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# So in the end, I walked out...
Hello you lot - seen any postings here lately? Messages on m3ss3nger from me? No, didn't think so.

For three months now, I've been writing the best program I've ever done, all for my PhD supervisor. I'd polished the user interface and sorted out as many bugs as I could, because this was a program that other people would use, not me. I'll make do with console output and memory leaks, but that would confuse most people.

However, come my last day (monday) what do I find? That not only was the program needed, but 200 output files from it. So I stayed through monday till tuesday afternoon when I was taken home by my housemate. I did another 11 hours yesterday. There are now 30 files. I've done about 1 weeks work in a couple of days, and I have about 1/6 of it done. And I'm not getting paid for this, I'm doing this out of loyalty to the people I've worked with.

Just before lunch today, I was told that a large number of images needed processing as well. After my initial shock and protestations that it was getting ridiculous, I finally lost it. I stormed out of the Univerity of Liverpool and will not return. I will not gain my PhD.

The problem I have now is that I have no idea where I stand. I have just walked out on a job today but my contract ended monday. I did what I thought I was supposed to do.

How could I have spent so long doing the wrong thing.

It's all bollocks...
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:11, archived)
# gosh
today doesn't seem to be going well for people.

Poor bigdave. :(
(I helped save b3ta! Dr Phil Kitten, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:12, archived)
# I don't lose my temper
But by god did I lose my rag today.
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:13, archived)
# calm down,
go back, talk to them.
tell them what's bothering you.
you'd be surprised, they may be more understanding than you think.
it would be great if you all could work everything out and get it done and if not, at least you gave them every opportunity.
working too hard can make everyone edgy and perhaps even irrational. (not just you, them too)
(I helped save b3ta! zog why change it now?, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:17, archived)
# i agree
but then i also agree with the post below

*hmmm*
(I helped save b3ta! mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:21, archived)
# I second
Zog's advice, and add: "Go back and tell them that you don't work for free and to stop taking the piss. Then get your PhD."
(I helped save b3ta! bob dinosaur, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:23, archived)
# People are saying that to me
But I've been feeling a bit this way for months. Now I've had the final push and I've gone.
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:31, archived)
# Fuck 'em.
If they ain't paying, they can suck your dick.

Why are you doing a PhD anyhow? Waste of bloody time. You might as well lock yourself
up in a dingy academic dept and throw away
the key.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:17, archived)
# Never have I seen two
such differing viewpoints.
(I helped save b3ta! bovine I'm so old, even my old is old, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:18, archived)
# Don't listen to him.
He's just morose at having to pay out all those euros.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:20, archived)
# I do a Ph.D
I'm free to browse b3ta all day, there's lots of 18 yr old students around, I've got 16 P4 processors and 500gb to play with, and I get to live in a castle.

Ok, don't get paid much, but I enjoy it.
(WouldSwapABearForATiger, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:24, archived)
# Oh God.
Help me.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:31, archived)
# What?
(WouldSwapABearForATiger, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:33, archived)
# Nothing.
It sounds great.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:35, archived)
# I seem to be enjoying more than you did.
Was it better when you changed unis?
(WouldSwapABearForATiger, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:38, archived)
# Yes.
Dumped the dullards.

Moved over to a commercial project. Got paid.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:47, archived)
# Not all Ph.Ds are a waste.
I know why I'm doing mine, and what I'm going to use it to lead into when I finish. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy it. Sorry you're so negative about the whole Ph.D thing.
(WouldSwapABearForATiger, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:56, archived)
# Come back and see me in god knows how many year's time.
Lets see how chipper and chirpy you are then!
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 17:20, archived)
# it's
rather jolly, isn't it?
(I helped save b3ta! Dr Phil Kitten, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:21, archived)
# There ain't nothing jolly about doing a PhD...
...it gets REALLY bitchy.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:23, archived)
# You failed yours,
didn't you.

;)
(I helped save b3ta! bovine I'm so old, even my old is old, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:27, archived)
# That was harsh.
(WouldSwapABearForATiger, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:30, archived)
# No. But I did take my business elsewhere.
There is no reason to stay with cheap cunts if some other cunt will pay.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:32, archived)
# I'm with Zog
on that one
(I helped save b3ta! Penile, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:22, archived)
# And commit career suicide, you nob?
Just take your skills somewhere else that pays. Like Imperial or someone who doesn't take the piss too directly.

You can do your PhD elsewhere you know.

That will fuck them off.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:24, archived)
# Why would
going back to the uni and discussing it with them like adults be committing career suicide?
(I helped save b3ta! Ijon Tichy, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:32, archived)
# Do you work in Burger King?
Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:39, archived)
# Yeah okay, nob bit noted
I just like fluffiness thas'all
and anyway, everywhere has a potential to fuck people off
(I helped save b3ta! Penile, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:35, archived)
# That is true.
But being taken for a cunt in the process is a bit too much.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:40, archived)
# I was going to leave about 18 months ago
but stuck at it "because". I have interest in what I do anymore. I have no interest in finishing this course. I. Want. Out.

Bear in mind I finished my paid studentship bit last september and I finished being paid by the university on monday. I have no contract with the university, I am not an employee there. I am meant to be finding a proper job right now cos I'm living off my own savings now.
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:40, archived)
# Then I don't see
what your problem is. Get out if you want out
it sounded like you regretted walking out before
(I helped save b3ta! Penile, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:43, archived)
# It's odd
I do, cos I left stuff undone, and I don't, cos it was killing me (both metaphorically and semi literally)
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:50, archived)
# Proper Advice.
Lose them now.

Take what you have and apply to another place that might even value what you do, and won't treat you like that! They are seriously taking the piss.

I know I come across as rather intense, but I honestly believe that the knowledge and information you have is valuable. Liverpool is relying on the fact that you are doing this as a favour, and cannot mind much if you bail out now. Especially when you ain't getting a cheque!!!!

NB I still don't understand why they would withold your PhD tho?
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:45, archived)
# It's not a witholding issue
I'm not up for finishing. I may have spent 3 years at it, but now I don't care.
(I helped save b3ta! bigdave, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:52, archived)
# Oh!
Well get on with it you pussy! ;0) You are just feeling all sensitive and unloved. Do it, then leave. Sharpish!!

(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:57, archived)
# you do have a contract with them
Its just implied from the previous contract you had with them that has run out
(rachboc, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 17:00, archived)
# send them
a letter bomb.
(martian, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:21, archived)
# Wrapped in turds.
And nails.
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:22, archived)
# I suggest
Agreeing with zog

I think you call them, arrange a meeting, (tomorrow??) explain the situation, how you didn't understand that you needed to do all of that stuff, and let them know how much extra stuff you've done, apologise (even if it's painful) and say "I just worked shed loads and you lumped loads on me, that's how come I needed to get some urgent time off, and I approached it in the wrong way."

If they get titty, mention something vague about Citizen's advice bureax, Working time directive, and a very good contract lawyer.

(I helped save b3ta! tobypowell Ptarmigan!, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:22, archived)
# They will laugh in your face.
And accept you back.

"Great news. That twat who works for us for nothing has actually apologised for walking out on the project."
(dawn_syndrome dawn_syndrome, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:34, archived)
# indeed
work is work. employment law is on your side...
(Divvy, Thu 3 Apr 2003, 16:35, archived)