How about we just move on? I don’t see much usefulness in arguing over older stuff - I’m sure you/we/them will have different opinions on levels of incorrectness - honestly it’s not worth it.
I think you’ve defended your corner fine , but I would much prefer that everyone focuses on the merits of their respective languages/approaches - I’m more interested seeing energy invested in the next cool things in all languages. I’m also keen for us also finishing off the bits we still in progress. And I hope we can constructively share ideas ... Sent from my iPhone > On 10 Apr 2019, at 19:25, horrido <horrido.hobb...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Just to prove that I'm a very reasonable person, I make this unconditional > offer... > > If Michael can identify which of my JavaScript and Python articles are in > error and point out the specific falsehoods, I will correct them. I presume > that not ALL of my criticisms are unjustified. > > This should assuage any concerns that JavaScript and Python developers who > read my articles are mislead and think I don't know what I'm talking about. > I trust this will prevent Smalltalk (and Pharo) from being placed in a bad > light. > > See? I can be very accommodating. I look forward to the suggested > amendments. > > > > horrido wrote >> BTW, I've also said many unkind things about Python. And C++. And Scala >> and >> Swift. But I'm being criticized for what I've said about JavaScript? >> Really??? >> >> There is certainly no hint of bias here. >> >> >> >> Michael J. Zeder wrote >>> Hey Ben, >>> >>> I leave it with this answer, as you suggested, thank you for picking up >>> the ball! >>> First, I admit again, I have thought about it one whole day, if and how >>> I should do this "intervention", which is absolutly not my usual style, >>> but I decided for myself, to be intentionally blunt, provocative, and >>> parade his virtual presence around here in front of all Pharo users... >>> In the hope that this kicks off something and, of course, that it will >>> not be the final word. >>> >>> I tried to avoid being seen as the hurt one (seems, that I did not >>> quite succeed with this). Javascript is most popular, so R.K. Eng >>> cannot damage this platform with his – let's say... – "opinions", >>> but he can damage Smalltalk and its small community. So I started with >>> making noise, not with the story from my client's managers, who >>> dismissed Pharo, because of his highly ranked Google search results – >>> last year (But in fact, I was annoyed two days ago, I was googling >>> actually a very specific topic about compiler optimization in >>> prototype-based OO, and R.K. Engs ill-informed superficial "lecturing" >>> rants showed up again at third or fourth place, I think, sigh). >>> >>> Short answers to your questions: >>> >>> * Yep, one main concern is his connection between Smalltalk advocacy >>> and discrediting other languages – or making dogmatic, condescending >>> and un-empirical statements of strong typing over weak typing, or >>> class-based over prototype-based OO etc. Just separate that clearly. JS >>> has huge momentum (IMHO absolutly justified), and it would be advisable >>> to say something like "Hey, you like JS? Then look at ST, it is similar >>> but the 'original thing', more pure, and takes the basic concepts even >>> further". >>> >>> * I have to correct myself concerning "wrong statements about ST": it >>> is not so much, that he writes "wrong" things about Pharo, but it is >>> more that R.K.Eng often uses old 1980ies marketing language (like "It >>> is just objects all the way down!"). That was nice back then, a >>> completely new way of thinking, but today, a whole bunch of languages >>> has sprung up from this legacy (dynamic, OO, introspection etc.), among >>> them JS, and have taken the concepts to new forms. His superficial >>> knowledge combined with the over-confident and condescending attitude >>> scares away interested people. The quote I mentioned ("just object all >>> the way down") was one of the blog topics the managers, to whom I tried >>> to advertise Pharo, found ridiculous and laughed at it ("does it work >>> by magic then? What are the primitives and basic value types then?" >>> etc). >>> >>> * Pushing ones own projects is fine, again. But all his publicity >>> effort have a strong taste (maybe it is cultural), that he wants >>> control public perception of the community (and thus steering it). >>> Being "Mr. Smalltalk" is extremly presumptive, in German it would >>> usually refer to an official spokesperson (I think actually, for native >>> English speakers, too...). And if I remember correctly, he did not get >>> a warm welcome, true, but before that, he showed up without any >>> Smalltalk background and just proclaimed himself the new >>> project/marketing manager, without ever asking, what the community >>> actually needs and what the current state is. >>> >>> * The top search results in Google are a major concern for every FOSS >>> project... >>> >>> * If a person constantly and loudly points out that he is "altruistic", >>> and that his self-initiated work (unasked, and reasonably rejected in >>> part) would be worth a lot of money, than this is the opposite of >>> altruistic... Again, maybe a cultural thing. >>> >>> But yes, I like to see becoming this a success story. >>> Thank you! M >>> >>> >>> >>> Am Fr, 1. Mär, 2019 um 6:15 NACHMITTAGS schrieb Ben Coman >>> < >> >>> btc@ >> >>> >: >>>> Hi Michael, >>>> >>>> Thanks for your thoughtful followup. >>>> >>>> On Fri, 1 Mar 2019 at 19:59, Michael Zeder < >> >>> post@ >> >>> > >>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I have carefully thought about, if I should really go publicly >>>>> against one person within the community, and to start this "tirade", >>>>> including the possibility that this causes an escalation, of course >>>>> you cannot/must not silence a person ("Streisand" effect, did not >>>>> know the term, but very fitting). But I decided that this kind of >>>>> public conflicts is what is needed (and will make the community look >>>>> better, not worse), _if_ a certain point is reached. >>>> >>>> I certainly subscribe to the tenet "Community standards do not >>>> maintain themselves: They're maintained by people actively applying >>>> them, visibly, in public." [1] >>>> And I understand the tension in deciding to do so, with the >>>> accompanying risk of making things worse (been there myself) >>>> For me what weakened your first post was the name calling and sense >>>> you were coming from a position of hurt with a story you needed to >>>> justify by "making him wrong". :) >>>> Much better second time round. >>>> >>>> [1] http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#not_losing >>>> >>>> >>>>> I stand by it, but have reconsidered some points: >>>>> * I do (did) not call for _immediate_ exclusion, but an >>>>> "admonishment" that if certain behaviour is not about to change >>>>> fundamentally, the community will have to act (by publicly >>>>> separating this individual out). >>>>> * Take older articles down, which start flamewars against other >>>>> languages, or more precise: separate them from Smalltalk advocacy! >>>>> If he wants to flame JS (for its various birth defects), fine, but >>>>> don't connect that with pro-Smalltalk articles, for example. >>>> >>>> That seems a reasonable position and a good way to frame it. >>>> >>>> >>>>> * Community efforts shall follow follow some community consensus. >>>>> Core developers are no dictators, of course, but they are the ones >>>>> knowing, what the state of the project is, and where _their_ work >>>>> will lead to. Constantly ignoring this common guidance is >>>>> detrimental to the community. So either, learn Smalltalk core coding >>>>> and challenge the leadership, or do accept that there is some common >>>>> agenda (and there are lots of open tasks: writing tutorials, >>>>> documentation, make old scientific research available, linking and >>>>> connecting showcases). >>>> >>>> His earlier articles got hammered and its natural that created a >>>> defensive position for him to disconnect from the community >>>> leadership. >>>> The trick as for everyone is to not carry those forever and try >>>> starting anew. >>>> >>>> >>>>> * Public opinion does matter. The fact I mentioned Google SEO was >>>>> indeed the starting point for me, to get into or start this flame >>>>> war. Here is my story: >>>>> Two of my clients (medium-sized enterprises) are classical C++/C# >>>>> Windows development companies. I advertised Pharo to them for an >>>>> _internal_ tool (their commerical products won't change to Smalltalk >>>>> of course, but for their own internal dev tasks, Pharo whould have >>>>> been a nice fit). When the managers got back to me, they had googled >>>>> it, and told me, this thing sounds very dubious ("unseriös"). I >>>>> enquired, what they had read, and they told me, this "spokesperson" >>>>> (sic!!!) sounds like a trolling script kid, and they can't employ >>>>> something which is developed (sic!!!) by such people. After some >>>>> explanation, I managed to convince them, that this person is just a >>>>> lonely person, who showed up out of nowhere, is not involved in the >>>>> actual work, and just produces himself on the internet. But too >>>>> late, their impression on Smalltalk was already formed by R.K.Engs >>>>> "blogs" (in the meantime, they rank on top in Google search result). >>>> >>>> You should have led with that !!!! An experience has a lot more >>>> power than an opinion. >>>> >>>> >>>>> When I did some research of my own yesterday, and saw again, that >>>>> R.K. Engs dubious blog entries were listed on top, I decided to take >>>>> action. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I like to answer to your balanced and thoughtful responses: >>>>> >>>>>> You may disagree about *how* he does such work, the actual content, >>>>>> for sure, but that's a feedback better directed to mr. Eng himself. >>>>> >>>>> R.K. Eng has made it clear in the past many many times in uncertain >>>>> wording, that he is not willing to follow community advice in these >>>>> matters, if his gut is telling him something different... >>>>> >>>> >>>> Some of that community advice has been delivered fairly >>>> confrontation-ally and not really conducive to having someone listen. >>>> >>>>>> Hopefully I've expressed a balanced enough position that this >>>>>> doesn't draw too many responses. >>>>>> >>>>> yes, you did. thank you. