In 1989 I Asked The Dumbest Question Ever, But...
-
Indeed and this is both the blessing and curse of modern development, it is a blessing that programming is open to many more people, including those who previously might not have been able to afford the resources needed. It is a curse because it no longer requires the drive and struggle which weeded out those who are lacking either the passion or the skill for programming. I realise that can sound a bit elitest but it is the same for any job which is more of a calling than a means to an end, would you want someone who wasn't passionate about thier work operating on your or working in your garden?
Again, I'm with you 100%. You gotta want it and you have to put your time in if you want to make it.
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Fellow Lounger's, In 1989 I purchased the book, Learn QuickBasic. It came with a code editor. You could type in your code and run the program. After I learned the language, I wanted to use Btrieve as my record manager. So I got the Btrieve manual and read the instructions for using their libraries. But I couldn't figure out how to use the libraries with the Learn QuickBasic editor. So, I called up Novell tech support. The lady I spoke with told me to link their library in when I compile my application. My question to her was, "
what is compile?" Some would have burned me on the front lawn for such a stupid question. But sometimes (not always) it is a matter of experience, training and context. You see, Learn QuickBasic didn't compile, it ran inside the editor. So from a Learn QuickBasic perspective, it was a valid question. End Result That day I went back to the store and purchased QB 4.5 and learned how to link in libraries and compile an application. Just a year later, Novell came out with Extended Operations for Btrieve. All their examples were in C. Novell couldn't figure out how to tell their QB 4.5 and BC7 customers, how to use the new Extended Operations feature, because Extended Operations required using C UNIONS. UNIONS are not in QB 4.5 or BC7. A very short time after this came out, I was invited to Novell's class on Extended Operations, they even waived my entrance fee. I got to the class and the room was filled with C programmers. After attending the first day of class and learning about UNIONS, I went back to my room and figured out how to do this in QB 4.5 and BC7. In fact the solution was so simple; just use an LSET statement to move the returned data into another data structure. You could also use $BCopy but Novell only wanted standard QB 4.5 statements. Novell wrote their documentation, I got credit and everyone moved on. And this from the guy who asked the dumbest question ever, "what is compile?" Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on t
what is WPF? Yes. I get frustrated when some one asks me basic questions especially programmers who I assume should know more. One of the thing I remind myself is that not everyone has exposure to the same environment. What matters is not whether the person knows a particular concept but how willing and capable he is to learn the concept.
You have, what I would term, a very formal turn of phrase not seen in these isles since the old King passed from this world to the next. martin_hughes on VDK
-
what is WPF? Yes. I get frustrated when some one asks me basic questions especially programmers who I assume should know more. One of the thing I remind myself is that not everyone has exposure to the same environment. What matters is not whether the person knows a particular concept but how willing and capable he is to learn the concept.
You have, what I would term, a very formal turn of phrase not seen in these isles since the old King passed from this world to the next. martin_hughes on VDK
Rama Krishna Vavilala wrote:
what is WPF?
Wild Pleasurable Freetime! :cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Glad I'm not the only one!
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Rama Krishna Vavilala wrote:
what is WPF?
Wild Pleasurable Freetime! :cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
Now I wonder what this answer will do to me. :rolleyes: What should I go and buy/get?
You have, what I would term, a very formal turn of phrase not seen in these isles since the old King passed from this world to the next. martin_hughes on VDK
-
One year later I'd had written my own Windows Terminal Emulator (Serial Based) for McDonnel Douglas Pick systems, after that the rest is history (along with Pick).
WPF - Imagineers Wanted Follow your nose using DoubleAnimationUsingPath
You just never know... Great job and story.
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Now I wonder what this answer will do to me. :rolleyes: What should I go and buy/get?
You have, what I would term, a very formal turn of phrase not seen in these isles since the old King passed from this world to the next. martin_hughes on VDK
Josh always tells me to get my Geek on! :rolleyes:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Josh always tells me to get my Geek on! :rolleyes:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
In this case, perhaps it's more appropriate to get your Geek off. ;)
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] All of life is just a big rambling blog post.
-
I'm with you 100%. I have an article for Mentors and Mentorees here.[^] Here is a quote from the article: Tip for Mentorees (men’tôr-e) 1. (n.) One having a mentor; the beneficiary of a mentorship. Do your own homework. Before posting questions or emailing, please use the free resources available like Google, Yahoo, Code Project, etc. Secret; those mentors hide information in books too. This will help our mentors keep their sanity. Think, RTFM (Read The Free Manual) and you’ll do fine. Thanks for your comments.
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
Karl Shifflett wrote:
RTFM (Read The Free Manual)
Not quite what I learned it stood for! :-D
------------------------------------ I try to appear cooler, by calling him Euler.
-
In this case, perhaps it's more appropriate to get your Geek off. ;)
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] All of life is just a big rambling blog post.
Thanks for setting the record straight. Don't want anyone to go away disappointed. :cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Karl Shifflett wrote:
RTFM (Read The Free Manual)
Not quite what I learned it stood for! :-D
------------------------------------ I try to appear cooler, by calling him Euler.
