Dungeons & Dragons and IT 243
boyko.at.netqos writes "An editorial in Network Performance Daily tries to take a (1d6) stab at explaining why geeky engineering types are also typically the types that enjoy a rousing game of D&D. From the article "The greatest barrier to creativity is a lack of boundaries. Counter-intuitive — almost zen-like — but we've found it to be true. This is why people play Dungeons & Dragons (and similar games), and why network engineers often spend time putting out fires when they could be improving the network."
We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:5, Funny)
Wait...? (Score:3, Funny)
Hmmm... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:5, Funny)
You can get four or five wizards for the price of one, but the catch is, the wizards come with the curse that Rutger Hauer and his girlfriend Michelle Pfeiffer had in that movie Ladyhawke. He was a wolf at night and his girlfriend Michelle Pfeiffer turned into a hawk during the day. A simple email conversation would have taken them days and days!
Re:Oh give me a break (Score:3, Funny)
Me, I don't have time - I'm working on feat selection for my third-level warlock.
Re:Wait...? (Score:3, Funny)
Most people in IT have skills that are subpar anyway. Why do you think companies are always complaining about a lack of good candidates. Lemme guess... you decided to get into IT back in the late 90's when it was all the rage. Chances are, you and your 'IT friends' all into this category due to your poor THAC0.
Re:We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:5, Funny)
Just like working with overseas teams. Except neither of us look like Michelle Pfeiffer OR Rutger Hauer.
Re:Oh give me a break (Score:3, Funny)
You're not. Raving on Slashdot is *stupid*. It's the world's most useless activity. Get a job. Get married. Get a hobby that doesn't involve trying to save VIRTUAL communities. You're an adult for Spaghetti's sake.
Re: this guy has it backwards. (Score:5, Funny)
1. learning and working with a complex rule set.
2. Reading and comprehending specifications. The rulebook is several hundred pages long.
3. Problem solving within a strict set of boundaries, both individually and as a group
4. Failing a quest gracefully, without a hissy fit or seppeku, and without blaming the Damned Managers! (DM)
For picking up girl^h^h^heeks! (Score:3, Funny)
Seriously: Geeks love stuffing their brains full of obscure facts and extracting them to demonstrate their vast mental superiority. Whether it's from a VAX VMS manual (which is actually worse than hearing voices in your head) or from the Dungeons and Dragons DM's Manual, it impresses others. Not ladies unfortunately, but it will impress other nerds. This is called "The Force Dot Net Syndrome" or "I can't win at the Jocks games so I will invent my own"
I'd love to play D&D, but have you seen those manuals. There are three thick core rulebooks, plus a zillion extra rulebooks and appenpums and addendiums. In a cave? Get the Wilderness Guide. A magical portal opens? Quick! The Planes Guide. It'd be a nice idea if they could describe the whole game in 32 pages, but there must be over a hundred tomes of 'essential' information.
Fortunately Blizzard, Mastercard and Peter Jackson have since invented things for those of us who can't be bothered reading.
Re:Wait...? (Score:4, Funny)
Sad but true.
Re:Wait...? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I used to be a Level 12 Programmer/Analyst (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I'll tell you why (Score:2, Funny)
Re:We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:5, Funny)
There, you can get both stunning blonds and werewolves in IT. Whichever you prefer.
Re: this guy has it backwards. (Score:5, Funny)
1. learning and working with a complex rule set.
2. Reading and comprehending specifications. The rulebook is several hundred pages long.
3. Problem solving within a strict set of boundaries, both individually and as a group
4. Failing a quest gracefully, without a hissy fit or seppeku, and without blaming the Damned Managers! (DM)
5. Carrying a +5 Bastard Sword, for cutting through the red tape when it gets in your way.
6. Limiting time wasted talking to members of the opposing gender.
Reminds me of an old saying:
"D&D: Where every girl there is the hottest girl there."
Re:We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:5, Funny)
The way to check is that you say "say, what's your opinion on packaging systems?". If they growl and try rip your throat out, use the silver bullets. If they start to tell their grand view of how packaging should work, use regular ammo.
If ever a werewolf were to evolve that has a fur pattern that looks the same as a short sleeved shirt with pocket protector, the human race is doomed.
Re:ATTN: Windows/Linux refugees! (Score:2, Funny)
a Mac user trying to convince the rest of the world he doesn't like taking it in the ass
All he's saying is don't force it, it will make you unhappy. Sounds like the voice of experience to me.
Re:We wouldn't have to put out as many fires... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Wait...? (Score:2, Funny)