[wplug] [OT] Why /. doesn't matter -- WAS: Book published using Open Source software

[Michael P. O'Connor]

Does any one even read that rag (/.) any more, I am even surprised they
exist, have not looked at that site since 2004, probably read it longer
then I should have.

As you did say that site passes for "knowledge" what the most of the
people there believe, and if you don't accept what the general
consensuses there is you are an ignorant fool in their eyes.

On Fri, 2007-08-17 at 14:08 -0700, Bryan J. Smith wrote:
> "Bryan J. Smith" <thebs413 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > You can be an expert in a field of maybe only a dozen people.  And
> > the "mob rule" will make your details irrelevant if they don't fit
> > the "popular agenda." 
> > E.g., I worked at a leading async fabless semiconductor firm some
> > 6-8 years ago.  A colleague of mine and I who worked at that firm'
> > tried correct several people, and we were utterly lambasted.
> 
> Actually, for the heck of it, I hit /.  Saw several articles that
> reminded me why I don't read it.  E.g., the NASA/Endeavor thread.
> 
> But being a former NASA engineer myself (worked on missile defense
> before that), I can't even begin to correct people in that thread. 
> In fact, I'm laughed at when I point out that the STS (Shuttle
> Transport System) is the greatest engineering feat of NASA, and
> Project Apollo pales in comparison from an engineering perspective. 
> Heck, half of the people on /. probably think the moon landings were
> faked, based on watching one video, which is laughable to anyone who
> has basic engineering mechanics.
> 
> BTW, here's a perspective you'll _never_ hear on /.:  
> 
> "NASA keeps breaking a core rule of engineering"  
> http://thebs413.blogspot.com/2005/07/nasa-keeps-breaking-core-rule-of.html
> 
> But traditional engineers are a dying breed these days.  Fewer and
> fewer graduates in the US every year, not even 1/10th year's past. 
> People think I'm arrogant when I point out that I'm a traditional
> engineer, with traditional education and experience.  No.  But it
> does mean that I was formally trained how to think, and I've had
> experience in several areas, areas where people constantly tell me
> I'm wrong
> 
> Sigh.  Reminds me of /.  Popular viewpoint and political alignment
> overriding knowledge of engineering mechanics, electronics,
> microeconomics, etc...  With today's bloggers, you can always find 1
> person that can disagree, and that's when the mob rallies around
> that.
> 
> 
> 
-- 
Michael P. O'Connor <mpop at MikeOConnor.net>