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I'm in the started 20x years ago boat. The last few years, with the explosion in the number of tools, I've made a consciously aggressive decision to make the tools be my servant whenever possible. It was easier in the past, because there were fewer tools to choose from, and in line with that a lot fewer unnecessary tools to make the mistake of wasting time on. We've hit an inflection, where simplicity explodes into vast specialization. That is likely to get worse before it gets better. People that used to be able to do it all, are now drowning in a wave of tools & increased specialization in an attempt to hold on to that ability. Most likely, if you're one of those people (I am), you'll either have to let go of trying to be able to use every tool, or you'll have to choose to specialize more. It probably clicks at a different point for everyone, whether 5, 10, 20 years - eventually the thing you'll find that's always going to end up being more valuable than learning a dozen new tools, is your time. Your time is an extremely scarce resource. I'd like to emphasize that 407 times in a row here. Tools aren't really tools if they don't make you more productive in some manner. What would be the point of a fancy new hammer that caused you 5x more work and accomplished the exact same result as a traditional hammer? To answer your question. In my opinion, yes, five or more years ago it was easier and faster to complete routine tasks when it comes to building Web/Internet services & product. You can counter the growing complexity by refusing to do unnecessary things. If you don't need to use a tool, do not use it just because it's the latest fad. Python/PHP/equivalent + Postgres/MySQL/equivalent + vanilla JavaScript = 90-95% of what you'll ever need. If you're building the next juggernaut Web service, then sure, use more tools if you have to, the emphasis though goes on the have to part. |