[hiso]

I also think that googling code and problems can be quite troublesome when abused, as IRC, forums, etc... But I feel like coding by yourself without google, irc is kinda frightening.

I know asking for help when you really need some isn't wrong, but how did older programmers tackle that conceptual "blank page" syndrome, without all that information abundance, when they didn't want to annoy their coworkers?

What you described here makes sense as a software building methodology, but how do you deal with more psychological issues, such as fear and frustration?

[dragonwriter]

> I know asking for help when you really need some isn't wrong, but how did older programmers tackle that conceptual "blank page" syndrome, without all that information abundance, when they didn't want to annoy their coworkers?

Books. And desire. And breaking things down and doing one step at a time. "Information abundance" is a mixed blessing; it makes it much easier to find information, but it makes it a lot easier for people to get out of the habit of working things through.