Re: [PHP] the state of the PHP community

On Jul 29, 2010, at 1:36 AM, Nathan Rixham wrote:

> Hi All,

Hey Nathan!

>
> I find myself wondering about the state of the PHP community (and  
> related community with a PHP focus), so, here's a bunch of questions  
> - feel free to answer none to all of them, on list or off, or add  
> more of your own - this isn't for anything specific, just out of  
> interest and sure I (and everybody who reads the replies) will learn  
> something + doors/options/contacts may come of it. The only thing I  
> can guarantee is that I'm genuinely interested in every reply and  
> will read every one of them + lookup every tech and link mentioned.
>
> in no particular order:
>
> What other languages and web techs do you currently use other than  
> PHP?
> - if you include html or css please include version, if js then  
> preferred libs, and whether client or server side.

HTML 4.01 and just getting into 5.0 CSS 2 + 3(Love some of the opacity  
stuff!), PHP What ever the current version is that my host has  
installed. MySQL
>
> What's your previous language/tech trail?

Don't really have much of a trail... PHP was my start with just a  
little HTML/CSS before that
>
> Are you considering any new languages or techs, and if so which?
> - names / links

I need to learn some more... But haven't decided where or what yet...  
I'm thinking Java/Javascript (Which I didn't realize were different  
until a little bit ago :P)
>
> Is PHP your hobby/interest, primary development language, just  
> learning or?

It started as a hobby... Then turned into a requirement for my job as  
I developed my companies website, and now it's what I hope tot be able  
to make money at! :)
>
> How many years have you been using PHP regularly?

5
>
> How many years have you been working with web technologies?

13 (Started when the internet first came out :))
>
> Did you come from a non-web programming background?

Yes I did... Presorted mailings with the US Post Office.
>
> Is your primary role web developer or designer?

Both... Though I struggle more with design but having a loving and  
creative wife who helps
>
> In your developer life, are you an employer, and employee,  
> contractor, freelancer, part of a team of equal standing members?

I would be a freelancer/contractor... Wouldn't mind being part of a  
team though with the right bunch of people.
>
> Do you tend to work on jobs for geo-local clients, clients in the  
> same country, or do you work internationally 'on the web'?

I've only done a handful of paying jobs.. mostly from job boards on  
the net... But I develop for my self to expand my unterstanding
>
> How do you get your projects? do they come to you, word of mouth, do  
> you hunt and bid for projects, code call, visit clients, target  
> clients individually you think you can help, or?
> - not looking for trade secrets, just to get enough for an overall  
> picture.

Right now just me going out and looking for them.  Experimenting with  
twitter to see if that helps though
>
> Do you have any frustrations with the PHP community, do you find you  
> want to talk shop but can't, or find people to work with but can't,  
> have projects in mind you want to do but can't find people to do  
> them with etc?

I don't know enough of it to help out as much as I want on the mailing  
list... Or yall reply to quick for me since I work a non-programming  
job full time! :P
>
> Do you network with other PHP'ers in real life - meetups etc, do you  
> tend to shy away, or do you find you circulate in other web related  
> but non PHP focussed communities?

real life? You mean unplugged from the matrix? Offline I don't know  
anyone that understands what I do... So mostly no.
>
> Are you a member or any other web tech communities, opensource  
> efforts, or standardization bodies - again, if so which?

No
>
> Are there any efforts, projects or initiatives which are floating  
> your boat right now and that your watching eagerly (or getting  
> involved with)?

Loving the stuff coming out of An Event Apart... The test suites for  
CSS 3 and HTML5 are getting me very excited in what can happen... And  
maybe we can push this whole net thing a little further and really  
make it popular! :)
>
> ps: please *do not* flame anybodies answers, that really wouldn't be  
> fair.
>
> Best & Regards,
>
> Nathan
>
> -- 
> PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/)
> To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
>