In the city of Thousand Oaks, CA (in socal, between LA and SB), it's actually illegal for anyone to cut down an oak tree.
Oak trees are one of the most distinguishing features of the California chaparral landscape - they cover the rolling hills just north of Los Angeles all the way up to the redwood forests in the north. It's actually one of the most important physical features that tie both ends of California together as a single state.
It's really nice that you've found a few spineless coders to do work for you at a reduced rate because you cater to their egos - you are a superior businessman.
In my opinion any "great" programmer will strike out on his own doing exactly what he wants to do before taking a pay cut to work with pet technology X at your shop. Especially if he knows you're on the internet bragging about how you pay them less than what they're really worth.
I wasn't trying to be cool, I was answering his question in a straight forward and honest manner. Other people seem to be more interested in trying to blow smoke up his ass talking about interesting problem domains and how money doesn't matter.
Anyone who claims that money is an adjunct and doesn't work in academia or charity is bullshitting not only who they're talking to, but themselves as well.
Good, reliable programmers are very expensive. Think $200k/year minimum.
This might not have entered into your vision of reality but I assure you that's how it works. If you keep getting shafted by cheap programming "talent" and keep looking for more, you might just be a fucking idiot.
Every time I've thought about using Twisted for something, I go back to their documentation and remember why I wrote it myself with asyncore last time.
Oak trees are one of the most distinguishing features of the California chaparral landscape - they cover the rolling hills just north of Los Angeles all the way up to the redwood forests in the north. It's actually one of the most important physical features that tie both ends of California together as a single state.