Comments for Theta Code http://theta.codesimplicity.com Scientology and Computer Programming Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:20:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on What Is Scientology? by Brian http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology/comment-page-1/#comment-3924 Brian Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:20:49 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology#comment-3924 I was surprised to stumble on to your blog yesterday and was quite pleased with the posts. As a software engineer in Kentucky with similar interests, I have felt like like a fish out of water. Thanks for sharing the thoughtful insights. I was surprised to stumble on to your blog yesterday and was quite pleased with the posts.
As a software engineer in Kentucky with similar interests, I have felt like like a fish out of water. Thanks for sharing the thoughtful insights.

]]> Comment on What Is Scientology? by Tracey Bell http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology/comment-page-1/#comment-3236 Tracey Bell Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:49:57 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology#comment-3236 I'm delighted to be a part of this group. Thank you. :) I’m delighted to be a part of this group. Thank you. :)

]]> Comment on What Is Scientology? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology/comment-page-1/#comment-1685 Max Kanat-Alexander Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:23:34 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology#comment-1685 Thank you so much Laurence! :-) I can totally see how all of quotes I've talked about would apply in linguistics, that's awesome! :-) -Max Thank you so much Laurence! :-) I can totally see how all of quotes I’ve talked about would apply in linguistics, that’s awesome! :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on What Is Scientology? by Laurence Bingham http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Laurence Bingham Fri, 04 Mar 2011 01:02:16 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/what-is-scientology#comment-1682 I'm delighted to find these articles that explain Scientology quotes that I have been familiar with for decades but didn't really understand in application. Although you relate them to the subject of computer programming, the explanation applies just as well to other activities or topics - in my case linguistics. So thanks. Laurence. I’m delighted to find these articles that explain Scientology quotes that I have been
familiar with for decades but didn’t really understand in application. Although you relate them to the subject of computer programming, the explanation applies just as well to other
activities or topics – in my case linguistics.
So thanks. Laurence.

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Jamzen Jamaica http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Jamzen Jamaica Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:39:11 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1555 /* Begin Comment; I appreciate Michael's comments; as an old timer myself (1980's programmer), it seems like not much is new on the human side of computing. The same dilemma between users and developers. May I put forward that 'the dilemma' which is at the core of the 'confrontation' is not restricted to programmers and users, but represented in society in general . As an elite programmer, I can remember all problems were due to users, so much so that I referred to them as 'PEBCAK', Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard. It has taken some years to mellow that approach, moving from understanding to overstanding. End Theta. End Comment; Jamzen,Cousins Cove,Jamaica */ /* Begin Comment;
I appreciate Michael’s comments; as an old timer myself (1980’s programmer), it seems like not much is new on the human side of computing. The same dilemma between users and developers. May I put forward that ‘the dilemma’ which is at the core of the ‘confrontation’ is not restricted to programmers and users, but represented in society in general .

As an elite programmer, I can remember all problems were due to users, so much so that I referred to them as ‘PEBCAK’, Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard. It has taken some years to mellow that approach, moving from understanding to overstanding. End Theta.

End Comment; Jamzen,Cousins Cove,Jamaica */

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1437 Max Kanat-Alexander Sat, 05 Feb 2011 06:57:44 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1437 Yeah, actually I think partially what you're talking about with users is the subject of another blog that I have brewing in my mind right now for Code Simplicity, about how users must only supply and describe the problems they want to solve, and must never describe solutions. Reversewise, programmers must only provide solutions and never imagine or provide problems to solve. I think that ultimately it *is* up to us, though--but the trick is that it's up to us to know *how* to coax the proper description of a problem out of a user, or to actually go and observe their environment and (with other *factual* data from the user about their life) decide for ourselves what their problem is. I am *totally* with you about the understanding thing. I actually wrote up a full blog about just that: http://www.codesimplicity.com/post/why-programmers-suck/ -- I feel like this point, the confront point, is the first missing undercut to that blog, though. And thanks for the compliment on the article! :-) -Max Yeah, actually I think partially what you’re talking about with users is the subject of another blog that I have brewing in my mind right now for Code Simplicity, about how users must only supply and describe the problems they want to solve, and must never describe solutions. Reversewise, programmers must only provide solutions and never imagine or provide problems to solve.

I think that ultimately it *is* up to us, though–but the trick is that it’s up to us to know *how* to coax the proper description of a problem out of a user, or to actually go and observe their environment and (with other *factual* data from the user about their life) decide for ourselves what their problem is.

