Jim Weirich, Creator of Rake, Has Passed Away

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Jim Weirich, Creator of Rake, Has Passed Away

Posted by timothy on Thursday February 20, 2014 @10:13AM from the always-sad-news dept.

SirLurksAlot writes "News is beginning to circulate on Twitter and various sites that Jim Weirich, the creator of Rake, has passed away at the age of 58. He was an active developer (his last commit in the last 24 hours) and has made many contributions to the Ruby community over the years, as well as being a prolific speaker and teacher. He had a great sense of humor and was beloved by many. He will be greatly missed."

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Frost0y by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:14 · Score: -1

He had a great sense of humor and was loved by many.
He will be greatly missed with a jar of titties.
Burma Shave
Creator of the Rake? by wcrowe · 2014-02-20 10:18 · Score: 1, Funny

Wow. He must have been, like, 6,000 years old! I'm sure rakes have been around since the dawn of agriculture.

--
Proverbs 21:19
1. Re:Creator of the Rake? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:29 · Score: -1
  
  Wow. He must have been, like, 6,000 years old! I'm sure rakes have been around since the dawn of agriculture.
  was that too soon
What Now? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:29 · Score: -1

WTF is "Rake" and why should anyone care? I gather it's some sort of Ruby thing, but again, why should anyone care?
1. Re:What Now? by Camel+Pilot · 2014-02-20 10:39 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  WTF is "Rake" and why should anyone care? I gather it's some sort of Ruby thing, but again, why should anyone care?
  Because Make sucks...
2. Re:What Now? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:45 · Score: 0
  
  If you don't care about ruby, you probably don't care about rake.
3. Re:What Now? by Darinbob · 2014-02-20 13:25 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  Since when? Make is great. Even more so with GNU Make. It's portable, language agnostic, efficient, fast, scalable, parallelizable, easy to customize, text based, and so forth. This is why Make is still highly popular after 35 years. Yes, there are blogs that attempt to counter every one of those advantages but they also appear to be highly misinformed or biased, or they try to use make as a full all-in-one build system.
  Yes, there are bad makefiles out there, but you can not prevent people using tools that they have not learned well, this is probably the biggest fault. But a fault that exists elsewhere (ie, the person trying to massively customize scons without knowing Python). I actually think that many of the problems people have when using make on bigger systems will actually happen with any automated system, the problem isn't with the tool itself but rather the lack of experience with how to manage a build of a large system, not planning ahead for the complexities that will always come, ending up with a system that was built up incrementally over years.
  I'm not saying Make is perfect but I have not found alternatives that aren't bundled with their own larger set of warts. Rake is not bad (better than many of the alternatives I think), but you have to learn Ruby and its regexps to get stuff done, and it's documentation does not seem as comprehensive and clearly defined as I would like.
4. Re:What Now? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:40 · Score: -1
  
  > you have to learn Ruby and its regexps to get stuff done
  If something requires ruby to be done, it's either not worth doing or worth doing in a real language.
5. Re:What Now? by jones_supa · 2014-02-20 22:14 · Score: 1
  
  WTF is "Rake" and why should anyone care? I gather it's some sort of Ruby thing, but again, why should anyone care?
  I either didn't know about Rake or Jim Weinrich before these news. It's indeed kind of awkward to hear about the software and the guy for the first time, when the developer dies.
6. Re:What Now? by sjames · 2014-02-23 10:39 · Score: 1
  
  Yes. Make is great. A well written Makefile is the key. I just wish we could dump automake and it's kin. They excel at creating massive and obtuse Makefiles so cluttered with useless gunk that you can't even find the build targets.
  Make is a bit like Prolog. The target is your query and as a side effect of satisfying your query source becomes a working binary.
It was the beta by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:30 · Score: 4, Funny

He clicked something and beta came up...
FYI by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:31 · Score: 2, Informative

Hi, Slashdot has sold out to Dice, and Alice Hill and her MBA goons are working hard to drive to turn this into another Slashington Post.
http://soylentnews.org/
Well over 2000 strong now, Dice.
1. Re:FYI by ldephil · 2014-02-20 11:04 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  2000 strong, but that seems to be the limit based on the 500 error I saw.
2. Re:FYI by Darinbob · 2014-02-20 14:40 · Score: 1
  
  Gah, stuck with a 4 digit ID like some noob...
3. Re:FYI by jones_supa · 2014-02-20 22:05 · Score: 1
  
  I don't know really. There's still some rough edges, but the Slashdot Beta isn't that painful to use anymore.
Some old guy died. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:32 · Score: -1

He wasn't Steve Jobs, so why do I care?
1. Re:Some old guy died. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:49 · Score: 0
  
