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Why Programmers Work At Night[^]
a schedule for those of us who produce stuff. Working on large abstract systems involves fitting the whole thing into your mind – somebody once likened this to constructing a house out of expensive crystal glass and as soon as someone distracts you, it all comes barreling down and shatters into a thousand pieces.
Is it only me, or did somebody actually manage to get it?
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Article wrote: At the gist of all this is avoiding distractions. But you could just lock the door, what’s so special about the night?
It's a thing called "flow". Doesn't happen just during the night, just during moments without interruptions.
Espen Harlinn wrote: Is it only me, or <layer>did somebody actually manage to get it?
Get what?
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Did you get it? Nudge nudge wink wink know what I mean.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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Eddy Vluggen wrote: Get what?
Should perhaps have written:
Manage to put it into words that even a manager should be able to understand. I realize I may be a tad optimistic - but I'm hoping 
Eddy Vluggen wrote: Doesn't happen just during the night, just during moments without interruptions.
Agree, but then those moments without interruption isn't something you usually get during "working hours".
We're discussing this with some regularity at work - and I'm trying to argue that, depending on what you're doing, some flexibility with regards to where and when you work is a good thing - and that this doesn't mean total anarchy.
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Espen Harlinn wrote: Agree, but then those moments without interruption isn't something you usually get during "working hours".
..there's usually a time-sheet, and most managers get the hint if it contains more items labelled "(internal) support" than "writing code".
Espen Harlinn wrote: We're discussing this with some regularity at work
Most workplaces aren't a democracy, and most of the time a manager wants to be able to "walk in and talk". Combine that with a semi-helpdesk function where customers call at random moments, and your productivity drops rapidly.
Easy solution; hire someone cheap to handle the calls, let the manager aggregate his things for the planned meeting. That's obviously more expensive than crippling a programmers' productivity, and hence, not an option.
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Eddy Vluggen wrote: That's obviously more expensive than crippling a programmers' productivity, and hence, not an option.
From my perspective, crippling a programmers' productivity, is actualy way more expensive ...
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I think Eddy was missing the sarcasm smiley!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Espen Harlinn wrote: From my perspective, crippling a programmers' productivity, is actualy way more expensive ...
I'll have to agree. See, not much of a discussion 
It's a decision, and one can easily list arguments and consequences.
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Eddy Vluggen wrote: one can easily list arguments and consequences
Which is what I'm looking for, I can easily list my own - but I like to get the input of other people too.
As I mentioned elsewhere on this thread, I'd like to see a workplace that accepts more fexibility, as the norm - which I think will be of benefit to both employer and employee.
There are both pros and cons, but in my experience people tend to be both more productive and responsible when the work environment is flexible enough to adapt to the employee.
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Oh no! I am special kind of dyslexic, you and the guy above you looks same to me. 
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Espen Harlinn wrote: but in my experience people tend to be both more productive and responsible when the work environment is flexible enough to adapt
Not all people; some of them will abuse any privilege given. There's what bites our manager, and it's a valid point too.
Espen Harlinn wrote: I'd like to see a workplace that accepts more fexibility
Are you lacking flexibility, or are you trying to get away from a non-optimal work-environment?
There's a lot you can do to kill distractions; turn of your IM, don't read mails the second they arrive, close the door. In general, one can easily explain that interrupting work will cause a delay.
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First, I think many of us do as Catherine Bullard[^] does.
Some things just can't be done productively, if at all, when you're getting interrupted on a regular basis; and since I like to chat, I might even interrupt myself just to do that - so it's not just other people interrupting my work.
Eddy Vluggen wrote: some of them will abuse any privilege given
It's tempting to say: let them - that kind of people usually aren't productive no matter what kind of environment - and Q&A should be on to them soon enough.
Eddy Vluggen wrote: are you trying to get away from a non-optimal work-environment?
Work environment is a common enough topic here in the lounge, and for good reasons.
Eddy Vluggen wrote: Are you lacking flexibility
There are certainly things I can't do at work - you mentioned "flow", and when I'm really into it - getting interrupted feels like a heart attack. I usually don’t startle easily, but this really is the exception.
The point I'm trying to get through to a number of people is that the "optimal" environment isn't a fixed thing.
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Espen Harlinn wrote: First, I think many of us do as Catherine Bullard[^] does.