I am *totally* with you about the understanding thing. I actually wrote up a full blog about just that: http://www.codesimplicity.com/post/why-programmers-suck/ — I feel like this point, the confront point, is the first missing undercut to that blog, though.

And thanks for the compliment on the article! :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Grahame http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1435 Grahame Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:37:53 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1435 I agree with all you say about our shortcomings as programmers. I think there is also often a lack of confront on the part of users so that they don't know what the requirements are. I once had a system 90% done and about to deliver when suddenly all the users got fired and the new guys who came in to replace them took one looks at the system and said "why did they ask for that?" Turned out that the first lot of users weren't confronting their area (hence they got fired) and so they had come up with bogus requirements. So it's not always all down to us when it comes to requirements gathering. However, I'm totally with you on ugly complex, crazy code. That comes from people not only not understanding requirements but also from not understanding and misunderstanding the language they are using and the underlying concepts that the language and its constructs express. Anyway, nice article. I agree with all you say about our shortcomings as programmers.

I think there is also often a lack of confront on the part of users so that they don’t know what the requirements are.

I once had a system 90% done and about to deliver when suddenly all the users got fired and the new guys who came in to replace them took one looks at the system and said “why did they ask for that?” Turned out that the first lot of users weren’t confronting their area (hence they got fired) and so they had come up with bogus requirements.

So it’s not always all down to us when it comes to requirements gathering.

However, I’m totally with you on ugly complex, crazy code. That comes from people not only not understanding requirements but also from not understanding and misunderstanding the language they are using and the underlying concepts that the language and its constructs express.

Anyway, nice article.

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1427 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:58:01 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1427 Hey Michael. I fully agree with you--it is necessary to actually confront what users really do, not just what they say. I would never implement something just because a user requested it; I would always attempt to confront the actual activities of the user, and confront many different users at that. -Max Hey Michael. I fully agree with you–it is necessary to actually confront what users really do, not just what they say. I would never implement something just because a user requested it; I would always attempt to confront the actual activities of the user, and confront many different users at that.

-Max

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by michael http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1426 michael Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:54:50 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1426 I disagree with the author's premise. As one who as been programming for decades, and ofen with extensive interaction with users and customers, my experience has been that mostly users and customers don't know or understand what they really need, or ofen even what they really want. It is the use of imagination and the assessment of user input (what the author calls 'opinion') which is precisely necessary to determine the real needs and create a system which addresses those real needs. That many delivered systems do not address real needs is a failure to fully understand the actual and underlying needs of users, as opposed to their stated desires. None of this implies that a programmer should decide what people should want or need; quite the contrary, requirements analysis and determination is the hardest and subtlest part of software developement, and the one where most failures begin, and those failures are shared between developers who are too passive and timid to truly confront the often misguided expressions of users' needs, and users who are too presumptuous or too impatient to think more deeply and respond to repeated questions. Of course, drawing out true requirments from users is an art, which requires tact and grace, precisely because many users resent having to clarify their thiking. So maybe, in a sense, I do agree with the author in a way. Again I'm not saying programmers should predict the future or substitue their own ideas; on that point the author is correct. However, blindly doing whatever the customer asks for, without some critical analysis and validation, is irresponsible. I disagree with the author’s premise.

As one who as been programming for decades, and ofen with extensive interaction with users and customers, my experience has been that mostly users and customers don’t know or understand what they really need, or ofen even what they really want.

It is the use of imagination and the assessment of user input (what the author calls ‘opinion’) which is precisely necessary to determine the real needs and create a system which addresses those real needs.

That many delivered systems do not address real needs is a failure to fully understand the actual and underlying needs of users, as opposed to their stated desires.

None of this implies that a programmer should decide what people should want or need; quite the contrary, requirements analysis and determination is the hardest and subtlest part of software developement, and the one where most failures begin, and those failures are shared between developers who are too passive and timid to truly confront the often misguided expressions of users’ needs, and users who are too presumptuous or too impatient to think more deeply and respond to repeated questions.

Of course, drawing out true requirments from users is an art, which requires tact and grace, precisely because many users resent having to clarify their thiking.

So maybe, in a sense, I do agree with the author in a way. Again I’m not saying programmers should predict the future or substitue their own ideas; on that point the author is correct.

