Why I Like PerlMonks.org

Something has been nagging at the back of my head ever since I shaved my head and became a monk... Why do I look forward to coming to this site everyday? What is it's appeal?

There is the obvious of PerlMonks being a collection of very talented Perl programmers who are willing to help out anyone who asks.

But there's something more than that, and I think I finally found out what it is: it reminds me (strongly) of being on a BBS. Yes, an old bulletin board system. Do you remember those? They had "newsgroups" for all kinds of messages, uploads and downloads; where I first got introduced to cracked software and computer "counter" culture. And of course, the games.

The games that were only in text, unless you were lucky enough to have one with full ASCII character graphics.

Then I got on the internet. The internet blew away BBSs in terms of pictures, and information, and games.... all right at your finger tips. I was so distracted by the pretty colours of the 'net that I didn't realise that I had missed one of the best qualities of a BBS: a sense of community.

Finally, by joining PerlMonks I've found that again.

Well, those are just my thoughts. I've been known to ramble on.

FouRPlaY
Learning Perl or Going To Die Trying

Comment on Why I Like PerlMonks.org

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by AgentM (Curate) on Oct 31, 2000 at 04:42 UTC
Sounds good: to emphasize your point, I also believe that we are strong and realistic community, with police, criminals, feminists, cynics/scapegoats, Mr. Rogers', and feds. I believe that we represent a whole range of nerds, ranging from BBS hackers, as you say, to just plain insane to famous authors to, well, just plain nerds.; we all have our own reasons for coming and coming again- me? yeah, I prefer the ASCII graphics. AgentM Systems nor Nasca Enterprises nor Bone::Easy nor Macperl is responsible for the comments made by AgentM. Remember, you can build any logical system with NOR.	[reply]
(Ovid) RE(2): Why I Like PerlMonks.org by Ovid (Cardinal) on Oct 31, 2000 at 08:51 UTC
Mr. Rogers! I love it! (I think) :) Believe it or not, there are those know know me who would be astonished by that. I've actually got quite a temper and a tongue that can clip a hedge, if I'm not careful. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've erased negative posts rather than incur the wrath of my fellow monks ('cause I love you g(?:uy\|al)s! On a side note, I'd just like to say that I love Perlmonks because I just got my Perlmonks t-shirt today! Cheers, Ovid Join the Perlmonks Setiathome Group or just go the the link and check out our stats.	[reply]
(redmist) RE: RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by redmist (Deacon) on Oct 31, 2000 at 08:02 UTC
I am doing nothing wrong...nothing at all. (Sid Lives!!!). redmist redmist.dyndns.org email::redmist	[reply]
RE: RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by merlyn (Sage) on Oct 31, 2000 at 07:01 UTC
I would have thought you'd label me the criminal instead of the police and famous author. {grin} -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker	[reply]
RE: RE: RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by Albannach (Monsignor) on Oct 31, 2000 at 07:28 UTC
Methinks it takes the patience of a saint to come through hell on camelback and still have a grin on one's face!	[reply]
(crazyinsomniac) RE: RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by crazyinsomniac (Prior) on Nov 01, 2000 at 02:44 UTC
just plain insane nerds, prefer the monastery to the asylum. I like to meditate unrestrained, because it allows my insanity to lead me to some revalation, and not a stray jacket. "When was the last time you messed with a crazy nerd? Didn't think so." - crazyinsomniac	[reply]
RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by kilinrax (Deacon) on Oct 31, 2000 at 16:36 UTC
One of the big differences between PerlMonks and a BBS is that I actually feel like time spent here can be quite productive. Reading through the archives, asking questions, answering questions, reading fellow monks answers to other people's questions; all of this helps me along the One True Path of Perl enlightenment. Arguably this can be A Bad Thing, as I spend even more time on PerlMonks than I used to on BBS's (an impressive feat). But it is also arguably A Good Thing, as I'm spending a great deal of time improving my Perl skills ;-)	[reply]
RE: Why I Like PerlMonks.org by neophyte (Curate) on Oct 31, 2000 at 14:42 UTC
It is a huge text adventure, complete with points to gain or lose. It is a WAN-party with lots of participants from all over the world. And more: I actually learn a lot I can use for everyday live on perlmonks. neophyte	[reply]

Why I Like PerlMonks.org

AgentM Systems nor Nasca Enterprises nor Bone::Easy nor Macperl is responsible for the comments made by AgentM. Remember, you can build any logical system with NOR.