  You, sir, are a douche.
2. Re: Some old guy died. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 15:58 · Score: 0
  
  Jim helped with the Agile Manifesto. He's there in the site's main photo. Is that reason enough to care?
Just heard this news as well by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 10:36 · Score: 0, Funny

I just heard some sad news on talk radio - Horror/Sci Fi writer Stephen King was found dead in his Maine home this morning. There weren't any more details, except they found Slashdot Beta open on his computer screen nearby. I'm sure everyone in the Slashington community will miss him - even if you didn't enjoy his work, there's no denying his contributions to popular culture. Truly an American icon.
1. Re:Just heard this news as well by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2014-02-22 01:59 · Score: 1
  
  There weren't any more details
  I've heard that he received a mysterious video tape a week before his death. The tape was labeled "BETA". He then received a telemarketing call asking him to visit http://slashdot.org./
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
58 is pretty young by jeffmflanagan · 2014-02-20 10:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's cool that he was still coding right up until his death, but that death was much too early.

Based on the Wikipedia photo It looks like he spent too much time improving his mind, and not enough taking care of his body.

If you look like Jim, it's time to change your diet and get active if you want a long healthy life. Tech like FitBit and Jawbone can help. Active gaming using Kinect instead of sitting with a controller, and spending 30 min a day weightlifting did wonders for me.

You'll feel better, think more clearly, and get positive attention from the opposite sex.
1. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:04 · Score: 1
  
  He didn't even lift, did he, brah?
  Folks know the dangers of obesity, fuckhead. Perhaps it was a choice he made willingly. Either way, save it for another thread, douchebucket.
2. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:11 · Score: 0, Flamebait
  
  We don't even know how he died, you are assuming that because he was a overweight that had something to do with it.
  I hope you also realize how difficult it is to loose weight and stay fit as you age; Jim was 58.
  I'm assuming you are a twenty-something pothead who thinks that everyone should aspire to your own personal lifestyle. Go fuck yourself.
3. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:12 · Score: -1
  
  You'll feel better, think more clearly, and get positive attention from the opposite sex.
  What if you're a homosexual? What if you're asexual? Then that wouldn't matter all that much.
4. Re: 58 is pretty young by the_humeister · 2014-02-20 11:29 · Score: 1
  
  Sudden death is usually due to heart attacks. Being obese doesn't help with this matter.
5. Re:58 is pretty young by SpankiMonki · 2014-02-20 11:39 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  If you look like Jim, it's time to change your diet and get active if you want a long healthy life.
  Lemme ask you a question, Mr. Flanagan: would you say those words while attending Mr. Weirich's memorial service? No?
  You might want to consider using ONE standard of behavior for your social interactions - be they in cyberspace or meatspace.
6. Re: 58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:48 · Score: 0
  
  Or a car accident, or a fire, or a drug overdose, or an allergic reaction, or a murder, or .....
7. Re:58 is pretty young by Nimey · 2014-02-20 11:50 · Score: 1
  
  PROTIP: Nothing is sacred on the Internet.
  
  --
  Hail Eris, full of mischief...
  
  E pluribus sanguinem
8. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:51 · Score: 0
  
  We aren't really at his funeral asshat.
9. Re:58 is pretty young by jeffmflanagan · 2014-02-20 11:56 · Score: -1, Troll
  
  You might want to consider not criticizing people who encourage others to be healthier.
10. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:57 · Score: 0
  
  Then that wouldn't matter all that much.
  Yeah, but it matters enough. Being in shape (along with sleep) does help your brain, and no self-respecting nerd should underestimate that. It's also attractive, and people perceived as such are treated better ... regardless of how ridiculously unfair that is.
  We do not know how this man passed on. Maybe it was while saving children from a burning bus. That said, (and here's my point) I'm surprised by the number of responses flaming the grandparent. I thought he was trying to glean something constructive -- namely, a warning -- from what was otherwise *likely* a suboptimal end to a wonderful life. I guess everybody else thought it was just insulting.
  I'm sincerely not trying to judge; I could lose a few pounds myself. RIP good sir.
11. Re: 58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:06 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  You don't know the details of what happened. I can tell you the answer is more complicated than not spending enough time working on your body. Sometimes, due to other medical conditions, people are unable to get around like they used to when they were younger. This makes other problems harder to tackle.
  By jumping to conclusions about this man, you are proving to be insensitive and offensive and I hope that you take some time and reflect on that.
12. Re: 58 is pretty young by twdorris · 2014-02-20 12:12 · Score: 2
  
  Uhhh...or a heart attack at work.
  https://news.ycombinator.com/i...
13. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:19 · Score: 0
  