However, blindly doing whatever the customer asks for, without some critical analysis and validation, is irresponsible.

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1425 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:58:43 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1425 Hey Steve! Very true, the whole communication formula would apply, including intention from the original programmer resulting in an understanding by the other programmers, finally concluding with an understanding by the user. I wouldn't try to <em>predict</em> the actions of users, though--I prefer to <em>know</em> the actions of users by perceiving those actions. It seems pretty sane and standard practice to accurately document what the heck functions are for, particularly in a language like C that can get a little obscure at times. I mean, of course, it wouldn't be like assembly where you document every line--programmers should be able to read code. But without some general framework description, it can definitely be hard for one programmer to fully understand what another was doing. -Max Hey Steve! Very true, the whole communication formula would apply, including intention from the original programmer resulting in an understanding by the other programmers, finally concluding with an understanding by the user.

I wouldn’t try to predict the actions of users, though–I prefer to know the actions of users by perceiving those actions.

It seems pretty sane and standard practice to accurately document what the heck functions are for, particularly in a language like C that can get a little obscure at times. I mean, of course, it wouldn’t be like assembly where you document every line–programmers should be able to read code. But without some general framework description, it can definitely be hard for one programmer to fully understand what another was doing.

-Max

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by steve http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1423 steve Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:24:53 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1423 Yes, confront is where the whole process starts to break down. Because that is where the whole communication process begins - with the ability to face up to the person or subject. A friend of mine once resolved an accountant's particular problem by drilling him on confronting his adding machine. He stopped making errors with that machine. But whenit comes to programming, the whole comm formula applies. The programmer is running a pretty complex communication. He's trying to communicate something to some users in the future whose actions he is asked to predict. That communication is not his own actually but is a fairly technical communcation from a field he may not be expert in (eg. insurance work). And he also needs to communicate to other programmers. It's a lot to confron, but he needs more than just confront. He needs to be able to own the communication (not just cut and paste code as you say). I well remember the shock one of my peers got when I gave him some of my code to modify. The program was a very basic remote management package for a pc operating over LU6.2 (a defunct networking protocol). Written in C, every routine had plain English descriptions of what the code did with all dependencies clearly marked. He had never seen anything like it but it's something aScientologist would naturally do. Communicate as best we can! Yes, confront is where the whole process starts to break down. Because that is where the whole communication process begins – with the ability to face up to the person or subject. A friend of mine once resolved an accountant’s particular problem by drilling him on confronting his adding machine. He stopped making errors with that machine.
But whenit comes to programming, the whole comm formula applies. The programmer is running a pretty complex communication. He’s trying to communicate something to some users in the future whose actions he is asked to predict. That communication is not his own actually but is a fairly technical communcation from a field he may not be expert in (eg. insurance work). And he also needs to communicate to other programmers. It’s a lot to confron, but he needs more than just confront. He needs to be able to own the communication (not just cut and paste code as you say). I well remember the shock one of my peers got when I gave him some of my code to modify. The program was a very basic remote management package for a pc operating over LU6.2 (a defunct networking protocol). Written in C, every routine had plain English descriptions of what the code did with all dependencies clearly marked. He had never seen anything like it but it’s something aScientologist would naturally do. Communicate as best we can!

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1417 Max Kanat-Alexander Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:53:02 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1417 That is absolutely true. :-) The inability to confront the unknown is the *very first* non-confront that happens with almost all programmers. Hahaha, yes, it's always the best to work on projects that you yourself are a user of. That's one of the reasons that I love working on tools for programmers, like Bugzilla--because I <em>do</em> know what programmers need and want. It's still nice to go out and talk to some other people once the project becomes successful, though, so that I start to have a broader idea of what's needed. -Max That is absolutely true. :-) The inability to confront the unknown is the *very first* non-confront that happens with almost all programmers.

Hahaha, yes, it’s always the best to work on projects that you yourself are a user of. That’s one of the reasons that I love working on tools for programmers, like Bugzilla–because I do know what programmers need and want. It’s still nice to go out and talk to some other people once the project becomes successful, though, so that I start to have a broader idea of what’s needed.

