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Ditching your Windows or learning Ruby and/or Python shouldn't give your career a boost in the long run, unless you're developing for iOS/OSX/Linux or in Ruby a

Ditching your Windows or learning Ruby and/or Python shouldn't give your career a boost in the long run, unless you're developing for iOS/OSX/Linux or in Ruby and/or Python. If a company is going to not continue with an interview because you use Windows, they might not be a company you want to work with (if you really like Windows, which I do). I'm actually quite surprised to see somebody who is so bold as to say a Windows user is a non-starter. I think this is very small minded, particularly as most end users are likely on a Windows PC, even if they have an iOS or Android mobile or tablet device. Developing for linux servers is a bit nicer on OSX, but if you're more comfortable on Windows, and can make it work for you, than that shouldn't be an issue. As far as scripting languages go, I've got a bit of experience with Ruby and Python, as well as PHP, but I'd say my go to language of choice is Javascript. Java is still a hugely popular language, and there are so many others. Basically, I think this presenter is trying to give 'start-up founders with little technical knowledge' the ability to screen technical people, but I think that is really difficult to do without knowing what type of technical position the person is hiring for. He also likely has some geographic bias. I live in Sydney Australia, where Rails devs seem quite rare, while Java and PHP still seem to be in vogue. When I was in North America, Ruby on Rails was the big thing. I'd take a look at where you're at right now, what you want to be doing, and plan from there. I think you can mostly ignore this guy.

nmikz 13y ago
I share your viewpoint that the video was made for 'start-up founders with little technical knowledge' but most of the tips that were presented seem credible. Myself, I am going to be graduating soon with a BSc and I yet have to do some of things that were mentioned. Such as using a version control and setting up a personal website (something I have being putting off for a long time). My first OS was Win 98 and my languages would be Python, Java, PHP, CSS/HTML. I am not entirely sure how I would stack up against other developers, and it bothers me how some recruiters would use shortcuts like these to simply not consider you at all.
- dagw 13y ago
  Don't worry about it. Heuristically, The sort of places that apply these sorts of heuristics are almost certainly the sort of places you don't want to work for.
  - pedalpete 13y ago
    Though I agree with you in principal, the problem is that people who don't know what they are talking about are being taught to use these heuristics to judge developers. I can't help them if they are taught to weed me out because I don't match what some stuck-up 'founder' has taught them at a General Assembly class and which is promoted via Google Entrepreneur series.

nmikz 13y ago

I share your viewpoint that the video was made for 'start-up founders with little technical knowledge' but most of the tips that were presented seem credible. Myself, I am going to be graduating soon with a BSc and I yet have to do some of things that were mentioned. Such as using a version control and setting up a personal website (something I have being putting off for a long time). My first OS was Win 98 and my languages would be Python, Java, PHP, CSS/HTML. I am not entirely sure how I would stack up against other developers, and it bothers me how some recruiters would use shortcuts like these to simply not consider you at all.

dagw 13y ago
Don't worry about it. Heuristically, The sort of places that apply these sorts of heuristics are almost certainly the sort of places you don't want to work for.
- pedalpete 13y ago
  Though I agree with you in principal, the problem is that people who don't know what they are talking about are being taught to use these heuristics to judge developers. I can't help them if they are taught to weed me out because I don't match what some stuck-up 'founder' has taught them at a General Assembly class and which is promoted via Google Entrepreneur series.