4 ms·

Why does the article use the term "technologists" when Hastings' quotes are all specifically about software engineers?

halfmatthalfcat 6y ago
In the same vein, even I get confused what to call myself when talking to other people. There's like 5 or 6 different ways to identify my position: programmer, coder, developer, engineer, hacker..."technologist" isn't that big of a reach from them I guess.
- ccmcarey 6y ago
  Software Engineer seems a pretty safe choice.
  - MaxBarraclough 6y ago
    Not so. In some states, engineer is a protected term. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#United_State... edit I may have been mistaken and the word engineer itself may be non-protected, but the term software engineer specifically is protected in Florida: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0471/Sections/0471.031.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Displ...
    - vonmoltke 6y ago
      No, "Engineer" (as a proper noun) is protected as a synonym for "professional engineer" (common noun phrase). The common noun "engineer" is not protected in any States.
      - ghaff 6y ago
        Texas at least would appear to be different or at least the licensing board would like you to think so. "The terms "engineer" or "professional engineer" can only be used by persons who are currently licensed." [1] That said, in my experience all manner of technical professionals (and even not so professionals) in Texas do routinely call themselves engineers whether they're supposed to or not. [1] https://www.engineers.texas.gov/lic.htm https://www.engineers.texas.gov/lic.htm
      - MaxBarraclough 6y ago
        As I mentioned in my edit, software engineer is protected in Florida.
        non-entity 6y ago
        Welp, TIL I cant call myself a software engineer (not that I really did anyway)
  - commandlinefan 6y ago
    See, I feel silly calling myself a "software engineer" - it sounds like "sanitation engineer" or "domestic engineer" to me. I always say programmer or software developer.
    - Pfhreak 6y ago
      Heh, I tend to try and avoid 'programmer' because programming is only one part of the job. It's like calling a carpenter a 'measurer'.
  - pathseeker 6y ago
    Unless you're talking to an FE/PE from another engineering field. In their mind you're nothing resembling an engineer. Also, if they are Canadian they might get their goose feathers extra ruffled. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#Canada
- MaxBarraclough 6y ago
  I think of technologist as being a term for anyone who works to develop new technologies, which would include the folks at AMD working on CPU designs, but wouldn't include typical web developers. Of course, in reality it's a rather fuzzy term.
  - qppo 6y ago
    I've pretty much only heard it ascribed to business analysts/operations, sales, or other non management, non engineering work at tech companies. Or want to work alongside emerging technologies but doesn't have the credentials to do the engineering or management. I'm not trying to make their work sound less-than, just describing how I've heard the term used. Total anecdata.
dredmorbius 6y ago
"Information technologist" might be a more accurate label for someone whose responsibilities and skills subsume developing, maintaining, assessing, and deploying software, databases, networking, UI/UX, security, privacy, legal concerns, communications, online abuse, epistemology, and more. "Tecnology" in conventional parlance has regrettably come to equate to "information technology" much as "engineer" once referred principally to a locomotive operator. I'll skip the "ssofftware engineer" debate, though note its existence.
jariel 6y ago
Netflix probably has huge DevOps, who's roles may not really meet the definition of 'Software Eng', also, they might have tons of related technology people. Also - technical product managers, directors etc.. A lot of people not writing code.

In the same vein, even I get confused what to call myself when talking to other people. There's like 5 or 6 different ways to identify my position: programmer, coder, developer, engineer, hacker..."technologist" isn't that big of a reach from them I guess.

ccmcarey 6y ago
Software Engineer seems a pretty safe choice.
- MaxBarraclough 6y ago
  Not so. In some states, engineer is a protected term. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#United_State... edit I may have been mistaken and the word engineer itself may be non-protected, but the term software engineer specifically is protected in Florida: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0471/Sections/0471.031.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Displ...
  - vonmoltke 6y ago
    No, "Engineer" (as a proper noun) is protected as a synonym for "professional engineer" (common noun phrase). The common noun "engineer" is not protected in any States.
    - ghaff 6y ago
      Texas at least would appear to be different or at least the licensing board would like you to think so. "The terms "engineer" or "professional engineer" can only be used by persons who are currently licensed." [1] That said, in my experience all manner of technical professionals (and even not so professionals) in Texas do routinely call themselves engineers whether they're supposed to or not. [1] https://www.engineers.texas.gov/lic.htm https://www.engineers.texas.gov/lic.htm
    - MaxBarraclough 6y ago
      As I mentioned in my edit, software engineer is protected in Florida.
      - non-entity 6y ago
        Welp, TIL I cant call myself a software engineer (not that I really did anyway)
- commandlinefan 6y ago
  See, I feel silly calling myself a "software engineer" - it sounds like "sanitation engineer" or "domestic engineer" to me. I always say programmer or software developer.
  - Pfhreak 6y ago
    Heh, I tend to try and avoid 'programmer' because programming is only one part of the job. It's like calling a carpenter a 'measurer'.
- pathseeker 6y ago
  Unless you're talking to an FE/PE from another engineering field. In their mind you're nothing resembling an engineer. Also, if they are Canadian they might get their goose feathers extra ruffled. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_engineer#Canada
MaxBarraclough 6y ago
I think of technologist as being a term for anyone who works to develop new technologies, which would include the folks at AMD working on CPU designs, but wouldn't include typical web developers. Of course, in reality it's a rather fuzzy term.
- qppo 6y ago
  I've pretty much only heard it ascribed to business analysts/operations, sales, or other non management, non engineering work at tech companies. Or want to work alongside emerging technologies but doesn't have the credentials to do the engineering or management. I'm not trying to make their work sound less-than, just describing how I've heard the term used. Total anecdata.

dredmorbius 6y ago

"Information technologist" might be a more accurate label for someone whose responsibilities and skills subsume developing, maintaining, assessing, and deploying software, databases, networking, UI/UX, security, privacy, legal concerns, communications, online abuse, epistemology, and more. "Tecnology" in conventional parlance has regrettably come to equate to "information technology" much as "engineer" once referred principally to a locomotive operator. I'll skip the "ssofftware engineer" debate, though note its existence.

jariel 6y ago

Netflix probably has huge DevOps, who's roles may not really meet the definition of 'Software Eng', also, they might have tons of related technology people. Also - technical product managers, directors etc.. A lot of people not writing code.