-Max

]]> Comment on Complexity and Confronting by Michael Powell http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/complexity-and-confronting/comment-page-1/#comment-1416 Michael Powell Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:48:58 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=43#comment-1416 All of these are strong points about what programmers do wrong, but really, they're all shades of the last problem: You don't know something, so you invent something to fill the gap. As a side note, not needing to DEAL with user requirements is part of why I find it so nice to work on projects which really ARE just for me. Since I am the user, it's not actually bad to substitute myself for the user. :-) All of these are strong points about what programmers do wrong, but really, they’re all shades of the last problem: You don’t know something, so you invent something to fill the gap.

As a side note, not needing to DEAL with user requirements is part of why I find it so nice to work on projects which really ARE just for me. Since I am the user, it’s not actually bad to substitute myself for the user. :-)

]]> Comment on Programming Languages by mindstorm http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/languages/comment-page-1/#comment-744 mindstorm Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:34:04 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=19#comment-744 you're correct. Data/information is basically just a representation for the movement of another lot of energy/matter which themselves(data/information) is either in the form of energy or matter. you’re correct. Data/information is basically just a representation for the movement of another lot of energy/matter which themselves(data/information) is either in the form of energy or matter.

]]> Comment on Authoritarian Software Design by La Mamacita http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/authoritarian-software-design/comment-page-1/#comment-579 La Mamacita Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:36:03 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/?p=21#comment-579 Whoa. Very clearly put. And all true. Whoa. Very clearly put. And all true.

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:48:40 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-343 Well, that's a good point, but I think it's theoretically possible to perceive and know anything that can have an effect on us, so we could at some point theoretically model the entire universe. But I think you might be right that *computers* cannot model things outside the frame of reference of the universe (even if we could perceive and measure those things by their effect on the universe). -Max Well, that’s a good point, but I think it’s theoretically possible to perceive and know anything that can have an effect on us, so we could at some point theoretically model the entire universe. But I think you might be right that *computers* cannot model things outside the frame of reference of the universe (even if we could perceive and measure those things by their effect on the universe).

-Max

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by jay http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-342 jay Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:22:26 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-342 Yes exactly, given sufficient technology and time the ant could eventually realise and measure and account for the existance of say human beings but to view and exist in the same perspecive of humans would be near enough impossible in it's current state. So I guess the point is our computers create a model of our world as we see it (our specific universe). As technology improves we may be able to prove the existance of other perspectives and even use some of their qualities but because of our fixed perspective we may never be able to experience or model or view the entire universe properly. I imagine things such as true artificial intelligence lie outside our current perspective. Yes exactly, given sufficient technology and time the ant could eventually realise and measure and account for the existance of say human beings but to view and exist in the same perspecive of humans would be near enough impossible in it’s current state. So I guess the point is our computers create a model of our world as we see it (our specific universe). As technology improves we may be able to prove the existance of other perspectives and even use some of their qualities but because of our fixed perspective we may never be able to experience or model or view the entire universe properly. I imagine things such as true artificial intelligence lie outside our current perspective.

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-341 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:57:36 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-341 Well, as an ant I could be perceive all those things. I'm just not at the moment. There's a big difference between being unable to perceive something and not currently perceiving it. You're saying that the ant can experience the effects of those things, which means that he could theoretically perceive them, he's just not at the moment. Well, as an ant I could be perceive all those things. I’m just not at the moment. There’s a big difference between being unable to perceive something and not currently perceiving it. You’re saying that the ant can experience the effects of those things, which means that he could theoretically perceive them, he’s just not at the moment.

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by jay http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-340 jay Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:54:21 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-340 Ok, I understand what your saying but have you considered this. Imagine you're an ant walking down the sidewalk. Are you aware of the skysrapers and buildings. Infact are you aware of the people that are about to tread on you? Are you aware of the road? From the perspective of the ant all these objects cannot be perceived as such and yet they do exist and do eventually have an impact on the ants existance although from the ants perspective it is not noticable. If the ant were able to create a program or simulation of it's world the ant universe would be completely different to the world we recognise. The program would infact be a model of the ant's existance or perspective rather than a model of the entire universe that consists of skyscrapers roads etc. With this in mind the only way the ant could create an accurate model would be to extract itself from it's two dimensional world and observe from a three dimensional one. Obviously ants and also humans cannot do this we are stuck with our perspective and therefore cannot see the full picture. Paradoxically computers may enable us to prove the existance of these other perspectives but to model and experience this 'real' universe may be impossible. Ok, I understand what your saying but have you considered this. Imagine you’re an ant walking down the sidewalk. Are you aware of the skysrapers and buildings. Infact are you aware of the people that are about to tread on you? Are you aware of the road? From the perspective of the ant all these objects cannot be perceived as such and yet they do exist and do eventually have an impact on the ants existance although from the ants perspective it is not noticable. If the ant were able to create a program or simulation of it’s world the ant universe would be completely different to the world we recognise. The program would infact be a model of the ant’s existance or perspective rather than a model of the entire universe that consists of skyscrapers roads etc. With this in mind the only way the ant could create an accurate model would be to extract itself from it’s two dimensional world and observe from a three dimensional one. Obviously ants and also humans cannot do this we are stuck with our perspective and therefore cannot see the full picture. Paradoxically computers may enable us to prove the existance of these other perspectives but to model and experience this ‘real’ universe may be impossible.

