Every time you turn around there is a new programming language, a hot new technology, or some form of hype or buzz surrounding some particular methodology or another. Considering this flood of information to digest you can’t help but ask yourself, what is a busy programmer to do? If you are constantly working to learn the latest and “greatest” will you ever have time to get proficient, or will you endlessly be a hack in a new language?

Each time a new project rolls around it seems I am questioning my choice of technology, do I want to do this using J2EE, which I know, or maybe I should take this opportunity to learn Ruby and give Rails a try or how about ASP.NET? This train of thought, while helping to diversify my skill set, has left me wondering if maybe it is time for me to focus, to pick a language or technology stack and really immerse myself in it until I am satisfied that I know enough to tackle something new.

The other side of this coin is that as more and more languages and frameworks arrive on the scene, the scope of the problems that each is meant to tackle is becoming increasingly focused. This means that programmers are most effective when proficient with a number of “tools” rather than a single. You wouldn’t drive a screw with a hammer, so why force a project in a language that might not be best suited to solving the challenges the project entails? Then again if you are constantly language hopping will you ever truly recognize the “right” tool when you need it?

Much to learn; little time to learn it all.

I would be interested to hear how other programmers handle this delema.

Living in a small town, and being a business owner myself I can really appreciate the efforts many people take to purchase local. I myself am willing to pay more, say up to 40% more in some cases, not just to support a local business but also for the convenience. But what do you call it when a local merchant is charging say, a 600% markup on a product which they are the only providor of?

Last week at my day job employer, there was concern that a recent computer failure had been caused by a power surge. This in turn brought about a discussion of upgrading many of the non protective “power bars” with proper surge protectors. After counting up the number of protectors needed we headed off to the local computer/electronics store to purchase some new surge protectors. Upon arrival I was shocked and horrified to see the exact same surge protector I had bought for my home (~$9.99 at Costco) priced at $69.99!!! How can they justify this? This was no mere small town markup, or “local premium”; this was price gouging comsumers who had no other choices. Having a total loss for words, we quietly purchased the one we absolutely needed, and have decided we will be heading out of town to purchase more.

Buying local vs shopping out of town

I am all for keeping local business local, but I believe that it is the businesses responsibility to maintain a relationship of trust with their clients. I need to trust that the business I am buying from is being honest and selling their products at a fair markup, fair being where they make a profit and I get value for my money. If a retailer gets too greedy this trust is broken and I feel no guilt in taking my hard earned money out of town, where I will no doubt pay less and get more.

I understand that it costs money to bring in merchandise and that many stores are not large enough to get significant supplier discounts, but a 600% markup? Please.