DU Groups Proposal: Computer Developers Group

[Xithras]

I've noticed that we have quite a few web page developers and programmers here, and a handful of computer artists of various stripes. Because it's always handy to have a forum where programming tips and troubles can be bounced off your peers, it seemed to me that this group could be useful.

I realize that this proposal would create two separate computer support groups, but I think the division is justifiable. Where the current Computer Help and Support group is targeted at assisting computer users, my proposed group would be targeted at assisting computer developers.

My suggested mission statement:
"The purpose of the Computer Developers Group is for members to seek and dispense advice regarding the programming and development of computer software, websites, and computer graphics and animation. This is a technical group aimed at offering community based assistance for members interested in the development or creation of software and content for all platforms, and in all common development languages and formats. Everyone is invited to ask questions, seek help, and provide advice and answers. End-user type questions, including difficulties installing or running software, are NOT on topic for this group and should be placed in the Computer Help and Support Group."

Please post your opinions of this group, and any amendments to the mission statement that you'd like to see. I'm a little unhappy with the group name because it's a bit vague, so any proposals there would be very appreciated.

[HFishbine]

1. Not sure

Not sure it fits with the focus of DU, but I would use it.

[Xithras]

3. Browsed the Groups list lately?

The DU Groups are sub-communities where members with similar interests can get together and discuss those interests. Some are related to DU's mission, but most aren't.

Personally, much of my life revolves around software development (I do it AND teach it) and I've had many useful discussions about various programming issues here before, and I was just thinking that it would be nice to have a slightly more formal forum to do that in.

[wug37]

2. I like that idea

Let's do it

[Xithras]

4. You'll have to be a donor to post.

So donate today! Even $5 or $10 will help keep DU operating, and it will give you full posting access to the DU groups (including, hopefully, this one).

[Cyndee_Lou_Who]

5. Count me in... just getting started on VB.net and will use any help I

can get!!

[Xithras]

6. UPDATED PROPOSAL: Software & Web Developers Group

I was unaware that there was an existing group that covered the graphics development portion of the original proposal, so graphic artists can be stripped out. The new mission statement reads:

"The purpose of the Software & Web Developers Group is for members to seek and dispense advice regarding the programming and development of network and client based computer software, websites, and scripted media (such s Macromedia Flash). This is a technical group aimed at offering community based assistance for members interested in the development or creation of software and content for all platforms, and in all common development languages and formats. Everyone is invited to ask questions, seek help, and provide advice and answers. End-user type questions, including difficulties installing or running software, are NOT on topic for this group and should be placed in the http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242">Computer Help and Support Group. Graphics development questions should be placed in the http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=249">Graphics Group."

[welshTerrier2]

7. great idea !!

i'm in ...

i do web-based application development and database work and think it would be great to have a place to bounce ideas or questions off other DU'ers ...

i hope you're able to get the go ahead for the Developer forum ...

[Xithras]

8. We need seven more supporters to make it happen

I know that we have quite a few current and ex programmers here, so I thought there would be more interest than this.

[qnr]

9. I'm in n/t

[Xithras]

10. Kick n/t

:kick:

[immoderate]

11. I'll do it.

I've been teaching some VBA courses and I would like to advance my skills.

--IMM

[Xithras]

12. One last bump

Wow, I really thought there would be more interest in this. We're 5 short of the minimum needed to get the group going, so unless there's a sudden surge of new interest it looks like this proposal isn't going to happen.

[trogdor]

13. post.kick(thumbsUp(true));

Check out my homemade webzine, 100% Powered By Perl.

http://www.republicansareidiots.com

[Mike Niendorff]

24. kicking again.

add_sponsor(\%sponsors,$lname,$fname);
print "$smiley\n";

sub add_sponsor ($$$) {
my ($rh_sponsors,$lname,$fname,$count) = (@_,0);
push(@{$$rh_sponsors{$lname}},<$lname,$fname>);
foreach $k (keys(%$rh_sponsors)) {
$count += scalar(@{$$rh_sponsors{$k}});
}
return($count);
}
__END__


MDN

(edit: just pretend that the '<' and '>' chars are brackets ... (how the hell do I post just the straight bracket chars? Been on DU for two years and I still don't know ...))

[Xithras]

27. Augh! PERL?

Can I ask you a serious question...why do you stick with PERL over other languages? I used to code websites almost exclusievly in PERL, but gave it up years ago in favor of Java. What does PERL offer that you can't get out of Java, .NET, PHP, or any of a number of other solutions...and with better performance and memory management?

[Mike Niendorff]

28. Just happens to be what I'm working with right now.

Plus, you just flat can't beat it for parsing and manipulating large volumes of text-based data (ok, maybe it can be beaten, but certainly not by any of the other languages I currently use). Since I'm using it for personal projects, it's just very easy to hack something together quickly with it, but it has enough flexibility that I can put together larger projects, too. Also, I don't know what level you're at as a perl programmer, but the camel book really only touches the surface. If you really want to see what perl can do, the panther book is a must. I'd also recommend the 'Black Book' by Coriolis, although the panther book is still miles above it for depth of coverage. Anyway, I'll cease my shameless plugs now :)

All that being said, if/when I ever get to where I want to publish the output through a webpage, then I'll probably end up going with php -- first, just because I'm really comfortable with it, and second because Apache supports it so nicely.

As to Java, well, I've never really been much of a fan of it. If I'm going to code in that C-ish style anyway, then I'd just rather just go with straight C/C++. As to .NET ... :shrug: ... dunno, never used it. But I'm guessing my Linux-based setup probably wouldn't be the optimal environment for a Microsoft product anyway ;)


MDN

[pmbryant]

14. Sounds intriguing

It's likely I'd participate in such a group periodically.

--Peter

[ZombieNixon]

15. I'm in, most definately.

Great idea!

[mogster]

16. How about "The Nerds"?

Or "The Fierce and Revengeful Nerds of Doom". I'm in a melodramatic mood.

No, but I'm in! :-)

[Xithras]

17. LOL! Nerds is a little general though.

Unfortunately only donors can post in DU groups after they've been approved. Donate today! Even $5 will get you in, but the guys who run this forum can use anything you can spare.

[mogster]

18. Will do.

I'm just waiting for the next quarter runner up, so I get to help smack Bushes face ;-)

No, but I'm considering doing just that.

[mogster]

19. Done! :-)

[Xithras]

21. You donated? Great!

Not counting myself, that puts us at 9 donors interested in membership. One more and I'll submit it to Skinner and (hopefully) get it approved!

[mogster]

39. Still waiting for my star to appear :-) n/t

[laheina]

34. I'm in

I'll prolly be doing more learning than teaching, but since you added databases ;)...

[Xithras]

20. UPDATED AGAIN: Web, DB, & Software Developers Group

I forgot about database developers, which are a related field and which most web and application programmers have to work closely with.

"The purpose of the Web, Database, & Software Developers Group is for members to seek and dispense advice regarding the programming and development of network and client based computer software, databases, websites, and scripted media (such s Macromedia Flash). This is a technical group aimed at offering community based assistance for members interested in the development or creation of software and content for all platforms, and in all common development languages and formats. Everyone is invited to ask questions, seek help, and provide advice and answers. Whether you're developing your first webpage in FrontPage or having difficulties porting your COBOL ERP application to that new Java based Sun/Oracle platform, this is the place to post your problems.

End-user type questions, including difficulties installing or running software, are NOT on topic for this group and should be placed in the Computer Help and Support Group. Graphics development questions should be placed in the Graphics Group."

[Xithras]

22. We have 9, need one more to make this a reality n/t

I don't think I'm allowed to count myself.

[Mike Niendorff]

23. I think this is a GREAT idea.

And once I get my donor star back (hopefully soon), I'd be very much interested in taking part. Until then, I'll definitely be an interested reader, and would be willing to contribute through pm's where appropriate.


MDN

[Xithras]

25. Unfortunately only donors count toward the 10 users rule. We still need 1 more donor

Donate.
Donate.
Donate!

[Mike Niendorff]

26. the spirit is willing

but I just don't have the cash to spare right now. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, I'll at least try to cheer from the sidelines :)


MDN

[ZombieNixon]

29. Kick for another one. n/t

[Deja Q]

30. There is already a graphics group and a support group. If this was limited

to programming (any language and web design that would also include pics pertinent to the site's development), I'd be hip.

[Xithras]

31. Yep, it's limited to programming, see the second "Updated" thread

I'd missed the Graphics group in the list and didn't realize that it existed originally. Graphics were removed in the first revision, and now the group topic is limited to website, software, and database development.

[nickgutierrez]

32. I'm in

But I saw your ATA thread -- it's a bit strange that the person proposing the website development group can barely copy and paste a URL. :evilgrin:

[keischin]

33. I'm in...

and want to develop an underground video network. Can the revolution be televised underground? :evilgrin:

[AntiFascist]

35. I'm in too n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

36. Aw, I wanted to be the deal breaker. You already have 12 or 13. (nt)

[Xithras]

37. The group is now up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=288

[RetroLounge]

38. I'm in. Application Developer here.

:hi:

RL