Comments on: Programmers are Tiny Gods http://powazek.com/posts/1655 It's pronounced poe-WAH-zek. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:26:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: chrispc88 http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4848 chrispc88 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:11:23 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4848 Uh - yeah, what he said... (somebody call a psychotherapist) Uh – yeah, what he said…

(somebody call a psychotherapist)

]]> By: quickredfox http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4752 quickredfox Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:51:28 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4752 "The Other" in a programmer's mind is at first glance a foe. The programmer has grown weary of the non-competent-non-trying-non-understanders. The programmer knows so many things that The Other simply cannot understand. Words that are too complex to pronounce. And The Other... The Artist, expects the programmer to understand color theory, pixel-perfection and variety in typefaces, size and dimensions. Unicorns and rainbows living in a dark world of statistics, loops and limits, meticulously arranged pieces of logic, applying relentless scrutiny, forever evolving the "big picture"! I'm an artist, and a programmer. The excerpt above is one of many battles constantly raging through my right and left hemispheres. MouahaHAHAHAHAHA! “The Other” in a programmer’s mind is at first glance a foe. The programmer has grown weary of the non-competent-non-trying-non-understanders. The programmer knows so many things that The Other simply cannot understand. Words that are too complex to pronounce. And The Other… The Artist, expects the programmer to understand color theory, pixel-perfection and variety in typefaces, size and dimensions. Unicorns and rainbows living in a dark world of statistics, loops and limits, meticulously arranged pieces of logic, applying relentless scrutiny, forever evolving the “big picture”!

I’m an artist, and a programmer. The excerpt above is one of many battles constantly raging through my right and left hemispheres. MouahaHAHAHAHAHA!

]]> By: JJ http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4720 JJ Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:54:16 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4720 Most people asking a programmer to do something.. 1) don't know what they want, or think they know but what they want is not really what they need, 2) don't know what a programmer/software engineer is, knows or is able to do, 3) think they know how to solve their problem and think of a very inefficient and time-consuming (for the programmer) "solution" that doesn't even solve their real problem. Most people asking a programmer to do something..
1) don’t know what they want, or think they know but what they want is not really what they need,

2) don’t know what a programmer/software engineer is, knows or is able to do,

3) think they know how to solve their problem and think of a very inefficient and time-consuming (for the programmer) “solution” that doesn’t even solve their real problem.

]]> By: Craig http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4712 Craig Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:37:00 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4712 It's pretty simple really. If you can't take constructive criticism, especially some that may make your product better, become your own boss and don't work with other people. You are not the only professional employed by your company. It’s pretty simple really. If you can’t take constructive criticism, especially some that may make your product better, become your own boss and don’t work with other people. You are not the only professional employed by your company.

]]> By: gaurav chadha http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4711 gaurav chadha Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:32:47 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4711 i know what u r saying.. but i laso know that the reality is changing. now a days many programmers are also designing and many designers learning how to program. this makes more sense to me.. designers doing their thing and programmers doing their theigs was great when you had to punch in the number of hours every day.. now a days the office is a very global space and a good deal of cross functionality helps. be it visual or physical interfaces, being able to prototype your ideas to explain to other people really helps..it is also true that both the designer and a decicated programmer cannot be replaced. it takes a long time to become good at one or the other. i know what u r saying.. but i laso know that the reality is changing. now a days many programmers are also designing and many designers learning how to program. this makes more sense to me.. designers doing their thing and programmers doing their theigs was great when you had to punch in the number of hours every day.. now a days the office is a very global space and a good deal of cross functionality helps. be it visual or physical interfaces, being able to prototype your ideas to explain to other people really helps..it is also true that both the designer and a decicated programmer cannot be replaced. it takes a long time to become good at one or the other.

