Benad's Web Site

I am of the many that have a 8-hours per day, 5-days a week daytime job. But I am one of the rare cases where what I like to do for fun and what I do for a living are the same.

An interesting aspect of this world of computing is how it is accessible to all. It wasn’t the case before, since access to “computers” was a work privilege for only a few people, and even there it was a time-share. But since the early 80s, roughly when I was born, personal computers are commonplace. The same can be said on Internet access. Before, it was only available in a few universities or military institutions. Now with Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE phones you are connected (sadly still with IPv4) at all times.

So when I’m not at work, I can still learn, explore and have fun with software development. Even if I were unemployed, I would surely help out some open source project, or make my own. So, does that mean that even when I’m not at work I’m still working because I enjoy software development at all times? Or the corollary: How is it possible for software developers to not keep on “working” outside of work, unless they’re lukewarm about their field in the first place?

Now, before you brand me as an obsessed software developer, I have to note that I do indeed do other things in life than just coding. Hey, even reading this blog you can notice that I write about lots of different things. I consider myself a well-rounded intellectual, but avoid admitting so because that has such a negative connotation nowadays. The important question would be: Could I flat out let go of software development, and move on to other things? For now I don’t see any reason to do so (somehow software engineering still fascinates me), but I suspect that since so many other things interest me, be it music, writing or design, that I wouldn’t have too many regrets in moving to another field. As long as I get a job, that is.