Some things are better left buried
As a postscript to his comments on OSAF's kerplosion, Scott Rosenberg dredges up an old story about my involvement in the first version of Salon's Table Talk discussion software:
To set the record straight, I was the only developer on that disastrous project. I didn't even code in a proper language but rather used a silly RAD tool called Tango. It was as far from a professional project as we could get, and I was completely responsible for its failure.
I am humbled before my peers. My shame is but a quick search away for prospective employers. Oh Scott, couldn't you have waited until I have another job, at least? :D
My only consolation is that the failure was just as much Salon's fault. What exactly were they thinking, hiring frat boys to write software for them? Self-fulfilling prophecy, imo!
Funny footnote: Moseley and I crossed paths a decade before we met at OSAF; he was part of a small development team of Cornell students who wrote the first, somewhat disastrous version of Salon’s Table Talk in 1995. He’s plainly become a very different developer in the interim. His colleagues went on to fame and fortune during the dotcom boom before going bust.Ouchie! While I appreciate the implied compliment on Cosmo, I could have lived my life without this horror story resurfacing ;)
To set the record straight, I was the only developer on that disastrous project. I didn't even code in a proper language but rather used a silly RAD tool called Tango. It was as far from a professional project as we could get, and I was completely responsible for its failure.
I am humbled before my peers. My shame is but a quick search away for prospective employers. Oh Scott, couldn't you have waited until I have another job, at least? :D
My only consolation is that the failure was just as much Salon's fault. What exactly were they thinking, hiring frat boys to write software for them? Self-fulfilling prophecy, imo!
Brian -- I didn't mean this to cause you any pain. It was a little walk down memory lane for me and a reflection on how strangely our work lives overlapped. I don't think anyone outside of, like, me and three other Salon people even remember the saga. I've seen the high quality of your work at OSAF, so if any of those potential employers give you any guff, send 'em my way :-)