8 ms·
Gerald M. Weinberg has died
- pbowyer 8y agoRIP Jerry, I learned a lot from you. Jerry's blog: http://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/ http://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/ Jerry's books: https://leanpub.com/u/jerryweinberg https://leanpub.com/u/jerryweinberg
- mindcrime 8y agoJerry's books ... Wow, I didn't realize exactly how prolific Jerry had been. There's some really interesting stuff there that I didn't know about before. Glad you shared that.
- tonyarkles 8y agoHis systems thinking book is one that I stumbled onto a couple of months ago and really enjoy. And the “secrets of consulting” books are marvellous.
- unixbhaskar 8y agoYup ,kinda invaluable sources. Like you I gained a lot ,Will be missing his wisdom.
- ncphillips 8y agoWow. I have read a lot of Jerry's books in the last couple years, and have taken away a tremendous amount of value.
- _Codemonkeyism 8y agoI've learned so so much from his books on consulting, thank you for everything Mr.Weinberg. Rest in peace.
- mschnell 8y agoA great teacher. Jerry, thank you for your wisdom and seeing right to my innermost core. RIP.
- svat 8y agoOh no. Just last week there was an article on the front page of HN (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17660011 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17660011) which was plagiarized from a section of his excellent book The Psychology of Computer Programming. It reminded me of discovering his book in the library a couple of years and loving it, and thinking I ought to read what else he's written. Seems I never got around to doing that and thanking him. :-( Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Weinberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Weinberg
- cafard 8y agoHe will be missed.
- endlessvoid94 8y agoBlack bar worthy
- Illniyar 8y agoWhy? because he was a teacher or friend to someone who is a moderator on HN? Because he wrote some books? Lots of famous people, scientists (computer scientists and otherwise), who wrote books and died didn't get a black bar. Every time a black bar is put for someone, his importance is immediately compared to the importance of other great people who died. Frankly I think it does a disservice not only to those who don't get a black-bar, but also to those who do.
- mindcrime 8y agoVery sad news. RIP, Mr. Weinberg.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- gargarplex 8y agoSad news. I have The Psychology of Computer Programming as my bathroom reading (read into that what you will).
- swagtricker 8y agoI've had a habit over the last 10 years of gifting (I've learned to never 'loan' books to people anymore) used hardback 1971 editions of The Psychology of Computer Programming (some bought as cheap as $0.13 + $3.99 S&H on Amazon). Probably given away away at least a dozen to friends & co-workers. For the handful who did more than skim it, it enriched their understanding about programming as a social activity. He left a great mark on the world, even if only a few of us truly appreciate it.
- dang 8y ago"Programming as a social activity" would actually be a better title for that book, as I recall it.
- pjmorris 8y agoI was lucky enough to have met him in person several times, and to have corresponded with him in various online venues. He was generous with his time, and he both taught and practiced only giving advice when asked. His books are among my most read, most quoted, and most given to others. He was a giant. RIP.
- ohjeez 8y agoDitto. Every time I interacted with him, I walked away feeling smarter, and also feeling special and valued. He truly did make the world a better place.
- bobm_kite9 8y agoThis hit me hard. I’ve read several of his books and it’s strange how you can feel like you know a person from that. But his writing was excellent and his personality was very evident. If anything, I feel like now I want to read a few more of his books as a mark of respect. And, you know, because they were excellent
- Area12 8y agoSo much of The Psychology of Computer Programming is still relevant, and still worth reading. The title might put you off ... but this is really a great book that covers some practical topics regarding the human side of programming.
- lucas_membrane 8y agoA very fine person of wisdom and an effective teacher because of his great skill as a storyteller. His stories delivered his wisdom with both efficiency and grace.
- sureaboutthis 8y agoI have never heard of the guy or his book.
- packetslave 8y agoyour loss
- ohjeez 8y agoThen it's a good time to discover him. His book, The Secrets of Consulting, was the first to help me get my head screwed on straight. I can't tell you how often his "Orange Juice Rule" helped me make a better decision.
