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Huh? I'm self taught, the last math class I took was 9th grade Algebra. I wrote one of the first vector based, anti-aliased, alpha channeled UI frameworks for

by jawngee 16y ago

Huh? I'm self taught, the last math class I took was 9th grade Algebra. I wrote one of the first vector based, anti-aliased, alpha channeled UI frameworks for Windows 95 (16 bit!). I wrote a DSP processing engine for a telemedical application to monitor heart rate and blood pressure in 1997. I've written control software for elevators. I've written contract after effects plugins for post fx shops. I've written audio and midi sequencers. My video editing app, Shave, is the only other useful editor in the Mac App Store other than iMovie. I've never cracked a math book. Am I the exception that proves the rule? I'm not saying I could write Maya, but I think you are overvaluing your opinion a little.

klochner 16y ago
you might want to revisit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule but yes, I think you are the exception
Jupe 16y ago
Similar story here - I taught myself 68000 assembly by hex-dumping the opcodes out of the only compiler I could afford (i.e. free), and then taught myself calculus to find the tangents along a bezier-curve for my flagship product at the time (a 3D editor/converter, which eventually sold quite well) I've also had the severe displeasure of working with CS grads who couldn't figure out why a 54MB file wouldn't fit on a floppy disk, or asked "where is the .EXE" when working on a windows web site. I'd take a motivated "self-learner" over a paper-backed "scientist" any day.
sliverstorm 16y ago
This article combined with your commend tangentially brings up an interesting point in my mind. What does it mean to be a computer scientist? Are you just a programmer with more background? When/where does deep math and CS knowledge really become important? I honestly think "programmer" and "computer scientist" are slowly being conflated, and the distinction is important to understanding this sort of issue. Is this Granny Smith vs. Fuji, or Fuji vs. Florida Navel?

by jawngee 16y ago

klochner 16y ago

you might want to revisit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule but yes, I think you are the exception

Jupe 16y ago

Similar story here - I taught myself 68000 assembly by hex-dumping the opcodes out of the only compiler I could afford (i.e. free), and then taught myself calculus to find the tangents along a bezier-curve for my flagship product at the time (a 3D editor/converter, which eventually sold quite well) I've also had the severe displeasure of working with CS grads who couldn't figure out why a 54MB file wouldn't fit on a floppy disk, or asked "where is the .EXE" when working on a windows web site. I'd take a motivated "self-learner" over a paper-backed "scientist" any day.

sliverstorm 16y ago

This article combined with your commend tangentially brings up an interesting point in my mind. What does it mean to be a computer scientist? Are you just a programmer with more background? When/where does deep math and CS knowledge really become important? I honestly think "programmer" and "computer scientist" are slowly being conflated, and the distinction is important to understanding this sort of issue. Is this Granny Smith vs. Fuji, or Fuji vs. Florida Navel?