Comments on: Open Thread: How Do You Know Where to Focus? http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/ Fri, 25 May 2012 05:52:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: jk http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66686 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:51:33 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66686 Don’t do anything that seems to slow you down, unless someone’s going to pay a lot of money, and it looks like it’ll be around a while.

You should always have some tech you enjoy on the back burner, so that if the market develops, you can either take the fun job, or transfer some of your work over to this new tech.

]]> By: Lance http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66685 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:30:57 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66685 There are niches everywhere. Justin is on the right track saying to be aware, but ultimately, do what you like not what is hot. You’ll do better because you’ll be great at what you do, not decent because you have to.

]]> By: Justin Pease http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66684 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:58:46 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66684 Basically a 4 step process for me.

1) Be aware of the “new” stuff.
2) Give it a glance and see if it catches your attention.
3) If so, learn a little more. Still interested?
4) Could it be used on a small project as a test run?

For example, about 3 years ago I was looking to learn a new programming language. I followed the above recipe. That lead me to Python and Ruby. Further research indicated that perhaps Python would be the more advantageous language to learn, so I got a book on it. After becoming more familiar with it, it didn’t “feel” right to me. Later I again researched Ruby. This time I liked what I saw. I used it for a small program, and I liked it. I used it for a bigger project, and still liked it. Since then the language has gained a lot of steam and turned out to be a marketable skill.

]]> By: Tyler http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66683 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:42:58 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66683 It’s the classic catch-22, you need to have experience using some technology to get a job using that technology. Or find a project or boss that’s willing to give you the benefit of the doubt (and the time) for your learning curve.

Or dream up your own project / contribute to an open source project in that language. :)

]]> By: Justin Lilly http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66682 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:19:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66682 Its difficult for those of use whose current toolset provides for our clients needs. Where do you focus then when improving yourself?

]]> By: Richard Harrison http://gigaom.com/collaboration/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66681 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:53:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/12/open-thread-how-do-you-know-where-to-focus/#comment-66681 Go for something that interests you or solves a problem that you’re currently having.

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