Random Rants
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I hate coding tests.
The majority of Android development jobs in Australia have a programming task as a first or second round in the recruitment process. It normally conforms to the following:
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Write a basic Android app to connect to a remote server, download data, process it, and display it.
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There might be additional requirements, such as use a particular language, add a full test suite, store the data in a database, or make the UI look pretty.
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The client will tell you that it'll take two hours (the usual estimate), up to four or five. This is always a massive underestimate, as it's more likely to need several days to write from scratch.
Normally I use the requirement to do a coding test as a filter for a job. If someone wants it done, then I'm not interested because they're a massive waste of time (for me), and frequently companies don't actually respond when you complete it.
I'm currently doing one for a job here in Melbourne.
I didn't work much last year, and so my coding skills are rusty. On top of that, they insisted that the test is written in Kotlin, which is the new hotness in Android development, so I'm having to use an unfamiliar language.
So far I'm about ten hours in, with probably another five to ten to finish it. Plus I spent a couple of hours getting my development environment upgraded and set up.
I suffer from depression, and have a general lack of enthusiasm about doing things. Right now, this project is getting me down in a big way, and I'm close to emailing the client to say, "Feck off, this is a stupid fecking way of measuring programmer ability, and I'm not sure that I want to work for you as a result."
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If you're having desk problems, then suggest to your other half that you get a Molteni & C Secretello, which is a truly lovely piece, but has an eye watering price. (Here in Australia, I think that they're around $20,000.)
I'm not certain if this bargain of a desk will manage my 34" monitor, so I guess I pass. I'm not into such cheap shit anyways.
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Hang in there @Graeme
You know for them it's not personal, it's money as always.I, as many others, got rejected a dozen times on the second stage because of the lack of skills. Apparently getting your BSc with honors is not good enough. Instead companies are searching for someone in his/her early 20's with at least BSc/MSc, and 15 years of experience in all programming languages. Including the newest languages. ??? ::)
And they are still complaining how they can't get good personnel… Just because they don't want to invest any money in order for you to gain some experience.Just play along with the game. If they don't offer you a chance it's their loss, not yours. There will be others who are going to recognize your skills.
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@neph93 I made a bad call on which approach to use, and spent most of today debugging why it wasn't working, unsuccessfully.
Ironically, the approach I took would probably be the best way to build a production app, but for a quick and dirty coding demo, it's not.
I'm going to see how it goes, but I'm tempted to submit what I've done to date, and say no more.
@Cole the wooden slats in the photo of the desk (above) are about the size of a 34" monitor, so you've got no excuses.
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@Signal11 it doesn't get any better. You'll often be turned down for not having five years experience in a technology that's been released in the last twelve months.
In general, I find that companies complaining about skill shortages (or a lack of good personnel) mean that there's a lack of people who're willing to work for the wages they're offering.
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I agree.
I saw the movie "Logan Lucky" yesterday, maybe that's an option… -
I'm livid. I was on a Delta flight tonight from Atlanta to Pittsburgh and they let my suitcase get all wet. There was water all over the jetway at the gate and my suitcase is soaked too. Ruined the patch on my Prontos. The odd thing is my other suitcase I checked was bone dry. The one with all my shitty work clothes that I wouldn't have cared about if they got wet. Everything in my suitcase is soaked! It's like they dropped it in a pool.
I waited in line to file a claim and there were several other customers whose shit was all soaked too. WTF? -
wow. WTF is right. :o The shit they can do to baggage…
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Sorry @Filthy 21/23oz junkie that sucks. I know you like your patches to get a nice patina
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@Graeme i understand your frustrations. most of the corporate jobs or graduate positions used some form of verbal/ logical and numerical reasoning tests (or aptitude test) as a barrier during their first and second stages. now, some might argue if you can't get past this stage you're not fit for the job. but by doing this, they're looking past people with experience and what not. maybe some people don't do well in these tests but manage real world situations way better than computerised tests.
now, i have to say that i don't do very well with these tests and an definitely more confident in proving my worth based on a face to face interview or standing out in a group interview. sure the numerical and verbal reasoning tests are fine but the logical reasoning (or spot the pattern) is absurd..
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People who send you an email which when you reply to it, you get an auto response saying something like:
"Sorry, I have an email filter thingy that means I can't accept email from unknown email addresses as it may be spam. If you want your email to get to me, please jump through these hoops"
Feck off…..
Happened last night, guy will never know what I wrote which is a shame because I put a lot of time and effort into my response...
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@der:
"I spend my money on IH for insane garment construction", "I spend my money on PBJ for insane fabric textures and dyeing techniques"
Seconded. I‘ve a collection of Japanese wearables and Japanese doesn‘t automatically = good.
I think it's important to note that just because something does not have the cleanliness of an IH garment in terms of seams/construction does not mean it is poorly constructed. To say a company like PBJ, Sugar Cane, etc. make poorly constructed garments is a bit off base in my opinion. Are there awfully made garments produced in Japan? Of course. But, the brands commonly discussed around these parts do not fall into that category.
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@der:
"I spend my money on IH for insane garment construction", "I spend my money on PBJ for insane fabric textures and dyeing techniques"
Seconded. I‘ve a collection of Japanese wearables and Japanese doesn‘t automatically = good.
I think it's important to note that just because something does not have the cleanliness of an IH garment in terms of seams/construction does not mean it is poorly constructed. To say a company like PBJ, Sugar Cane, etc. make poorly constructed garments is a bit off base in my opinion. Are there awfully made garments produced in Japan? Of course. But, the brands commonly discussed around these parts do not fall into that category.
In all fairness, I didn't say "poorly constructed", and I hope that's not what my words implied.
I've never had to return a garment from any of the brands that I listed for construction or sizing issues, and I've never busted the seams on any garment from those brands either.
But, IH is truly leaps and bounds ahead of most, imho.
***My dream pants would be PBJ fabric w/ IH cut & construction. -
@der:
During boarding on several airlines I have observed luggage being soaked by rain, just left to sit before being loaded.
I saw that too, we landed douring crazy heavy rain and they unloaded the Plain onto an Open Cart, the whole Backpacker Luggage and the Bags where drenched. The best way out of that is at least that is how i did it, to buy a Suitcase that is Waterproof.
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@der:
During boarding on several airlines I have observed luggage being soaked by rain, just left to sit before being loaded.
I saw that too, we landed douring crazy heavy rain and they unloaded the Plain onto an Open Cart, the whole Backpacker Luggage and the Bags where drenched. The best way out of that is at least that is how i did it, to buy a Suitcase that is Waterproof.
When I flew back to the UK from Australia in 2016, it was raining in Guangzhou, where I changed flights. My rucksack, which was in checked baggage, was damp when I collected it in London.
Travelling with hand luggage only is probably the solution, but airlines are increasingly strict about weight limits. Getting under 7 kg with a laptop could be tricky.
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i only swear by samsonite's cosmolite/ firelite/ lite shock range. they're some sort of carbon fibre like weave, light and uncrackable. definitely worth the investment. i've not had any mishaps so far..
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I have two Rimowa Topas Stealth cases, check-in and cabin size. The aluminium makes them light but strong, comes with a five year guarantee, and can be repaired… sure they are expensive AF but they are also pretty awesome.