  I can't tell what's worse: that you said this or that enough people found it insightful.
14. Re:58 is pretty young by SpankiMonki · 2014-02-20 12:22 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  You might want to consider not criticizing people who encourage others to be healthier.
  I don't think posting a directive for people to change their diets and get active if they "look like Jim" (on the day of the guy's death) qualifies as encouraging others to be healthier. Frankly, it comes off as inconsiderate, disrespectful and condescending.
  But thanks for your concern about everyone's health. I'm sure your internet encouragements are working wonders.
15. Re:58 is pretty young by geekoid · 2014-02-20 12:37 · Score: 0
  
  Ir's the best time. Tragedy, and 'close calls' is the best motivator to get people started exercising.
  This isn't his funeral, it's slashdot.
  
  --
  The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
16. Re:58 is pretty young by Prien715 · 2014-02-20 12:38 · Score: 1
  
  You'll feel better, think more clearly, and get positive attention from the opposite sex.
  ...but what if he was bi, you insensitive clod!
  
  --
  -- Political fascism requires a Fuhrer.
17. Re:58 is pretty young by SpankiMonki · 2014-02-20 13:11 · Score: 2
  
  Ir's the best time. Tragedy, and 'close calls' is the best motivator to get people started exercising.
  Tragedy and close calls that aren't close to home don't motivate squat. This is slashdot, remember?
  But even if your questionable speculation above is true, you'd have to also assume that Mr. Flanagan has some magical powers that allow him to know the actual cause of Mr. Weirich's death. The fact is, he doesn't know the cause, and neither do you.
  
  This isn't his funeral, it's slashdot.
  Are you actually defending Flannigan's post? Do you really believe his completely unfounded supposition of the cause of Weirich's death? Or are you just defending idiotic behavior in general?
18. Re:58 is pretty young by Darinbob · 2014-02-20 13:32 · Score: 1
  
  Is it cool though? I mean before I go, I'd love to take some time off first and relax.
19. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:51 · Score: 0
  
  Let's take the "fuck" from "fuckhead", and the "bucket" from "douchebucket", and let's combine them: "fuckbucket". I think I prefer this to fuckhead and douchebucket.
20. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 14:19 · Score: 1
  
  When is the best time then? Being pissed off about such a young death and to then tell others to look after oneself is the best way to get the message across imho.
21. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 15:01 · Score: 0
  
  How is fudging around in the minutia of some obscure language "improving your mind"? History? Physics? People?
22. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 15:25 · Score: 0
  
  People say different things in different context. Period. You are just trying to defend the beloved Jim. We all love him, but he's not defensible in this matter.
  Since when has speaking truth become unacceptable? Flanagan is doing a great service to people who are obese by ringing the alarm bell. How do people become better, individually or collectively? By recognizing mistakes then avoiding them. If you don't even recognize how do you avoid?
  Tony Jiang
23. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 16:00 · Score: 0
  
  Flanagan is doing a great service to people who are obese by ringing the alarm bell.
  You can't possibly believe that some guy posting a warning about obesity on the internet constitutes a great service to overweight people.
  Or maybe you can. After all, there is an astonishing display of stupidity and déclassé in this discussion.
24. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 16:46 · Score: 0
  
  It's not. But fudging around in your mom's fudge hole has improved her mind.
25. Re:58 is pretty young by Concerned+Onlooker · 2014-02-20 17:47 · Score: 1
  
  "I hope you also realize how difficult it is to loose [sic] weight and stay fit as you age; Jim was 58."
  Perhaps that is why they say that the best way to get in shape is not to get out of shape.
  
  --
  http://www.rootstrikers.org/
26. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 18:24 · Score: -1
  
  Ir's the best time. Tragedy, and 'close calls' is the best motivator to get people started exercising.
  This isn't his funeral, it's slashdot.
  Diet and excercise do not guarantee you a healthy long life. People who say such things usually haven't had a weight issue despite eating badly and/or are motivated by other stuff (like selling health junk), not the health of the people they're blaming for their problems.
27. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 19:31 · Score: 0
  
  Umm, all signs and Internet Rumors (I know..) point to a heart attack. The most likely explanation is he had a heart attack.
  As a fat fuck approaching 40, I actually do defend Flannigan's post. He's right, and stories like this add just a small amount to the huge list of reasons I need to stop being a fat fuck, maybe it will be the straw that broke the camel's (fat) back and cause me or someone else to think "Shit, this is for real, I could fucking keel over my keyboard at work."
  None of this detracts from the sadness of this man's passing.
28. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-21 00:24 · Score: 0
  
  I'm autosexual and I want something to look at in the mirror. Not a joke.
29. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-21 00:31 · Score: 0
  
  A programmer's early death from a heart attack isn't close to home? Then what is?
30. Re:58 is pretty young by hondo77 · 2014-02-21 13:26 · Score: 1
  
  I hope you also realize how difficult it is to loose weight and stay fit as you age; Jim was 58.
  I hope you realize you don't know how easy it is to lose weight and get fit as you age, especially if you're starting off sedentary.
  I assume you're a bitter, fat fuck trying to justify your fat fuckiness.
  
