Re: Studying C++ to get off of Incapacity Benefit


"John Merritt" <no.spam.keep.this@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3%oSe.1430$Pn1.148@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> In answer to the question "Is there a living available to me at the end of
> this journey?" I know that nobody would employ me, as I am not able to
> work to a deadline. If I produce any software at the end of all this
> studying/learning curve, then it would have to be shareware. Will I make
> any money as a shareware author? - that is the question! Only if (a) I am
> good enough (b) Really understand what people want (c) Gain sufficient
> knowledge to market successfully anything I produce.
>
> There is also the question of how you measure success. With my Incapacity
> Benefit I receive the princely sum of £68.20 each week. To be successful
> at writing software I will need to earn more than this each week or at
> least add something to this income each week, no mater how small. That I
> believe is an achievable goal. The other thing is, what else am I going to
> do with the rest of my life now they have retired me? I am too ill to
> work, but I just can't sit around and do nothing each day. A good piece of
> advice that was given to me by my father-in-law was "When you retire you
> always need a reason to take your slippers off and put your shoes on." I
> am not able to do this physically, but metaphorically speaking, by giving
> myself something to do each day, I can.
>
> As to the question "Am I too old for this?", I don't consider myself to be
> any type of academic, as learning any new subject does not come easily to
> me. My thinking processes do work slower than when I was a young man.
> However, if I am not working to a deadline, does it really matter if it
> takes me a day or two extra to complete something? I am not in a race.
> There are other reasons for me to take on this challenge. I find I
> frequently have a senior moment when accessing information from memory.
> My memory is one hundred percent perfect, it's recall I sometimes have a
> problem with:-) Is that due to the fact that I was born in 1948 or the
> chronic fatigue that I experience every day due to the Crohn's Disease?
> Either way, as the old adage states,' use it or lose it!' I need something
> to challenge me mentally on a daily basis.
>
> John Merritt
>
>
<snipped>

Another option is writing.
Various courses available, including distance learning. Perhaps a book about
a hobby, individual or work that interests you.
Not a great deal of money in it unless writing several books or something
that sells well. But the couple of authors I've known who just potter along
with it get a few grand a year.
Writing can also be good as a hobby, even if never published.

Martin <><


.

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