Has D failed? ( unpopular opinion but I think yes )

[Nick Sabalausky (Abscissa)]

On 4/12/19 3:35 AM, Tofu Kaitlyn wrote:
> 
> I put on my resume that I like D and every 
> interview I get asked about it, having to explain what D even is because 
> they have never heard of it. I have never seen a job posting listing D. 

FWIW, compared to programmers, software managers and *especially* HR 
folk tend to be behind the curve on knowing what's out there, and the 
general state of things.

I'm definitely with you on the frustration, but here's a couple 
perspectives that I try to remind myself which might help (maybe they'll 
help you more than they help me! ;) ):

1. *Every* programmer knows one or a few of the "popular" languages: 
Python, JavaScript, C/C++, Java/C#, etc. But those common-denominator 
languages have limitations D lacks. Knowing and liking D gives you a 
secret ace up your sleeve, an advantage over others, anytime the brass 
needs something done and doesn't care how. Ok, so, what, every hiring 
manager asks you about it? That's a *GOOD* potential for you - it means 
you have the potential to offer them something that clearly nobody else 
has ever offered them, and they haven't even dreampt of finding.

2. If you can convince them that you *do* know the main 
common-denominator garbage language(s) they use and you're happy with it 
and  genuinely willing to use it (that sort of "putting up with crap" is 
what separates bringing in $$$ from doing volunteer OSS work), then 
you're almost there...At that point, all you have to do is keep in mind: 
Your passion and knowledge and (this is key here) **ability to 
evangelize and clearly articulate** the details/differences/benefits of 
an ADDITIONAL language that **even their** pointy-haired brains have 
never even heard of(!!), yet could potentially benefit them (or better 
yet, give them a hidden advantage...mua ha ha ha ha)...Well, at that 
point, if you've sold it right and they're not too terribly dense (which 
would be a bad sign for your future happiness there anyway), then 
congratulations, you've just helped sell yourself to them and 
distinguished yourself from the unwashed masses.

Granted, this is all just theory, I can't guarantee success from it, 
and...frankly I've never personally tried. Personally, the route I took 
instead was to just supplement my freelance income by picking up a part 
time job doing shelving at the local public library. They absolutely 
*love* that I can alphabetize and do basic sorting without fucking it 
all up (I don't think they know it, but my experience with algorithms 
and optimization helps me here - and I was shit at alphabetical order 
until I started working there, had to constantly go though the alphabet 
song in my head for the first year or two). But then *I* love that I get 
something actually reliable (however small it may be) as an income while 
getting out of the house/cubicle/office, around people occasionally 
practicing basic human interaction, and still being useful while getting 
to shut most of my brain off. So to each their own, hope you find your 
niche! And this support group will continue to meet every Thursday 
evening, bring a friend, refreshments will be served. ;)