  --
  I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
31. Re:58 is pretty young by sjames · 2014-02-23 10:44 · Score: 1
  
  Lemme ask you a question, Mr. Flanagan: would you say those words while attending Mr. Weirich's memorial service? No?
  Of copurse he wouldn't. You cvan only get punched in the nose so many times before it begins to resemble a small potato glued to your face.
32. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-23 17:26 · Score: 0
  
  What the fuck are you even talking about? You are just parroting what I said into an insult.
  It is not easy to lose weight the older you get. Or are you just making things up?
  Fucking weeaboo.
33. Re:58 is pretty young by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-24 11:30 · Score: 0
  
  +1
  I remember when that Cnet editor stupidly drove into the mountains in Oregon in the winter with no supplies, then wandered off leaving his family behind, and then dying. His family barely survived.
  I commented that driving in the backwoods in the pacific northwest in the winter is not like a weekend trip to Bodega Bay and you need to be prepared. I got tons of grief for pointing out the obvious and inferring that James Kim acted in an extremely stupid manner, which was 100% true.
  The truth hurts, and when something easily preventable happens, that is the exact time to drill home the point.
Shocked by Bill_the_Engineer · 2014-02-20 10:54 · Score: 4, Insightful

I was taken aback when I heard the news. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. My understanding is that it may have been a heart attack.
You will be missed Jim. RIP.

--
These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
1. Re:Shocked by jones_supa · 2014-02-20 22:08 · Score: 1
  
  My understanding is that it may have been a heart attack.
  Source?
2. Re:Shocked by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-21 01:21 · Score: 0
  
  His obituary mentioned that donations should be made to the American Heart Association may be a clue that the GP was correct.
Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Slashcrunch · 2014-02-20 10:56 · Score: -1, Offtopic

First up... Thank you for Rake, Jim. It is a great tool and I can only imagine how many tasks a day are fired off with Rake. Not to mention that you were an active member of the programming world, and a great person by all reports. You will be missed by many.
Many of you may not have heard of Jim Weirich, but that isn't the point. Through the fog of your low IQ and ignorance, you may have gleaned that someone who contributed a widely used feature for a programming language that has an active and thriving community. They appreciate his contribution greatly, and from what I have heard in the past Jim was also once of the nice guys.
The total lack of respect in the comments at the loss of someones life saddens me. Trolls have no shame of course, so I'll do something useful today instead of feeling bad about Anonymous Cowards.
The quality of the comments at Slashdot has dropped so low that they actually detract from the story, way worse than just adding nothing. I've been coming to Slashdot less and less over time because of this. Slashdot used to be *gasp!* ... a place where actual nerds (You know? Those people that care about Tech?) came to have intelligent, humorous and often vigorous discussion and debate.
I can't believe I'm suggesting this as someone that values freedom of speech, but is it time for Anonymous Coward to go? Should slashdot require a user to login before commenting? Let's face it... Anonymous Coward adds as much to a meaningful discussion as someone who drives past a coffee shop and yells out, "Look at me!". I would finally be happy to see the last of Mr Coward. You can still say whatever you want, but put your id to it.
1. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by gIobaljustin · 2014-02-20 11:16 · Score: 2
  
  as someone that values freedom of speech
  Are you sure about that?
  
  but is it time for Anonymous Coward to go?
  I don't think so.
  
  Let's face it... Anonymous Coward adds as much to a meaningful discussion as someone who drives past a coffee shop and yells out, "Look at me!".
  Depends on the post. I've seen plenty of ACs who have posted comments I thought were insightful.
  In the end, your post offended me. Time to ban Slashcrunch? Total lack of respect for my sensibilities.
  