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>> I agree "Mr Smalltalk" is quite a presumptive title, but really >>>>>>> anyone following the mail lists soon gets an idea of who are the >>>>>>> community merit leaders. >>>>> >>>>> Well, I disagree, based on the experience, I have written down >>>>> above. The internet is very much about who is in the center of the >>>>> focus (SEO/social media). Anybody new to Smalltalk will at first >>>>> glance identify our community with this "spokesperson" (as I have >>>>> experienced with two people, last year already btw) >>>> >>>> Point taken. >>>> >>>> >>>>> Maybe it is a language thing, but "Mr. Smalltalk" is _extremely_ >>>>> presumptive (in German, it means the embodiment of the denoted >>>>> thing). If a person is not doing very very thorough reading of ages >>>>> old mail list discussions or is researching, that this person in >>>>> fact never committed any code to the repos, then any newcomer will >>>>> think, this "Mr. Smalltalk" is at least a versed and informed >>>>> Smalltalk developer (which, given his newbie questions he is >>>>> absolutely not). >>>> >>>> Got it. So apart from fighting directly against his presumption to >>>> the title (which seems difficult) >>>> would cleaning some other-language-denigration from old articles go >>>> some way towards mitigating your concern? >>>> >>>>>>> You are right he hasn't committed any code, but I've not actually >>>>>>> seen him claim credit for any code in Pharo, so this point seems >>>>>>> off. >>>>> true. but as I just wrote, that is what people presume, given his >>>>> way and manner of producing himself. If he wrote honestly wrote "I >>>>> am a fanboy, supporter and advocate of Smalltalk...", great! But he >>>>> claims he worked many many hours without a dime, but worth many >>>>> dollars, and had "tremendous success" in creating a new Smalltalk >>>>> wave. >>>> >>>> I'm pretty by many-hours-without-a dime he meant his evangelism. >>>> If it didn't come across like that, that is probably specific >>>> copy-edit feedback that would be useful to him. >>>> >>>>>>>> * ...is doing SEO to make Google show his own results before FOSS >>>>>>>> community or sciences pages. >>>>>>> I think its equally likely that most in our community are too busy >>>>>>> coding to try getting articles ranked, >>>>>>> so its more lack of effort by most of us. Most of his articles >>>>>>> mention Pharo so people end up finding us anyway. >>>>> might be true (some criticism to the community agenda..? different >>>>> topic) >>>>> The thing is, the wrong information are getting more and more in the >>>>> focus of the internet, pushing aside the community-driven Pharo >>>>> sites (or real scientific papers or well-done tutorials). >>>> >>>> I've read most of his articles. I don't think he gets much factually >>>> wrong about Pharo (and has corrected those when pointed out). >>>> It seems your main concern about wrong information is attacks on >>>> other languages, which is fair. >>>> >>>> >>>>>>> Any money he gets for his writing is not anything that concerns me >>>>>>> personally. Those articles are his own effort. >>>>> >>>>> Sorry, misunderstanding! Of course, he may earn with his writing, >>>>> whatever he gets for it. >>>>> I was referring to the "up-coming" Smalltalk Coding Competition. >>>> >>>> btw, a few weeks ago when Richard asked for help to program the >>>> competition, I volunteered. >>>> I've criticized some of his articles, and maybe there are other >>>> "better" the money could be spent, >>>> but I admire he has stuck to his vision and think its a big thing he >>>> has taken on. >>>> If its going to happen anyway, for me its better to help make it a >>>> success than a flop. >>>> [Sidebar: I haven't managed to do much on it yet since I'm run ragged >>>> on a personal development course until mid-April >>>> that includes running a community project of my own... >>>> https://www.nanpopcode.fun/] >>>> >>>> >>>>> Now, yes, that money doesn't go into his own pockets (would be >>>>> criminal fraud), but the thing is, he controls this money. >>>>> Who will be the judges? Who will set parameters for the competition? >>>>> Transparency? >>>>> What is the benefit that goes back into the community? Now, it is >>>>> fine, that he is pushing for things like that, but again, he is >>>>> doing it without synchronising this effort with what is needed by >>>>> the community. >>>> >>>> He got a reasonable number of supporters on GoFundMe (I wasn't one at >>>> the time), >>>> and I believe the majority of the money comes from a few companies >>>> so I expect its really their opinion that counts about how their >>>> money is spent. >>>> >>>> >>>>>>>> * ...denies community leadership by merit (Pharo core developers >>>>>>>> do know, what they have created and where they want to go in the >>>>>>>> future, >>>>>>> I don't see