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I've never done it. It's faster to read, so that's what I prefer. I've only listened to books while driving, and they were usually fiction. A technical book would work if it doesn't have to get into details that require diagrams or code.

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The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.

Yes, you are correct, there are parts that are difficult to visualize where the author goes into some diagrams.
I do like the challenge of trying to "keep up" with the audio material though. Kind of a test of focus.

I definitely wouldn't be listening to it while driving!

Nope.

An audiobook doesn't allow progressing at my most comfortable speed (which may vary, depending on the subject). An audiobook does not easily lend itself to re-reading a paragraph which was not understood. And worst of all, an audiobook doesn't allow for code or for diagrams.

I read most fiction in written electronic format, but find audiobooks too distracting for my only use case - driving. For technical stuff I still prefer dead trees.

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.

Daniel Pfeffer wrote:
An audiobook doesn't allow progressing at my most comfortable speed (which may vary, depending on the subject). An audiobook does not easily lend itself to re-reading a paragraph which was not understood. And worst of all, an audiobook doesn't allow for code or for diagrams.

You are definitely correct on all of those challenges. It's not something I recommend doing really, but it is an interesting type of challenge to "keep up".

I listen to EVERYTHING I can.
I've tried a few technical podcasts where they cover stuff at an Audio Level (no need for diagrams/code).
I found it great for building/grasping the basic understanding.

I will practice by listening to YouTube (while I walk) on heavier topics like PostgreSQL, which REALLY need some screen viewing, but again, for flagging what I am ultimately interested in digging in on.

It would take a special approach, for me, to listen to general programming/tech books. Almost like a "Designed to Heard" approach.

But I appreciate you sharing enough, that I might consider listening to this!

Thanks for posting. Always interesting to hear other people's learning methods. Great stuff. Thumbs Up | :thumbsup:

I am currently logged into CodeProject using my gmail account. I've been a member since 2004.

I just got this email on my work email account, and a message popped up saying the same thing:

CodeProject <a href="mailto:Info@codeproject.com">Info@codeproject.com</a>

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If it's not broken, fix it until it is.
Everything makes sense in someone's mind.
Ya can't fix stupid.

It sounds like some bug in the registration procedure, or possibly a phishing attempts (note the address from which you supposedly registered). I would repost in "Bugs & Sugs".

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.

Wow. You’re email system is really slow!

If you can't laugh at yourself - ask me and I will do it for you.

It's Gmail

If it's not broken, fix it until it is.
Everything makes sense in someone's mind.
Ya can't fix stupid.

Kevin Marois wrote:
It's Gmail
If it's not broken, fix it until it is.

Google has apparently taken your signature seriously. Laugh | :laugh:

It looks like someone is trying to create an account using your work email address earlier today.
If this was not your, or not your intent I can delete the account.

This is a tactic sometimes used by spammers.

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

Did you just add to your Codeproject newsletters? If so this may have triggered this email.

I'm heading back into the contracting world and a free-lancer I know recommended FreeAgent.

Any thoughts on this - or other Accounting/Payroll software?

As an IT contractor, almost anything commercial is likely to be overkill. I switched accountants a few years ago and their preferred accounting tool is... Excel! They have a fairly clunky workbook (which uses a recent version, so each year when they send me a blank I have to copy/paste some custom functions and do a mass edit) but it's very simple to use. They have tried recently to switch me over to FreeAgent (as it works with MakingTaxDigital, only relevant if you're VAT registered). However they wanted to charge me for that (only £50/year, but it gave me zero advantages, a new tool to learn, and I object in principle to having additional costs just to submit a quarterly tax return). So I continue to use their Excel spreadsheet, and can upload from that directly to HMRC's MTD via Anna Banking's free Excel tool. You don't have to be an Anna customer, and the quarterly upload is simple and quick, direct from the VAT sheet of my workbook.

