From: Todd Gillespie Date: 2001-12-20T00:28:41+09:00 Subject: [ruby-talk:28947] Re: How can we get publicity for 1.8 release? Kent Dahl wrote: : "Hal E. Fulton" wrote: :> I'll second that. There is a shortage of women in computer science as :> in most engineering disciplines. : I've been wondering how to go about "marketing" a Ruby introductory : course in a way that appeals to women also. So far my (quite male) brain : hasn't got anything better than a play on "Ruby-Nuby" and baby talk. : "Not quite as easy as baby talk, but easier than SmallTalk" or something : similarly brain dead. :-) After female collegues have 'ripped me a new one'[0] often enough, the message has been firmly transmitted that no intelligent woman is looking for tools with concessions made for female access. If you want more women, make better tools. No one likes being pandered to. In a more general case, you would be advised to remember why most people hate marketing. Focusing on computer languages, hackers may *tolerate* a language designed for 'average programmers', but we only *love* languages designed by good programmers for their own use.[1] No one like being spoken down to. Good luck on your intro course. [0] - to borrow Diana's phrasing. [1] - I shamelessly stole this phrasing from Paul Graham, who is my new lang-design hero.