What developers think when you say "Rock Star" • Hacker News Board

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#41

Post by JoachimSchipper » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:24 PM UTC

alphaoverlord wrote: post #5

thirdstation wrote: post #2

Why are software developers segmented between "rock stars" and "not rock stars"? A salary estimate search on Simply Hired for "rockstar accountant" yielded no results :-)

The graphics in this article is very misleading. The first three salary values are average values from SimplyHired.com while the last value for rock stars is the "average salary for the top 10 best paid music stars". If you use the same criteria to search for the last category (rockstars), you simply find an average salary of $54,000, not $50,000,000. http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-(rockstar+OR+%2... Th…

Not to mention the fact that the author confused 1622% and 1622x...

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#42

Post by _b8r0 » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:25 PM UTC

When I hear Rock Star Developer, I expect them to work for Rockstar Games. Otherwise they are not a Rock Star Developer.

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#43

Post by Hoff » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:26 PM UTC

flannell wrote: post #21

There's only one rock star, Ajay Bhatt. Proof below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLPHrCQr2I

That isn't Ajay Bhatt. That's an actor.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/intel_a...

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#44

Post by jonathanjaeger » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:28 PM UTC

Finally someone put into words the cringeworthy feeling of seeing "rock star" all over the place. On the other hand, I think people use the term because it so commonplace nowadays, rather than it being due to some sort of pretentious attitude or outlook.

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#45

Post by timwiseman » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:30 PM UTC

TamDenholm wrote: post #34

I've always felt like going to a "rock star" job interview with dyed blue hair in a mohawk, ripped jeans, chains, black string vest, black nail polish, black eye liner, leather jacket, walk in late and demand only blue M&M's.

That would be amusing.

The M&M's thing served a purpose when it started though. It showed attention to detail when that could be important for a decent show or even safety: http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/vanhalen.asp

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#46

Post by Vargas » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:31 PM UTC

motters wrote: post #38

The whole notion of software engineers having much in common with rock stars seems rather misguided. Being a software engineer does not usually involve making loud noises, trashing hotel rooms, having a shallow superficial personality, attracting teenage groupies of the opposite sex, repeatedly firing your manager or buying football teams.

You mean you don't have groupies?

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#47

Post by cwp » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:37 PM UTC

joelmichael wrote: post #35

I have never minded terms of endearment and respect like "rock star". Much better than being treated like a lowly cog, if you're the sort of developer that has some ambition and self-respect. I think the term comes from coders who are a bit hipper and more arrogant in their attitude than your typical computer nerd. I understand some might find that attitude grating, but I don't really care. Their attitudes are boring…

It's one thing if your boss calls you a rock star after the fact - ie, based on your performance. It's something else entirely if a company says they're looking for a rockstar in a job ad.

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#48

Post by lwhi » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:44 PM UTC

Recruitment consultants and estate agents have a lot in common - both use limited vocabulary as props to fill adverts they don't spend nearly enough time thinking about.

A house with 'character' is in a bad state of repair.

A 'rockstar developer' is competent, but young enough to not know his or her worth.

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#49

Post by lwhi » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 10:53 PM UTC

catshirt wrote: post #22

always seems strange to me when a company publishes such a subjective post.

It's basically an advert - they're trying to appeal to developers.

EDIT: the article has a purpose .. it's content designed to complement the main purpose of the site - which is to get people to use their recruitment service. They are showing that they understand what developers think - and at the same time, they 'might' also be educating hirers.

A less cynical response for the downvoter - and yes I expect to be downvoted again ;)

Re: What developers think when you say "Rock Star"

#50

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 11:13 PM UTC

motters wrote: post #38

The whole notion of software engineers having much in common with rock stars seems rather misguided. Being a software engineer does not usually involve making loud noises, trashing hotel rooms, having a shallow superficial personality, attracting teenage groupies of the opposite sex, repeatedly firing your manager or buying football teams.

[deleted]