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Let me tell you a story about a guy named Jed...
A long long time ago (pre-ANSI C), in a galaxy far far away I had worked for a company that had to develop internal "C" coding standards and "Jed" worked on one aspect of the standard while I worked on another. We would hold weekly meetings to reconcile our differences. In attendance, we had other professionals for simple sanity checking and to gain insights from different points of view.
Chris was one of our attendees and was a very experienced software veteran who had plenty of code in various satellite systems orbiting our planet today. By then, Chris was in upper management and graced us with his wisdom when he could.
Well during one of our weekly meetings, "Jed" and I got into a simple disagreement on a Rule about header files. We were at an impasse, so we waited for Chris to arrive and have him make the final decision: about five of us professional engineers were in the room.
When Chris arrived, he heard the arguments, and quickly announced that I was right. (Hence, Jed was wrong).
Well, Jed freaked out and wanted to take the guy outside and teach him a lesson! ... Jed was red-faced, quickly stood up, even took a step towards Chris, and said "Chris, lets just step outside and settle this! I am right and you don't know what you're talking about!" etc etc.
The other attendees and I were duly impressed over Jed's technique of handling technical disagreements. Especially with upper management.
Instead of Jed trying to learn that he *might* be wrong, Jed leaped into the confrontation method of getting his way. Bullies do this because they lack the brain-power to reason through a disagreement. It is a childish trait.
Children are at a huge disadvantage when arguing with "an adult" (or somebody who is much smarter than they are) and they will become very frustrated over their strong desire to assert themselves and their inability to win the mental sparring. They will get physical and/or verbally abusive. Some people out grow this, and some don't.
I think Jed showed his 'abilities' quite well. I find that this is true with so many people on so many subjects. I've seen this behavior many times over. I've seen it here on this forum.
When an "Original Poster", asks a question and people try to answer it (after much refinement of the OP's question) you get these side-bar posts where somebody will start attacking another poster's efforts. And I mean 'attack' and not augment or refine.
I don't have a problem with correcting or clarifying others, or even the occasional sprinkling of sarcasm, but when it is ALWAYS devolves into some vindictive vitriol between a brisling poster and the rest of 'us,' I wonder if it is out of ignorance, malice, or some twisted form of self-entertainment. All three of which are adolescent behaviors. (en.wikipedia.org/.../Adolescence)
Since the regular players here are detail oriented and thus they are savvy enough to know who I'm talking about, I don't think I have to name names.
He is critical enough to figure it out himself, so I would expect that the offender would read this and ask himself if he is demonstrating Ignorance, Malice, Entertainment, or is he being an adult and providing a constructive post before he does so.
And, I hope his "Mea Clupea" (en.wikipedia.org/.../Mea_culpa) will be a silent one, because I'm kind of tired of reading his Hostile Postings (HP).
</rant> --Cpt. Vince Foster 2nd Cannon Place Fort Marcy Park, VA
Well during one of our weekly meetings, "Jed" and I got into a simple disagreement on a Rule about header files.
Go on then - what was the disagreement?
Unfortunately some respondents habitually reply with posts which are rude, unhelpful, opinionated, inaccurate or even downright misleading. If I can correct some of this I will.
I'm amused by the mental picture you've developed of me but I will have to dissapoint you somewhat - you're well off the mark in most respects.
I've justified myself at length in the past - please search my posting history to learn more.
Tell me - do you think software should be treated as an engineering discipline? Do you think software writers should properly learn to use their tools? Would you expect them to be apparently proud of not doing so?
And, I hope his "Mea Clupea" (en.wikipedia.org/.../Mea_culpa) will be a silent one
If you're going to try chucking bits of Latin in for effect it's best try and spell them correctly.
Unfortunately some respondents habitually reply with posts which are rude, unhelpful, opinionated
Erik Malund (who do not hide who he is, because he is willing to stand by what he writes as opposed to some others)
what was the disagreement?
It was a simple 'rule' ... I said "header files shall contain no executable code" He said otherwise. (He was also a MACRO freak too... I was the one who insisted that we needed coding standards because of his odd coding styles).
Engineering Discipline? Yes, it should. Codemonkeys knowing their tools? Yes, they should. Proud of ignorance? No, they shouldn't.
I'm glad you can correct some of the 'misleading' unhelpful, opinionated, etc, posts. Let me check on that 'rudeness' factor now... "chucking bits of Latin for effect..." I think it had its intended effect.
Misspelling occurs all of the time on forums, and most of us will excuse it. Some people will pick at it as if it will score them points for 'correctness.' Others will poke fun at it, without malice. But indeed, it was kind of you to point 'it' out.
Are you absolutely sure I misspelled it? Do your research, and get back to me. We wouldn't want our readers to think that you haven't done your homework before making a jab at my spelling in an attempt to "one-up" me on a 'spelling error.'
--Cpt. Vince Foster 2nd Cannon Place Fort Marcy Park, VA
"Unfortunately some respondents habitually reply with posts which are rude, unhelpful, opinionated"
As someone who listens to posts on this forum rather than one who normally posts, I see an interesting picture from the text of a few profligate posters.
There certainly are a few posters who undoubtedly have strong egos and there is at least one that appears to post in the manner of "I do it this way and it is the right way and any other way is wrong".
So what if one certain person "is willing to stand by what he writes as opposed to some others". That style alone cannot make the person right and nor does the fact that the same person makes frequent posts.
The style has the effect of making that person appear to be authoritative to some others - Oddly, it would appear to have this effect on fellow posters that clearly have equal and probably better knowledge.
Don't get me wrong, the person in question obviously has some experience and he does occasionally impart it in a sensible manner; but it frequently goes too far and ends up with personal views being expressed in a way that makes them sound factual.
I, for one, am glad that some people stand up to obviously biassed, misleading and incorrect responses.
I said "header files shall contain no executable code" He said otherwise.
Can you guess which side of that particular fence I live on?
Let me check on that 'rudeness' factor now... "chucking bits of Latin for effect..."
Did you think that was rude? I apologise. It was a bit off the cuff.
I think it had its intended effect.
I assumed it was intended to add a little gravitas to your apparent wish that I should not reply to your post.
Misspelling occurs all of the time on forums, and most of us will excuse it.
Yes, I ignore English misspellings unless I cannot make sense of what the poster is trying to say.
Are you absolutely sure I misspelled it? Do your research, and get back to me.
Is this a serious question, or ar you herring me on?
We wouldn't want our readers to think that you haven't done your homework before making a jab at my spelling in an attempt to "one-up" me on a 'spelling error.'
Given the context it seemed fair game.