Frankly speaking with no prejudice whatsoever, the management may have made a good decision on that. Perhaps if you look from a cost effective point of view, buying and deploying the ready-made product would save a lot in terms of time as well as support. Since your friend is still new to programming, and no one can assure how effective the implementation of the in-house software can be, why waste the time?



At this point of time, if he desperately needs a job to support himself and family, go for the support job. He can definitely demand a higher pay, as his experience in this field would count.

If he can chill out a while and loosen his belt a little, try the programming job.

My personal opinion: Never get a job that will not bring you happiness. Do something that you really want.

Yes, I can understand how he must have felt. But reality bites. Consider this:

His ex-company's main business is shipping. Already, this is a complex business, with high stakes and risks to juggle each day. In an ideal world, it would be superb to have a shipping company produce a software for the shipping industry, since they know the business best. However, something is missing: They aren't the expert players in the software engineering field.

Hiring skilled programmers, consultants, QA testers etc seems to contradict with the company's mission and objective. The management probably doesn't see much added-value in investing in such projects.

The ball is round, and anything can happen. I'm sure with proper guidance and skills, your friend could have produced the best shipping software solution. But as fate drew the line, it was not meant to be.

We face such situations each day. Face it, reality can kill ones spirit

Let the fisherman reap the food from the ocean;
Let the farmer harvest evergreen nourishments;
Let the blacksmith mould the iron tools.

I have to agree with you on that. If one feels that he is able to spend a bit more on something of better luxury, that is entirely his decision, and we shouldn't question on that.

But I'd like to also make one point - Proton cars are not that bad. My 1988 Proton Saga 1.5I Aeroback has taken me all over the Peninsular and even across borders into Lion City and Hadyaai. Be it up-mountains or into deep jungles, it's still running well (was able to reach 170km/h to KLIA).

Of course not every company will give in easily to the demands of every employee. It's suicide. Most companies believe in providing "a good enough" tool for their employees. Some may find it sufficient, others may find it utterly slow and frustrating. Unless everyone complains, the management will not see it as a problem.

I chose to invest in a high end laptop, since I move around very often. Yes, my company provides a workstation, but the performance is just below par. I could tolerate it, reducing productivity. With my higher end laptop, I'm able to finish a lot of my own work in a timely manner, thus, freeing up more personal time.

We're talking from similar perspectives, where cina-pek style companies usually expect you to put in long hours, even on weekends. Well, screw it.

I would say his suggestion is the best.

vote++;

He does seem to have quite a lot of commitments now, so best to get a job which he is well knowledgable at. Bear in mind, with his experience, he can demand a high pay at support, while being fresh in programming, he probably can't expect much.

Cool it, dude. People are only giving their own opinions. You can't judge which is right or wrong.

This thread is about seeking for advice / suggestions / ways to solve a problem. You are definitely bound to get answers from both sides of the scale.

At the end of the day, your friend would have to make his own decision. He's an adult, and sometimes he needs to think for himself on whats best for the situation.

I'm sure no one here meant any malice or intentional spitefulness here.

Cheers

I am begining to sense flame balls building and soon enough, it will reach critical mass.

Seems like this discussion has slanted towards the motive of buying a car. Is it because it is a Honda City that causes him to receive massive criticism? If it were an Iswara or other local car, would he still receive the same level of hammering here?

I do agree, that choosing a rather expensive car is a little over the limit. But that is done, so no point crying over spilt milk. He has instalments to settle, no job at the moment, and pondering over which job to choose: Something he is familiar with, with higher salary range, or to choose a dream job of programming, which might not get him as much as the earlier one.

People, focus!

I think he made a right move in quitting his job at Cinapek. How can you find any motivation under such circumstances? No point working your donkey off for a company that doesn't know how to appreciate what assets it has.

But your friend didn't plan far enough. From the moment these abuses began, he should have already given some thought about it and started planning his next course of action. I wouldn't quit my job until I have secured a new one.

He literally opened up a void limbo space between quitting and getting a new job. Now that's a lesson he should learn.

Well Casanova, what can I say? Seems pretty clear that you are obviously a great friend to him too. Just that both you and Pennywise may act rather protective towards your friend, especially when people here in LYN give comments, you both seem rather quick to defend his actions.

We're not here to throw hammers at anyone. As again, this thread is about opinions, so it's only fair that what other commented are based on their individual thoughts.

I'd like to repeat once again, no one meant any personal attacks here. Let's all be open to both compliments and criticisms likewise.

Cheers

Indeed, we are all curious too, but what has happened has happened, and no point lamenting over spilt milk.

That's an obvious fact. At the end of the day, it's who's advice you think relates most to the situation.