qid int64 4 8.14M | question stringlengths 20 48.3k | answers list | date stringlengths 10 10 | metadata list | input stringlengths 12 45k | output stringlengths 2 31.8k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
102,936 | <p>I have an issue with my resume that is confusing lots of people.</p>
<p>I worked for a small company for a long time. I was responsible for many different things at the same time. Online I see lots of mention on how to format if you held multiple position concurrently, however I can't seem to find any thoughts on displaying positions you've had at the same time.</p>
<p>For example, in a small company I was responsible for both Programming and Database Development.</p>
<p>Right now I have my formatting is as such:</p>
<pre><code>Company Name Start Month/Year - End Month/Year
Job Title one
- nth Desc.
Job Title two
- nth Desc.
</code></pre>
<p>This seems to be missed by most resume parsers.</p>
<p>I was thinking I could do something like</p>
<pre><code>Company Name 01/2000 - 07/2007
Job Title one
- nth Desc.
Company Name 01/2000 - 07/2007
Job Title two
- nth Desc.
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Where the dates overlap each other, is that a good idea?</strong></p>
<p><em>Duplicate doesn't solve this problem as the duplicate answer displays dates that go with transition to job title, but this is not the case here. I had different responsibilities that fall under different titles simultaneously.</em></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 102938,
"author": "Bluebird",
"author_id": 38289,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/38289",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I'd recommend you to consolidate and narrow down your bullet points for the job at hand. When applying to a ... | 2017/11/21 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/102936",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/5213/"
] | I have an issue with my resume that is confusing lots of people.
I worked for a small company for a long time. I was responsible for many different things at the same time. Online I see lots of mention on how to format if you held multiple position concurrently, however I can't seem to find any thoughts on displaying positions you've had at the same time.
For example, in a small company I was responsible for both Programming and Database Development.
Right now I have my formatting is as such:
```
Company Name Start Month/Year - End Month/Year
Job Title one
- nth Desc.
Job Title two
- nth Desc.
```
This seems to be missed by most resume parsers.
I was thinking I could do something like
```
Company Name 01/2000 - 07/2007
Job Title one
- nth Desc.
Company Name 01/2000 - 07/2007
Job Title two
- nth Desc.
```
**Where the dates overlap each other, is that a good idea?**
*Duplicate doesn't solve this problem as the duplicate answer displays dates that go with transition to job title, but this is not the case here. I had different responsibilities that fall under different titles simultaneously.* | I'd recommend you to consolidate and narrow down your bullet points for the job at hand. When applying to a developer position, list the responsibilities related to development. A software engineer hiring manager wouldn't be interested in your sales skills. In other words, customize your resume to the job at hand.
At the interview, you are more than welcome to elaborate on your additional experience when you discuss your resume. |
105,928 | <p><strong>Background info:</strong> The company I work for is in the process of hiring someone for the position of web developer. My boss pretty much left me in charge of the whole process. I try to involve him by asking his opinion in certain topics, but he tries to exclude himself as much as possible from the situation.</p>
<p><strong>The actual question:</strong>
I decided that the candidates qualified from the first stage will complete a 'trial' project. After contacting them and filling them in with what they needed to know, one of the candidates stated that he would start the next day. I told him that was fine and that we would get in touch via email to discuss details and clarify anything that was unclear to him. </p>
<p>He did not write back about a couple things that he was going to decide, so I am sending an email to ask him. </p>
<p>The email goes like this:</p>
<pre><code>Hello John,
.... (email content here)
Jane from Smith Investments
</code></pre>
<p>Does this email format set an appropriate tone to the conversation? The closing in particular is important. I don't want to be overtly formal or give off an air of self-importance. I don't want to be overtly friendly neither.</p>
<p>The background should serve to explain that I don't have any particular position in the company nor trying to assume one. But my boss likes to delegate certain responsibilities to employees.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 105908,
"author": "Rob",
"author_id": 70590,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/70590",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Q: \"What is the politest way to say?\"</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>You've been that route with him ... | 2018/01/31 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/105928",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73718/"
] | **Background info:** The company I work for is in the process of hiring someone for the position of web developer. My boss pretty much left me in charge of the whole process. I try to involve him by asking his opinion in certain topics, but he tries to exclude himself as much as possible from the situation.
**The actual question:**
I decided that the candidates qualified from the first stage will complete a 'trial' project. After contacting them and filling them in with what they needed to know, one of the candidates stated that he would start the next day. I told him that was fine and that we would get in touch via email to discuss details and clarify anything that was unclear to him.
He did not write back about a couple things that he was going to decide, so I am sending an email to ask him.
The email goes like this:
```
Hello John,
.... (email content here)
Jane from Smith Investments
```
Does this email format set an appropriate tone to the conversation? The closing in particular is important. I don't want to be overtly formal or give off an air of self-importance. I don't want to be overtly friendly neither.
The background should serve to explain that I don't have any particular position in the company nor trying to assume one. But my boss likes to delegate certain responsibilities to employees. | Rob's answer is quite good and if it comes to some kind of direct confrontation, solid advice, but I have something to add:
so far you have actually entertained his questions - you answer them and engage in further discussion about these non-work related questions, which is likely encouraging Tim to continue with this annoying behavior.
So as a first step, you could just stop answering his questions or answer with a "dead end" response that leaves him with no traction to move forward.
"where are you going" - "to lunch" do not say more, just go
"where are you going to buy electronics" - "to the store" do not say more, just go
"how did it go at the immigration office" - "great" "can I see the papers they gave you?" "no" do not say more. go about your business.
You can offer these responses in a friendly tone and even with a smile - there is no need to be rude, just don't open yourself up for further questions. If he keeps asking, just stay silent, walk away, etc.
I think you can take a cue from the coworkers who have no problem with Tim: they ignore him and it's apparently effective. If you refuse to fall for his bait, he may very well get bored with you and you might not have to confront him at all.
eta: if you catch him going through any of your belongings (or new purchases or whatever) I don't think confrontation *should* be avoided: "Tim, keep your hands off my stuff." Past that, no discussion necessary. If he asks "why", just repeat the command perhaps with "I don't need to explain this to you" |
106,037 | <p>I have started to look for a new job, couple of weeks ago An internal recuriter of a company called me for a interview , the vacancy was posted at linkedin and i applied for it.</p>
<p>The vacancy did not had any salary indication, Long story short I went for the interview every thing went well and during the Hr discussion they offered the salary which was same what i am getting right now and I said no.</p>
<p>I applied for another position two days back via linkedin , the vacancy looked promising and have no salary indication. Today the Hr Personal of the company called and invited me for the interview. It is a full day process, I would like to know is there any ball park figures for this position . I do not want to sound greedy at the same time I would like to make it worth. since it disappointing to see when you go through the process and in the end the salarys do not match.</p>
<p>I currently work in netherland.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 106040,
"author": "Tim",
"author_id": 71738,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/71738",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>You're right, you don't want to spend time on a day long interview (especially if you have to use holiday to go t... | 2018/02/02 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/106037",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/82440/"
] | I have started to look for a new job, couple of weeks ago An internal recuriter of a company called me for a interview , the vacancy was posted at linkedin and i applied for it.
The vacancy did not had any salary indication, Long story short I went for the interview every thing went well and during the Hr discussion they offered the salary which was same what i am getting right now and I said no.
I applied for another position two days back via linkedin , the vacancy looked promising and have no salary indication. Today the Hr Personal of the company called and invited me for the interview. It is a full day process, I would like to know is there any ball park figures for this position . I do not want to sound greedy at the same time I would like to make it worth. since it disappointing to see when you go through the process and in the end the salarys do not match.
I currently work in netherland. | >
> How to know a ball park figure for a salary before going for the
> interview?
>
>
>
Ask the recruiter (whether your working directly with the company or a third party )
```
"What is the salary range for this position?"
```
At this point if you get the run around, follow up with:
```
"In the interest of not wasting your time or mine, I need to be sure
the salary being offered is something I can work with".
```
If they still don't give you an answer then say:
```
At this point without that information there is no reason to proceed.
```
And **finally** if you get to this point, the recruiter will most likely get the information for you, or just give it to you.
At this point using my strategy you have to **be prepared to walk away.** Throughout my professional career, there has only been one case where after being persistent that the information was not given.
There really is no point of interviewing with a company in most cases if you don't know with some certainty that **the opportunity will pay a wage that is right for you.**
**Note**: *Ideally these steps would be taken as part of scheduling the initial face to face interview.* |
106,241 | <p>I am a QA Automation Engineer working for a IT Company. I usually do only automatic tests in JUnit or Selenium, which I say I'm pretty good at.
Keeping the story short, couple of months ago my boss thought it would be a great idea to have me work under a developer teamleader to learn how to make automatic tests more efficient. </p>
<p>Most of my tasks were that , just automatic testing, nothing really different from before, just a bit harder which was fine. Besides those tasks I have received a programming task. Now, I did accept the task beforehand, but it was never mentioned to me how hard the task would be for me considering I have never done programming. It was merely presented to me as a JUnit test which I had to only use already created methods by other programmers, but after all I found out that I have to do some programming besides the JUnit test.</p>
<p>I have been trying my best at it for the past 2 weeks, but it just seems out of my league and out of my knowledge in any way I try to approach it. There's about 6 weeks left until the final release and I do not know how to proceed further with it. </p>
<p>I know it won't look good for me saying that I am not able to do it, but it also wouldn't be good to keep the task even more weeks without accomplishing anything . Any suggestions on what should I do? Should I tell this temporary teamleader or talk with my boss about it? Thanks</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 106243,
"author": "Daniel",
"author_id": 71695,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/71695",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>When you get assigned a task and have trouble fulfilling it, you should notify the person that assigned you th... | 2018/02/06 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/106241",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/82576/"
] | I am a QA Automation Engineer working for a IT Company. I usually do only automatic tests in JUnit or Selenium, which I say I'm pretty good at.
Keeping the story short, couple of months ago my boss thought it would be a great idea to have me work under a developer teamleader to learn how to make automatic tests more efficient.
Most of my tasks were that , just automatic testing, nothing really different from before, just a bit harder which was fine. Besides those tasks I have received a programming task. Now, I did accept the task beforehand, but it was never mentioned to me how hard the task would be for me considering I have never done programming. It was merely presented to me as a JUnit test which I had to only use already created methods by other programmers, but after all I found out that I have to do some programming besides the JUnit test.
I have been trying my best at it for the past 2 weeks, but it just seems out of my league and out of my knowledge in any way I try to approach it. There's about 6 weeks left until the final release and I do not know how to proceed further with it.
I know it won't look good for me saying that I am not able to do it, but it also wouldn't be good to keep the task even more weeks without accomplishing anything . Any suggestions on what should I do? Should I tell this temporary teamleader or talk with my boss about it? Thanks | You ask a loaded question, friend.
The way I see it your question is not about what you ***should do***, but about ***what is expected of you to do***.
I would split your question into several sub-questions.
---
The first part is about a team leader or project owner asking a team member to **perform a task he hasn't been prepared or hired for**.
Is it moral or normal?
No, it is not, IMO.
Is it usual in a lot of companies to use testers as emergency devs?
Yes. The implications here are mostly ethical and usually financial, but let's not worry about those now, shall we?
Still, in a normal Agile team I would have pushed back against the request and have it formalized as a story or an epic.
Yes you'll get the usual bs that it doesn't add value to the customer, but your stakeholders are not only your customers.
If a stakeholder yields value from a story, it's valid effort.
Assuming you work in an Agile team, I would try to build a story around your assignment that can be tracked, assign it valid Acceptance Criteria, split it into sub-tasks, and time box each task. It should be easier to track all your research, implementation and failures/successes in small tasks that are timeboxed. This way your manager can track progress and you can justify time spent with progress to show.
The fact that you struggled on the task alone without anyone asking questions for two weeks tells me that you either don't work in an Agile team or that no one in your team cares about SCRUM meetings. This is bad for you either way.
I'd try to fix this before it gets worse. And by fixing this I mean making sure I have someone to tell I am stuck somewhere and don't know what to do, so a colleague could help me get unstuck.
---
The second issue with your situation is that the person that asked you to perform the task ***sold it short***.
To you, it should have been a relatively simple task, similar to the ones you were performing before, but it turned out not so simple and not so like the ones before. This alone should have prompted you to raise the issue ASAP to the requester.
```
"Hello dear manager, you told me this would be nice and simple, a taste of real programming.
It's not. What do?"
```
This is what should have come out of your mouth (in one form or another) at some point in time. Preferably immediately after figuring out you've been duped.
I would suggest you make up for lost time and inform your manager that you were both in the wrong about the complexity of the task and do not share a common understanding of the necessary knowledge to complete it.
Obviously he thought you were capable of doing it because he assumed you possess the knowledge or are able to acquire it in a reasonable time frame. Obviously you thought the same.
Obviously you were both wrong.
Fixing this problem is a simple matter of re-aligning knowledge.
You already spent two weeks finding out you both are wrong.
Try to figure out why he was wrong in the first place and then explain it to your manager. Was your manager mistaken about your ability to code? Was he mistaken about your ability to learn? Were you too eager to show yourself? Answer those questions and more like them and you should be able to figure out how you got here in the first place. And what you should do to avoid the situation in the future. And maybe some ideas on how to fix it (assign more time to learning, prepare informal meetings with other devs to explain how they would do it would be a couple of ideas that come to mind).
---
Coming to the final part of your question: What should you do. Or more accurately, what do these people expect you to do?
The person that assigned you the task might expect different things than just completing the task within the allotted time frame. She might expect your team leader to evaluate your progress, quality of implementation, ability to learn while under pressure, desire to work with new technologies and current skills. She might want to make a developer out of you, should you choose this path. She might just need an inexpensive dev committing code that will be refactored in a few weeks just to do a demo for a client.
Your team leader might expect other things. She might care about how well you worked within your team while performing the task. If you asked for help when you got stuck. If you were able to recognize possible risks and handle them in a proactive manner. Or she might expect you to fail so she can hire a real dev.
I don't know, these are just speculations. You can find out how true they are by asking either of those persons what is expected of you before you take on the task.
It's not too late to ask now, either IMO. |
106,487 | <p>How do you deal with a colleague who is always arguing on most topics just to be right and put everyone else wrong. She always says "No!, because.. {insert argument}".</p>
<p>She always wants to be right at the expense of offending other people. I mean you can say that gently and not too forcefully.</p>
<p>Edit:
Sometimes this person is correct but sometimes she is not so it's more like 50/50.</p>
<p>I think one of the causes for this is that this person is so nitpicky. She will insist what she thinks as correct even small details. And she is too bossy in her approach at that.</p>
<p>One important thing to add is that this person is so competitive that she always wants to win an argument and have the last to say.. </p>
<p>thanks for your insight guys!</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 106488,
"author": "AthomSfere",
"author_id": 8350,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/8350",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I think in this instance there are two topics that could be addressed.</p>\n\n<p>1) She often offers a contr... | 2018/02/12 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/106487",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/82762/"
] | How do you deal with a colleague who is always arguing on most topics just to be right and put everyone else wrong. She always says "No!, because.. {insert argument}".
She always wants to be right at the expense of offending other people. I mean you can say that gently and not too forcefully.
Edit:
Sometimes this person is correct but sometimes she is not so it's more like 50/50.
I think one of the causes for this is that this person is so nitpicky. She will insist what she thinks as correct even small details. And she is too bossy in her approach at that.
One important thing to add is that this person is so competitive that she always wants to win an argument and have the last to say..
thanks for your insight guys! | I think in this instance there are two topics that could be addressed.
1) She often offers a contradictory and correct position on various topics.
This says she is potentially a great asset to the team, that she is:
```
A) Confident
B) Intelligent
C) Competent
```
I would take no actions to stifle this. If other team mates are offended only by the above, I'd work with them to understand the value she is offering and hopefully help them grow slightly thicker skin.
2) Her soft skills / delivery might need a little work.
Really, this is for everyone's benefit. Her coworkers will be more comfortable, she might receive better feedback during conversations, but most importantly she will be able to give the exact same information without other members of the group instantly cringing, recoiling, and becoming defensive.
How I would handle something like this with a peer (it helps to have good rapport, but can also work to build rapport) is wait for a good example of this happening.
Afterwards, ask her if she is aware of how the team members perceive her actions and that they are offended by her delivery of information and counterpoints.
And then follow up with advice on how she can say effectively the same thing but with it seeming less confrontational.
"Like in that last meeting, where John was talking about how he wanted to sail to the end of Earth just to see it once. Instead of saying 'You can't do that, the earth is round' you could have said something more like 'That sounds like a fantastic time, but have you considered the modern scientific consensus on the shape of the planet?'"
Finally, I'll admit I personally wish being direct worked as well as it should. Often times though we have to help foster a conversation rather than just give opposing information, regardless of our own degree of competency vs someone else's. It isn't that she is doing anything wrong, just that she could be more effective. |
106,532 | <p>I was reading these three WPSE links (<a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/90501/is-it-overkill-to-make-a-github-to-show-basic-coding-skills">1</a>,<a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/22632/building-a-collection-of-code-to-showcase-to-potential-employers?rq=1">2</a>,<a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/84258/should-i-include-a-github-organization-repo-link-on-my-resume">3</a>) about providing a GitHub profile when applying for software development jobs and what you should include, but can it hurt your chances if the job isn't software development related?</p>
<p>I'm currently searching for data entry, office/file clerk type positions and most of the job descriptions involve interacting with programs from excel/access to a sophisticated database to enter data.</p>
<p>I've created a few scripts and utility programs in my spare time to automate certain tasks related to my hobbies and they're freely available on my GitHub profile.</p>
<p>Could I be seen as <em>not a good fit</em> for the job? or be seen as someone <em>trying to do too much outside the job description</em>?</p>
<p>I'm not trying to compensate by providing a GitHub profile because I failed to meet the job requirements. If I didn't provide a GitHub link, I wouldn't mind, because I do have previous experience and references.</p>
<p><strong>Edit:</strong> When I say provide a link, I mean only a link and nothing more, example, at the top of my resume, I have this:</p>
<pre><code>first and last name
address
phone number
email address
GitHub link
</code></pre>
<p>I <strong>don't</strong> have a section on my resume talking about my projects on GitHub. If any hiring manager is interested they can click the link(most of my submissions are online), if not, they don't have to read through a section that they aren't interested in or see as irrelevant.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 106533,
"author": "DarkCygnus",
"author_id": 73791,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73791",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n<p>but can it hurt your chances if the job isn't software development related?</p>\n</blockquot... | 2018/02/12 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/106532",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I was reading these three WPSE links ([1](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/90501/is-it-overkill-to-make-a-github-to-show-basic-coding-skills),[2](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/22632/building-a-collection-of-code-to-showcase-to-potential-employers?rq=1),[3](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/84258/should-i-include-a-github-organization-repo-link-on-my-resume)) about providing a GitHub profile when applying for software development jobs and what you should include, but can it hurt your chances if the job isn't software development related?
I'm currently searching for data entry, office/file clerk type positions and most of the job descriptions involve interacting with programs from excel/access to a sophisticated database to enter data.
I've created a few scripts and utility programs in my spare time to automate certain tasks related to my hobbies and they're freely available on my GitHub profile.
Could I be seen as *not a good fit* for the job? or be seen as someone *trying to do too much outside the job description*?
I'm not trying to compensate by providing a GitHub profile because I failed to meet the job requirements. If I didn't provide a GitHub link, I wouldn't mind, because I do have previous experience and references.
**Edit:** When I say provide a link, I mean only a link and nothing more, example, at the top of my resume, I have this:
```
first and last name
address
phone number
email address
GitHub link
```
I **don't** have a section on my resume talking about my projects on GitHub. If any hiring manager is interested they can click the link(most of my submissions are online), if not, they don't have to read through a section that they aren't interested in or see as irrelevant. | Go for it! If I were recruiting, you are exactly the sort of person I would want to hire.
You are obviously interested, possibly passionate, about something that relates to your work. That can only be of benefit to the company.
We all have to pay the rent, so we all have to apply for jobs. But it is people like you who who can make a difference to a company. In my mind, you could be worth two or three "just doing it for the rent", employees. I would expect you to produce a constant stream of new ideas, which could be of great benefit to the company, and would expect to promote you before long.
In fact, if you apply for a data entry post and provide such examples, I might consider hiring you for another post straight away. |
106,817 | <p>I work at a small (10 person), sport-specific e-learning startup. The CEO is a nice guy but I feel he lacks focus. He is very easily excitable, so if he or somebody else comes up with an idea that he likes he will often become fixated with it for a week or two before completely forgetting about it. These ideas are most often spur of the moment with no research to back them up and range from the unrealistic to the ridiculous.</p>
<p>As the sole designer, I am often the first port of call when he wants to visualise these ideas. I've spent countless days thinking about, designing and delivering mockups - often with very little to go on other than 'our users really want this' with no real data to suggest they do. Quite often in meetings with potential customers he'll drop 'we can get it mocked up for you' to appease the client. 9/10 nothing ever comes of the work I put in as by that point he's got bored and moved onto the next 'must have' idea.</p>
<p>He's recently had a meeting with someone who suggested that our platform would work well for a different sport to what we specialise in. Technically, our platform could be altered to cater for different sports, however I feel like our small team already has more than enough on our plate. He's asked me to mock something up despite the fact that he's done literally zero research himself, and the only asset he can give me is a logo and a few sentences briefly summarising the conversation. If I were to liken the situation to that of another company, I'd say it would be like Uber offering boats as well as cars (I understand they do offer this service in certain countries, but you could argue that they nailed the core car offering first before pursuing other modes of transport).</p>
<p>I really want to tell him to stop chasing these leads as they never materialise into anything positive and distract our already busy team from improving our current platform (which needs a lot of improving). One of the mantras that respected CEO of Huit Denim lives by is to '<a href="https://hiutdenim.co.uk/blogs/story/4800102-do-one-thing-well" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Do One Thing Well</a>', but I feel like this is the opposite of how this CEO runs his company. Am I being unreasonable?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 106818,
"author": "paparazzo",
"author_id": 26028,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/26028",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>There are some incompetent CEOs out there. Unfortunately there is no one above to straighten them out. The... | 2018/02/18 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/106817",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/83003/"
] | I work at a small (10 person), sport-specific e-learning startup. The CEO is a nice guy but I feel he lacks focus. He is very easily excitable, so if he or somebody else comes up with an idea that he likes he will often become fixated with it for a week or two before completely forgetting about it. These ideas are most often spur of the moment with no research to back them up and range from the unrealistic to the ridiculous.
As the sole designer, I am often the first port of call when he wants to visualise these ideas. I've spent countless days thinking about, designing and delivering mockups - often with very little to go on other than 'our users really want this' with no real data to suggest they do. Quite often in meetings with potential customers he'll drop 'we can get it mocked up for you' to appease the client. 9/10 nothing ever comes of the work I put in as by that point he's got bored and moved onto the next 'must have' idea.
He's recently had a meeting with someone who suggested that our platform would work well for a different sport to what we specialise in. Technically, our platform could be altered to cater for different sports, however I feel like our small team already has more than enough on our plate. He's asked me to mock something up despite the fact that he's done literally zero research himself, and the only asset he can give me is a logo and a few sentences briefly summarising the conversation. If I were to liken the situation to that of another company, I'd say it would be like Uber offering boats as well as cars (I understand they do offer this service in certain countries, but you could argue that they nailed the core car offering first before pursuing other modes of transport).
I really want to tell him to stop chasing these leads as they never materialise into anything positive and distract our already busy team from improving our current platform (which needs a lot of improving). One of the mantras that respected CEO of Huit Denim lives by is to '[Do One Thing Well](https://hiutdenim.co.uk/blogs/story/4800102-do-one-thing-well)', but I feel like this is the opposite of how this CEO runs his company. Am I being unreasonable? | There are some incompetent CEOs out there. Unfortunately there is no one above to straighten them out. The board or owner could fire him but they don't see what is going on day by day.
Eventually he will likely bring the company down or be replaced. It might be time to put out your resume.
When he comes up with the next bright idea ask about the status of the last bright idea. Keep a list of the mock ups you created that went no where. You are not likely to change him.
On further thought maybe keep a report of ideas and where there are and status. Kind of like Area 51.
```
Name Requirements Prelimary Customer Detailed
Design & Review Design
Mockup
sliced bread partial complete ymd none killed
``` |
110,047 | <p>I'm positioned with a window next to me my coworker sits in front but have a wall to their side, then in front of them there is another window:</p>
<pre><code>| <---window
|
|| <-- wall
|| O <--- coworker
|| <-- wall
| <---- window (With blind that they open)
| O <-- me
</code></pre>
<p>The windows are not treated so the sun shines through and makes it hard to see. I've asked management about treating windows but nothing has happened in a few months. For this reason I tend to keep the blind closed when the sun is bright.</p>
<p>My coworker will wait until I'm out of the room and open the blind. I'm only ever away for a maximum of 5 minutes. I've made it clear why I close the blind. They do it anyway.</p>
<p><strong><em>How to handle this situation?</em></strong></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 110049,
"author": "gnasher729",
"author_id": 16101,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/16101",
"pm_score": 8,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>The solution would be that when you come back and can't read your screen because the blind is opened, you g... | 2018/04/04 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/110047",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/29012/"
] | I'm positioned with a window next to me my coworker sits in front but have a wall to their side, then in front of them there is another window:
```
| <---window
|
|| <-- wall
|| O <--- coworker
|| <-- wall
| <---- window (With blind that they open)
| O <-- me
```
The windows are not treated so the sun shines through and makes it hard to see. I've asked management about treating windows but nothing has happened in a few months. For this reason I tend to keep the blind closed when the sun is bright.
My coworker will wait until I'm out of the room and open the blind. I'm only ever away for a maximum of 5 minutes. I've made it clear why I close the blind. They do it anyway.
***How to handle this situation?*** | The solution would be that when you come back and can't read your screen because the blind is opened, you go to your coworker and ask them whether they opened the blind. If yes, you ask them why they did it. Then you ask them to come to your desk, and notice that your screen is not readable. And that done, you close the blind.
Repeat as often as it needs repeating.
It seems your co-worker has this strange idea that you just don't like opened blinds and therefore doing it behind your back is a safe option. Obviously it's not because you inevitably notice. |
114,469 | <p>I'm a new employee at a software company, and saw an email sent to an coworker from a system owner, but with the whole dev team CC'd, and it got me a bit worried about the environment. I'm recently out of college so this is my first job so...is this normal in tech companies?</p>
<hr>
<p>Sent to Rick and Cc'd dev team mail list:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hi Rick, </p>
<p>I ran valgrind on the SpaceShip proj, and I think I found a memory
leak in some of the platform code. I believe I found the source and
the issue can be fixed with the below diff:</p>
<pre><code>--- a/spaceship/DoBattle.cpp
+++ b/spaceship/DoBattle.cpp
vector<part> parts = getSpaceShipParts();
+shared_ptr<SpaceShip> p = new SpaceShip(parts);
-SpaceShip * p = new SpaceShip(parts);
engageInBattle(p, enemy);
</code></pre>
<p>I re-ran valgrind with the change, and it seems to fix the problem!</p>
<p>Thanks,<br>
Morty</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A pretty reasonable email I thought, which was answered with:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hi Morty,</p>
<p>Thanks, but in the future please just provide the information about
how to reproduce a problem, not a suggested fix. I don't read
suggested fixes, because they predispose me to a particular idea of
what the real problem is and what the fix should be. I'm better off
going in fresh and deciding for myself. </p>
<p>In cases where I accidentally read a diff before realizing what it is, I purposely spend at least several days trying to forget so I can go into it fresh. So giving me a diff just makes it more likely I won't even look at the problem for some time. </p>
<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>--Rick</p>
</blockquote>
| [
{
"answer_id": 114470,
"author": "mxyzplk",
"author_id": 16695,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/16695",
"pm_score": 9,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>No, this is not usual. You have run across a fairly common beast, however, the Elitist Super Entitled Develop... | 2018/06/21 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/114469",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/88411/"
] | I'm a new employee at a software company, and saw an email sent to an coworker from a system owner, but with the whole dev team CC'd, and it got me a bit worried about the environment. I'm recently out of college so this is my first job so...is this normal in tech companies?
---
Sent to Rick and Cc'd dev team mail list:
>
> Hi Rick,
>
>
> I ran valgrind on the SpaceShip proj, and I think I found a memory
> leak in some of the platform code. I believe I found the source and
> the issue can be fixed with the below diff:
>
>
>
> ```
> --- a/spaceship/DoBattle.cpp
> +++ b/spaceship/DoBattle.cpp
> vector<part> parts = getSpaceShipParts();
> +shared_ptr<SpaceShip> p = new SpaceShip(parts);
> -SpaceShip * p = new SpaceShip(parts);
> engageInBattle(p, enemy);
>
> ```
>
> I re-ran valgrind with the change, and it seems to fix the problem!
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Morty
>
>
>
A pretty reasonable email I thought, which was answered with:
>
> Hi Morty,
>
>
> Thanks, but in the future please just provide the information about
> how to reproduce a problem, not a suggested fix. I don't read
> suggested fixes, because they predispose me to a particular idea of
> what the real problem is and what the fix should be. I'm better off
> going in fresh and deciding for myself.
>
>
> In cases where I accidentally read a diff before realizing what it is, I purposely spend at least several days trying to forget so I can go into it fresh. So giving me a diff just makes it more likely I won't even look at the problem for some time.
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
> --Rick
>
>
> | No, this is not usual. You have run across a fairly common beast, however, the Elitist Super Entitled Developer. He's smarter than everyone else in his own mind and is entitled to be rude for the same reason. He has some ax to grind against Morty. Avoid him when possible and move along.
While he's certainly within his rights to want to investigate the problem himself, a civilized response is "Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into it." There may be preexisting bad blood between the two or he may just be feral, but in either case while this behavior isn't unknown in tech, it's not acceptable or "usual." |
114,805 | <p>In 2017, my previous company gave me a tuition assistance of $2900. I quit the job and found another one. Recently, in June 2018, the company sent me a letter asking to return the amount since I quit the job within 12 months of the tuition. </p>
<p>I don't mind paying it back, but I'd like to return all taxes I paid for this tuition. Somehow the company deducted $1109 from the total amount. The tuition assistance was included in W2, as below:</p>
<pre><code>federal $725.00
fica-oasdi $179.80
st-whld oh $101.50
lo-whld cincinnati $ 60.90
fica-med $ 42.05
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 114807,
"author": "Masked Man",
"author_id": 3192,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/3192",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Somehow the company deducted </p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>The company did not \"somehow\" deduc... | 2018/06/27 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/114805",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/88642/"
] | In 2017, my previous company gave me a tuition assistance of $2900. I quit the job and found another one. Recently, in June 2018, the company sent me a letter asking to return the amount since I quit the job within 12 months of the tuition.
I don't mind paying it back, but I'd like to return all taxes I paid for this tuition. Somehow the company deducted $1109 from the total amount. The tuition assistance was included in W2, as below:
```
federal $725.00
fica-oasdi $179.80
st-whld oh $101.50
lo-whld cincinnati $ 60.90
fica-med $ 42.05
``` | >
> Somehow the company deducted
>
>
>
The company did not "somehow" deduct taxes. They are required by law to collect taxes on the money paid to employees and send it to the government. This is known as Tax Collected at Source (TCS) or Tax Deducted at Source (TDS).
>
> I'd like to return all taxes I paid for this tuition
>
>
>
The tax money is with the government so *you* cannot return it, at least not directly. Instead you would have to return the full tuition assistance to the company, and then claim a tax refund if the law allows it.
If tax refund does not apply to this category of reimbursement (tuition assistance), that's too bad, you just spent $1109 to learn an important financial lesson: always understand the tax implications before you get any kind of "bonus" reimbursement. |
114,981 | <p>During the last month I have noticed that virtually most of company employees are not specifying the job title within their signatures. A typical signature would look like the following:</p>
<pre><code>Thanks formula
Name
Company name
Business unit (no job title). E.g. Data Warehouse
Logo
Contact information
</code></pre>
<p>So, one receiving such an e-mail would not instantly know if the person is the manager or some software developer (unless checking Outlook metadata). For me this seems rather strange as some business units include dozens of persons and may create confusion among contacts outside the organization.</p>
<p>I asked a few colleagues about this and they do not have an explanation. They have just imitated the signature from someone else without questioning about this. </p>
<p>Our HR is periodically sending some e-mails about signatures, but these only include reminders for the general information and the logo to use.</p>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> What is the rationale for not specifying the job title, only the business unit in the signature?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 114982,
"author": "thursdaysgeek",
"author_id": 249,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/249",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>This will depend by company and culture (and company culture), so the following answer is for my specific co... | 2018/06/29 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/114981",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/62493/"
] | During the last month I have noticed that virtually most of company employees are not specifying the job title within their signatures. A typical signature would look like the following:
```
Thanks formula
Name
Company name
Business unit (no job title). E.g. Data Warehouse
Logo
Contact information
```
So, one receiving such an e-mail would not instantly know if the person is the manager or some software developer (unless checking Outlook metadata). For me this seems rather strange as some business units include dozens of persons and may create confusion among contacts outside the organization.
I asked a few colleagues about this and they do not have an explanation. They have just imitated the signature from someone else without questioning about this.
Our HR is periodically sending some e-mails about signatures, but these only include reminders for the general information and the logo to use.
**Question:** What is the rationale for not specifying the job title, only the business unit in the signature? | This will depend by company and culture (and company culture), so the following answer is for my specific company culture.
On my team, we have various job titles: Programmer/Analyst I, Programmer/Analyst II, Sr Programmer Analyst, Business Analyst. But we're all on one team. We work together, and what is important is what we do and how we do it. We mostly don't even think about our titles. What is important is our name and our team. No one includes titles in email signatures.
If titles are important, or if a company wants a standard signature block that includes them, then they will be included. If what you are doing and what team you are on is more important, or if standards are not required, then people will include what they think is important, and nothing more. |
116,158 | <p>I rent office space inside another company. Is there a proper/formal format for writing out my address on business correspondence?</p>
<p>Just an example...</p>
<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Xy8hZ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Xy8hZ.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
<p>Would that be the way to do it? Thanks for any help.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 116161,
"author": "Dan Pichelman",
"author_id": 10905,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/10905",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Try not to confuse your customers any more than necessary. </p>\n\n<p>What you propose works, but it m... | 2018/07/19 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/116158",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/44342/"
] | I rent office space inside another company. Is there a proper/formal format for writing out my address on business correspondence?
Just an example...
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Xy8hZ.png)
Would that be the way to do it? Thanks for any help. | It's this easy ..
```
Good Guys Gaming
1st Floor, 900 Silver Lane
Engle Cove, CO 12345
United States
```
Dan's answer forgot the 1st floor, which I recommend and which is perfectly professional.
(Note, in different countries that format is different, example "900 Silver Lane, 1st Floor" .. "1/900 Silver Lane" .. whatever is correct locally.)
You simply **don't need to mention** "Marley Purveyors". It will find you.
Note however that this sort of thing is perfectly common and acceptable these days:
```
Good Guys Gaming
Marley Office Center
900 Silver Lane
Engle Cove, CO 12345
United States
```
Things like "distributed offices" and "coloc offices" and so on are common today. And it's fine to state them.
```
Good Guys Gaming
Supertrendy Coloc Design Offices
900 Silver Lane
Engle Cove, CO 12345
United States
```
That sounds great, no problem there. |
117,087 | <p>I'm developer infrastructure and tools engineer. </p>
<p>My org structure is like so (fictional names for convenience)(job level in parenthesis)</p>
<pre><code>Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Alice(2)/
Sam(1)/
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
</code></pre>
<p>Alice and Bob are managers. I report to Bob as does Alice, but I might as well report to Alice as I'm directly answerable to her in terms of deliverables.</p>
<p>Our team works in sprints. Last sprint a senior dev at Bob's level remarked to Bob that the code quality in some of our codebases could be better. We don't measure code quality as a tangible metric, but just code review from senior devs. </p>
<p>So Bob asked me to do something to improve it as I'm in charge of the dev infrastructure we use eg: git, code review, computing resources, CI/CD etc.</p>
<p>The particular complaints raised had a lot to do with errors that could be fixed with linting and checkstyle, and we have had errors that proper linting would have prevented, so I decided to attack low hanging fruits first. I went ahead and implemented mandatory linting and checkstyle as part of the build process, but I did not condition the builds to fail but rather warn. </p>
<p>But the code quality did not improve so the next sprint Bob asked me to do something a bit more seriously and made it one of my deliverables for the quarter.</p>
<p>Bob is not an ex dev and not familiar with finer details of the dev process but is still reasonable. </p>
<p>So I sent a doc to Alice and her team illustrating why they should lint and then I went ahead and conditioned builds to fail if the linter and checkstyles did not pass for new code, and my mailbox exploded with email asking me to disable the linting and Alice let Bob know that my actions had adversely affected their team's ability to meet the sprint goals.</p>
<p>So Bob asked me to disable the linter. </p>
<p>My question finally is how do I go about convincing them to fix the code quality without alienating my managers or my developer friends? I've tried educating them by sharing documents with good coding practices etc. but they don't even read my email with subjects like that. </p>
<p>Also how should I communicate to Bob that disabling linting will hurt our project in the long run without throwing Alice and her team under the bus? (There could be a situation where I report to Alice tomorrow or have to work closely with her team)</p>
<p>If Anyone is curious how this ended</p>
<ol>
<li>Bob gave me the power to add a limited number of sprint goals for Alice't team.</li>
<li>I proceeded to stagger the fix for the code style warnings among the devs in alice's team and myself</li>
<li>Every sprint the last few tickets addressed are code style fixes</li>
<li>Our warnings have steadily gone down :)</li>
</ol>
| [
{
"answer_id": 117088,
"author": "Joe Strazzere",
"author_id": 7777,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/7777",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>My question finally is how do I go about convincing them to fix the\n code quality witho... | 2018/08/06 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/117087",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/87777/"
] | I'm developer infrastructure and tools engineer.
My org structure is like so (fictional names for convenience)(job level in parenthesis)
```
Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Alice(2)/
Sam(1)/
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
```
Alice and Bob are managers. I report to Bob as does Alice, but I might as well report to Alice as I'm directly answerable to her in terms of deliverables.
Our team works in sprints. Last sprint a senior dev at Bob's level remarked to Bob that the code quality in some of our codebases could be better. We don't measure code quality as a tangible metric, but just code review from senior devs.
So Bob asked me to do something to improve it as I'm in charge of the dev infrastructure we use eg: git, code review, computing resources, CI/CD etc.
The particular complaints raised had a lot to do with errors that could be fixed with linting and checkstyle, and we have had errors that proper linting would have prevented, so I decided to attack low hanging fruits first. I went ahead and implemented mandatory linting and checkstyle as part of the build process, but I did not condition the builds to fail but rather warn.
But the code quality did not improve so the next sprint Bob asked me to do something a bit more seriously and made it one of my deliverables for the quarter.
Bob is not an ex dev and not familiar with finer details of the dev process but is still reasonable.
So I sent a doc to Alice and her team illustrating why they should lint and then I went ahead and conditioned builds to fail if the linter and checkstyles did not pass for new code, and my mailbox exploded with email asking me to disable the linting and Alice let Bob know that my actions had adversely affected their team's ability to meet the sprint goals.
So Bob asked me to disable the linter.
My question finally is how do I go about convincing them to fix the code quality without alienating my managers or my developer friends? I've tried educating them by sharing documents with good coding practices etc. but they don't even read my email with subjects like that.
Also how should I communicate to Bob that disabling linting will hurt our project in the long run without throwing Alice and her team under the bus? (There could be a situation where I report to Alice tomorrow or have to work closely with her team)
If Anyone is curious how this ended
1. Bob gave me the power to add a limited number of sprint goals for Alice't team.
2. I proceeded to stagger the fix for the code style warnings among the devs in alice's team and myself
3. Every sprint the last few tickets addressed are code style fixes
4. Our warnings have steadily gone down :) | >
> My question finally is how do I go about convincing them to fix the
> code quality without alienating my managers or my developer friends?
