from Hacker News

Ask HN: Can anybody else not use their computer for much other than coding?

by user0x1d on 3/8/22, 11:23 PM with 4 comments

I'm a programmer and very focused on my software engineering skills. I tend to spend time on my computer either programming or learning some new tech, and tend to feel 'guilty' when I'm using my computer for anything else.

  • by PaulHoule on 3/9/22, 12:15 AM

    It's tricky.

    I code for a living and I do side projects, both work for a committee and also art projects I do that always involve a computer.

    I do plenty of reading the news, commenting on HN, checking the weather report, and researching topics online too. I've also been a video game addict at times, sometimes that has been PC games (... hmmm there's that Atelier game I haven't played yet) and usually a last-generation console.

    I go to the gym and I put miles in hiking, in fact over time I have exercised more than is optimal to be healthy and I find it easy to do. Personally I am looking for more social things to do, for instance go to happy hour and have a non-alcoholic beer so I can drive home. Online dating strikes me as the absolutely most nerve wracking thing I could do because I spend so much time in front of the computer anyway.

  • by Flozzin on 3/9/22, 2:19 AM

    Downtime is important. If there is something on the computer you would like to do but can't, because you feel you should always be working or improving skills, then that is a problem. But if there is nothing else you'd want to be doing on the computer, then who cares. As long as you have some other activities. No one should dump all their time into their career or hobby. Some people do, but it's not healthy.

    But, to answer your question directly. I read news, watch streaming services, play video games all on my personal PC. I don't feel guilty. I put a lot of effort into my work, when working. I realize I need time for fun and relaxing, as well as exercise(although I could be way better at getting it). In order for me to perform at my best at work, I can't be burned out or drained, and these other activities help that.

  • by mark_l_watson on 3/9/22, 2:55 AM

    Not quite what you intend, but it I only use my laptops for software development. Everything else is on an iPad, or sometimes an iPhone.

    Also, there is nothing wrong with spending time writing code to learn new stuff.

  • by zippyman55 on 3/9/22, 12:10 AM

    Same here! Nothing like taking my wife to a nice resort and cracking open my computer and coding!