Keeping Up with the Kids

Error message

  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home1/markspap/public_html/kathy/includes/menu.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home1/markspap/public_html/kathy/includes/common.inc).
May 25, 2015
Front-end Smithery

Having worked in web development for 19 years has its advantages, but there are plenty of disadvantages too.  Gray hairs and wrinkles are a topic for another post.  I’m talking about all that useless knowledge (table layout, anyone?) you still carry around and how you can get stuck in your ways.  Of course, by “you” I mean me.

The last few years I’ve gotten a little lazy.  With lots going on in my personal life, I've relied on the tools I already had to get me through projects at work.  Besides, at 55 years old, who wants to always be studying up on the latest cool new fad in web development?

Turns out, I do.

It’s shocking just how quickly I got behind.  Within a year or two, young developers on my team are doing things and using tools I’m too nervous to try.  It makes me feel a little dated and old, and that is one thing I will not put up with.

I may be old, yes, but I still adore building web sites and have no intention of retiring to a rocking chair.  It’s time, I realize, for a plan.  So I came up with one, and I’m sharing it with you in case you find it useful or can add some good ideas.

Eat your fruits and veggies.  Seriously, now is the time to take care of yourself.  You need the energy to keep up with the youngsters.  A little exercise probably wouldn’t hurt, either [insert groan].

Don’t rest on laurels.  It sounds harsh, but no one cares (too much) what you built back in the day.  All the world cares about is what you are building now and what you’re going to create tomorrow.

Change your habits.  It’s so easy to do things the same old way.  It's quick, it's painless, and it's familiar enough you could do it in your sleep.  But maybe that's the problem.  If you're sleepwalking through your work, maybe it's time to incorporate some new technologies that could inspire and reinvigorate you.  Shake things up by trying something new--change your development workflow, experiment with a new platform, or play around with a new language.

Listen to and learn from the kids.  Yeah, they don’t have the range or depth of our knowledge.  But they do know what’s trendy, cool and cutting edge.  You may be (almost) old enough to be their grandparent, but you can still learn from them.  Ask a kid you admire to teach you something.  Anything.  

Do something that scares you.  If design terrifies you, join lynda.com and challenge yourself to create a set of graphically rich mockups.  If command line gives you dry mouth, find a tutorial and open up Terminal.  If you’re nervous about Sass, start using it.  Today.

Crack those books...and the online tutorials, courses, blogs, articles, feeds and newsletters.  Anywhere the latest techniques and tools are explained, be there.  Every single day.

Rethink your niche.  Step back and take a high-level view of the industry.  It's changed a lot since you started playing in this game (maybe as a jack-of-all-trades webmaster?).  The explosion of new platforms and technologies means exciting new areas of specialization have opened up.  Find the two or three that interest you most, and focus your time and energy on those.

Recommit to your career. Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we can’t code anymore or that we’re only fit for management.  Unless we’ve stopped trying.  Have you stopped trying?

Don’t. Ever. Stop. Trying.  Because age is fricking irrelevant.

Similar Notes

Drupal 8 Online Training
Where are All the Women in Web Development?
Best Free Image Optimization Apps for Mac

Comments

Noted by canadian pharma... on May 6, 2024

You can certainly see your skills in the article you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

Noted by officialbapehoodie on May 6, 2024

Thanks for the information. I really like the way you express complex topics in lucid way. It really helps me understand it much better way.

Noted by Robertdiari on May 6, 2024

Men dating men participation love, union, and the dream of relationships in their own unexcelled way.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/14357/overwatch-mercy-3d-hentai-with-sound/
In a everyone that embraces diverseness and inclusivity, same-sex relationships from ground their place. Men who fixture men sail the joys and challenges of edifice substantial connections based on authenticity and complementary understanding. They consecrate enjoyment while overcoming societal expectations, stereotypes, and discrimination.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/5170/monster-girl-island-demo-story-build-...
Communication and emotional intimacy play a pivotal place in their relationships, fostering assurance and deepening their bond. As people progresses close to conformity, it is significant to recognize and respect the care shared between men dating men, embracing their incomparable experiences and contributions to the tapestry of someone connections.

