Cheap at Four Pillars.  He pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one. [...]

]]> By: GQinAZ http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39312 GQinAZ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:23:20 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39312 Enjoyable article with a great deal of truth. After years as a Manager, Director, and VP of development, ENFJ type liaison person, with some great teams of engineers and some true superstars, I was always amazed that no one above my mid-management level seemed to understand what you have said - what I also experienced - to be true of software engineers. Above that level, executives (especially sales-types) just want to bluff, threaten, and condescend usually while cutting estimates in half, whereas I always multiplied by Pi. But engineers are generally VERY smart people, as much artist as scientist, and cannot be treated like a used car salesman for long. They are motivated by different drivers than sales staff and will move on. More power to them. I'd rather hang out with a bunch of nerds and reminisce about XCOPY command line parameters and overclocking CPUs than talk sales tactics anyday. Salesmen and entrepreneurs merely dream; engineers build things. God love 'em. Enjoyable article with a great deal of truth. After years as a Manager, Director, and VP of development, ENFJ type liaison person, with some great teams of engineers and some true superstars, I was always amazed that no one above my mid-management level seemed to understand what you have said – what I also experienced – to be true of software engineers. Above that level, executives (especially sales-types) just want to bluff, threaten, and condescend usually while cutting estimates in half, whereas I always multiplied by Pi. But engineers are generally VERY smart people, as much artist as scientist, and cannot be treated like a used car salesman for long. They are motivated by different drivers than sales staff and will move on. More power to them. I’d rather hang out with a bunch of nerds and reminisce about XCOPY command line parameters and overclocking CPUs than talk sales tactics anyday. Salesmen and entrepreneurs merely dream; engineers build things. God love ‘em.

]]> By: internet http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39308 internet Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:47:58 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39308 Nice and interesting post. The comic is really funny. Thanks Nice and interesting post. The comic is really funny. Thanks

]]> By: The Financial Blogger » Blog Archive » Financial Ramblings – TFSA Rules Modification Edition http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39282 The Financial Blogger » Blog Archive » Financial Ramblings – TFSA Rules Modification Edition Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:56:56 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39282 [...] Four Pillars is demystifying the myth of computer nerds. [...] [...] Four Pillars is demystifying the myth of computer nerds. [...]

]]> By: Financial Samurai http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39273 Financial Samurai Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:23:10 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39273 Over 50% of my part-time MBA class were computer/techie/engineer folks wanting to GET OUT of their rolls. They were basically minions making $120-180,000/yr for the managers who told them what to do, and made the real money ($500,000+). We all need a computer geek to do our stuff for us though! Over 50% of my part-time MBA class were computer/techie/engineer folks wanting to GET OUT of their rolls. They were basically minions making $120-180,000/yr for the managers who told them what to do, and made the real money ($500,000+).

We all need a computer geek to do our stuff for us though!

]]> By: Caleb http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39266 Caleb Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:42:46 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39266 IT + Peopleskills does not always equal BA. I am a pure technie, I am always correcting or modifying the analysts UI designs. I work for a pretty big software co and we rarely use UI folks anymore. I go to user conferences every year to present sessions to tech and non-techie users. I'd rather not but the boss says I have to. If I had to work with the customers on a day to day basis, I'd probably quit cuz I've been on enough customers calls that I know I couldn't do it for long . But I don't mind the small amount I do cuz my job pays well and I like what I do on the tech side. BA's usually think they can read the code and often give me what they think is the answer to an issue. I usually thank them and toss it in the trash. Oh yea, you forgot one thing: computer nerds are cocky. IT + Peopleskills does not always equal BA. I am a pure technie, I am always correcting or modifying the analysts UI designs. I work for a pretty big software co and we rarely use UI folks anymore. I go to user conferences every year to present sessions to tech and non-techie users. I’d rather not but the boss says I have to. If I had to work with the customers on a day to day basis, I’d probably quit cuz I’ve been on enough customers calls that I know I couldn’t do it for long . But I don’t mind the small amount I do cuz my job pays well and I like what I do on the tech side. BA’s usually think they can read the code and often give me what they think is the answer to an issue. I usually thank them and toss it in the trash. Oh yea, you forgot one thing: computer nerds are cocky.

]]> By: Kyle http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/10/22/working-with-computer-nerds/comment-page-1/#comment-39148 Kyle Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:56:36 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4452#comment-39148 As a computer geek myself I can certainly relate to the interesting problems scenario. I thrive on a challenge so I love it when someone comes to me and asks, "Kyle, is it possible to do this?" As a computer geek myself I can certainly relate to the interesting problems scenario. I thrive on a challenge so I love it when someone comes to me and asks, “Kyle, is it possible to do this?”

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