3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection

All,
Today marks my 3 year anniversary with a language called Perl and a community called PerlMonks. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on those three years and say thanks. No single thing has consumed more of my time, thought, and energy.

I have watched my code, the language, and the community change and grow over the same time period. It is refreshing to see that I can learn something new everyday, that the language is ever evolving, and that there is no end to newcomers to the language with eagerness to learn & contribute. There are certainly negative aspects of the community and the language but by and large the good far outweighs the bad.

I have learned a lot about Perl, programming, and people through the course of the last 3 years. I hope others have learned a little from me as well. The amount of time and energy people are willing to spend on each other, mostly strangers, is amazing. Synergy is the best word I can think of to describe Perl and PerlMonks. Thank you for letting me be part of it.

I am not a writer, a poet, a painter, or a musician. While programming is typically very logical and rational, I find it as my creative outlet. I programmed previously in other languages but never really felt like I had found the right medium. Here's to a great language, community, and another 3 years of creative bliss.

Cheers - L~R

Typo correction thanks to BrowserUk - s/apsects/aspects/

Comment on 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection

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Re: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by revdiablo (Prior) on Jul 11, 2005 at 18:15 UTC
Today marks my 3 year anniversary with a language called Perl I must say, this kind of amazes me. Considering the code I've seen from you here and elsewhere, 3 years seems like a really short time to get to that level. Maybe it's an artifact of how I learned Perl (by hacking on things at my leisure, for no audience but myself), but it took me at least 2 years longer to get to where you are. And there are undoubtedly still many things you know that I don't. In any case, my hat's off to you. As for the rest of your Medition, all I can say is thanks to you! I always enjoy your contributions here and elsewhere (the fabled "elsewhere" being IRC and p6l). I think there would be a big hole in the universe if you weren't around.	[reply]
Re: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by pg (Canon) on Jul 12, 2005 at 07:49 UTC
"I am not a writer, a poet, a painter, or a musician." Among all the programming languages, Perl is the one that makes you closest to be a writer, a poet, a painter or a musician, for the freedom it gives you.	[reply]
Re^2: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by tbone1 (Monsignor) on Jul 13, 2005 at 12:40 UTC
Then where are the chicks? I want chicks! Truckloads of vapid, cute rich girls who go dippy over arty pretension! Sincerely, Average Wannabe Band Guy -- tbone1, YAPS (Yet Another Perl Schlub) And remember, if he succeeds, so what. - Chick McGee	[reply]
Re: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by Paulster2 (Priest) on Jul 12, 2005 at 12:37 UTC
While I definitely don't give as much input to these pages as I take away, I appreciate your stick-to-it-iveness (if that's even a word!) and willingness to share. There are several authors that I always trust and look to for answers, such as Corion, castaway, and of course yours, among several others. Keep giving us what you've got. It's monks like you that keep these pages what they are! Keep with it and I'll be seeing you around for the next three! Paulster2 You're so sly, but so am I. - Quote from the movie Manhunter.	[reply]
Re: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by TStanley (Canon) on Jul 12, 2005 at 16:13 UTC
Today marks my 3 year anniversary with a language called Perl I've actually been with this site for just over 5 years now, and I have to admit, one of the fun things about this site is seeing someone come here with very little knowledge about Perl, and then watching them mature in the language as time goes by. I seem to think at times that my overall growth in the language has been somewhat retarded, as my job description is that of an administrator and not a programmer. Congrats on your time spent here, and I hope you have a lot more years to contribute. TStanley -------- The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing -- Edmund Burke	[reply]
Re^2: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by calin (Deacon) on Jul 12, 2005 at 20:53 UTC
I seem to think at times that my overall growth in the language has been somewhat retarded, as my job description is that of an administrator and not a programmer. Don't feel so complexed about it. You can find code monkeys monkeying around and begging for change on every sidewalk, but a good admin is worth his weight in gold, and some more.	[reply]
Re: 3 Year Anniversary - A Reflection by stonecolddevin (Parson) on Jul 11, 2006 at 16:58 UTC
Happy fourth anniversary Limbic~Region! It's been an honor to have you here, and I think I speak for everyone when i say I hope you stick around for a while :-) meh.	[reply]