  --
  Thank you Dave Raggett
2. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:17 · Score: -1
  
  Time to ban YOU.
  People like you have sat back and done nothing while the editors have dumbed down slashdot and posted more and more articles which are simply thinly disguised advertisments.
  Slashdot used to be *gasp!* ... a place where actual news for nerds was posted!
  It's not surprising the quality of comments have dropped - the signal is leaving and all that is left is the noise.
  Sadly slashdot will soon be passing away too.
3. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by geekoid · 2014-02-20 11:18 · Score: 1
  
  First up, Jim's dead. He can't hear you. Maybe you should have thanked him last week?
  Widely used feature? Is it?
  "I can't believe I'm suggesting this as someone that values freedom of speech"
  I can. most people become hypocritical when something they claim to believe in is used in away they don't happen to like.
  Lets face it, a percentage of anonymous comments anywhere are, and always have been, crap. Maybe you should just read at a higher level?
  See how annoying it is when some says "first off" and the never has a second?
  
  --
  The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
4. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:28 · Score: 0
  
  I can't believe I'm suggesting this as someone that values freedom of speech, but is it time for Anonymous Coward to go
  Uh, no.
  That posting was nothing. Seriously. So some Anonymous Coward posted what some others probably thought after reading the Wikipedia article on Jim, and kept to themselves, or just didn't really think anything else after it, but they did think it.
  BFD.
  Even on comment areas that require a login to post comments can be quite disappointing to read. So, really, "Anonymous Coward" is just a red herring here.
  Just look at Reddit posts to see how the lack of something like Anonymous Coward does not really change anything regarding what gets posted.
  -AC
5. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:44 · Score: -1
  
  You can still say whatever you want, but put your id to it.
  1) ACTUALLY, I can say ( write ) whatever I want and YOU don't have any power over how I do that,
  unless you create your own website. Slashdot is not under your control, so if you don't like
  how they do things you'd best buy a box of Kleenex.
  2) I don't have an ID because I do not WANT an ID. If I post something which breaks the law it
  is trivial for law enforcement to at least associate the post with an IP address. Even if I did use
  a user ID it would not prove that I posted it. Nor would it make any difference relative to what I
  post. All that might happen is that some douche like you would ask mods to ban me. I have been using
  various forms of what is now called the internet since its inception and I have seen it all before. Control
  freaks like you are old news.
  3) It is both sad and comical that you are interested in forcing others to behave as you think best. If you
  think you ought have the power to do this, you are suffering delusions of grandeur.
  4) If you are really so bothered by the posts of anonymous cowards QUIT READING SLASHDOT.
  4)a) the world is bigger than you and is not going to conform to your wishes. It didn't work for
  a lot of people who had a lot more power than you have, and it is not going to work for you either.
  5) I genuinely hope you find something which actually matters to worry about. Anonymous
  posting is so low on the scale of what a rational person would even care about that you come
  off like a nutcase with your rant.
6. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Evil+Pete · 2014-02-20 11:50 · Score: 1
  
  Although I am tempted to agree with you I cannot. There are some topics where insider information is invaluable but identifiable posts would likely cause repercussions for the poster. We still need that. Anonymous Cowards on this topic are just that, cowards, but I don't see how we can get rid of them without getting rid of the more useful aspects of that role.
  BTW, "OFF TOPIC" ... which fuckwit moderated that?
  
  --
  Bitter and proud of it.
7. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:53 · Score: 0
  
  Your mom is a whore and you sound like a nigger.
8. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:04 · Score: 0
  
  Bullshit. All I see from you registered users are trolling posts like yours and whines about the Beta disaster. I'm sure most of us that have been around for a while would prefer to go back to the old model where everyone was an AC and competed on the same level instead of the one where trolls like you take advantage of your posting bonus instead of being willing to have your posts stand on their own merit. I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that /. was better and certainly more technically oriented before user accounts were added.
  -- Proud AC since Oct '98
9. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:07 · Score: 0
  
  Four of my last seven posts have been moderated to +4 or higher. Are you going to claim my posts are useless? Guess what. I've been here since before you registered users existed, and I'm sure I'll be here longer after you "take advantage of the registered user bonus" people are long gone. Slashdot has simply gone downhill since adding user accounts. That is undeniable.
10. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by DarkOx · 2014-02-20 12:13 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think it has to be hypocritical. I can wish someone would be quiet or self censor, while at the same time respecting the right to speak. I can also appreciate there may be a time when someone wishes I would self censor and yet be glad that I would still have the right to speak if I felt compelled to do so.
  In Other words I don't think a free-speech advocate is being hypocritical until he asks for someone else be censored, expressing a regret at hearing another's words is not a violation of the principle.
  
