From: Ryan Leavengood <leavengood@...>
Date: 2005-12-21T05:47:16+09:00
Subject: Re: Bruce Eckel and Ruby

On 12/20/05, Hal Fulton <hal9000@hypermetrics.com> wrote:
> <sigh>
>
> I really don't understand the point of this. If you like Python, use it.
> If you like Ruby, use it. I am in the latter category.
>
> In fact, I am not opposed to learning both. At the moment I haven't time,
> but later maybe I will. It's a language, not a religion.

I agree with you completely.

> His use of "hyperenthusiast" is interesting. Does it apply only to non-Python
> people?

I think the problem he has (like many other Pythonistas, Javans,
Perlists, etc.) is that Ruby is getting a lot of exposure now thanks
to Rails, and he feels his livelihood might be threatened by what he
perceives as simply a fad. I think he is calling all the people who
tend to jump from fad to fad in the computing world as
hyperenthusiasts, and he may have a point. I don't think he meant that
all Ruby or Rails people were these flaky hyperenthusiasts.

Maybe he is right and Rails is just a fad, but based on how people are
reacting to it, I'm not so sure. Surely all the Railists are not just
under the spell of DHH's skilled marketing, eh? After all the best
marketing is word of mouth.

Ryan