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My favourite line was > They chose the name ninjas in part to signify the company’s relationship to Silicon Valley, where the title is handed out freely. Just

My favourite line was > They chose the name ninjas in part to signify the company’s relationship to Silicon Valley, where the title is handed out freely. Just like Canadian engineers complain about the term "software engineer", I hope there is some remote Japanese ninja clan grumbling that "these guys didn't even pass the ninja board exam!"

maaku 12y ago
I am a ninja, or was for a number of years, and I chuckle then sigh everytime I hear that. These people wouldn't know a ninja if they met one.
- npsimons 12y ago
  These people wouldn't know a ninja if they met one. Isn't that kind of the point of a ninja?
  - sliverstorm 12y ago
    Presumably good ninja would be able to identify other ninja? :)
  - maaku 12y ago
    Maybe in mass media, or in the just-passed-one-on-the-street-and-didn't-know-it sense. Here's a pointer to learn about real ninjutsu, as it survives today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan
sjtrny 12y ago
Canadian engineers?
- patmcc 12y ago
  In Canada, "engineer" is a very specific title that refers to someone who is licensed as a professional engineer, including all the degree requirements, testing, vetting, etc. that go along with that. It's quite similar to "doctor" or "lawyer" in that way. To call yourself an engineer you need an Engineering degree from a qualified institution (4 or 5 years), at least 2 years of apprenticeship (effectively), and to pass a difficult examination. They're not typically huge fans of people who haven't done those things calling themselves "sanitation engineers" or "software engineers" instead of "janitors" and "programmers". The argument I usually hear is that it undermines their profession; people can hold the work of an engineer to a particular standard. If suddenly I can say "oh, I'm a software engineer" without anything backing that up, it damages the reputation of "engineer" if I behave poorly.
  - analog31 12y ago
    In my state in the US, a person calling themselves an "engineer" has to be licensed. However, this is only for someone offering engineering services directly to the public. If you do engineering work for an employer, then you enjoy an "industrial exemption." At my workplace, we design stuff, then the design is checked by a third party (such as a regulatory approval outfit), which provides a technical report signed by a licensed engineer. When people start their own side businesses, they call themselves "technology," "research," and so forth. From what I've observed, remarkably few engineers do any engineering, such as determining appropriate strengths of structures, etc. Most product design work seems to be done by trial and error.
  - avn2109 12y ago
    >> "and to pass a difficult examination." Well, I wouldn't call it difficult. If you paid attention at all in those years of school and apprenticeship, you'll waltz through the exam without even studying.
  - hmpc 12y ago
    To add to this, it's not just Canada either. Here in Portugal we have what we call Ordens, not just for engineers but for physicians, lawyers, and other professions. The title of Engineer is also reserved for members of the Ordem, but you only need a degree from an accredited institution.[0] While this does not have much of a legal implication for software engineering, civil engineering projects can only be signed off by members of the Ordem, given the nature of the field. [0] Lawyers, on the other hand, undergo very extensive examination, and they can only practice law if they are members of the Ordem.
    - tribaal 12y ago
      Same goes for Switzerland. Calling yourself an engineer without a license is like calling yourself a doctor or a lawyer without a license - it's a crime. Again, software engineers are a little less troubled than say civil Engineers, but you should expect that a potential employer asks to see your dimploma/certification at job interviews (I have been asked that several times, and have asked it from candidates as well).
- anonymfus 12y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritual_of_the_Calling_of_an_Engineer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritual_of_the_Calling_of_an...
yzzxy 12y ago
It's a great way to brand though. Ninja has really strong aesthetic qualities and while possibly a bit cheesy, it tells users EXACTLY what how laundry delivery will make them feel: like a warlord commanding an small, elite force to do his bidding.
- throwaway7767 12y ago
  The idea of ninjas was kinda cool when I was thirteen. The idea that the guy who delivers my laundry is a "ninja" is just cringeworthy to me. Maybe it's a SF thing.
megablast 12y ago
In France, everybody is an engineer.

maaku 12y ago

I am a ninja, or was for a number of years, and I chuckle then sigh everytime I hear that. These people wouldn't know a ninja if they met one.

npsimons 12y ago
These people wouldn't know a ninja if they met one. Isn't that kind of the point of a ninja?
- sliverstorm 12y ago
  Presumably good ninja would be able to identify other ninja? :)
- maaku 12y ago
  Maybe in mass media, or in the just-passed-one-on-the-street-and-didn't-know-it sense. Here's a pointer to learn about real ninjutsu, as it survives today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan

sjtrny 12y ago

Canadian engineers?

patmcc 12y ago
In Canada, "engineer" is a very specific title that refers to someone who is licensed as a professional engineer, including all the degree requirements, testing, vetting, etc. that go along with that. It's quite similar to "doctor" or "lawyer" in that way. To call yourself an engineer you need an Engineering degree from a qualified institution (4 or 5 years), at least 2 years of apprenticeship (effectively), and to pass a difficult examination. They're not typically huge fans of people who haven't done those things calling themselves "sanitation engineers" or "software engineers" instead of "janitors" and "programmers". The argument I usually hear is that it undermines their profession; people can hold the work of an engineer to a particular standard. If suddenly I can say "oh, I'm a software engineer" without anything backing that up, it damages the reputation of "engineer" if I behave poorly.
- analog31 12y ago
  In my state in the US, a person calling themselves an "engineer" has to be licensed. However, this is only for someone offering engineering services directly to the public. If you do engineering work for an employer, then you enjoy an "industrial exemption." At my workplace, we design stuff, then the design is checked by a third party (such as a regulatory approval outfit), which provides a technical report signed by a licensed engineer. When people start their own side businesses, they call themselves "technology," "research," and so forth. From what I've observed, remarkably few engineers do any engineering, such as determining appropriate strengths of structures, etc. Most product design work seems to be done by trial and error.
- avn2109 12y ago
  >> "and to pass a difficult examination." Well, I wouldn't call it difficult. If you paid attention at all in those years of school and apprenticeship, you'll waltz through the exam without even studying.
- hmpc 12y ago
  To add to this, it's not just Canada either. Here in Portugal we have what we call Ordens, not just for engineers but for physicians, lawyers, and other professions. The title of Engineer is also reserved for members of the Ordem, but you only need a degree from an accredited institution.[0] While this does not have much of a legal implication for software engineering, civil engineering projects can only be signed off by members of the Ordem, given the nature of the field. [0] Lawyers, on the other hand, undergo very extensive examination, and they can only practice law if they are members of the Ordem.
  - tribaal 12y ago
    Same goes for Switzerland. Calling yourself an engineer without a license is like calling yourself a doctor or a lawyer without a license - it's a crime. Again, software engineers are a little less troubled than say civil Engineers, but you should expect that a potential employer asks to see your dimploma/certification at job interviews (I have been asked that several times, and have asked it from candidates as well).
anonymfus 12y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritual_of_the_Calling_of_an_Engineer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritual_of_the_Calling_of_an...

yzzxy 12y ago

It's a great way to brand though. Ninja has really strong aesthetic qualities and while possibly a bit cheesy, it tells users EXACTLY what how laundry delivery will make them feel: like a warlord commanding an small, elite force to do his bidding.

throwaway7767 12y ago
The idea of ninjas was kinda cool when I was thirteen. The idea that the guy who delivers my laundry is a "ninja" is just cringeworthy to me. Maybe it's a SF thing.

megablast 12y ago

In France, everybody is an engineer.