[voodootrucker]

Yes, 100% this. When the virus isn't spiking in your area, I recommend meeting coworkers in coworking spaces. When it is spiking I've been going to parks to have beers with friends. A warm coat can help a lot.

I also found this video to be helpful https://youtu.be/snAhsXyO3Ck

[edit] Oh, and remote pairing over teamviewer turns a terrible isolated work day into a casual conversation with a friend about code. I find that 2 developers actually getting 1 job done is better than both being isolated and just scrolling reddit.

[ballenf]

The video is from CGP Grey and is called Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You. It's about separating physically spaces at home to help your brain. It's incredible.

For anyone who hates clicking on YT links without knowing where they lead.

[flurdy]

Remote pairing with VS Code Live Share + Slack/Zoom call has been a blessing. Great for focussing on work as always, but now also general conversation about random things that you can no longer physically do when in a lockdown.

[voodootrucker]

Compile time is great "getting to know you" time.

[graeme]

I just came here to post that video. It seriously helped me improve my working from home. And I’d been working from home for years.

[dalu]

When ever I read job ads and it says pair programming I click next.

I would hate to do that. Idk how you can. I have this imagination of the partner either being a super need Hipster smartassing over everything or a real Dumbo. In both cases they would drive me blood pressure up.

[jfk13]

Personally, I've had some great experiences pair-programming on a specific project; but it's only ever been for a few days of intensive sprint, at intervals of 6-12 months. I wouldn't want it to be my regular mode of work, certainly.

[voodootrucker]

It's a skill and an art like anything else. I had to teach it before I was really well versed in it myself. I was skeptical , but now swear by it.

Not like religiously... my pair for today wanted to break early to develop a deeper understanding of the code on his own, so we split up, but I do have to say I came into today pretty low, and left our session pretty high, and look forward to see what his results were and how he wants to go about refactoring tomorrow.

As your stereotypical autistic basement dwelling programmer type, who studied talking to humans like any other field of study, I have to say it really is just that, and it's also worth the effort. IMO.