“Curiosity is the programmer’s best quality”
Lukács has been working as Senior Developer at Nav N Go since March 2007. Following his arrival he was thrown in at the deep end by having to work on the visualization of the company’s latest software, the Nav N Go iGO 8, which has taken up most of his time since then. He believes he possesses the right amount of curiosity needed to be a developer, which drives him on to solve seemingly impossible problems.
How did you come to Nav N Go?
My current boss, Péter, made me aware of the company. I already knew him from my previous job, where we worked together and became good friends. When he moved to Nav N Go, he tried to convince me to go as well. The more I heard about it, the more attractive the company seemed to me, so, in March of 2007, I came here too.
What was your first personal impression of the company?
When I first came to Nav N Go, I found the atmosphere very warm and friendly. As part of the recruitment process, I had to speak with two senior developers. The topic we were discussing proved to be so technical that not even the HR officer present at the meeting was able to follow it very closely, and I felt like I was talking amongst my friends. Since then, I myself have often interviewed applicants, and I try to keep the interviews informal in nature.
How were you able to fit into the team?
I had an easy time, since I had known my boss for a long time. It was a bit strange at first, that besides being my friend he was my superior, but that was really no problem. I get along well with the others in my working group; I value them a lot, both as people and professionally, and I find it really easy to work with them. I arrived at Nav N Go right at the time when the whole team was preparing for the CeBIT 2007 exhibition. They threw me in at the deep end straight away - I was given a problem to solve. I asked how I should do that, and the answer was, however I see fit. I was spurred on by the fact that I had to present some kind of an answer, and by a deadline; I had to do a lot of work on it, and the feeling of success was great when I finally found the right direction. I feel that this initial drive also helped our department to become a real team. As they say at university, going out for cigarettes together helps build team spirit...
How familiar were you with the topic of navigation?
Basically, I had not worked with anything of the kind before this, but there are similar activities that are familiar from games development, especially in our department, with visualization. It is exciting to work in an area that is, for the most part, unknown to us. It requires much more creativity and problem solving ability, which is the foundation for this work.
What is the most necessary quality in the development profession?
Curiosity. If you are not interested in new things, you cannot experience growth. This holds both for overall career development, as well as solving a given problem. In programming, the key is always that you have to venture into areas where often no one has gone before. If you don’t feel the inclination to do so, then you are not suited for this career.
When did it become clear to you that this would be your career?
Actually from an early age I was an avid developer; like many of my colleagues I too began programming on the Commodore 64. I had further motivation in that my father worked for a computer company, and so I came into contact with computer science through him. At school I was always better in the sciences, and so at the end of secondary school, when the time came to decide on how to continue my education, I considered the technical field to be the only option. In 2003, I graduated from the Budapest Technical University in computer science. Soon thereafter I began working as a programmer, and finally I came to Nav N Go.
Was it important for you to work for a company that has a familiar and popular product?
There are two sides to this issue. Firstly, it is not my goal to do “celebrated” work; I would rather collaborate on the creation of software which is truly useful, even if it is an “invisible” database software. At the same time, it’s a good feeling to know that many people are benefiting from the fruits of my labour. For the Nav N Go iGO 8, for example, I created the planned route and the 2D display. I worked on the 3D buildings and the relief display as well.
There is a rather widespread view that computer scientists have a narrow range of interests, and are only interested in work-related topics. Is that true of you?
It is somewhat correct, and certainly no accident that we are categorised in this manner. But it is also true that things which are completely opposite to programming can really help me unwind. For example, I love Latin music, I’m learning how to salsa dance, and I try to put aside as much free time as possible for these activities outside of work. As a result, I am able to use totally different areas of my brain (and body).
How did you come to Nav N Go?
My current boss, Péter, made me aware of the company. I already knew him from my previous job, where we worked together and became good friends. When he moved to Nav N Go, he tried to convince me to go as well. The more I heard about it, the more attractive the company seemed to me, so, in March of 2007, I came here too.
What was your first personal impression of the company?
