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Iron Ring

en.wikipedia.org

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Re: Iron Ring

#51

Post by npsimons »

claudius wrote: post #47
npsimons wrote: post #20

Perhaps we should have a silicon ring for software engineers. And in case you are thinking "that would break too easily", well that's part of the point: to remind you that software can also be very easily broken, sometimes without even trying :)

Wouldn’t a rubber ring be more suitable for a soft ware engineer? It also wouldn’t break that easily :)

I can see it now: two rings, one rubber to represent user requirements, and the other silicon to represent the systems we have to implement those requirements in.

Re: Iron Ring

#52

Post by abhinavg »

adamgravitis wrote: post #41
efferifick wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Software Engineers get them too! Sadly, Computer Science students won't get them.

This depends on the university. At UofT, for example, "software engineering" is actually taught outside of the engineering faculty, and is not CEAB approved... and therefore doesn't qualify.

Actually, Computer Engineering is taught by the Engineering faculty at UofT.

Software Engineering is still a specialization under the Computer Science degree, and is taught by the Arts & Science faculty.

Re: Iron Ring

#53

Post by theg5prank »

sergiotapia wrote: post #34

Is there something like this for Software developers? We make the world go round and round; shouldn't we also have something this beautiful?

I think you may be missing the point. These rings are given to graduating engineers not as a beautiful object of congratulations for their achievements, but as a token designed to remind them of the burden they have taken on.

Re: Iron Ring

#54

Post by fghh45sdfhr3 »

npsimons wrote: post #51
claudius wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wouldn’t a rubber ring be more suitable for a soft ware engineer? It also wouldn’t break that easily :)

I can see it now: two rings, one rubber to represent user requirements, and the other silicon to represent the systems we have to implement those requirements in.

Glass ring encased in rubber, with a label claiming it is exactly as flexible and stretchable as a 100% rubber ring would be.

Re: Iron Ring

#55

Post by raawlls »

Tiktaalik wrote: post #8

Non-Engineers notice my iron ring surprisingly often (ie. "oh my old roommate was an engineer"). It's a great conversation starter.

Non-engineers notice mine all the time too. I'm so used to wearing though (and sort of forget that I am sometimes) that usually there's a few seconds where I'm very confused as to how they know I'm an engineer.

It's also great for tapping out a rhythm on any hard surface you can find.

Re: Iron Ring

#56

Post by claudius »

fghh45sdfhr3 wrote: post #54
npsimons wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can see it now: two rings, one rubber to represent user requirements, and the other silicon to represent the systems we have to implement those requirements in.

Glass ring encased in rubber, with a label claiming it is exactly as flexible and stretchable as a 100% rubber ring would be.

I am getting somewhat jealous now – people should make wearable cyclic particle accelerators or something like that for those hacking nature rather than mere computers :-)

Re: Iron Ring

#57

Post by efferifick »

abhinavg wrote: post #52
adamgravitis wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This depends on the university. At UofT, for example, "software engineering" is actually taught outside of the engineering faculty, and is not CEAB approved... and therefore doesn't qualify.

Actually, Computer Engineering is taught by the Engineering faculty at UofT. Software Engineering is still a specialization under the Computer Science degree, and is taught by the Arts & Science faculty.

Sorry, I study at the UofA and we have a "software option" within the Computer Engineering program. Students graduating from this branch will get the iron ring. I just assumed that Software Engineers elsewhere got them too.

Re: Iron Ring

#58

Post by npsimons »

zalzane wrote: post #50
binarymax wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was at a networking event once, and handed a gentleman my business card. My title listed on the card was 'Software Architect'. He himself was an actual Architect (who designs physical structures), and he became upset and claimed I had absolutely no right to that title. I had never given it much thought until that point, but some folks are very protective over that sort of thing.

I dunno about software architects, but it's not terribly surprising that people are defensive over the engineering title. The difference in difficulty between computer science courses and the engineering courses is like night and day, so it doesn't really surprise me when my EE/CE friends are frustrated when compsci majors try to call themselves engineers.

If a University's CS courses aren't hard, their CS grads will be worthless. Not only that, but if their CS program doesn't include at least the same freshman level classes that the other majors have to take (phys, chem, EE, etc), then their CS grads will be ill-equipped to work in the domains they need to.

The attitude you describe of your EE/CE friends very much reminded of a fortune file quote that's been floating around for quite some time:

"Yes, I am a real piece of work. One thing we learn at ULowell is how to flame useless hacking non-EE's like you. I am superior to you in every way by training and expertise in the technical field. Anyone can learn how to hack, but Engineering doesn't come nearly as easily. Actually, I'm not trying to offend all you CS majors out there, but I think EE is one of the hardest majors/grad majors to pass. Fortunately, I am making it." -- "Warrior Diagnostics" (wardiag@sky.COM)

"Being both an EE and an asshole at the same time must be a terrible burden for you. This isn't really a flame, just a casual observation. Makes me glad I was a CS major, life is really pleasant for me. Have fun with your chosen mode of existence!" -- Jim Morrison (morrisj@mist.cs.orst.edu)

Re: Iron Ring

#59

Post by JeanPierre »

Curiously, NTNU/NTH got a similar tradition which officially started in 1914, 8-11 years earlier[1, 2]. I wonder if these rings or the "identity crises" (the NTH-ring was designed to give former NTH (now engineering) students an identity, whereas this iron ring represents the obligations and ethics) have some correlation or not.

[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTH_Ring

[2]: http://www.ntnu.no/ntnu/old/glos/glos_nr.5_1995/ringen.html

Re: Iron Ring

#60

Post by jplmelanson »

yurisagalov wrote: post #10
johlindenbaum wrote: post #6

Sort of relevant: In Canada the word "Engineer" is protected. While I am a Computer Scientist, I can not call myself a Software Engineer (or any form of Engineer), unlike in the US. In Canada you must have graduated from an Engineering College of a University to use the title.

I actually don't think that's strictly true. Although there might be a stigma associated with calling yourself an Engineer if you didn't go through an Engineering program, it is only illegal to call yourself a Professional Engineer if you're not properly licensed. Graduating from an Engineering degree (and/or receiving an Iron Ring) has no real legal protection or obligation. The licensing requirements to become a Pr…

In Quebec, the title is simply "Engineer". Upon finishing an accredited program, the ring is delivered in a ceremony. After graduation and deliverance of the diploma, one can register with the professional order and call himself "Junior Engineer". This gives the right to practice engineering under supervision by an Engineer for a minimum period of 2 years (3 years min. without supervision). Before requesting the right to use the "Engineer" title, you have to pass an exam, mostly on deontological ethics.

There is currently no widespread recognition of the profession in the IT community. We almost never see any job posting requiring the title, or any company giving additional compensation/responsabilities because of the title. For this reason, very few software/IT engineers are going through the process as it is quite costly (~400$ per year + cash spent on minimum Continuing Education Units).

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