If you need an account let me know - the guys I use are specifically serving the IT contractor marketplace and have a reasonable fixed fee. As with every accountant I've ever used (these are my 4th lot I think, in 27 years) the quality of service reduces proportionately to how long you've been a customer...

Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT
Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT
Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT

DerekT-P wrote:
the quality of service reduces proportionately to how long you've been a customer

That is so true, we started off with the Principal got handed to the assistant a year later, a few years down the track and our returns were done by the temp on the reception desk.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

I suppose it depends also on the complexity of your accounts, and the level of "creativity" you desire.

These days, most accounting is straightforward and leaves little room for "creative", but legal, measures. The fun only starts when there is significant inflation, or currency rate fluctuations, or tax law arbitrage (e.g. between different countries). If you only run a small, local, business, why should you need (and pay for) the accounting firm's best talent?

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.

I've been using it for 3 years now, it's been great. Disclosure: I get it free because I'm a NatWest customer.

As well as monthly payroll submissions to HMRC, it connects directly to banks and PayPal so the accounts are up-to-date. Automatically received transactions are categorised but have to be confirmed. The categorisation learns as it processes more transactions how they should be categorised.

It supports the generation and optional submission of self=assessment (the box values can be changed if there is other, additional income to be reported). It also supports the creation and submission of the CoHo annual return. This is the first year I'll be using the CT 600 feature.

I have been using it for 4+ years. If you have got a budget I would recommend using it.

- It syncs automatically my business bank account to transactions
- I can do payroll which is automatically submitted to HMRC
- I can do also Self Assessment which is automatically submitted to HMRC
- It helps with Corporation Tax Return (CT600) form
- You can add more users if you need to manage your accounts e.g. an accountant

I have been using it since March.
In short, I greatly prefer it to using spreadsheets and debating stuff with accountants.
It gives me clarity on how all my transaction should be treated.
For example, drop down lists of options that are arcane knowledge I could not be bothered to even know exist before.
It keeps running totals of tax liabilities too.
It submits VAT on a couple of a button clicks - something you must use software for now anyway.
Used it once already to submit a corporation tax return (CT600).
They keep the software up to date with tax changes.
In fact, I have already benefited by much more than the cost of it from temporary tax benefits that it pointed out on capex as we came out of the lockdowns.
Also it is fast, so trying things out to understand it does not feel like so much of a chore.
At the cost of a little time invested in learning how to use it, it has saved me money and time.
You will need to understand a little more about accounting than if you use a spreadsheet and accountant, but I think you are going to end up being forced to do use software eventually, so better now.

I've been using it for several years now and I've found it a breeze to use. I had some issues early on, but one was down to me miscategorising a few items and the other was due to invoices been raised before "FreeAgent day" and being paid afterwards.
I previously used to use a spreadsheet but it became a nightmare to ensure that I had got all the formulas right and correctly cross linked. I used to employ an accountant to create and file to HMRC and companies house for me.

I file 'realtime' payroll every month with a few clicks, and will be filing my CT600 with HMRC direct from FreeAgent this year. It will even do your tax return, if you have no other outside income (from rental property for example).

I find it an incredibly easy to use and friendly package.

I actually get it provided to me as part of the Accountancy service I pay my accountant for monthly.

When I start a contract, I go in, add the clients contact details, and a project in the projects section, then when a pocket of work is finished, I log in, add an invoice and click email.

My dash board shows me my yearly break down, profit and loss, company bank account level, any VAT payments due and all in a not accountant easy to understand way.

The ONLY bad thing I have to say about it, is some of the lesser used options are buried in strange menu paths that sometimes don't make sense, and require a bit of looking for, the day to day stuff though..... all easy to use and find.

Thank you all for the feedback.

It sounds like a good option for me:
- I want to keep the need for accountants to a minimum
- I want my submissions to HMRC, etc. to be as easy and automated as possible
- I want to spend as little time as possible on the admin stuff

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