>
>
>
Since Bob is concerned about code quality, and Alice is concerned with meeting sprint goals, the obvious choice is to define a sprint goal which involves improving code quality.
Then the team can integrate that goal into whichever Sprint they deem appropriate when weighed against all their other goals.
Make sure you have a solid definition of "code quality" so that the team can understand it before they have to size that goal and create tasks to meet it. You might also want to seek agreement with Bob and Alice on what "code quality" means in your shop beforehand. Finally you need to have an agreed-upon way to measure code quality, so you'll have some way to objectively determine if it has improved or not. |
117,873 | <p>Lot of international or impactful resumes I see, mention the achievements or duties performed group at organization level under <em>Work Experience</em> section. </p>
<p>Example:</p>
<pre><code>Organization name
- Work done
- Achievements
</code></pre>
<p>Indians usually don't follow this, and write those bullet points under each project that they worked on withing the organization. Yes Indian resumes are lengthy (often) which I don't like.</p>
<p>Example:</p>
<pre><code>Organization name
- Project 1
- Work done
- Achievements
- Project 2
- so on...
</code></pre>
<p>Former one definitely looks precise and help grab attention of reader. Downside is that reader can't really tell if you did/ achieved that stuff in just one project or multiple. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Indian format gives definite idea about number of projects the candidate has worked on and what he specifically did or achieved in those. Downside is that such resumes become lengthy and reader may not even go through whole document.</p>
<p>How to best balance this?</p>
<p>Note - I am not saying the former format will/ does not work in India. It can be considered if it has all the relevant information. 2 pages work best no matter where you are!</p>
<p><strong>Edit</strong> (I am not able to add comment)</p>
<p>@Mister Positive</p>
<ol>
<li>What is <code>resume</code> tag intended for then?</li>
<li>I am not asking on how to or what to write in resume! I am just trying to find an approach to balance two formats.</li>
<li>I already have 3 page resume, and trying to reduce it further to 2 pages without loss of important information. And hence seeking advice.</li>
</ol>
| [
{
"answer_id": 117876,
"author": "Joe Strazzere",
"author_id": 7777,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/7777",
"pm_score": -1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Former one definitely looks precise and help grab attention of reader.\n Downside is th... | 2018/08/20 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/117873",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61300/"
] | Lot of international or impactful resumes I see, mention the achievements or duties performed group at organization level under *Work Experience* section.
Example:
```
Organization name
- Work done
- Achievements
```
Indians usually don't follow this, and write those bullet points under each project that they worked on withing the organization. Yes Indian resumes are lengthy (often) which I don't like.
Example:
```
Organization name
- Project 1
- Work done
- Achievements
- Project 2
- so on...
```
Former one definitely looks precise and help grab attention of reader. Downside is that reader can't really tell if you did/ achieved that stuff in just one project or multiple.
On the other hand, Indian format gives definite idea about number of projects the candidate has worked on and what he specifically did or achieved in those. Downside is that such resumes become lengthy and reader may not even go through whole document.
How to best balance this?
Note - I am not saying the former format will/ does not work in India. It can be considered if it has all the relevant information. 2 pages work best no matter where you are!
**Edit** (I am not able to add comment)
@Mister Positive
1. What is `resume` tag intended for then?
2. I am not asking on how to or what to write in resume! I am just trying to find an approach to balance two formats.
3. I already have 3 page resume, and trying to reduce it further to 2 pages without loss of important information. And hence seeking advice. | Write your CV for those who will read it. If they have certain expectations, then meet them.
Give them what they want, rather than what you think they ought to want.
There's not much to say, beyond that. |
123,473 | <p>I started working for a company with salary of X per annum. Now that I started in the last part of month.</p>
<p>Now when I got paid after 1 month + 5 working days, they calculated my 5 days extra pay based on following formula,</p>
<pre><code>(AS / 12) x (Number of days I worked / Number of working days in month)
</code></pre>
<p>But if I use a online calculator and use following formula,</p>
<pre><code> Daily Rate x Number of days I worked
</code></pre>
<p>The difference is that I am getting more if use online calculator calculations, about £60 MORE for 5 days, not a big amount but I only want to know if there calculations are right or not.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 123474,
"author": "Emil Vikström",
"author_id": 65552,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/65552",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Their formula split the annual salary in 12 equal parts, one per month. But not all months have the sam... | 2018/11/27 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/123473",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/29812/"
] | I started working for a company with salary of X per annum. Now that I started in the last part of month.
Now when I got paid after 1 month + 5 working days, they calculated my 5 days extra pay based on following formula,
```
(AS / 12) x (Number of days I worked / Number of working days in month)
```
But if I use a online calculator and use following formula,
```
Daily Rate x Number of days I worked
```
The difference is that I am getting more if use online calculator calculations, about £60 MORE for 5 days, not a big amount but I only want to know if there calculations are right or not. | Their calculation is correct - as a [salaried employee](https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-different-types-work/paid-an-annual-salary) you are considered doing what the government classes as "Salaried hours":
>
> Paid an annual salary
> A worker is doing ‘salaried hours’ work if they’re paid:
>
>
> a set basic number of hours each year under their contract
> an annual salary in equal weekly or monthly amounts
> Salaried hours workers’ contracts might not state the basic number of hours as an annual figure, but it must be possible to work this out. Workers and employers can then use this figure to make sure the rate of pay is at least the minimum wage.
>
>
>
And as such you don't have a fixed "day rate". You have an annual salary that is split into equal amounts over a set pay period frequency (monthly or weekly) - it sounds as if you're on monthly pay periods.
Given that each pay period doesn't have the same number of working days in it there is no set amount that a working day is paid at - the finest granularity is in terms of pay periods or part thereof.
Since you you've worked one partial pay period and one full pay period they need to pay you the proportional amount of what you worked in that partial period. In this case it's 5 days divided by the total number of working days in the full period.
So for example, if you annual salary was £12000, your salary per pay period would be 12000/12 = £1000. So if you started in September 2018 there were 20 working days (assuming a typical 5-day working week) of which you worked 5 so you should be paid 5/20 \* 1000 = £250
If on the other hand you had started in *January* 2018 there were **23** working days, so you'd get paid 5/23 \* 1000 = £217.39
If you were paid *weekly* then all pay periods would be the same length and therefore any pro-rata day rate would always work out to be the same (even though strictly speaking the same calculations would be run for any part-weeks you worked - it's just that the answer would always be the same) |
123,500 | <p>It's that time of year again at my employer... now that we've stuffed ourselves with turkey and enjoyed a 3 day work week, invitations to an "anonymous" employee survey have gone out. For whatever it matters, it's through some external company that we're presumably paying for the privilege.</p>
<p><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/43784/3188">Related to this old question</a> asking about the possible downsides of honestly answering an "anonymous" employee survey, I'm wondering about what possible upsides there are to me, as an employee, for actually completing this thing... mostly because I can't think of any. My instinct and operating assumption has always been that there isn't any upside, and to avoid filling these surveys out, or just lie and say what they want to hear if I'm unable to avoid doing it.</p>
<p>I'm extremely secure in my position at my present employer, and have no fear or concern about the obvious downsides of honestly completing this survey, so I'm trying to figure out if there's any possible upside to me to completing this thing (either honestly or dishonestly), or if my instincts are right, and it's a complete waste of time for me, at best.</p>
<p>In response to the comments, the text of the email that was sent out inviting us all inviting us to take the survey (which was the only communications on the matter) is below.</p>
<pre><code>[3rd party company contracted to perform survey] Survey
[Employer company name] asked us to collect your honest thoughts about your workplace.
Could you take five minutes to answer this confidential survey?
Begin Survey
We were hoping you could finish by Friday, December 7th.
Any questions or concerns? Just reply and we’ll be happy to help!
Thanks!
[3rd party company contracted to perform survey].
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 123502,
"author": "cdkMoose",
"author_id": 3345,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/3345",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Are there things that you would like to see changed? Do other employees feel the same? If multiple(many) emp... | 2018/11/27 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/123500",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/3188/"
] | It's that time of year again at my employer... now that we've stuffed ourselves with turkey and enjoyed a 3 day work week, invitations to an "anonymous" employee survey have gone out. For whatever it matters, it's through some external company that we're presumably paying for the privilege.
[Related to this old question](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/43784/3188) asking about the possible downsides of honestly answering an "anonymous" employee survey, I'm wondering about what possible upsides there are to me, as an employee, for actually completing this thing... mostly because I can't think of any. My instinct and operating assumption has always been that there isn't any upside, and to avoid filling these surveys out, or just lie and say what they want to hear if I'm unable to avoid doing it.
I'm extremely secure in my position at my present employer, and have no fear or concern about the obvious downsides of honestly completing this survey, so I'm trying to figure out if there's any possible upside to me to completing this thing (either honestly or dishonestly), or if my instincts are right, and it's a complete waste of time for me, at best.
In response to the comments, the text of the email that was sent out inviting us all inviting us to take the survey (which was the only communications on the matter) is below.
```
[3rd party company contracted to perform survey] Survey
[Employer company name] asked us to collect your honest thoughts about your workplace.
Could you take five minutes to answer this confidential survey?
Begin Survey
We were hoping you could finish by Friday, December 7th.
Any questions or concerns? Just reply and we’ll be happy to help!
Thanks!
[3rd party company contracted to perform survey].
``` | Are there things that you would like to see changed? Do other employees feel the same? If multiple(many) employees report the same concerns, they are more likely to be addressed. You may have already spoken to your management about these issues, but individual feedback doesn't carry the weight the consistent feedback across a survey population would.
It comes down to trust, do you trust that your management chain/company leadership are committed to making improvements and not using the data against you? On the other hand, if you don't trust them, I'm wondering why you still work there. I would not work for a company or manager that I don't trust. |
124,184 | <p>Recently, we had a new department open up in our tech company and people from my department were being interviewed for possible selection in the new department. </p>
<p>It was rumoured that people who do badly in the interview would likely lose their jobs (our department will close down in a few months). </p>
<p>After I had my technical interview for this new department, people in the office asked me if I could tell them the interview questions. I did not want to give them an advantage and, also, I think it is not ethical to share technical interview questions in such a scenario.</p>
<p>But I noticed that a person who had an interviewed after me was discussing the questions that he was asked. He was telling all the people who were yet to be interviewed about the questions.</p>
<p>To my surprise, they were the same questions that I was asked.</p>
<p>So, I emailed the manager who interviewed me and told him that some people (I did not mention any names) are sharing their interview questions with others and that I think it's not ethical. I said that I wanted to share this with him. I haven't received a reply from him. </p>
<p><strong>Did I handle it correctly? What should have I done?</strong></p>
<h2>update</h2>
<p>Got a reply from manager after 8 hours. He thanked me for the information.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 124197,
"author": "HelloWorld",
"author_id": 86622,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/86622",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>If I had any pointers they would be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>Frame it as a business concern rather than an ethi... | 2018/12/06 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/124184",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | Recently, we had a new department open up in our tech company and people from my department were being interviewed for possible selection in the new department.
It was rumoured that people who do badly in the interview would likely lose their jobs (our department will close down in a few months).
After I had my technical interview for this new department, people in the office asked me if I could tell them the interview questions. I did not want to give them an advantage and, also, I think it is not ethical to share technical interview questions in such a scenario.
But I noticed that a person who had an interviewed after me was discussing the questions that he was asked. He was telling all the people who were yet to be interviewed about the questions.
To my surprise, they were the same questions that I was asked.
So, I emailed the manager who interviewed me and told him that some people (I did not mention any names) are sharing their interview questions with others and that I think it's not ethical. I said that I wanted to share this with him. I haven't received a reply from him.
**Did I handle it correctly? What should have I done?**
update
------
Got a reply from manager after 8 hours. He thanked me for the information. | If I had any pointers they would be:
* Frame it as a business concern rather than an ethical concern because I think it makes you look better, although that's probably subjective.
* Make the focus *THEM*. It's hard not to come across as self-absorbed. If you say *"**I** think it's unethical"* then the focus is YOUR ethics. Alternatively, if you say *"incase it impacts **your** selection process"* then you make the focus of your attention THEM which looks more helpful.
* Make the email more constructive by giving a possible way forward. I can't remember the acronym, but there's a template for constructive criticism and it's something like:
```
- What they did/ what happened
- What was the impact
- Why is that bad
- What to do in future / next time
```
So I would add "*so you might want to think about varying the questions in
future interviews*". In fact, I often try to follow that template.
The problem is if you just point to something and say "look that's bad!"
it doesn't look as professional as it could. So following that template in
general makes your communications come across as more professional.
All those things together would look a bit like
>
> Hi, some people are being informed of the interview questions prior to taking the interview. I wanted to let you know incase it skews your selection process. You might want to think about varying the questions in future interviews.
>
>
>
And then lastly, sometimes people take badly to be given suggestions like that. They might read " *You might want to think about* " and think "*who are you to tell me what to do?!*" Therefore, I always add a caveat to the end to make it clear it's just a suggestion.
>
> Although I know that's not always possible since you might not have time
>
>
>
Then it's up to the manager whether he acts on it or not. You could be pushy and kick up more of a fuss but I don't think it's worth it. You did the right thing by not naming names in the email because then it become back stabbing and you'll make enemies. |
127,195 | <p>I have set up my own domain and kicking off freelance service in my field, I have been considering my email address and I am not sure how to make it professional. Because the domain name contains my first and last name, I'm afraid it might seem unprofessional or redundant.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>How does email cookie@cookiemonster.com or me@cookiemonster.com or
hello@cookiemonster.com read as an email address?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In the first example it sounds like it's repeating my name because the domain is already my name but I am not sure. I want to make it sound professional and unambiguous.</p>
<p>Edit: The question was closed due to duplicate, but in the duplicate that person is asking for email on Resume.
I am specifically trying to determine which "name" to use with "@cookiemonster.com". </p>
<p>Which of the following would you recommend or advise against? <pre>
cookie@cookiemonster.com<br>
me@cookiemonster.com<br>
hello@cookiemonster.com<br>
resume@cookiemonster.com ?</pre></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 127196,
"author": "Old_Lamplighter",
"author_id": 46894,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/46894",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Since this is going to be for a business, you could go for one of these approaches.</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>... | 2019/01/24 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/127195",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I have set up my own domain and kicking off freelance service in my field, I have been considering my email address and I am not sure how to make it professional. Because the domain name contains my first and last name, I'm afraid it might seem unprofessional or redundant.
>
> How does email cookie@cookiemonster.com or me@cookiemonster.com or
> hello@cookiemonster.com read as an email address?
>
>
>
In the first example it sounds like it's repeating my name because the domain is already my name but I am not sure. I want to make it sound professional and unambiguous.
Edit: The question was closed due to duplicate, but in the duplicate that person is asking for email on Resume.
I am specifically trying to determine which "name" to use with "@cookiemonster.com".
Which of the following would you recommend or advise against?
```
cookie@cookiemonster.com
me@cookiemonster.com
hello@cookiemonster.com
resume@cookiemonster.com ?
``` | >
> Because the domain name contains my first and last name, I'm afraid it might seem unprofessional or redundant.
>
>
>
I disagree. `michael@michaelberry.com` (not my domain!) strongly hints that you're talking to *me*, and not some member of staff that I've also hired. That comes across as a positive, a more personal touch.
You could go for something more generic, like `support@michaelberry.com` sure - but this is a negative IMHO. It comes across as though you're firing it at a generic mailbox where it may or may not get picked up by anyone. |
127,475 | <p>A little background to give you some context.</p>
<p>I have been searching for a job in UK for a while. Things haven't been favorable for the last 6 months due to my visa situation which was about to expire. But recently the visa is getting renewed and I have aggressively started searching for a job in UK.</p>
<p>Recently a recruiter contacted be and reffered me to company for an open position which seems to pay a little below the market in my opinion but still went for the interview since it was reasonably near to my home and the take home assignment was not too diffcult.</p>
<p>The company send out a reasonable sample problem, which I did well. The onsite was scheduled very soon. The senior dev who interviewed me seemed to like the code that was written. The manager (hiring Manager i think) also seemed to like me and things were looking good. <strong>No offer was made and we were about to wind up.</strong> </p>
<p>That's were the pleasantness ends and the awkwardness began.</p>
<pre><code>Hiring Manager : I will get back to you within 2 days.
Me : Ok cool
Hm : Could I know your salary expectation ?
Me : I am not looking for anything unreasonable, just something around the market value
Hm : I need to write down a figure, before I approach the HR
Me : See if I quote a high figure, I might get rejected out right. I
HM : You must have googled the market, how much would you be happy with? I don't want to have discussion later during the yearly review that you are unhappy with the salary.
Me : I really can't give you a number right now.
Hm : ... bla.. bla.. (cites 10k lower than what recruiter told me)
Me : ... dodge dodge..
Hm : I will send this without a salary range and evaluate other candidates. I will get back to you with a number and I won't budge from that. (he starts getting serious, but still polite I guess.)
Me : You are really not leaving me any options. (bad move I guess)
Senior dev: I am leaving, you guys have a good discussion.
Hm : (closes the door)
HM : So what will it be ?
Me : ok 50
</code></pre>
<p>We exchange pleasantries and I leave the building.</p>
<p>So my questions are</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Is this really normal this early in the process ? Or did I just get strong armed / he pulled a quick one on me ? I know I really can't negotiate unless I can walk away, but wanted to make the most of what they could offer me.</p></li>
<li><p>Should I have not quoted a salary then and there?</p></li>
<li><p>The strong arming that I sensed, could be an indication of a bad future there?</p></li>
<li><p>The recruitment seem company have posted 2 adverts for the same job with 5K difference, ie 55K. Am i just being too suspicious that the recruiter really doesn't have my best interest.</p></li>
</ol>
| [
{
"answer_id": 127477,
"author": "Fattie",
"author_id": 22844,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/22844",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>OP, unfortunately it seems you just negotiated poorly on this occasion.</p>\n\n<p>The other person:</p>\n\n<bl... | 2019/01/29 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/127475",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/98712/"
] | A little background to give you some context.
I have been searching for a job in UK for a while. Things haven't been favorable for the last 6 months due to my visa situation which was about to expire. But recently the visa is getting renewed and I have aggressively started searching for a job in UK.
Recently a recruiter contacted be and reffered me to company for an open position which seems to pay a little below the market in my opinion but still went for the interview since it was reasonably near to my home and the take home assignment was not too diffcult.
The company send out a reasonable sample problem, which I did well. The onsite was scheduled very soon. The senior dev who interviewed me seemed to like the code that was written. The manager (hiring Manager i think) also seemed to like me and things were looking good. **No offer was made and we were about to wind up.**
That's were the pleasantness ends and the awkwardness began.
```
Hiring Manager : I will get back to you within 2 days.
Me : Ok cool
Hm : Could I know your salary expectation ?
Me : I am not looking for anything unreasonable, just something around the market value
Hm : I need to write down a figure, before I approach the HR
Me : See if I quote a high figure, I might get rejected out right. I
HM : You must have googled the market, how much would you be happy with? I don't want to have discussion later during the yearly review that you are unhappy with the salary.
Me : I really can't give you a number right now.
Hm : ... bla.. bla.. (cites 10k lower than what recruiter told me)
Me : ... dodge dodge..
Hm : I will send this without a salary range and evaluate other candidates. I will get back to you with a number and I won't budge from that. (he starts getting serious, but still polite I guess.)
Me : You are really not leaving me any options. (bad move I guess)
Senior dev: I am leaving, you guys have a good discussion.
Hm : (closes the door)
HM : So what will it be ?
Me : ok 50
```
We exchange pleasantries and I leave the building.
So my questions are
1. Is this really normal this early in the process ? Or did I just get strong armed / he pulled a quick one on me ? I know I really can't negotiate unless I can walk away, but wanted to make the most of what they could offer me.
2. Should I have not quoted a salary then and there?
3. The strong arming that I sensed, could be an indication of a bad future there?
4. The recruitment seem company have posted 2 adverts for the same job with 5K difference, ie 55K. Am i just being too suspicious that the recruiter really doesn't have my best interest. | OP, unfortunately it seems you just negotiated poorly on this occasion.
The other person:
>
> Could I know your salary expectation ?
>
>
>
You answer:
>
> As much as I know about the job at the moment, what about 777? The recruiter mentioned a range of 666 to 888.
>
>
>
They then say:
>
> Blah blah diddy blah blah blah
>
>
>
You answer:
>
> As much as I know about the job at the moment, what about 777? The recruiter mentioned a range of 666 to 888.
>
>
>
Always have a figure ready.
Say it and say nothing else. |
130,195 | <p>I am a recent graduate in search of jobs and giving interviews.
I gave my final onsite interview with a big Financial firm on Jan. 17, 2019 for a Software Developer role. On Jan. 25 I was told that the feedback from the interview is positive and I got a compensation call from them after a week, where I was told that they will extend an offer in a week but its been like three weeks and today I got this email from them:</p>
<pre><code> We are still hopeful that we will be able move forward but
do not have an exact timeline at this point.
We are working on next steps still and will follow-up as soon as we have another update.
</code></pre>
<p>my questions are:</p>
<p>Does this infer that there is still a possibility that I dont get an offer?
What should my response be?
I was actually waiting for this job without applying to other companies. Should I start applying for other companies? </p>
<p>If this is not the right place to post this please guide me.
thank you.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 130200,
"author": "solarflare",
"author_id": 76870,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/76870",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": true,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Does this infer that there is still a possibility that I dont get an\n offer?</p>\n</block... | 2019/02/25 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/130195",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I am a recent graduate in search of jobs and giving interviews.
I gave my final onsite interview with a big Financial firm on Jan. 17, 2019 for a Software Developer role. On Jan. 25 I was told that the feedback from the interview is positive and I got a compensation call from them after a week, where I was told that they will extend an offer in a week but its been like three weeks and today I got this email from them:
```
We are still hopeful that we will be able move forward but
do not have an exact timeline at this point.
We are working on next steps still and will follow-up as soon as we have another update.
```
my questions are:
Does this infer that there is still a possibility that I dont get an offer?
What should my response be?
I was actually waiting for this job without applying to other companies. Should I start applying for other companies?
If this is not the right place to post this please guide me.
thank you. | >
> Does this infer that there is still a possibility that I dont get an
> offer?
>
>
>
Yes. It is definitely possible you may or may not get the job. They might even probably still be interviewing other candidates and don't want to lose you as an option while a decision is made. Hard to say.
>
> What should my response be?
>
>
>
A simple "thank you, I look forward to your response" type email should suffice.
>
> I was actually waiting for this job without applying to other
> companies. Should I start applying for other companies?
>
>
>
You should have been doing that anyway. |
132,822 | <p>I'm a developer tool and infrastructure engineer on a team that looks like so.</p>
<p>Job level(seniority) in the company in parenthesis</p>
<pre><code>Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Intern-1(0)
Intern-2(0)
Alice(2)/
Sam(1)/
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
Intern-3(0)
Intern-4(0)
</code></pre>
<p>A quick run down of the team. </p>
<p>I report to Bob(not an ex-developer), so does Alice. But Alice, an ex dev, has been around so long and is so well regarded that I might as well report to her. My daily standup is with her and she tracks but does not assign my deliverables.</p>
<p>Bob is extremely reasonable and evaluates everyone fairly.</p>
<p>We were recently assigned some interns and I was in charge of providing technical mentorship and guidance to 2 interns who are interested in working on the dev tools side of things.</p>
<p>I give them a good, but not outrageous, workload. They often come in around 8 and leave around 6 and get through a healthy number of tickets an I have only good things to say about them.</p>
<p>Alice's team, however, are adopting a no pain no gain approach and are really riding their interns hard. I've seen the interns on their teamwork several times into the night</p>
<p>One night I was walking out of a meeting room with Bob after a late night call and he saw the interns on Alice's team working. He stopped to chat with them and get to know them and he jokingly remarked, "Hey! Where are your interns?". The interns and Bob are now on a first name basis and get coffee together and stuff sometimes.</p>
<p>Obviously, he was joking. But I came back home and thought about it and I wondered what would happen if he took that into account when making offers to the interns. Not all the interns can be hired, we don't have the headcount. I don't want the reason the interns I mentored to not be hired to be I did not give them enough work. At the same time, I don't want them to be so overloaded that they spend weekends at the office like Alice's interns. </p>
<p>How do I put across to Bob that my interns do some cool stuff too without </p>
<ol>
<li>Directly taking a dig at Alice or her intern management</li>
<li>Presenting as tooting my own horn too much</li>
</ol>
<p>Should I just ride them hard too?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 132825,
"author": "Keith",
"author_id": 100951,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/100951",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>How do the interns feel? If they want more load, give it to them. When I interned I was happy to go home ... | 2019/03/28 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/132822",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/87777/"
] | I'm a developer tool and infrastructure engineer on a team that looks like so.
Job level(seniority) in the company in parenthesis
```
Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Intern-1(0)
Intern-2(0)
Alice(2)/
Sam(1)/
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
Intern-3(0)
Intern-4(0)
```
A quick run down of the team.
I report to Bob(not an ex-developer), so does Alice. But Alice, an ex dev, has been around so long and is so well regarded that I might as well report to her. My daily standup is with her and she tracks but does not assign my deliverables.
Bob is extremely reasonable and evaluates everyone fairly.
We were recently assigned some interns and I was in charge of providing technical mentorship and guidance to 2 interns who are interested in working on the dev tools side of things.
I give them a good, but not outrageous, workload. They often come in around 8 and leave around 6 and get through a healthy number of tickets an I have only good things to say about them.
Alice's team, however, are adopting a no pain no gain approach and are really riding their interns hard. I've seen the interns on their teamwork several times into the night
One night I was walking out of a meeting room with Bob after a late night call and he saw the interns on Alice's team working. He stopped to chat with them and get to know them and he jokingly remarked, "Hey! Where are your interns?". The interns and Bob are now on a first name basis and get coffee together and stuff sometimes.
Obviously, he was joking. But I came back home and thought about it and I wondered what would happen if he took that into account when making offers to the interns. Not all the interns can be hired, we don't have the headcount. I don't want the reason the interns I mentored to not be hired to be I did not give them enough work. At the same time, I don't want them to be so overloaded that they spend weekends at the office like Alice's interns.
How do I put across to Bob that my interns do some cool stuff too without
1. Directly taking a dig at Alice or her intern management
2. Presenting as tooting my own horn too much
Should I just ride them hard too? | >
> I don't want the reason the interns I mentored to not be hired to be I did not give them enough work.
>
>
>
I wouldn't look at it that way. Bob didn't meet Alice's interns because she assigned them too much work. He met them because it was a chance encounter. He could have very well walked by your area when her interns were all in a meeting and yours weren't.
Besides - and more importantly - if a company is rewarding/promoting/hiring purely based on who sticks around and works late into the night on a regular basis, **you may be doing your interns a favor by not getting them hired there.**
Rewarding employees who "put in the extra effort" on a too-frequent basis is often done under the guise of "rewarding dedication," but in reality, it's basically supporting bad management, and/or bad employee performance. Employees should have a *reasonable* workload which they're able to finish their tasks in their allotted hours (perhaps with occasional, infrequent exceptions).
In other words, if an employee is regularly staying that late in order to finish their work, either they're really slow (and need coaching/training/help) or they've been given too much work and not enough time to finish it (because their boss is bad at work management.) **Neither of those situations should reflect positively on the employee.**
To answer your actual question,
>
> Should I just ride them hard too?
>
>
>
**No.** You should treat them fairly and give them a reasonable workload. You should make sure you're supporting them with training or help as needed. You should make sure they're contributing to the company, but also have opportunities to learn, if possible. If you are given the opportunity to be involved in hiring decisions, you should do it on merit of their work and their ability to contribute in a sustainable manner, not based on who stayed late every night. |
132,871 | <p>I am a software developer. I will try to be as less technical as possible. I made a SOAP service for a project. This service accepts a request from a user, which is like this: </p>
<pre><code><request>
<x>123</x>
<y>456</y>
</request>
</code></pre>
<p>Now QA enters another tag in the request like below: </p>
<pre><code><request>
<x>123</x>
<y>456</y>
<z>789</z>
</request>
</code></pre>
<p>He says that the service should throw an error on this and marks it as a bug. Then he further adds repeated tags which are non-list items, then says that error should be thrown, then marks that as a bug. Then he gives String value in tags whose data type is Boolean or Number. The service does not show error on those as well so he marks it as a bug also. Last one is high priority bug and the other two bugs are marked as low priority.
The problem is, the tool which I use to generate the webservice does not handle these scenarios, however it uses JAXB for conversion. Now I shouldn't be asking questions about using JAXB in this site. Apart from that, how should I handle this situation? Are these really bugs? If not, then what should I do? Furthermore, other projects have been shipped upto production and passed UAT and SIT with this behaviour (developed by myself and other teams), but no issue was marked in their releases. Should those projects be changed as well? </p>
<p>Edit: After reading the answers, I think I should add that this service gets consumed by another third party system, after which it goes to the end user. So this third party system already accepted previous releases of this and other projects with the same scenarios. Furthermore, adding validations will also impact this third-party system and that is why it is a high risk fix (if that's even a term).
Thanks for all the answers. They are very valuable :) </p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 132876,
"author": "Keith",
"author_id": 100951,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/100951",
"pm_score": -1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Sounds like an overzealous QA tester. </p>\n\n<p>That should have been clarified during requirements gather... | 2019/03/29 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/132871",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/101718/"
] | I am a software developer. I will try to be as less technical as possible. I made a SOAP service for a project. This service accepts a request from a user, which is like this:
```
<request>
<x>123</x>
<y>456</y>
</request>
```
Now QA enters another tag in the request like below:
```
<request>
<x>123</x>
<y>456</y>
<z>789</z>
</request>
```
He says that the service should throw an error on this and marks it as a bug. Then he further adds repeated tags which are non-list items, then says that error should be thrown, then marks that as a bug. Then he gives String value in tags whose data type is Boolean or Number. The service does not show error on those as well so he marks it as a bug also. Last one is high priority bug and the other two bugs are marked as low priority.
The problem is, the tool which I use to generate the webservice does not handle these scenarios, however it uses JAXB for conversion. Now I shouldn't be asking questions about using JAXB in this site. Apart from that, how should I handle this situation? Are these really bugs? If not, then what should I do? Furthermore, other projects have been shipped upto production and passed UAT and SIT with this behaviour (developed by myself and other teams), but no issue was marked in their releases. Should those projects be changed as well?
Edit: After reading the answers, I think I should add that this service gets consumed by another third party system, after which it goes to the end user. So this third party system already accepted previous releases of this and other projects with the same scenarios. Furthermore, adding validations will also impact this third-party system and that is why it is a high risk fix (if that's even a term).
Thanks for all the answers. They are very valuable :) | As a QA tester myself, that last bug you mentioned about String values in Boolean or Number fields is absolutely a legitimate thing that probably needs to be caught and handled. Just because everyone involved KNOWS that a certain field is supposed to be a integer only won't stop some zealous computer system from forgetting to cast a decimal and send those extra digits. Nevermind some dumb user who literally writes out 'Two' in a client system that tries to cast values before sending in a SOAP payload. I'm not saying you need to cast these values on the fly, but there should probably be some failsafe so there aren't cascade failures elsewhere. I'd assume thats what the QA was really worried about.
As for the others .... eh, that is hard to say. I'm inclined to agree with Keith's answer, this QA tester was quite zealous. I'd check with your Project Manager on if you need to worry about them, but I'd assume you're probably fine. If the client and other projects know the inputs, part of their job is to actually provide the correct number of inputs.
Stack Exchange tech aside, back to Workplace
Again as a QA tester, in my experience its always better to err on the side of caution, especially starting out. Part of that learning process was I would occasionally pass up 'bugs' that turned out to either be specifically designed that way as a feature, or were a conscious design ask by the client we just got stuck with. When that happened, dev would just write back in the ticket that 'No, this is working as intended' and maybe give me a few insights into what knowledge I was lacking. I'd then re-QA the item, confirm there was no actual bug, and pass the item.
Is your QA relatively new? It could honestly just be the same thing where he is trying to learn a bit and has never used SOAP before. If your team is comfortable that these are unnecessary fixes, mention why that's so and help provide some knowledge.
Alternatively, he did flag the issues properly as 'Low Priority' meaning this isn't something critical. It could also be possible that QA is sick of seeing failures upstream with clients where silly things CAN occur and are sick of constant training. It sounds like this is everywhere since other projects have this as well, so he might just be trying to get any live ticket into the system so some enterprising dev might fix this in down time. Who knows?
You're Dev, not a PM. Fix the one bug, comment on the others, kick the tickets up the chain. If they come back down, you'll have guidance as to what to do. Good luck! |
134,079 | <p>There is a senior software developer that I'm really not sure how he got there. But the style of coding is very bad. For example he has this scattered all over the project. </p>
<pre><code>public boolean myMethod()
{
if(somethingIsTrue==true)
{
return true;
}
else
{
return false;
}
}
</code></pre>
<p>I know it's him because he has his initial with every one of them. And this is just a tip of a huge iceberg.</p>
<p>So my question is, what's the best way to deal with this situation/colleague? I'm trying my best not to offend him.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 134089,
"author": "jwenting",
"author_id": 3429,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/3429",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>That style of coding is not bad, it's just very verbose. </p>\n\n<p>Depending on the language being used it ma... | 2019/04/17 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/134079",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/89241/"
] | There is a senior software developer that I'm really not sure how he got there. But the style of coding is very bad. For example he has this scattered all over the project.
```
public boolean myMethod()
{
if(somethingIsTrue==true)
{
return true;
}
else
{
return false;
}
}
```
I know it's him because he has his initial with every one of them. And this is just a tip of a huge iceberg.
So my question is, what's the best way to deal with this situation/colleague? I'm trying my best not to offend him. | The sample provided shows that whoever wrote that piece of code **does not understand how programing works**. He does not understand basic data types and basic instructions. (PS: I created real-time embedded software for cars and for robots in the semiconductor industry for more than 15 years, so I know what I talk about)
Coding style usually refers to layout and indentation, but useless verbosity and inefficiency can also be considered "bad coding style".
That guy needs to be trained from basic level of programming, in whatever language. Otherwise, he will hurt the project (and the rest of the team) a lot.
Combined with the fact that he is a **senior** developer, there not only a red flag about this guy, but also an entire field full of red flags.
You should first talk (read note at the end) with your manager and explain the overview of the situation. **Offer to create a report** to show how the application:
* will be more expensive;
* will take a much longer development time;
* run slower;
* have more bugs;
* have more customer complaints;
* erode the morale of the team because of the mess.
Just show that this:
```
public boolean myMethod()
{
if(somethingIsTrue==true)
{
return true;
}
else
{
return false;
}
}
```
can be written as this:
```
public boolean myMethod()
{
return somethingIsTrue;
}
```
or (if data hiding is not essential) even as:
```
somethingIsTrue
```
It should be easy to understand by anybody, regardless of education, that the original is uglier.
NOTE 1: if the manager decides in favor of the colleague, then there will not be much more that you can do.
NOTE 2: I underline **"discuss", as opposed to "complain"**. The discussion should be started like along this:
>
> "Boss, I am not sure if I noticed something right. I think *(this)*, and guy X thinks *(that)*. The simplest example is *(this - have it with you, maybe a hard copy)* with the negative impact *(this)*. I need some support, in order to improve my skills, while improving the quality of our product at the same time. If the information is not enough, I can create a short list of examples, so we can discuss more to the point."
>
>
>
NOTE 3: Sometimes, the best solution is to go find another job. I have done that myself. But that is a defeat for yourself and for your career, if you do not try something else first - with decency, of course.
NOTE 4: "Installing" and then "enforcing" official coding rules is a long process in itself, and it usually leads to longer development times, and higher development costs (short time). The downsides are balanced (long term) by fewer customer complaints, less time "wasted" on debugging etc. Therefore, if there is no management support, coding rule are nothing but a beautiful dream. |
136,016 | <p>When describing the degree one has obtained or is pursuing (for example in an email signature), is there a way to include information about a minor in a cleanly abbreviated manner?</p>
<p>For example, someone who is working towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering would list their degree as <code>BSME</code>. If they were also pursuing a minor in Electrical Engineering, how would one go about listing this?</p>
<p>Furthermore, in the situation where one is still pursuing the degree and sending emails primarily to university faculty and potential employers, is it even commonplace or helpful to include this information about pursuing a minor in the signature?</p>
<p><strong>Edit:</strong> Here's my current signature format for reference. Currently I have it along with the school name and graduating year, not directly after my name.</p>
<pre><code>--
First Name Last Name
University of XYZ ’21 BSME
email | (xxx) xxx - xxxx
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 136017,
"author": "Donald",
"author_id": 593,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/593",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": true,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>When describing the degree one has obtained or is pursuing (for example in an email signature), is ... | 2019/05/03 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/136016",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/104375/"
] | When describing the degree one has obtained or is pursuing (for example in an email signature), is there a way to include information about a minor in a cleanly abbreviated manner?
For example, someone who is working towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering would list their degree as `BSME`. If they were also pursuing a minor in Electrical Engineering, how would one go about listing this?
Furthermore, in the situation where one is still pursuing the degree and sending emails primarily to university faculty and potential employers, is it even commonplace or helpful to include this information about pursuing a minor in the signature?
**Edit:** Here's my current signature format for reference. Currently I have it along with the school name and graduating year, not directly after my name.
```
--
First Name Last Name
University of XYZ ’21 BSME
email | (xxx) xxx - xxxx
``` | >
> When describing the degree one has obtained or is pursuing (for example in an email signature), is there a way to include information about a minor in a cleanly abbreviated manner?
>
>
>
B.S in Mechanical Engineering with minor in Electrical Engineering.
>
> is there a way to include information about a minor in a cleanly abbreviated manner?
>
>
>
There isn’t a universal abbreviation for a minor degree.
>
> Furthermore, in the situation where one is still pursuing the degree and sending emails primarily to university faculty and potential employers, is it even commonplace or helpful to include this information about pursuing a minor in the signature?
>
>
>
I don’t typically think listing unfinished degrees is worth while. I would only list what degrees I was pursuing on a resume. |
137,322 | <p>I am an intended Econ major who is slowly realizing he wants to pursue a career in software dev/engineering. I started programming with Python in the winter and am currently taking Harvard's CS50 as a MOOC. My school makes it nearly impossible for people who didn't start in the engineering college (where CS is housed) to transfer in, so at this point my only options short of transferring is a minor or pursuing a masters. </p>
<p>My school offers a 22 credit hour minor composed of the following:</p>
<pre><code>Computing Environments
Elements of Calc
Intro to Computing with Java
Programming Concepts with Java
Discrete Math Computer Science
C/Software Tools
Computer organization and assembly language for computer scientists
Concepts and facilities of operating systems for computer scientists
Data structures and algorithms
Software engineering (not required but I have room and would want to take it)
</code></pre>
<p>Would this, along with self teaching and projects along the way, prepare me for an entry level position and a possible career in programming, specifically software dev and engineering?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 137323,
"author": "solarflare",
"author_id": 76870,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/76870",
"pm_score": -1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>No.</p>\n\n<p>The course has done its intended aim which is to whet your appetite and give you a taste of... | 2019/05/27 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/137322",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/105108/"
] | I am an intended Econ major who is slowly realizing he wants to pursue a career in software dev/engineering. I started programming with Python in the winter and am currently taking Harvard's CS50 as a MOOC. My school makes it nearly impossible for people who didn't start in the engineering college (where CS is housed) to transfer in, so at this point my only options short of transferring is a minor or pursuing a masters.
