Yup. I support a largeish legacy application for a federal government agency running on ColdFusion. The idea of rewriting it in another language is a tough sell as long as it's still supported by Adobe. I'm realistic about its past, present and future but I also still love using it every day.
> I would have to have that right in front of me and read it word for word. And if I get pushed to reveal a number I would need to just pause and slowly repeat it again word for word like a robot.
LOL. I'd probably read it like a bank heist hostage. Ideally, while blinking rapidly and visibly sweating on the Zoom meeting.
This is a pretty good summary of how I feel and why I dig my heels in every time my wife starts talking about a new camper, a boat or whatever. I suspect she envisions it like a magazine cover: better, carefree versions of ourselves enjoying the sunshine with friends (who are ideally green with envy).
Boats are just holes in the water you throw money into.
Campers, I actually agree with you and that's as someone on his second purchase. But, my agreement comes in the form that I believe everyone should baby step their way in. Tent camp at an improved campground (meaning, at least a toilet onsite. Plumbing very optional and probably not happening). If your crew enjoy it, then it makes sense to step up but I'd still go small. Small towable/travel trailer. By that point, you'll know what you want/need.
For a couple, might be worth considering putting a roof top tent on a 4x4, and put a kitchen set up in the back of the vehicle. Can be an affordable and efficient combo.
You need to be the sorts of people for whom the highs make it worthwhile. For me, that's what I live for - adventuring around, seeing things, getting away. So I tolerate the stress, the costs, trying to find somewhere safe to sleep in a random forest after midnight, etc. Otherwise, it's a lot more hassle and getting the new camper doesn't just make it all easy. You're still vying for popular camping spots, still trying to get time off work when you want it, etc.
Most broad statements including GenX really need to be qualified by noting its size (slightly greater than half) relative to either of the two pigs working their way through the python before and behind it. Three when you count GenZ.
Apathetic? Maybe. But even if we were all on the same page as a group (which we're not) I don't see how we have the numbers to force a systemic turnover on our own.
I am, of course, a member of GenX. Sometimes, as Planck said, progress has to happen one funeral at a time. None of this brings me any joy to observe.
If a new non-youngster developer wants to pursue the legacy app/niche language strategy described in the article then I tend to agree. ColdFusion is easy to learn but at the same time it's really just an abstraction layer for Java. If one finds they want to dip into the guts then that's certainly available. As you note, there's a respectable number of legacy apps, often in the US federal government sector. One still has to learn SQL, CSS, JS, etc.