  --
  Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
11. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Wootery · 2014-02-20 12:28 · Score: 1
  
  A fine example of an utter waste of space posted anonymously. I'll respond anyway...
  Points 1, 3, 4, 4a, and 5 are all variations of Why bother to try to improve something?. How about actually arguing against the specific suggestion?
  Also, it is nothing short of absurd to call someone a 'control freak' for suggesting that an online forum have different rules.
12. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:29 · Score: 0
  
  Anonymous Cowards on this topic are just that, cowards,
  
  Oh REALLY ?
  Well then, "Evil Pete" ...
  Since you're such a brave guy, why don't you post your REAL NAME and your home
  address, right here on Slashdot. You know, since you are not a coward like all the anonymous
  posters. What's that you say ? All kinds of funky things might happen if you post your real name
  and address ? If you are not a coward that wouldn't bother you.
  /
13. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by geekoid · 2014-02-20 12:39 · Score: 1
  
  He is saying people shouldn't speak anonymously; which is the corner stone of freedom of speech.
  
  --
  The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
14. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:50 · Score: 0
  
  Why bother to try to improve something?
  Your opinion is the minority opinion.
  Most users value the option of AC posting and want to keep it available.
  You aren't going to get your way and there's not a thing you can do about it, no
  matter how superior you imagine yourself to be. Maybe you should go call your
  mommy now and tell her there is a mean man on the internet ...
  '
15. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:56 · Score: 0
  
  Uh, GP isn't arguing for disallowing A/C posts, he's simply pointing out the deficiencies in GGP's reasoning.
  You're probably feeling really stupid now...maybe you should try out that mommy thing for yourself.
16. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 16:51 · Score: 0
  
  See how annoying it is when some says "first off" and the never has a second?
  Your posts are annoying for completely different reasons. Mostly douchiness.
17. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-21 01:32 · Score: 0
  
  something they claim to believe in is used in away they don't happen to like.
  Something like the English language, for example?
18. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-21 02:29 · Score: 0
  
  A guess being a whore yourself makes you an expert.
19. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Wootery · 2014-02-22 13:23 · Score: 1
  
  Uh, GP isn't arguing for disallowing A/C posts, he's simply pointing out the deficiencies in GGP's reasoning.
  This is correct. I thought that was clear, but here we are again with:
  
  You aren't going to get your way and there's not a thing you can do about it
  Sigh. Rather than try to spell things out further, I'll just leave you a link: the appeal to force fallacy.
  As for
  
  no matter how superior you imagine yourself to be. Maybe you should go call your mommy now and tell her there is a mean man on the internet ...
  Petty name-calling doesn't even count as a fallacy.
20. Re:Time to ban Anonymous Coward? by Concerned+Onlooker · 2014-03-03 18:44 · Score: 1
  
  "He is saying people shouldn't speak anonymously; which is the corner stone of freedom of speech."
  Here it is a usually a cornerstone of just being a jerk. The fact that someone was down voted for suggesting that we behave in a civil manner is pathetic.
  
  --
  http://www.rootstrikers.org/
not a surpise - coders should take notice by thetoadwarrior · 2014-02-20 11:14 · Score: 4, Interesting

It's a great shame that he died so young but let's be honest, this isn't exactly surprising. If you're a developer it seems this outcome is far more likely than you'll live to be happy and fit into your 80's or 90's.

What's sad is some people will throw away their youth working excessive hours for some employer that won't care about them only to die in their 50's and they won't be famous enough to get all the kind messages like Jim has. Though I'm sure Jim rather be alive than having people saying nice things about him now.

We should recognise programming isn't necessarily a safe job and demand better rights.
1. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by jeffmflanagan · 2014-02-20 12:03 · Score: 2
  
  Being a developer means that I have to sit in one place for 8 hours a day. What I do for the other 8 hours awake is up to me, and has nothing to do with my employer.
  
  Like most people here I spend a lot of time on the computer at home as well, but It only takes an hour a day of exercise to stay very fit. I know it can be hard to get motivated to get up and get active, but it's really worth it. You only get one body. Make the most of it.
2. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by mwehle · 2014-02-20 12:14 · Score: 1
  
  It's a great shame that he died so young but let's be honest, this isn't exactly surprising. If you're a developer it seems this outcome is far more likely than you'll live to be happy and fit into your 80's or 90's.
  You've certainly got that right - the developer's life is a dangerous one, fraught with peril. To write code is to live fast and often to die young.
  
  --
  Wir sind geboren, um frei zu sein - Rio Reiser
3. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by thetoadwarrior · 2014-02-20 12:21 · Score: 1
  
  Except many programmers don't do just 8 hours and even if they did, I'm not sure you can imply that's healthy. I don't think anyone ever thought it was healthy and it's a reason women who had life long jobs in factories often had nasty legs. Even if you weren't coding it's impossible to be moving about all evening so even combing a few hours of sitting at home with sitting all day and, if you drive then you've easily spent the bulk of the day on your ass even if you're active most of the evening.
4. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:45 · Score: 0
  
  Being a developer means that I have to sit in one place for 8 hours a day.
  When you say "I" in that sentence, I assume it's rhetorical. That, or you have the cushiest development job in the history of the universe.
5. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by RightSaidFred99 · 2014-02-20 19:36 · Score: 1
  
  I was with you until the last sentence, then you went off the fucking rails.
  