My school offers a 22 credit hour minor composed of the following:
```
Computing Environments
Elements of Calc
Intro to Computing with Java
Programming Concepts with Java
Discrete Math Computer Science
C/Software Tools
Computer organization and assembly language for computer scientists
Concepts and facilities of operating systems for computer scientists
Data structures and algorithms
Software engineering (not required but I have room and would want to take it)
```
Would this, along with self teaching and projects along the way, prepare me for an entry level position and a possible career in programming, specifically software dev and engineering? | >
> Would this, along with self teaching and projects along the way, prepare me for an entry level position and a possible career in programming, specifically software dev and engineering?
>
>
>
Yes, entry level and a possible career.
Nobody knows for sure, some people can take a full CS degree and have years of programming experience and still fail at getting a decent programming career, while other just program a little in college and start. So if you feel ready, give it a try. |
139,801 | <p>I work as an engineer in a team structured as follows</p>
<pre><code>project manager (my manager)
└─── lead data scientist (my technical lead)
└─── me (and other engineers)
</code></pre>
<p>Unfortunately, I'm not convinced the technical lead's technical skills are up to the standard required for his job:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>his knowledge of statistics is low, and I've had to explain 1st-year-undergraduate-level material to him;</p></li>
<li><p>his coding practices are poor: he doesn't know how to use git (branches are mystery to him) and doesn't write unit tests (which would be OK if his code was perfect, I guess, but it's not);</p></li>
<li><p>he has poor machine learning practices: doesn't seem to be able to implement cross-validation correctly (even with Python's easy sklearn API), is unfamiliar with model explainability/interpretability, and does virtually no exploratory data analysis;</p></li>
<li><p>some of his visualisations would be worthy of viz.wtf. They literally make no sense, for the simple reason that he hasn't spent 5 minutes exploring/understanding the data before trying to plot it.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Working together is becoming increasingly hard and borderline unpleasant. He's very argumentative and doesn't respond well to his work being criticised / other ideas (which are sometimes necessary if we want the project to have any chance of being completed successfully).</p>
<p>This situation doesn't seem very stable.</p>
<p>In this situation, should I approach our manager and politely state my reservations about the technical lead, or is it best to just do my best and make the most of the difficult situation?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 139803,
"author": "Sourav Ghosh",
"author_id": 61983,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61983",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>First of all, remember one thing, you are not in charge of reviewing the work (pattern or habit) for the... | 2019/07/05 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/139801",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/97531/"
] | I work as an engineer in a team structured as follows
```
project manager (my manager)
└─── lead data scientist (my technical lead)
└─── me (and other engineers)
```
Unfortunately, I'm not convinced the technical lead's technical skills are up to the standard required for his job:
* his knowledge of statistics is low, and I've had to explain 1st-year-undergraduate-level material to him;
* his coding practices are poor: he doesn't know how to use git (branches are mystery to him) and doesn't write unit tests (which would be OK if his code was perfect, I guess, but it's not);
* he has poor machine learning practices: doesn't seem to be able to implement cross-validation correctly (even with Python's easy sklearn API), is unfamiliar with model explainability/interpretability, and does virtually no exploratory data analysis;
* some of his visualisations would be worthy of viz.wtf. They literally make no sense, for the simple reason that he hasn't spent 5 minutes exploring/understanding the data before trying to plot it.
Working together is becoming increasingly hard and borderline unpleasant. He's very argumentative and doesn't respond well to his work being criticised / other ideas (which are sometimes necessary if we want the project to have any chance of being completed successfully).
This situation doesn't seem very stable.
In this situation, should I approach our manager and politely state my reservations about the technical lead, or is it best to just do my best and make the most of the difficult situation? | This is a VERY VERY tricky situation and you have to be very strategic about how you do this. Before you run to any PM with your complaints you need to back everything up with proof. You need:
* dates
* Times
* Type of incident(problem committing a git branch/adding new git branch
* Summary of what was said by either party regarding any disagreements you said
* Any communications (email) between you both.
* Any witnesses to any exchanges (kind of tricky because they may not want to get involved)
No one cares about the your opinion...they only care about facts.
So make sure you can back up everything you say. Especially if your complaining to your manager's 'boss'.
Then, you have to plan of what you are going to say to the Project Manager as you cannot under any circumstances say "I think the tech lead is incompetent' it's all about framing what you say and how you say it (for you all know the PM and the TL might be friends). Schedule a 20 min meeting with the PM.
Step 1: Email
Write the PM saying *you have an issue and you would really appreciate his objective opinion it won't take long as you know he's super busy but It's a matter of importance. When are you free?*
Step 2: In the meeting
In the meeting you can say
something along the lines of:
*I am concerned about X (Tech lead). Maybe I'm a bit of worrier but I noticed that (then start presenting your evidence to establish a patter that the Tech lead isn't good at his job)*.
Then when your done say something along the lines of:
*This gives me no pleasure in saying this or by having these observations but I would rather tell you for the GOOD of the project than keep my mouth shut. What do YOU as the PM think this issue should be handled?*
Thus making this an issue for the PM to solve rather than something for you to fix. Plus it takes it from being about you to something that ensures the project moves forward smoothly.
Then when the meeting is done, write an email thanking the PM for taking the time to speak to you, then if anything goes wrong you have proof that you spoke to the PM and left it for him to handle. |
142,587 | <p>I’m a senior frontend developer. My career is going great but I feel like I'm terrible at reviewing other people's code. There’s a much higher level of complexity that I can understand when its code I've written compared to reading other people. </p>
<p>I know this is true for everyone to some extent, but not sure if I’m worse than average. I also don't know how much care other people are putting into code reviews. </p>
<p>I’m also dyslexics which makes it hard to remember lots of variable names across multiple files. Anyone else feel this way? Or has anyone else had this issue but come up with a strategy that helps? </p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 152919,
"author": "berry120",
"author_id": 57339,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/57339",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>There’s a much higher level of complexity that I can understand when it’s code Ive written c... | 2019/08/21 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/142587",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/28913/"
] | I’m a senior frontend developer. My career is going great but I feel like I'm terrible at reviewing other people's code. There’s a much higher level of complexity that I can understand when its code I've written compared to reading other people.
I know this is true for everyone to some extent, but not sure if I’m worse than average. I also don't know how much care other people are putting into code reviews.
I’m also dyslexics which makes it hard to remember lots of variable names across multiple files. Anyone else feel this way? Or has anyone else had this issue but come up with a strategy that helps? | **There's a golden rule of programming: Code is meant to be read by humans, and only incidentally executed by computers.**
If you can't read the code? Then it's bad code.
"But maybe it's because I don't have the best memory, and I have to try to..."
No. Stop. As much as I love Internal Locus of Control, and finding ways to fix issues instead of blaming others... this really is an issue of bad code, because if a human can't easily read it, it doesn't matter how well the computer can execute it. Let me give an example:
```
// Code File #1:
Declaration of some variable named execptr;
// Code File #2:
if (execptr == null)
{
startSvc();
}
```
... why is there some variable in code file #1 that's being referenced like that in Code File #2? Why is it named horribly? Why isn't the code in Code File #2 clean and self-documenting?
Compare this with:
```
// Code File #1:
Declaration of some variable named GlobalServiceInstance
// Code File #2
bool serviceInstanceIsRunning = (GlobalServiceInstance != null);
if (!serviceInstanceIsRunning)
{
StartGlobalServiceInstance();
}
```
Notice the difference? The second example, I've named the variable better, I've used a temporary variable (serviceInstanceIsRunning) to document what's going on, etc.
**Short Story: If you can't read the code, Say So!** Say, "I don't think this code is very clear - I can't tell at a glance what it's even trying to do. Can you use better variable names, better function names, etc?" |
143,779 | <p>I have been working for my employer 3+ years. </p>
<p>Current relationship: </p>
<pre> me -> employer -> vendor -> client</pre>
<p>My employer was taking major cut.<br>
So my question is how to cut the vendor out </p>
<p>Desired relationship: </p>
<pre> me -> employer -> client</pre>
<p>So:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>What will be the impact? </p></li>
<li><p>What are the ups and downs? </p></li>
<li><p>If I do that, will my client face any legal issues with the vendor? </p></li>
</ul>
| [
{
"answer_id": 143783,
"author": "rath",
"author_id": 9549,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/9549",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Read your contract carefully, or even better, pay a lawyer for one hour of her or his time and get professional ad... | 2019/09/10 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/143779",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/108746/"
] | I have been working for my employer 3+ years.
Current relationship:
```
me -> employer -> vendor -> client
```
My employer was taking major cut.
So my question is how to cut the vendor out
Desired relationship:
```
me -> employer -> client
```
So:
* What will be the impact?
* What are the ups and downs?
* If I do that, will my client face any legal issues with the vendor? | Read your contract carefully, or even better, pay a lawyer for one hour of her or his time and get professional advice. These things are usually covered in contracts, and before you do something that costs someone else money, check with a lawyer to see how much they can hurt you in return. Their fee will be a lot less than if there's a ruling against you in the future. |
147,550 | <p>Recently some co-workers were called in for a stern chat with the boss because they had expressed anger during a meeting, when the boss was out. The anger seemed reasonable. Specifically, two co-workers were shouting, not directed at anyone in the room, but at a general frustration for the boss not being there ever to listen and address their serious concerns. And they were frustrated that the other lower managers still hadn't gotten around to passing on their concerns. We later began getting memos reminding people to have a "positive attitude".</p>
<p>In US workplace culture, is expressing anger not acceptable? Is it room for a reprimand or dismissal?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 147551,
"author": "virolino",
"author_id": 98881,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/98881",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Is expressing anger prohibited in the American workplace?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Even thou... | 2019/11/05 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/147550",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/70114/"
] | Recently some co-workers were called in for a stern chat with the boss because they had expressed anger during a meeting, when the boss was out. The anger seemed reasonable. Specifically, two co-workers were shouting, not directed at anyone in the room, but at a general frustration for the boss not being there ever to listen and address their serious concerns. And they were frustrated that the other lower managers still hadn't gotten around to passing on their concerns. We later began getting memos reminding people to have a "positive attitude".
In US workplace culture, is expressing anger not acceptable? Is it room for a reprimand or dismissal? | >
> Is expressing anger prohibited in the American workplace?
>
>
>
Even though it might not be explicitly prohibited, expressing anger violently (even if only verbally) is NOT welcome in any place. Not even inside one's family. Therefore, not even "in the American workplace".
---
>
> The anger seemed reasonable. Specifically, two co-workers were shouting, not directed at anyone in the room, but at a general frustration for the boss not being there ever to listen and address their serious concerns.
>
>
>
Well, if I understand correctly, your statement is quite confusing:
1. "The anger seemed reasonable"
2. "not directed at anyone in the room, but at a general frustration"
3. "the boss not being there ever to listen and address their serious concerns"
While 1. and 2. might work together, 3. cannot fit with either of them. Why?
```
Why in the world am I frustrated?!
```
and
```
Why isn't the boss doing his job?!
```
are definitely two VERY different statements.
And I tend to believe that those colleagues did not use the first statement.
---
>
> And they were frustrated that the other lower managers still hadn't gotten around to passing on their concerns.
>
>
>
Now you actually confirm that the anger was not against the frustration, it was against the direct boss AND other bosses as well.
I think it should be useless to say that making public angered statements against your own bosses is never a good idea. Not for the current workplace, not for the future workplaces (especially if they have a chance to find out about it - and they do, if they want).
---
>
> We later began getting memos reminding people to have a "positive attitude".
>
>
>
Well, I am telling you the same thing, and many other people would tell you the same. While it feels good for the moment to let out some steam, that steam will turn back and burn you later.
So the sensible conclusion is that
```
The anger seemed reasonable.
```
is a false statement, and the anger was not reasonable at all.
---
It is always better to solve the things with (apparent) calm, even if it might be (very) difficult.
To reach a "place" from where one can deal with such situations better, one needs to actually make an active effort to study and to train for this purpose.
A few ideas:
* reading some books dealing with [**anger management**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anger_management), [**conflict prevention and resolution**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_resolution), [**transactional analysis**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analysis), etc.;
* attending some trainings / seminars on the said topics;
* asking for some private help from a coach / trainer / psychologist / therapist / ... of one's choice.
---
US is a country with a highly diverse mix of cultural backgrounds, as diverse as the ethnicities of the people living there. To make things more complicated, the US had a rather tumultuous history, and that deeply influenced how people think and act.
As a result, they make use of a wide array of rules of "good behavior", and because there are so many cultures mixed, these rules do not always work, and sometimes these rules do not even seem to make sense. Not for an "outsider", at least.
---
From my point of view, the bottom line is:
* the US is the way it is; if you want to be there, accept their culture; [**when in Rome, do as the Romans do**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_in_Rome,_do_as_the_Romans_do);
* violence (even if only verbal) is NEVER the best answer, in any situation, in any place; much better results are possible if things are dealt with (apparent) calm.
---
A note: please do not confuse the following two aspects:
1. showing one's feelings (including anger);
2. being (verbally or otherwise) violent, as a result of the feeling (anger).
While 1. is acceptable and even recommended, 2. is definitely not. All my answer above relates to 2.
Showing the feeling without acting on it means to let the feeling be visible on your face and body, and make a verbal statement about it (e.g. "Now I am very angry!") in a controlled voice.
Screaming (angered or happy), jumping around, breaking things, shaking colleagues - is definitely NOT the better way.
From [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteria):
>
> The term *hysterical*, applied to an **individual**, can mean that they are emotional or **irrationally** upset
>
>
>
where the keyword is "irrational". Being irrational cannot be acceptable in a civilized society. |
147,901 | <p>I have a disagreement with my boss to do with asserting floating point values in unit tests. It seems to me that he does not have a real understanding of the problem.</p>
<p>His position: Tests should always assert exact values. His reasoning: code under test should always return the same value with same inputs, so a tolerance it not necessary.</p>
<p>My position:
Imagine this test:</p>
<pre><code>@IsTest
static void passes() {
Double a1 = 0.1;
Double a2 = 0.2;
Double a3 = a1+a2;
System.assertEquals(0.30000000000000004, a3);
}
</code></pre>
<p>Clearly the assertion is mathematically wrong, but the test passes anyway because of floating point inaccuracy. The above simple example clearly proves to me that my position is correct, yet my boss will simply not accept it.</p>
<p>How can I convince him? </p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 147903,
"author": "Sourav Ghosh",
"author_id": 61983,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61983",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<h2>Show, Don't tell.</h2>\n\n<p>Come up with different set of test cases, one according to your logic and ... | 2019/11/12 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/147901",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/22614/"
] | I have a disagreement with my boss to do with asserting floating point values in unit tests. It seems to me that he does not have a real understanding of the problem.
His position: Tests should always assert exact values. His reasoning: code under test should always return the same value with same inputs, so a tolerance it not necessary.
My position:
Imagine this test:
```
@IsTest
static void passes() {
Double a1 = 0.1;
Double a2 = 0.2;
Double a3 = a1+a2;
System.assertEquals(0.30000000000000004, a3);
}
```
Clearly the assertion is mathematically wrong, but the test passes anyway because of floating point inaccuracy. The above simple example clearly proves to me that my position is correct, yet my boss will simply not accept it.
How can I convince him? | Your test does not prove your boss is wrong. Also, for some applications I've worked with, regression on the level of numerical accuracy is unacceptable, I once worked with assertion based on file hashes (where tolerance made no sense), and I've even seen people use "tolerance" to claim a failing test was passing (I'm unsure if the person was oblivious to this fact, or if it was a deliberate measure to show progress).
So, unless more information is provided, I would side with your boss in this discussion.
Nonetheless, it seems like both of you might have a communication problem, which can be addressed by making sure both of you can answer the following questions:
1. How often and how much extra work for you is it to not use a tolerance?
2. Can you actually find tolerance values that you know will continue appropriate in the future?
3. Wouldn't that be extra work as well?
4. Are there other parts of the code where indeed a tolerance isn't simply "unnecessary" but actually "unacceptable"?
When I say "both of you", I mean at least: Can you answer these questions and justify "why" your answer is? Have your boss heard you explaining these questions? Can you tell what would he answer for these questions and what is his reasoning? Can you understand his reasoning?
Often people think someone else "is just wrong", when actually they've failed to understand this someone else. And even if he/she is wrong, unless you understand the person's reasoning, you won't be able to point out actual mistakes (*"oh you thought we only worked with double precision? Some tests use an emulated hardware with fixed point precision, so the same code yields different results in different tests"*) or misconceptions (*"Oh, you thought it was easier for me not to not use a tolerance? Actually I'm having more work due to not using it..."*). |
148,227 | <p>I was sent a technical test by a potential employer that was impossible to complete. The test contained invalid code under a "Do not change this code" comment. In addition, the web page had glaring issues and refused my answers for one of the other questions.</p>
<p>I have scoured the documentation of the C language and I am certain, beyond any doubt in my mind or that of any peers I have consulted, that the test sent to me was invalid and impossible.</p>
<p>I sent these concerns and after being ignored, I followed up and was met with "Other candidates passed the test successfully; you were the only one that had issues". They have excluded me from moving forward as a result.</p>
<p>I don't know what to do here. It is driving me crazy, because I am so fundamentally certain that it is impossible, but "somehow" other candidates did the test. My request to see a solution that worked and followed the outline of the test was not acknowledged. I just want some closure, and I don't care about the job anymore.</p>
<p>I'm mainly looking for a way to understand how another candidate completed this, when it is in fact impossible (I'm happy to cite documentation to prove that fact). I have been losing sleep over this, because I simply cannot wrap my mind around it.</p>
<p><strong>I feel like I need closure, but the employer is not explaining this test result to me.</strong></p>
<p><strong>What are good ways to learn from this and move on?</strong></p>
<p>For those interested, the code was (in C):</p>
<pre><code>void functionToWrite(int[] a){
//your code here
}
int main(){
//DO NOT CHANGE THIS CODE
int a[];
a = gets(stdin);
functionToWrite(a);
}
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 148228,
"author": "sf02",
"author_id": 93810,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>I don't know what to do here. It is driving me crazy</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Your best course o... | 2019/11/18 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/148227",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/94267/"
] | I was sent a technical test by a potential employer that was impossible to complete. The test contained invalid code under a "Do not change this code" comment. In addition, the web page had glaring issues and refused my answers for one of the other questions.
I have scoured the documentation of the C language and I am certain, beyond any doubt in my mind or that of any peers I have consulted, that the test sent to me was invalid and impossible.
I sent these concerns and after being ignored, I followed up and was met with "Other candidates passed the test successfully; you were the only one that had issues". They have excluded me from moving forward as a result.
I don't know what to do here. It is driving me crazy, because I am so fundamentally certain that it is impossible, but "somehow" other candidates did the test. My request to see a solution that worked and followed the outline of the test was not acknowledged. I just want some closure, and I don't care about the job anymore.
I'm mainly looking for a way to understand how another candidate completed this, when it is in fact impossible (I'm happy to cite documentation to prove that fact). I have been losing sleep over this, because I simply cannot wrap my mind around it.
**I feel like I need closure, but the employer is not explaining this test result to me.**
**What are good ways to learn from this and move on?**
For those interested, the code was (in C):
```
void functionToWrite(int[] a){
//your code here
}
int main(){
//DO NOT CHANGE THIS CODE
int a[];
a = gets(stdin);
functionToWrite(a);
}
``` | You said,
>
> I don't know what to do here
>
>
>
The best thing to do is probably to move on. Focus your mental and emotional energy on other opportunities.
Either:
* The employer is right - the test is not impossible, and you just screwed it up. But if that's the case, following up won't really get you anywhere, because they've clearly passed you over at this point.
* The employer is wrong - the test *is* actually impossible. Even if you prove them wrong, they're not going to suddenly change their mind and decide to hire you.
In other words, pressing them for an answer **doesn't change the outcome.** And, ultimately, **job searches are about outcomes.** There's really no point in trying to *make a point* and nothing to really be gained from any goal other than either getting a job, or not getting a job.
You also said,
>
> I just want some closure, I don't care about the job anymore
>
>
>
The thing is - as harsh as this may sound - the employer is in the business of filling their vacancy, not granting closure to a random person who they didn't select. Job searches are about filling positions, not about feeling good. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can move on.
If you're worried about potentially missing an opportunity to learn something about how to do the test, or the technical skills required to pass tests, you'd probably be better off in self-directed studies (or enroll in classes or training) versus getting hung up on one single employer's questionable test. And if you really are truly hung up on the actual technical question in the test, and you feel like you need to resolve the technical issues in the question, you would probably be better served working out your frustration in a way that doesn't involve the employer (write a blog post about it, ask questions on a technical forum, etc). |
148,634 | <p>I received an informal offer from a software company which included 0 hours of PTO. I countered the offer and was promised 10 days (80 hours) of PTO. With this apparent "signing bonus" as the deciding factor I accepted the offer.</p>
<p>Here is the verbatim verbiage of the contract with regard to PTO:</p>
<pre><code>The following benefits are offered after 30+ days of employment:
- (several list items)
- up to 9 paid Holidays
- 10 days paid vacation/personal time
</code></pre>
<p>Several months into the employment I'm now being told, of the 80 hours I was promised, I have only accrued ~28. I understand that accrual of PTO is a common practice, but having received a formal offer of 80 hours (with no stipulations on how that time could be used) I am quite upset and considering suing for breach of contract. HR admitted via email that the only place I could have seen their accrual policy was in the Employee Handbook which they are aware that I did not have access to.</p>
<p>Is this an acceptable business practice?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 148635,
"author": "Tymoteusz Paul",
"author_id": 66740,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/66740",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>Legalities aside, as I don't think you want to go that route to solve this anyway.</p>\n\n<p>I understa... | 2019/11/25 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/148634",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/38341/"
] | I received an informal offer from a software company which included 0 hours of PTO. I countered the offer and was promised 10 days (80 hours) of PTO. With this apparent "signing bonus" as the deciding factor I accepted the offer.
Here is the verbatim verbiage of the contract with regard to PTO:
```
The following benefits are offered after 30+ days of employment:
- (several list items)
- up to 9 paid Holidays
- 10 days paid vacation/personal time
```
Several months into the employment I'm now being told, of the 80 hours I was promised, I have only accrued ~28. I understand that accrual of PTO is a common practice, but having received a formal offer of 80 hours (with no stipulations on how that time could be used) I am quite upset and considering suing for breach of contract. HR admitted via email that the only place I could have seen their accrual policy was in the Employee Handbook which they are aware that I did not have access to.
Is this an acceptable business practice? | Legalities aside, as I don't think you want to go that route to solve this anyway.
I understand that you are surprised by the fact that PTO accrues, they probably are as surprised by your surprise, as this is fairly normal thing in tech in many modern countries (US, UK, and Australia from my own experience). But is that actually a problem for you?
What I mean by that is that as long as by end of the year you will get the number of holidays you thought you will get (meaning 10 more than they initially offered) then it's a non-issue for you right now.
It can become one if you want to take a larger holiday than your currently accrued cap. But I have been in this spot myself few times, and so did my friends, and this was never a big deal, and a chat with your manager and HR always allowed taking the holiday which took you into PTO deficit.
This, of course, comes with the caveat that if you were to leave the company before you re-earn the PTO, you will be liable to repay the company money for the deficit. |
148,928 | <p>I usually say something like</p>
<pre><code>Hi,
Any update on xyz?
Thanks.
</code></pre>
<p>Is this good enough to use for professional emails?</p>
<p>I'm talking about sending email to people/department in a completely different company not within the same office.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 148941,
"author": "berry120",
"author_id": 57339,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/57339",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>tl;dr - If you don't want to escalate beyond the CTO, then be proactive about doing all you can to make the ... | 2019/11/30 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/148928",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/112305/"
] | I usually say something like
```
Hi,
Any update on xyz?
Thanks.
```
Is this good enough to use for professional emails?
I'm talking about sending email to people/department in a completely different company not within the same office. | **This is office politics, stay away from it.**
Clearly something is going on and you don't know what it is. It doesn't sound like there is anything to get for you by escalating it - especially as a contractor. Write your concerns to the PM to cover yourself against later blaming, but leave it at that.
**The CTO**
I'm assuming that the information actually made it to the CTO. So he is holding back information. There could be reasons why he is doing it: he's taking a risk to get the project funded because the board doesn't understand the benefit or he will save the money through other ways or he is just not good at his job. The increased budget cannot be hidden forever, so you will find out the reason at some time anyway.
While skipping one or two levels, when something is going wrong, might be a good idea, ignoring the whole management chain up to the top will have unknown consequences. For example the project might be stopped immediately and you don't have a job anymore.
**The Chief Architect**
That's a minor issue. CTOs in bigger companies often don't have time to get involved in projects personally, therefore they have somebody who makes sure the right information is presented with the right level of detail to save time for the CTO. Normally this person would be a personal assistant, but maybe that company isn't big enough yet and therefore the Chief Architect has to handle this additional task. |
149,615 | <p>I am a developer and I was recently promoted so I am doing significantly more code reviews now. Part of that includes doing code reviews on Github with people who are either not very competent or lack any programming skills at all. </p>
<p>For example, there is a person who seems to write code almost randomly, without verifying that it works, and doesn't seem to understand even the difference between <code>()</code> and <code>{}</code> in JavaScript. </p>
<p>For some other developers, I have to comment very frequently which sounds like I am picking on them, for example:</p>
<pre><code>var CountryCode = "1787";
if (CountryCode && CountryCode.length) {
this.setState({...this.state
countryCode: "1787"
}
</code></pre>
<p>For this, my comments would be:</p>
<ul>
<li>use <code>const</code> instead of <code>var</code></li>
<li>indent this and that line with 2/4/6 spaces</li>
<li>variable you created is unused</li>
<li>some conditions are not needed</li>
<li>use single quotes instead of double quotes, for consistency
and so on</li>
<li>1787 is not a country code, should be 1</li>
</ul>
<p>I was trying to mitigate this by using <code>tslint</code> but they don't run it. </p>
<p>There is an extra weird dynamic that I am the only white male in the development team, so it feels extremely strange to pick on minority colleagues and appear hostile to them.</p>
<p>I was trying to co-opt other developers by letting them do code reviews or answers questions from less skilled colleagues, but they keep coming to me. </p>
<p>I am quite hopeless about what to do, but I have been at this company for only 7 months so it would look weird on my resume if I leave.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 149617,
"author": "sf02",
"author_id": 93810,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>How to do code reviews to people whose programming skills are weak?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>You... | 2019/12/11 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/149615",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/112683/"
] | I am a developer and I was recently promoted so I am doing significantly more code reviews now. Part of that includes doing code reviews on Github with people who are either not very competent or lack any programming skills at all.
For example, there is a person who seems to write code almost randomly, without verifying that it works, and doesn't seem to understand even the difference between `()` and `{}` in JavaScript.
For some other developers, I have to comment very frequently which sounds like I am picking on them, for example:
```
var CountryCode = "1787";
if (CountryCode && CountryCode.length) {
this.setState({...this.state
countryCode: "1787"
}
```
For this, my comments would be:
* use `const` instead of `var`
* indent this and that line with 2/4/6 spaces
* variable you created is unused
* some conditions are not needed
* use single quotes instead of double quotes, for consistency
and so on
* 1787 is not a country code, should be 1
I was trying to mitigate this by using `tslint` but they don't run it.
There is an extra weird dynamic that I am the only white male in the development team, so it feels extremely strange to pick on minority colleagues and appear hostile to them.
I was trying to co-opt other developers by letting them do code reviews or answers questions from less skilled colleagues, but they keep coming to me.
I am quite hopeless about what to do, but I have been at this company for only 7 months so it would look weird on my resume if I leave. | One thing I did when I became lead was to create a best practices and coding standards document. I included everything right down to naming conventions for variables, objects, and procedures.
Code reviews are useless unless, and until, a well documented set of best practices and procedures have been established.
THIS
>
> * use const instead of var
> * indent this and that line with 2/4/6 spaces
> * variable you created is unused
> * some conditions are not needed
> * use single quotes instead of double quotes, for consistency and so on
> * 1787 is not a country code, should be 1
>
>
>
Could be THIS
>
> As per our best practices, I've noted the following
>
>
> * use const instead of var **(see page 5)**
> * indent this and that line with 2/4/6 spaces **(see page 32 on indents)**
> * variable you created is unused **(see page 15 on variable usage)**
> * some conditions are not needed **(See page 27)**
> * use single quotes instead of double quotes, for consistency and so on **(page 11, code consistency)**
> * 1787 is not a country code, should be 1
>
>
>
Having set standards also eliminates your concerns about any perceived biases. So long as you are consistent, maintain high standards for yourself as well, and have set standards and expectations, you should be fine.
Another point, raise by Rhayene: If the entire code base is not yet at the point it should be, increase the set of rules in planned stages over time, to bring everyone under the same standards. You will probably get less pushback that way. |
150,010 | <p>On my annual review with my employer, I was offered a decent amount of raise initially(5k), but turned out, they did the math wrong when calculating my current salary. So a week later I had a second conversation to clarify, and I was told it was a mistake and the raise is only half (2.5k). Few employees left the firm lately and I was taking up more responsibilities. When brought up, I was told they really appreciate my extra work but that's what the budget allows to give me 2.5k raise.</p>
<p>The employer is known to be cheapskate. So I didn't push further, but there was an awkward silence from both sides during the conversation. They can't afford another 2.5k, seriously? Should I re-negotiate or just ignore and start looking elsewhere? </p>
<p>Mere appreciation for the extra work doesn't help paying bills buddy. That's what I really wanted to tell my employer.</p>
<pre><code>UPDATE
</code></pre>
<p>It was a mistake on the salary. The person in charge of the accounting messed up and passed in wrong number as my current salary. (2.5k less) So it turned out the final number was 5k on top of current salary, when it was only 2.5k. It would be the right thing to do by honoring your initial offer, unless you are really a cheapstake which they are. So they came back apologizing multiple times for the screw up instead of honoring the amount. </p>
<p>I get raise yearly, so the number is just the norm, but considering the extra work being done for compensating for the ex employees, I was expecting a higher raise.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 150011,
"author": "sf02",
"author_id": 93810,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": true,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Should I re-negotiate or just ignore and start looking elsewhere?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>You ha... | 2019/12/17 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/150010",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/108739/"
] | On my annual review with my employer, I was offered a decent amount of raise initially(5k), but turned out, they did the math wrong when calculating my current salary. So a week later I had a second conversation to clarify, and I was told it was a mistake and the raise is only half (2.5k). Few employees left the firm lately and I was taking up more responsibilities. When brought up, I was told they really appreciate my extra work but that's what the budget allows to give me 2.5k raise.
The employer is known to be cheapskate. So I didn't push further, but there was an awkward silence from both sides during the conversation. They can't afford another 2.5k, seriously? Should I re-negotiate or just ignore and start looking elsewhere?
Mere appreciation for the extra work doesn't help paying bills buddy. That's what I really wanted to tell my employer.
```
UPDATE
```
It was a mistake on the salary. The person in charge of the accounting messed up and passed in wrong number as my current salary. (2.5k less) So it turned out the final number was 5k on top of current salary, when it was only 2.5k. It would be the right thing to do by honoring your initial offer, unless you are really a cheapstake which they are. So they came back apologizing multiple times for the screw up instead of honoring the amount.
I get raise yearly, so the number is just the norm, but considering the extra work being done for compensating for the ex employees, I was expecting a higher raise. | >
> Should I re-negotiate or just ignore and start looking elsewhere?
>
>
>
You have this to consider:
* You were given extra responsibilities but told there is not enough budget to properly compensate you
* The company incorrectly calculated your salary ( don't mess with an employee's money )
* Your employer is known to be cheap.
You can try to re-negotiate, but given the above information it doesn't seem likely that you will get very far. If you are not compensated what you feel you deserve and your current company cannot ( or will not ) compensate you then it is time to start looking elsewhere. |
150,716 | <p>The scope is the same of what was discussed <a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/148588/how-to-leverage-my-coworkers-departure-into-a-raise-there-are-only-two-people">here</a> but with different circumstances: my head was fired and replaced by a colleague of mine.</p>
<p>Is it wise during a salary raise negotiation to mitigate possible discussions about company's economy problems by arguing about the salary originally planned for the dismissed head ? My point would be that the head was planned of course to stay in the company and withstand as well the economy problems, so now since nobody else will be hired to replace him (my colleague took physically his place), that salary represents a saving for the company and enough to raise my colleague's salary and mine (in the intended proportions of course).</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 150718,
"author": "aaaaa says reinstate Monica",
"author_id": 45298,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/45298",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>That is a bad idea. </p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>mitigate possible discussions about compan... | 2020/01/04 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/150716",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/110739/"
] | The scope is the same of what was discussed [here](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/148588/how-to-leverage-my-coworkers-departure-into-a-raise-there-are-only-two-people) but with different circumstances: my head was fired and replaced by a colleague of mine.
Is it wise during a salary raise negotiation to mitigate possible discussions about company's economy problems by arguing about the salary originally planned for the dismissed head ? My point would be that the head was planned of course to stay in the company and withstand as well the economy problems, so now since nobody else will be hired to replace him (my colleague took physically his place), that salary represents a saving for the company and enough to raise my colleague's salary and mine (in the intended proportions of course). | That is a bad idea.
>
> mitigate possible discussions about company's economy problems
>
>
>
The discussion will not be `We don't have enough money to give you a raise`. What they are trying to say is:
```
You are not worth as much as you think you are
```
Money is not abstract, it is relative to the value. If your company doesn't value you at the level you think you worth, they won't find money.
What you are proposing is something like "Give me more money and fire X because they suck at their job" or "Let's switch to cheaper toilet paper and give me more money". How do you think that will go? |
151,573 | <p>I need to ask someone to provide knowledge and insight around autoscaling in AWS. I am unsure of the best way to ask for this help.</p>
<p>The goal is to get enough information about this process so that I can build some documentation for the team and teach them how to do this. </p>
<p>She is the only person who knows how our company does this and she has not yet developed any documentation around her process.</p>
<p>I don't really know the person I'm asking for help from. I am new to the company and she is in a remote office.</p>
<p>I wrote this email, but haven't sent it yet:</p>
<pre><code>Hi Barbara,
I’ve been asked to do some KT for the team regarding the autoscaling process in AWS. I need to build some documentation around that process and help get the team up to speed on that process.
Anything you can share that will help us build some knowledge about how we are implementing autoscaling in AWS would be extremely helpful!
Thanks,
Ken
</code></pre>
<p>I'd appreciate any advice anyone would have on the best way to phrase this.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 151567,
"author": "Stephan Branczyk",
"author_id": 14577,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14577",
"pm_score": 7,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>Actually, nothing is preventing you from sending an email saying:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Hey Bob, this... | 2020/01/20 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/151573",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/53196/"
] | I need to ask someone to provide knowledge and insight around autoscaling in AWS. I am unsure of the best way to ask for this help.
The goal is to get enough information about this process so that I can build some documentation for the team and teach them how to do this.
She is the only person who knows how our company does this and she has not yet developed any documentation around her process.
I don't really know the person I'm asking for help from. I am new to the company and she is in a remote office.
I wrote this email, but haven't sent it yet:
```
Hi Barbara,
I’ve been asked to do some KT for the team regarding the autoscaling process in AWS. I need to build some documentation around that process and help get the team up to speed on that process.
Anything you can share that will help us build some knowledge about how we are implementing autoscaling in AWS would be extremely helpful!
Thanks,
Ken
```
I'd appreciate any advice anyone would have on the best way to phrase this. | Actually, nothing is preventing you from sending an email saying:
>
> Hey Bob, this project is becoming more urgent for our team.
>
>
> Could you guys please commit to a date for us?
>
>
>
And maybe you could give the other team a quick phone call as well in addition to the email.
Then, if they send a date back, you quickly forward it to your boss, and you tell him as well in case he doesn't see the message in time.
Of course, it's possible that you'll be too late, or that the other team responds too slowly. Sometimes, there are just too many variables out of your control.
PS: Thanks to [ObscureOwl](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/111679/obscureowl) for finding the better turn of phrase. |
151,970 | <p>An odd situation has been arising at work, specifically within the team I'm on, and I wanted to ask about it here to see if anyone's been in a similar situation.</p>
<p><strong>People:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>BigBoss - Team head</li>
<li>ExBoss - Self-explanatory</li>
<li>Sr - Senior dev</li>
<li>Sr2 - Other senior dev</li>
<li>PM - Current boss</li>
</ul>
<p>Long story short, I was working under ExBoss for nearly a year. It was a pretty toxic relationship (e.g. there was condescension, depression about going into work, etc), but for the past 3 months I worked under Sr2---it was like night and day and we got along swimmingly. It seems that the rest of the team got the sense that ExBoss was being a dick and PM was made my manager instead.</p>
<p>I received a request from PM to revamp an existing project. Soon after, I received wind that ExBoss didn't want me to touch the project at all:</p>
<pre><code>BigBoss: I think Bodrov should work on X.
Sr, Sr2, PM: Agreed.
</code></pre>
<pre><code>(separate conversation):
Sr: (blah blah) Bodrov should work on X.
ExBoss: Absolutely not.
</code></pre>
<p>The Sr reported back to the rest of the team and they were pretty shocked that ExBoss was adamant about me not touching it, especially since they see it as a great learning opportunity.</p>
<p>The Sr dev then told me that the plan was for <em>him</em> to work on the project, but I'd really be the one making the changes. Either that, or the PM would take ownership so that ExBoss wouldn't have a say in it at all.</p>
<hr>
<p>Could this backfire in a way that I least expect?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 151971,
"author": "DarkCygnus",
"author_id": 73791,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73791",
"pm_score": 6,
"selected": true,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Have any of you been in a similar situation? Essentially what they want to do is go behind ... | 2020/01/27 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/151970",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/100090/"
] | An odd situation has been arising at work, specifically within the team I'm on, and I wanted to ask about it here to see if anyone's been in a similar situation.
**People:**
* BigBoss - Team head
* ExBoss - Self-explanatory
* Sr - Senior dev
* Sr2 - Other senior dev
* PM - Current boss
Long story short, I was working under ExBoss for nearly a year. It was a pretty toxic relationship (e.g. there was condescension, depression about going into work, etc), but for the past 3 months I worked under Sr2---it was like night and day and we got along swimmingly. It seems that the rest of the team got the sense that ExBoss was being a dick and PM was made my manager instead.
I received a request from PM to revamp an existing project. Soon after, I received wind that ExBoss didn't want me to touch the project at all:
```
BigBoss: I think Bodrov should work on X.
Sr, Sr2, PM: Agreed.
```
```
(separate conversation):
Sr: (blah blah) Bodrov should work on X.
ExBoss: Absolutely not.
```
The Sr reported back to the rest of the team and they were pretty shocked that ExBoss was adamant about me not touching it, especially since they see it as a great learning opportunity.
The Sr dev then told me that the plan was for *him* to work on the project, but I'd really be the one making the changes. Either that, or the PM would take ownership so that ExBoss wouldn't have a say in it at all.
---
Could this backfire in a way that I least expect? | >
> Have any of you been in a similar situation? Essentially what they want to do is go behind my ExBoss's back...not that I care about that, but what I don't want is for this to potentially backfire.
>
>
>
As this person is not your boss or manager anymore, you should not do what they say, and instead carry on the tasks assigned by your current manager.
There is no "going behind my ExBoss's back" as that person is not your boss anymore.
This could backfire if you decide not to follow your actual boss's indications.
If ExBoss directly says to you not to work on something, politely redirect them to your PM, so they can process this request and take action on it. |
152,846 | <p>I have a friend and they got a job a few weeks ago. The job is 100% commission, but there is a $15 per hour training pay for 6 weeks in the form of a draw against future commissions.</p>
<p>Two weeks in, management forgot to pay the first check, then called and got very squirrely about the pay. The manager told my friend, "X salesperson only took one draw", expecting my friend to do the same. It was a subtle warning, but was played off without denying it would actually be paid, and they did say they would pay the first, but it seemed to be implied that my friend really should not try to go the full 6 weeks on the training pay.</p>
<p>The implication was as though they really did not want to pay the draw in the first place. After all, it's a 100% commission position, and the company is set up so that they don't really have to pay it in the long run since it is only a "draw" that will be taken out of future commissions.</p>
<p>What is more disconcerting is that my friend then received an email the next day asking them to sign a document which is revised to include clauses like "there is no guarantee of the draws" and "commission is not guaranteed". Here is the exact wording:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Compensation is all commission based and no certain payout is guaranteed
<br>...<br>
If you are receiving draws, you are not guaranteed a draw. Should your employment be terminated (either voluntarily or involuntarily)
prior to the end of a pay period, you will forfeit all draws.