]]> By: Dustin http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4698 Dustin Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:12:13 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4698 First, I would to say, what a great thread! I think this really dove into the psychological and sociological aspects of being a "creator". Being a programmer myself, I tend to feel that my work is under appreciated. I say under appreciated because most people I work with act as though every single project is quick and easy. Just like any construction of something great, a lot of time and thought goes into the design, development and testing. I admit that languages are becoming easier and easier to use due to the natural evolution of what it is to be programming language (group tasks in procedures and functions so that they can be reused). Once you create the function for the specific task, you rarely revisit the components because it's already "done". In other words, developing a text editor in assembly language is significantly more complex than developing one in VB.NET. But without this evolution (as well as technological advancements) our programs would still be just a text editor. Also, a solid programmer must know everything from the ground up to properly code his application. Like what many people have mentioned in this post; you can get to your destination many ways, but how you get there is almost as important as the destination itself. If you don't see my point, think of walking to the store versus driving. Walking saves money on gas, but driving will get you there faster. Either one will work, but depending on the specifications and needs (such as in favor of efficiency (walking) or perfomance (driving)), there is not always one way to go. Getting back on track... Since being a talented computer programming requires a lot of fundamentals established and constant upkeep of rapidly evolving languages, I think we should be looked at as Gods. When someone tells me how to do my job, it's not just insulting, it's pointless. When a company executive needs a program or website to do X, I am the one who makes all happen (if aesthetics are involved, which in most cases is yes, than a designer is very important as well). When it all boils down to it, it's our ass on the line. So if a whole business' infrastructure relies on my work, I would say that's fairly important, wouldn't you? The demands made to programmers are most often ridiculous as well! How can you tell someone to do something within a given time frame (which you are at no liberty to state due to lack of knowledge in the matter) when you could never do it yourself? I realize that I'm employed and compensated for these things, but the work will be done when it's done and not a second sooner. Lastly, quit with the ads on craigslist asking for a web site with all the bells and whistles for $150. This is simply outrageous! If you think your million dollar idea is so great, fork up some cash cheapskate! I've spent years in perfecting my skill and I deserve to be properly compensated. First, I would to say, what a great thread! I think this really dove into the psychological and sociological aspects of being a “creator”. Being a programmer myself, I tend to feel that my work is under appreciated. I say under appreciated because most people I work with act as though every single project is quick and easy. Just like any construction of something great, a lot of time and thought goes into the design, development and testing. I admit that languages are becoming easier and easier to use due to the natural evolution of what it is to be programming language (group tasks in procedures and functions so that they can be reused). Once you create the function for the specific task, you rarely revisit the components because it’s already “done”. In other words, developing a text editor in assembly language is significantly more complex than developing one in VB.NET. But without this evolution (as well as technological advancements) our programs would still be just a text editor. Also, a solid programmer must know everything from the ground up to properly code his application. Like what many people have mentioned in this post; you can get to your destination many ways, but how you get there is almost as important as the destination itself. If you don’t see my point, think of walking to the store versus driving. Walking saves money on gas, but driving will get you there faster. Either one will work, but depending on the specifications and needs (such as in favor of efficiency (walking) or perfomance (driving)), there is not always one way to go.

Getting back on track…

Since being a talented computer programming requires a lot of fundamentals established and constant upkeep of rapidly evolving languages, I think we should be looked at as Gods. When someone tells me how to do my job, it’s not just insulting, it’s pointless. When a company executive needs a program or website to do X, I am the one who makes all happen (if aesthetics are involved, which in most cases is yes, than a designer is very important as well). When it all boils down to it, it’s our ass on the line. So if a whole business’ infrastructure relies on my work, I would say that’s fairly important, wouldn’t you?

The demands made to programmers are most often ridiculous as well! How can you tell someone to do something within a given time frame (which you are at no liberty to state due to lack of knowledge in the matter) when you could never do it yourself? I realize that I’m employed and compensated for these things, but the work will be done when it’s done and not a second sooner.

Lastly, quit with the ads on craigslist asking for a web site with all the bells and whistles for $150. This is simply outrageous! If you think your million dollar idea is so great, fork up some cash cheapskate! I’ve spent years in perfecting my skill and I deserve to be properly compensated.

]]> By: Dario http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4641 Dario Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:58:20 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4641 Is there a non-intelligent design version of this for us who don't believe in an imaginary friend? LMAO Is there a non-intelligent design version of this for us who don’t believe in an imaginary friend? LMAO

]]> By: Jasper http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4617 Jasper Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:40:25 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4617 Nice analogy - the Genesis comparison is one I've made, and I've heard the words "we couldn't possibly do it that way" before. I've even had to stop myself from saying them a few times! Nice analogy – the Genesis comparison is one I’ve made, and I’ve heard the words “we couldn’t possibly do it that way” before. I’ve even had to stop myself from saying them a few times!

]]> By: Faré http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4616 Faré Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:44:18 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4616 You're stuck in the creationist phase. Embrace evolutionism! http://fare.tunes.org/computing/evolutionism-slides.html You’re stuck in the creationist phase. Embrace evolutionism!

http://fare.tunes.org/computing/evolutionism-slides.html

]]> By: Tony Spencer http://powazek.com/posts/1655/comment-page-1#comment-4614 Tony Spencer Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:06:07 +0000 http://powazek.com/?p=1655#comment-4614 Philipp said it perfectly: Any programmer who says “No we couldn’t possibly do it that way” is too inexperienced to be a god. A proper response would be “Yes we can do it that way, but the trade offs are X, Y, and Z” Philipp said it perfectly:
Any programmer who says “No we couldn’t possibly do it that way” is too inexperienced to be a god. A proper response would be “Yes we can do it that way, but the trade offs are X, Y, and Z”

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