We home schooled both of our kids for some period of time - the oldest until he was a 4th grader, and the youngest, until she was a 2nd grader. We did not do it for religious or "clingy" reasons - we did it because where we initially lived had very poor schools, with issues of gang activity and violence.

Our oldest was the youngest in his class when he was first placed in public school. And then was skipped yet ahead another grade. This was due not only to his academic standing, but his maturity. Likewise, we had the opportunity to allow the same with our daughter, but did not. Why? Most of our sons friends were in the grade above him, and most of our daughters friends were in the grade she entered into.

Both are friendly, warm . . . normal. Our son was awarded a full-ride to our region's flagship University and is doing well. He is slightly nerdy (he received a 36 on his ACT), but is also into sports - loves racquetball. Our daughter has a 4.0+, runs cross country, and is considering Harvey Mudd for her post-high school education. She is into science and math.

BUT - and here is the big caveat . . . both my wife and I have teaching degrees, with my wife having a Master's in Education. We are also very technologically proficient . . . and active in science.

The outcome of our kids, I don't believe, was vastly impacted by the home schooling . . . they entered public school at a relatively young age. I think basic parenting is the main skill needed . . . 90% of societies issues are due to bad parenting at some level.

45 here. Same advice. If this was 1998 or 1999 - sure, follow your bliss. Not in 2011. Like another poster, I defected to academia as support of a university department. The folks here are swell, albeit unaware of the real world, the work is light, and I get paid. Dream job - no. But it is far better than being a docker wearing idiota with an electronic leash.

One thing you did not mention is if you have a family. If you are just some geek living in your mother's basement, you obviously have more latitude to follow your dreams. If you have dependents, root your ass to what you have and be thankful you have income.

Python is scripting. FORTRAN is programming. MPI is vastly more supported by FORTRAN than any other language - grow MPI support for C++ or Object C, and then FORTRAN can go away.

I was in nearly exactly your shoes. Fourteen years of IT work for some very large and reputable companies. Obviously near a large city.

I started my own company to do IT consulting, moved to a farm in a very rural state, worked from home and used the consulting fees and products I sell to buy a farm. I have been transitioning out of IT over the past five years, and am down to about three years before I can sell the company I started, throw every damn computer I own away, and farm (vegetables and beekeeping) full time.

I have a wife and kids, also, and it was key for us to move away from the big city early . . . so my kids had a sane childhood.

It's drastic, but I love every day I wake up. I find it harder and harder to sit in front of the keyboard instead of being outside.

In fact, this is one of the odd days I actually look at slashdot . . . I have weened myself from most on-line rags already.

Happy in pig-crap.