Poll: What do you do for a living?

[IsaacKuo]

Did you read the story? As detailed in the first story, Manomio was specifically concerned about that and only proceeded after asking Apple. Note that the App store already HAS a number of approved emulator applications, so it was worth at least asking.

The real issue is that Apple's App store policy is capricious and just because your app is approved one day doesn't mean that it will be approved the next. See the App Store roulette story for an example of what happens to the "little guy" developer.

[gklinger]

Did you read the story?

Yes. Manomio proceeded with development based on the fact that "Apple seemed really excited" even though the application clearly violated Apple's terms - terms Manomio agreed to when they joined the iPhone Developer Program. They were motivated by a combination of greed and wishful thinking. They gambled and lost.

Note that the App store already HAS a number of approved emulator applications, so it was worth at least asking.

There is no asking. Developers submit an application and it is approved or it isn't. That's the deal and developers can take it or leave it.

The real issue is that Apple's App store policy is capricious and just because your app is approved one day doesn't mean that it will be approved the next.

If that makes a developer uncomfortable they should feel free to NOT develop software for the iPhone.

[PaulQ]

As some of you know, I'm interested in renewable energy. I decided to take the Renewable Energy Technician program at Durham College:

https://myplace.durhamcollege.ca/durham ... ramID=1396

Right now I'm a full time student (I almost forgot how fun College can be). I'm currently in semester two, having made the honour roll for semester one. By this spring, I'll be qualified to perform energy audits on homes and MURBs. I plan on performing energy audits as a subcontractor this summer and through my second year; there's heavy demand right now.

Me and my mates on a plant tour last fall:



(Never mind the date, the guy who owned the camera didn't bother to set it properly).

I spent my holidays tracking down some group discounts on the hardware we're going to need. I'm looking at getting the FLIR i5 thermal imaging camera, and the Minneapolis Blower Door. It's going to be interesting to see where this road in life leads!

[6502dude]

It's going to be interesting to see where this road in life leads!

Likely into musty attics and moldy basements

I had an energy audit performed this fall by a "qualified" person. He was clueless. The only reason enagaged his services was to obtain gov't rebates.
Granted, ceritification only requries taking a 5 day course, passing an exam, and being supervised for 7 home energy audits.
So, the standards are not too high.

I expect the demand for energy audits will evaporate when the government eliminates rebate programs for retrofits.

[PaulQ]

Standards for Energy Auditors are becoming more stringent as it's likely to become law that an energy audit be performed on all resale homes under the Green Energy act. The clueless will be displaced with my graduating class. As for me, it's a step on my path to becoming a renewable energy technician. At $200 per audit in my pocket, and an average of 2 hours spent on each audit, I don't think I'll mind the occasional musty basement or poking my head into an attic. It'll sure beat getting fat sitting behind a desk all day or working on an assembly line.

[English Invader]

It'll sure beat getting fat sitting behind a desk all day or working on an assembly line.

Are there any long-term health risks in this line of work? i.e. exposure to Asbestos etc.

[PaulQ]

It'll sure beat getting fat sitting behind a desk all day or working on an assembly line.

Are there any long-term health risks in this line of work? i.e. exposure to Asbestos etc.

No; as a matter of fact, we are specifically prohibited from performing a blower door test on homes that may have insulation containing asbestos. One of the things we have to watch out for is vermiculite insulation; if it's present, I am supposed to advise the homeowner to contact an asbestos abatement specialist. I could probably still do some thermal imaging for the homeowner with the thermal imaging camera, which actually does a good job at identifying air leaks and cold spots in the winter time. Thermal imaging isn't part of the standard procedure yet, however.

A portion of our training had to do with the identification of vermiculite insulation; if the home is of a certain age, and the homeowner does not know whether or not they have vermiculite insulation, we are to assume it might be present, pressurize the house with the blower door, and wear a half mask respirator to perform a visual inspection of the attic insulation. It's easy enough to identify visually without actually physically climbing right into the attic, so between that, the half mask respirator, and the pressurization of the home, the odds of inhaling asbestos is nil.

There would probably be a greater risk in driving to the homes to perform the audit than there would be in actually performing an energy audit itself. I look forward to the experience.

[gklinger]

Are you currently employed as a security guard?

[PaulQ]

You must've been talking to Arkhan; I fed him some "Dirt" to see where it would go. Now I know. Actually, I'm a full time student, but I do pick up the occasional evening shift at the Legends fitness facility as an evening facility supervisor.

http://www.oshawa.ca/mun_res/locationde ... 132&step=2

I suppose part of my job there involves security. I do give credit to my wife for getting me the position; she's the fitness centre supervisor. Actually, she wears a lot of hats there as a fitness assessor/personal trainer/supervisor/etc. She'll probably end up running the place. It's true that she's my boss; that's why I want to get into energy auditing. Seriously though, she's a great woman.

Feel free to stop by some time; we'd love to have you. Shoot me a PM, I'll let you know when I'm working.

[gklinger]

You must've been talking to Arkhan; I fed him some "Dirt" to see where it would go.

That must be it.

Seriously though, she's a great woman.

She seemed pleasant enough when we spoke.

[InfernalKeith]

Fun topic!

I dropped out of college to play in a rock and roll band and write. 18 years later, I'm still playing in bands, though I've never made a living at it. I make part of my living now by freelancing, mostly music writing.

I also started a little Ebay business that eventually turned into a full-fledged record store, then closed down. I few years ago I made the mistake of buying out another record store, only to close it down in 2007 when my daughter was born with significant health issues.

Now I'm a stay-at-home dad, full-time Ebayer and writer. I still bang on drums and still get paid almost nothing for it. I've also dabbled in standup comedy, screenwriting, and I have two books partially written, but all that tends to get pushed to the back burner a lot.

I dunno if working with computers as a kid directly influenced my haphazard career path, but it did fuel an enterpreneurial spirit -- I wanted to have my own software company when I was a kid. I had a logo designed and everything. If I ever get around to finishing any of my retro games, I'll probably throw my old childhood logo on the splash screen, just for kicks.

[PaulQ]

She seemed pleasant enough when we spoke.

She spoke; apparently, you didn't.

Way to get on her bad side, Golan.

[CrAlt]

I know it is a personal question, but what do you do for a living? I am just curious as to how this hobby relates/influences your chosen careers, jobs, professions. Anyone work in the tech industry?

Cable guy..
I support any product my company sells... from residential analog catv to business networking and telephone. I could be climbing a pole in the middle of the woods to replace an outside drop on one service call then be setting up hardware for a VPN in some office on the next call.

Never know what you will run in to.

[PaulQ]

I welcome all Denial members to visit our facility.

(It's not a very good picture, but it looks just like me)

I am happy to announce that my own personal sole proprietorship company, which is PaulQ consulting, has secured a contract sub-contracting with a larger company, bringing me a step closer to performing energy audits this spring once I pass the NRCan exams.



Now, if only I can figure out how to connect my Vic 20 to my DG-700:

[eslapion]

Doing energy efficiency analysis on a mobile rock crusher used in asphalt production (last year):



A few toys that were lying around...







... in the playground: