Slashdot Mirror
What is Mainframe Culture?
An anonymous reader asks: "A couple years ago Joel Spolsky wrote an interesting critique of Eric S. Raymond's The Art of Unix Programming wherein Joel provides an interesting (as usual) discussion on the cultural differences between Windows and Unix programmers. As a *nix nerd in my fifth year managing mainframe developers, I need some insight into mainframe programmers. What are the differences between Windows, Unix, and mainframe programmers? What do we all need to know to get along in each other's worlds?"
Comment removed based on user account deletion
"What do we all need to know to get along in each other's worlds?""
You could try exchanging porno links to one another, that seems to be the way nerds bond. Just a thought.
..Punchcards, ENIAC tattoos and nipple piercings that look and spin like tape reels.
Starsucks
Windows programmers don't know how to program without a GUI.
Linux programmers don't know how to program with a GUI.
Mainframe programmers wonder what a GUI is.
end humor transmission.
I am scientifically inaccurate.
The length of the beard?
Mainframers know that you cannot reboot a machine willy nilly, since someone may be running a simulation that takes 6 months to complete, he may be in month 5.5 now and on first name basis with the guy that normally signs your pay cheque...
Oh well, what the hell...
... I have plenty of karma to burn, and this looks to have been posted to start a huge flame war. Why fight fate?
1. Windows is teh bestest, like EVER!
2. Unix is ok, you get good at typing...
3. Linux stole from SCO!
I will now invite retorts. (ducks)
HA! I just wasted some of your bandwidth with a frivolous sig!
Story @ 11 ...and 11:15, 12:15, and next Wednesday at 3:00. All worded slightly differently, of course. ;P
1. Windows programmer: There are two sub-phyla of Windows programmer:
A) Fanatic Windows programmer: Refuses to use any software not made by Microsoft or an approved Microsoft partner; openly mocks Linux, unix, Firefox, and you when you suggest any of the three; programs exactly the way Microsoft tells him to in MSDN articles, and is deeply distrustful of any different approaches; loves IE and is laden with spyware and viruses, but refuses to admit it, saying things like "it's the hardware; I need a new machine".
B) Normal Windows programmer: Uses Windows because it's what everyone else has (and he wants to sell them things); uses Firefox and generally avoids IE; understands that Windows is limited and imperfect, but finds it useful for some subset of tasks; is interested in Linux but vaguely irritated by Linux fanatics calling him a sell-out. Secretly wants to eat spicy Schezuan with the Linux geeks, but not that fanatic with the blue hair (she's too freaky);
2. Linux (2 sub-phyla):
A) Fanatic Linux user: despises Windows users, seeing them as the zombie hordes following Bill Gates, his Satan; throws things at Windows users when they're within range, shouting "Shoo! Shoo! Get back on your short bus and go home!"; compiles everything from scratch to install, because otherwise he'll feel unworthy; generally only uses "Free" software, eschewing anything even remotely non-free, which seriously limits him. Secretly feels betrayed by the moderate Linux users, wants to eat Schezuan with them but knows that Windows guy will be there, so goes for pizza instead.
B) Normal Linux user: Uses Linux because he doesn't have to worry about spyware and viruses (much) and can simply use and enjoy his machine without having to put up with a lot of annoyances; is intrigued by Windows but dislikes the Windows fanatics, who make fun of him (he suspects they live in a town with lead water pipes, and forgives them in pity); he generally doesn't care what other people use as long as his Slackware instance is running well; he occasionally uses Knoppix to rescue one of his Windows-using coworkers when their registry gets corrupted; Secretly enjoys the look they give him after he recovers all their data, it makes him feel Wizardly. LOVES Schezuan food.
3. Mainframe users: Aren't sure what all this "Linux" and "Windows" nonsense is about, and suspect it's a fad the kids are following; Are very fond of their new VT-100 terminal (2400 baud! Kick ass!); Are starting to suspect they might be in for some trouble -- they've had to page all their data off disk to tape a THIRD time this month, how can their disks keep getting full? They're 40MB!!! SOMETHING funny's going on... Are secretly nervous about the boss and that young intern kid and the new box they've been setting up in the corner; those two keep giving us significant looks, what IS that, some kind of new networking thing? Bill over in tech support said it had "blades" in it...; and they still laugh about how "Emacs Makes A Computer Slow". Ha ha ha! Snort!
Farewell! It's been a fine buncha years!
When a mainframe becomes loaded with spyware, you do not throw it in the dumpster!
[ ] Unix
[ ] Mainframe
[ ] Windows
beard #2
[ ] Unix
[ ] Mainframe
[ ] Windows
beard #3
[ ] Unix
[ ] Mainframe
[ ] Windows
I even worked with two Mac guys with beards
No, no... those are called "goatees".
No sig
The Windows admin washed his hands, then pulled out twelve paper towels and thoroughly dried both hands up to the wrists in two seconds flat.
The Unix admin took out one paper towel and very carefully, using every bit of dry towel, dried his hands perfectly in under one minute.
The Mainframe admin breezed through without stopping to wash his hands at all.
"Somewhere along the line" he said, "we learned not to piss on our fingers..."
Do not mock my vision of impractical footwear
Later that afternoon, the Mainframe admin got a horrific case of E.Coli poisoning from the handle of the urinal.
No, I don't trust in god. He'll have to pay up front, like everybody else.