<br>...<br>
Should your employment be terminated (either voluntarily or involuntarily), you will forfeit all pre-commissions and commissions for jobs
that are not completed and paid in full at the time of termination.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On the other hand, the original document had said this:</p>
<pre><code>We will provide $15/hr in training pay, per pay period, as a draw against
your commission, for a maximum of 6 weeks. It will be paid back from your commission, from no more than 50% of your commission, until paid back
in full. If your employment should be terminated prior to paying back the draws, you will receive a 1099 as nonemployee compensation with no
withholdings applied.
</code></pre>
<p>These are red flags, because in the offer letter it said explicitly, "you will receive training pay for a maximum of 6 weeks of $15 per hour" and there was nothing about commission "not being guaranteed".</p>
<p>However, the job does seem to be a good job because the owner is really friendly and seems to be a good person. They also talk about how they never don't pay their employees, and that the first check was due to admin error for the new employee and was issued to be picked up on Monday. </p>
<p>But for all the talk about never not paying employees, these this are concerning.</p>
<p>How should I advise my friend in this situation? Should they sign the document? It seems like this company is promising training pay, but not really. Is that ethical? Is it legal? Is it normal or odd? What would you do?</p>
<p>Do you think companies should be promising 6 weeks of training pay when a couple weeks in they will pressure the new employee not to take any more draws?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 152850,
"author": "Stephan Branczyk",
"author_id": 14577,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14577",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": true,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>However, the job does seem to be a good job because the owner is\n really friendly a... | 2020/02/09 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/152846",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/114433/"
] | I have a friend and they got a job a few weeks ago. The job is 100% commission, but there is a $15 per hour training pay for 6 weeks in the form of a draw against future commissions.
Two weeks in, management forgot to pay the first check, then called and got very squirrely about the pay. The manager told my friend, "X salesperson only took one draw", expecting my friend to do the same. It was a subtle warning, but was played off without denying it would actually be paid, and they did say they would pay the first, but it seemed to be implied that my friend really should not try to go the full 6 weeks on the training pay.
The implication was as though they really did not want to pay the draw in the first place. After all, it's a 100% commission position, and the company is set up so that they don't really have to pay it in the long run since it is only a "draw" that will be taken out of future commissions.
What is more disconcerting is that my friend then received an email the next day asking them to sign a document which is revised to include clauses like "there is no guarantee of the draws" and "commission is not guaranteed". Here is the exact wording:
>
> Compensation is all commission based and no certain payout is guaranteed
>
> ...
>
> If you are receiving draws, you are not guaranteed a draw. Should your employment be terminated (either voluntarily or involuntarily)
> prior to the end of a pay period, you will forfeit all draws.
>
> ...
>
> Should your employment be terminated (either voluntarily or involuntarily), you will forfeit all pre-commissions and commissions for jobs
> that are not completed and paid in full at the time of termination.
>
>
>
On the other hand, the original document had said this:
```
We will provide $15/hr in training pay, per pay period, as a draw against
your commission, for a maximum of 6 weeks. It will be paid back from your commission, from no more than 50% of your commission, until paid back
in full. If your employment should be terminated prior to paying back the draws, you will receive a 1099 as nonemployee compensation with no
withholdings applied.
```
These are red flags, because in the offer letter it said explicitly, "you will receive training pay for a maximum of 6 weeks of $15 per hour" and there was nothing about commission "not being guaranteed".
However, the job does seem to be a good job because the owner is really friendly and seems to be a good person. They also talk about how they never don't pay their employees, and that the first check was due to admin error for the new employee and was issued to be picked up on Monday.
But for all the talk about never not paying employees, these this are concerning.
How should I advise my friend in this situation? Should they sign the document? It seems like this company is promising training pay, but not really. Is that ethical? Is it legal? Is it normal or odd? What would you do?
Do you think companies should be promising 6 weeks of training pay when a couple weeks in they will pressure the new employee not to take any more draws? | >
> However, the job does seem to be a good job because the owner is
> really friendly and seems to be a good person.
>
>
>
No, that's not the sign of a good job. That's the sign of a good salesman.
I think your friend shouldn't sign anything and should look for another job. Anything else would be better than this.
He should also contact the Department of Labor for his State and ask for advice. Most likely, they'll recover his back wages for him.
They promised him pay during the training. They're not paying him. He can no longer continue to train because he's not getting paid. And without completing the training, he can't earn his commission.
It's not his fault his employer isn't following through and is trying to alter the terms of the contract midway through.
As a rule of thumb, he should stay away from employers that only pay sales commission and not even a base salary.
He should also stay away from any employer that suddenly wants to adversely alter the original contract after 2 weeks of training. If he signs that piece of paper. It will progressively get worse over time. Two weeks later, his employer might demand that he starts buying his own inventory. Two weeks after that, it will be the commission percentage that will be revised down.
Trust me on this one. I've seen it before. It's just the beginning. The owner most likely has excellent charisma and probably promised him the world, but this is starting to look like a predatory business. |
153,260 | <p>I have been working on a self-employed contract for almost 12 months. When I started, they offered me a 'pro-rata salary' of £37k. </p>
<p>They asked to be billed by the day, and naively I just did </p>
<pre><code>37,000 / 12 / 4.3 (avg weeks per month) / 5 = 143.41
</code></pre>
<p>However, I've realised that there's a few things wrong with this approach. </p>
<p>Employees don't work every single day. Typically they get:</p>
<ul>
<li>28 days paid holiday</li>
<li>On average 5 days paid sick leave (according to this <a href="https://practicebusiness.co.uk/sick-days-how-many-is-too-many/" rel="noreferrer">source</a>.</li>
<li>8 bank holidays off</li>
<li>Employers national insurance paid for them (currently roughly 14% about £8.6k) as a freelancer I have to pay this</li>
<li>Pension (typically an extra 5%) - again I have to pay this myself.</li>
<li>Payroll done for them - I have to pay an accountant for this.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>My question is: which of these things is it reasonable for me to account for in calculating my day rate?</strong> </p>
<p>And also, how would you suggest re-negotiating based on this?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 153261,
"author": "gnasher729",
"author_id": 16101,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/16101",
"pm_score": -1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>As a rule of thumb, the annual salary should be 120-150 daily rates. If your annual salary is £37,000 the... | 2020/02/17 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/153260",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/114675/"
] | I have been working on a self-employed contract for almost 12 months. When I started, they offered me a 'pro-rata salary' of £37k.
They asked to be billed by the day, and naively I just did
```
37,000 / 12 / 4.3 (avg weeks per month) / 5 = 143.41
```
However, I've realised that there's a few things wrong with this approach.
Employees don't work every single day. Typically they get:
* 28 days paid holiday
* On average 5 days paid sick leave (according to this [source](https://practicebusiness.co.uk/sick-days-how-many-is-too-many/).
* 8 bank holidays off
* Employers national insurance paid for them (currently roughly 14% about £8.6k) as a freelancer I have to pay this
* Pension (typically an extra 5%) - again I have to pay this myself.
* Payroll done for them - I have to pay an accountant for this.
**My question is: which of these things is it reasonable for me to account for in calculating my day rate?**
And also, how would you suggest re-negotiating based on this? | >
> which of these things is it reasonable for me to account for in calculating my day rate?
>
>
>
All of them, plus the biggie - at the end of the contract they won't have to pay you any redundancy money. As a contractor, you need to factor in the time it'll take to find the next contract, which could be a month or two every six months.
All these things mean that contractor rates are 2 to 2.5 times permanent rates.
>
> how would you suggest re-negotiating based on this?
>
>
>
Start by looking at other contracts in your area. Call the agents if you're not sure. Negotiation is much easier when you can just ask for the market rate, and have a good alternative if they say no (i.e. you could take one of the other contracts instead). |
153,623 | <p>My line manager was promoted from within so he has pretty good knowledge of the systems but lately (last six months or so) we've noticed that he seems to pick the most interesting tasks for himself.</p>
<p>The most annoying thing is that they almost never appear in the backlog and never in the sprint, he just does them and shows them to the team. Sometimes this has required either direct to production stuff (not customer facing features but obviously risky nonetheless) or a bypass of company policies in other ways, always explained in the interest of expediency</p>
<p>After the third or fourth time this happened one of the team members called him out on it but in a rather lighthearted and jokey manner, something like:</p>
<pre><code>Hey you always do the cool stuff, maybe I should get my own team so I can do cool stuff too
</code></pre>
<p>This was received extremely badly, which makes wonder what is the best approach to raise this.</p>
<p>I want to raise it as there are a couple of interesting pieces of work that I'd like to do but I might not get even the chance given what's happened.</p>
<p>I can raise it with my line manager's line manager but I feel that this the nuclear option, which I'd rather avoid.</p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 153639,
"author": "O. Jones",
"author_id": 15811,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/15811",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>Been there, messed that up. Got past it.</p>\n\n<p>This unfortunately is very common when high-energy \"indiv... | 2020/02/22 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/153623",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/70078/"
] | My line manager was promoted from within so he has pretty good knowledge of the systems but lately (last six months or so) we've noticed that he seems to pick the most interesting tasks for himself.
The most annoying thing is that they almost never appear in the backlog and never in the sprint, he just does them and shows them to the team. Sometimes this has required either direct to production stuff (not customer facing features but obviously risky nonetheless) or a bypass of company policies in other ways, always explained in the interest of expediency
After the third or fourth time this happened one of the team members called him out on it but in a rather lighthearted and jokey manner, something like:
```
Hey you always do the cool stuff, maybe I should get my own team so I can do cool stuff too
```
This was received extremely badly, which makes wonder what is the best approach to raise this.
I want to raise it as there are a couple of interesting pieces of work that I'd like to do but I might not get even the chance given what's happened.
I can raise it with my line manager's line manager but I feel that this the nuclear option, which I'd rather avoid.
Any ideas? | Been there, messed that up. Got past it.
This unfortunately is very common when high-energy "individual contributors" take on supervisory roles. When I made these mistakes, it was because.
1. I believed I could do the work faster than I could explain it.
2. I was sure that my solution would be better than anybody else's.
3. The new job put a lot of pressure on me and I retreated to my comfort zone rather than facing up to the challenges of the new job.
4. I didn't really understand how different the new job was from my old job. Training for new supervisors? What's that?
Guilty on all charges. And, I was dreadfully insecure about it all. It was unpleasant for the people who worked for me.
Hindsight is wonderful, eh?
Your problem is this: the new supervisor is denying you the chance to do interesting work. And, he's not challenging his team to work together to solve problems. Instead, he's subverting your planning system so some of the problems get solved as if by magic. It's demotivating.
The business's problem is this: your team isn't performing to capacity, isn't growing in technical capability, and is having some morale problems.
If your manager asked me for advice, I would go all Yoda on him and say in a pompous voice, **"the only way you can do enough is by doing nothing."** In other words, treat the people who work for you as if they're much smarter than you. (And, BTW, only hire people who are smarter than you.) For your first year in the job, give the work you like the best to other people to do, to build their skill and confidence. Supervisors succeed when their teams succeed and fail when their teams fail.
But you're the one asking for advice. There's no magic formula to address this. Here are some suggestions.
**First**, try to see things from the new supervisor's point of view if you possibly can. He's obviously concerned about the problem or he wouldn't have overreacted to your co-worker's snarky remark. He could use a bit of empathy right about now.
**Second**, if you decide to intervene, first put aside any resentments you have about his behavior. Make it about business, not personalities. The point is to have a rational conversation.
**Third**, ask for a personal and private conversation. In that conversation, speak only for yourself. Ask him to give you the responsibility you want. If he asks why, say something about how you're committed to giving your professional best to the company, and challenging work helps you do that.
You could speak for the team if you had permission from all the team members. But getting that permission would require talking about the new boss behind his back. It's very hard to do that and keep everything at a professional level.
**Fourth**, if you want to bring up his working around your team scheduling setup, use the classic approach. Name the unwanted behavior. State its effect on you. Ask for a change. Use a real example. Something like this.
>
> Boss, when you pushed stuff to production last night without telling us, It made me feel like I was wasting my time planning the next release. Is there any way you can loop me and my co-workers in on that kind of change in future?
>
>
>
One more thing: don't expect him to smack his forehead and say, "you're right, I'm wrong, I will change my ways." It takes time for people to absorb this kind of input. |
159,183 | <p>My Bachelors is in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) but after university, I'd like to work purely in the software industry.</p>
<p>Every company that I aspire to work for almost always has this section:</p>
<pre><code>Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field
...
</code></pre>
<p>For example, here is a screenshot from the Amazon Careers page for a Software Development Engineer role.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/jnEsx.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/jnEsx.png" alt="transcription below" /></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>BASIC QUALIFICATIONS</p>
<ul>
<li>Programming experience with at least one modern language such as Java, C++, or C# including object-oriented design</li>
<li>Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science of related field.</li>
<li>4+ years experience in building successful production software systems.</li>
<li>Proficiency in at least one modern programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>So am I eligible to apply for these companies? Is Electronics and Communication Enginnering (ECE) a "related field" as per most software companies' requirements?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 159184,
"author": "EJoshuaS - Stand with Ukraine",
"author_id": 61906,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61906",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>This will likely depend on the job and the company (and even the specific hiring team). ... | 2020/06/12 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/159183",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/105136/"
] | My Bachelors is in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) but after university, I'd like to work purely in the software industry.
Every company that I aspire to work for almost always has this section:
```
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field
...
```
For example, here is a screenshot from the Amazon Careers page for a Software Development Engineer role.
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/jnEsx.png)
>
> BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
>
>
> * Programming experience with at least one modern language such as Java, C++, or C# including object-oriented design
> * Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science of related field.
> * 4+ years experience in building successful production software systems.
> * Proficiency in at least one modern programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java
>
>
>
So am I eligible to apply for these companies? Is Electronics and Communication Enginnering (ECE) a "related field" as per most software companies' requirements? | This will likely depend on the job and the company (and even the specific hiring team). I can tell you that I've known several programmers who had degrees in electrical engineering, so many employers will likely consider it related.
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure is to apply - if they don't think it's related enough, they'll just reject you.
With that said, I'd make sure that you're *extremely* well-prepared for the technical interview. It could also help a lot if you had some kind of certificates. |
162,430 | <p>I apologize if the title is confusing. I recently graduated from college and am now looking for jobs. So I have been job hunting and looking into different job positions. Sometimes, I have some questions about the position and want to send an email to clarify some confusions. Now some companies do provide such email, for example XXXXXXXXjobacquisition@company.com. Since I am not sure who will be receiving the email(HR, hiring manager etc). How would I address the receiver in such email?</p>
<pre><code>Dear team?
Dear <company name>?
</code></pre>
<p>I am also a foreign student, so any detailed explanation is appreciated.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 162431,
"author": "sf02",
"author_id": 93810,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>The standard way to professionally address an unknown recipient is with:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>To whom it may con... | 2020/08/05 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/162430",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/82950/"
] | I apologize if the title is confusing. I recently graduated from college and am now looking for jobs. So I have been job hunting and looking into different job positions. Sometimes, I have some questions about the position and want to send an email to clarify some confusions. Now some companies do provide such email, for example XXXXXXXXjobacquisition@company.com. Since I am not sure who will be receiving the email(HR, hiring manager etc). How would I address the receiver in such email?
```
Dear team?
Dear <company name>?
```
I am also a foreign student, so any detailed explanation is appreciated. | The standard way to professionally address an unknown recipient is with:
>
> To whom it may concern
>
>
>
Of course, you should always attempt to determine the name of the person receiving the email. That way, you can send a more personalized email. |
164,632 | <p>I’m a software engineer and the most experienced within our team. My code has been labelled as “complex” and “hard”, by both my junior colleagues and (vicariously) my manager.</p>
<p>My code is “complex” because it’s well engineered. It’s like that for many good reasons, which make it easier to read, refactor, test and maintain. In my opinion — at the risk of getting defensive about it — it’s actually <em>easier</em> to work with than the piles of spaghetti that my colleagues churn out. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it could be better, but I’m effectively being criticised for doing an objectively good job.</p>
<p>I’m not “gatekeeper-y” about it either. Whenever my colleagues ask for help to understand why I’ve done something a certain way, I happily explain and attempt to do so in a constructive, patient way. (e.g., I’m not dismissive and take the time to understand their point of view so I can get them from A to B.) Sometimes I don’t have time for this — I have work to do, too — but I’m never rude and always try to make time when I can. Failing that, my code is generally well commented and documented, so if all else fails, my colleagues have the means to help themselves.</p>
<p>Until I pointed out that the techniques I use are best practice and there for a reason, it was even suggested that I “dumb down” my code! To be honest, I’m actually quite upset about all this. What else can I do?</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>EDIT</strong> I’m beginning to regret writing:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>My code is “complex” because it’s well engineered.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>...as it seems to be being universally interpreted as arrogance. I can see why, but I wasn’t trying to be arrogant nor closed-minded. The scare quotes are important in that sentence and I can justify my assertion with evidence, but that isn’t relevant to my question. Rather, I had hoped my narrative about going to lengths to help juniors understand exemplified this.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 164633,
"author": "Kate Gregory",
"author_id": 102,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/102",
"pm_score": 8,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>I did a series of talks on what makes code simple and readable. There is no absolute answer. Much depends on ... | 2020/10/03 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/164632",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I’m a software engineer and the most experienced within our team. My code has been labelled as “complex” and “hard”, by both my junior colleagues and (vicariously) my manager.
My code is “complex” because it’s well engineered. It’s like that for many good reasons, which make it easier to read, refactor, test and maintain. In my opinion — at the risk of getting defensive about it — it’s actually *easier* to work with than the piles of spaghetti that my colleagues churn out. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it could be better, but I’m effectively being criticised for doing an objectively good job.
I’m not “gatekeeper-y” about it either. Whenever my colleagues ask for help to understand why I’ve done something a certain way, I happily explain and attempt to do so in a constructive, patient way. (e.g., I’m not dismissive and take the time to understand their point of view so I can get them from A to B.) Sometimes I don’t have time for this — I have work to do, too — but I’m never rude and always try to make time when I can. Failing that, my code is generally well commented and documented, so if all else fails, my colleagues have the means to help themselves.
Until I pointed out that the techniques I use are best practice and there for a reason, it was even suggested that I “dumb down” my code! To be honest, I’m actually quite upset about all this. What else can I do?
---
**EDIT** I’m beginning to regret writing:
>
> My code is “complex” because it’s well engineered.
>
>
>
...as it seems to be being universally interpreted as arrogance. I can see why, but I wasn’t trying to be arrogant nor closed-minded. The scare quotes are important in that sentence and I can justify my assertion with evidence, but that isn’t relevant to my question. Rather, I had hoped my narrative about going to lengths to help juniors understand exemplified this. | I did a series of talks on what makes code simple and readable. There is no absolute answer. Much depends on the vocabulary the reader brings. Take for example:
```
bool retval;
if (x > 0)
{
retval = true;
}
else
{
retval = false;
}
return retval;
```
Compare this to
```
return (x>0);
```
To the complete beginners it's possible the first seems simpler, more straightforward, more readable. It's actually super error prone and hard to read. The most important thing (what controls whether this returns true or false) is surrounded in a sea of much less important things. A person could accidentally set `retval` to `true` in both places, or `false` in both places, or return an unrelated variable that happens to be kicking around. I can explain at great length why the single line is, in my expert opinion, simpler and more readable.
None of that will help a junior who is not used to boolean expressions and has little or no experience writing in whatever language you're using. Thus, you have a problem. The solution to your problem is not to say "well, whatever, I know my way is better, these developers are just not good enough to know that." You've been told to write differently, and you don't want to, so you're going to need to get them up to the level you need them at.
There are lots of ways to do this, but a nice one is to pair on refactoring (or even to mob) every once in a while. Say on a Wednesday afternoon. Find a piece of code you find hard to read, decide how you would make it better, and then walk them through it. Point out things like "if you change the tax rate, you'll have to edit here, here, and here. I want to make it so that we don't ever change just two of the three places." Walk them through why it's better to do X than Y. Focus repeatedly on the benefits. For example, in a typical C++ `for` loop there are SO MANY places to make a mistake: did you start at 0, are you checking the right end-condition (`<` vs `<=`), are you incrementing properly, etc etc. If you use a range-based `for`, much of this falls away and you can't get it wrong. If you want to touch every element of the collection, the range-based `for` is just flat out easier. **Be nice** - start with "this code works, and the tests all pass. It's not broken. I want to show you how to adjust it so that it's more maintainable." (Or whatever.)
I expect you'll be working at a higher level than replacing verbose if/else statements and using modern loops, but you can take a similar approach to whatever abstractions and patterns you're using in your code that people can't understand on sight. Show them how to transform their code into something that has benefits like being easier to modify, or more clearly expressing intent, or whatever. Where you can, prepare resources where obvious experts say to do it your way. (For example, in C++, you could cite the [C++ Core Guidelines](https://isocpp.github.io/CppCoreGuidelines/CppCoreGuidelines), co-authored by the inventor of the language and the convenor of the [standards committee](https://isocpp.org/std/the-committee).) Teach them the vocabulary that you're using in your code and they will be able to read it -- and eventually to produce it.
When you teach juniors how to write better code, you not only make your day-to-day life easier, you make the world better. But stay focused on the first part, your day-to-day life. Get them up to speed and you won't have to spend time wading through their spaghetti code, or arguing about whether your stuff is too complex. You'll save time overall, and instead of being seen as a grumpy over-engineering fan who writes things no-one else can read, you'll been seen as a generous teacher who lifted your coworkers skill level dramatically. |
166,396 | <p>After lot of browsing in websites how to cope up with something i have witnessed lately decided to give it a shot on this forum to may be guide in my best ways:-</p>
<p>I am a database administrator for over 10 years in the industry now. I have been in this new firm for last years and this year was crucial as I was nominated for a promotion based on all the stuff i have delivered over last 4 years:</p>
<p>All the peers supported and were expecting me to get the promotion but as per the first round, people from higher authorities in management took my interview and declared me as 8-5 job person no matter how i hard them explain about my achievements over the call.</p>
<p>It was a shocker to my manager as well and we discussed to get a one to one discussion with MD of the company who finally decides. Promotion for this year is anyways gone and asked to focus for next year:-</p>
<p>Here are few questions:-</p>
<p>What questions should I be asking the person at that authority and at big position?</p>
<p>How should I go about discussing the efforts i gave over 4 years which is visible to so many of my peers and have been supporting just ruled out by the group who just showed up on interview day?</p>
<p>I got disappointed with the feedback of 8-5 majorly and not because it got rejected. I understand the things it goes in cooperate world but how should i now start a healthy conversation with the MD so that it does create a negative impression after all this hard work?</p>
<p>Edit - I am expanding that 8-5 comments as mentioned: Per the group there was nothing extra-ordinary i have done which has helped firm saved lot of money, new features or my work which shows that I can actually be a leader.</p>
<p>Also what i explained to that group- May be it sounded more technical and not sure how to portrait this- In 4 years i did lots of automation which has helped people in moving from XL reporting to say fancy visual of PowerBI. Great database performance recommendations which has helped an application struggling or bending on its knees since last year to a situation where its almost 6 months and it has been running smooth. Have conducted training and brain storming sessions etc.</p>
<p>Please advise, thank you!</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 166408,
"author": "Mikesplace",
"author_id": 121801,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/121801",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>If other people got promoted, they may have provided more business value than you above their salary. Y... | 2020/10/31 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/166396",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/122271/"
] | After lot of browsing in websites how to cope up with something i have witnessed lately decided to give it a shot on this forum to may be guide in my best ways:-
I am a database administrator for over 10 years in the industry now. I have been in this new firm for last years and this year was crucial as I was nominated for a promotion based on all the stuff i have delivered over last 4 years:
All the peers supported and were expecting me to get the promotion but as per the first round, people from higher authorities in management took my interview and declared me as 8-5 job person no matter how i hard them explain about my achievements over the call.
It was a shocker to my manager as well and we discussed to get a one to one discussion with MD of the company who finally decides. Promotion for this year is anyways gone and asked to focus for next year:-
Here are few questions:-
What questions should I be asking the person at that authority and at big position?
How should I go about discussing the efforts i gave over 4 years which is visible to so many of my peers and have been supporting just ruled out by the group who just showed up on interview day?
I got disappointed with the feedback of 8-5 majorly and not because it got rejected. I understand the things it goes in cooperate world but how should i now start a healthy conversation with the MD so that it does create a negative impression after all this hard work?
Edit - I am expanding that 8-5 comments as mentioned: Per the group there was nothing extra-ordinary i have done which has helped firm saved lot of money, new features or my work which shows that I can actually be a leader.
Also what i explained to that group- May be it sounded more technical and not sure how to portrait this- In 4 years i did lots of automation which has helped people in moving from XL reporting to say fancy visual of PowerBI. Great database performance recommendations which has helped an application struggling or bending on its knees since last year to a situation where its almost 6 months and it has been running smooth. Have conducted training and brain storming sessions etc.
Please advise, thank you! | The key phrase, as you noticed, was "8-5 job person". This phrase explains everything.
In any corporate organization, the nature of the work can be divided into two camps.
1. **Line Work**: Bringing in the money, customers, or designing and determining the product "lines" of the business. The people who do this are sometimes called "rain-makers"
2. **Cost-center Work**: Support for the line work. The people in cost-centers perform the functions needed to sustain line work, but don't perform the actual line work. An IT person (unless the org supplies IT services) is very much in the Cost-Center camp.
You can think of the Line work vs Cost-center work as a quotient where Line work provides value and cost-center work is a cost. so...
```
value
-----
cost
```
It's reductive to think this way, but that's how many business people see the two types of work. They want to "maximize" the numerator and "minimize" the denominator. If you happen to be in the denominator, you're constantly facing an impulse to reduce costs, reduce head-count, to do things faster and cheaper. If you're in the numerator, you're constantly facing pressure to bring in more, find new markets, new revenue streams, more customers.
There's a strong incentive to reward line work, because it's seen as direct way to encourage "bringing home the bacon". As such, bonuses and raises are easy to justify to money people because the ROI is obvious.
On the other hand, cost-center work like IT is seen as a target for cuts and outsourcing. If you do your job "too well", you can easily precipitate the termination of co-workers because "they're not needed" and your reward is more work. Raises/bonuses are seen as a necessary evil to keep you from jumping ship at the worst possible time.
If staying in the org and getting promoted is important to you, I think it's important to frame any argument for your raise/promotion in terms of "bottom-line" financial vocabulary and your market value. That's what they understand. That's why they see you as an 8-5 worker and not a rain-maker. Alternatively, you might be happier in a place where your services are the line work of the business. |
167,856 | <p>I'm part of small organization and this more or less represents my position in the org structure in my part of the company</p>
<pre><code>Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Alice(2)/
Sam(1.5)/
Person1/
.
.
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
Intern-1(0)
</code></pre>
<p>Because Alice's team are the devs and I am an internal tools and infra guy I am not in Alice team but report to Bob, but Alice is something like my dotted line boss. She tracks my deliverables and I attend her team's meetings</p>
<p>Recently, our office took part in some holiday activities. One of which was a gift game that has gained popularity in recent years, called "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant_gift_exchange" rel="noreferrer">White Elephant</a>". (Think secret santa but as a game - at the end everyone has a gift and you need to send the gift you contribute to the person who won it).</p>
<p>The key difference is that this game was played remotely, and the people that are to exchange gifts are to sort the delivery by themselves.</p>
<p>One of my colleagues was off this week, which also happened to be the last week of an intern he was mentoring. So I was unofficially (asked to by the colleague who was away) to help his intern with any issues while he was away. The intern expressed a desire to participate in the White Elephant game. I told him that as an intern he had no obligation to participate or buy anything, and even if he did I asked to keep it small considering he was just a kid.</p>
<p>However after seeing the 20-40$ gifts others were planning to buy he went ahead bought a 40$ gift. After the game was over another senior colleague of mine, say Sam, decided not actually follow through with the gift he was supposed to buy. The recipient of Sam's gift was supposed to be the intern and of the intern's gift was supposed to be Sam. Sam doesn't seem to care that he's breaking the rules of the game and he just blew off the whole idea without a thought and is going about his day, eventhough he just got a 40$ gift from the intern!</p>
<p>The intern never got his gift and I feel terrible about it, also I don't think it's right what Sam is doing. However how do you even complain about something like this? I don't want to create office drama and I have half a mind to just buy the intern something.</p>
<p>But I'm also worried that doing so would make Sam look bad and he might take offense to it. I am also unsure if I should approach him to make him see why what he did is wrong. I also don't know if I should talk to Alice or Bob about it and risk talking about something that could be construed as silly to someone's manager.</p>
<p>How do I do right by the intern?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 167858,
"author": "DarkCygnus",
"author_id": 73791,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73791",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n<p>But I'm also worried that doing so would make Sam look bad and he might take offense to it.<... | 2020/12/16 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/167856",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/87777/"
] | I'm part of small organization and this more or less represents my position in the org structure in my part of the company
```
Bob(3)/
Me(1)/
Alice(2)/
Sam(1.5)/
Person1/
.
.
John(1)/
James(1)/
Joe(1)/
Intern-1(0)
```
Because Alice's team are the devs and I am an internal tools and infra guy I am not in Alice team but report to Bob, but Alice is something like my dotted line boss. She tracks my deliverables and I attend her team's meetings
Recently, our office took part in some holiday activities. One of which was a gift game that has gained popularity in recent years, called "[White Elephant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant_gift_exchange)". (Think secret santa but as a game - at the end everyone has a gift and you need to send the gift you contribute to the person who won it).
The key difference is that this game was played remotely, and the people that are to exchange gifts are to sort the delivery by themselves.
One of my colleagues was off this week, which also happened to be the last week of an intern he was mentoring. So I was unofficially (asked to by the colleague who was away) to help his intern with any issues while he was away. The intern expressed a desire to participate in the White Elephant game. I told him that as an intern he had no obligation to participate or buy anything, and even if he did I asked to keep it small considering he was just a kid.
However after seeing the 20-40$ gifts others were planning to buy he went ahead bought a 40$ gift. After the game was over another senior colleague of mine, say Sam, decided not actually follow through with the gift he was supposed to buy. The recipient of Sam's gift was supposed to be the intern and of the intern's gift was supposed to be Sam. Sam doesn't seem to care that he's breaking the rules of the game and he just blew off the whole idea without a thought and is going about his day, eventhough he just got a 40$ gift from the intern!
The intern never got his gift and I feel terrible about it, also I don't think it's right what Sam is doing. However how do you even complain about something like this? I don't want to create office drama and I have half a mind to just buy the intern something.
But I'm also worried that doing so would make Sam look bad and he might take offense to it. I am also unsure if I should approach him to make him see why what he did is wrong. I also don't know if I should talk to Alice or Bob about it and risk talking about something that could be construed as silly to someone's manager.
How do I do right by the intern? | >
> But I'm also worried that doing so would make Sam look bad and he might take offense to it.
>
>
>
The truth is that **Sam already made himself look bad** by not abiding to the game rules and dynamic in general, and by leaving a intern without a gift while taking the gift from the intern... talk about Christmas spirit huh...
Based on your description of what happened, seems that the intern told you about this personally. **Given that you are covering for your coworker who actually supervises the intern, I would suggest that you make him aware of this situation ASAP.** This person (Joe?) will then have to decide what to do with this information. **If Joe is not available in any way, then you should tell about this to Alice**, whom will then decide how to handle this.
I'd also suggest to tell the Intern to give their address to Sam, regardless that they haven't asked for it. If this is not done then Sam will have an excuse for not having sent the gift.
>
> I am also unsure if I should approach him to make him see why what he did is wrong. I also don't know if I should talk to Alice or Bob about it and risk talking about something that could be construed as silly to someone's manager.
>
>
>
Based on the diagram you drew, seems you are *not* Sam's manager, so technically it's not your job to manage him or to approach him to talk. That should be up to Alice to handle.
Also, I would not suggest escalating this to Bob, unless you are willing to take the consequences (creating "drama", damaging your relationship with Sam, doing Alice's job unsolicited, etc.).
Finally, even though what you intend to do and your reaction to this situation is quite understandable and kind from your part, you are in no obligation to buy the intern a gift... If you want to do it, or you want to buy this intern a coffee or something "in compensation", go for it, you'll surely make this intern's day and perhaps mend Sam's fault. |
169,175 | <p>I am a software developer planning to apply for full-time jobs in Germany and nearby countries in Europe. I understand the importance of cover letter in a job application but I struggle with abstract thinking. I can write well but I need a structure - set of specific questions to be addressed by a cover letter. Kind of like writing for an examination- pointwise answers :D</p>
<p>Hence this is my question to an HR person, a Hiring manager or people whose job/experience is to screen cover letter for software developer jobs in Germany ( or in Europe). <strong>I want to know what specific questions' answers you look for when you read any cover letter</strong>. Appreciate your help. Thanks :)</p>
<p>My profile :</p>
<pre><code>Master Student: In Progress
Work Experience: 6 years
Language: English
</code></pre>
<p>Please let me know if you need more info.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 169177,
"author": "JW at Flavia",
"author_id": 114978,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/114978",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Not necessarily complete, but you want to:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Convey contact details.</li>\n<li>Show that ... | 2021/02/02 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/169175",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/122465/"
] | I am a software developer planning to apply for full-time jobs in Germany and nearby countries in Europe. I understand the importance of cover letter in a job application but I struggle with abstract thinking. I can write well but I need a structure - set of specific questions to be addressed by a cover letter. Kind of like writing for an examination- pointwise answers :D
Hence this is my question to an HR person, a Hiring manager or people whose job/experience is to screen cover letter for software developer jobs in Germany ( or in Europe). **I want to know what specific questions' answers you look for when you read any cover letter**. Appreciate your help. Thanks :)
My profile :
```
Master Student: In Progress
Work Experience: 6 years
Language: English
```
Please let me know if you need more info. | Not necessarily complete, but you want to:
1. Convey contact details.
2. Show that you can write a formal letter without fucking up formalities (which you will do implicitly by writing it).
3. If you had prior communication, mention it: "thank you for our wonderful conversation when we met at xyz.". Same if you have a contact within the company who has recommended you (or the company).
4. Give *them* a (key-)reason why they want to hire you. This can be explicit ("Due to my my experience in xyz, I will be a perfect fit for...") or implicit (by them noticing what a gem you are, or by writing a cover-letter that fits any unusual company-culture they might have).
5. Mention why you are interested in them. Give them the feeling that you will stay with them even if a competitor offers you a few bucks more one day.
6. Mention anything special that you need to convey. In your case that might be that you are looking for a position/team/teamlead that provides you with clear requirements and structure (frame that nicely and positive, though).
7. Show that you can keep it short. Write to much, and the person having to read all of it will already be annoyed with you. |
169,480 | <p>I am working in a 3-5 people startup & the way my employer calculates the salary is a new way which I have never seen before. He basically first removes the weekends (Sat & Sun) from the month and then divides the salary by the remaining working days.</p>
<pre><code>For example in Jan 2021 there were total of 31 days. So,
Weekends in Jan 2021 = 10 (5 Saturdays & 5 Sundays)
Remaining working days = 21
Lets say the monthly salary is 10,000. So 10000 / 21 = 476 per day.
</code></pre>
<p>Is this a correct way of calculating salary? What are some downside of this way for the month of Feb or generally? Thanks :)</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 169481,
"author": "neubert",
"author_id": 9236,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/9236",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>One unintended consequence: sometimes you need to submit paycheck stubs as proof of income. Like some apartment... | 2021/02/12 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/169480",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124202/"
] | I am working in a 3-5 people startup & the way my employer calculates the salary is a new way which I have never seen before. He basically first removes the weekends (Sat & Sun) from the month and then divides the salary by the remaining working days.
```
For example in Jan 2021 there were total of 31 days. So,
Weekends in Jan 2021 = 10 (5 Saturdays & 5 Sundays)
Remaining working days = 21
Lets say the monthly salary is 10,000. So 10000 / 21 = 476 per day.
```
Is this a correct way of calculating salary? What are some downside of this way for the month of Feb or generally? Thanks :) | It's unusual, but ordinarily has no effect: your monthly salary is fixed at 10000, and you get that regular amount each month, and pay the same amount of deductions (tax, insurance, pension...) each month.
It **may well** have a bearing on overtime payments. Four hours' overtime in January would be 0.5 × 476 on your calculation in the question. In February 2021, there are 20 working days which works out at 500 per day and four hours' overtime is 0.5 × 500. In March, there are 23 working days and the daily rate is lower than January. (So, actually, February is the month which definitely doesn't have a downside here!)
It **almost certainly will** have an effect for unpaid leave. An unpaid day in January will cost you 476; an unpaid day in February will cost 500. A day in March is worth 434. February does have a downside here.
The employers I've worked for have set an annual salary which is simply divided by 12 for monthly payments or 13 for four-weekly payments. The **annual** rate is then divided by a notional number of working days in a **year** (365 − 104 = 261) to get a daily rate, and the hourly rate which is used for overtime is 5 × (daily-rate) ÷ (weekly hours). Because the notional number of working days is close to the actual number, the calculated daily rate is reasonable, and it doesn't vary through the year. It makes calculations easy for everyone. |
169,657 | <p><strong>Backstory</strong></p>
<p>I started as an intern in this company during my 3rd year of university. I then continued with a work-study period of 2 years before joining the company at the end of my studies. It has been 5 years now. I worked alone for 4 years, then we hired another developer at the end of his studies. Last year, we hired a 3rd developer, at the end of his studies. There are 15 employees in the company, with 3 developers.</p>
<p>My job title is "Full Stack Developer" and I am doing the job of a tech lead. I defined a DevOps workflow with Jenkins to deploy what we implement in our private nuget packages repo and our private docker repo, sends. I design the software that we work on, plan the implementation, manage the team and works on the packaging and deployment. Clients contact us using Jira or a specific email address that creates issues in Jira.</p>
<p>However, if I am being honest with myself, I am really bad at managing and planning. I rarely achieved my goals in time. I can't properly estimate deadlines and I rarely meet my deadlines.</p>
<p>When I broached the issue with my boss, he hired contractors to support me, with whom I work a few hours a week. To numb my conscience, he gave me a generous increase (+ 25%), to prevent me from deserting the company. It felt nice for a year but I feel like I haven't progressed. On the contrary, I get impression that I am falling behind. I'm almost 28 years old, but I still feel like a Junior.</p>
<p><strong>How I found out</strong></p>
<p>I wasn't always honest with myself but I kind of felt this. When a company reached to me I accepted their offer to work with them part time just to see how things would go. At the end of the trial period, they told me 2 things: they greatly appreciated my work and the quality of what I produce, but the missed deadlines are a red flag and enough of a reason to stop. Which is normal I guess. The problem is that I have the feeling that until I work for a project manager or someone who will manage in my place, I will never be able to improve on this point.</p>
<p><strong>The hesitation</strong></p>
<p>I have a good salary, but I honestly think that I am under-qualified for it. However, I don't know if I should accept to lose almost 30% of my income to correct the trajectory of my career or if I should "fake it until I make it". Also, I am married and a father, so reducing my income will impact the quality of life of my daughter.</p>
<p>I feel lost and I am scared. What do you think? What would you do in my place?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 169659,
"author": "anotherdave",
"author_id": 25746,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/25746",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n<p>When I broached the issue with my boss, he hired contractors to support me, with whom I wor... | 2021/02/18 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/169657",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124303/"
] | **Backstory**
I started as an intern in this company during my 3rd year of university. I then continued with a work-study period of 2 years before joining the company at the end of my studies. It has been 5 years now. I worked alone for 4 years, then we hired another developer at the end of his studies. Last year, we hired a 3rd developer, at the end of his studies. There are 15 employees in the company, with 3 developers.