Dalek Dave wrote:
Not quite what I learned it stood for!
must be a slow morning, I almost spewed coffee when I saw "free" and I did when I saw yours. Not quite how I learned it either. Of course it reminds me of the Air TV version of Blue-Thunder and their quickly redubbed version of "JAFO" which no longer even sounds like the actor when it is dubbed over... :laugh: as if poor dubbing doesn't point out exactly what was edited and what the word most likely is.... :laugh:
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
-
I was thinking the other day, how did I ever get by without the Internet and Google back in those days. We developers are very blessed in this day and age where so many share their code, techniques, work arounds, etc. Anyone can look up answers in just a few seconds for FREE.
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
Karl Shifflett wrote:
I was thinking the other day, how did I ever get by without the Internet and Google back in those days. We developers are very blessed in this day and age where so many share their code, techniques, work arounds, etc.
Several years ago, I worked in a software house in the south of England. There were probably about 50 developers there, in several different teams working on different projects. At the time, there was one computer that was connected to the Internet via ISDN, but no-one used it, partly because it was right next to the Managers desk, but mostly because there wasn't any actual need to use it. After a while, each developer became a sort of expert in their particular area, learning from each other as necessary. After about 6 months of working there, I remember being asked by a long-time contractor how to do certain things in the new windows 95 ListControl. It was quite a good feeling to know that I was finally being recognized as the "go-to" guy for ListControls! Also, the quarterly arrival of the MSDN CD's was a source of great excitement. Packed with new and exciting code samples, techniques, tools, libraries etc. Whenever a new MSDN library was installed on the server, there were invariably network problems as everyone tried to access it at once!
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
-
Fellow Lounger's, In 1989 I purchased the book, Learn QuickBasic. It came with a code editor. You could type in your code and run the program. After I learned the language, I wanted to use Btrieve as my record manager. So I got the Btrieve manual and read the instructions for using their libraries. But I couldn't figure out how to use the libraries with the Learn QuickBasic editor. So, I called up Novell tech support. The lady I spoke with told me to link their library in when I compile my application. My question to her was, "
what is compile?" Some would have burned me on the front lawn for such a stupid question. But sometimes (not always) it is a matter of experience, training and context. You see, Learn QuickBasic didn't compile, it ran inside the editor. So from a Learn QuickBasic perspective, it was a valid question. End Result That day I went back to the store and purchased QB 4.5 and learned how to link in libraries and compile an application. Just a year later, Novell came out with Extended Operations for Btrieve. All their examples were in C. Novell couldn't figure out how to tell their QB 4.5 and BC7 customers, how to use the new Extended Operations feature, because Extended Operations required using C UNIONS. UNIONS are not in QB 4.5 or BC7. A very short time after this came out, I was invited to Novell's class on Extended Operations, they even waived my entrance fee. I got to the class and the room was filled with C programmers. After attending the first day of class and learning about UNIONS, I went back to my room and figured out how to do this in QB 4.5 and BC7. In fact the solution was so simple; just use an LSET statement to move the returned data into another data structure. You could also use $BCopy but Novell only wanted standard QB 4.5 statements. Novell wrote their documentation, I got credit and everyone moved on. And this from the guy who asked the dumbest question ever, "what is compile?" Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on t
Karl Shifflett wrote:
Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...
I believe this should be one of our Core Values here.
-
Fellow Lounger's, In 1989 I purchased the book, Learn QuickBasic. It came with a code editor. You could type in your code and run the program. After I learned the language, I wanted to use Btrieve as my record manager. So I got the Btrieve manual and read the instructions for using their libraries. But I couldn't figure out how to use the libraries with the Learn QuickBasic editor. So, I called up Novell tech support. The lady I spoke with told me to link their library in when I compile my application. My question to her was, "
what is compile?" Some would have burned me on the front lawn for such a stupid question. But sometimes (not always) it is a matter of experience, training and context. You see, Learn QuickBasic didn't compile, it ran inside the editor. So from a Learn QuickBasic perspective, it was a valid question. End Result That day I went back to the store and purchased QB 4.5 and learned how to link in libraries and compile an application. Just a year later, Novell came out with Extended Operations for Btrieve. All their examples were in C. Novell couldn't figure out how to tell their QB 4.5 and BC7 customers, how to use the new Extended Operations feature, because Extended Operations required using C UNIONS. UNIONS are not in QB 4.5 or BC7. A very short time after this came out, I was invited to Novell's class on Extended Operations, they even waived my entrance fee. I got to the class and the room was filled with C programmers. After attending the first day of class and learning about UNIONS, I went back to my room and figured out how to do this in QB 4.5 and BC7. In fact the solution was so simple; just use an LSET statement to move the returned data into another data structure. You could also use $BCopy but Novell only wanted standard QB 4.5 statements. Novell wrote their documentation, I got credit and everyone moved on. And this from the guy who asked the dumbest question ever, "what is compile?" Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on t
Karl Shifflett wrote:
Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...
