Form Over Function

for RuBoard

Sometimes distractions are more subtle than a ringing phone. Sometimes they come in the form of a gorgeous view out your window; sometimes they come in the form of techno-gadgets in the your office, the toys of programmers everywhere. Sometimes they come in the form of an emphasis on form over function. You buy the flat-screen monitor, the fire-breather of a machine, and the $100 mouse, but you never get down to the business of actually working. Do yourself a favor and put aside anything that distracts you from your work.

In his wonderful book, On Writing , Stephen King had this to say about one's priorities in the work environment: "It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around." ^[1] You need balance and you need to remember that all the hardware in the world won't help you if it becomes a distraction for you. The tools of the tradethe quiet place to work, the computer, the books you buyare a means to an end. You are an engineer because you like to build things. Get rid of things that prevent or sidetrack you from this.

^[1] King, Stephen. On Writing . New York: Scribner, 2000. Page 101.

for RuBoard