From: null@void.com   
      
   "Jim Wilkins"  writes:   
      
   >   
   > I liked the freedom at small companies that allowed me to expand into   
   > functions they didn't have. Usually I ended up responsible for all   
   > aspects of custom product creation, electrical, mechanical and   
   > software, after I had proven able to handle them. Symbolic of those   
   > companies was a note for the last one out to please lock the door, the   
   > job was interesting enough to work late.   
   >   
   > The downside was their high failure rate, at times from lawsuits by   
   > less successful competitors. I was un- or underemployed during   
   > economic downturns when startups folded and R&D investment dried up. I   
   > learned to live very cheaply, cutting firewood for heat, maintaining   
   > the house and car and using free antenna rather than expensive cable   
   > TV. That's why my Internet access is somewhat limited, right now to   
   > 10GB of tethered cellular per month. In those times I was free to   
   > scout auctions etc for good deals on orphaned lab test equipment and   
   > metal shop machinery.   
      
   I am feeling happy at this place.   
   It is hard to predict what the future will hold.  I can only hope that   
   if things turn difficult in ways which seem possible (I am in Britain),   
   local manufacture will be favoured.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)