Hmmm....First off, I don't think there is dumb question. It is the the circumstance under which the question is asked. I am sure if someone popped his head to the lounge today and asked, "hey guys, I am learning this stuff, can you explain to me "what is compile?", you will see an enthusiastic crowed showering him/her with helpful answers.:cool: of course the question needs to be posted on the right forum. On the other hand, if some one screams at the top of their voice, "I NEED ...." well you know what you going to get. :wtf: So, it is not the question per se, it is the attitude and the context under which the question is framed. In your case the question was of that of curiosity. In fact your action clearly demonstrated it when you went back home. ;)
/* I can C */ // or !C Yusuf
-
Karl Shifflett wrote:
Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...
I believe this should be one of our Core Values here.
code-frog wrote:
I believe this should be one of our Core Values here.
Not just here but in life.
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
Karl Shifflett wrote:
Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...
Hmmm....First off, I don't think there is dumb question. It is the the circumstance under which the question is asked. I am sure if someone popped his head to the lounge today and asked, "hey guys, I am learning this stuff, can you explain to me "what is compile?", you will see an enthusiastic crowed showering him/her with helpful answers.:cool: of course the question needs to be posted on the right forum. On the other hand, if some one screams at the top of their voice, "I NEED ...." well you know what you going to get. :wtf: So, it is not the question per se, it is the attitude and the context under which the question is framed. In your case the question was of that of curiosity. In fact your action clearly demonstrated it when you went back home. ;)
/* I can C */ // or !C Yusuf
I think we have a consensus today. :cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
I think we have a consensus today. :cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
BTW, what is compile? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Karl Shifflett wrote:
I think we have a consensus today.
I'd rough morning today... thank you for making my day.... :)
/* I can C */ // or !C Yusuf
Glad I could be a part in your day. :) May the rest be trouble free:cool:
Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
-
BTW, what is compile? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Karl Shifflett wrote:
I think we have a consensus today.
I'd rough morning today... thank you for making my day.... :)
/* I can C */ // or !C Yusuf
Yusuf wrote:
BTW, what is compile?
That's when you take the source code for your COM objects, print it out onto hard copy, and pile all the dead trees together.
Otherwise [Microsoft is] toast in the long term no matter how much money they've got. They would be already if the Linux community didn't have it's head so firmly up it's own command line buffer that it looks like taking 15 years to find the desktop. -- Matthew Faithfull
-
Fellow Lounger's, In 1989 I purchased the book, Learn QuickBasic. It came with a code editor. You could type in your code and run the program. After I learned the language, I wanted to use Btrieve as my record manager. So I got the Btrieve manual and read the instructions for using their libraries. But I couldn't figure out how to use the libraries with the Learn QuickBasic editor. So, I called up Novell tech support. The lady I spoke with told me to link their library in when I compile my application. My question to her was, "
what is compile?" Some would have burned me on the front lawn for such a stupid question. But sometimes (not always) it is a matter of experience, training and context. You see, Learn QuickBasic didn't compile, it ran inside the editor. So from a Learn QuickBasic perspective, it was a valid question. End Result That day I went back to the store and purchased QB 4.5 and learned how to link in libraries and compile an application. Just a year later, Novell came out with Extended Operations for Btrieve. All their examples were in C. Novell couldn't figure out how to tell their QB 4.5 and BC7 customers, how to use the new Extended Operations feature, because Extended Operations required using C UNIONS. UNIONS are not in QB 4.5 or BC7. A very short time after this came out, I was invited to Novell's class on Extended Operations, they even waived my entrance fee. I got to the class and the room was filled with C programmers. After attending the first day of class and learning about UNIONS, I went back to my room and figured out how to do this in QB 4.5 and BC7. In fact the solution was so simple; just use an LSET statement to move the returned data into another data structure. You could also use $BCopy but Novell only wanted standard QB 4.5 statements. Novell wrote their documentation, I got credit and everyone moved on. And this from the guy who asked the dumbest question ever, "what is compile?" Maybe we should cut some of the less experienced developers just a little slack...Cheers, KarlMy Blog | Mole's Home Page | How To Create Screen Capture Videos For Your ArticlesJust a grain of sand on t
Notice that the key point in this is that a question caused you to dig deeper, learn more, and challenge yourself. When a less experienced developer (and to a certain point, I'm one of them!) shows these traits, pick them up and hug them and nurture them as much as you can, because the talent to learn how to program and to do it well is so much more important than the "talent" to just bang away on a keyboard all day. If I met a developer who asked me, "what is compile?" and I told them what it means, and their eyes lit up and you could see the possibilities dawning on them, I would do everything within my means to encourage and help them grow. But if I met a developer who said, "tell me what compile does" and I told them and they shrugged and copied/pasted my words into their report that's due in two days and never bothered with it again unless it came up on a test, I would do my best to railroad them out of the profession as quickly as possible.
Please don't bother me... I'm hacking right now. Don't look at me like that - doesn't anybody remember what "hacking" really means? :sigh: