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(Avatars) Have you thought about allowing avatars(pictures) when you post?
James:
I’ve thought about it … and, have a lot of code in to handle it … but, want to hold it for the next release. I already have more features in this next release than I should have.
Here’s some advice for all the developers out there:
Think in terms of small incremental releases. The ability to hit a ship date declines exponentially with the number of changed or added lines of code. In other words, if you only fix/add one feature at a time and do a series of small releases, you are millions time more likely to hit your final release date than if you try to gang up tons of little features into a major release. Multiple small releases are always better than one big release.
I should have read this message before I started to work on the next upgrade … I’ve been all weekend chasing bugs, and feel farther from release than I was last weekend.
Argh…
-Ken W -
(re: Avatars) Ken,
How did you learn to program? Did you take classes or just learn on your own? I have been into computers since I was 5 and have always wanted to program and create my own stuff. I was just always too lazy to do so. I am going to college now, and am going to make my Bachelor’s computer technology. It consists of Java, C, etc. I have gotten a little into QBasic(a long time ago), and assembly. I just wanted to know how you got your start. What languages would you recommend at this time; since computers have advanced a lot since you started. Thanks. -
(re: re: Avatars) Ken,
How did you learn to program? Did you take classes or just learn on your own? I have been into computers since I was 5 and have always wanted to program and create my own stuff. I was just always too lazy to do so. I am going to college now, and am going to make my Bachelor’s computer technology. It consists of Java, C, etc. I have gotten a little into QBasic(a long time ago), and assembly. I just wanted to know how you got your start. What languages would you recommend at this time; since computers have advanced a lot since you started. Thanks.Posted by: James on 11/2/2003
Roberta and I were married very young (I was 18 by four days). I was in my second year of college, majoring in Physics, when we discovered that I was about to be a dad, and that it was time for me to get serious about finding a job.
At the time, computers were just being born. I saw my first pocket calculator in college and remember being fascinated by it. I also visited UCLA on some school field trip, and saw my first real computer (a big mainframe). They didn’t invent PCs until many years later.
So..
I decided to quit college and do a nine month intensive course in computer programming – Control Data Institute – they used to advertise on late night TV. It worked for me! I learned Cobol, RPG and assembler. My first job was as a computer operator, on a mainframe computer – but, I was programming in no time.
Finding a job in Los Angeles, in those days (the mid 70’s) as a programmer was super-easy. I had a series of programming jobs, and finally wound up in compiler development – doing mostly C and assembler. My last job prior to starting Sierra was as the head of engineering for a company that was doing corporate tax returns on a remote computer for big companies. I credit this job with having given me the business skills, and financial foundation, required to be “more than just a programmer” when I started Sierra.
Today: I’m not sure what I’d recommend. I’m biased towards C and C++ – but, there are plenty of Java and ASP jobs out there. If your goal is to build games for a living – then performance is everything, and other than on handhelds, or cell phones, where you have no choice – I don’t think Java has the performance required to build great games.
-Ken W
PS – I just re-read this .. it makes me sound REALLY old (which I kind of am .. my 49th birthday was yesterday … this time next year I’ll be SUPER depressed) -
(re: re: re: Avatars) Ken
Just read your P.S. on the last message about your b-day. That was kinda weird cause in half-price-books today I saw an Oil’s Well game on the shelf, and for some odd reason, that made me think – I wonder when Ken’s B-day was – completely random.. then I get home, and boom you mention that you just had one. So is November 1st the official day then?
-Brad -
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(re: re: re: re: Avatars) If I would have known it was your birthday I would have been on to say- “Happy birthday!” so….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!…Anyway, if you are going to add avatar pics for people on this site, I would suggest that they give a url location instead of uploading a picture. Unless you have quite a bit of space to hold them all! Plus, make sure the size is limited (maybe 120×120). It does add a bit of personality to posts to see something.
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(re: re: re: Avatars) PS – I just re-read this .. it makes me sound REALLY old (which I kind of am .. my 49th birthday was yesterday … this time next year I’ll be SUPER depressed)
Ken, I couldn’t help making a comment about your birthday. I’m older than you by 5 years, so perhaps you should listen to the wisdom of the ancients (that would be me)! Neither this year or next year at this time should you consider yourself old and get all depressed about it. You should consider yourself mellowed like a fine wine but still kicking with a flavorful bouquet.
Sue (who did not grow up on Sierra games, but rather who raised her children on Sierra games, specifically Roberta’s King’s Quest games. Now don’t you feel younger already, Ken, knowing that there is a gramma on your mailing list older than you?)
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