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Why Software Engineers like Woodworking (www.zainrizvi.io)
submitted 9 months ago by ruffsl@programming.dev to c/programming@programming.dev
31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Having recently picked up woodworking after building my own office desk, this hit rather close to home.

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[-] thenewred@lemmy.world 48 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I'm a software engineer who does woodworking, and I approve this message.

But my favorite explanation: you grab your hand saw, and it works. You don't find out that the latest npm japanese-hand-saw-tooth package is incompatible with plywood, and you need to downgrade the package or buy new plywood to make a cut.

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works -5 points 9 months ago

Japanese handsaws aren't good for plywood? I've not got one yet so I've not experienced that for myself.

[-] thenewred@lemmy.world 16 points 9 months ago

It's a joke about software development tools breaking in dumb ways, and that it's not a problem with saws

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago

Oh, alright. Just thought there was something i should know about pull saws before I finished put my money on it and I wanted to make sure. Thanks

[-] grue@lemmy.world 27 points 9 months ago

Woodworking has the same highs as software engineering (and even more if you spend enough time around glue).

[-] ArtVandelay@lemmy.world 20 points 9 months ago

I find myself in the same boat, but with 3D printing

[-] Bishma@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 9 months ago

I'm not good at making things, but I'm not bad at telling computers how to make things.

[-] chunkystyles@sopuli.xyz 15 points 9 months ago

I get some of the same feelings working on home automation and creating my own IOT devices.

[-] chris@lem.cochrun.xyz 9 points 9 months ago

Been remodeling a house that we just bought and this has been a my experience as well. I just enjoy making things. Software, home automations, wood, anything. The joy of building. I think that's what it is.

[-] jsalvador@programming.dev 6 points 9 months ago

I've been software developer for +7 years, and I must say I also love woodworking. Since is something completely out of my scope as developer, it requires patient and is pretty relaxing working with your hands like this. No client changes, no meetings, instant feedback... and no dependency managers.

[-] survivalmachine@beehaw.org 3 points 9 months ago

This.

My friends/family: this is amazing, you could sell these!

Thank you for the compliment, but no. Absolutely no. I make plenty of money at my day job. I enjoy making sawdust and wood chips, and want to keep enjoying it.

[-] jsalvador@programming.dev 2 points 9 months ago

I guess we are just addicted to building things xD

[-] Krzak@discuss.online 6 points 9 months ago

I feel like sewing belongs here. And cooking, at least to some degree.

[-] jadero@programming.dev 2 points 9 months ago

Sewing for sure, especially machine sewing. I feel like I've got as much time invested in fighting and maintaining our sewing machines as in our Windows machines. ๐Ÿ˜›

And then there's that whole transition between pattern (spec) and outcome that is oddly reminiscent of far too many of my software projects!

[-] waz@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Curiously, what sort of fights do you have with your sewing machine? I just started getting into sewing a couple months ago. I'm currently using a borrowed machine and haven't had any major issues yet. I was hoping to buy my own soon and wanted to know if there were specific features that commonly cause problems.

[-] jadero@programming.dev 3 points 9 months ago

Tension. Always tension. My mom had the same battles. My aunt never had trouble.

I suspect that buying a new mid-grade machine or better from a reputable dealer is the secret. I've bought a couple of $50 used machines because I don't want to spend 10 times that or more if it turns out that I'm not going to actually use it. I already do enough of that. ๐Ÿ˜€

Go find a sewing club and get their advice. That's what I'm doing the next time the bug bites.

[-] waz@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Since my last comment, I learned that my local library has a few machines and a serger that you can reserve time on. I think that is going to be how I avoid buying my own for a while, and possibly a social setting I may learn from others.

[-] jadero@programming.dev 1 points 9 months ago

That sounds ideal. Machines that are mostly maintained by experienced people and a community to help you gain experience.

[-] _lilith@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

same but blacksmithing. you can make more tools too

[-] jadero@programming.dev 2 points 9 months ago

I haven't yet started blacksmithing, but it's the next logical progression. Other than a (very!) occasional boat and the odd bit of furniture or cabinetry, I seem to spend most of my time making tools, jigs, and fixtures.

[-] BanjoShepard@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

When I was on the fence about teaching English any longer, a friend of mine encouraged me to try software development because "[I] know languages, and [I] like to build things." I still feel a lot more comfortable with a saw and clamps, but I think he's right.

[-] Scrath@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 9 months ago

With woodworking you actually get to hold your creations.

This is the reason I got interested in embedded software development.

[-] blackbirdbiryani@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Did woodworking before I started software engineering, and I feel like the general attitude to craftsmanship applies well to coding.

[-] cogman@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Because you think "Oh, I made a mistake, I'll be sure to fix it later". You never fix it later. You mostly just add layers of shit on top of it and pray nobody asks you in the future "Hey, WTF were you doing there?"

[-] Kimjongtooill@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago

Not sure if you are talking about programming or woodworking

[-] Specal@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Funny, I've been a banker mason (stonemason) for 10 years and I'm now doing a computer science degree.

[-] jsalvador@programming.dev 2 points 9 months ago

Before studying programming, I used to work as electrician, haha

[-] Gingernate@programming.dev 2 points 9 months ago

How about homebrewing?

[-] probablynaked@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Why is this so goddamn accurate

[-] LinearArray@programming.dev 1 points 9 months ago

They love homebrewing too

this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2024
111 points (95.9% liked)

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