>>> Fact:  People get paid to write programs in Haskell.
>> Yes. In the entire world, there are approximately 50 of them, I would
>> estimate.
> 
> That estimate is based on what....?

The size of Galios, Well Typed and the Haskell division of MSRC, plus a 
few percent for random people and companies scattered around the world 
that might also be using it.

> You could probably get a tech job with Nokia if you actually applied for 
> one.

Do *you* have any evidence whatsoever to back up such a bold claim?

They don't let just anybody work for Nokia, after all...

>> I would think my level of skill and experience would be a far bigger
>> problem. It's not exactly like I live in some small village in the
>> middle of nowhere...
> 
> What you've demonstrated here is a fair amount of skill.  Experience 
> comes with time.  Nobody leaves school or their first job with massive 
> amounts of experience.

Well Warp seems fairly convinced that I'm a rubbish programmer - and, 
AFAIK, he's the only person here who writes programs for a living. My 
total inability to spell properly is the stuff of legend. I'm pretty 
hopeless with mathematics too... What makes you think I have skills?

> Bingo, that's my point.  Some people can't expect to be employed near 
> where they live because where they live may not be near the jobs they're 
> able to do.

Erm... like I say, I don't know of anybody who had to move just to find 
work.

>> Or rather, "I'm looking for the wrong kind of job". Clearly there aren't
>> any programming jobs around here, so I should look for something else.
> 
> That would be another change in scope, yes - but if you really want to be 
> a programmer, then you can fix that requirement and change the others.  
> It's the combination of "I want to program" and "I want to stay in MK" 
> that seem to be the problem - so change the things that will make what is 
> the overriding desire happen.
> 
> If you really want to be a programmer, then fix that point.  If staying 
> in MK is more important, then fix that point and get a job bagging 
> groceries & stocking shelves at the local Tesco or Safeway.  Personally, 
> I get the impression that you would be happier programming, but it's YOUR 
> life and not mine - so if the desire to stay in MK is that strong for 
> you, then stay there and find a job - any job - in the area.

Amusingly - or perhaps not? - I hear Benny's teenage son who's still at 
school earns more money than me stacking shelves part-time at Tesco. 
Which is slightly ridiculous, considering I spent 6 years of my life in 
higher education...

Anyway, I'm not looking at stacking shelves just yet. I'm thinking about 
system administration - basically, doing a job like the one I currently 
do, but for money. Let's face it, at least I can walk into the room and 
say "I have *actually done this* for the last 7 years. I can prove I 
know how to do this."

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