Noted by Robertdiari on May 6, 2024

Men dating men experience love, connection, and the stunner of relationships in their own incomparable way.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/30373/the-best-of-nyl-compilation-130/
In a superb that embraces diverseness and inclusivity, same-sex relationships from develop their place. Men who date men sail the joys and challenges of structure substantial connections based on authenticity and complementary understanding. They hallow charity while overcoming societal expectations, stereotypes, and discrimination.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/13923/realistic-game-2022-with-big-and-boo...
Communication and stirring intimacy disport oneself a pivotal part in their relationships, fostering assurance and deepening their bond. As society progresses toward fairness, it is distinguished to distinguish and regard the care shared between men dating men, embracing their unique experiences and contributions to the tapestry of anthropoid connections.

Noted by canada pharmace... on May 6, 2024

It's impressive that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph as well as from our argument made at this time.

Noted by AndrewKnona on May 6, 2024

Denver Cleaning Choice is a woman owned local business with more than 20 years experience in commercial cleaning services <a href="https://sunshinecleaningsrvc.com">office cleaning services</a>

Noted by OLaneMax on May 6, 2024

Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was a amusement account it. Glance complicated to far brought agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?

<a href="https://undress-ai.cc/telegram-undress-ai/">telegram undress ai</a>

Noted by AnthonySebra on May 6, 2024

I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
look also at my pages and give a rating

XEvil is an easy, quick and effortless program for fully computerized recognition and bypass on the vast majority of captchas (CAPTCHAs), with no need to have to connect any 3rd-celebration services.

This system almost wholly replaces providers for instance AntiGate (Anti-Captcha), RuCaptcha, DeCaptcher and others. At the same time, it significantly exceeds them in recognition speed (10 moments or even more) and is totally no cost.

http://ultfoms.ru/user/RochellBowlin0/ fast indexing for blogger
http://lashnbrow.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=1874195 nothing to link indexing
https://alohababy.co.kr/main/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=122542 fast indexing in outlook
https://www.sitiosecuador.com/author/leseyr69955/ fast indexing meaning

@d@=

Noted by AndrewKnona on May 6, 2024

Denver Cleaning Choice is a woman owned local business with more than 20 years experience in commercial cleaning services <a href="https://sunshinecleaningsrvc.com">office janitorial service denver co</a>

Noted by canada pharmace... on May 6, 2024

Ahaa, its pleasant conversation regarding this post here at this web site, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.

Noted by DichaelHaphy on May 6, 2024

Hey! I realize this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask. Does running a well-established website such as yours take a lot of work? I am completely new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal every day. I'd like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!

<a href="https://undress-ai.cc/ai-undressing-free/">ai undressing free</a>

Noted by canadian pharma... on May 7, 2024

I read this piece of writing fully about the resemblance of most recent and earlier technologies, it's awesome article.

Noted by ovoo on May 7, 2024

This is an incredible inspiring article. I am basically satisfied with your great work. You put actually quite supportive information. Keep it up.<a href="https://ovoofficial.com/">ovoofficial.com</a>

Noted by canadian pharma... on May 7, 2024

What's up to all, it's actually a fastidious for me to pay a quick visit this site, it consists of precious Information.

Noted by JamesOrapy on May 7, 2024

Men dating men participation get a bang, connection, and the dream of relationships in their own incomparable way.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/15559/getting-lucky-with-widowmaker-after-...
In a life that embraces range and inclusivity, same-sex relationships from organize their place. Men who ancient men navigate the joys and challenges of edifice relevant connections based on authenticity and mutual understanding. They consecrate enjoyment from while overcoming societal expectations, stereotypes, and discrimination.
https://hentai0day.com/videos/25800/house-chores-cap-1-my-sexy-big-tits-...
Communication and fervent intimacy disport oneself a crucial task in their relationships, fostering reliability and deepening their bond. As system progresses close to equality, it is important to distinguish and compliments the care shared between men dating men, embracing their incomparable experiences and contributions to the tapestry of human connections.

Pages

Add new comment