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-339 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:17:12 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-339 "The universe we observe could be entirely different to the actual universe we live in." While that's true, it's irrelevant, as anything that we can't perceive (or experience the effects of) isn't relevant to any practical knowledge. -Max “The universe we observe could be entirely different to the actual universe we live in.”

While that’s true, it’s irrelevant, as anything that we can’t perceive (or experience the effects of) isn’t relevant to any practical knowledge.

-Max

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by jay http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-338 jay Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:56:45 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-338 Interesting theory, but have you considered that the reason why a computer apparantly resembles the universe is not because of the universe itself but because of the method used to observe the universe ie the human brain. Just because the brain percieves there to be an object does not necessarily mean it exists or is in any perceived state. For example if you look up at the sky and see a star you will be looking at the star some millions of years in the past, infact the star at that point in time may no longer exist. Light takes a certain time to reach our eyes so our view of the universe is delayed. In a similar way we only view a very narrow band of radiation so as humans our perceptions are very limited. The universe we observe could be entirely different to the actual universe we live in. Interesting theory, but have you considered that the reason why a computer apparantly resembles the universe is not because of the universe itself but because of the method used to observe the universe ie the human brain. Just because the brain percieves there to be an object does not necessarily mean it exists or is in any perceived state. For example if you look up at the sky and see a star you will be looking at the star some millions of years in the past, infact the star at that point in time may no longer exist. Light takes a certain time to reach our eyes so our view of the universe is delayed. In a similar way we only view a very narrow band of radiation so as humans our perceptions are very limited. The universe we observe could be entirely different to the actual universe we live in.

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Max Kanat-Alexander Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:22:12 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-121 Thanks! :-) You might be able to describe the state of the universe at any given moment in a mathematical sense (and thus as a program), but the one thing that a computer can't do is have volition, so volition acting upon the universe would change its state in a way that couldn't be described by a computer program. -Max Thanks! :-)

You might be able to describe the state of the universe at any given moment in a mathematical sense (and thus as a program), but the one thing that a computer can’t do is have volition, so volition acting upon the universe would change its state in a way that couldn’t be described by a computer program.

-Max

]]> Comment on How is a Program Like a Universe? by Sriram http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/a-program-is-a-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Sriram Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:14:05 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/12#comment-120 Spectacular conception. I've always suspected the more important vice-versa - That the universe we know could actually be a computer program. Spectacular conception. I’ve always suspected the more important vice-versa – That the universe we know could actually be a computer program.

]]> Comment on Future by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/future/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Max Kanat-Alexander Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:47:03 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/17#comment-54 Wow, LOC, that's awesome!! Have a great time with that and then with your Basics. :-) -Max Wow, LOC, that’s awesome!! Have a great time with that and then with your Basics. :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on Future by Julia http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/future/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Julia Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:27:36 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/17#comment-53 I can't wait to listen to them... I'm on LOC right now, but once I'm done with that it's on to the Basics! :) I can’t wait to listen to them… I’m on LOC right now, but once I’m done with that it’s on to the Basics! :)

]]> Comment on Future by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/future/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Max Kanat-Alexander Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:31:24 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/17#comment-52 Thanks! That whole lecture is generally one of the best ever. -Max Thanks! That whole lecture is generally one of the best ever.

-Max

]]> Comment on Future by Julia http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/future/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Julia Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:15:49 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/17#comment-51 Wow! What a great quote. That's applicable to more than just programming, but I love how you delineate exactly how it can be used in programming. Awesome, Max! Wow! What a great quote. That’s applicable to more than just programming, but I love how you delineate exactly how it can be used in programming. Awesome, Max!

