You guys don't get it. It's not about how old you are, it's about what kind of persona you project. If you are confident, tall, good looking, have all your hair, young enough _looking_ for your age, well rounded, intimidatingly brilliant, experienced, and professionally successful, then you are good to go - age does not matter. If, on the other hand, you are all washed up then yes age is a negative factor. This doesn't just apply to software programming, the same patterns occur with, e.g. investment bankers.