- jstimpfle 8y agoThat's an interesting rule, and it reminds me of the story of Van Halen: For their concerts, they have asked (ask?) for a bowl of M&M's, but no brown ones.
- have_faith 8y agoThen why comment?
- mcguire 8y agoI didn't get much out of his later work, but The Psychology of Computer Programming has changed my thinking and my career more than any other single book.
- mark_l_watson 8y agoI am very sorry to hear that. I bought his book The Psychology of Computer Programming in the 70s when I was just getting started in my career. That book and some of his more recent work really had a positive influence on my life. Jerry, you will be missed.
- euske 8y agoThe Psychology of Computer Programming (and its Japanese translation, プログラミングの心理学) is one of my favorite books and a must-read if you're interested in computer programming AND human being. It's the only computer-related book that makes me emotional and urges me to be a better programmer AND a better person. I'm sorry to hear this.
- ryan-allen 8y agoI've never heard of this book, I don't know how I missed it. Just ordered it for my kindle!
- sivanmz 8y agoHis systems thinking book will stay with me forever. RIP Gerald.
- unixbhaskar 8y agoRIP Jerry, Learned a lot from your books. Those are very practical guidelines. We will miss your wisdom. It is a loos to the technological world. And I proudly posses your quite a few books, which change my life and thinking too about a specific thing. Thank you.
- dang 8y agoHe showed up on HN once in 2010: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1825352 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1825352.
- yitosda 8y agoComment is clearer in context: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1813443 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1813443
- sundvor 8y agoThanks. Mentioning this might be contrary to HN's ethos, however I felt like upvoting his one and only comment - which was very thoughtful and seemed lovingly in response to his grandson's mention. It's always sad when the good ones go. RIP Jerry.
- pandasun 8y agoIs there a non-Facebook link? Facebook is blocked at my work.
- thecatspaw 8y agoThere is no easy way to say this, and certainly no easy way to hear it. I am writing this on the evening of August 7th, 2018. Jerry died last night. He's been in poor health, but this wasn't expected and Dani is coping with all of the things that need to be done. I told her that I would announce it to his friends and colleagues on Facebook, since she doesn't use social media. I've been using the things he taught me a lot this summer, with some challenging personal and professional situations. I'm so glad I managed to tell him that while he could still hear it. Knowing him made me a better person. His life goal was to empower Smart People to Be Happy. He succeeded. Requiescat in pace, Jerry.
- charlieflowers 8y agoHis "Secrets of Consulting" book has been a treasure trove of insight for me. Sad to hear he has died.
- tuananh 8y agoText for those who got Facebook blocked at work -------------------- Sue Petersen > Gerald M Weinberg There is no easy way to say this, and certainly no easy way to hear it. I am writing this on the evening of August 7th, 2018. Jerry died last night. He's been in poor health, but this wasn't expected and Dani is coping with all of the things that need to be done. I told her that I would announce it to his friends and colleagues on Facebook, since she doesn't use social media. I've been using the things he taught me a lot this summer, with some challenging personal and professional situations. I'm so glad I managed to tell him that while he could still hear it. Knowing him made me a better person. His life goal was to empower Smart People to Be Happy. He succeeded. Requiescat in pace, Jerry.
- rbanffy 8y ago> Text for those who got Facebook blocked at work As if his death was not depressing enough, there are still places that do this...
- gkamal 8y ago"Are your lights on" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1044831.Are_Your_Lights_On_ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1044831.Are_Your_Lights_... ) is my favorite Weinberg book. It had a very profound impact on how I approach problem solving.
- adamnemecek 8y agoBig fan, he was quite an influence on me. Really sad.
- gadders 8y agoIs this who the black bar is for? Sounds like a smart guy. I'll have to get some of his books.
