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Iron Ring

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Re: Iron Ring

#31

Post by windsurfer »

yurisagalov wrote: post #26
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…

RE: Getting an Iron Ring vs Stainless Steel It is still possible to get a ring made out of iron at all Camp One Universities (Toronto/Ryerson, and I believe now York and UOIT as well). I graduated in 2009 from UofT and got one, and I have friends who received their iron one this past March, 2013.

A lot of jewellers would also be happy to make one if you can't get them through a university. Iron isn't so hard to work with.

Re: Iron Ring

#32

Post by khuey »

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.

It varies from state to state in the US.

Re: Iron Ring

#33

Post by betterunix »

windsurfer wrote: post #21
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…

I think having the ring is one thing, but earning it is another.

I think the ability to explain the meaning of an inscription on the ring could serve as proof that it was earned. Going with the example that was given, if you can explain the meaning and significance of a fixed point combinator, there should be no question about your worth as a computer scientist.

Re: Iron Ring

#35

Post by terolacu »

saraid216 wrote: post #15
Tiktaalik wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But in practice though I've found that pretty much all programming jobs are listed as "Software Engineer" and you'll get that on your card.

As a rule, I refer to myself as a "Web Developer". Sometimes the Engineer label gets slapped on me and I decline to make a fuss, but when I have a choice, I don't use it.

I decided to use this title and never change it again: 'Programmer'. No more 'Rails Engineer', or 'Symfony2 Architect', or 'Clojure whatever'.

Re: Iron Ring

#36

Post by adamgravitis »

windsurfer wrote: post #21
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…

I think having the ring is one thing, but earning it is another.

It's actually not about having "earned" it; it's not meant to be a token of having completed the degree, or having been stupendously good at some technical piece of work.

It's meant as a reminder to the obligation you have to society not to cut corners on safety, and that your responsibilities to your employer do not outweigh those you have to Canadians generally.

Re: Iron Ring

#37

Post by efferifick »

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?

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

Re: Iron Ring

#38

Post by umsm »

binarymax wrote: post #23
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 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 think he was over-reacting. Titles describe what we do, and to a certain degree, there can be a number of titles that can describe the work we do.

Re: Iron Ring

#39

Post by dreen »

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 :)

A friend of mine made a ring out of little transistors for his girlfriend. They're married now, she even wore it during the wedding.

Re: Iron Ring

#40

Post by delinka »

binarymax wrote: post #23
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 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 hate to break it to the guy, but if you architect software systems, you are indeed a Software Architect. You're not "an architect," you did not call yourself "an architect," but it's the word that fits the job.

Now, if the World of Academia could attempt to catch up with technology (I know, it's a mad mad world that travels at high velocity and may even continue to accelerate, but a guy can dream) and start offering detailed courses of study for Computer Engineers & Architects, Data Engineers & Architects, Software Engineers & Architects, etc ... will the physical engineering world still have a problem with sharing their title?

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