* * * * *
                                        
                              A hellish workplace
                                        
> A programmer's work environment should be a supremely comfortable place to
> sit, look at information on a screen, and type. At ArsDigita we accomplish
> this via providing Aeron chairs, the keyboard of the programmer's choice,
> and at least two monitors. In the summer, the place should air-conditioned
> [sic] 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. In the winter, the office should
> be heated and humidified (often neglected). The air should be cleaned year-
> round with high-efficiency mechanical filters and electronic cleaners so
> that allergy sufferers are not discouraged from working.
> 
> …
> 
> If you see one of your best people walking out the door at 6:00 pm, try to
> think why you haven't challenged that person with an interesting project.
> If you see one of your average programmers walking out the door at 6:00 pm,
> recognize that this person is not developing into a good programmer. An
> average programmer's productivity will never be significant in a group of
> good programmers. If you care about profits, you must either come up with a
> new training program for the person or figure out the best way to terminate
> his or her employment with your organization.
> 

ArsDigita Systems Journal: [1]  Managing Software Engineers [2]

I'm not sure if the working environment described here is heaven or hell or
some unholy mixture of the two.

[1] http://www.arsdigita.com/asj/
[2] http://www.arsdigita.com/asj/managing-software-

Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org

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