The Language/Coding proposition
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I stumbled upon this thread in the Suggestions forum : http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/4387427/Insults-are-not-welcome.aspx[^] And that got me thinking about how language ability and coding skills are the 2 major factors that affect how people get treated online. Well, there’s no score/ranking here really but I’ve formulated this theory on what makes someone popular in a technical/geek forum (like CodeProject, StackOverflow, or say Reddit). In my observations, it seems to be directly related to a combination of your language ability (not just grammar, but the ability to use humor and sarcasm to good effect) and your technological competency. Here’s a venn-diagram of sorts that tries to explain this better: http://i.imgur.com/fHExJ.png[^] 2 : represents people who have great language/humor/verbosity. 3: represents technology gurus with extreme coding skills. 4: represents the intersection of 2 and 3. 1: represents those with neither language skills or technical ability. Now, people in 2 and 3 (but not in 4) usually get along okay. Here on CP we have a fair number of category-2 people who can write well, express complex ideas succinctly, and possess incredible senses of humor, but who are very ordinary programmers. They are popular. We also have a number of category-3 people, mostly from non-native (English) countries who are very good at coding/technology and who answer a lot of Q-A threads. They are fairly popular too despite the fact that many of them write with the verbosity/grammar of a 6 year old. Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete who are category-4, that most elite of forum classifications. These folks are revered and held in the absolute highest esteem. So, what does this leave us with? Well folks who can’t code, and whose English expressing abilities are severely lacking. While it sounds unfair, it’s best if these people try and work on at least one of these skills before venturing out to these sites, unless they possess really thick skins and are prepared to learn and improve amidst a showering of insults and abuses. Opinions welcome...
Regards, Nish
My technology blog:
Ok, but attributes like "extreme coding skill" and "great language skill" aren't really binary. How great is great, and how extreme is extreme? And what about the huge sea of unnoticed people of mediocre skill, who aren't really in 1 but can't be found anywhere else in your Venn diagram either?
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I wouldn't have thought that gender would make much of a difference when asking for help as a newcomer to the site. Obviously it's different in the social areas where you are mostly hanging about with a load of geeks with borderline autism and a pr0n fetish.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends. Shed Petition[^]
True, I was just making a point that it is very complex, obviously the more times you post the factors come into play. :~ Oh damn I'm being serious ... I better post a joke asap! :-D
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
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DeathByChocolate wrote:
Just pointing out that my sex is probably the most memorable thing about me
The power of quoting without context :-\
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
Rage wrote:
DeathByChocolate wrote:
Just pointing out that my sex is probably the most memorable thing about me
Well what can I say ... :-\
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
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Ok, but attributes like "extreme coding skill" and "great language skill" aren't really binary. How great is great, and how extreme is extreme? And what about the huge sea of unnoticed people of mediocre skill, who aren't really in 1 but can't be found anywhere else in your Venn diagram either?
Yes, my diagram was a bit of a simplification. There are 50 shades of gray in there as well that I chose not to consider. But eventually everyone tends towards one of those 4 categories.
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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What about sex? That's not an offer! ;) Just pointing out that my sex is probably the most memorable thing about me here and it colours how everyone treats me. I suppose the question of how people are treated is very complex. In general I think we should try not to pick on people who are trying, whatever their skills, and those who aren't trying will soon leave anyway. :)
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
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I wouldn't have thought that gender would make much of a difference when asking for help as a newcomer to the site. Obviously it's different in the social areas where you are mostly hanging about with a load of geeks with borderline autism and a pr0n fetish.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends. Shed Petition[^]
ChrisElston wrote:
with borderline autism and a pr0n fetish men
FTFY!
Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
-Or-
A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^] -
I stumbled upon this thread in the Suggestions forum : http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/4387427/Insults-are-not-welcome.aspx[^] And that got me thinking about how language ability and coding skills are the 2 major factors that affect how people get treated online. Well, there’s no score/ranking here really but I’ve formulated this theory on what makes someone popular in a technical/geek forum (like CodeProject, StackOverflow, or say Reddit). In my observations, it seems to be directly related to a combination of your language ability (not just grammar, but the ability to use humor and sarcasm to good effect) and your technological competency. Here’s a venn-diagram of sorts that tries to explain this better: http://i.imgur.com/fHExJ.png[^] 2 : represents people who have great language/humor/verbosity. 3: represents technology gurus with extreme coding skills. 4: represents the intersection of 2 and 3. 1: represents those with neither language skills or technical ability. Now, people in 2 and 3 (but not in 4) usually get along okay. Here on CP we have a fair number of category-2 people who can write well, express complex ideas succinctly, and possess incredible senses of humor, but who are very ordinary programmers. They are popular. We also have a number of category-3 people, mostly from non-native (English) countries who are very good at coding/technology and who answer a lot of Q-A threads. They are fairly popular too despite the fact that many of them write with the verbosity/grammar of a 6 year old. Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete who are category-4, that most elite of forum classifications. These folks are revered and held in the absolute highest esteem. So, what does this leave us with? Well folks who can’t code, and whose English expressing abilities are severely lacking. While it sounds unfair, it’s best if these people try and work on at least one of these skills before venturing out to these sites, unless they possess really thick skins and are prepared to learn and improve amidst a showering of insults and abuses. Opinions welcome...
