Do I really need to get out the soldering-iron again?
I&#x27;ll allow myself some generalization here.<p>I know several very smart and creative hardware technicians and system administrators. I admire them. I truly do. They are more independently thinking than most other programmers I know, are much more resistant to trends and fashion in technology, and rarely complain about the tech they must use. Throw Python, Perl, PHP, bash and what not at them, they can and will curse but will get the job done every time.<p>In that regard, they are hard-working and resourceful. And I have a lot of respect for them.<p>That being said, I cannot help but notice things common among all of those that I know or used to know:<p>- Apple hate without any regard for the advantages it gives you.<p>- They use 80-100% of their leisure time to tinker and work outside their main work hours. One of them recently got divorced by his wife. She said the guy barely spent any time with her. I don&#x27;t know if their relationship wasn&#x27;t sour before but still, it&#x27;s partially indicative.<p>- Obliviousness how Android is not the end-all-be-all of free software -- because it&#x27;s not; Android is PARTIALLY open-source and comes with a lot of strings attached. Flash a ROM and your warranty is voided. But to them, if you can tinker with your tech then you absolutely, factually, practically, and for all intents and purposes, are using free tech. Details like warranties and hours-long sessions to make basic functions work again be damned in the process.<p>- Complete disregard for convenience and utter lack of respect for others&#x27; time. As mentioned above, they usually spend most of their free time working, are not stressed out or burned out, are in good health shape, and find it mysterious that people might be exhausted and would just want to lie on the couch reading a favourite book -- or napping.<p>---<p>I am somewhat saddened to say the OP&#x27;s article confirms my bias towards hardware technicians. He&#x27;s undoubtedly smart and good at what he does but also heavily biased and lacks perspective.<p>I believe such resourceful people should be more open-minded. If he&#x27;s reading this, I hope he takes it as a constructive feedback from the sidelines and not bashing. All I am saying is that their attitude is not helping them being taken more seriously. If you turn a blind eye to nuances (case in point: Apple hate from his side) then you are not objective in your discussions.