Hi! I was the lead developer for Ruby (no relation to the programming language), which became the "visual" side of Visual Basic.
It is nice to see this article again.
Perhaps my favorite part is this true story that I shared with Ryan at Retool.
If you ever wonder why we "fire" an event, this is why:
# # #
I was looking for a name for one gizmo sending a message to another. I knew that SQL had "triggers," and Windows had SendMessage, but I didn't like those names.
I got frustrated one night and started firing rubber bands at my screen to help me think. It was a habit I had back then to shake up my thinking. Probably more practical on a tough glass CRT than on a modern flat screen! After firing a few rubber bands, I was still stuck. So I fired up a doobie to see if that would help. As I flicked my lighter and looked at the fire, it all came together. Fire a rubber band. Fire up a doobie. Fire an event!
# # #
My other claim to fame may have been the VBX. It was likely one of the worst APIs in history, but also one of the most successful.
Go figure.
As they say, AMA!
And as it happens, I am looking for work. If anyone doesn't mind working with an older programmer who is still enthusiastic and productive and creative, you know where to find me.
It is nice to see this article again.
Perhaps my favorite part is this true story that I shared with Ryan at Retool.
If you ever wonder why we "fire" an event, this is why:
# # #
I was looking for a name for one gizmo sending a message to another. I knew that SQL had "triggers," and Windows had SendMessage, but I didn't like those names.
I got frustrated one night and started firing rubber bands at my screen to help me think. It was a habit I had back then to shake up my thinking. Probably more practical on a tough glass CRT than on a modern flat screen! After firing a few rubber bands, I was still stuck. So I fired up a doobie to see if that would help. As I flicked my lighter and looked at the fire, it all came together. Fire a rubber band. Fire up a doobie. Fire an event!
# # #
My other claim to fame may have been the VBX. It was likely one of the worst APIs in history, but also one of the most successful.
Go figure.
As they say, AMA!
And as it happens, I am looking for work. If anyone doesn't mind working with an older programmer who is still enthusiastic and productive and creative, you know where to find me.