My job title is "Full Stack Developer" and I am doing the job of a tech lead. I defined a DevOps workflow with Jenkins to deploy what we implement in our private nuget packages repo and our private docker repo, sends. I design the software that we work on, plan the implementation, manage the team and works on the packaging and deployment. Clients contact us using Jira or a specific email address that creates issues in Jira.
However, if I am being honest with myself, I am really bad at managing and planning. I rarely achieved my goals in time. I can't properly estimate deadlines and I rarely meet my deadlines.
When I broached the issue with my boss, he hired contractors to support me, with whom I work a few hours a week. To numb my conscience, he gave me a generous increase (+ 25%), to prevent me from deserting the company. It felt nice for a year but I feel like I haven't progressed. On the contrary, I get impression that I am falling behind. I'm almost 28 years old, but I still feel like a Junior.
**How I found out**
I wasn't always honest with myself but I kind of felt this. When a company reached to me I accepted their offer to work with them part time just to see how things would go. At the end of the trial period, they told me 2 things: they greatly appreciated my work and the quality of what I produce, but the missed deadlines are a red flag and enough of a reason to stop. Which is normal I guess. The problem is that I have the feeling that until I work for a project manager or someone who will manage in my place, I will never be able to improve on this point.
**The hesitation**
I have a good salary, but I honestly think that I am under-qualified for it. However, I don't know if I should accept to lose almost 30% of my income to correct the trajectory of my career or if I should "fake it until I make it". Also, I am married and a father, so reducing my income will impact the quality of life of my daughter.
I feel lost and I am scared. What do you think? What would you do in my place? | Is there a culture on the "business" side of the company demanding or expecting estimates to be small?
I know I've worked at a place where there was a lot of pressure for smaller estimated times, and it only caused a larger gap between estimated completion times and actual completion times.
Plan
====
What I do now (as an independent contractor) is take a feature, break it down into very small steps (about half hour to several hour chunks). Breaking tasks down into as many small tasks as possible will generate much more accurate estimates and will give you more tasks to explain why a feature will take long to your boss.
Make sure to include research and planning/re-planning time (people often forget those). The more uncertainty there is or the more research needs to be done, the larger the estimate must be padded. Also make sure to add items for unit testing, cross browser testing, documentation, deployment, demos, code review, a task for changes that may need to be done after completion (look at how long change requests usually take and apply it to this feature), management, meetings/communication, etc.
I use a personal wiki / outliner software called zim-wiki (similar to Evernote/Onenote/Notion/Obsidian/etc) and create an outline of tasks and subtasks multiple levels deep. I start the outline by copying/pasting a checklist template with common tasks like the above that I often forget to include. This is in addition to project management software like JIRA and is your personal plan for a JIRA task (you can add the outline or a summary of it to JIRA if you want).
Sort
====
Next, sort the tasks from highest risk/unknowns/difficulty to smallest. There have been so many times when I've went through a feature completing items in the "logical" order, sometimes doing easy/medium tasks first, and when I got to the hard parts, I realized that I had to completely redo the previous steps. This was because while working on the hard/unknown parts, I realized my approach was incorrect. Doing the hard/unknown parts first (to the extent this is possible for a given feature) is crucial. The easy parts will practically take care of themselves as you slide into finishing the feature.
Estimate
========
Estimate every task at the lowest levels of your outline. Remember that you have a bias to be overly optimistic and estimate best case scenarios. Remember that your boss most likely treats your estimates as a deadline (i.e. close to worst case scenario). Use estimates that are about halfway between the average case and the worst case (adjust this as needed). Over enough tasks, this will even out to give you enough padding to complete features on time almost all the time. Round up each task to the half hour or hour. The only exception is that if I'm confident that a few tasks will take less than about 5 minutes, I might group them into one half hour chunk.
Then, sum up the hours at each higher level of the outline and after every summation, gut check the estimate - does this sound like a realistic estimate to do this ENTIRE task? If it doesn't, add some padding to the subtasks until it seems like you will have more than enough time to complete them. Add extra subtasks too if you come up with them. Tasks often take up more time than you expect and giving yourself a very comfortable amount of time to do them is important.
Common padding amounts range from doubling to quadrupling the time if you haven't done this task in this environment before. Consider padding even more if there's research or many unknowns involved. Whether to use specific multiplier(s) or not is a personal choice that you should experiment with for yourself and decide whether it works or not. I just use my gut feeling about whether I'm comfortable with the estimate. But the gut check must be from *your* gut, not your boss's gut.
If you think your boss will complain about how long it will take, look at your task breakdown and write down a few notes explaining why it will take this long - the cross browser testing for this feature will be tricky, the algorithm may need to be optimized, there are multiple possible solutions that must be researched and tested, etc. Have these ready when you tell your boss the estimate.
Track
=====
Then track your time as you work and adjust future estimates as needed repeating this process (add a half hour to an hour for re-planning/re-estimating when you do this). For time tracking, you can use a spreadsheet or software like Toggl, but also add actual times to your planning outline e.g. here's a sample task that took 3 hours even though it was estimated at 2 hours (I use a slash between them):
```
[*] (3/2) research library A for feature X
```
Communicate
===========
If it's taking longer than expected, *communicate* this to your boss as soon as you can. Do another estimate-gut-check and give your boss the updated *realistic* estimate. Don't give them a smaller estimate hoping you can catch up - in fact, consider adding additional padding so that you deliver on or before your new estimate. If your previous estimate was too low, it's almost certain that this one will be as well, so account for that with padding. Track this time re-estimating and communicating with your boss.
Review
======
As you work, review your estimates and planning outline regularly. Repeat this process for every feature you work on until you get better.
I've noticed that using the estimate gut check and padding tasks until you feel very comfortable that you can complete them in that time has really helped me. And taking notes on why a task will take long and reviewing those before you speak to your boss has also helped.
At the end of the day, remember that accurate estimates will make your boss's life easier and if you can deliver on that, they should be happy.
I would stay with your current job and work on getting better at estimates. You're clearly valuable to the company and deserve the salary you're getting paid. Just keep improving your skills.
P.S. Here's an approach to padding estimates by multiplying them by a historical velocity ratio: <https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2007/10/26/evidence-based-scheduling/>
Other things you might consider doing:
* Ship smaller features for more accurate estimates (what is the smallest independent unit of a feature you can ship?).
* Shift to a shorter sprint cycle like a 1 or 2 week cycle (if you do this, make sure sprint overhead is low enough to accommodate this).
* At the beginning of a project and also if it's running late, cut scope, not time estimates whenever possible. It's almost always better to ship fewer higher priority features on time than to ship more lower priority features late. Scope can be much more flexible than it seems. |
169,669 | <p>Everyone with the same job title as me / in my department has a PhD, I only have 2 bachelor's degrees. I'm officially at an Engineer 1 level (I think level 2 was postponed due to COVID promotion freezes), but that is not my official title. My work sounds impressive, and I have had a small part in some impressive projects (that I don't exaggerate). But the problem is for the last year or so I've been sucked into a completely different type of work that has little to do with my official title.</p>
<p>I am struggling how to put this on my resume because it's like I'm working 2 very different jobs at once, but the work under my official title has rarely been done over the last year. And with that, I feel like my skills have atrophied a bit as far as what's relevant to my official job title.</p>
<p>Maybe it's a silly concern, but I'm worried that (1) I will look overqualified when I'm truly not and (2) my resume will be confusing if I have two concurrent roles OR if I have one very convoluted role that tries to combine the two.</p>
<p>So far I've just separated them on my LinkedIn as if they were two concurrent positions. Because they are just so different it hardly makes sense to put them together. And in some sense, I am <em>attempting</em> to do them both at the same time (and my boss expects me to).</p>
<p>How should I handle this on my resume? One is research engineer (prototyping new tech) and the other is lead engineer for a specific product (>90% of my time toward PM and not actual engineering work). Technically I do "lead" the engineering via PM, and I was given the unofficial title of Tech Lead by my department. But I feel like these titles make me appear more experienced than I truly am, because at larger companies there's no way I'd have these titles.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if applying to something like "data analyst" would be seen as suspicious or odd. I can't even apply to other companies for "research engineer" because they all require PhDs (and honestly, they should). So I feel like I'm in an awkward spot.</p>
<p>Frankly I'm just tired of unsuccessfully trying to be stretched between two positions that have such a vast difference in cognitive demand. I can't realistically do them both and I have been promised since I started working on this that they would hire someone to officially replace me, and it hasn't happened despite (1) my significant efforts to show how my workload can be distributed to appropriate parties and (2) major demands from our customers increasing our sales on the product I lead (even to levels that exceed our other product lines).</p>
<p>So I feel like I have no hope and they're going to ride out underpaying me as long as they can until I finally quit. The PM work I do seems under my pay grade, so asking for a promotion seems impossible. My boss has not officially acknowledged the tough position he's put me in in performance reviews, only as an apologetic aside in 1-on-1 meetings. And yet I feel trapped in that my skills don't match my titles, so I'm not sure how to approach a new job search either.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 169659,
"author": "anotherdave",
"author_id": 25746,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/25746",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n<p>When I broached the issue with my boss, he hired contractors to support me, with whom I wor... | 2021/02/18 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/169669",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/54808/"
] | Everyone with the same job title as me / in my department has a PhD, I only have 2 bachelor's degrees. I'm officially at an Engineer 1 level (I think level 2 was postponed due to COVID promotion freezes), but that is not my official title. My work sounds impressive, and I have had a small part in some impressive projects (that I don't exaggerate). But the problem is for the last year or so I've been sucked into a completely different type of work that has little to do with my official title.
I am struggling how to put this on my resume because it's like I'm working 2 very different jobs at once, but the work under my official title has rarely been done over the last year. And with that, I feel like my skills have atrophied a bit as far as what's relevant to my official job title.
Maybe it's a silly concern, but I'm worried that (1) I will look overqualified when I'm truly not and (2) my resume will be confusing if I have two concurrent roles OR if I have one very convoluted role that tries to combine the two.
So far I've just separated them on my LinkedIn as if they were two concurrent positions. Because they are just so different it hardly makes sense to put them together. And in some sense, I am *attempting* to do them both at the same time (and my boss expects me to).
How should I handle this on my resume? One is research engineer (prototyping new tech) and the other is lead engineer for a specific product (>90% of my time toward PM and not actual engineering work). Technically I do "lead" the engineering via PM, and I was given the unofficial title of Tech Lead by my department. But I feel like these titles make me appear more experienced than I truly am, because at larger companies there's no way I'd have these titles.
I'm wondering if applying to something like "data analyst" would be seen as suspicious or odd. I can't even apply to other companies for "research engineer" because they all require PhDs (and honestly, they should). So I feel like I'm in an awkward spot.
Frankly I'm just tired of unsuccessfully trying to be stretched between two positions that have such a vast difference in cognitive demand. I can't realistically do them both and I have been promised since I started working on this that they would hire someone to officially replace me, and it hasn't happened despite (1) my significant efforts to show how my workload can be distributed to appropriate parties and (2) major demands from our customers increasing our sales on the product I lead (even to levels that exceed our other product lines).
So I feel like I have no hope and they're going to ride out underpaying me as long as they can until I finally quit. The PM work I do seems under my pay grade, so asking for a promotion seems impossible. My boss has not officially acknowledged the tough position he's put me in in performance reviews, only as an apologetic aside in 1-on-1 meetings. And yet I feel trapped in that my skills don't match my titles, so I'm not sure how to approach a new job search either. | Is there a culture on the "business" side of the company demanding or expecting estimates to be small?
I know I've worked at a place where there was a lot of pressure for smaller estimated times, and it only caused a larger gap between estimated completion times and actual completion times.
Plan
====
What I do now (as an independent contractor) is take a feature, break it down into very small steps (about half hour to several hour chunks). Breaking tasks down into as many small tasks as possible will generate much more accurate estimates and will give you more tasks to explain why a feature will take long to your boss.
Make sure to include research and planning/re-planning time (people often forget those). The more uncertainty there is or the more research needs to be done, the larger the estimate must be padded. Also make sure to add items for unit testing, cross browser testing, documentation, deployment, demos, code review, a task for changes that may need to be done after completion (look at how long change requests usually take and apply it to this feature), management, meetings/communication, etc.
I use a personal wiki / outliner software called zim-wiki (similar to Evernote/Onenote/Notion/Obsidian/etc) and create an outline of tasks and subtasks multiple levels deep. I start the outline by copying/pasting a checklist template with common tasks like the above that I often forget to include. This is in addition to project management software like JIRA and is your personal plan for a JIRA task (you can add the outline or a summary of it to JIRA if you want).
Sort
====
Next, sort the tasks from highest risk/unknowns/difficulty to smallest. There have been so many times when I've went through a feature completing items in the "logical" order, sometimes doing easy/medium tasks first, and when I got to the hard parts, I realized that I had to completely redo the previous steps. This was because while working on the hard/unknown parts, I realized my approach was incorrect. Doing the hard/unknown parts first (to the extent this is possible for a given feature) is crucial. The easy parts will practically take care of themselves as you slide into finishing the feature.
Estimate
========
Estimate every task at the lowest levels of your outline. Remember that you have a bias to be overly optimistic and estimate best case scenarios. Remember that your boss most likely treats your estimates as a deadline (i.e. close to worst case scenario). Use estimates that are about halfway between the average case and the worst case (adjust this as needed). Over enough tasks, this will even out to give you enough padding to complete features on time almost all the time. Round up each task to the half hour or hour. The only exception is that if I'm confident that a few tasks will take less than about 5 minutes, I might group them into one half hour chunk.
Then, sum up the hours at each higher level of the outline and after every summation, gut check the estimate - does this sound like a realistic estimate to do this ENTIRE task? If it doesn't, add some padding to the subtasks until it seems like you will have more than enough time to complete them. Add extra subtasks too if you come up with them. Tasks often take up more time than you expect and giving yourself a very comfortable amount of time to do them is important.
Common padding amounts range from doubling to quadrupling the time if you haven't done this task in this environment before. Consider padding even more if there's research or many unknowns involved. Whether to use specific multiplier(s) or not is a personal choice that you should experiment with for yourself and decide whether it works or not. I just use my gut feeling about whether I'm comfortable with the estimate. But the gut check must be from *your* gut, not your boss's gut.
If you think your boss will complain about how long it will take, look at your task breakdown and write down a few notes explaining why it will take this long - the cross browser testing for this feature will be tricky, the algorithm may need to be optimized, there are multiple possible solutions that must be researched and tested, etc. Have these ready when you tell your boss the estimate.
Track
=====
Then track your time as you work and adjust future estimates as needed repeating this process (add a half hour to an hour for re-planning/re-estimating when you do this). For time tracking, you can use a spreadsheet or software like Toggl, but also add actual times to your planning outline e.g. here's a sample task that took 3 hours even though it was estimated at 2 hours (I use a slash between them):
```
[*] (3/2) research library A for feature X
```
Communicate
===========
If it's taking longer than expected, *communicate* this to your boss as soon as you can. Do another estimate-gut-check and give your boss the updated *realistic* estimate. Don't give them a smaller estimate hoping you can catch up - in fact, consider adding additional padding so that you deliver on or before your new estimate. If your previous estimate was too low, it's almost certain that this one will be as well, so account for that with padding. Track this time re-estimating and communicating with your boss.
Review
======
As you work, review your estimates and planning outline regularly. Repeat this process for every feature you work on until you get better.
I've noticed that using the estimate gut check and padding tasks until you feel very comfortable that you can complete them in that time has really helped me. And taking notes on why a task will take long and reviewing those before you speak to your boss has also helped.
At the end of the day, remember that accurate estimates will make your boss's life easier and if you can deliver on that, they should be happy.
I would stay with your current job and work on getting better at estimates. You're clearly valuable to the company and deserve the salary you're getting paid. Just keep improving your skills.
P.S. Here's an approach to padding estimates by multiplying them by a historical velocity ratio: <https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2007/10/26/evidence-based-scheduling/>
Other things you might consider doing:
* Ship smaller features for more accurate estimates (what is the smallest independent unit of a feature you can ship?).
* Shift to a shorter sprint cycle like a 1 or 2 week cycle (if you do this, make sure sprint overhead is low enough to accommodate this).
* At the beginning of a project and also if it's running late, cut scope, not time estimates whenever possible. It's almost always better to ship fewer higher priority features on time than to ship more lower priority features late. Scope can be much more flexible than it seems. |
170,188 | <p>I'm in late stage negotiations with a new employer (current employer suddenly started going downhill, despite being a Fortune 500 company; abusive, rescinding benefits, cancelling bonuses, etc. Rather than spend money and ruining my reputation suing my employer, I'm seeking new work).</p>
<p>The new employer's salary is about 10% less than what I'd hoped for, but the vesting schedule sounds impressive (they're also a Fortune 500 company, indirect competitor to my current employer). Let's say, they promised:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>$80,000 of stock, <a href="https://carta.com/blog/what-is-stock-vesting/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">vested over 4 years, with a 1 year cliff.</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now, if I have this right, the amount paid out each year would be $20,000, which I could cash out at the end of each fiscal year, i.e.:</p>
<pre><code>Year 0 (day 0): $0.00 ($0.00 paid to date)
Year 1 (day 365): $20,000.00 ($20,000.00 paid to date)
Year 2 (day 730): $20,000.00 ($40,000.00 paid to date)
Year 3 (day 1095): $20,000.00 ($60,000.00 paid to date)
Year 4 (day 1460): $20,000.00 ($80,000.00 paid to date)
Year 5 (day 1825): $20,000.00 ($100,000.00 paid to date)
Year 5 (day 2190): $20,000.00 ($120,000.00 paid to date)
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> Now, what I'm trying to determine is if this assumption is correct, and what terminology I should be using to clarify this confusion of mine with my interviewer:</p>
<p>Does this basically equate to a $20,000.00 "guaranteed bonus" per year (i.e. Year 5 an onward is a flat $20,000.00 bonus per yer), or is the amount even more? <strong>i.e. Does this vesting amount get re-awarded every 4 years, or every year?</strong> If the latter, the bonus looks a lot more attractive, i.e.:</p>
<pre><code>Year 0 (day 0): $0.00 ( $0.00 paid to date) ( $80,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 1 (day 365): $20,000.00 ( $20,000.00 paid to date) ($160,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 2 (day 730): $40,000.00 ( $60,000.00 paid to date) ($240,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 3 (day 1095): $60,000.00 ($120,000.00 paid to date) ($320,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 4 (day 1460): $80,000.00 ($200,000.00 paid to date) ($400,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 5 (day 1825): $80,000.00 ($280,000.00 paid to date) ($480,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 6 (day 2190): $80,000.00 ($360,000.00 paid to date) ($560,000.00 awarded so far)
</code></pre>
<p><strong>I'm hoping</strong> it's the latter of the two methods. Also, the latter seems to make more sense (i.e. more bonus the longer the employee is with the company, rather than a constant flat amount per year that starts on day 365). <strong>But what terminology/question do I use/ask to confirm which of these two methods is being used?</strong> My best guess is something like:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Is this "$80,000.00, 4 year vest, 1 year cliff, awarded every 4 years" (i.e. method 1), versus "$80,000.00, 4 year vest, 1 year cliff, awarded every 1 year"?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The HR person currently helping me sounds like she's reading off of a script, rather than really understanding the questions I pose (maybe I'm being too technical, but I'm really trying hard to put it in layman terms without being vague). I'm wondering if I should just straight up ask "is this worth $20,000.00/year when I hit the 5 year mark, or $80,000.00/year when I hit the 5 year mark"? I don't want to "leave money on the table", but don't want to have the offer rescinded if I seem too greedy (really want to get the hell out of my current job).</p>
<p>Thanks!!!!</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 170189,
"author": "sevensevens",
"author_id": 22867,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/22867",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><strong>Bring these charts and ask questions using the charts. Based on my experience you'll get 20k a y... | 2021/03/05 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/170188",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124604/"
] | I'm in late stage negotiations with a new employer (current employer suddenly started going downhill, despite being a Fortune 500 company; abusive, rescinding benefits, cancelling bonuses, etc. Rather than spend money and ruining my reputation suing my employer, I'm seeking new work).
The new employer's salary is about 10% less than what I'd hoped for, but the vesting schedule sounds impressive (they're also a Fortune 500 company, indirect competitor to my current employer). Let's say, they promised:
>
> $80,000 of stock, [vested over 4 years, with a 1 year cliff.](https://carta.com/blog/what-is-stock-vesting/)
>
>
>
Now, if I have this right, the amount paid out each year would be $20,000, which I could cash out at the end of each fiscal year, i.e.:
```
Year 0 (day 0): $0.00 ($0.00 paid to date)
Year 1 (day 365): $20,000.00 ($20,000.00 paid to date)
Year 2 (day 730): $20,000.00 ($40,000.00 paid to date)
Year 3 (day 1095): $20,000.00 ($60,000.00 paid to date)
Year 4 (day 1460): $20,000.00 ($80,000.00 paid to date)
Year 5 (day 1825): $20,000.00 ($100,000.00 paid to date)
Year 5 (day 2190): $20,000.00 ($120,000.00 paid to date)
```
**Question:** Now, what I'm trying to determine is if this assumption is correct, and what terminology I should be using to clarify this confusion of mine with my interviewer:
Does this basically equate to a $20,000.00 "guaranteed bonus" per year (i.e. Year 5 an onward is a flat $20,000.00 bonus per yer), or is the amount even more? **i.e. Does this vesting amount get re-awarded every 4 years, or every year?** If the latter, the bonus looks a lot more attractive, i.e.:
```
Year 0 (day 0): $0.00 ( $0.00 paid to date) ( $80,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 1 (day 365): $20,000.00 ( $20,000.00 paid to date) ($160,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 2 (day 730): $40,000.00 ( $60,000.00 paid to date) ($240,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 3 (day 1095): $60,000.00 ($120,000.00 paid to date) ($320,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 4 (day 1460): $80,000.00 ($200,000.00 paid to date) ($400,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 5 (day 1825): $80,000.00 ($280,000.00 paid to date) ($480,000.00 awarded so far)
Year 6 (day 2190): $80,000.00 ($360,000.00 paid to date) ($560,000.00 awarded so far)
```
**I'm hoping** it's the latter of the two methods. Also, the latter seems to make more sense (i.e. more bonus the longer the employee is with the company, rather than a constant flat amount per year that starts on day 365). **But what terminology/question do I use/ask to confirm which of these two methods is being used?** My best guess is something like:
>
> Is this "$80,000.00, 4 year vest, 1 year cliff, awarded every 4 years" (i.e. method 1), versus "$80,000.00, 4 year vest, 1 year cliff, awarded every 1 year"?
>
>
>
The HR person currently helping me sounds like she's reading off of a script, rather than really understanding the questions I pose (maybe I'm being too technical, but I'm really trying hard to put it in layman terms without being vague). I'm wondering if I should just straight up ask "is this worth $20,000.00/year when I hit the 5 year mark, or $80,000.00/year when I hit the 5 year mark"? I don't want to "leave money on the table", but don't want to have the offer rescinded if I seem too greedy (really want to get the hell out of my current job).
Thanks!!!! | It's this
>
> Year 0 (day 0): $0.00 ($0.00 paid to date)
>
>
>
>
> Year 1 (day 365): $20,000.00 ($20,000.00 paid to date)
>
>
>
>
> Year 2 (day 730): $20,000.00 ($40,000.00 paid to date)
>
>
>
>
> Year 3 (day 1095): $20,000.00 ($60,000.00 paid to date)
>
>
>
>
> Year 4 (day 1460): $20,000.00 ($80,000.00 paid to date)
>
>
>
And then it ends. And that's it. You don't keep getting stock. You *might* get stock as part of your overall compensation package later, or you *might* not. If it isn't in the contract, then the answer is you won't get it. |
174,341 | <p>I work for a micro company with less than 10 employees and the working atmosphere is generally good and everyone gets along most of the time. One gripe is that people are on time but there is one employee who is frequently late and we have a morning meeting at 9am which this disrupts. I read <a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/35519/how-to-deal-with-a-team-member-consistently-showing-up-late">this question</a> in which the top answer suggests moving the meeting later however we
have a colleague that works overseas and, due to the time difference, the 9am meeting is towards the end of their working day so would not be fair to move the meeting any later.</p>
<p>The employee is usually only 2-3 minutes late and lets the boss know each time they are going to be late. However when the boss is not present this often increases to 20-40 minutes late. There was an occasion recently where they were going to site with another colleague, the boss was not present for this either, and they were <strong>75 minutes late</strong>. Furthermore, when the colleague is late they will then prepare breakfast / browse the web for a few minutes as soon as they get in - activities which are acceptable when arriving on time.</p>
<p>There is no real hierarchy in our company, everyone just reports to one boss, but this has the obvious drawback when employees take liberties like the aforementioned employee. This makes it difficult for myself and other employees to deal with these issues without going directly to the boss which could potentially sour the relationship with the employee in question.</p>
<p>The real gripe is that this employee still gets all the benefits of the other employees; pay rises, bonuses, meals out paid for by the company etc.</p>
<p>The boss is aware of the occasional lateness but perhaps the severity / frequency is often played down by the employee / colleagues in order not to sour any relationships. So how could the severity / frequency be brought to the boss' attention without souring any relationships?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 174344,
"author": "Hilmar",
"author_id": 5418,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/5418",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>The key question here is "what's the problem with this employee being late?".</p>\n<p>If the meeting ... | 2021/07/07 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/174341",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/119693/"
] | I work for a micro company with less than 10 employees and the working atmosphere is generally good and everyone gets along most of the time. One gripe is that people are on time but there is one employee who is frequently late and we have a morning meeting at 9am which this disrupts. I read [this question](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/35519/how-to-deal-with-a-team-member-consistently-showing-up-late) in which the top answer suggests moving the meeting later however we
have a colleague that works overseas and, due to the time difference, the 9am meeting is towards the end of their working day so would not be fair to move the meeting any later.
The employee is usually only 2-3 minutes late and lets the boss know each time they are going to be late. However when the boss is not present this often increases to 20-40 minutes late. There was an occasion recently where they were going to site with another colleague, the boss was not present for this either, and they were **75 minutes late**. Furthermore, when the colleague is late they will then prepare breakfast / browse the web for a few minutes as soon as they get in - activities which are acceptable when arriving on time.
There is no real hierarchy in our company, everyone just reports to one boss, but this has the obvious drawback when employees take liberties like the aforementioned employee. This makes it difficult for myself and other employees to deal with these issues without going directly to the boss which could potentially sour the relationship with the employee in question.
The real gripe is that this employee still gets all the benefits of the other employees; pay rises, bonuses, meals out paid for by the company etc.
The boss is aware of the occasional lateness but perhaps the severity / frequency is often played down by the employee / colleagues in order not to sour any relationships. So how could the severity / frequency be brought to the boss' attention without souring any relationships? | ```
> The real gripe is that this employee still gets all the benefits of the other employees; pay rises, bonuses, meals out paid for by the company etc.
```
So the real problem is not that the occasional lateness of this person causes any actual issues for you, your colleagues or the company. But that his/her lateness is "unfair" for you and your colleagues. Well so much things are unfair in life, for example.
* some people have/had rich parents and can spend their life drinking marguerita's in the pool, while you have to actually work to support yourself.
* while you probably pay an income tax of 30 percent or more, very rich people and big corporations pay far less due to the shrewd accountants, lawyers and other such people they can employ.
* while you probably do some useful work for a modest salary, some people will earn more than you in a lifetime with a silly cat video.
In light of these things is this "injustice" this tardy collegue is doing to you and your colleagues really that important? So summarized, if you are not the boss/manager of this person and the occasional lateness is not affecting your work just let this one go. If you do want to fight unfairness and injustice in this world get involved in politics and choose a more worthy cause. |
177,902 | <p>I've had a few roles in the past that were structured like so:</p>
<ol>
<li>The government funded a public university to work on industry projects/research</li>
<li>The university hired me over multiple contracts as a developer to work on such projects, and were the ones that signed my paychecks</li>
<li>Apart from the paperwork of accepting the position and submitting time sheets, I had no other contact or oversight with the university (except for one role, in which a professor was also directly involved in the project); I reported to management at the industry companies, was given tasks directly by management, worked at their offices, attended business meetings with their clients, and so forth.</li>
</ol>
<p>Essentially, I was <em>working</em> for the industry companies, while being <em>paid</em> by the university.</p>
<p>Previously I have in my CV's work history section recorded such positions like thus:</p>
<pre><code>[Industry company name] - [period of employment]
[one-line summary of company]
Software Engineer (Subcontracted via [university name])
[paragraph of responsibilities, achievements, work performed, etc]
</code></pre>
<p>However, I am not sure if 'subcontracted' is the right term to explain the relationship between myself, the company and the university, and whether it is appropriate to have the company or the university as the heading of each such position.</p>
<p>I feel like if I put the university as the heading (and replace 'subcontracted via [university]' to 'subcontracted to [company]'), it understates the amount of hands-on experience working on industry projects I have, suggests I have more experience working in a university than I do, and also ends up repeating the company summary multiple times. I could resolve the latter by putting all the projects into one section, but I've had other roles in between those, so the chronology gets messed up.</p>
<p>I'm worried though that if I leave it with the industry company as the heading, it will misrepresent my actual employment history, since I've only worked on projects <em>with</em> those companies, rather than be directly employed by them.</p>
<p>Is there a better term than 'subcontract' to describe the relationship between myself, the companies and the university, and what might be a good way to concisely format such roles that accurately explains both that the employer (IE the one signing the paychecks) was the university, and that the work itself was conducted for and with the companies, with essentially no oversight from the employer?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 177904,
"author": "Justin Cave",
"author_id": 238,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/238",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>You need to list your actual employer, the university. If someone wants to do a background check based on you... | 2021/08/26 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/177902",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/129137/"
] | I've had a few roles in the past that were structured like so:
1. The government funded a public university to work on industry projects/research
2. The university hired me over multiple contracts as a developer to work on such projects, and were the ones that signed my paychecks
3. Apart from the paperwork of accepting the position and submitting time sheets, I had no other contact or oversight with the university (except for one role, in which a professor was also directly involved in the project); I reported to management at the industry companies, was given tasks directly by management, worked at their offices, attended business meetings with their clients, and so forth.
Essentially, I was *working* for the industry companies, while being *paid* by the university.
Previously I have in my CV's work history section recorded such positions like thus:
```
[Industry company name] - [period of employment]
[one-line summary of company]
Software Engineer (Subcontracted via [university name])
[paragraph of responsibilities, achievements, work performed, etc]
```
However, I am not sure if 'subcontracted' is the right term to explain the relationship between myself, the company and the university, and whether it is appropriate to have the company or the university as the heading of each such position.
I feel like if I put the university as the heading (and replace 'subcontracted via [university]' to 'subcontracted to [company]'), it understates the amount of hands-on experience working on industry projects I have, suggests I have more experience working in a university than I do, and also ends up repeating the company summary multiple times. I could resolve the latter by putting all the projects into one section, but I've had other roles in between those, so the chronology gets messed up.
I'm worried though that if I leave it with the industry company as the heading, it will misrepresent my actual employment history, since I've only worked on projects *with* those companies, rather than be directly employed by them.
Is there a better term than 'subcontract' to describe the relationship between myself, the companies and the university, and what might be a good way to concisely format such roles that accurately explains both that the employer (IE the one signing the paychecks) was the university, and that the work itself was conducted for and with the companies, with essentially no oversight from the employer? | You need to list your actual employer, the university. If someone wants to do a background check based on your resume, they'd need to contact the university to confirm your dates of employment. If they contact the industry company, they'll say they have no record of ever employing you since, well, they didn't employ you.
You're in basically the same position as anyone that works for a contracting company. Your employer is the contracting company but you're actually doing work for various client companies. Generally that looks something like
```
Contracting Company - Software Engineer - Start - End
Client Company Start - End
Polished widgets using Widget Polisher 2000
Client Company 2 Start - End
Stamped widgets using Widget Stamper 2005 and polished using Widget Polisher 2010
```
That makes it clear that you were working for the contracting company (or in your case the university) when background checks happen but shows what you were actually working on at the different client companies. |
180,110 | <p>A start-up with pre-seed closing round average of 5 days is to soon begin its fourth and final pre-seed round @ $15M evaluation, up from a current $12M. Planned for Q2 of next year is a first Seed round $40M eval. Their offer as the 12th employee and lead software engineer of one of their two teams:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>$80K base + $40k non-diluted shares with SAFE conversion dilution of
25% for each round. 10%-20% salary bumps after each funding round.</p>
<p>18-month cliff; 5 yr vesting schedule.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The cliff and vesting seems very harsh given what feels like a "meh" compensation package compared to my current base salary, but Im not experienced in this department and having difficulty in placing a quantifiable value behind the equity.</p>
<p>Do I have enough information to get such an understanding? If the current evaluation is $12M and I join now with an offered $40K in shares or options at the upcoming $15M pre-seed, does that mean I get</p>
<pre><code>$40K / $15M = 0.267%
</code></pre>
<p>equity in the company? Or because of the 25% SAFE dilution, does it become</p>
<pre><code>($40K * 75%) / $15M = .2%
</code></pre>
<p>What are the questions I should be asking at this point to understand the value of offered equity?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 180111,
"author": "mxyzplk",
"author_id": 16695,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/16695",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>When you get pre-IPO equity, you are getting lottery tickets. They have no effective valuation.</p>\n<p>In mo... | 2021/11/23 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/180110",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/48146/"
] | A start-up with pre-seed closing round average of 5 days is to soon begin its fourth and final pre-seed round @ $15M evaluation, up from a current $12M. Planned for Q2 of next year is a first Seed round $40M eval. Their offer as the 12th employee and lead software engineer of one of their two teams:
>
> $80K base + $40k non-diluted shares with SAFE conversion dilution of
> 25% for each round. 10%-20% salary bumps after each funding round.
>
>
> 18-month cliff; 5 yr vesting schedule.
>
>
>
The cliff and vesting seems very harsh given what feels like a "meh" compensation package compared to my current base salary, but Im not experienced in this department and having difficulty in placing a quantifiable value behind the equity.
Do I have enough information to get such an understanding? If the current evaluation is $12M and I join now with an offered $40K in shares or options at the upcoming $15M pre-seed, does that mean I get
```
$40K / $15M = 0.267%
```
equity in the company? Or because of the 25% SAFE dilution, does it become
```
($40K * 75%) / $15M = .2%
```
What are the questions I should be asking at this point to understand the value of offered equity? | Just FYI, that's a harsh cliff and a long vest. 1 year cliff is standard (with monthly or quarterly beyond that) and 4 years vest (although that's negotiable, what matters is how much you get per year). As for the salary- I get regular approaches at 160-200K from series C startups based in New York, as a senior engineer (20 years experience). An earlier series obviously pays less and location matters, but that's a really meh salary unless you're in the middle of nowhere. The percentage of the company you're being offered is low as well- see <https://www.holloway.com/g/equity-compensation/sections/typical-employee-equity-levels> Generally a series A senior engineer should get closer to .5-1%. I'd pass or at least negotiate.
The reality is you can't ask the questions you need to know. Even to know the current, if things were to end today value, you'd need the full cap table. That means not only how many shares are owned, but all of the conditions (first money out, multipliers, all that good stuff) and all the potential shares (things like convertible notes and whether they're likely to be converted). Your closest estimate would be to ask how many shares there are, and how many you're getting and that would give your percentage ownership. Then multiply that by like .2 to account for the schenanigans above. Also watch out for anything that allows them to reclaim your vested shares if you quit (I've seen that bs being pulled).
More accurately you'd need to be able to see into the future and see what will occur in terms of dilution. Of course that's impossible to even guess at.
I view pre-IPO shares as lotto tickets. They're worth 0 until they aren't. Do the other advantages of working at the startup plus a tiny chance of making good money outweigh the extra money you'd make at BigCorp? That's the question you should ask. |
180,274 | <p>I've been asked by my employer to undertake a secondment to another division. The understanding is my existing role will be filled on a temporary basis by someone else.</p>
<p>Should I note this as:</p>
<pre><code>Manager - Secondment Position (2021 - current)
Manager - Main role (2014 - current)
</code></pre>
<p>or</p>
<pre><code>Manager - Secondment Position (2021 - current)
Manager = Main role (2014 - 2021)
</code></pre>
<p>?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 180279,
"author": "aaaaa says reinstate Monica",
"author_id": 45298,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/45298",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>What are you trying to convey?</p>\n<p>I am <strong>guessing</strong> you want to say som... | 2021/12/01 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/180274",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/8497/"
] | I've been asked by my employer to undertake a secondment to another division. The understanding is my existing role will be filled on a temporary basis by someone else.
Should I note this as:
```
Manager - Secondment Position (2021 - current)
Manager - Main role (2014 - current)
```
or
```
Manager - Secondment Position (2021 - current)
Manager = Main role (2014 - 2021)
```
? | I have done a few secondments and I think it's important to show clearly that you continued in your substantive position while completing the secondment. The format I use is:
>
> Manager Type 1 2014 - current
>
>
> * Company X
> * Responsibilities
> * Achievements in the role
>
>
>
And then below that:
>
> Manager Type 2 (***Secondment***) 2021 - current
>
>
> * Company X
> * Responsibilities
> * Achievements in the role
>
>
>
This simple format has worked for me for the past 15 years without any confusion. |
180,312 | <p>I started working in a FAANG company about 7 months ago as a software engineer II, and my team of 5 (including the manager who is also a tech lead) is onboarding a feature that requires engaging with other teams. Each person in my team is working with a separate team that does completely different things so we have to work individually in a silo.</p>
<p>Basically this setup:</p>
<pre><code>OP -> teams that managed service A
colleague #1 -> teams that manage service B
colleague #2 -> teams that manage service C
colleague #3 -> teams that manage service D
manager -> knows very little about everything but does his best
</code></pre>
<p>I am already struggling with the project I am assigned to because I have to work independently and the Teams that manage service A are not very helpful nor responsive. For example, they see my message on Teams and I can see they saw my message but they don't reply. Last week colleague #3 quit the company abruptly (24h notice) so I and colleague #1 are asked to fill the gap. This means I have to learn about a different giant application and work on the stuff I am currently doing.</p>
<p>Before this job, I used to work in a collaborative environment with a team of 7-10 people who divided work and each project was about 6 months to a year. Am I being set up for failure? How can I help myself? Or is the situation beyond my ability. Working in a FAANG was my dream but I am not sure I like to stay in this environment or whether it's normal.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 180314,
"author": "Ertai87",
"author_id": 88183,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/88183",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>This sounds a lot like my experience when I worked at a F<strong>A</strong>ANG (emphasis on the one that I wor... | 2021/12/03 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/180312",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/37999/"
] | I started working in a FAANG company about 7 months ago as a software engineer II, and my team of 5 (including the manager who is also a tech lead) is onboarding a feature that requires engaging with other teams. Each person in my team is working with a separate team that does completely different things so we have to work individually in a silo.
Basically this setup:
```
OP -> teams that managed service A
colleague #1 -> teams that manage service B
colleague #2 -> teams that manage service C
colleague #3 -> teams that manage service D
manager -> knows very little about everything but does his best
```
I am already struggling with the project I am assigned to because I have to work independently and the Teams that manage service A are not very helpful nor responsive. For example, they see my message on Teams and I can see they saw my message but they don't reply. Last week colleague #3 quit the company abruptly (24h notice) so I and colleague #1 are asked to fill the gap. This means I have to learn about a different giant application and work on the stuff I am currently doing.