]]> Comment on About The Author by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Max Kanat-Alexander Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:52:44 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-37 Gee, thanks!! :-) -Max Gee, thanks!! :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on About The Author by Julia http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Julia Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:00:47 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-36 That's awesome, Max! It's always wonderful to see how Scientology has helped other people in their lives. That’s awesome, Max! It’s always wonderful to see how Scientology has helped other people in their lives.

]]> Comment on About The Author by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Max Kanat-Alexander Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:29:56 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-34 Hey Stan! Thanks! :-) And yeah, I've been thinking more about the subject too, since then. That's always been something I've thought about, it's nice to hear and see other people's thoughts on it, particularly when they're <em>sane</em> thoughts. :-) -Max Hey Stan! Thanks! :-)

And yeah, I’ve been thinking more about the subject too, since then. That’s always been something I’ve thought about, it’s nice to hear and see other people’s thoughts on it, particularly when they’re sane thoughts. :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on About The Author by Stan Dubin http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Stan Dubin Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:08:05 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-33 Those are great wins, Max! And thank you very much for your comment on my blog: A Fresh Opinion. That was very insightful. Those are great wins, Max!

And thank you very much for your comment on my blog: A Fresh Opinion. That was very insightful.

]]> Comment on Pleasure In Programming by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/pleasure-in-programming/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Max Kanat-Alexander Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:17:32 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/10#comment-24 Thanks! Yeah, honestly it makes me happy every time I go back and read it, and reminds me of some of the truly important things in life. :-) -Max Thanks! Yeah, honestly it makes me happy every time I go back and read it, and reminds me of some of the truly important things in life. :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on Pleasure In Programming by Julia http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/pleasure-in-programming/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Julia Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:02:53 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/10#comment-23 That is such an awesome quote. Your article is applicable not just to programming, but to life itself. That is such an awesome quote. Your article is applicable not just to programming, but to life itself.

]]> Comment on About The Author by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Max Kanat-Alexander Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:11:40 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-21 Thanks! :-D -Max Thanks! :-D

-Max

]]> Comment on About The Author by ppedersen http://theta.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author/comment-page-1/#comment-20 ppedersen Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:01:11 +0000 http://scientology.codesimplicity.com/about-the-author#comment-20 Hey that's cool! Hey that’s cool!

]]> Comment on Pleasure In Programming by Jolie Kanat http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/pleasure-in-programming/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Jolie Kanat Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:59:57 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/10#comment-18 You've taken something many people think is very black and white...programming...and added color! Thanks! You’ve taken something many people think is very black and white…programming…and added color! Thanks!

]]> Comment on Pleasure In Programming by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/pleasure-in-programming/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Max Kanat-Alexander Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:20:46 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/10#comment-17 Yeah, totally! :-) -Max Yeah, totally! :-)

-Max

]]> Comment on Pleasure In Programming by Grahame http://theta.codesimplicity.com/post/pleasure-in-programming/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Grahame Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:48:54 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/archives/10#comment-16 You are so spot on with this article. The prospect of working on a new project, using new technologies where there is a challenge because we don't know how or even if we can do what we are aiming for with the tools available, that is such a joy! I realize that when I've been interviewing programmers recently I haven't been asking questions that reveal if they have that spirit of adventure or if they are just coding drones. I want the guys with the spirit! You are so spot on with this article. The prospect of working on a new project, using new technologies where there is a challenge because we don’t know how or even if we can do what we are aiming for with the tools available, that is such a joy!

I realize that when I’ve been interviewing programmers recently I haven’t been asking questions that reveal if they have that spirit of adventure or if they are just coding drones. I want the guys with the spirit!

]]> Comment on What Does “Theta” Mean? by Max Kanat-Alexander http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-does-theta-mean/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Max Kanat-Alexander Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:08:51 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-does-theta-mean#comment-15 Ha, wow! That IS great, I didn't even think about that! :-D -Max Ha, wow! That IS great, I didn’t even think about that! :-D

-Max

]]> Comment on What Does “Theta” Mean? by Milla http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-does-theta-mean/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Milla Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:33:02 +0000 http://theta.codesimplicity.com/what-does-theta-mean#comment-14 Hi Max, Love the idea of your blog, love the name. I did not know Theta was the EIGHT letter! Isn't it great? ;-) Hi Max,

Love the idea of your blog, love the name. I did not know Theta was the EIGHT letter! Isn’t it great? ;-)

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