4 ms·

The only undergraduate class I had to repeat (because I failed its outdated-ness) was a 1hour lab for physical chemistry, which was taught by a geriatric whom s

The only undergraduate class I had to repeat (because I failed its outdated-ness) was a 1hour lab for physical chemistry, which was taught by a geriatric whom still expected us to use decades-outdated "scientific software" [still DOS prompts, in mid-2000s?!?!] to perform calculations in support of since-disproven theories (mostly: his). His class had a similar $$self$-$published$$ "book" [a packet of stapled 10lb paper] which hadn't been updated since his thesis, some sixty years earlier (literally 80+, now). Required turn-ins carried serialized imprints! RIP when he died that summer and next year I retook the same class, with much more ease / better instruction. ---- Dr. Shithead's wife was actually responsible for my entire scholarship, sweet-as-pie, and we'd often joke about her husband's "reputation" – he's so gentle with me, but I know who he is. Both are longdead, now – thanks Drs. T-s!

StableAlkyne 5mo ago
> decades-outdated "scientific software" [still DOS prompts, in mid-2000s?!?!] to perform calculations in support of since-disproven theories (mostly: his). Most computational chemistry is still done on the command line using decades old codes. Gaussian is from the 70s, and it's still a major workhorse for small molecules. CP2K is from 2000 and is still popular for solid state. It's actually a big barrier to entry in the field, because in addition to learning theory, you also have to know the Linux command line and whatnot
- ProllyInfamous 5mo ago
  Around the same time, decades ago (and until recently), my father (a post-tension concrete expert, P.E.), was still using an early 1980s DOS program to design 8- & 9-figure government facilities. I guess the span deflection/moment/&c calculations don't really change much (i.e. get fancy) on brutalist state buildings. But he did grow up hand-drafting blueprints (I remember the ink/smell from my childhood) and did have a regular 3D/CAD technologist for fancier designs (he despised architects' more-esoteric "Vision"). ---- Wouldn't much of modern chemistry rapidly be integrating/upgrading within python environments (e.g. AlphaFold) on much-faster equipment? I know a few PhDs that are blown away by recent advances in dissertation-level output from machines — in days vs. entire graduate programs – and even walked the graduation stage with (now-Nobel Laureate) John, an Alphafold co-publisher... obviously his perspective is unique/polar.

StableAlkyne 5mo ago

> decades-outdated "scientific software" [still DOS prompts, in mid-2000s?!?!] to perform calculations in support of since-disproven theories (mostly: his). Most computational chemistry is still done on the command line using decades old codes. Gaussian is from the 70s, and it's still a major workhorse for small molecules. CP2K is from 2000 and is still popular for solid state. It's actually a big barrier to entry in the field, because in addition to learning theory, you also have to know the Linux command line and whatnot

ProllyInfamous 5mo ago
Around the same time, decades ago (and until recently), my father (a post-tension concrete expert, P.E.), was still using an early 1980s DOS program to design 8- & 9-figure government facilities. I guess the span deflection/moment/&c calculations don't really change much (i.e. get fancy) on brutalist state buildings. But he did grow up hand-drafting blueprints (I remember the ink/smell from my childhood) and did have a regular 3D/CAD technologist for fancier designs (he despised architects' more-esoteric "Vision"). ---- Wouldn't much of modern chemistry rapidly be integrating/upgrading within python environments (e.g. AlphaFold) on much-faster equipment? I know a few PhDs that are blown away by recent advances in dissertation-level output from machines — in days vs. entire graduate programs – and even walked the graduation stage with (now-Nobel Laureate) John, an Alphafold co-publisher... obviously his perspective is unique/polar.