Before this job, I used to work in a collaborative environment with a team of 7-10 people who divided work and each project was about 6 months to a year. Am I being set up for failure? How can I help myself? Or is the situation beyond my ability. Working in a FAANG was my dream but I am not sure I like to stay in this environment or whether it's normal. | This sounds a lot like my experience when I worked at a F**A**ANG (emphasis on the one that I worked for; there are 2 of them so it's ambiguous as to which one it was, but I think you can figure it out), and so I would say that it is normal for a FAANG, but not normal in general. The particular one that I worked for is notorious for overworking its employees, often with little guidance, and having very bad internal documentation so it takes forever to do anything unless you have been doing it for a while; the learning curve is upsettingly difficult and the assistance is woefully lacking.
If this was a normal company, I would say it is your manager's responsibility to give you the resources you need to do the job you need to do. That is what it means to manage. You should be able to go to your boss and say, "hey, I know we need to pick up Joe's slack since they left the company, but also I'm swamped with the stuff I'm already doing" and leave it to the boss to figure out the best way to go about figuring out that problem. That said, at this company in particular, I'm not sure if that's a practicable answer without making a really bad impression and possibly getting yourself fired or put on a PIP (as was my experience when I tried something similar at this company).
My advice is, if you're working for the same FAANG I was, is to quit and find a different job, perhaps at a different FAANG, if you want that experience.
EDIT: Addendum after OP confirmed it was the same company: Whether or not you had 24 hours notice that your coworker was leaving, doesn't mean your boss did. When I was terminated from this company (I did not leave by choice, and certainly not 5 days before my stock options would be coming due! Yes, they did that!), my coworkers had no idea what was going on; I was on a PIP for abut a month before I was terminated, so my boss well and truly knew what was going on for a while, although my coworkers did not. Just because you were blindsided by your coworker's departure does not mean in any way that your manager was (and likely means the opposite), so take that into account when planning your next steps. |
181,656 | <p>Thinking back to some of my best interviews - both how I performed as a candidate, an interviewer, or the individuals involved on both sides - I always find the white-board process as a central piece of success.</p>
<p>That is to say - I find that candidates, myself included, perform a lot better in explaining their thoughts and navigating complex problems when they can illustrate their thinking. Additionally, many algorithm problems that require being solved in less than 30 minutes are made significantly more doable if a candidate considers drawing it out (such as <a href="https://leetcode.com/explore/interview/card/top-interview-questions-easy/92/array/564/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Best Time to Buy and Sell Stock</a>).</p>
<p>And doesn't this make sense? We often were told by mentors, or tell our juniors, "Try writing a problem out first. Even before psuedocoding - take a pen and paper and really map out your thinking."</p>
<p>With that said, I find that none of my colleagues, as interviewees or interviewers, are doing technical interviews with the actual white boarding process. Given our circumstances of remote life, that's obvious. I can't help but digress and wonder what kind of candidates are being left behind because they aren't given the white boarding opportunity many of us were afforded just two years ago.</p>
<p><strong>So - how do we whiteboard without the actual whiteboard? How do we make sure to give all candidates a fair opportunity and not leave behind those who would be great hires had they been given the chance to draw out their solution?</strong></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 181657,
"author": "Stephan Branczyk",
"author_id": 14577,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14577",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Personally, I bought a really cheap camera on a stand which swivels and which allows me to capture m... | 2021/12/16 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/181656",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/48146/"
] | Thinking back to some of my best interviews - both how I performed as a candidate, an interviewer, or the individuals involved on both sides - I always find the white-board process as a central piece of success.
That is to say - I find that candidates, myself included, perform a lot better in explaining their thoughts and navigating complex problems when they can illustrate their thinking. Additionally, many algorithm problems that require being solved in less than 30 minutes are made significantly more doable if a candidate considers drawing it out (such as [Best Time to Buy and Sell Stock](https://leetcode.com/explore/interview/card/top-interview-questions-easy/92/array/564/)).
And doesn't this make sense? We often were told by mentors, or tell our juniors, "Try writing a problem out first. Even before psuedocoding - take a pen and paper and really map out your thinking."
With that said, I find that none of my colleagues, as interviewees or interviewers, are doing technical interviews with the actual white boarding process. Given our circumstances of remote life, that's obvious. I can't help but digress and wonder what kind of candidates are being left behind because they aren't given the white boarding opportunity many of us were afforded just two years ago.
**So - how do we whiteboard without the actual whiteboard? How do we make sure to give all candidates a fair opportunity and not leave behind those who would be great hires had they been given the chance to draw out their solution?** | Personally, I bought a really cheap camera on a stand which swivels and which allows me to capture my writing on my own little whiteboard (or on a piece of paper). A second option is to buy a cheap Wacom tablet knockoff that connects to your computer (in case the platform supports a shared whiteboard, or in case the platform allows the candidate to share their screen).
Eventually, I've even stopped using my camera. Following the lead of [this developer](https://www.youtube.com/c/EChanTech), I've learned to draw most of my diagrams using ascii text. This takes some [practice](https://www.pramp.com/), but it's definitely possible.
```
+
+
+
+
+
+
[7, 1, 5, 3, 6, 4]
```
[Best time to sell and buy stock](https://leetcode.com/explore/interview/card/top-interview-questions-easy/92/array/564/)
```
+
+
+
[1, 2, 3]
+
+
+
[3, 2, 1]
```
But in your case, since you're the interviewer, when you see that an interviewee is struggling, you could just tell the interviewee that he can take a few minutes to draw the diagram on a piece of paper (even if you can't see the piece of paper yourself). This is not ideal, but it's better than nothing. Drawing things out can indeed be extremely useful in solving these types of problem. |
182,835 | <p>Is there a market for life scientists (biomedical research and related fields) that at some point want a change in their career path and switch to software development? Say the career so far was a MSc degree in a life science discipline, a PhD degree and some limited PostDoc experience in biomedical research with a focus on computational biology and data analysis. Limited experience with actual software development but proficient in python towards data analysis, organizing code at GitHub and ability to pick up new skills and languages as needed as demonstrated by being an autodidact in all coding-related skills so far. Age somewhere mid 30s. What would be fields related to software development that such a person could apply for a job?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 182838,
"author": "paulj",
"author_id": 71168,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/71168",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Entering keywords:\ncomputational biology , data analysis, and Python in popular job website yielded dozens of ... | 2022/02/17 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/182835",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/132993/"
] | Is there a market for life scientists (biomedical research and related fields) that at some point want a change in their career path and switch to software development? Say the career so far was a MSc degree in a life science discipline, a PhD degree and some limited PostDoc experience in biomedical research with a focus on computational biology and data analysis. Limited experience with actual software development but proficient in python towards data analysis, organizing code at GitHub and ability to pick up new skills and languages as needed as demonstrated by being an autodidact in all coding-related skills so far. Age somewhere mid 30s. What would be fields related to software development that such a person could apply for a job? | Entering keywords:
computational biology , data analysis, and Python in popular job website yielded dozens of hits.
Data Scientist:
```
Master's degree in a *quantitative discipline* (e.g., Statistics, Operations Research, **Bioinformatics**, Economics, Computational Biology...
2 years of work experience in data analysis related field.
Experience with statistical software (e.g., **R, Python**, ...
PhD degree
```
May need to get a cert, probably R, to move toward Data Scientist. Probably an online mini-degree, Udemy or such, course in Data Science.
Note, above is not in anyway a medical field/biology position.
I would search for statistic, data scientist, type postions. |
182,972 | <p>Around 3 months back, my company told me to learn a new skill (MEAN stack). I have started working on it. Then the company asked me to learn another skill (Spring Boot). Just as I bought the course for it, the company wants to me to learn yet another skill (C# and ASP.NET). I cannot positively say no to C# + ASP.NET.</p>
<p>While, I love to learn new skills, and that being the primary reason that I love coding, I want to develop one skill for 1-2 years, before hoping onto a new one.</p>
<p>How do I manage to learn multiple skills ?</p>
<p>Update :-</p>
<pre><code>Does your company ask you to
learn these new skills during
your normal work hours, which they pay you ?
</code></pre>
<p>Answer - No</p>
<p>I don't mind giving some extra time to study new skill even if it is required by the company. But, I do have a problem, if I have to learn two skills in 3 months while simultaneously working in a different project.</p>
<p>So, I want to know, how do I handle managing to learn multiple skills and working on a project, while not affecting my rating because the manager thinks I am slow.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 182973,
"author": "Philip Kendall",
"author_id": 14388,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14388",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I've said it before and I'll say it again: <strong>You're not at work to do what you want to do, you'r... | 2022/02/23 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/182972",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124301/"
] | Around 3 months back, my company told me to learn a new skill (MEAN stack). I have started working on it. Then the company asked me to learn another skill (Spring Boot). Just as I bought the course for it, the company wants to me to learn yet another skill (C# and ASP.NET). I cannot positively say no to C# + ASP.NET.
While, I love to learn new skills, and that being the primary reason that I love coding, I want to develop one skill for 1-2 years, before hoping onto a new one.
How do I manage to learn multiple skills ?
Update :-
```
Does your company ask you to
learn these new skills during
your normal work hours, which they pay you ?
```
Answer - No
I don't mind giving some extra time to study new skill even if it is required by the company. But, I do have a problem, if I have to learn two skills in 3 months while simultaneously working in a different project.
So, I want to know, how do I handle managing to learn multiple skills and working on a project, while not affecting my rating because the manager thinks I am slow. | I've said it before and I'll say it again: **You're not at work to do what you want to do, you're at work to do what your employer wants you to do**
It's clear your company (I'm guessing some kind of outsourced consultancy?) wants you to work on each of these skills for a short time. If you want to work on one skill for a longer time, you have two options:
1. Talk to your manager and have a discussion about your goals. Maybe there are other projects you can work on which focus on one skill for a longer time.
2. Find a different job which does let you work on one skill for a year or more. |
183,461 | <p><em>Context: North-America work culture. I make up the numbers because there are not important here.</em></p>
<p>I am negotiating my salary with Bob. The company offers a vesting schedule of 3 years, 1 year cliff. I am interested in this, because the company's shares are not yet on the market, and I get the shares at the investors price.</p>
<p>Here is how he wants to negotiate the salary:</p>
<ul>
<li>We agree on a salary of $240k.</li>
<li>I want roughly half the salary in equity (yes, that's risky, I know).</li>
<li>Bob then says that half of 240 is 120, so that makes:
<ul>
<li>$120k per year as a salary,</li>
<li>$120k as a vesting, spread on 3 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>However, it does not strike me as right. The salary is yearly, and the vesting is spread on 3 years, 4 if the cliff is included. When I asked for half the salary in equity, I thought that it meant something like:</p>
<ul>
<li>year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity</li>
<li>year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 120k equity</li>
</ul>
<p>or, if the cliff is included:</p>
<ul>
<li>year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity</li>
<li>year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 160k equity</li>
</ul>
<p>While Bob means:</p>
<ul>
<li>year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity</li>
<li>year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 40k equity</li>
</ul>
<p>What is the “right” (common) way to compute this? Is it likely that Bob is negotiating in bad faith?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 183464,
"author": "FooTheBar",
"author_id": 94226,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/94226",
"pm_score": 0,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>His proposal is wrong, but that's quite obvious.</p>\n<p>The even weirder part is the vesting. Vesting make... | 2022/03/18 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/183461",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/133617/"
] | *Context: North-America work culture. I make up the numbers because there are not important here.*
I am negotiating my salary with Bob. The company offers a vesting schedule of 3 years, 1 year cliff. I am interested in this, because the company's shares are not yet on the market, and I get the shares at the investors price.
Here is how he wants to negotiate the salary:
* We agree on a salary of $240k.
* I want roughly half the salary in equity (yes, that's risky, I know).
* Bob then says that half of 240 is 120, so that makes:
+ $120k per year as a salary,
+ $120k as a vesting, spread on 3 years.
However, it does not strike me as right. The salary is yearly, and the vesting is spread on 3 years, 4 if the cliff is included. When I asked for half the salary in equity, I thought that it meant something like:
* year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity
* year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 120k equity
or, if the cliff is included:
* year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity
* year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 160k equity
While Bob means:
* year 1: 120k salary, 0 equity
* year 2 to 4: 120k salary, 40k equity
What is the “right” (common) way to compute this? Is it likely that Bob is negotiating in bad faith? | Nobody is right or wrong. There are no rules regarding what needs to happen. It just comes down to what is written in the contract. If Bob is being clear exactly how the maths is going to be worked out, you can hardly say he is working in bad faith.
If equity is part of your **salary** (e.g. ongoing) you'd get it every year. But each equity "package" would be spread out the next 3 years.
```
Year 1: $120 Salary, $40 Equity. ($40 Year 1)
Year 2: $120 Salary, $80 Equity. ($40 Year 1, $40 Year 2)
Year 3: $120 Salary, $120 Equity. ($40 Year 1, $40 Year 2, $40 Year 3)
Year 4: $120 Salary, $120 Equity. ($40 Year 2, $40 Year 3, $40 Year 4)
Year 5: $120 Salary, $120 Equity. ($40 Year 3, $40 Year 4, $40 Year 5)
...
```
If the equity is a **signing bonus**, or **one-off payment**:
```
Year 1: $120 Salary, $40 Equity. ($40 Signing Bonus)
Year 2: $120 Salary, $40 Equity. ($40 Signing Bonus)
Year 3: $120 Salary, $40 Equity. ($40 Signing Bonus)
Year 4: $120 Salary, $0 Equity.
Year 5: $120 Salary, $0 Equity.
...
```
Whatever you figure out, you need to probably spend the couple of hundred dollars and speak with your accountant, or some expert in this area and get their opinion. |
185,433 | <p>I want users to be able to register their actual hours of work and calculate from the difference to their due hours of work their overtime. For a day job this is just straight forward.</p>
<p>If somebody were to be working late into the night past midnight, I would attribute these hours to the last day shift.</p>
<p>However, some people might be working nightshifts, that regularly start at, say, 10:00 PM. In this case overtime would likely be accumulated on the next day. Would it still make sense to attribute the overtime to the day the work started?</p>
<p>Also, people will need to specify their due hours of work for me to be able to calculate their overtime. For a day job this means to specify their due hours of work for each weekday. For a night job however, would it feel natural for people to specify their due hours of work to the day the shift starts, or would that be confusing? If so, how can I support night jobs better?</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>EDIT</strong>:</p>
<p>I forgot to mention one important detail: people will not just be able to see their grand total overtime, but will also be able to print a sheet detailing their overtime for each day individually. This is why I need to attribute overtime to a date.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>EDIT:</strong></p>
<p>I just learned that the word <strong>overtime</strong> does not have as clear a meaning as I thought. For the purpose of this question I will therefore define overtime to be:</p>
<pre><code>overtime = actual_hours_of_work - due_hours_of_work
</code></pre>
<p>with <code>actual_hours_of_work</code>: the time one actually spend working and <code>due_hours_of_work</code>: the contractually agreed hours of work.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>EDIT:</strong></p>
<p>There seems to be a misunderstanding that I'm about to calculate pay for overtime. I'm sure that's a very complicated matter and varies widely on company and jurisdiction and a fit all approach is doomed to fail. Not being a native english speaker it was maybe an error on my part to insist that overtime must be measured in units of time, since overtime contains the substring time.</p>
<p>Now it seems to me that the word overtime is not so much about time, but about pay for overtime. But this is not what I'm doing. I really just want to add up units of time. It did not even occur to me that overtime would be solely interpreted as pay for overtime.</p>
<p>So why do I want to add up overtime simply as units of time? In Germany it is customary to add up overtime to, say, 8 hours and then take a day off. Many people prefer that to being paid for overtime. Assuming that many contributers here are from the USA or Canada, is this not done in your countries?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 185436,
"author": "sf02",
"author_id": 93810,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n<p>For a night job however, would it feel natural for people to specify their due hours of work to th... | 2022/06/07 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/185433",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/135123/"
] | I want users to be able to register their actual hours of work and calculate from the difference to their due hours of work their overtime. For a day job this is just straight forward.
If somebody were to be working late into the night past midnight, I would attribute these hours to the last day shift.
However, some people might be working nightshifts, that regularly start at, say, 10:00 PM. In this case overtime would likely be accumulated on the next day. Would it still make sense to attribute the overtime to the day the work started?
Also, people will need to specify their due hours of work for me to be able to calculate their overtime. For a day job this means to specify their due hours of work for each weekday. For a night job however, would it feel natural for people to specify their due hours of work to the day the shift starts, or would that be confusing? If so, how can I support night jobs better?
---
**EDIT**:
I forgot to mention one important detail: people will not just be able to see their grand total overtime, but will also be able to print a sheet detailing their overtime for each day individually. This is why I need to attribute overtime to a date.
---
**EDIT:**
I just learned that the word **overtime** does not have as clear a meaning as I thought. For the purpose of this question I will therefore define overtime to be:
```
overtime = actual_hours_of_work - due_hours_of_work
```
with `actual_hours_of_work`: the time one actually spend working and `due_hours_of_work`: the contractually agreed hours of work.
---
**EDIT:**
There seems to be a misunderstanding that I'm about to calculate pay for overtime. I'm sure that's a very complicated matter and varies widely on company and jurisdiction and a fit all approach is doomed to fail. Not being a native english speaker it was maybe an error on my part to insist that overtime must be measured in units of time, since overtime contains the substring time.
Now it seems to me that the word overtime is not so much about time, but about pay for overtime. But this is not what I'm doing. I really just want to add up units of time. It did not even occur to me that overtime would be solely interpreted as pay for overtime.
So why do I want to add up overtime simply as units of time? In Germany it is customary to add up overtime to, say, 8 hours and then take a day off. Many people prefer that to being paid for overtime. Assuming that many contributers here are from the USA or Canada, is this not done in your countries? | I think the general balance of opinion is that, if there is a need (or desire) to attribute the working hours of a shift to a single calendar day, then as a starting point you should treat the hours as falling into the calendar day when the shift started.
You may however have specific reasons to vary from this.
Also, it shouldn't be assumed that this principle would apply to payroll calculations.
A payroll calendar will be defined by a company to apply to a specific group of workers, and there is no general standard that can be assumed. |
186,088 | <p>I believe I've gotten mostly inappropriate roles for my level of expertise throughout my software career. I judge this in hindsight by most corporate or startup developer roles I've had ending before or shortly after the probationary period. The reasons given have consistently been something like "not a skills match", but no in-depth feedback is ever offered.</p>
<p>(<em>I am based in the USA, as I suspect that answers could be different for other regions and laws</em>)</p>
<p>Now, I undestand from the perspective of the company that they don't want to use man-hours to explain to me where I went wrong in their eyes. And at the same time I realize they don't want to open themselves up to lawsuits for saying the wrong thing.</p>
<p>But, that doesn't help me to know exactly what I did wrong so that I can begin to fix it. I have tried to make different changes, but they were all mostly superficial:</p>
<p>At different roles, I took a somewhat scientific method-ish approach and said "<em>Maybe I won't get fired this time if</em>":</p>
<ul>
<li>I have a stack of programming books on my desk</li>
<li>I ask less questions this time</li>
<li>I ask more questions this time</li>
<li>write my questions down in detail with screenshots and submit formal reports this time</li>
<li>I just use other devs as resources when I have questions</li>
<li>I don't bother other devs and instead direct all my questions directly to the team lead this time</li>
<li>I wear a suit every day this time</li>
</ul>
<p>Now I can hear someone starting to cynically type "Maybe if you just <strong><em>did your job</em></strong>" ...</p>
<p>Well, let me tell you I did it to the best of my ability, I have an excellent what they call "midwest" work ethic, and I have been successful in other roles in IT (e.g., <em>Graphic Designer, Field Repair Technician</em>), having only lost those to economic downturns.</p>
<p>And, it would be one thing if I was showing up late to work every day, for instance. When the termination came I would have an inkling that "well it is probably because I'm late all the time". (To be clear, I pride myself on showing up at least 15 minutes early to work every day). But, it was nothing like that. No malfeasance or laziness, just mostly confusion on what I was supposed to do and always trying to calibrate how many questions was too many. If you asked me to build a LAMP/PHP database app that tracks albums, I can do it. But, that's never what the jobs entail. It is always multiple levels of extra stuff. I believe I'm applying for and attracting higher-level jobs than I'm capable of and I'm not sure to fix that.</p>
<p>I did also go <strong>back to school</strong> and got a 1 year certificate in web development specializing in WordPress and freelancing. But it was just the first step and I was not able due to finances to finish my AAS (that would be my second AAS, the first one was in a different field). In addtion, I completed over 90 software development certificates on LinkedIn Learning. And I began contributing to my GitHub profile regularly. All this was to "update" and keep my skills fresh so that I would be more prepared to work in a modern codebase.</p>
<p>So, if they are right -- that I'm not a skils match -- why did they hire me? And how did I pass the code and whiteboard tests? I must have <em>some</em> talent, right?</p>
<p>I suspect it may have a lot to do with how I advertise myself in my resume. In order to stay anonymous on this forum I cannot show you my actual resume, but I have included some examples below for context.</p>
<h2>Example: SDLC knowledge</h2>
<p>For instance, a recent job lead that was emailed to me by a recruiter lists this requirement:</p>
<p><code>Knowledge of the full software development lifecycle: from business/systems analysis, through requirements gathering and functional specification authoring, to development, testing and delivery.</code></p>
<p>Ok, I says, that one is definitely a match for my background and skills. I understand the basic principles of each one of these items in the lifecycle and I have a 101 understanding of the five stages of project management, which seems to run parallel with the stages of SDLC. So, in honest evaluation I would say that I definitely "have knowledge" of the SDLC in that if somebody is speaking about a particular phase I know what they are referring to.</p>
<p>And I have been responsible for the full SDLC in my own self-learning coding projects, some where I've actually created working solutions to problems I've had, (mostly DOM scrapers in various languages including Perl, PHP, and JavaScript). But, I realize now that SDLC in small personal projects are significantly different from SDLC in complex, multi-layered, enterprise software applications/systems.</p>
<p>Therefore, it is NOT true that don't have knowledge of SDLC. But, it IS TRUE that I don't have the level of depth of understanding that an enterprise client may require.</p>
<p>How do I accurately present that in my resume?</p>
<h2>Example: Object-Oriented Perl</h2>
<p>Another example is how to list my experience with programming languages. For instance, I have been writing my own Perl scripts since 2000 (self-taught from Oreilly books and online tutorials), and have even worked at a Jr. Dev role where I worked in codebase that was basically object-oriented Perl XML modules for building web pages. The company essentially was building React in Perl a year or two before React was even known about. I was promised 6 months of closely-mentored ramp up training. But after only two months my mentor jumped ship and took a job with another company leaving me in the lurch, and despite my working hard and doing my best, I was confused and didn't understand enough to be self-sufficient in the role. I was let go for not a skills match.</p>
<p>I have seen requirements similar to this before:</p>
<pre><code>`Experience developing object-oreiented Perl modules for complex data-driven codebase`
</code></pre>
<p>Ok, it is NOT true to say I don't have that experience. It IS TRUE to say I don't have much of that experience.</p>
<p>Further, to leave that off my resume <em>entirely</em> negates all the years of self-learning and understanding I have in Perl. It would be like saying I don't know Perl at all or have never experienced it, which is not true.</p>
<h2>Final Example: Listing Times/Durations</h2>
<p>And for a final example, let me present the issue of times, durations, and dates.</p>
<p>It is well known that employers are likely to pass up good candidates who have significant gaps in employment history. The conventional wisdom in the "job hunting" field has been for decades to use a functional or combination resumes instead of chronological to "accentuate the positive" and deemphasize the gaps. But, in the last five years or so, it seems -- especially when recruiters outsource to "sub-recruiters" or "recruiter middlemen?" -- that I am always asked to provide a complete chronological listing anyway.</p>
<p>The most honest explanation is that I got fired from various contracts because they decided after 2-3 months that my skills weren't a great match. But, following advice of many recruiters I've talked to, I usually phrase it as they were short contracts.</p>
<p>But, the thing that really confuses me is when the JD says something like</p>
<p><code>7+ years LAMP web application development required</code></p>
<p>Well, I have been developing web apps since 2000 when I wrote my first Perl script to scrape all the images off of a gallery site. Since then I have written many web scraper scripts in JavaScript, originally in jQuery, then ES6, and most recently using fetch API.</p>
<p>But, I would not consider myself and expert-level or even senior-level web application developer. Maybe Jr, intermediate, associate, or even entry level. But, how can I be entry level when I've been working in software development (professionally) since 2009?</p>
<p>Further -- and more to the point -- though I have been developing since 2000, it feels dishonest to say that I have <em>20+ years of web app development experience in Perl, PHP, and JavaScript</em>, because those 20+ years have many gaps and only one software job I have had so far (Jr. PHP Developer) has lasted longer than 3 months. I have worked a total of 6 or 7 software contracts and one of the them lasted 9 months because I quit to move out of state, and the others I got fired from.</p>
<p>The successful team leads I have met in my career had at least 2-4 years of continuous experience in software development with the same company. Because I've had so much 'stop and start' with different companies, I've not had a good opportunity to absorb a particular workflow, system, product, etc. (which for me is important -- <em>especially with complex abstracted systems</em>).</p>
<h2>My Question</h2>
<p><strong>Here is my motivation for the question:</strong> I am currently in need of income quickly, can only work remotely (I live in a rural area, so no software roles locally), and am revising my resume to target jobs I will be a great match for and that I can actually hit the ground running.</p>
<p><strong>How can I ensure my resume accurately reflects my level of expertise to meet the expected expectations of recruiters and clients?</strong></p>
<h2>Additional Reading</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/27369/is-there-a-career-path-as-a-software-engineer-for-a-cs-phd?rq=1#answer-27452">Is there a career path as a Software-Engineer for a CS-PhD?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/50148/how-can-i-properly-describe-my-years-of-experience-on-my-resume">How can I properly describe my years of experience on my resume?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/143735/resume-how-to-quantify-my-contributions-as-a-software-engineer">Resume: How to quantify my contributions as a software engineer?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/135359/mistake-in-years-of-experience-in-resume">Mistake in years of experience in resume?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/158064/can-i-add-software-engineering-to-my-resume-if-i-do-not-have-a-software-engineer">Can I add software engineering to my resume if I do not have a software engineering degree specifically?</a></li>
</ul>
| [
{
"answer_id": 186089,
"author": "Joel Etherton",
"author_id": 10553,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/10553",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Your resume is obviously not the problem. You're getting looked at for roles. You're making it through ... | 2022/07/07 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/186088",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/135742/"
] | I believe I've gotten mostly inappropriate roles for my level of expertise throughout my software career. I judge this in hindsight by most corporate or startup developer roles I've had ending before or shortly after the probationary period. The reasons given have consistently been something like "not a skills match", but no in-depth feedback is ever offered.
(*I am based in the USA, as I suspect that answers could be different for other regions and laws*)
Now, I undestand from the perspective of the company that they don't want to use man-hours to explain to me where I went wrong in their eyes. And at the same time I realize they don't want to open themselves up to lawsuits for saying the wrong thing.
But, that doesn't help me to know exactly what I did wrong so that I can begin to fix it. I have tried to make different changes, but they were all mostly superficial:
At different roles, I took a somewhat scientific method-ish approach and said "*Maybe I won't get fired this time if*":
* I have a stack of programming books on my desk
* I ask less questions this time
* I ask more questions this time
* write my questions down in detail with screenshots and submit formal reports this time
* I just use other devs as resources when I have questions
* I don't bother other devs and instead direct all my questions directly to the team lead this time
* I wear a suit every day this time
Now I can hear someone starting to cynically type "Maybe if you just ***did your job***" ...
Well, let me tell you I did it to the best of my ability, I have an excellent what they call "midwest" work ethic, and I have been successful in other roles in IT (e.g., *Graphic Designer, Field Repair Technician*), having only lost those to economic downturns.
And, it would be one thing if I was showing up late to work every day, for instance. When the termination came I would have an inkling that "well it is probably because I'm late all the time". (To be clear, I pride myself on showing up at least 15 minutes early to work every day). But, it was nothing like that. No malfeasance or laziness, just mostly confusion on what I was supposed to do and always trying to calibrate how many questions was too many. If you asked me to build a LAMP/PHP database app that tracks albums, I can do it. But, that's never what the jobs entail. It is always multiple levels of extra stuff. I believe I'm applying for and attracting higher-level jobs than I'm capable of and I'm not sure to fix that.
I did also go **back to school** and got a 1 year certificate in web development specializing in WordPress and freelancing. But it was just the first step and I was not able due to finances to finish my AAS (that would be my second AAS, the first one was in a different field). In addtion, I completed over 90 software development certificates on LinkedIn Learning. And I began contributing to my GitHub profile regularly. All this was to "update" and keep my skills fresh so that I would be more prepared to work in a modern codebase.
So, if they are right -- that I'm not a skils match -- why did they hire me? And how did I pass the code and whiteboard tests? I must have *some* talent, right?
I suspect it may have a lot to do with how I advertise myself in my resume. In order to stay anonymous on this forum I cannot show you my actual resume, but I have included some examples below for context.
Example: SDLC knowledge
-----------------------
For instance, a recent job lead that was emailed to me by a recruiter lists this requirement:
`Knowledge of the full software development lifecycle: from business/systems analysis, through requirements gathering and functional specification authoring, to development, testing and delivery.`
Ok, I says, that one is definitely a match for my background and skills. I understand the basic principles of each one of these items in the lifecycle and I have a 101 understanding of the five stages of project management, which seems to run parallel with the stages of SDLC. So, in honest evaluation I would say that I definitely "have knowledge" of the SDLC in that if somebody is speaking about a particular phase I know what they are referring to.
And I have been responsible for the full SDLC in my own self-learning coding projects, some where I've actually created working solutions to problems I've had, (mostly DOM scrapers in various languages including Perl, PHP, and JavaScript). But, I realize now that SDLC in small personal projects are significantly different from SDLC in complex, multi-layered, enterprise software applications/systems.
Therefore, it is NOT true that don't have knowledge of SDLC. But, it IS TRUE that I don't have the level of depth of understanding that an enterprise client may require.
How do I accurately present that in my resume?
Example: Object-Oriented Perl
-----------------------------
Another example is how to list my experience with programming languages. For instance, I have been writing my own Perl scripts since 2000 (self-taught from Oreilly books and online tutorials), and have even worked at a Jr. Dev role where I worked in codebase that was basically object-oriented Perl XML modules for building web pages. The company essentially was building React in Perl a year or two before React was even known about. I was promised 6 months of closely-mentored ramp up training. But after only two months my mentor jumped ship and took a job with another company leaving me in the lurch, and despite my working hard and doing my best, I was confused and didn't understand enough to be self-sufficient in the role. I was let go for not a skills match.
I have seen requirements similar to this before:
```
`Experience developing object-oreiented Perl modules for complex data-driven codebase`
```
Ok, it is NOT true to say I don't have that experience. It IS TRUE to say I don't have much of that experience.
Further, to leave that off my resume *entirely* negates all the years of self-learning and understanding I have in Perl. It would be like saying I don't know Perl at all or have never experienced it, which is not true.
Final Example: Listing Times/Durations
--------------------------------------
And for a final example, let me present the issue of times, durations, and dates.
It is well known that employers are likely to pass up good candidates who have significant gaps in employment history. The conventional wisdom in the "job hunting" field has been for decades to use a functional or combination resumes instead of chronological to "accentuate the positive" and deemphasize the gaps. But, in the last five years or so, it seems -- especially when recruiters outsource to "sub-recruiters" or "recruiter middlemen?" -- that I am always asked to provide a complete chronological listing anyway.
The most honest explanation is that I got fired from various contracts because they decided after 2-3 months that my skills weren't a great match. But, following advice of many recruiters I've talked to, I usually phrase it as they were short contracts.
But, the thing that really confuses me is when the JD says something like
`7+ years LAMP web application development required`
Well, I have been developing web apps since 2000 when I wrote my first Perl script to scrape all the images off of a gallery site. Since then I have written many web scraper scripts in JavaScript, originally in jQuery, then ES6, and most recently using fetch API.
But, I would not consider myself and expert-level or even senior-level web application developer. Maybe Jr, intermediate, associate, or even entry level. But, how can I be entry level when I've been working in software development (professionally) since 2009?
Further -- and more to the point -- though I have been developing since 2000, it feels dishonest to say that I have *20+ years of web app development experience in Perl, PHP, and JavaScript*, because those 20+ years have many gaps and only one software job I have had so far (Jr. PHP Developer) has lasted longer than 3 months. I have worked a total of 6 or 7 software contracts and one of the them lasted 9 months because I quit to move out of state, and the others I got fired from.
The successful team leads I have met in my career had at least 2-4 years of continuous experience in software development with the same company. Because I've had so much 'stop and start' with different companies, I've not had a good opportunity to absorb a particular workflow, system, product, etc. (which for me is important -- *especially with complex abstracted systems*).
My Question
-----------
**Here is my motivation for the question:** I am currently in need of income quickly, can only work remotely (I live in a rural area, so no software roles locally), and am revising my resume to target jobs I will be a great match for and that I can actually hit the ground running.
**How can I ensure my resume accurately reflects my level of expertise to meet the expected expectations of recruiters and clients?**
Additional Reading
------------------
* [Is there a career path as a Software-Engineer for a CS-PhD?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/27369/is-there-a-career-path-as-a-software-engineer-for-a-cs-phd?rq=1#answer-27452)
* [How can I properly describe my years of experience on my resume?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/50148/how-can-i-properly-describe-my-years-of-experience-on-my-resume)
* [Resume: How to quantify my contributions as a software engineer?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/143735/resume-how-to-quantify-my-contributions-as-a-software-engineer)
* [Mistake in years of experience in resume?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/135359/mistake-in-years-of-experience-in-resume)
* [Can I add software engineering to my resume if I do not have a software engineering degree specifically?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/158064/can-i-add-software-engineering-to-my-resume-if-i-do-not-have-a-software-engineer) | Your resume is obviously not the problem. You're getting looked at for roles. You're making it through interviews, and you're getting offers. I would say your "work ethic" needs work.
Showing up on time or early isn't work ethic. Getting your job done as it's expected to be done is work ethic. Some questions to ask yourself:
* Are you learning what they need you to learn?
* Are you learning it within expected timeframes?
* What feedback did you get? How did you respond to it?
* Are you able to absorb information in a self-sufficient manner?
* Is the mentorship you require a drag on the people around you?
* What is your bug return rate on code you delivered?
* What level are common comments in code reviews you've received?
* How much of your code has gone to production?
* Does anyone ask YOU any questions?
Very few people care about your certificates or that you went back to school. They want to know one thing: Can you deliver? You need to be a value add to any team you join regardless of your level, and judging by your results you have not been that. Reading this post, I see a lot of excuses, and I don't see any accountability. As @JoeStrazerre asked: Have you tried reaching out to former coworkers to ask them what you could have done better?
Have you tried cataloging previous feedback and think about how you responded to it? Did you argue and make excuses or did you buckle up and focus on the change? Think about what you did to make a change regarding that feedback. You should be able to list the specific actions you took that were expected to lead to that result. |
186,601 | <p>I have switched my job and now I am working in an multinational company. But, prior to that I was in a startup. There was a government project, which I almost did it by myself. I had a full day of knowledge transfer about the project before my last working day, and I had kept all necessary personnel in an email loop.</p>
<p>Now, the client for that project has approached me to ask for some information about the source code, the hosting server details, the website link, the progress made and so on. When I informed that I have left that company, the client said that he would ask me should he have more questions. I told him that I am no longer authorized to do anything related to that project. And I no longer have access to any information regarding the project, including any source code. I also told them to contact the respective people associated with the project.</p>
<p>But the client kept insisting that the people associated and the server management team, etc. are not helping them and that I would help them.</p>
<p>I have already informed some colleagues of my past company (whom I am in touch with), to inform the HR about this, but should I inform the HR of my current company as well?
What should be my actions now?</p>
<p><strong>Update</strong>:- I sent the client an email as follows, following @gnasher729's advice.</p>
<pre><code>The officials from the <client> approached me in regards
to the details of the <project>.Please note that I,
<my name>, am no longer working on that project,
and am no longer employed with my previous employer.
In addition, I have transferred all the details
of the project, including the source code, to the concerned people,
as per the agreement with my former employer.
I do not own/have knowledge on anything related to the project.
So, the <project> is now the responsibility
of <old employer>. Therefore, I request you <client>
to contact <old employer> with queries related to
the project (source code, the progress made,
the login credentials and so on).
Thanks and Regards
<name>
</code></pre>
<p>Now, I got another call from client again, 2-3 days after sending this email, and he was asking me about the login credentials again. So, I informed my previous employer again. Then, I got a call from one of the employees from previous company, who is like an assistant to the old manager, who was asking me, if I remember the login credentials, the database table, the structure, etc. I told him that I don't remember, but he (the employee who asked me the database table and all) told me that he would ask me again, should he have more doubts. I seriously don't know what is going on, and I don't know how to answer that. I have done everything that was advised here, but I wasn't expecting my old employer to ask me details about the project, even when I had completed knowledge transfer , with 3-4 people.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 186602,
"author": "Philip Kendall",
"author_id": 14388,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14388",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>You've done everything right. Personally, I would send one last mail to the client along the lines of<... | 2022/08/03 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/186601",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124301/"
] | I have switched my job and now I am working in an multinational company. But, prior to that I was in a startup. There was a government project, which I almost did it by myself. I had a full day of knowledge transfer about the project before my last working day, and I had kept all necessary personnel in an email loop.
Now, the client for that project has approached me to ask for some information about the source code, the hosting server details, the website link, the progress made and so on. When I informed that I have left that company, the client said that he would ask me should he have more questions. I told him that I am no longer authorized to do anything related to that project. And I no longer have access to any information regarding the project, including any source code. I also told them to contact the respective people associated with the project.
But the client kept insisting that the people associated and the server management team, etc. are not helping them and that I would help them.
I have already informed some colleagues of my past company (whom I am in touch with), to inform the HR about this, but should I inform the HR of my current company as well?
What should be my actions now?
**Update**:- I sent the client an email as follows, following @gnasher729's advice.
```
The officials from the <client> approached me in regards
to the details of the <project>.Please note that I,
<my name>, am no longer working on that project,
and am no longer employed with my previous employer.
In addition, I have transferred all the details
of the project, including the source code, to the concerned people,
as per the agreement with my former employer.
I do not own/have knowledge on anything related to the project.
So, the <project> is now the responsibility
of <old employer>. Therefore, I request you <client>
to contact <old employer> with queries related to
the project (source code, the progress made,
the login credentials and so on).
Thanks and Regards
<name>
```
Now, I got another call from client again, 2-3 days after sending this email, and he was asking me about the login credentials again. So, I informed my previous employer again. Then, I got a call from one of the employees from previous company, who is like an assistant to the old manager, who was asking me, if I remember the login credentials, the database table, the structure, etc. I told him that I don't remember, but he (the employee who asked me the database table and all) told me that he would ask me again, should he have more doubts. I seriously don't know what is going on, and I don't know how to answer that. I have done everything that was advised here, but I wasn't expecting my old employer to ask me details about the project, even when I had completed knowledge transfer , with 3-4 people. | Send an email to the client and CC'd to your old employer, stating that you don't work for the old employer anymore, that according to the old company's guidelines you retained no relevant information, and that even if you did it would be a huge violation of the old company's confidence to pass any such information on.
Add that you do not know what the relationship between the client and the old employer is, and that as far as you are concerned, the client might not be entitled to any of that information at all. Then add that you will send any further correspondence directly to the old company's legal department.
