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Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#31

Post by pwny »

jabiko wrote: post #13
gjulianm wrote: post #6

So someone set 0xB16B00B5 as the guest ID in the hyper-v code in the Linux kernel, and some other people got offended and asked Microsoft to change it. I don't see the problem, I don't know how someone could be offended because of this. And as Paule Bolle says [1], it can be changed without breaking anything. The only serious thing that comes to mind about this is the MS Trustworthy Computing initiative, but I don't…

2976579765 is just the decimal representation for 0xB16B00B5. I wouldn't call this a change.

In this case, 2976579765 should be considered sexist too!

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#32

Post by kzrdude »

dkhenry wrote: post #5

I find it funny that this is offensive to some people. I cringe that some of the silly names we have given internal code bits or projects might one day offend someone somewhere and need to have a formal apology. It's a good thing people can't get under the paint of their walls as it's common for construction workers to write notes and draw on unfinished sheetrock.

it is NOT about being offensive, it's about creating an environment welcoming for all.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#33

Post by cjbprime »

pwny wrote: post #10
nicholassmith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about leaving a humorous note or reference (I know I've left plenty), but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture.

Now there's a limit to draw too. I don't approve of some of the blatant sexism going on in our field, but this is a little too much don't you think? If I tell someone I like boobs, should I issue a formal apology too? Should Microsoft issue a public apology to their cafeteria workers for using 0xBAADF00D? OpenSolaris for 0xDEFEC8ED?* They're hex strings ffs. Can we stop pretending we're so prude and perfect, call out…

> If I tell someone I like boobs, should I issue a formal apology too?

Since you seem to think this is an appropriate experiment, feel free to start some professional/workplace conversations about big boobs and let us know how that works out for you.

Having to issue an formal apology seems like one of the more mild likely consequences I can think of.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#34

Post by moe »

nicholassmith wrote: post #7
dkhenry wrote: post #5

I find it funny that this is offensive to some people. I cringe that some of the silly names we have given internal code bits or projects might one day offend someone somewhere and need to have a formal apology. It's a good thing people can't get under the paint of their walls as it's common for construction workers to write notes and draw on unfinished sheetrock.

It's not about leaving a humorous note or reference (I know I've left plenty), but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture.

but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture

No. The fact that some americans can get so worked up over a bunch of hex-digits buried in a source-code file reflects on your culture.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#35

Post by pwny »

cjbprime wrote: post #33
pwny wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now there's a limit to draw too. I don't approve of some of the blatant sexism going on in our field, but this is a little too much don't you think? If I tell someone I like boobs, should I issue a formal apology too? Should Microsoft issue a public apology to their cafeteria workers for using 0xBAADF00D? OpenSolaris for 0xDEFEC8ED?* They're hex strings ffs. Can we stop pretending we're so prude and perfect, call out…

> If I tell someone I like boobs, should I issue a formal apology too? Since you seem to think this is an appropriate experiment, feel free to start some professional/workplace conversations about big boobs and let us know how that works out for you. Having to issue an formal apology seems like one of the more mild likely consequences I can think of.

So you're telling me it would be reprehensible if I said "big boobs" aloud, out of context, in my workplace cafeteria (because that's what this is, "big boobs", said out of any context)? Talk about overreaction.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#36

Post by nicholassmith »

moe wrote: post #34
nicholassmith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about leaving a humorous note or reference (I know I've left plenty), but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture.

but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture No. The fact that some americans can get so worked up over a bunch of hex-digits buried in a source-code file reflects on your culture.

Smooth move, I'm British.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#37

Post by nicholassmith »

pwny wrote: post #10
nicholassmith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about leaving a humorous note or reference (I know I've left plenty), but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture.

Now there's a limit to draw too. I don't approve of some of the blatant sexism going on in our field, but this is a little too much don't you think? If I tell someone I like boobs, should I issue a formal apology too? Should Microsoft issue a public apology to their cafeteria workers for using 0xBAADF00D? OpenSolaris for 0xDEFEC8ED?* They're hex strings ffs. Can we stop pretending we're so prude and perfect, call out…

For what it's worth I think it's been spun up to a bigger story than it needs to be. It should have been patched quietly and done and moved on.

And there is a line to be drawn, females aren't sacred cows need smothering away, but it's a bit off handed to make sure your hex code spells something like big boobies, just reflects poorly on the industry.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#38

Post by nicholassmith »

watty wrote: post #9
nicholassmith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about leaving a humorous note or reference (I know I've left plenty), but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture.

Men have boobs too, and some men have big boobs (often referred to as moobs). This just shows that people can get angry at any and everything. Sexist? Only if you want it to be.

It's vaguely sexist, but primarily it's just really immature and smacks of the boys club mentality.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#39

Post by batista »

nicholassmith wrote: post #36
moe wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

but that it's a sexist one reflects poorly on developer culture No. The fact that some americans can get so worked up over a bunch of hex-digits buried in a source-code file reflects on your culture.

Smooth move, I'm British.

Same difference. PC sillyness has crossed the Atlantic.

Re: Microsoft fixes 'big boobs' coding gaffe

#40

Post by batista »

kzrdude wrote: post #32
dkhenry wrote: post #5

I find it funny that this is offensive to some people. I cringe that some of the silly names we have given internal code bits or projects might one day offend someone somewhere and need to have a formal apology. It's a good thing people can't get under the paint of their walls as it's common for construction workers to write notes and draw on unfinished sheetrock.

it is NOT about being offensive, it's about creating an environment welcoming for all.

So basically an environment where everyone must self-censor himself and avoid all jokes, fun and adult talk except maybe the most childish kind of fun (say, nerf guns).
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