71–80 of 164 posts
Never? The arguments presented are really just hyperbole that applies to all industries.
Yes I can code with an old machine, yes I can code with a small monitor, but give me a beefed up OSX and two monitors and I'll be insanely more productive. Why shortchange something that will pay for itself almost immediately?
One programmer asked for 3 1440P 27" monitors, a specific trackball, and maxed-out RAM. We had to figure out support for a new video card for that. Four years later, I think it's time for an upgrade to SSD, but they are not likely to think about it until I suggest it. Everything works, and they are comfortable, so they are productive.
Chances are if they want to shave USD500 of your equipment once every three years they will also want to fleece you everywhere else to.
Says the man who works off a single laptop that he hates, I know my company cares anyway. ;-)
Earlier quoted context omitted.
In addition to that, I fail to see the relation between people who like to talk about programming through whatever medium ('metaprogrammers') and people who like to have decent tools to work with. Literally every developer I have ever met wants to have a decent computer, multiple screens, fast internet, and access to the proper software tools required to work efficiently. It strikes me as an incredibly stupid argumen…
Maybe I'm not a decent programmer but I definitely don't want multiple screens. I would perceive such a set-up as unergonomic and creating too many distractions. Nothing against the rest, though.
So my code would be on monitor 1 and stay there forever, but the various things that I'm reading, e.g. input (documentation, specification, sample data) or output (debug output, logs, testing app) would be on the other screen. The alternative is a large monitor and keeping things side-by-side.
(I'd also like to add that deliberately trying to fracture a word into having two completely different meanings just because you think that word sounds cool is to deliberately reduce the accuracy and unambiguity of human communication and perpetrate a damage to the English language, which is pretty obnoxious.)
> "You post an article about a new programming language, you'll get 10 replies." A quick search pulls up results that would contradict that statement. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7436401 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10901054 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8735892 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10177716 I realize four search results isn't enough to completely debunk the author's statement,…
If the author of that blog doesn't see the benefit of a larger workspace area (monitors, configuration, etc) then there is no point in reading anything else he writes. Why are stuff like this on HN?
This effect is observable not only in the programming community, but in many others. Best example would be photography, where people spend much more time discussing their equipment and the newest lenses instead of going out and actually take pictures. I had to experience this for myself when searching for new hobbies. With most of them, I spent most time with the meta, e.g., which fountain pen to use for my writing o…
I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as your examples though, as a lot of people into this particular hobby definitely do use and enjoy the different products. "Shave of the day" posts on forums typically show posters different set ups, with the same users having a vast rotation of gear. I guess it'd be like having lots of different pens or skateboards.
But I've also seen many different people say that they started using a DE safety razor to save money, but have ended up spending a small fortune on new gear.
Some video-games also have this in spades. I know I've pored over weapon stats to see which gadget is preferable, when just getting good at the game would have had a bigger impact than 10 more raw power points or the slight speed bonus that a particular hat gave me.
If the author of that blog doesn't see the benefit of a larger workspace area (monitors, configuration, etc) then there is no point in reading anything else he writes. Why are stuff like this on HN?
Well, if he'd written an article saying a larger workspace area is nice, would it have hit the front page of Hacker News?