him claiming leadership of our community or trying to >>>>>>> set our agenda. >>>>>>> He just didn't let community criticism of his writing slow him >>>>>>> down. >>>>>>> All I observed is that several people bit him and he bit back - >>>>>>> fairly usual sort of poor communication on both sides (including >>>>>>> me). >>>>> >>>>> Well, as written above, the manner of his web appearance is >>>>> implicitly a claim of community leadership. Not an exclusive one of >>>>> course, but he wants to be perceived of one of the most important >>>>> persons in the community (he told so many times, explicitly). And >>>>> given my experience, read above, this had already a (negative) >>>>> success with it. >>>>> And I think he is setting agenda: "Make Smalltalk great/mainstream >>>>> again" is the baseline, and that is something, only the core dev >>>>> team and the community as a whole can decide/make happen (I love >>>>> Smalltalk, but he promises wrong things, so if, just for example, >>>>> C++/Qt devs or _modern_ JS devs have a first look at Smalltalk with >>>>> the expectation they could already do the same thing as in their >>>>> usual platforms, they will be disappointed --> synchronize a >>>>> marketing agenda with what this great project currently is about, >>>>> but he is not willing to cooperate with the core dev team) >>>> >>>> Fair enough. Since in a couple of months I'll be helping him out, >>>> I'll have an opportunity to raise these concerns with him. >>>> >>>>>>> Him swearing about a group of Pharo people is good ammunition to >>>>>>> bring to the mail list to support your point, >>>>>>> but I also see he was rather provoked. Overall I feel this >>>>>>> extract was better left in that small corner of the internet >>>>>>> rather than fan flames here. >>>>> >>>>> :) Yeah... no! I think this is really a central point (so I put him >>>>> in the pillory here with intent). There is something called >>>>> community/FOSS ethics and structures. >>>>> He does not show _respect_ towards those people, who did the work, >>>>> but produces himself, and pushes for things, which the people who >>>>> devoted their work to this project, told him that it is >>>>> counter-productive. That is, in the long-run, a very dangerous >>>>> situation. >>>> >>>> I agree, its not great. But he didn't get a warm welcome and some of >>>> his early interactions were abrasive. >>>> Considering two extremes, you can either be inclusive and hopefully >>>> nurture/mold, or exclude and lose any chance at that. >>>> Like a lot of things, the path is somewhere in the middle and needs a >>>> bit of give and take on both sides. >>>> >>>>>>>> PS: a side note on Javascript (with lower S). wether you love or >>>>>>>> hate this quirky lovechild of Lisp and Self/Smalltalk, telling JS >>>>>>>> developers they are stupid and that they should abandon powerful >>>>>>>> Vue.js, for example, in favor of Amber Smalltalk [cudos to Amber >>>>>>>> devs! great thing!]) is utterly stupid! >>>>>>> Agree. But banning everyone in the world for similar stupidity >>>>>>> would leave the internet awfully quiet. >>>>> Sure! Again: I am against silencing or banning anybody (and how >>>>> could you). But if this becomes unbearable, there needs to be a >>>>> public separation, so he does not drag the project down. People need >>>>> to speak up against such usurpation. >>>> >>>> I appreciate the stand your are taking for the community. >>>> I've gained from your share of your workplace experience. >>>> >>>>>>>> (which in the end are only a self-serving, ego-centric, >>>>>>>> attention-greedy campaign to promote "Mr. Smalltalk" himself, a >>>>>>>> total newbie, who claims credit for the work of others). >>>>>>> Your repeated "claims credit for the work of others" is quite >>>>>>> provocative and I haven't noticed this in his writings. Could you >>>>>>> provide a link? >>>>> >>>>> See above, maybe it is a cultural thing, but as I told in my >>>>> experience, all of his appearance screams for being recognized as >>>>> one of the most important persons in the community (he is >>>>> condescendingly mocking marketing efforts of the last 40 years, >>>>> claims that he is the one who will "make smalltalk great again"...) >>>>> >>>>> Yes I am provocative this time, not my normal style (and I admit, I >>>>> was tripped-out by his provocative blog title "Even people who >>>>> understand prototypal programming do not like it – an inconvienent >>>>> truth"; that is dripping off arrogance and ignorance... And sheds a >>>>> bad light on Smalltalk, with which he wants to be identified in the >>>>> web) >>>> >>>> Got it. >>>> Let me ask to park this thread for the moment, because it can be >>>> quite distracting if everyone chips in an opinion. >>>> I think you've made some fair points and I'll put myself on the line >>>> to discuss them with Richard when I start helping him with his >>>> competition project. >>>> >>>> cheers -ben >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Sent from: http://forum.world.st/Pharo-Smalltalk-Users-f1310670.html > > > > > > -- > Sent from: http://forum.world.st/Pharo-Smalltalk-Users-f1310670.html >