- philk10 8y agoDo it, they are really really good, I re-read them often
- Illniyar 8y agoI thought we were done with the black bar. If I remember correctly Steven Hawking didn't get a black bar.
- tomhoward 8y agoStephen Hawking's contribution, vast and profound as it was, wasn't specifically to computer science. The use of the black bar seems to be determined by the moderators based on who has had a profound influence on themselves and other more active members of the HN community. When it happens, I learn something interesting or valuable about that person's contribution to the field, in a way that I possibly wouldn't if it weren't for the black bar. It's an important and useful community custom, yet debating its use (and protesting that some other person didn't get it) happens every time and always detracts from an otherwise congenial discussion thread. As much as it seems necessary, it really isn't the case that someone always has to be that person. Please just let it go.
- franze 8y agoHis books changed the way I think, work and live! Miss him! He retweeted me once, made my day fabolous!
- sjcsjc 8y agoThere's a great quote on his wikipedia page: "... while riding a bus in New York City, he observed a mother with eight small children embark. She asked the driver the amount of the fare; he told her that the cost was thirty-five cents, but that children under the age of five could ride for free. When the woman deposited only thirty-five cents into the payment slot, the driver was incredulous. "Do you mean to tell me that all your children are under five years old?" The woman explained that she had four sets of twins. The driver replied, "Do you always have twins?" "No," said the woman, "most of the time we don't have any." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Weinberg#Work https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Weinberg#Work
- jgrahamc 8y agoI don't understand that story. Could you explain?
- mjlee 8y agoMost of the time, after having sex, they don't have any children at all. It makes more sense in the context of his Law of Twins: > most of the time, no matter how much effort one expends, no event of any great significance will result
- sjcsjc 8y agoThanks - I did rather mess things up by omitting that.
- akuji1993 8y ago> most of the time, no matter how much effort one expends, no event of any great significance will result What a great outlook on life.
- pjmorris 8y agoIn the book [0], he adds the observation that sometimes something does happen. My inference of the point of the incomplete story told above is to reassure people when their efforts don't seem to take hold. Some can begin to blame themselves. Recognizing that change is rare and hard helps to depersonalize a failure to make change happen. [0] 'The Secrets of Consulting: A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully', Weinberg
- JamesGaythwaite 8y agoBecoming A Technical Leader and Secrets Of Consulting are two books that have had a profound impact on my career and leadership perspective. I revisit them often and recommend them as a great starting point for aspiring leaders.
- philk10 8y agoSeconded
- sokoloff 8y agoParticularly poignant blog post of his from only two months ago. http://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-would-anyone-want-to-live-past.html http://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-would-an...
- philk10 8y agoI've read and re-read so many of his books. Tweeted a couple of times mentioning his work and got replies from him. Truly a great person
- maksa 8y agoI judge the quality of books on software project management from references. I look at references section, and if I don't find any Gerald M. Weinberg I flat out discard the whole book because the author obviously didn't do his homework. Pretty much the wisest author of all. Most of the time I feel like I owe everything I know to him.
- lenepp 8y agoI had the great privilege of interviewing Jerry late last year. He generously talked to me for nearly two hours about his life and career. Here's a link to the interview for anyone interested: https://leanpub.com/podcasts/frontmatter/gerald-m-weinberg-31-01-18 https://leanpub.com/podcasts/frontmatter/gerald-m-weinberg-3...
- joshux 8y agoRIP, Gerald Weinberg There's a less know book written by him: Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method It's the only book I've found that teaches you how to steal like an writer, which the book Steal Like an Artist advocates but doesn't get into how to actually do it.
- smarks 8y agoSad news indeed. One of my favorite Weinberg quotes (phrased as a law): > Weinberg's Second Law: If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization. Weinberg’s books are filled with named “laws”, so many that some of his books have an appendix that lists them all. Here’s one of my favorites: > Boulding’s Backward Basis: Things are the way they are because they got that way. [Quality Software Management, Vol. 1: Systems Thinking]