The Software Developer's Career Handbook

Chapter 29. The Foamy Rules for Rabid Tools

The brother-in-law lives in the burbs and needed five trees removed. Not big trees—10 to 15 feet tall, 6-inch trunks. Not a problem.

I live on the edge of a redwood forest in Northern California. There are sturdy oaks, playful maples, lovely madrones, weed-like bay laurels, and of course, giant redwoods. But the pleasure of living in a forest has a tax. Trees fall and trees die, and in a forest of any significant size, this is always happening.

You need a chainsaw. In my case, I need three. There’s Junior (see Figure 29-1), who is great at handling the small jobs. He’s light and ladder friendly.

Figure 29-1. Junior

Then there’s Marty (see Figure 29-2). He’s the everyday, midsized saw that is enough to handle almost any job. Marty would be perfect for a job in the burbs.

Figure 29-2. Marty

Last, there’s Rocket (see Figure 29-3). Any tree is Rocket’s nemesis.

Figure 29-3. Rocket

Even if you’ve never handled a chainsaw, you’ve probably used a handsaw. It’s a physical, grinding affair. It’s fun for about three minutes, and then you start wondering: Am I making progress? The brother-in-law had taken it on himself to use a handsaw on one of ...