SNIP
> I have been through so much team training during the last few years that I am ready to work alone and close the windows and doors to cut myself off from the world.
ENDSNIP

Tracy,

I couldn't agree more. My corporate developer friends think I've lost what little mind I (once) had when they hear me grouse about "team building retreats" and "daily status meetings" and how I avoid such foolishness like the plague whenever possible.

SET RANT ON
Someone much smarter than me once said,
"The best software in the world is written by one person. The second best software is written by two people, the third best by three people, and so on. When companies understand this concept, then their software might be worth something."

Never does that hold true more than right now. But try explaining that to the folks who need the work done. All they seem to want is the "warm fuzzy" of seeing your mass in the chair each day at the right time. They don't understand that developers need *A PLACE TO CONCENTRATE* that isn't a cubicle and has some modicum of ability to close itself away from the constant interruptions.

Now, if these folks who need the work done could somehow understand that we'd be twice as productive, or more, if we were allowed to do that work in a setting that gives *us* the warm fuzzy -- IMHO, you'd see less stress, less burnout, and (in most cases) an increased willingness to give a little bit extra from folks like yourself who "work to live" and not "live to work".

Not everyone can be productive that way. But for those who can, we should be given that option. Both sides would "win" from that being available.

SET RANT OFF

Okay, I've vented the utter frustration of this past week (vbg) -- we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread responses --