It is hard to say because it is not explicitly stated in the article, but I think the author was evaluating unfamiliar programs. Trying a program which you are

It is hard to say because it is not explicitly stated in the article, but I think the author was evaluating unfamiliar programs. Trying a program which you are unfamiliar with in a domain you are experienced in is very frustrating, your muscle memory is all wrong, the tools you would ordinarily use are missing, and you have no real feel for how the new tools would work. I give the author a pass for taking an hour and half on the shape.