[Tutor] A slighty off topic question/rant for the experienced.

Tue Dec 17 09:45:02 2002

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I'm feeling quite overwhelmed about programming.

I first got into programming with Python because of Eric Raymond's "How to 
Become a Hacker FAQ". At the time I was looking to become one of the Matrixy, 
super-duper green scrolling code breakers that the intelligence agencies were 
always after or something. Now I know what a true hacker is and that's the 
path I'm taking.

But anyway, once I started programming and web design it was pretty cool. You 
know, I was one of the only people in my small-town prep area my age that 
could really do useful stuff with computers (or so I thought). But now that I 
am actively reading and learning about computers and technology, I feel so 
overwhelmed.

Just last week I was thinking: "Yep, I've got Python down and I know that 
it's a solid language that a lot of people use. Once I get through college, I 
might be able to get a job knowing Python alone.", but I hadn't planned on 
stopping there. I'm also learning Java and C in my spare time.

But now, I get to thinking about how many different technologies there are 
and how huge the technology industry is. I thought I was on my way to 
becoming a master after I had HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python down. But 
every day I am being bombarded with news about new technologies that seem to 
come out of nowhere and popup overnight.

Do I have the current technologies down? Noooo! I also have to learn Perl, 
XML, XHTML, DHTML, BTHTML (some new technology that I saw an ad for), and god 
only knows what other languages and technologies. My question is where does 
it end? How much does the average Joe Smoe have to cram his head with before 
he's a wizard hacker? Ugh...I think my brain's gonna explode...

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<HTML>I'm feeling quite overwhelmed about programming. 
 
I first got into programming with Python because of Eric Raymond's "How to Become a Hacker FAQ". At the time I was looking to become one of the Matrixy, super-duper green scrolling code breakers that the intelligence agencies were always after or something. Now I know what a true hacker is and that's the path I'm taking. 
 
But anyway, once I started programming and web design it was pretty cool. You know, I was one of the only people in my small-town prep area my age that could really do useful stuff with computers (or so I thought). But now that I am actively reading and learning about computers and technology, I feel so overwhelmed. 
 
Just last week I was thinking: "Yep, I've got Python down and I know that it's a solid language that a lot of people use. Once I get through college, I might be able to get a job knowing Python alone.", but I hadn't planned on stopping there. I'm also learning Java and C in my spare time. 
 
But now, I get to thinking about how many different technologies there are and how huge the technology industry is. I thought I was on my way to becoming a master after I had HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python down. But every day I am being bombarded with news about new technologies that seem to come out of nowhere and popup overnight. 
 
Do I have the current technologies down? Noooo! I also have to learn Perl, XML, XHTML, DHTML, BTHTML (some new technology that I saw an ad for), and god only knows what other languages and technologies. My question is where does it end? How much does the average Joe Smoe have to cram his head with before he's a wizard hacker? Ugh...I think my brain's gonna explode...</HTML>

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