Byron Jeff wrote:
> Simple: because a hobbyist wants to see the results ASAP. This isn't
> consulting where there's other work to do while waiting around (which
> you point out below). Whatever project a hobbyist is working on is
> the sole focus of the hobby at the time. So waiting around is neither
> productive nor fun.

For me it's different.  I always have way more things I would like to be
doing in my spare time than I have spare time.  If one project requires
waiting on external events, there's plenty of other stuff to do.

> BTW Olin, what do you do for a hobby?

Very little unfortunately, since there ends up being so little spare time.
A better question is what I'd do if I had more spare time.  There's a long
list for that.  This weekend I'll mostly be working on my slides for my
Masters presentation, since the deadline for first pass slides is 1 April.
There goes another chunk of "spare" time.  However, back to the list:

- Nature photography.  Mostly this is in the summer.  I finally got around
to collecting some of my best pictures into a photo book and gave a bunch
away at Christmas
(http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/nature/the-path-less-traveled-by-500779=
6
).  I recently got a real digital camera and am now working on software to
interpret the raw image format.  I pisses me off that Nikon doesn't documen=
t
everything.

- Hiking.  I like getting away from civilization and seeing and exploring
wild places.

- Trail maintainance.  I have helped plan and build trails in the area, and
will be helping clear a big blowdown this Saturday.

- Woodworking.  I have ideas in mind for several pieces of furniture I'd
like to build, but currently I only get as far as fixing things around the
house and then it's time to get back to work.

- Various energy conversion contraptions.  I'm particularly interested in
heat engines and capturing solar energy.  So far these things are mostly
ideas.  I don't have a machine shop and need to learn a lot about such
things before much headway will happen here.  Some day.

- Electronic gizmos, mostly in support of the other activities, like
http://www.embedinc.com/pic/knli/index.htm.  I've also created some devices
for model railroad use for some friends, but I'm not into model railroading
myself.

- Soccer reffing.  I like getting out there and running around.  Having a
scheduled activity makes it happen.  Otherwise, there would be too many
things that get in the way.  This is mostly weekends in the spring and
weekends and some weekday afternoons in the fall.  The weekday afternoon
games are for our local high school league.  Yes, I actually take time out
from work to do that.  I make maybe $2K/year reffing soccer, but that's
really not the reason I do it.  I do however take all the proceeds (remove
taxes and expenses) and put that in a separate "camera fund" that I can do
what I want with.

Now I'm sure you're really sorry you asked.


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