While I do like Ruby, it doesn't have the support behind it that Python does.
I mainly use Perl, but have written a few utils in Python just to get a feel for the language. I've got to say, while Python appeals aesthetically, I can write anything an order of magnitude quicker in Perl (thought familiarity is doubtlessly an issue here.)
Ruby is, IMHO, even more attractive than Python for its more thoroughgoing object orientation, for example in Python you would write:
foo = "HeLLo"
import string
bar = string.swapcase(foo)
Whereas Ruby treats foo as an object with its own methods from the word go:
foo = "HeLLo"
bar = foo.reverse()
Add to this other goodies like block iterators and Ruby is looking very good.
What would stop me using Ruby is firstly the relative lack of maturity. (Though for some it would be an attraction to get into a language at the ground storey). And secondly the relative (and related) lack of Ruby programmers. The fact that Ruby can be written in a dialect that can be easily understood by Python (and even Perl) programmers, mitigates against this to some extent.
I'm not sure about support, but the availability of a free on-line text Programing
Ruby (you can also but the hard copy), and a discussion group at Ruby Garden might go some way to alleviating your fears in that regard.
All in all Ruby looks like one of the nicest little scripting languages around -- Smalltalk meets Perl meets Python -- and I wish it the best of luck. With a bit of maturity I might even consider applying it in a production environment.
The main problem is, solar would never work in the US, except under an and life-style altering condition.
Well my parents live in rural NSW (Australia) and survive quite well on their solar system. True they have slightly more high-tech batteries than (and more of them) than those mentioned in the article, (as well a diesel generator for emergency backup,) and gas for energy hungry appliances such as the fridge and oven.
None of this has involved any extreme life-style changes. They have to turn off the (energy efficient) lights when they leave the room and resort to the gas stove more often than the microwave, but since they already had this odd (to my way of thinking) habit of sleeping at night and being awake in the day.
It is true, that solar energy (ie battery technology) seems unlikely to be able to replace all the energy demands for modern 24 hour cities, (but it isn't going to do that in Dominican Republic either. Point is that much household use, especially in remote areas, can be supplied or supplemented by solar energy with today's technology.
I don't think that what MS is doing is "ignorant".
Nor was the original poster claiming the M$ was ignorant. He was pointing out that the ignorance of M$ users in relations to alternative OSs was a major factor impeding their uptake. Surely an unobjectionable, if perhaps platitudinous, statment.
If your FATHER was born in Germany, you can still claim citizenship.
I believe it is depends not on whether your Father was born in Germany, but on whether he is a German citizen. I'm about to find out, I'm born in.ca, but have German citizenship from my father (who was born in.de), and I'm about to apply for my baby son...
I'm not sure if this is right, but it might even be the case that if you are born in Germany, but your father is not a citizen, you don't automatically get citizenship???
... or you'll be bullied by other corrupt congressman
Or you'll find yourself with an extreme shortage of campaign funds. Until we control how much $$ can be spent on election campaigning, those who can afford to fund elections will continue to control politicians.
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I mainly use Perl, but have written a few utils in Python just to get a feel for the language. I've got to say, while Python appeals aesthetically, I can write anything an order of magnitude quicker in Perl (thought familiarity is doubtlessly an issue here.)
Ruby is, IMHO, even more attractive than Python for its more thoroughgoing object orientation, for example in Python you would write:
foo = "HeLLo"import string
bar = string.swapcase(foo)
Whereas Ruby treats foo as an object with its own methods from the word go:
foo = "HeLLo"bar = foo.reverse()
Add to this other goodies like block iterators and Ruby is looking very good.
What would stop me using Ruby is firstly the relative lack of maturity. (Though for some it would be an attraction to get into a language at the ground storey). And secondly the relative (and related) lack of Ruby programmers. The fact that Ruby can be written in a dialect that can be easily understood by Python (and even Perl) programmers, mitigates against this to some extent.
I'm not sure about support, but the availability of a free on-line text Programing Ruby (you can also but the hard copy), and a discussion group at Ruby Garden might go some way to alleviating your fears in that regard.
All in all Ruby looks like one of the nicest little scripting languages around -- Smalltalk meets Perl meets Python -- and I wish it the best of luck. With a bit of maturity I might even consider applying it in a production environment.
Well my parents live in rural NSW (Australia) and survive quite well on their solar system. True they have slightly more high-tech batteries than (and more of them) than those mentioned in the article, (as well a diesel generator for emergency backup,) and gas for energy hungry appliances such as the fridge and oven.
None of this has involved any extreme life-style changes. They have to turn off the (energy efficient) lights when they leave the room and resort to the gas stove more often than the microwave, but since they already had this odd (to my way of thinking) habit of sleeping at night and being awake in the day.
It is true, that solar energy (ie battery technology) seems unlikely to be able to replace all the energy demands for modern 24 hour cities, (but it isn't going to do that in Dominican Republic either. Point is that much household use, especially in remote areas, can be supplied or supplemented by solar energy with today's technology.
Nor was the original poster claiming the M$ was ignorant. He was pointing out that the ignorance of M$ users in relations to alternative OSs was a major factor impeding their uptake. Surely an unobjectionable, if perhaps platitudinous, statment.
I believe it is depends not on whether your Father was born in Germany, but on whether he is a German citizen. I'm about to find out, I'm born in .ca, but have German citizenship from my father (who was born in .de), and I'm about to apply for my baby son ...
I'm not sure if this is right, but it might even be the case that if you are born in Germany, but your father is not a citizen, you don't automatically get citizenship???
Or you'll find yourself with an extreme shortage of campaign funds. Until we control how much $$ can be spent on election campaigning, those who can afford to fund elections will continue to control politicians.