Comments on: Learn at Least One New Language Every Year

By: Scream 4 The Movie

Scream 4 The Movie — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:30:51 +0000

Your blog has helped, appreciate it. I’ve discovered it once or twice today and will very likely bookmark it. You actually may possibly really want to upgrade wordpress as there is certainly a fresh release available at this moment!

By: Download FLV Player

Download FLV Player — Sat, 15 May 2010 23:59:18 +0000

Your blog has helped, many thanks. I have come across it maybe once or twice now and will very likely take a note of it. You actually may well really want to update wordpress as there is a completely new release obtainable now!

By: David Peers

David Peers — Sat, 15 May 2010 21:02:37 +0000

This blog aided me somewhat in narrowing down some issues with the latest version, Why do they always leave out vital documentation when they release a new version? It may be minor to them but not to me. I’m sure we’re not alone.

By: language learning software

language learning software — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:10:04 +0000

You have a great blog here and it is Nice to read some well written posts that have some relevancy…keep up the good work

By: Simulating Browsers in Ruby

Simulating Browsers in Ruby — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:29:58 +0000

[...] Learn at Least One New Language Every Year [...]

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:28:59 +0000

Kevin,

So you are saying using jQuery and unobtrusive JS = ‘my legs are not working?’ Can’t really agree with that

By: Kevin Monk

Kevin Monk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:17:01 +0000

I prefer to think of it as “using a motorized wheelchair because my legs don’t work”

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:25:12 +0000

I’d highly recommend Douglas Crockfords book, “JavaScript the Good Parts”. It’s a tight read, but packed with good stuff (as the title indicates).

I did a round-up on JavaScript litterature before christmas, unfortunately it’s in norwegian, but maybe google translate can help. Anyway, you could check out the links there.

By: Anko Painting

Anko Painting — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:09:23 +0000

While I agree that learning javascript is a good thing (if not a necessity), I think some of your points are flawed.

*  Simulating even the most trivial things like $(’element’).toggle(); with RJS

In rjs it's easier to test, easier to read, and less code to maintain.

* Using oberve_field for everything. The problem is that observe_field in it’s vanilla form sends a request to the server every time you hit a key. It’s easy to replace it with a bit of Javascript knowledge and stop hogging the bandwidth.

This one I mostly agree with, except premature optimisation is the root of all evil, so do it last. Why not submit a rails patch?

* Instead using Javascript functions like setInterval / setTimeout they are simulating the desired behavior with Prototype / RJS

Again, harder to test.

* Trying to create great AJAX sites without much clue about Javascript (and just minimal knowledge about Prototype/RJS - spending a week or so on #rubyonrails was enough to experience this in it’s full glory ‘hey plz help bro cuz Im new to AJAX’)
* Doing all of the above obtrusively - who cares about the totally littered HTML, just get it done somehow

Of course this isn't a good idea. I think the generally better idea is to submit rails patches if you have more efficient ways of doing things.

By: Matthew Lang

Matthew Lang — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:06:32 +0000

Great idea to learn a language that will compliment your existing knowledge base.

This will also allow you the flexibility in of learning other languages and plugging your new Javascript knowledge straight into new frameworks in the future.