By MKnopfler
via codinghorror.com
Published: Feb 28 2008 / 17:33
Still, is it necessary to paint with such a broad brush? To imply that programmers using Windows "don't care enough about their tools to get the best"? I have a pretty thick skin based on the psychic scars of the thousands of petty internet religious wars I've participated in, and this one even ruffles my feathers a little. I take issue with David's claim that, when it comes to computers and operating systems, there's any "best" anything. In my considered opinion, they all suck. Sure, there are tradeoffs, pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. But an objective best? It's all relative.
Comments
MKnopfler replied ago:
Platform is usually not a choice but imposed by the company, team, application you are working on. I like OSS in privacy, but I'm a Windows developer in real life, and currently, I have no desire to try yet another platform. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them, is the best thing a developer can do.
nightwind replied ago:
"Douchebaggery". Beste way to start a meaningful discussion. Meh.
Apart from that, even though what MKnopfler said is true, I absolutely expect from every capable developer to show interest in new, interesting and promising technologies. A windows developer that has never once installed linux or has rented a small dedicated system for personal projects just screams "I'm the 9 to 5 guy that has zero passion for software development". I don't hire people that only know one OS and one or two languages/frameworks. Uninspired, passionless developers will produce uninspired code.
joecoder replied ago:
Nightwind, do you really believe Rails code developed on a Mac is more inspired than Rails code developed on Windows?
pt93903 replied ago:
Read this page of a recent Wired article, talks about the attitude of DHH and co:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/16-03/mf_signals?currentPage=3
My 2c: Most RoR guys have this obnoxious attitude. RoR is on the decline especially after Zed's post. I'm sure many of you have run into mediocre programmers who just jumped onto the Ruby bandwagon / hype and sure, they must have created some quick CRUD apps and felt great for a while.
I have some words for DHH but rather not print them here.
Okay, end of rant, back to work.
willcode4beer replied ago:
Somebody needs a Kleenex
Voters For This Link (21)
Voters Against This Link (7)