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Iron Ring

en.wikipedia.org

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Re: Iron Ring

#81

Post by nomandback »

joejohnson wrote: post #75
alex_c wrote: post #13

Random trivia: the "iron version" picture is of my own ring, uploaded a few years back when I was messing around with my friend's new camera. Pleasant surprise not only to see this on HN, but to see that the picture is still there after all this time :) As far as I know my year (2005) was one of the last years that U of T still offered an actual iron version, as opposed to stainless steel (most other schools no longe…

You should put something in the picture for size reference (a ruler maybe). I couldn't tell if these were finger-sized rings or if these were more like bangles/bracelets. It doesn't say anything about size in the article.

Maybe a banana.

Re: Iron Ring

#82

Post by joegaudet »

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?

We make the world go round is exactly what the ring is _not_ about. For one, software developers /engineers would be nothing without the computer engineers building the systems the software runs on, and the computer engineers would be nothing without the electrical engineers and device physicists who develop the electrical components from which computers are built... and on and on it goes (turtles the whole way down). Engineering is all about interdisciplinary cooperation, even bridges these days are filled with computer systems for monitoring.

The main idea of the ring is to remind you of your solemn duties as an engineer:

- To put the safety of the public who use systems you engineer first

- To put monetary compensation second to doing quality work (the reason the ring is worn on the pinky finger far away from your gold wedding band - which it will destroy)

- To encourage the next generation of engineers and help them attain mastery

- To encourage those you work with who are not engineers to become technically proficient if they so desire.

Re: Iron Ring

#83

Post by dsshimel »

Serow225 wrote: post #62

I got mine in 2003 for a B. Sc in Mechanical Engineering, but since I ended up going to work at a software development company, I decided not to wear it - just felt wrong. This was a personal choice, YMMV :)

I also got a BS in MechE, then got a job as a software engineer, so now my girlfriend wears my ethics ring. I guess we're exempt from programming morally!

Re: Iron Ring

#84

Post by corresation »

dblohm7 wrote: post #66
yurisagalov wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

The results may be "mixed," but it does happen. MCSE was renamed in Canada, thanks to the Quebec case as well as intense pressure from Professional Engineering associations across Canada. Source: My dad has served on local APEGGA boards and holds P.Eng and FEC designations. I think it's one of those things in Canada where nothing happens until a complaint has been filed. Having said that, even though my job title is…

MCSE was renamed in Canada, thanks to the Quebec case as well as intense pressure from Professional Engineering associations across Canada.

I addressed this in another post, but this is not true. Microsoft temporarily advised holders to use the abbreviation instead of the full name, but then reverted to the full name (see my other post on this for a story on this from the PEO themselves). Years later they changed the whole program to "IT Professional" worldwide in a new marketing push to split the development track from the administration track.

I think it's one of those things in Canada where nothing happens until a complaint has been filed.

The Professional Engineering groups have absolutely no success in trying to coopt the dictionary, nor should they.

Re: Iron Ring

#85

Post by claudius »

saulrh wrote: post #77
claudius wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 :-)

Diamond made out of isotopically pure carbon-14. Ring laser gyroscope. Negative-refractive-index metamaterial. A single giant LED. Nanolithography to produce structural coloration. I've wanted a cool physics ring for quite a while.

It also should be able to reverse the polarity of the neutron flow. Clearly, that is a key requirement.

Re: Iron Ring

#86

Post by kcbanner »

nealabq wrote: post #18

Upon reading this, I wanted one. With inscriptions reminding me of the theoretical and the practical aspects of my craft. Maybe "λf.(λx.f (x x)) (λx.f (x x))" and "10 PRINT "Hello World" 20 GOTO 10". But is that really the point? To proclaim how clever (I imagine) I am. I think the ring is meant to be a reminder that I'm part of something bigger, something important. And that I have a responsibility to other engineer…

You are missing the point. The ring is about your obligation to the public.

Re: Iron Ring

#87

Post by nrivadeneira »

npsimons wrote: post #58
zalzane wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I graduated with an ME degree and I now work as a software developer. I find that the traditional engineering coursework is more difficult than what I find with regards to CS. It's pretty easy to become a self-taught developer and even go through the online courses coming from MIT, etc. It's significantly more difficult to do the same for traditional engineering.

In addition, as someone mentioned elsewhere in the comments, the cost of failure in software doesn't often result in death.

Re: Iron Ring

#88

Post by ars »

kruhft wrote: post #25
alex_c wrote: post #13

Random trivia: the "iron version" picture is of my own ring, uploaded a few years back when I was messing around with my friend's new camera. Pleasant surprise not only to see this on HN, but to see that the picture is still there after all this time :) As far as I know my year (2005) was one of the last years that U of T still offered an actual iron version, as opposed to stainless steel (most other schools no longe…

There was no option to get an Iron version back when I graduated in '97. The story was the iron ones turned your finger black so they stopped selling them. Still have mine after all these years and it doesn't come off anymore, so I think I'll be taking it to the grave.

I hope you never need an MRI. It really doesn't come off?

Re: Iron Ring

#90

Post by TheCapn »

ovoxo wrote: post #65
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 :)

I'm a Software Engineer in Canada and I have an iron ring but that is because our Software Engineering programs (at least the ones that I know of) are accredited engineering programs - i.e. you must go through much of the same hell as other engineers.

Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board is the authoritative body as far as I'm aware and in order to title yourself an "Engineer" you need to be a member of your provincial regulatory body since the title "Engineer" is a protected title under law. It isn't really enforced in any way but to call yourself a "Software Engineer" without having P.Eng. in Canada is technically illegal.

EDIT: Its pointed out in a different post that "Engineer" as a protected term is not concrete and varies province to province while "Professional Engineer" or "P.Eng." is however protected.

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