Yeah, because StackOverflow.com is a shining example of Jeff's ineptitude.
Jeff declares bold, out-there statements probably more than his fair share, but he's sparking beneficial conversations that get people talking (even if it's about how wrong he is). You might think his conclusions are brash and useless, but he's contributing to the programming community more than he's hindering it. Personal putdowns aren't helping anybody, no matter how witty they are.
I don't think "sparking conversation" in and of itself is a good thing. Most conversation is mundane, boring, and a waste of time.
The problem with Atwood is that his popularity on the web is an example of the stupidification of web programming. People who build web apps flock to him because he has become successful on the web, not because what he says is true, enlightening, or even beneficial to their success as a hacker.
The web is popular for wannabe's because they get exposure. They think they are hackers, but really they are just factory line workers assembling someone else's code.
In most forums I frequent, the majority of questions are from people asking how to get some FOSS project to work, not how to code some particular algorithm or do something hard. They don't do any research. One of the questions on stack overflow right now is if it's possible to find where sql server database files are stored. Seriously? If you can't do something like that, why are you trying to build a web app?? It's one of the most basic things in sql server.
I think at the moment, we're in a web programming bubble, fueled not by the love of money, or the love of programming, but the love of popularity. This love is shared by many because we all want to be loved.
I don't think "sparking conversation" in and of itself is a good thing. Most conversation is mundane, boring, and a waste of time.
Agreed, but some is productive, and while I disagree with much of what he says, he often sparks productive conversation.
In most forums I frequent, the majority of questions are from people asking how to get some FOSS project to work, not how to code some particular algorithm or do something hard.
True, but that is where most people need help. People working on the hard problems probably both know how to generate the answers themselves and know that they will find little help on those on the forums.
Ah, but it's your job to write your comments so what you are saying is reasonably clear - and yes, I indeed read the article before I read your original post.
I wholeheartedly disagree, mostly because there are a lot of people that think he's the next Fred Brooks. He's not. Far from it. He's teaching a new generation of developers these stupid axioms that make no sense. I didn't realize this until I had a few of the more nonsense ones parroted back at me during an interview once.
I knew if I read this article, my blood would boil like it does with every other App Store article that's been coming out lately. Yet I read it anyway, and I can only ask:
"Don was responsible for the LM P60's (Lunar Descent), while I was responsible for the LM P40's (which were) all other LM powered flight". Two men were able to write all that code and understand its operation.
Is this probably why we don't use more advanced technology for space flight today; it's too complex? I've always wondered just how much more we could accomplish if we used modern computing technology in space shuttles, but if safety is of the utmost important, maybe the complexity is a bad thing?
I like to trace a distinction between advanced technology and complicated technology. A 45nm AGC would be more advanced. An AGC running WindowsCE would just be more complicated.
Interesting. I didn't expect Netflix to have a "fun" atmosphere like Zappos or anything, but it's funny to hear about a trendy web company with little, if any, character.
I wonder why the employees are required to wear the red Netflix t-shirts. It's not like they need to look presentable for customers or anything...
I would imagine that working as some sort of engineer in the corporate headquarters is worlds apart from working in the warehouse sorting DVDs, and that you couldn't draw inferences about one from the other...
