roundthecorner's comments

roundthecorner | 5 months ago | on: The Fourth Quadrant of Knowledge

Thats an unknown, unknown.

roundthecorner | 4 years ago | on: Tell HN: Turned 44 today and I'm lost

Not a therapist, but would probably switch my life with yours in a second. I am the same age as you, in tech in a third world country and working two jobs and eighty hours a week to afford a good future for my kids. I will have to probably keep doing so into my fifties to give them a good education. Bottom line, it might be a matter of perspective.

roundthecorner | 4 years ago | on: Ask HN: Online degrees/courses/resources to learn Anthropology?

Wondrium/The Great Courses has a number of good quality courses on Anthropology taught by renowned professors from the US. I have a subscription and a passing interest in anthropology that has been satisfied by the above. YMMV.

roundthecorner | 4 years ago | on: Ask HN: Any HN users with ties to Afghanistan or adjacent regions?

The last time i checked India wasnt strictly an adjoining region of Afghanistan.

roundthecorner | 4 years ago | on: Ask HN: Have you ever worked hard on something that did not pay off?

In my experience a better question would have been. "Have you worked hard on something that DID pay off???" Most of the things that we work hard on never pay off except in terms of learned lessons.

roundthecorner | 5 years ago | on: Ask HN: Which currently free services you use would you pay for?

Draw.io/diagrams.net

roundthecorner | 5 years ago | on: Ask HN: Am I the only one feeling stupid when looking at interview questions?

I am working as an architect with about 17+ years of experience and i feel the same. However it would still be prudent to practice as mentioned in one of the comments. Things seem easier if tackled before. Your task should be to create the time and the motivation for regular practice.

roundthecorner | 6 years ago | on: Ask HN: How did you learn DBMS?

If you want a broad overview of how RDBMS work under the hood, "Designing Data Intensive Applications", would be a good conceptual start.

This could be followed by database internals books like "Expert Oracle Database Architecture" and "Pro SQL Server Internals", irrespective of whether you use these databases or not, you will learn a ton of stuff about database internals and system design.

If you are interested in database schema design etc, then look up "The Database Model Resource Book" Volumes 1,2,3. None of the above are quick reads but they are solid foundations for becoming a well rounded DBMS professional.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: As a software developer how do you maintain your health?

I go for a short walk at the end of every hour. I have found my fitbit pretty useful in reminding me to do at least 250 steps every hour. The number might be small but i usually end up doing more than that once i get going.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Software is eating the world: Why you need to question your current career

What about time to learn? I am one of those older average devs stuck in small scale design and development tasks that start to feel like a burden when you are on the wrong side of 40s. Time or lack of it seems a bigger factor right now as compared to the points mentioned in the article. Finding time to learn something new while fulfilling one's responsibilities in life while trying to desperately hold on to the current job feels overwhelming. Time management in short might be more useful than all the other things combined. Or maybe i am just an old geezer.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: Where to Learn Database Design?

Data Model Resource book by Len Silverstone. Would advise to read and understand all three volumes though.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: I feel sad about my life and job, and do not know what to do

Neat idea. Taking join requests?

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: Anyone have resources for becoming a better software dev manager

Gerald Weinberg wrote a lot on this topic from various perspectives. Maybe you will find some of his books helpful.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: Strategies to Avoid Burnout?

Sane words. However sometimes life pressures like building a nest egg for a family while advancing in age and having to support them through a tough (non US) economy, with few jobs sharply reduces available options in similar situations, piling up the misery.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: How do you handle your depression?

My mileage, with emphasis on the 'Handling'.

The practices that I am outlining have allowed me to function at an acceptable level however, they are not a cure for depression.

Meditation with a focus on getting in touch/accepting whatever is happening at the moment.

Working out, running/jogging in particular.

Resigning to the fact that living a mediocre life is not that bad.

Reaching out and finding kindred souls, friends etc. Family, especially kids and wife keep me moving even if they are not aware of my depression.

Resigning from the self-appointed position of CEO of the world.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?

Jerry was a gem. Every one of his books is worth its weight in gold.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: What was the last Math formula/concept you used while coding?

For production code well, If (p then q) = (NOT p or q)

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: As a Startup, how do you break into big corp?

Consider acting as a complement to another already established vendor in the target market. Do they have a weakness in their offering that you can help patch? Are there features you can offer that will enhance their offering's value?

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: What is your 2019 book reading list?

Having reached the stage where you are able to distinguish between opinion and fact, i would suggest reading a bit of philosophy. You might find it illuminating and interesting in a different way. Worked for me at a similar stage though your mileage might vary.

roundthecorner | 7 years ago | on: Ask HN: Resources for the “engineering” aspects of software engineering

Look into books by Gerald Weinberg and Steve McConell. Both have served as great mentors for me in the mentioned areas.