When I first came to Nav N Go, I found the atmosphere very warm and friendly. As part of the recruitment process, I had to speak with two senior developers. The topic we were discussing proved to be so technical that not even the HR officer present at the meeting was able to follow it very closely, and I felt like I was talking amongst my friends. Since then, I myself have often interviewed applicants, and I try to keep the interviews informal in nature.
How were you able to fit into the team?
I had an easy time, since I had known my boss for a long time. It was a bit strange at first, that besides being my friend he was my superior, but that was really no problem. I get along well with the others in my working group; I value them a lot, both as people and professionally, and I find it really easy to work with them. I arrived at Nav N Go right at the time when the whole team was preparing for the CeBIT 2007 exhibition. They threw me in at the deep end straight away - I was given a problem to solve. I asked how I should do that, and the answer was, however I see fit. I was spurred on by the fact that I had to present some kind of an answer, and by a deadline; I had to do a lot of work on it, and the feeling of success was great when I finally found the right direction. I feel that this initial drive also helped our department to become a real team. As they say at university, going out for cigarettes together helps build team spirit...
How familiar were you with the topic of navigation?
Basically, I had not worked with anything of the kind before this, but there are similar activities that are familiar from games development, especially in our department, with visualization. It is exciting to work in an area that is, for the most part, unknown to us. It requires much more creativity and problem solving ability, which is the foundation for this work.
What is the most necessary quality in the development profession?
Curiosity. If you are not interested in new things, you cannot experience growth. This holds both for overall career development, as well as solving a given problem. In programming, the key is always that you have to venture into areas where often no one has gone before. If you don’t feel the inclination to do so, then you are not suited for this career.
When did it become clear to you that this would be your career?
Actually from an early age I was an avid developer; like many of my colleagues I too began programming on the Commodore 64. I had further motivation in that my father worked for a computer company, and so I came into contact with computer science through him. At school I was always better in the sciences, and so at the end of secondary school, when the time came to decide on how to continue my education, I considered the technical field to be the only option. In 2003, I graduated from the Budapest Technical University in computer science. Soon thereafter I began working as a programmer, and finally I came to Nav N Go.
Was it important for you to work for a company that has a familiar and popular product?
There are two sides to this issue. Firstly, it is not my goal to do “celebrated” work; I would rather collaborate on the creation of software which is truly useful, even if it is an “invisible” database software. At the same time, it’s a good feeling to know that many people are benefiting from the fruits of my labour. For the Nav N Go iGO 8, for example, I created the planned route and the 2D display. I worked on the 3D buildings and the relief display as well.
There is a rather widespread view that computer scientists have a narrow range of interests, and are only interested in work-related topics. Is that true of you?
It is somewhat correct, and certainly no accident that we are categorised in this manner. But it is also true that things which are completely opposite to programming can really help me unwind. For example, I love Latin music, I’m learning how to salsa dance, and I try to put aside as much free time as possible for these activities outside of work. As a result, I am able to use totally different areas of my brain (and body).
News
Nov 12, 2008 5:58 PM
Nav N Go’s CSA Wins Science Award
Péter Balogh, Nav N Go Kft’s Chief Strategic Adviser, is this year's recipient of the János Kemény Award, earned for his outstanding development activities. Each year, the prize is awarded by the John von Neumann Computer Society (NJSZT) to young experts whose professional performance is most outstanding. Nov 6, 2008 3:09 PM
Map Updates for iGO My way 2006 Plus
The very latest, 2008. third quarter, version of maps for the whole of Europe is now available for download to iGO My way 2006 Plus navigation software. This is not the first time map updates have been released for the SD memory card product, and once again registered users can get the updates for 12 Eastern European countries for free. Oct 29, 2008 5:35 PM
Latest Maps for Nav N Go Limousine Now Available
More than a year has passed since Nav N Go Limousine, the in-car navigation system, was launched in Hungary. In 2008, Nav N Go Limousine went on sale with updated maps, and now the latest map updates are also available.