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Developer snobbery revisited

My last post seemed to rile up a few people, which is not entirely surprising since I used strong language about something that, in the big picture, probably isn't that important. There are really two things I think about when I look back at the comments in that post.

The first thing is that there are a lot of people who defend Microsoft when they really don't deserve it. It's one thing when mindless Slashdotters say "M$ suX0rz teh big one!!!!!11," but to suggest that I, as a customer, should do something about their piss-poor documentation is the opposite extreme. I hold the company to high standards because at the end of the day, I feel they have the best products in certain areas and I'd like them to keep that up.

The second thing, and this is something I blogged about way back in 2004, is that the .NET community still has a lot of pricks that make it feel generally unfriendly, especially for people that are trying to learn more about the platform. I'd like to think that after writing a book and giving away an app for years (however poorly I may think of it), I'm entitled to complain a little about Microsoft, especially having been on the front line to educate and mentor in various roles over the years. I don't ask for an MVP title or whatever (apparently that's reserved for people who only help online), but whatever Microsoft can do to make my job easier, I'll press for it.

I'm sure I'm guilty of it too, but don't flame people because you think you know what they're all about after a few sentences on a blog or forum. 

3 Comments

  • It's about tact. I don't think just because you wrote a book and an app that you're suddenly "entitled" to say that someone needs to be _fired_ for not meeting your expectations for a small section of documentation.

    I do find it amusing that you refer to yourself as a customer when you find it convenient, and a part of the .NET community when you find it convenient.

    I won't even get into the "lot of pricks" comment. Talk about pot caling the kettle black.

  • Hmmmm... common sense would dictate that a customer is still part of the .NET community. Just because you work with it doesn't remove the consumer description.

  • No harm, Dave.

    Don't expect any respect from me, "foobar," because I at least have the nuts to not post anonymously. If you honestly think that I really believe someone should be fired, then you havne't been reading my blog very long.

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