While I agree that we won't be seeing early 21st century CGI scripts on the Antiques Roadshow (though maybe if merlyn would write a column in longhand and sign it... nah!), I certainly like the idea of "craft" (as does the Monastery). To me it implies a blend of utility and art, which seems to me to make best use of all the human abilities. Thought I certainly ridiculed the "artsies" with the rest of my engineering class when I was in school, I now think it is when we apply art to whatever we are doing that we derive maximum personal satisfaction, and as an unintended side-effect we also produce the best work.

As for a permanent contribution, I think you're better to look at the benefits you've given to your employers and society rather than specific cool bits of code. I think many of us (and certainly me) may be destined to be cogs in a great machine, but however depressing I might find that, it is still important to have sturdy and precise cogs if the machine is to achieve its design goals.

Even so, I'm still striving for more, and will be until I die!.

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I'd like to be able to assign to an luser