Re: Any research putting c above ada?

[Craig Franck <clfranck@worldnet.att.net>]

clines@delete_this.airmail.net (Kevin Cline) wrote:
>Craig Franck <clfranck@worldnet.att.net> wrote:

>>>If I were the student, I would be upset too.  Anyone, particularly a CS
>>>professsor, who provides software to automate assignment submission should
>>>have the sense to provide a warning before deleting old information.
>>>I wonder if the student was even informed that he should read the manual.
>>
>>He has to be told to do this?
>>
>
>Today, users expect to be able to use simple systems WITHOUT reading a manual.
>Certainly a system as simple as one for assignment submission.

Yes, but the CS professor is teaching *CS* students, not simple end
users of software. They were given a tool and they should be able to
learn how to use it; on their own, no hand holding. Learning to read
technical documentation is an important skill for computer science 
students (so is taking personal responsibility for their foul-ups:
people who's initial reaction to a problem is "nobody told me, its so 
and so's fault" don't last very long in the real world. Learning to 
say "I should have checked" or "That won't happen again" is a much 
better response and tends to keep you employed longer.)

>>>In all seriousness, I feel sorry for Mr. Eachus students.  
>>
>>So do I. First they operate the software, then tragedy strikes, then
>>they must consult the documentation to find out why. Maybe someone
>>should break them of this pattern.
>
>As I understand it, the student had no clue that the first part of his
>submission was not received until he got his grade for that assignment.

If it were me, I would let him resubmit the assignment; if the first
part was obliterated, and there is no copy, do it over and resubmit 
it. (Of coarse, JUMPING DOWN THE PROFESSOR'S THROAT will ensure he
deals with this in the fairest possible manner...)

>>>I don't think Mr.
>>>Eachus would be very happy if he were told that a file he accidental deleted
>>>while working at Mitre was unrecoverable because no backups were made.
>>
>>If he were wise he would consult with the network administrator and 
>>find out what the policy is on backups.
>
>If the network administrator is doing his job, part of the process of new
>account creation will be informing that user of those policies.
>I have little use for people who stand on principle instead of actively
>working with others to reach the common goal.

"Be sure and read the newuser file in your home directory, and if you
have any questions, feel free to ask..." How many times do you have to
say "don't leave yourself logged onto a terminal if you are going to 
be away from it for a while" before you create such a file and dump all
of your best wisdom into it? (Only authorized personel are allowed into
the Control Room, blah, blah, blah...)

-- 
Craig
clfranck@worldnet.att.net
Manchester, NH
BBN has the brightest bit-heads on the planet. -- David Goodtree