Yup, the ideal work-week has four days and three nights.
Espen Harlinn wrote: The point I'm trying to get through to a number of people is that the "optimal" environment isn't a fixed thing.
Nice thread 
Always assumed it was tied to the profession, but as I read here, there are various levels of personal preferences.
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Those place that group-working is a way of life obligates creative people to wait everybody goes away to start working.
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Eddy Vluggen wrote: a manager wants to be able to "walk in and talk".
I occasionally post a sign outside my cube:UNLESS IT'S ON FIRE, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT That, plus the fact that I'm wearing my headphones, is usually sufficient to keep people from bothering me.
If it isn't, the pike outside my cubicle can always use a fresh head as a warning to others.
Software Zen: delete this;
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About 6 months or so ago, as a test ("it might work") we gave everyone 3 (large) LEGO blocks.
One green, one yellow, one red (you can guess where this is going)
You stack those, and display them on your desk/monitor/whereever - point being, they should be plain in sight, even from across the office.
If the red LEGO is on top : It's basically "UNLESS IT'S ON FIRE, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT"
If it's yellow : I *am* busy/working - But It's OK'ish to disturb if you really have to (ie. it won't mean I'll lose 30 minutes getting back into the groove)
If it's green : I'm currently only engaged in doing misc tasks that have probably been procrastinated anyhow (and that I'd prob rather not be doing) I'm up for anything (Only ever had that one once for an hour or two...). AKA feel free to talk to me / ask questions - or tell about your weekend.
This is an incredible simple thing to do at any office - and the amazing thing is (at our office) it bloody works!
Even our most talkative/impulse marketing/sales guys/girls will respect it.
I've seen them get up and move towards a coder, only to spot the red LEGO and turn around and sit back down again.
I've even tried having one of them ignore my red LEGO and start talking to me - For me to simply "pointedly point" at the LEGO stack and they shut up (this has happened only once or twice - in the beginning).
Depending on your office, and the people there, YMMV of course.
For us, it works surprisingly well.
And it's such a simple thing to set up as well (aka. it's worth giving it a shot even if you doubt it'll work - As I did initially...)
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Eddy Vluggen wrote: Most workplaces aren't a democracy, and most of the time a manager wants to be able to "walk in and talk".
So when the manager walks in to chat, say "Hold one sec," save your work and shut down the computer. Then chat with him. It should make the point.
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Or simply put it on your timesheet - "distracted by boss talking about phones, 30min"
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When it gets late, around midnight, I get a clarity of mind and focus that I can't get during daylight hours, even in a dark room. I feel like I could go on for hours, and am able to see endless possibilities. By day, these possibilities are qualified with effort and resources, but late at night, it is only me and the code. I do my brain surgery late at night, couple nights per week, and collaborative work during the day.
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Now, that has a ring of familiarity to it - and I guess this goes for a lot people ...
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i will never cease to be amazed at how special programmers think they are.
do no other jobs require attention and concentration?
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Chris Losinger wrote: do no other jobs require attention and concentration?
Helicopter pilot for example.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.
Shed Petition[ ^]
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Funny you should mention that.
In a lot of airlines they have a "sterile cockpit" policy that requires both pilots to only talk about the job at hand (getting the plane on the ground) once they go below some nominal altitude, often 10000ft. This is because landing a plane requires intense concentration by both pilots despite all the on-board computer wizardry that's supposed to make it easier. The last few seconds are especially crucial, and distractions in that phase of the flight constitute a real risk. They say there are only two kinds of pilots: those who have landed with the gear up, and those who are going to. Too many pilots have been distracted at the point of putting the gear down and forgotten to do it; staying out of both categories is really hard work requiring constant vigilance.
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Chris Losinger wrote: do no other jobs require attention and concentration?
Most certainly - I've never met a scientist who was required to work in an open office solution. I've met a few that shared an office - but then that's the way they wanted it.
My point is that the most efficient work environment isn't necessarily a fixed thing, it changes depending on circumstances. Neither is this an argument that's only about software development.
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Espen Harlinn wrote: Most certainly - I've never met a scientist who was required to work in an open office solution.
+5
CPallini wrote: You cannot argue with agile people so just take the extreme approach and shoot him.
:Smile:
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