Things I don’t miss

I was recently talking to a former colleague who was complaining about dealing with the Finance department. My first reaction was, “I don’t miss that”. My next reaction was, “you know what else I don’t miss? Having to wear socks”.

Which of course led me to think about all the things I really, really do not miss about corporate software development. So, in no particular order, here are ten things that I really do not miss.

1. Having to work inside on a beautiful day.
2. Mediocre colleagues
3. Really lame colleagues
4. CYA (this should probably be #1)
5. Conference calls that are not useful (if you are saying to yourself, “there’s no other kind” you haven’t worked with a team of four really smart people).
6. Time tracking
7. Decisions that take longer than five minutes
8. Socks. (seriously, other than for running, weddings, or funerals, I haven’t worn socks since April).
9. Long pants (see #9).
10. Any activity that doesn’t lead to better software (other than drinking, which occasionally still does)

I’m sure there are more. I do miss people, but just specific people (see #2 and #3).