From: James Edward Gray II <james@...>
Date: 2004-09-18T00:35:40+09:00
Subject: Re: Want a regular Ruby Quiz? (long)

On Sep 17, 2004, at 4:32 AM, Randy W. Sims wrote:

> I don't know how others feel, but I would love to see everyone using 
> the same list. The perl-qotw list is already filled with ruby, python, 
> scheme, haskell. The advantage to having one list is that you can 
> study different approaches to solving a particular problem. Procedural 
> vs OO. Functional vs imperative. etc. To me that's one of the most 
> exciting things about the list.

I see what you're getting at here.  I could possibly even agree, if the 
quiz list analyzed such differences and gave all submissions equal 
attention.  This certainly isn't the case with the Perl Quiz of the 
Week.

And then, even if it was, I have to wonder if each community wouldn't 
be better to have it's own source.  We want our solutions examined 
through Ruby colored glasses, don't we?  Who better to do that than the 
Ruby community?

For those who are looking for something like this, the Perl Quiz of the 
Week has recently opened up to accepting submissions in any language.  
The summaries are still very Perl focused, but perhaps that will change 
in time...

>> I'm thinking we would keep the quiz on this list.  I would prepend a 
>> [QUIZ] to the front of question and summary subjects, for clarity.  I 
>> could place a reminder in the quiz questions for people posting 
>> solutions and discussion to do the same.
>
> I would disagree. ruby-talk is already a very high-traffic, 
> wide-ranging group. It would be difficult to track the solutions as 
> they're posted, and the solutions can sometimes be long, making it 
> more onerous for those poor souls still using dial-up. ;-) Use a 
> seperate mailing-list please (and not a stinking web-forum :p ). There 
> are several places that host such lists (cheap or free).

I'll admit that this would be my first choice as well.  I went with 
keeping it here, because of the recent discussion over the forum.

In defense of the idea, it does seem 100% on topic here and we already 
have an audience.  New subscribers would also find the quiz easier.

I could go either way here, so if you are strongly for or against one 
method, you better speak up now...

> This is very very difficult to gage. Some programmers are faster 
> (which is not to say better) than others. Some have more expertise in 
> certain areas. It's really hard to think of a good guidline here. 
> Estimated size of the result my be a fair measure, but there is a lot 
> of variation possible there also.

And impossible to enforce, yes.  I'm most just throwing it out there as 
a "goal".  People won't play the game at all, if it's too much work.

> I think the grace period works well (and is easier). Some might argue 
> against a grace period, but I think it is good in that it discourages 
> speedy solutions, where people start competing to be the first to 
> post.

Excellent point.

James Edward Gray II