|
that's a great idea. I'll use it.
Repo Man
|
|
|
|
|
I'm curious. What is the program for? I learned VB as my first programming language. If working remotely is an option, maybe I can help, even rewriting the application in a modern language. 
|
|
|
|
|
Sadly, the boss won't consider working remote -- yet. Rewriting in a modern language, except for the website which I'm doing in VB.Net Web Forms, is out. I will keep you in mind however
Repo Man
|
|
|
|
|
Oh wow, the boss guy really wants to shoot himself in the foot...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can we have link to the current website? Just curious.
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, crescentradiator.com
|
|
|
|
|
35K a year for a "junior" position?!
 
|
|
|
|
|
Junior programmers aren't learning VB6. They're learning C#, Python, and Javascript.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
I'm hoping one will be desperate and flexible enough. 
Repo Man
|
|
|
|
|
|
Believe me, I get it.
Repo Man
|
|
|
|
|
I'm saying for $35k anyone you're going to get will either be a hopeless loser or someone taking a job because they're desperate for something in the short term and will be gone for greener pa$tures within a year or two. While I understand preferring to have someone local to make training easier; if that's all your boss can afford your only hope of getting someone qualified and willing to stay is to outsource to somewhere in Elbonia where $35k is a lot of money.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
|
|
|
|
|
I agree with others, I don't believe your chances of getting a local programmer at that salary are good, and if this person is any good, they will not be staying.
However, you might find a retired person who's looking for extra cash, especially if the position is remote. Unfortunately, that leaves the boss in the same situation, having an older person who could die or re-retire at any time.
I suggest you have a conversation with your boss, and bring up all the points you mentioned. He has a serious problem, having what sounds like an important or even critical program written in a dead language. He's sitting on a time bomb whose timer is ticking steadily downward. If the conversation goes badly or the boss simply refuses to accept reality, there's nothing more you can do.
Good luck and perseverance!
|
|
|
|
|
You could look for a college intern. 35k for an internship with college credit is pretty good.
That might not help long term but the way you describe the job I don't think anyone is going to stay long term.
|
|
|
|
|
While I agree with other commenters that you won't get anyone good with any experience for that price tag, you might try hiring a recent high school graduate that went to vocational school (Technical Education) for programming and expect to direct him to self train on VB.net and take some of your time learning to code.
Not to put a damper on your ideas, but we just had to pay 120K for someone with an AD who tested extremely well and so far seems very bright.
Dave B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Talk to the CS/CIS instructors in your area. It could very well be an opportunity for an internship/apprenticeship for some 'undeveloped' future rockstar. 
In a way, migrating a solid, working application is a perfect opportunity for an entry level position...it allows one to focus more on the language and not the business logic. That part will come later from all the debugging/testing/dogfooding they will be doing. 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
"Hope is contagious"
|
|
|
|
|
"Lurch" your boss. That proposition is untenable, even after reading all the replies below. If he is your friend and cannot understand the position he is in, he is doomed to be stuck anyway.
Anyway, your better bet is a senior programmer looking to retire in an "adventurous" town on the "sexy" gulf coast who thinks hurricanes are a thing of the past and retirement with some income with evening sailing is the cat's meow. Drive home the Mardi Gras home seat option.
|
|
|
|
|
Because VB6 has been "dead" for so long (yes, I know it isn't really dead yet) you will struggle to get experienced staff - and if you do manage to find someone then they either won't be "junior" OR won't be as knowledgeable about VB6 as they claim to be.
My second-from-last contract was with VB6 and I got to charge 25k over the going rate because of my knowledge and experience of VB6 (and VB3 - just don't ask). I got the job through my professional networking.
I'd be very wary of using any of the "hire a programmer here" websites - quality is not guaranteed. If it was me, I would reach out to 2 or 3 recruitment agencies using something like LinkedIn to identity them.
Or as others have said, use this as an opportunity to rewrite to .NET - you probably still won't get the expertise at that pay grade but an opportunity to bring a junior up to speed, who is likely to have used VB.NET or C# at college/Uni.
|
|
|
|
|
If any more jobs like that come open and you don't want it, let me know.
Wishful thinking.
|
|
|
|
|
Sad to say but whenever I hear the words "Junior Programmer" my mind immediately goes to "Looking for someone cheap but experienced". I don't think that applies in your case. If you really want someone that can learn your code and take over for you I'd say hire an experienced programmer and pay the market price. An experienced programmer will learn what ever language is needed in a short period of time and learn your code base as well.
|
|
|
|
|
That might be good "intern" pay for someone who is at the university. 15 to 20 hours per week. But, unless he/she gels with the boss, he/she may end up leaving the job before you do and then you will be back to square one.
Good Luck
Brent
Brent
|
|
|
|
|
You're going to pay ~60% of the market rate for the opportunity of working in a language which offers them no future?
Sure, you'll be able to hire someone . That person will be someone who's not in the field, but wants to break in from outside. You might get lucky and find a smart person who's diligent and willing to learn.
Not sure how to select for those attributes, but I imagine that's what you want to be on the lookout for. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
