Re: [MacPerl] learning UNIX concepts

[Patrick Beart <patrick@WebArchitecture.com>]

On 11/12/98, w e b s l a v e took the time to write:

>Chris Nandor wrote:
>>I have no problem with people like Sol and Wright writing such things.  I
>>just have a problem with them distributing them, because it makes Perl look
>>bad, and it makes Perl programmers who learn from them look bad (unless
>>what they are learning is what not to do).
>
>I guess I'd rather have them distribute them, even if they aren't that great,
>mainly due to the fact that at least it's *something!* Have people tried to
>let them know of their error/mistakes? I don't know these individuals, but
>would they be open to criticism? Is bad code better than no code? I probably
>write lots of bad code, but hey, I can't help it... I'm still learning!
>
>Maybe someone will come along who is as visible as these two, but writes
>great code, but until then... what to do?
>

	I agree with Pete, here. Selena Sole ("Eric") and Matt Wright are
easily the most visible "freeware" PERL/CGI scripters out there. I know
dozens of talented Web designers and developers that don't always need
custom PERL programs and can't, or don't want to, pay for someone to
"re-invent the wheel" so to speak, so they grab Matt's "FormMail" or
Selena's shopping cart program to satisfy the client's need. Unfortunate,
but understandable.
	If SOMEONE would throw a simple, effective, flexible CGI program
out onto the 'Net that was coded properly, I know that hundreds
(thousands??) of people would use it and give credit where credit is due.

	On the subject of "learning UNIX", if have made some headway by
reading the book, "Learning the UNIX Operating System" by Peck, Todino &
Strang (O'Reilly publishers), $10.95. Short read, easy on the brain. More
of a primer, really. It worked for me to "get my feet wet".

	For what it's worth...   : )



Patrick Beart

P.S. ... loved the "egg timer" script on page 75 of the MacPERL book. Kept
me from loosing my concentration - which was waning. Thanks, Vicki and
Chris!  I needed that.

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