PS. You definitely wouldn’t have any login credentials unless your employer explicitly told you to take that kind of information with you. In writing, obviously. If you had, you wouldn’t admit to it. (I did though have the phone once that was used for two-factor authentication for a forgotten account. To recover the account, the company had to enter all kinds of information that was stored in a safe place, then a six digit code was sent to my phone, which I gave over the phone to an ex-colleague, who was then able to change the number for 2FA. ) |
187,478 | <p>So. Two questions:</p>
<p>I need 1 more course to complete my Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science (Specialization in Software engineering). I finished 45/46 courses. The last course will be completed in Summer 2023. I also completed a Major in Urban Planning.</p>
<p>I don't want to wait until Summer 2023 to start working. I want to start asap.</p>
<p>Question 1: How do I show this on my resume?</p>
<p>On a side note: I started the Bachelor's of CS program in 2012. From 2012/13-2017 I worked on it and did coop as an IT assistant in 2013 for 4 months summer and coop web developer in 2016 for 8 months. I completed a Major in Urban Planning from 2018-2020. Then took a break for 2 years and worked a job unrelated to CS (helped my friend do labor work for his home cleaning business). Now I'm going back to complete my final course. I also worked as an IT helpdesk student at the university for 4 months in 2018.</p>
<p>My second question would be, which option is easiest for me:</p>
<p>Option 1: Don't mention my start date for Bachelors of Science in CS, just mention expected graduation. Don't put down my coop jobs in 2013 and 2016 (only put down the 2018 student job). Don't put down my non-CS related job. This way I would just be a Bachelor's of CS expected graduate student applying for work. Don't have to go through the hassle of explaining why it took so long to graduate.</p>
<p>Option 2: mention that the start date of the CS degree was 2012, put down all my coop experiences and my other job, and try to explain the entire thing.</p>
<p>Option 3: just say my CS degree was 2018-2022 (and urban planning degree was 2016-2018, and worked a student IT job in 2018).</p>
<p>How should I go about this to make it the most easy? Thanks in advance! (Also please remember to answer the first question that is, how to write it on my resume that I'm 45/46 courses complete and am actively looking for a job that starts soon, not waiting to complete my final course in summer 2023)</p>
<p>Third question added: how should I list my time at university (since I took breaks). Like this (it looks funny)?</p>
<pre><code>Bachelor's of Science in CS Software Engineering Specialization
2012-2016 (expected graduation Summer 2023)
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 187479,
"author": "Philip Kendall",
"author_id": 14388,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/14388",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Option 2, "tell the truth". Always tell the truth. Anything which involves weaving a web of ... | 2022/09/20 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/187478",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/124964/"
] | So. Two questions:
I need 1 more course to complete my Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science (Specialization in Software engineering). I finished 45/46 courses. The last course will be completed in Summer 2023. I also completed a Major in Urban Planning.
I don't want to wait until Summer 2023 to start working. I want to start asap.
Question 1: How do I show this on my resume?
On a side note: I started the Bachelor's of CS program in 2012. From 2012/13-2017 I worked on it and did coop as an IT assistant in 2013 for 4 months summer and coop web developer in 2016 for 8 months. I completed a Major in Urban Planning from 2018-2020. Then took a break for 2 years and worked a job unrelated to CS (helped my friend do labor work for his home cleaning business). Now I'm going back to complete my final course. I also worked as an IT helpdesk student at the university for 4 months in 2018.
My second question would be, which option is easiest for me:
Option 1: Don't mention my start date for Bachelors of Science in CS, just mention expected graduation. Don't put down my coop jobs in 2013 and 2016 (only put down the 2018 student job). Don't put down my non-CS related job. This way I would just be a Bachelor's of CS expected graduate student applying for work. Don't have to go through the hassle of explaining why it took so long to graduate.
Option 2: mention that the start date of the CS degree was 2012, put down all my coop experiences and my other job, and try to explain the entire thing.
Option 3: just say my CS degree was 2018-2022 (and urban planning degree was 2016-2018, and worked a student IT job in 2018).
How should I go about this to make it the most easy? Thanks in advance! (Also please remember to answer the first question that is, how to write it on my resume that I'm 45/46 courses complete and am actively looking for a job that starts soon, not waiting to complete my final course in summer 2023)
Third question added: how should I list my time at university (since I took breaks). Like this (it looks funny)?
```
Bachelor's of Science in CS Software Engineering Specialization
2012-2016 (expected graduation Summer 2023)
``` | Option 2, "tell the truth". Always tell the truth. Anything which involves weaving a web of lies around stuff unravels in the end and leaves you worse off than you started, because now people know the truth and also know you're a liar. |
188,471 | <p>I am part of a startup that currently has four founders. Initially I started working on this project with a friend of mine, later on we invited two more people to join us. Currently, the distribution of shares is something along the lines of</p>
<pre><code>My friend: 45%
Me: 30%
Third founder: 15%
Fourth founder: 10%
</code></pre>
<p>We have biweekly meetings in which we discuss our progress, our targets and what problems we had or might encounter, as well as various other ongoing topics.</p>
<p>In spite of being a team of four founders, I still have frequent calls with just my friend alone, where we discuss our opinions on critical things like our trajectory, goals, things we want to focus on etc., as well as where we see the company going in the next few months or long term. Obviously we discuss these topics with the rest of the teams as well, but not as frequently as we do with just the two of us.</p>
<p>Can something like this possibly become damaging to the integrity of our team? My worry is that if two of the founders discuss vital topics under four eyes first, it could possibly make the other founders feel left out of the decision making process and ultimately cause some kind of distrust between us. We always try to be as open as possible and never discuss anything privately that we wouldn't talk about in front of everyone else, but having a conversation with just one more person makes it significantly easier to make meaningful progress when initially discussing an important decision, although ultimately we obviously try to get the feedback of everyone else as well.</p>
<p>Has anyone ever made the experience that having a "team inside of a team" can sometimes be more damaging than advantageous? Since we have not started being profitable yet and are still in the process of finding our product-market fit, the only way we can "pay" others to work with us and contribute is to invite them to become co-founders and give them shares.</p>
<p>What could be some productive steps we could take in our situation to ensure that our chances for success are maximized?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 188472,
"author": "Anon",
"author_id": 64859,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/64859",
"pm_score": 0,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Teams inside teams is a pretty common thing.</p>\n<p>Sometimes this happens cause of same field inside a project... | 2022/11/09 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/188471",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I am part of a startup that currently has four founders. Initially I started working on this project with a friend of mine, later on we invited two more people to join us. Currently, the distribution of shares is something along the lines of
```
My friend: 45%
Me: 30%
Third founder: 15%
Fourth founder: 10%
```
We have biweekly meetings in which we discuss our progress, our targets and what problems we had or might encounter, as well as various other ongoing topics.
In spite of being a team of four founders, I still have frequent calls with just my friend alone, where we discuss our opinions on critical things like our trajectory, goals, things we want to focus on etc., as well as where we see the company going in the next few months or long term. Obviously we discuss these topics with the rest of the teams as well, but not as frequently as we do with just the two of us.
Can something like this possibly become damaging to the integrity of our team? My worry is that if two of the founders discuss vital topics under four eyes first, it could possibly make the other founders feel left out of the decision making process and ultimately cause some kind of distrust between us. We always try to be as open as possible and never discuss anything privately that we wouldn't talk about in front of everyone else, but having a conversation with just one more person makes it significantly easier to make meaningful progress when initially discussing an important decision, although ultimately we obviously try to get the feedback of everyone else as well.
Has anyone ever made the experience that having a "team inside of a team" can sometimes be more damaging than advantageous? Since we have not started being profitable yet and are still in the process of finding our product-market fit, the only way we can "pay" others to work with us and contribute is to invite them to become co-founders and give them shares.
What could be some productive steps we could take in our situation to ensure that our chances for success are maximized? | >
> What could be some productive steps we could take in our situation to ensure that our chances for success are maximized?
>
>
>
Clarify roles and responsibilities. Make sure you clearly spell out how gets to decide what and who needs to be in the loop as "decision maker" or "to be informed" or "not at all". Ask for feedback on how this works for everyone on a regular basis.
The whole point behind having multiple people is so you work on different things simultaneously. Having everybody involved in every discussion and decision defeats the entire purpose and doesn't scale.
So just set clear rules of how things should work and adjust if necessary. |
189,371 | <p>I am currently finishing a masters degree, but I know that my college is <em>extremely</em> slow for diploma validation. Between one or two months between the end of the year and the deliberation, after wich it takes weeks to get a paper saying you got the degree.</p>
<p>While I am fairly certain that by the end of the school year I can be about 90% sure of the result of the degree, can that absence of proof for the degree be an issue for job seeking?</p>
<p>Should I wait for said degree to be validated to start searching for work?</p>
<p>Edit: as for the timeframe, i am finishing the degree the 31st of august, they deliberate end of september and result are given at the latest mid october.</p>
<p>it is a master degree as a part time apprentice</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 189374,
"author": "keshlam",
"author_id": 12989,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/12989",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>In general the school will reply correctly to inquiries from companies even if the paper hasn't yet been prin... | 2023/01/05 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/189371",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/95733/"
] | I am currently finishing a masters degree, but I know that my college is *extremely* slow for diploma validation. Between one or two months between the end of the year and the deliberation, after wich it takes weeks to get a paper saying you got the degree.
While I am fairly certain that by the end of the school year I can be about 90% sure of the result of the degree, can that absence of proof for the degree be an issue for job seeking?
Should I wait for said degree to be validated to start searching for work?
Edit: as for the timeframe, i am finishing the degree the 31st of august, they deliberate end of september and result are given at the latest mid october.
it is a master degree as a part time apprentice | >
> Should I wait for said degree to be validated to start searching for work?
>
>
>
You should search for jobs now.
You should also update your resume to indicate that you are **expected** to get your degree in October 2023.
For example, you can add the following info to your resume:
```
University ABCD
MS in Computer Science (Expected October 2023).
```
Then, during the job interviews, you can explain in more details to the recruiters or hiring managers to make sure that everything is transparent. |
189,665 | <p>I work for a very large organization.</p>
<p>I left one subset of the organization, such as a division, we'll call A, and went to another such subset (such as division) that we'll call B.</p>
<p>In any event, someone from A has taken over my job duties there, and is asking me several questions.</p>
<p>I have conflicting feelings:</p>
<pre><code>i) My chief duty is to my new job, B.
ii) I want to be helpful to A.
</code></pre>
<p><strong>Question:</strong>
How do I gracefully navigate this situation, so I keep everyone happy, as there could be 'feedback paths' between A and B.</p>
<p>I have been given good reviews in my new job, B.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 189666,
"author": "rhoonah",
"author_id": 101258,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/101258",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>First you need to accept that you cannot keep everyone happy given that you moved from a job that you clear... | 2023/01/23 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/189665",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/43680/"
] | I work for a very large organization.
I left one subset of the organization, such as a division, we'll call A, and went to another such subset (such as division) that we'll call B.
In any event, someone from A has taken over my job duties there, and is asking me several questions.
I have conflicting feelings:
```
i) My chief duty is to my new job, B.
ii) I want to be helpful to A.
```
**Question:**
How do I gracefully navigate this situation, so I keep everyone happy, as there could be 'feedback paths' between A and B.
I have been given good reviews in my new job, B. | Since A & B are both part of the same overall organisation the answer is essentially - help A as much as you can so long as doing so doesn't detriment B.
If the amount of support A needs is reaching the point where it's starting to impact on your work for B then you'll need to make a call as to whether you approach your manager at B to say that you need to do some additional knowledge transfer to A and you're going to need to take X hours time to do that or you have to decline to help A further and cite that you've got to focus on your work at B.
The third option would be to explain to your replacement at A that you'd be more than happy to help but since you are now working for B you suggest that they ask *their* manager at A to seek approval from *your* manager at B to spare you for additional training time. Doing this gets you off the hook of having to ask your manager to allow you to do the work - but it increases visibility of these issues which your counterpart at A might not want to do. It also adds an additional bureaucratic overhead, which if the support you need to give is small might be excessive. |
189,917 | <p>Using a temp anonymous account because I post regularly on stackoverflow/here under my real name.</p>
<p>So I got a new employer the other week as a software engineer. Friendly team, good employer. No issues there. The issues come from the code itself; it was made by 2 'self made guys' in the past plus another guy who left the company a few months before I joined. The only thing you need to know about the business logic is that it is a very sensitive personal data that of course under no circumstances can be allowed to leak.</p>
<p>I've studied the code and was appalled by what I saw. As in, the only reason the application hasn't been hacked yet is because nobody bothered to look for it. And to make it clear; <strong>there are definitely bad guys who would be very interested in abusing this system for their own practical benefit. This isn't a 'crappy app but nobody cares'</strong>. It's full of holes everywhere and absolutely bug ridden. Even worse; when something goes wrong the user isn't even informed of this, nor is the error logged. So if a user creates a business object and this fails, the user won't know this until they look for their newly created object and find out it isn't there.</p>
<pre><code>try { save(newItem); } catch(exception ex) { // do nothing }
</code></pre>
<p>Even worse, every controller function - like API calls - aren't checked if the user has the correct permissions to get the data. Meaning if you're logged in and know what you're doing, you can do whatever you feel like, even though this environment desperately need a NoTrust-like implementation.</p>
<p>The deployment servers aren't much better. <em>The test and production server are one and the same</em>. On the server over 3 dozen console applications run in the background. "Yes we have some lag every now and then randomly where all apps would run slower", they said. And I almost know for a fact that the test/production applications aren't separated like they should be; I am 99% certain at least one of these production apps is interfacing with a test version of a console application.</p>
<p>Not to mention everything is written in outdated technology, Framework 4.5.x for example.</p>
<p>So, here comes the conundrum; if something goes horribly wrong - and it will sooner of later when the first wise guy figures out the weaknesses of this app - I will be of course on the chopping block. And everything needs to be rewritten in modern technology with a proper tech stack, the correct security implementations and proper error handling. I am inclined to say this isn't up for debate given the sensitivity of the data stored there and the seriousness of how the B2B clients use this application. How can I make this absolutely clear to my non-coder employer, given the fact I only started a week ago? (I do have 4+ years of experience under my belt though)</p>
<p>--</p>
<p><strong>UPDATE</strong> I've taken Benjamin's solution and made an analysis of their systems, then presented it to management at my insistence. They were interested to see what I saw, so I told them in plain language the system was wide open for hackers. That they could come in from dozens of angles and what they would be interested in doing, and that I could not fix it without revamping the entire thing. I also explained in plain language to them why the entire system was so laggy and buggy and the fundamental problems that were behind it. Sales/Management actually understood what I was saying and have given me permission to redesign/rebuild the entire thing, no further questions asked, and just said I needed to tell them what I needed. Hurray!</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 189918,
"author": "virolino",
"author_id": 98881,
"author_profile": "https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/98881",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>The world is full of systems similar (one way or another) with the system you describe. Most of the times, t... | 2023/02/06 | [
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/189917",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com",
"https://workplace.stackexchange.com/users/138675/"
] | Using a temp anonymous account because I post regularly on stackoverflow/here under my real name.
So I got a new employer the other week as a software engineer. Friendly team, good employer. No issues there. The issues come from the code itself; it was made by 2 'self made guys' in the past plus another guy who left the company a few months before I joined. The only thing you need to know about the business logic is that it is a very sensitive personal data that of course under no circumstances can be allowed to leak.
I've studied the code and was appalled by what I saw. As in, the only reason the application hasn't been hacked yet is because nobody bothered to look for it. And to make it clear; **there are definitely bad guys who would be very interested in abusing this system for their own practical benefit. This isn't a 'crappy app but nobody cares'**. It's full of holes everywhere and absolutely bug ridden. Even worse; when something goes wrong the user isn't even informed of this, nor is the error logged. So if a user creates a business object and this fails, the user won't know this until they look for their newly created object and find out it isn't there.
```
try { save(newItem); } catch(exception ex) { // do nothing }
```
Even worse, every controller function - like API calls - aren't checked if the user has the correct permissions to get the data. Meaning if you're logged in and know what you're doing, you can do whatever you feel like, even though this environment desperately need a NoTrust-like implementation.
The deployment servers aren't much better. *The test and production server are one and the same*. On the server over 3 dozen console applications run in the background. "Yes we have some lag every now and then randomly where all apps would run slower", they said. And I almost know for a fact that the test/production applications aren't separated like they should be; I am 99% certain at least one of these production apps is interfacing with a test version of a console application.
Not to mention everything is written in outdated technology, Framework 4.5.x for example.
So, here comes the conundrum; if something goes horribly wrong - and it will sooner of later when the first wise guy figures out the weaknesses of this app - I will be of course on the chopping block. And everything needs to be rewritten in modern technology with a proper tech stack, the correct security implementations and proper error handling. I am inclined to say this isn't up for debate given the sensitivity of the data stored there and the seriousness of how the B2B clients use this application. How can I make this absolutely clear to my non-coder employer, given the fact I only started a week ago? (I do have 4+ years of experience under my belt though)
--
**UPDATE** I've taken Benjamin's solution and made an analysis of their systems, then presented it to management at my insistence. They were interested to see what I saw, so I told them in plain language the system was wide open for hackers. That they could come in from dozens of angles and what they would be interested in doing, and that I could not fix it without revamping the entire thing. I also explained in plain language to them why the entire system was so laggy and buggy and the fundamental problems that were behind it. Sales/Management actually understood what I was saying and have given me permission to redesign/rebuild the entire thing, no further questions asked, and just said I needed to tell them what I needed. Hurray! | In your message, you are mixing up 3 concerns:
* security
* usability
* maintenance
Managers need 2 things:
* What does this mean?
* How do we solve it?
Example:
Once Users are logged in, their permissions aren't checked anymore, which means they can read/write stuff they are not supposed to. For example: (Insert the most horrible concrete example you can think of).
E.g. users might see that PayPal account of others, including passwords, and steal money.
The concrete example is important. I once worked on a project which all developers objected to. We told the PMs that the partner company can see all the users data. They said it's fine, the users agree to this via contract.
Once a PM found out that all the data included PayPal passwords, the project was shortly thereafter cancelled and never saw the light of day^^
(No, we didn't save PayPal passwords, that partner company did some shopping proxy thing.)
Example Solution:
Users permissions must be checked against database every time they do something, and get a permission denied if their permissions aren't sufficient.
Estimated effort: 4 weeks (or whatever)
2nd example:
Outdated framework -
Is it actively maintained with bugfixes?
Is there are clear update path?
Are there security issues with the old version?
There's a difference if we're talking 2 years old version that still gets security fixes, or a 10 year old version that's completely unmaintained.
Same thing:
Framework X is used in version 4.5.
It doesn't get any security updates anymore.
Since there are 4 known security bugs that wont get fixed anymore, we are currently at risk for any hacker who looks at us longer than a few hours.
Since a lot of details changed between versions 4.5 and 10, we would need to change a lot of code.
This means the whole effort is an estimated 4 months.
Do this for each and every thing you find.
Make sure to highlight any uncertainties you have, so that people know 4 months estimate is an estimate, and not a magical solution to fix all problems that 100% wont take a single day longer than 4 months.
After you written all this down, make sure to have a meeting with your appropriate manager, and that this is understood. Take meeting notes.
This does several things:
You cover yourself, because you have in writing that you raised this issues.
Your managers now have actionable decisions to make.
These things can be individually evaluated and prioritised.
Other developers can chime in, and propose different solutions. |
639 | <h2>The Sandbox can be found <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7183/sandbox-for-proposed-questions">here</a>.</h2>
<ul>
<li>Where is the sandbox?</li>
<li>Why should I use the sandbox?</li>
<li>How does the sandbox work?</li>
<li>How should I review proposals?</li>
<li>What should the format of sandbox posts be (title, tags, body)?</li>
</ul>
| [
{
"answer_id": 640,
"author": "ArtOfCode",
"author_id": 2685,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2685",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": true,
"text": "<h1>Where is the Sandbox?</h1>\n<p><strong>The current Sandbox is located on <a href=\"https://worldbuildin... | 2014/12/23 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/639",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2685/"
] | The Sandbox can be found [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7183/sandbox-for-proposed-questions).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Where is the sandbox?
* Why should I use the sandbox?
* How does the sandbox work?
* How should I review proposals?
* What should the format of sandbox posts be (title, tags, body)? | Where is the Sandbox?
=====================
**The current Sandbox is located on [this meta post](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/q/9981/40609). A list of all Sandboxes can be found on the [original Sandbox post](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/635/sandbox-for-proposed-questions-2014-2017).** Proposed questions should be posted as answers to the **current** Sandbox.
Why should I use the Sandbox?
=============================
You might be thinking, perhaps, why would you stage questions on the sandbox instead of posting them directly?
To answer this, let's see what could happen if you post it directly:
* If your question is incomplete, it will probably be quickly closed.
* If people think that some point of the question is unclear, they will complain about it in comments and down vote your question.
* You might edit your question and fix the problems pointed out by commenters, but some down votes will not get retracted.
* If your question has some point that is unclear or vague, some people may misunderstand it and post some bad answers, leading to unnecessary arguments, down votes and frustration.
The sandbox is intended to mitigate all those problems.
How does the Sandbox work?
==========================
1. You get an idea for a nice question for this site, but aren't sure of its format or structure.
2. You post an answer to the sandbox. Your answer to the sandbox should contain the question that you are proposing. It is ok if your question is still incomplete.
3. After you post it there, people will give suggestions to improve your question and point out potential problems.
4. You fix the problems, improving your question.
5. When people agree that it is good, they will up vote it here in the sandbox; you should wait until a sufficient number of people seem to support your proposed question via voting and commenting before posting it on the main site.
6. Now that you know that most of the problems are worked out, you post it in the main site.
Furthermore, the sandbox allows you to suggest improvements for questions from other people too. Upvote other people's questions when you think that they are ready.
When you post your question on the main site, edit the post here. You should remove the body and tags of your question, leaving the title and a link to the question on the main site. Then delete the post, and add a link to your question on main to the list of graduated that is the accepted community wiki answer on the current Sandbox. Currently the list for graduated posts is [this community wiki](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/4858/28789).
How should I review proposals?
==============================
You can contribute to the community by reviewing proposals to help them get ready for posting. Here is some advice to make your reviewing more productive and more helpful:
* **Sort the sandbox by active**. While the Sandbox is young this may not make a huge difference, but as it grows, you'll see more active posts instead of just well-received posts.
* **Read the sandbox notes**. For incomplete questions, the author should leave sandbox notes (see What should the format of Sandbox posts be?, below). Read these notes; if the author knows there's something to be done you don't need to tell them. Similarly, if you think the author has missed something, point it out.
* **Go through the close-vote reasons**. You want to make sure that the question, if posted in its current form, won't fall victim to a harsh close-voter. Check that it doesn't come under any of the close reasons (or close flag reasons, if you can't yet close-vote).
* **Upvote complete proposals**. You can also comment to indicate your approval. When a question gathers enough support it will be posted to the main site, so make sure you show when it's ready.
What should the format of sandbox posts be (title, tags, body)?
===============================================================
Questions do not have to come in an absolute format, but some general guidance makes it easier to use the Sandbox. In general, questions should include the title, tags and body. You can also use sandbox notes to show points about the question. Here's a general template:
```
# My Question Title
[tag:some-tag] [tag:other-descriptive-tag]
Here goes the body of your question, literally as you intend to post it on main.
Incomplete sections and notes intended only for the sandbox phase can be denoted
as follows: [**Sandbox note:** I still need to add test cases.]
-----
## Sandbox Questions
In this section at the end you can put a few general sentences/questions aimed at
reviewers in the sandbox, e.g. asking for specific feedback on parts of your question.
Any thoughts you have about the question should also go here for the community to give
you feedback on.
``` |
2,400 | <p>I notice that several of the questions about weapon design are solely about the weapon. They appear to make no effort to integrate the weapon into a world.</p>
<p>What do others think?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 2401,
"author": "Vincent",
"author_id": 147,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/147",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Some appear to be borderline according to the <a href=\"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/help/on-to... | 2015/08/06 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2400",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10759/"
] | I notice that several of the questions about weapon design are solely about the weapon. They appear to make no effort to integrate the weapon into a world.
What do others think? | Some appear to be borderline according to the [help page](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic).
>
> For example, questions are welcome that are about:
>
>
>
```
Creation of elements of a world (languages, species, buildings, etc.)
```
Weapons are elements of the world but the questions should also include how the elements helps defining/altering the world. If the sole focus of the question is only about the weapon, then I believe it's not a worldbuilding question. If your not sure but you think it's off-topic, you can flag it. If enough high reputation users agrees with you, it's probably off-topic. |
2,654 | <p>The <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic">Help</a> secton states that</p>
<blockquote>
<p>questions are welcome that are about [...] as long as they are <strong>not about</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Actions of individual characters, rather than elements of the world they inhabit</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>The problem is that we have a rather huge number of questions which might be considered off-topic due to that reason. It might be interesting to clarify where to draw the line, to avoid random closing of some questions and not closing of others, which would (justly) appear unfair to some users.</p>
<p>There have been some discussion on the chat yesterday, to be read starting from @MonicaCellio's <a href="https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/24508293#24508293">question</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Where's the line between worldbuilding and plotbuilding? Examples that seem more like plot-generation to me (but have no close votes)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>. The examples that have been thrown in the discussion are</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26927/murder-on-the-moon">Murder on the Moon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26918/humanely-reducing-the-human-population">Humanely reducing the human population?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26794/uniting-the-wild-peoples-of-eow">Uniting The Wild Peoples Of Eow</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26791/rfp-put-me-on-the-moon">RFP: Put me on the moon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/23350/could-an-average-person-take-over-the-world">Could an average person take over the world?</a></li>
</ul>
<p>But as @HDE226868 <a href="https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/24512063#24512063">pointed</a>,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>quite a few of our top questions could be closed for the same reason.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Which calls for the present discussion to clarify what we want, as a community. Where to draw the line?</strong></p>
<p>Some points to keep in mind. Stricter closing mean less users and less questions. Weaker closing means that actuall world building questions might be drawn into the mass of plot-related questions.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 2655,
"author": "clem steredenn",
"author_id": 9685,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/9685",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I think we should have a strict closing policy, and might have to revise past questions, but we n... | 2015/10/05 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2654",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/9685/"
] | The [Help](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic) secton states that
>
> questions are welcome that are about [...] as long as they are **not about**:
>
>
> * Actions of individual characters, rather than elements of the world they inhabit
>
>
>
The problem is that we have a rather huge number of questions which might be considered off-topic due to that reason. It might be interesting to clarify where to draw the line, to avoid random closing of some questions and not closing of others, which would (justly) appear unfair to some users.
There have been some discussion on the chat yesterday, to be read starting from @MonicaCellio's [question](https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/24508293#24508293)
>
> Where's the line between worldbuilding and plotbuilding? Examples that seem more like plot-generation to me (but have no close votes)
>
>
>
. The examples that have been thrown in the discussion are
* [Murder on the Moon](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26927/murder-on-the-moon)
* [Humanely reducing the human population?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26918/humanely-reducing-the-human-population)
* [Uniting The Wild Peoples Of Eow](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26794/uniting-the-wild-peoples-of-eow)
* [RFP: Put me on the moon](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/26791/rfp-put-me-on-the-moon)
* [Could an average person take over the world?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/23350/could-an-average-person-take-over-the-world)
But as @HDE226868 [pointed](https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/24512063#24512063),
>
> quite a few of our top questions could be closed for the same reason.
>
>
>
**Which calls for the present discussion to clarify what we want, as a community. Where to draw the line?**
Some points to keep in mind. Stricter closing mean less users and less questions. Weaker closing means that actuall world building questions might be drawn into the mass of plot-related questions. | While Plato has taught me to be wary of simple answers, I want to provide this single criterion:
```
Questions must not be about a single individual's reaction.
```
This is a lot like the answer to that linked question, but I'd like to elaborate in my own way.
So let's examine some edge cases. As bilbo\_pingouin mentioned, we should accept questions about figures of authority. I would say this is somewhat false: we should not answer questions about the reaction of any individual. However, we may answer questions about the *authority* of these figures, and how they are *able* to react. Thus, answers will not be about the single individual, but anyone in that position of power, and are more about the power itself than the people holding it.
Similarly, in pingoin's second example, the question is not about the individual, but about the society/world that aids him/her. Since this particular individual could be just about anyone, the question isn't really about just one person, and anyway they're not reacting to anything. Since the individual is the object rather than the subject, more of the action than the reaction, it's fine.
The problem we may run into with this criterion (the only problem I can think of at the moment) is that questions that seek to fulfill it may end up being too broad; after all, how can you tell what the President would do if you can't specify who the president is? To this, I would say that these questions are off-topic for being too broad, or opinion based, or idea generation. Thus, we keep the 'questions about an individual' problem simple by pushing most of the edge cases into other categories. |
2,902 | <p>It's 2016 now, and we've <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/272563/were-standardizing-the-sidebar-width-at-300px-on-all-sites">made some changes to the sidebar size</a>, and so with it, we now have finally reached the time to start Community Promotion Ads on your graduated site!</p>
<h3>What are Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>the site's twitter account</li>
<li>useful tools or resources for understanding worlds</li>
<li>blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds</li>
<li>cool events or conferences</li>
<li>anything else your community would genuinely be interested in</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. </p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads every year?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.</p>
<p>The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>All answers should be in the exact form of:</p>
<pre><code>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p></li>
<li><p>The question must always be tagged with the magic <a href="/questions/tagged/community-ads" class="post-tag moderator-tag" title="show questions tagged 'community-ads'" rel="tag">community-ads</a> tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.</p></li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be <strong>300 x 250 pixels</strong>, or double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF or PNG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of <strong>150 KB</strong></li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Score Threshold</h3>
<p>There is a <strong>minimum score threshold</strong> an answer must meet (currently <strong>6</strong>) before it will be shown on the main site.</p>
<p>You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/2902">here</a>.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 2903,
"author": "Monica Cellio",
"author_id": 28,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"https://writers.stackexchange.com/\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/cPvvZ.png\" alt=\"... | 2016/01/15 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2902",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4/"
] | It's 2016 now, and we've [made some changes to the sidebar size](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/272563/were-standardizing-the-sidebar-width-at-300px-on-all-sites), and so with it, we now have finally reached the time to start Community Promotion Ads on your graduated site!
### What are Community Promotion Ads?
Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.
### Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:
* the site's twitter account
* useful tools or resources for understanding worlds
* blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds
* cool events or conferences
* anything else your community would genuinely be interested in
The goal is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join.
### Why do we reset the ads every year?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.
The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored.
1. All answers should be in the exact form of:
```
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
```
Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
2. The question must always be tagged with the magic [community-ads](/questions/tagged/community-ads "show questions tagged 'community-ads'") tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be **300 x 250 pixels**, or double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF or PNG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of **150 KB**
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Score Threshold
There is a **minimum score threshold** an answer must meet (currently **6**) before it will be shown on the main site.
You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/2902). | [](https://writers.stackexchange.com/) |
3,359 | <p>There are every now and then discussions about where the Worldbuilders are active outside WB.SE. The definition of active is of course hard to define, but a user reaching a certain reputation usually indicates a certain activity (even if that activity could be quite old). In any case, I wrote a SEDE query:</p>
<p><a href="https://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/451242/cross-site-overlap" rel="nofollow">Cross-site Overlap</a></p>
<p>It requires to set a minimum threshold. Find the list of all SE sites and compare on each site how many users have more than the given reputation threshold on both WB and the other sites from the list. Anyone can try it out.</p>
<p>But just to give some example, if we follow the standard of SE that requires 200 reputation to be considered active, we get the following overlap for WB:</p>
<pre><code> Stack | User overlap
------------------------------------
StackOverflow | 53.3 %
SFF | 26.4 %
ELU | 23.0 %
Programmers | 16.4 %
SuperUser | 15.7 %
The Workplace | 15.4 %
RPG | 15.0 %
Meta | 14.8 %
Security | 12.8 %
Gaming | 12.4 %
Physics | 11.7 %
Academia | 11.2 %
Puzzling | 11.0 %
Code Golf | 11.0 %
Maths | 11.0 %
</code></pre>
<p>for the top 15 overlap.</p>
<p>If you are curious about who are the users present on two concrete sites, you can use <a href="https://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/451242/cross-site-overlap" rel="nofollow">that other query</a>.</p>
<p><sub>Please note that I am a total beginner in SQL, so don't be too harsh about non-optimum syntax.</sub></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 4042,
"author": "HDE 226868",
"author_id": 627,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/627",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>It's been something like seven months, and I was curious to see if things have changed at all. It turns... | 2016/03/15 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/3359",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/9685/"
] | There are every now and then discussions about where the Worldbuilders are active outside WB.SE. The definition of active is of course hard to define, but a user reaching a certain reputation usually indicates a certain activity (even if that activity could be quite old). In any case, I wrote a SEDE query:
[Cross-site Overlap](https://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/451242/cross-site-overlap)
It requires to set a minimum threshold. Find the list of all SE sites and compare on each site how many users have more than the given reputation threshold on both WB and the other sites from the list. Anyone can try it out.
But just to give some example, if we follow the standard of SE that requires 200 reputation to be considered active, we get the following overlap for WB:
```
Stack | User overlap
------------------------------------
StackOverflow | 53.3 %
SFF | 26.4 %
ELU | 23.0 %
Programmers | 16.4 %
SuperUser | 15.7 %
The Workplace | 15.4 %
RPG | 15.0 %
Meta | 14.8 %
Security | 12.8 %
Gaming | 12.4 %
Physics | 11.7 %
Academia | 11.2 %
Puzzling | 11.0 %
Code Golf | 11.0 %
Maths | 11.0 %
```
for the top 15 overlap.
If you are curious about who are the users present on two concrete sites, you can use [that other query](https://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/451242/cross-site-overlap).
Please note that I am a total beginner in SQL, so don't be too harsh about non-optimum syntax. | It's been something like seven months, and I was curious to see if things have changed at all. It turns out they have.
I used the same query with the same minimum rep requirements. Here's what I got, for the top 15 (to one decimal place, rounding):
```
Stack | March User Overlap | October User Overlap | Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
StackOverflow | 53.3% | 49.8% | -3.5%
SFF | 26.4% | 24.7% | -1.7%
ELU | 23.0% | 21.0% | -2.0%
Programmers | 16.4% | 14.3% | -2.1%
SuperUser | 15.7% | 14.0% | -1.7%
The Workplace | 15.4% | 14.9% | -0.5%
RPG | 15.0% | 14.0% | -1.0%
Meta | 14.8% | 12.7% | -2.1%
Security | 12.8% | 12.7% | -0.1%
Gaming | 12.4% | 12.7% | +0.3%
Physics | 11.7% | 11.1% | -0.6%
Academia | 11.2% | 10.5% | -0.7%
Puzzling | 11.0% | 11.9% | +0.9%
Code Golf | 11.0% | Not in Top 15 (9.0%) | -2.0%
Maths | 11.0% | 10.3% | -0.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel | Not in Top 15 | 10.5% | ?
```
A couple sites switched places - Code Golf dropped to 16, while Travel rose into the Top 15, and The Workplace and Puzzling saw increases in position. On the whole though - and this is the amazing thing - **most changes were negative**.
This could mean a few things - maybe more people are active on smaller beta sites, and are spread out, but I doubt it - but the conclusion I draw is that we're getting more people who are on Stack Exchange just for Worldbuilding Stack Exchange, and are participating enough to get a decent amount of rep. That's awesome. It means that we're finally attracting people from outside Stack Exchange, rather than just curious passersby who treat us as a novelty.
Is this a small increase? I don't know; the chart shows fluctuations of up to 3.5%, and even 0.5% is non-negligible. But I think it's a good sign that the site is growing. I might run the query again this March to see if we continue to see drops in the percent of users active on other sites, but I think the results I got today are still accurate. |
3,948 | <p>I can never remember how to format units in math formatting, and people show different ways to do it anyway! So I thought it would be a good idea to have a permanent note listing things to do and not-do with peer-approved examples to copy from.</p>
<h1>Units</h1>
<p>Scientific notation with units on the end: <span class="math-container">$2.5*10^8 m/s$</span> is <strong>not right</strong> but commonly seen posted (a <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/a/54897/885">fresh example</a>).</p>
<p>…someone?… what’s the best practice for typesetting this easily and correctly?</p>
<h1>add cookbook entries here</h1>
| [
{
"answer_id": 3949,
"author": "JDługosz",
"author_id": 885,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/885",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<h1>sandbox</h1>\n\n<p>Other answers are for sandbox experimentation and discussion. The only way to see wh... | 2016/09/08 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/3948",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/885/"
] | I can never remember how to format units in math formatting, and people show different ways to do it anyway! So I thought it would be a good idea to have a permanent note listing things to do and not-do with peer-approved examples to copy from.
Units
=====
Scientific notation with units on the end: $2.5\*10^8 m/s$ is **not right** but commonly seen posted (a [fresh example](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/a/54897/885)).
…someone?… what’s the best practice for typesetting this easily and correctly?
add cookbook entries here
========================= | sandbox
=======
Other answers are for sandbox experimentation and discussion. The only way to see what we’re doing is **in a post**. It doesn’t look the same in comments or a chat room.
vector with subscript name
==========================
What’s the right way to indicate a vector quantity with subscriped name, like p\_in for momentum?
HDE 226868 suggests
```
Would something like $\vec{p_{\text{in}}}$ work?
You could also just use $\vec{p}_{\text{in}}$.
```
which formats as
Would something like $\vec{p\_{\text{in}}}$ work? You could also just use $\vec{p}\_{\text{in}}$. |
4,322 | <p><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/3033/is-worldbuilding-a-what-if-site">Worldbuilding, according to most, should not be a <em>What If</em>? site</a>.<br>
However, an increasing number of questions are phrased in a "what if" way, and it's not always easy to discern if they're <strong>on-topic</strong> (building a fictional world) or <strong>what-if</strong> (asking what would happen) which is <strong>off-topic</strong>.</p>
<p>The culprit:</p>
<h2>"Let's say..."</h2>
<p>Many questions do not seem to be phrased as "in this world", but rather, "if there were a world". Instead of "in my world," it's often "pretend there were a world where..."</p>
<p><strong>Does this constitute <em>What-If</em>? Are these questions on-topic?</strong></p>
<hr>
<p>Examples include</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/69548/most-effective-method-of-creating-fear">Most effective method of creating fear?</a> "<strong>Let's say</strong> a psichotic alien race..."</li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/57563/lets-say-the-whole-human-race-lived-in-caves-for-millions-of-years-with-lots-of">... What features would humans gain or lose?</a> "<strong>Let's say</strong> humans lived in caves..."</li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/46686/can-a-split-personality-itself-have-split-personalities">Can a split personality itself have split personalities?</a> "<strong>Let's say</strong> a person has..."</li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/10717/time-required-for-isolated-colonists-to-forget-about-their-origin">Time required for isolated colonists to forget about their origin</a> "<strong>Let's say</strong> that I have..."</li>
</ul>
<p>And a notable variant to discuss is "let's call"</p>
<ul>
<li>"<a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/51503/is-it-possible-to-have-two-or-three-planets-in-a-stable-orbit-together">Let's call them Un, Deux and Trois</a>"</li>
<li>"<a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/39830/temperature-difficulties-of-a-fluctuating-orbital-distance">Let's call her Star B</a>" etc</li>
</ul>
| [
{
"answer_id": 4326,
"author": "SRM",
"author_id": 26246,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26246",
"pm_score": 0,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><strong>To me, any question is on-topic when it asks us to employ our <em>imaginations</em> as much or mor... | 2017/01/29 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4322",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28639/"
] | [Worldbuilding, according to most, should not be a *What If*? site](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/3033/is-worldbuilding-a-what-if-site).
However, an increasing number of questions are phrased in a "what if" way, and it's not always easy to discern if they're **on-topic** (building a fictional world) or **what-if** (asking what would happen) which is **off-topic**.
The culprit:
"Let's say..."
--------------
Many questions do not seem to be phrased as "in this world", but rather, "if there were a world". Instead of "in my world," it's often "pretend there were a world where..."
**Does this constitute *What-If*? Are these questions on-topic?**
---
Examples include
* [Most effective method of creating fear?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/69548/most-effective-method-of-creating-fear) "**Let's say** a psichotic alien race..."
