Perlmonks and its effects..

[reyjrar]

So, recently I started my first job as a "Perl Programmer" and a friend of mine introduced me to perlmonks, and I've been posting here most every chance I get. Up until this point I've had really only 1 year of "offical, documented programming training" but have always dabbled in C/C++ for MUD and stuff. So, I get into this job, and I'm writing perl scripts, and some random projects, and when I run into a problem, I post about it here and get ALOT of responses. But, that's not why I'm writing this.

There are 4 programmers in the group including myself, between the three of them, they have probly a good 10 years combined experience in the industry and all wield college degrees. I'm 19, have one year experience in the industry and dropped out of college to pursue my education (sounds crazy,eh ?) interestingly enough, I was chosen as one of two "Senior Programmers" in the staff and ranked among the elite "perl" ppl in the company. well, as cool as that sounds, I know enough to know how little I know, as Merlyn, Tilly, Chromatic, and all the other guys I'm forgetting have demonstrated in the past. So, even though I'm not even close enough to be considered "expert" or anything, I'd like to thank all the guys who've helped me, and yelled at me for doing things stupidly in my code. Your work is not invain, its because of you that I am the programmer that I am today (still not a very good one, but I can do what I want with perl, and if I can't I know to read Merlyn's columns to find out how to, or to "SEARCH CPAN" :P)
Just thought I'd share the experience I've had here with everyone :)

Thanks again,
-brad.. please pardon typos, I'm tired :P

[Ovid]

reyjrar, I know exactly what you mean. I started coming here in June of this year and my knowledge of Perl was pitiful, to be honest. While I still feel like "Saint Ovid, the Pretender", I have to admit that my Perl skill has increased tremendously as a direct result of this site. When I have the time and I see a question that I can almost answer, I grab the Cookbook, Programming Perl, or just write out some test scripts to figure out what's going on. Then I post the results and discover that I've learned something new.

Now, I have a new job doing CGI/Perl exclusively, I'm writing an online Web Programming with Perl course, my posture has improved and I have a girlfriend... all thanks to Perlmonks! ;)

Cheers,
Ovid

Update: We're proud of you too, vroom. What you've done with this site is incredible. Thank you!

Join the Perlmonks Setiathome Group or just go the the link and check out our stats.

[vroom]

Wow if it has done all that for you I think I need to start skipping more classes and hanging out here more.

Seriously though, you guys make me proud. It's each and every one of you who make the site what it is. It's also fun to see people rise not only through the user levels but from question asker to question answerer in a matter of months. I just wish I had more time to read everything here and glean all of your collective knowledge for myself.

vroom | Tim Vroom | [e-mail]