  We should recognise programming isn't necessarily a safe job and demand better rights.
  Lolwut? Programming is a very safe job. I think you should go to a coal mine and tell the miners about how dangerous your job is and that they should punch you in the forehead and walk away laughing and shaking their heads in disbelief.
  We don't need any more rights. As a fat programmer, I don't blame my job I blame me for stuffing my face and not exercising enough. I don't need to "demand better rights" to solve either of those issues.
6. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by BetterThanCaesar · 2014-02-21 01:15 · Score: 2
  
  There's actually a lot of evidence that sitting down the majority of your awake time (8+ hours) is itself bad for the body, and cannot be made up for with physical exercise. Working a few hours standing up and being mildly active (i.e. taking walks) during free time is better. Of course, one hour spent at the gym is better than one more hour in the couch. I'm just saying that if you have the opportunity to work standing up, it is likely worth a lot more than you think!
  
  --
  "Stop failing the Turing test!" -- Dilbert
7. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by Vyse+of+Arcadia · 2014-02-21 02:06 · Score: 1
  
  You only work 8 hours a day? You lucky dog.
8. Re:not a surpise - coders should take notice by Xest · 2014-02-21 02:37 · Score: 1
  
  "What I do for the other 8 hours awake is up to me"
  Lucky you, some of us don't get to live in our mothers basement for all eternity though and have to deal with everything from doing house choirs, to cooking food, to looking after kids, to spending time with our partners, to doing DIY jobs, to doing food shopping, to reading about new things to stay relevant and employable, to paying bills to getting the car fixed, and so on.
  Now don't get me wrong, I did 35hrs a week study whilst also working 40hrs a week to get a second degree, and still had time to do some hobbies and spend time with my girlfriend so I know as well as anyone about time management. But if you think most people just work 8 hours and then have 8 hours of freedom to spend doing whatever they want then you really need to grow up and understand that not everyone has the luxury of zero responsibilities.
  For most people it's nothing to do with being lazy or unmotivated, it's genuinely about lack of time.
  I'm fortunate that I have a mile walk each way to/from the train station to my office and dogs to walk when I get home such that I get my exercise doing things I'd need to do anyway, but that's not the norm for most people.
  Besides, I don't think it's even really fair to judge how people live their lives regardless - some people may feel that dying young but living smart by constantly learning is better than living long and living stupid. Others will be happy trying to maintain a reasonable balance.
All that for a sub-par build system by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:33 · Score: -1

What's sad is that in the end, his work only amounted to a sub-par build system.
1. Re:All that for a sub-par build system by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 11:41 · Score: 0
  
  On the one hand, it's cool that the build system uses the same syntax as the language it's intended to build. On the other hand, it's Ruby so it sucks.
2. Re:All that for a sub-par build system by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:32 · Score: 0
  
  What's sad is that in the end, his work only amounted to a sub-par build system.
  An even sadder legacy would be where one's work only amounted to A/C posts on slashdot. Oh wait....
3. Re:All that for a sub-par build system by jones_supa · 2014-02-20 22:17 · Score: 1
  
  At least I like for someone to keep my air conditioning information up to date.
Jim will be Missed by newlife007 · 2014-02-20 11:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

Jim was a great guy with a good sense of humor. He was very active in the Linux and Programming here in the Cincinnati area. I have known Jim for over 20 years and he will be missed by many. He was a very avid Ruby supporter and also of OpenSource. It is great to see him mentioned here on Slashdot, but a shame to hear the poor comments made about a man who cared about what he did. Free speech or not, it is nice to be respected.
Uninitialized Constant... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:07 · Score: 0

... of life. Last rake task failed.
How dramatic by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:08 · Score: 0

Face it. Jim had a discipline problem concerning putting stuff in his mouth.
1. Re:How dramatic by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:35 · Score: 0
  
  While you, on the other hand, have a discipline problem concerning stuff coming out of your mouth.
Dependency Injection by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:18 · Score: 0

With the general consensus being a Dependency Injection tool is not necessary in Ruby, I found it interesting that Jim had a minimal little DI container called DIM: https://github.com/jimweirich/dim
Please write better summaries by PopeRatzo · 2014-02-20 12:31 · Score: 1

It would have taken all of three words to give those of us who are not developers a hint about what "Rake" is.
I mean, for chrissake...

