Rocket scientists have an almost unlimited device budget
Feel like throwing your corporation computer into the recycling bin? Do ill-equipped tools limit the things you could achieve? In this text, we give you four reasons why having appropriate tools ensures better working conditions for developers.
At Rakettitiede, everyone gets to choose the tools they want to use. The budget is almost unlimited: all you need to do is let us know which devices to include in your package.
“We don’t want to define a budget precisely because we trust everyone’s judgment. People don’t recklessly upgrade their devices or buy the most expensive machine just because the company pays for it. Everyone takes good care of their equipment and uses what they have for as long as it makes sense,” says Mira Mondragon, command bridge coordinator in charge of orders.
Juhana Leiwo, embedded systems developer and rocket scientist #24, considers this an absolutely essential benefit: “If I weren’t allowed to choose my own tools, I would feel like someone was forcing me to do something based on what others think is best. That would mean it wouldn’t be Juhana but some anonymous resource doing the work.”
Below, we listed four points why proper computers and gadgets ensure a better work environment for developers.
#1 Having good equipment reduces friction and leaves room for thought
The daily work of developers requires a high level of concentration, which naturally puts a strain on the old coconut. Having devices you’re happy with ensures there is one less thing to worry about and that unnecessary delays can be avoided.
“For example, building a larger C++ project is a heavy task for a computer. If the machine is slow, your thinking will eventually fall out of sync. But when cycles update quickly, the work is completed faster,” Juhana explains.
The significance of having suitable equipment and a conducive work environment is also stressed by another rocket scientist, full stack developer Arttu Ylärakkola.
“The time it takes to make the computer and the environment work for you is something to consider. For example, at the moment, using the Linux OS makes the most sense for me because all my projects are based on it,” Arttu says.
#2 A device with the right security solution and custom buttons make the job easier
As an embedded systems developer who often works with external elements, such as sensors, Juhana’s view of the world is informed by what he sees under the hood.
This is why his computer always needs to have at least two things: 1) different ports for connecting devices and 2) a security solution that he can choose himself.
Having first-class equipment that he is comfortable using makes Juhana feel like he is being respected as an expert.
“Security solutions used by corporations surprisingly often prevent embedded developers from effectively doing their work. As developers, we need access to low-level functionality, which is often blocked by basic security. Sorting this out is time-consuming, and taking care of even the simplest tasks ends up taking too much time,” Juhana says.
“Some assignments naturally require rocket scientists to use the client’s computer because how security is handled varies from company to company,” he adds.
#3 Tools worthy of experts
Having first-rate equipment that he is comfortable using makes Juhana feel like he is being respected as a professional.
“When I get to choose my own equipment, I feel like I have been hired to work as an expert and that I am also being treated like one,” Juhana says.
“I think it’s only polite to admit that the best person to decide on devices is the person actually using the devices,” he continues.
What if you couldn’t choose your devices?
“It would have a direct impact on client work. I wouldn’t want to be one to tell the client that it will take a couple of hours to translate a project or that ‘sorry, no can do, I’m running out of memory´,” Juhana says.
#4 Proper tools motivate you to learn new things
Rakettitiede encourages its employees to learn new things and supports this by allowing everyone to order the tools they consider important for maintaining their skills.
Juhana emphasises the importance of continuous competence development also in matters that may not have an immediate monetary benefit. Good tools serve as encouragement for keeping one’s professional skills up-to-date.
“Finding the time to learn new things while working can be a challenge. The process can be slowed down by devices that are time-consuming to use. The way I see it, good devices remove this problem,” Juhana says.
Proper tools encourage Juhana to try out new, even unexpected things.
“In my head, the management is sitting there waiting and wondering when I will come up with something new that no one has seen yet,” he says grinning.
Juhana’s trusted devices:
Computer: Lenovo ThinkPad T470s Ultrabook
“When I ordered it in 2017, it was a top-of-the-range device, and it has served me well. I’m in need of some new features now, so I’ll get the new model in March when it’s estimated to hit the market.”
Phone: Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
“This was my choice because it’s just really good. I use my work phone for some basic stuff: Slack chats, calendar, email and phone calls. These are things that could be handled with any mobile, of course, but the point is that if I get an idea to develop something for a mobile platform, I already have an excellent device for it.”