Regards, Nish
My technology blog:
Nish Sivakumar wrote:
Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete
There is also a guy from Trivandrum who wrote 135 CP articles and is believed to be one of the two people worldwide to know C++/CLI.
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Nish Sivakumar wrote:
Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete
There is also a guy from Trivandrum who wrote 135 CP articles and is believed to be one of the two people worldwide to know C++/CLI.
Nemanja Trifunovic wrote:
and is believed to be one of the two people worldwide to know C++/CLI.
Oh come on, it's been 7 years now since I wrote that book! :rolleyes:
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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Nish Sivakumar wrote:
Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete
There is also a guy from Trivandrum who wrote 135 CP articles and is believed to be one of the two people worldwide to know C++/CLI.
Off-topic. You work for SAP now, huh? Nice!
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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I never realized your gender, nor care. I doubt most (normal) people keep track of it. However, CP is full of abnormals.
wizardzz wrote:
I never realized your gender, nor care
Well there you go, what do I know? :rolleyes:
wizardzz wrote:
However, CP is full of abnormals
:laugh:
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
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Nish Sivakumar wrote:
Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete
There is also a guy from Trivandrum who wrote 135 CP articles and is believed to be one of the two people worldwide to know C++/CLI.
Nemanja Trifunovic wrote:
CP articles
And a published author of a C++/CLI book....
Why is common sense not common? Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level where they are an expert. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to be lazy Please stand in front of my pistol, smile and wait for the flash - JSOP 2012
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I never realized your gender, nor care. I doubt most (normal) people keep track of it. However, CP is full of abnormals.
You never realized her gender ? Just pick up _any_ thread involving some posts between her and DD, and you cannot be mistaken.
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
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I stumbled upon this thread in the Suggestions forum : http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/4387427/Insults-are-not-welcome.aspx[^] And that got me thinking about how language ability and coding skills are the 2 major factors that affect how people get treated online. Well, there’s no score/ranking here really but I’ve formulated this theory on what makes someone popular in a technical/geek forum (like CodeProject, StackOverflow, or say Reddit). In my observations, it seems to be directly related to a combination of your language ability (not just grammar, but the ability to use humor and sarcasm to good effect) and your technological competency. Here’s a venn-diagram of sorts that tries to explain this better: http://i.imgur.com/fHExJ.png[^] 2 : represents people who have great language/humor/verbosity. 3: represents technology gurus with extreme coding skills. 4: represents the intersection of 2 and 3. 1: represents those with neither language skills or technical ability. Now, people in 2 and 3 (but not in 4) usually get along okay. Here on CP we have a fair number of category-2 people who can write well, express complex ideas succinctly, and possess incredible senses of humor, but who are very ordinary programmers. They are popular. We also have a number of category-3 people, mostly from non-native (English) countries who are very good at coding/technology and who answer a lot of Q-A threads. They are fairly popular too despite the fact that many of them write with the verbosity/grammar of a 6 year old. Then we have the rock-stars like Christian and Pete who are category-4, that most elite of forum classifications. These folks are revered and held in the absolute highest esteem. So, what does this leave us with? Well folks who can’t code, and whose English expressing abilities are severely lacking. While it sounds unfair, it’s best if these people try and work on at least one of these skills before venturing out to these sites, unless they possess really thick skins and are prepared to learn and improve amidst a showering of insults and abuses. Opinions welcome...
Regards, Nish
My technology blog:
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Off-topic. You work for SAP now, huh? Nice!
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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You could just say Lounge Lizards vs Article Writers. I think it is an assumption that those who don't actively write articles or live in QA are not excellent coders, I know many who save that for their paying job.
wizardzz wrote:
I think it is an assumption that those who don't actively write articles or live in QA are not excellent coders, I know many who save that for their paying job.
Well, I wasn't referring to anyone's article count, but you can infer someone's tech skills based on how they talk about programming. Unless someone tries really hard to hide his abilities. :-)
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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So you moved from Redmond to somewhere else [Boston/New York/somewhere around there]?
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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wizardzz wrote:
I think it is an assumption that those who don't actively write articles or live in QA are not excellent coders, I know many who save that for their paying job.
Well, I wasn't referring to anyone's article count, but you can infer someone's tech skills based on how they talk about programming. Unless someone tries really hard to hide his abilities. :-)
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
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wizardzz wrote:
I think it is an assumption that those who don't actively write articles or live in QA are not excellent coders, I know many who save that for their paying job.
Well, I wasn't referring to anyone's article count, but you can infer someone's tech skills based on how they talk about programming. Unless someone tries really hard to hide his abilities. :-)
Regards, Nish
My technology blog: voidnish.wordpress.com
Nish Sivakumar wrote:
Unless someone tries really hard to hide his abilities
Just like me, I'm desperately hoping no-one finds out I haven't got a clue what I'm doing. Although that is at work, not on CP.
Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends. Shed Petition[^]
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Rage wrote:
DeathByChocolate wrote:
Just pointing out that my sex is probably the most memorable thing about me
Well what can I say ... :-\
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
<serious mode>For me, the fact that you are a compulsive chocolate addict with a sharp humor (just kidding) and have made some epic pun battles with Dave is what makes you stand out.</serious> And also the fact that you're a girl. :rolleyes:
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
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You never realized her gender ? Just pick up _any_ thread involving some posts between her and DD, and you cannot be mistaken.
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus Do not feed the troll ! - Common proverb