--
You are welcome on my lawn.
1. Re:Please write better summaries by Jane+Q.+Public · 2014-02-20 16:49 · Score: 1
  
  Well, some kind of explanation would be nice, but it's not as easy as it might seem.
  
  If you're a developer, an explanation such as "It's kind of like make for Ruby" might suffice. But really, it's not quite like make, and strictly speaking it's not just for Ruby. So more than a very basic comparison with make gets pretty complicated.
  
  And if you're not a developer... well, it's a tool that tells compilers how to compile source code into programs. Sort of.
2. Re:Please write better summaries by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 19:39 · Score: 0
  
  Hey, asshole. That colored text is something you can click on, and it will take you to another page with details about the highlighted words.
  Fucking dumbass.
3. Re:Please write better summaries by jones_supa · 2014-02-20 22:22 · Score: 1
  
  Apparently it does not take much to make you grumpy. :D
4. Re:Please write better summaries by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-23 19:52 · Score: 0
  
  Rake = Ruby Make
  It is essentially a DSL for creating tasks to automate anything you want.
  It can do everything that Ruby can do.
  It can do everything that Make can do.
  Since it is Ruby, it has a very clean and concise syntax that is easy to read and write.
  Want to write a sane Java dependency and build tool? You can do it in Rake in very few lines of code.
  Want to build a tool to create a project for any arbitrary language, including stubs and templates? You can do it in Rake in very few lines of code.
another fat fuck dies by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 12:31 · Score: -1

start exercising, coders, or die. seriously
Summary is incorrect by SpankiMonki · 2014-02-20 12:36 · Score: 1

Jim was 57, not 58.
RIP
R.I.P. by Tablizer · 2014-02-20 12:42 · Score: 3, Informative

I used to debate Jim on Usenet about software design. He was one of the best debate partners I've ever encountered. He was patient, detailed, articulate, asked good questions, and was honest when he could only provide anecdotal information instead of directly inspect-able evidence. (An example is measuring grokkability of code or designs to typical maintenance developers.)
A good many debaters turn it into a personal credibility battle when faced with anecdote-versus-anecdote impasses. Jim knew to let it go and let the stalemate be.
We'll miss you Jim! You set a great example.
-Tablizer

--
Table-ized A.I.
If you don't know Jim, check confreaks by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 13:42 · Score: 0

http://www.confreaks.com/presenters/24-jim-weirich
Condolences by assemblerex · 2014-02-20 15:15 · Score: 1

Someone who gives so selflessly will be missed.
Roman Numeral Code Kata by the-matt-mobile · 2014-02-20 17:05 · Score: 1

I saw Jim present this at the StirTrek conference in Columbus in 2012. It was a really good presentation. Life is short and we aren't promised a tomorrow, but this guy clearly was doing what he was passionate about. http://bostonrb.org/presentati...
Blame the guy for his death. Good one, jerk! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-20 18:04 · Score: 0

It's cool that he was still coding right up until his death, but that death was much too early.
Based on the Wikipedia photo It looks like he spent too much time improving his mind, and not enough taking care of his body.
If you look like Jim, it's time to change your diet and get active if you want a long healthy life. Tech like FitBit and Jawbone can help. Active gaming using Kinect instead of sitting with a controller, and spending 30 min a day weightlifting did wonders for me.
You'll feel better, think more clearly, and get positive attention from the opposite sex.
Yes you judgemental fool. Because all of us are built such that simple diet and excercise will gurantee us healthy life until we're 100. Never mind that if we all metabolized everything we ate even athletes would be the size of large houses. GROW UP!!!
Jim was greatly loved & not the typical geek! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-02-23 10:57 · Score: 0

In response to some of the "hate & pity & better than thou comments" about Jim's physical condition: Yes he may have been someone who needed to loose a few pounds, but he was so much more than just a body shape, and who in this world is perfect. I have never heard anyone who had actually met the man in person say anything against him If you knew him personally, you couldn't help but have a great respect for his intelligence, his sense of humor and his beautiful heart and soul. He loved to learn as much as he loved to teach. He was a wonderful example of a great father and a wonderful husband. He was friendly, outgoing & patient with those who may not be on his level. He never made anyone feel "less than". He was a role model for any young man in this world to look up to. Jim was to busy making this world a better place to live in to bother with such catty & bitter thoughts as the people who want to poke fun at his weight or talk like he as some weird computer geek hid away from the world. He was nothing of the sort. Jim was a kind, outgoing person who focused on the positive, not the negative. The fact that so many people want to comment on him is just a testament to the fact that he was an interesting man who did something with his life.