* [... What features would humans gain or lose?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/57563/lets-say-the-whole-human-race-lived-in-caves-for-millions-of-years-with-lots-of) "**Let's say** humans lived in caves..."
* [Can a split personality itself have split personalities?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/46686/can-a-split-personality-itself-have-split-personalities) "**Let's say** a person has..."
* [Time required for isolated colonists to forget about their origin](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/10717/time-required-for-isolated-colonists-to-forget-about-their-origin) "**Let's say** that I have..."
And a notable variant to discuss is "let's call"
* "[Let's call them Un, Deux and Trois](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/51503/is-it-possible-to-have-two-or-three-planets-in-a-stable-orbit-together)"
* "[Let's call her Star B](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/39830/temperature-difficulties-of-a-fluctuating-orbital-distance)" etc | This seems to be primarily cases of the questioners being hesitant or diffident in the way they word the concept they are proposing for their question. Perhaps, they're having an attack of, possibly, false modesty or they're uncertain about how to put their question.
Now reading into this hesitancy that this is a way of sneaking those dreaded what-if questions in under radar seems to be, perhaps, a step too far.
For example, if the phrase "Let's say" was replaced by the straight forward "Assume etc etc." then it would be plainly obvious this phrase was the preamble to setting up the proposition upon which the question was based.
This can be best illustrated by taking this quotation and making the appropriate substitutions.
>
> Examples include
>
>
>
> ```
> Most effective method of creating fear? "***Assume*** a psichotic (sic) alien race..."
> ... What features would humans gain or lose? "***Assume*** humans lived in caves..."
> Can a split personality itself have split personalities? "***Assume*** a person has..."
> Time required for isolated colonists to forget about their origin "*Assume* that I have..."
>
> ```
>
>
I absolutely agree with SRM that *imagination* and *knowledge* [1] are necessary for questions to be on-topic, but also that are answerable. However, commonsense, logic, even educated guesswork, a capacity to reason from a given set of parameters, and all-round problem solving are essential too.
To arrive at a position where "let's say" etc etc phrases in questions are signs of what-if questions is reading to much into what are at base sloppily worded questions by questioners who are most likely lacking in self-confidence.
[1] As much as I hate to say it. Science isn't the be-all and end-all of knowledge. My whole training, education and experience as a scientist are staging a revolt at my having said so. But, yes, there are other kinds of knowledge beyond just the scientific. |
4,377 | <p>It is a bit late into this new year, being that we're already in the second month, but we are now cycling the Community Promotion Ads for 2017!</p>
<h3>What are Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>the site's amazing blog</li>
<li>useful tools or resources for understanding worlds</li>
<li>blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds</li>
<li>cool events or conferences</li>
<li>anything else your community would genuinely be interested in</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. </p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads every year?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.</p>
<p>The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>All answers should be in the exact form of:</p>
<pre><code>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p></li>
<li><p>The question must always be tagged with the magic <a href="/questions/tagged/community-ads" class="post-tag moderator-tag" title="show questions tagged 'community-ads'" rel="tag">community-ads</a> tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.</p></li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF or PNG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB</li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Score Threshold</h3>
<p>There is a <strong>minimum score threshold</strong> an answer must meet (currently <strong>6</strong>) before it will be shown on the main site.</p>
<p>You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/4377">here</a>.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 4378,
"author": "Zizouz212",
"author_id": 9228,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/9228",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"https://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/110962/urban-planning\"><img src=\"https://i.stac... | 2017/02/02 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4377",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4/"
] | It is a bit late into this new year, being that we're already in the second month, but we are now cycling the Community Promotion Ads for 2017!
### What are Community Promotion Ads?
Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.
### Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:
* the site's amazing blog
* useful tools or resources for understanding worlds
* blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds
* cool events or conferences
* anything else your community would genuinely be interested in
The goal is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join.
### Why do we reset the ads every year?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.
The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored.
1. All answers should be in the exact form of:
```
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
```
Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
2. The question must always be tagged with the magic [community-ads](/questions/tagged/community-ads "show questions tagged 'community-ads'") tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF or PNG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Score Threshold
There is a **minimum score threshold** an answer must meet (currently **6**) before it will be shown on the main site.
You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/4377). | [](https://writers.stackexchange.com/) |
4,413 | <p>According to its tag wiki, <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'xenobiology'" rel="tag">xenobiology</a> is</p>
<blockquote>
<p>a form of biology that is not familiar to science and is not found in Earthly life</p>
</blockquote>
<p><em>the wiki and its contrast with the following imply that it is about aliens</em>.</p>
<p>And <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'biology'" rel="tag">biology</a> is </p>
<blockquote>
<p>For questions about living things. <strong>Does not exclude aliens</strong>, but additional information is usually necessary</p>
</blockquote>
<hr>
<p>I believe there is a significant overlap between, and confusion with, these tags. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Not all aliens are xenobiological.</strong> Most questions involving alien organisms are <em>not</em> "not familiar to science". They may ask about evolution, or anatomy, or some other well-understood concept, but it is rare to find something completely unheard of. Therefore, most "alien biology" is not "xenobiology" by the tag definition, even though the tag is implicitly about aliens.</li>
<li><strong>Not all xenobiology is alien.</strong> Some of the questions that <em>do</em> describe processes "not familiar to science" are eligible for "xenobiology" by definition, but they are not about aliens, which the tag implies.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p><strong>Why do we need overlap and ambiguity?</strong> I'm suggesting this:</p>
<p><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'biology'" rel="tag">biology</a> should for questions about <em>all</em> living things, fictional, real, alien, Earthly, etc. because <em>it is the study of life</em>. Alien <em>life</em> is still life.</p>
<p><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'xenobiology'" rel="tag">xenobiology</a> should be merged with biology or synchronized. Its usage is not clear, as explained above, but all questions with this tag do discuss the study of life or aspects of life.</p>
<p><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/creature-design" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'creature-design'" rel="tag">creature-design</a> is relevant if the creatures are truly alien, and their peculiarities can be tagged separately.</p>
<hr>
<p>or alternatively to the above "xenobiology" can strictly be about "aliens" because "processes not known to science" can happen on Earth, too.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 4415,
"author": "SRM",
"author_id": 26246,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26246",
"pm_score": 0,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I like keeping \"xenobiology\" as a unique tag. It is one of those terms that needs to be a part of Worldb... | 2017/02/06 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4413",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28639/"
] | According to its tag wiki, [xenobiology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology "show questions tagged 'xenobiology'") is
>
> a form of biology that is not familiar to science and is not found in Earthly life
>
>
>
*the wiki and its contrast with the following imply that it is about aliens*.
And [biology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology "show questions tagged 'biology'") is
>
> For questions about living things. **Does not exclude aliens**, but additional information is usually necessary
>
>
>
---
I believe there is a significant overlap between, and confusion with, these tags.
* **Not all aliens are xenobiological.** Most questions involving alien organisms are *not* "not familiar to science". They may ask about evolution, or anatomy, or some other well-understood concept, but it is rare to find something completely unheard of. Therefore, most "alien biology" is not "xenobiology" by the tag definition, even though the tag is implicitly about aliens.
* **Not all xenobiology is alien.** Some of the questions that *do* describe processes "not familiar to science" are eligible for "xenobiology" by definition, but they are not about aliens, which the tag implies.
---
**Why do we need overlap and ambiguity?** I'm suggesting this:
[biology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology "show questions tagged 'biology'") should for questions about *all* living things, fictional, real, alien, Earthly, etc. because *it is the study of life*. Alien *life* is still life.
[xenobiology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology "show questions tagged 'xenobiology'") should be merged with biology or synchronized. Its usage is not clear, as explained above, but all questions with this tag do discuss the study of life or aspects of life.
[creature-design](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/creature-design "show questions tagged 'creature-design'") is relevant if the creatures are truly alien, and their peculiarities can be tagged separately.
---
or alternatively to the above "xenobiology" can strictly be about "aliens" because "processes not known to science" can happen on Earth, too. | ```
This answer has copies the text of Zxyrra's question (see above) for easy reference. It has been italicized for clarity. Apologies for any formatting problems
```
*According to its tag wiki, xenobiology is*
```
*a form of biology that is not familiar to science and is not found in Earthly life*
```
*the wiki and its contrast with the following imply that it is about aliens.
And biology is*
```
*For questions about living things. Does not exclude aliens, but additional information is usually necessary*
```
*I believe there is a significant overlap between, and confusion with, these tags.*
```
*Not all aliens are xenobiological. Most questions involving alien organisms are not "not familiar to science". They may ask about evolution, or anatomy, or some other well-understood concept, but it is rare to find something completely unheard of. Therefore, most "alien biology" is not "xenobiology" by the tag definition, even though the tag is implicitly about aliens.*
*Not all xenobiology is alien. Some of the questions that do describe processes "not familiar to science" are eligible for "xenobiology" by definition, but they are not about aliens, which the tag implies.*
```
*Why do we need overlap and ambiguity? I'm suggesting this:*
There is no harm in overlap and some ambiguity. This is inevitable with any classification system like WB SE's tag system. The problems here are trivial compared to **real** classification systems. Besides xenobiology can be specifically about alien biology, despite alien biology being dealt with under Biology.
One further point of necessary clarification. Xenobiology can dealt with two fields of biology (1) alien biology concerned lifeforms beyond planet Earth, (2) strange, bizarre, and weird biology involving organisms that can be Earth-based. The tag as currently written, vaguely wanders between the two fields and could be a source of confusion. Though, probably, only to persons who have some knowledge and understanding of the relevant biology.
*biology should for questions about all living things, fictional, real, alien, Earthly, etc. because it is the study of life. Alien life is still life.
xenobiology should be merged with biology or synchronized. Its usage is not clear, as explained above, but all questions with this tag do discuss the study of life or aspects of life.*
*creature-design is relevant if the creatures are truly alien, and their peculiarities can be tagged separately.*
Agreed. A good idea.
*or alternatively to the above "xenobiology" can strictly be about "aliens" because "processes not known to science" can happen on Earth, too.*
This is a good point. It makes sense here on WB SE to strictly corral "xenobiology" to alien biology. Although this means questions about strange, bizarre, and weird biology will have to be dealt with under "biology". This shouldn't be a problem as these questions are likely to be rare. I may be wrong, but if so, then consideration will have to be given about using "alien biology' as a tag and restricting "xenobiology" tag to weird biology.
Having read the text of the current "xenobiology" tag, it does need editing, if for no other reason than to expunge one awful spelling error, but the "hard-science" requirement (mostly overlooked) is unnecessary hinderance. "science-based" would be better. The current "biology" tag is not unreasonable, and may only need minor edits.
There was a suggestion about using "alternate-biology" (for reasons I won't go into here, "alternative-biology" is to be preferred). This makes better if used as a tag for "alternative-biology" in "alternative-universes" or "parallel-universes" (or worlds for universes) in the same sense as "alternative-physics" in "alternative-universes" or "alternative-cosmos"
Note: other terms that could be used as tags for alien biology (apart from "alien biology' itself) include exobiology and astrobiology. "Exobiology" has mainly fallen out of usage, so may be ignored safely. While "astrobiology" is in vogue in the scientific community. |
4,698 | <p>Perhaps such a post already exists but I couldn't find it.</p>
<p>Basically I wanted to ask what exactly are the problems associated with adding 'idea generation' related questions to the scope of this site. I do feel a significant portion of the community does like such questions (I might be wrong).</p>
<p>One problem I guess is that it goes a bit against Stackexchange's policy for objective questions and answers. But there are other borderline cases, such as Puzzling SE allowing users to create their own problems and post them. Most science and math SE sites do not accept this and allow only problems which the asker himself/herself is stuck on. So I guess it is possible (though not necessarily optimal) within the SE framework to do so.</p>
<p>If that is not possible, perhaps SE could open a new site called 'Worldbuilding Debates' or 'Worldbuilding Discussions' or something like that. It could be a slight mix of the rigorous Q&A format and the disorganised chat format. I guess some other sites on SE could benefit from such additions.</p>
<p>Have these options been considered?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 4754,
"author": "can-ned_food",
"author_id": 27708,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/27708",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>Let me posit four classes which can be used to classify any questions that arise when creating a ... | 2017/03/18 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4698",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5147/"
] | Perhaps such a post already exists but I couldn't find it.
Basically I wanted to ask what exactly are the problems associated with adding 'idea generation' related questions to the scope of this site. I do feel a significant portion of the community does like such questions (I might be wrong).
One problem I guess is that it goes a bit against Stackexchange's policy for objective questions and answers. But there are other borderline cases, such as Puzzling SE allowing users to create their own problems and post them. Most science and math SE sites do not accept this and allow only problems which the asker himself/herself is stuck on. So I guess it is possible (though not necessarily optimal) within the SE framework to do so.
If that is not possible, perhaps SE could open a new site called 'Worldbuilding Debates' or 'Worldbuilding Discussions' or something like that. It could be a slight mix of the rigorous Q&A format and the disorganised chat format. I guess some other sites on SE could benefit from such additions.
Have these options been considered? | A partial support for - at least some aspects of - WB being a debate is the number of [answers per question](http://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/edit/651841) we get. I think there should probably be an easier way to run a query over multiple sites but I couldn't see it, I just did a few to compare and got:
```
av # answers per question
wb 4.7
physics 1.5
SO 1.6
Unix 1.5
Puzzle 2.7
Photo 2.5
Scifi 2
```
I tried to get a variety of different sites - photography being perhaps a little opinion based, stack overflow a little personal taste and physics having more definite answers.
I was surprised to see quite so large a difference as that...I may have just picked a few distinctly different ones though so take this with a pinch of salt.
More answers per question does seem to hint at the answerers believing there is more to add...and so perhaps more opinion based.
**In the comments HDE226868 pointed out:**
>
> According to the site comparisons, we're actually averaging a bit under 5 answers per question. Physics has about 1.5, as does SO and Unix & Linux. Puzzling has just over 2.5, as does Photography. SciFi is at roughly 2. So somehow your answer data is multiplied by two. DaaahWhoosh says the code's counting answers twice per post ID.
>
>
> |
5,002 | <p>I'm wondering if there's any data/statistics on the percentage of close votes that age away vs end in closure vs end with the question being reopened here on Worldbuilding. Perhaps even some breakdown of questions closed by close reason would be useful? Maybe even a breakdown by tag?</p>
<p>As we discuss site policies it would be nice to have hard numbers to look at on occasion.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5003,
"author": "Monica Cellio",
"author_id": 28,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I don't know if votes that age away are tracked anywhere.</p>\n\n<p>Users with 10k rep can see some <a... | 2017/05/30 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5002",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/7351/"
] | I'm wondering if there's any data/statistics on the percentage of close votes that age away vs end in closure vs end with the question being reopened here on Worldbuilding. Perhaps even some breakdown of questions closed by close reason would be useful? Maybe even a breakdown by tag?
As we discuss site policies it would be nice to have hard numbers to look at on occasion. | I spent a bit of time digging into this. I looked at the past 365 of questions posted on the site to get the numbers. Here is what I found:
Over the past 365 days, there were **6,534** questions asked, of these:
* 3,313 have received at least one close vote or flag,
* 2,135 questions were closed,
* 1,534 of the questions had at least one close vote or flag that aged away, and
* of the questions that were closed, 139 were reopened by the community
Breaking these numbers down by close reasons, here are the total number of \*flags/votes on questions, and then total number of those votes/flags that aged away by close reason:
```
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
| Flag/Close Vote Reason | # Flags / CVs | # Flags / CVs Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
| Too broad | 4394 | 881 |
| Primarily opinion-based | 2892 | 601 |
| Off-topic This question does not appear to be about **worldbuilding**, within the sco | 2393 | 424 |
| Unclear what you're asking | 2108 | 389 |
| Off-topic You are asking questions about a story set in a world instead of about buil | 1202 | 322 |
| Duplicate | 1196 | 186 |
| Off-topic Other (add a comment explaining what is wrong) | 164 | 48 |
| Off-topic This question belongs on another site in the Stack Exchange network | 62 | 1 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
```
I also looked at the questions that had been closed and then received reopen votes/flags to see how many of them aged away.
```
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| Close Reason | # Reopen Votes | # Reopen Votes Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| Too broad | 152 | 4 |
| Off-topic This question does not appear to be about **worldbuilding**, within the sco | 111 | 0 |
| Unclear what you're asking | 111 | 3 |
| Primarily opinion-based | 98 | 9 |
| Off-topic You are asking questions about a story set in a world instead of about buil | 60 | 2 |
| Duplicate | 52 | 2 |
| Off-topic Other (add a comment explaining what is wrong) | 4 | 0 |
| Off-topic This question belongs on another site in the Stack Exchange network | 3 | 0 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
```
Far fewer reopen votes were cast, so even less of them aged away, but over the past year, approximately 19% of close votes/flags aged away.
As requested here are the comparisons to the other sites on the network for Pct Aged Away:
```
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
| Site Name | Pct Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
| Freelancing Stack Exchange | 54.18 |
| Esperanto Language Stack Exchange | 47.58 |
| Artificial Intelligence Stack Exchange | 45.88 |
| Martial Arts | 42.35 |
| Sustainable Living | 40 |
| Stack Overflow | 37.59 |
| Homebrew | 33.33 |
| Coffee Stack Exchange | 31.86 |
| Linguistics | 30.97 |
| Super User | 29.88 |
| Health Stack Exchange | 29.16 |
| Graphic Design | 28.75 |
| 3D Printing Stack Exchange | 28.54 |
| Chinese Language and Usage | 28.16 |
| Mythology Stack Exchange | 26.9 |
| History of Science and Mathematics Stack Exchange | 26.53 |
| Audio-Video Production | 26.31 |
| Programmers | 25.67 |
| Arduino Stack Exchange | 24.88 |
| Tridion Stack Exchange | 24.75 |
| Computer Science | 24.64 |
| Software Recommendations Stack Exchange | 24.39 |
| Amateur Radio Stack Exchange | 24.22 |
| Photography | 24.11 |
| Open Data Stack Exchange | 23.95 |
| Project Management | 23.9 |
| Jewish Life and Learning | 23.78 |
| Open Source Stack Exchange | 23.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair | 22.96 |
| Emacs Stack Exchange | 22.77 |
| Server Fault | 22.65 |
| Game Developers | 22.65 |
| German Language and Usage | 22.24 |
| elementary OS Stack Exchange | 22.07 |
| Beer Stack Exchange | 21.95 |
| Quantitative Finance | 21.69 |
| Startups Stack Exchange | 21.4 |
| Pets Stack Exchange | 21.26 |
| Law Stack Exchange | 21.17 |
| Reverse Engineering Stack Exchange | 21.11 |
| Expatriates Stack Exchange | 20.97 |
| Literature | 20.75 |
| Economics | 20.69 |
| Korean Language Stack Exchange | 20.59 |
| Ebooks Stack Exchange | 20.41 |
| Cognitive Sciences | 19.99 |
| Worldbuilding Stack Exchange | 19.75 |
| Latin Language Stack Exchange | 19.75 |
| The Great Outdoors | 19.66 |
| CiviCRM Stack Exchange | 19.08 |
| Cooking | 18.97 |
| Moderators Stack Exchange | 18.75 |
| Music Fans Stack Exchange | 18.16 |
| Philosophy | 17.7 |
| WordPress | 17.16 |
| Buddhism Stack Exchange | 17.14 |
| Chess | 17.11 |
| Politics | 17.11 |
| Arts & Crafts Stack Exchange | 17.11 |
| Lifehacks Stack Exchange | 17.06 |
| Writers | 16.75 |
| Theoretical Computer Science | 16.62 |
| Raspberry Pi | 16.18 |
| Retrocomputing Stack Exchange | 15.98 |
| Sitecore Stack Exchange | 15.59 |
| Internet of Things Stack Exchange | 15.55 |
| Computer Graphics Stack Exchange | 15.49 |
| Gardening and Landscaping | 15.31 |
| Biology | 15.3 |
| Stack Overflow на русском | 15.2 |
| Woodworking Stack Exchange | 15.18 |
| ExpressionEngine | 15.15 |
| Bicycles | 14.91 |
| Russian Language and Usage | 14.86 |
| Aviation Stack Exchange | 14.58 |
| Astronomy | 14.57 |
| Language Learning Stack Exchange | 14.14 |
| Sports | 14.09 |
| English Language Learners | 13.94 |
| Apple | 13.67 |
| Sound Design Stack Exchange | 13.63 |
| Blender Stack Exchange | 13.62 |
| Islam | 13.59 |
| Computational Science | 13.28 |
| Board and Card Games | 13.16 |
| Earth Science Stack Exchange | 13.06 |
| Hinduism Stack Exchange | 12.86 |
| Skeptics | 12.75 |
| Engineering Stack Exchange | 12.64 |
| Puzzling Stack Exchange | 12.41 |
| Movies | 12.38 |
| Personal Productivity | 12.33 |
| Japanese Language and Usage | 12.1 |
| Personal Finance and Money | 12.09 |
| Bitcoin | 12.01 |
| Windows Phone | 11.83 |
| Parenting | 11.68 |
| Android Enthusiasts | 11.63 |
| Software Quality Assurance and Testing | 11.62 |
| Biblical Hermeneutics | 11.5 |
| Role-playing Games | 11.29 |
| French Language and Usage | 10.92 |
| The Workplace | 10.87 |
| Vi and Vim Stack Exchange | 10.84 |
| MathOverflow | 10.76 |
| Christianity | 10.75 |
| Signal Processing | 10.66 |
| Science Fiction | 10.61 |
| Travel | 10.61 |
| Stack Overflow em Português | 10.11 |
| Ethereum Stack Exchange | 10.1 |
| Web Apps | 10.07 |
| Home Improvement | 9.95 |
| Mathematics | 9.56 |
| Fitness and Nutrition | 9.51 |
| Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange | 9.51 |
| Space Exploration Stack Exchange | 8.98 |
| Statistical Analysis | 8.96 |
| Portuguese Language Stack Exchange | 8.82 |
| Academia | 8.76 |
| History | 8.65 |
| Joomla Stack Exchange | 8.6 |
| Data Science Stack Exchange | 8.36 |
| Ubuntu | 8.26 |
| Code Review | 8.08 |
| Spanish Language and Usage | 7.92 |
| Patents | 7.81 |
| English Language and Usage | 7.8 |
| Salesforce | 7.8 |
| SharePoint | 7.76 |
| Stack Overflow en español | 7.74 |
| Genealogy and Family History | 7.5 |
| Hardware Recommendations Stack Exchange | 7.46 |
| Monero Stack Exchange | 7.44 |
| Database Administrators | 7.31 |
| Magento | 7.28 |
| Gaming | 7.26 |
| LEGO® | 7.19 |
| Italian Language Stack Exchange | 7.14 |
| Poker | 7.01 |
| IT Security | 6.91 |
| User Experience | 6.86 |
| Craft CMS Stack Exchange | 6.69 |
| Physics | 6.66 |
| Code Golf | 6.6 |
| Musical Practice and Performance | 6.39 |
| Drupal Answers | 6.3 |
| Electronics and Robotics | 6.27 |
| Mathematica | 6.22 |
| Anime and Manga | 5.89 |
| Unix and Linux | 5.64 |
| Robotics | 5.2 |
| Cryptography | 5.06 |
| Chemistry | 4.65 |
| GIS | 4.62 |
| Stack Apps | 4.4 |
| Webmasters | 3.52 |
| TeX - LaTeX | 3.32 |
| Tor Stack Exchange | 3.18 |
| Network Engineering Stack Exchange | 1.44 |
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
``` |
5,014 | <p><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/82574/how-would-a-girl-that-has-never-encountered-the-concept-of-pregnancy-react-to-gi">How would a girl that has never encountered the concept of pregnancy react to giving birth?</a></p>
<p>This question seems appropriately scoped and reasonably on-topic as far as worldbuilding goes, but it appears to be gathering closevotes for being off-topic. </p>
<p>Admittedly the question could use some perspective, but is it really off-topic or is this a <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4927/flags-and-close-votes-are-not-super-downvotes">super down vote issue</a>?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5003,
"author": "Monica Cellio",
"author_id": 28,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I don't know if votes that age away are tracked anywhere.</p>\n\n<p>Users with 10k rep can see some <a... | 2017/06/03 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5014",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/7351/"
] | [How would a girl that has never encountered the concept of pregnancy react to giving birth?](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/82574/how-would-a-girl-that-has-never-encountered-the-concept-of-pregnancy-react-to-gi)
This question seems appropriately scoped and reasonably on-topic as far as worldbuilding goes, but it appears to be gathering closevotes for being off-topic.
Admittedly the question could use some perspective, but is it really off-topic or is this a [super down vote issue](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/4927/flags-and-close-votes-are-not-super-downvotes)? | I spent a bit of time digging into this. I looked at the past 365 of questions posted on the site to get the numbers. Here is what I found:
Over the past 365 days, there were **6,534** questions asked, of these:
* 3,313 have received at least one close vote or flag,
* 2,135 questions were closed,
* 1,534 of the questions had at least one close vote or flag that aged away, and
* of the questions that were closed, 139 were reopened by the community
Breaking these numbers down by close reasons, here are the total number of \*flags/votes on questions, and then total number of those votes/flags that aged away by close reason:
```
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
| Flag/Close Vote Reason | # Flags / CVs | # Flags / CVs Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
| Too broad | 4394 | 881 |
| Primarily opinion-based | 2892 | 601 |
| Off-topic This question does not appear to be about **worldbuilding**, within the sco | 2393 | 424 |
| Unclear what you're asking | 2108 | 389 |
| Off-topic You are asking questions about a story set in a world instead of about buil | 1202 | 322 |
| Duplicate | 1196 | 186 |
| Off-topic Other (add a comment explaining what is wrong) | 164 | 48 |
| Off-topic This question belongs on another site in the Stack Exchange network | 62 | 1 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+---------------+-------------------------+
```
I also looked at the questions that had been closed and then received reopen votes/flags to see how many of them aged away.
```
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| Close Reason | # Reopen Votes | # Reopen Votes Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| Too broad | 152 | 4 |
| Off-topic This question does not appear to be about **worldbuilding**, within the sco | 111 | 0 |
| Unclear what you're asking | 111 | 3 |
| Primarily opinion-based | 98 | 9 |
| Off-topic You are asking questions about a story set in a world instead of about buil | 60 | 2 |
| Duplicate | 52 | 2 |
| Off-topic Other (add a comment explaining what is wrong) | 4 | 0 |
| Off-topic This question belongs on another site in the Stack Exchange network | 3 | 0 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
```
Far fewer reopen votes were cast, so even less of them aged away, but over the past year, approximately 19% of close votes/flags aged away.
As requested here are the comparisons to the other sites on the network for Pct Aged Away:
```
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
| Site Name | Pct Aged Away |
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
| Freelancing Stack Exchange | 54.18 |
| Esperanto Language Stack Exchange | 47.58 |
| Artificial Intelligence Stack Exchange | 45.88 |
| Martial Arts | 42.35 |
| Sustainable Living | 40 |
| Stack Overflow | 37.59 |
| Homebrew | 33.33 |
| Coffee Stack Exchange | 31.86 |
| Linguistics | 30.97 |
| Super User | 29.88 |
| Health Stack Exchange | 29.16 |
| Graphic Design | 28.75 |
| 3D Printing Stack Exchange | 28.54 |
| Chinese Language and Usage | 28.16 |
| Mythology Stack Exchange | 26.9 |
| History of Science and Mathematics Stack Exchange | 26.53 |
| Audio-Video Production | 26.31 |
| Programmers | 25.67 |
| Arduino Stack Exchange | 24.88 |
| Tridion Stack Exchange | 24.75 |
| Computer Science | 24.64 |
| Software Recommendations Stack Exchange | 24.39 |
| Amateur Radio Stack Exchange | 24.22 |
| Photography | 24.11 |
| Open Data Stack Exchange | 23.95 |
| Project Management | 23.9 |
| Jewish Life and Learning | 23.78 |
| Open Source Stack Exchange | 23.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair | 22.96 |
| Emacs Stack Exchange | 22.77 |
| Server Fault | 22.65 |
| Game Developers | 22.65 |
| German Language and Usage | 22.24 |
| elementary OS Stack Exchange | 22.07 |
| Beer Stack Exchange | 21.95 |
| Quantitative Finance | 21.69 |
| Startups Stack Exchange | 21.4 |
| Pets Stack Exchange | 21.26 |
| Law Stack Exchange | 21.17 |
| Reverse Engineering Stack Exchange | 21.11 |
| Expatriates Stack Exchange | 20.97 |
| Literature | 20.75 |
| Economics | 20.69 |
| Korean Language Stack Exchange | 20.59 |
| Ebooks Stack Exchange | 20.41 |
| Cognitive Sciences | 19.99 |
| Worldbuilding Stack Exchange | 19.75 |
| Latin Language Stack Exchange | 19.75 |
| The Great Outdoors | 19.66 |
| CiviCRM Stack Exchange | 19.08 |
| Cooking | 18.97 |
| Moderators Stack Exchange | 18.75 |
| Music Fans Stack Exchange | 18.16 |
| Philosophy | 17.7 |
| WordPress | 17.16 |
| Buddhism Stack Exchange | 17.14 |
| Chess | 17.11 |
| Politics | 17.11 |
| Arts & Crafts Stack Exchange | 17.11 |
| Lifehacks Stack Exchange | 17.06 |
| Writers | 16.75 |
| Theoretical Computer Science | 16.62 |
| Raspberry Pi | 16.18 |
| Retrocomputing Stack Exchange | 15.98 |
| Sitecore Stack Exchange | 15.59 |
| Internet of Things Stack Exchange | 15.55 |
| Computer Graphics Stack Exchange | 15.49 |
| Gardening and Landscaping | 15.31 |
| Biology | 15.3 |
| Stack Overflow на русском | 15.2 |
| Woodworking Stack Exchange | 15.18 |
| ExpressionEngine | 15.15 |
| Bicycles | 14.91 |
| Russian Language and Usage | 14.86 |
| Aviation Stack Exchange | 14.58 |
| Astronomy | 14.57 |
| Language Learning Stack Exchange | 14.14 |
| Sports | 14.09 |
| English Language Learners | 13.94 |
| Apple | 13.67 |
| Sound Design Stack Exchange | 13.63 |
| Blender Stack Exchange | 13.62 |
| Islam | 13.59 |
| Computational Science | 13.28 |
| Board and Card Games | 13.16 |
| Earth Science Stack Exchange | 13.06 |
| Hinduism Stack Exchange | 12.86 |
| Skeptics | 12.75 |
| Engineering Stack Exchange | 12.64 |
| Puzzling Stack Exchange | 12.41 |
| Movies | 12.38 |
| Personal Productivity | 12.33 |
| Japanese Language and Usage | 12.1 |
| Personal Finance and Money | 12.09 |
| Bitcoin | 12.01 |
| Windows Phone | 11.83 |
| Parenting | 11.68 |
| Android Enthusiasts | 11.63 |
| Software Quality Assurance and Testing | 11.62 |
| Biblical Hermeneutics | 11.5 |
| Role-playing Games | 11.29 |
| French Language and Usage | 10.92 |
| The Workplace | 10.87 |
| Vi and Vim Stack Exchange | 10.84 |
| MathOverflow | 10.76 |
| Christianity | 10.75 |
| Signal Processing | 10.66 |
| Science Fiction | 10.61 |
| Travel | 10.61 |
| Stack Overflow em Português | 10.11 |
| Ethereum Stack Exchange | 10.1 |
| Web Apps | 10.07 |
| Home Improvement | 9.95 |
| Mathematics | 9.56 |
| Fitness and Nutrition | 9.51 |
| Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange | 9.51 |
| Space Exploration Stack Exchange | 8.98 |
| Statistical Analysis | 8.96 |
| Portuguese Language Stack Exchange | 8.82 |
| Academia | 8.76 |
| History | 8.65 |
| Joomla Stack Exchange | 8.6 |
| Data Science Stack Exchange | 8.36 |
| Ubuntu | 8.26 |
| Code Review | 8.08 |
| Spanish Language and Usage | 7.92 |
| Patents | 7.81 |
| English Language and Usage | 7.8 |
| Salesforce | 7.8 |
| SharePoint | 7.76 |
| Stack Overflow en español | 7.74 |
| Genealogy and Family History | 7.5 |
| Hardware Recommendations Stack Exchange | 7.46 |
| Monero Stack Exchange | 7.44 |
| Database Administrators | 7.31 |
| Magento | 7.28 |
| Gaming | 7.26 |
| LEGO® | 7.19 |
| Italian Language Stack Exchange | 7.14 |
| Poker | 7.01 |
| IT Security | 6.91 |
| User Experience | 6.86 |
| Craft CMS Stack Exchange | 6.69 |
| Physics | 6.66 |
| Code Golf | 6.6 |
| Musical Practice and Performance | 6.39 |
| Drupal Answers | 6.3 |
| Electronics and Robotics | 6.27 |
| Mathematica | 6.22 |
| Anime and Manga | 5.89 |
| Unix and Linux | 5.64 |
| Robotics | 5.2 |
| Cryptography | 5.06 |
| Chemistry | 4.65 |
| GIS | 4.62 |
| Stack Apps | 4.4 |
| Webmasters | 3.52 |
| TeX - LaTeX | 3.32 |
| Tor Stack Exchange | 3.18 |
| Network Engineering Stack Exchange | 1.44 |
+---------------------------------------------------+---------------+
``` |
5,648 | <p>I was reading <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5002/is-there-hard-data-on-close-votes">a previous question on data on close votes</a>, and a related question came to my mind.</p>
<p>The question is as follows: <strong>is it possible to reject the hypothesis that there exists well-defined cliques of users that have a higher than random frequency in co-voting to close questions?</strong></p>
<p>As a noob in terms of community dynamics, my expectation would be that the specific sample of users that vote to close any given question should be a random sample of the the population of users that in general cast a vote to close questions. </p>
<p>If that is not the case, I am of the opinion that there could be other factors at play, some of which should be considered and addressed as a community. For instance, there could be cascade effects, such that a user vote to close prompts a fellow user (let's say a friend) to vote to close, regardless of the merit of the question <em>per se</em>; or, it could be topic driven, i.e. some groups of users do not like (otherwise reasonable) questions on certain topics, hence the co-voting patterns; or, it could be that there is a group strategy (explicit or just emergent) to assert dominance and control within the larger group of the community. You name it.</p>
<p>I would tag this question as hard-statistics, in case.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5650,
"author": "Secespitus",
"author_id": 28789,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28789",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>I don't have any data at hand, but here's my feeling based on what I've seen on the site and a few ... | 2017/12/07 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5648",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/42101/"
] | I was reading [a previous question on data on close votes](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5002/is-there-hard-data-on-close-votes), and a related question came to my mind.
The question is as follows: **is it possible to reject the hypothesis that there exists well-defined cliques of users that have a higher than random frequency in co-voting to close questions?**
As a noob in terms of community dynamics, my expectation would be that the specific sample of users that vote to close any given question should be a random sample of the the population of users that in general cast a vote to close questions.
If that is not the case, I am of the opinion that there could be other factors at play, some of which should be considered and addressed as a community. For instance, there could be cascade effects, such that a user vote to close prompts a fellow user (let's say a friend) to vote to close, regardless of the merit of the question *per se*; or, it could be topic driven, i.e. some groups of users do not like (otherwise reasonable) questions on certain topics, hence the co-voting patterns; or, it could be that there is a group strategy (explicit or just emergent) to assert dominance and control within the larger group of the community. You name it.
I would tag this question as hard-statistics, in case. | Data
====
I analyzed all the data for 2017. I got the list of question-closers for 1719 questions that have been closed for any reason but not deleted (deleted posts usually have no upvotes or answers after 30 days). This also counts questions that have since been reopened. I then took every subset of these closers and counted them. Here are the results
### Groups of 1
The most closing user voted on 907 close questions, or 53% of the total. There are 11 users who voted on 10% or more of the close questions and those 11 users placed 2.9 votes per closed question. Or, in other words, they provided 59 % of all close votes.
### Groups of 2
The highest grouping of 2 voted to close 569 questions together, or 33% of all questions. There were 10 pairs of users from 6 individual users who voted on 10% or more of closed questions together, and they placed 1.6 votes per question, or 33 % of the total close votes.
### Groups of 3 or more
The highest grouping of 3 users voted to close 187 questions together. The highest group of 4 was 48 questions, and the highest group of 5, only 7 questions.
### Gini Index
The Gini index of close voters is 0.807. Gini is a measure of inequality, used for incomes mostly. I don't have any information to put this number in context, but I am interested in doing so in the future, by comparison over time, or with other sites.
### Pearsons $\chi^2$ test for independence
Forming the the 11 highest users into a diagonal contingency table, we can use Pearsons test for independence. Using the null hypothesis of independence, I built a contingency table with 50 degrees of freedom. That table had a Pearson's $\chi^2$ score of 5492, which is very high. Since $p = 0$ for this test, we can (resoundingly) reject the null hypothesis.
A cursory look at the data shows us why.
Some users close a lot of questions
===================================
Especially recently, there are two users who have closed 'most' of the questions. Since August 1, there have been 718 questions closed; these two users closed 75% and 73% respectively.
These two users have voted together 399 times, or 76% and 74% of those users total close votes, respectively. Together, they have voted to close 56% of all questions.
There is a third user who frequently votes along side these two. This third user has 207 close votes, of which 57% have been with *both* of the two high close voters, and 93% have been with one or the other.
This appears to be evidence of some 'collusion.' However, when comparing the actual number of times users have closed questions against expected, even in these recent months when many questions have been closed, they are not operating together more than expected. Here are actual and expected numbers for users A, B, and C from above:
```
Users Expected Closes Actual Closes
A + B 393 399
A + C 157 159
B + C 152 152
A, B, C 113 119
```
In fact, the expected values are surprisingly accurate.
If we redo the $\chi^2$ test for this time period, we see that the score has dropped all the way down to 138. This is still low enough to reject the null hypothesis ($p=0.008$), but it is much closer than before.
Conclusion
==========
It does look like certain groups are closing questions together a lot as a clique. However, this behavior is expected due to how frequently members of that group are closing questions in general. Despite a failure of independence test for the entire year, when broken down into smaller samples, the test looks a lot better.
Therefore, we can reject the null hypothesis that close voters are acting independently, but we can demonstrate some evidence that time is the factor causing this result. **Overall, I conclude that there is insufficient evidence of voters demonstrating any of the co-voting patterns that you mention in the question.** |
5,801 | <p>It's almost February in 2018, which isn't supposed to be the proper time to cycle these, but for this year it'll be once again, so we'll be refreshing the <strong>Community Promotion Ads</strong> for this year now!</p>
<h3>What are Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>the site's amazing blog</li>
<li>useful tools or resources for understanding worlds</li>
<li>blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds</li>
<li>cool events or conferences</li>
<li>anything else your community would genuinely be interested in</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. </p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads every year?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.</p>
<p>The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>All answers should be in the exact form of:</p>
<pre><code>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p></li>
<li><p>The question must always be tagged with the magic <a href="/questions/tagged/community-ads" class="post-tag moderator-tag" title="show questions tagged 'community-ads'" rel="tag">community-ads</a> tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.</p></li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF or PNG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB</li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Score Threshold</h3>
<p>There is a <strong>minimum score threshold</strong> an answer must meet (currently <strong>6</strong>) before it will be shown on the main site.</p>
<p>You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/5801">here</a>.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5802,
"author": "Monica Cellio",
"author_id": 28,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"http://medium.com/universe-factory\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.... | 2018/01/29 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5801",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4/"
] | It's almost February in 2018, which isn't supposed to be the proper time to cycle these, but for this year it'll be once again, so we'll be refreshing the **Community Promotion Ads** for this year now!
### What are Community Promotion Ads?
Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.
### Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:
* the site's amazing blog
* useful tools or resources for understanding worlds
* blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds
* cool events or conferences
* anything else your community would genuinely be interested in
The goal is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join.
### