Same! Not gen x, but I also grew up with it feeling like the only way to get into computing (let alone programming) was to be an enthusiast. Today's locked-down platforms don't encourage the same pipeline.
The conclusions drawn are reminiscent of something we've heard for a long time: software engineering, as a discipline, needs to grow up. We can't lean on enthusiasts forever. We need better structural solutions to improve quality. It feels decades away, though.
The conclusions drawn are reminiscent of something we've heard for a long time: software engineering, as a discipline, needs to grow up. We can't lean on enthusiasts forever. We need better structural solutions to improve quality. It feels decades away, though.