On 9/1/07, Tim Spalding <tim_at_librarything.com> wrote:
> If libraries paid their tech people better, they'd get better ones to
> start with, and retain the good ones longer.
...
> Now, I'm going to be my own "on the other hand." Actually, as Paul
> Graham argues*, the best hackers aren't really motivated by
> money—unless it's a life-changing amount. Although he was talking
I think that if libraries made up for the crap pay with really
interesting tasks or a fun and stimulating environment (which, for a
hacker, quite often means less bureaucracy, less meetings/committees
and less micro management), you could assemble a really great bunch of
hackers who would sacrifice a lot for the good cause. The university
environments certainly has taken this approach and succeed by far.
Actually, come to think of it, I've never met any hacker driven by
money, and I'm saying that as an ex-consultant, too. I think we can be
safe that no one started working for the library for the pay, though.
:)
Alex
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Received on Sat Sep 01 2007 - 00:44:57 EDT