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why do words like 'idiots' and 'dummies' need to be on the first page.
by poindontcare 13y ago
why do words like 'idiots' and 'dummies' need to be on the first page.
- noelwelsh 13y agoThey are referring to the Dummies Guide and other books that claim you can learn to program in a very short period of time.
- mjn 13y agoYes, the three italicized words/phrases are references to the names of popular programming book series: Programming for Dummies: http://www.dummies.com/store/Computers-Internet/Programming.html http://www.dummies.com/store/Computers-Internet/Programming.... Sams Teach Yourself X in 21 Days: http://www.informit.com/search/index.aspx?query=21+days http://www.informit.com/search/index.aspx?query=21+days The Complete Idiot's Guide to X: e.g. http://www.help4web.net/webmaster/Java/NewJS/JavaScriptIdiotsGuide/toc.html http://www.help4web.net/webmaster/Java/NewJS/JavaScriptIdiot... Maybe those series are no longer as well known as they used to be? They were household names in the '90s and everyone would've gotten the references, but it's possible they're now dated and better removed from the intro.
- mjn 13y ago[Self-response] The draft version (linked by edmccard in another comment) now has a brief explanation in the margin note that these are references to programming books: http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/HtDP2e/Draft/index.html http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/HtDP2e/Draft/index.html
- MetaCosm 13y agoAgreed, it adds nothing and makes the authors seem juvenile. I am not someone sensitive to language either, if it added value I would be open to the most vile introduction imaginable.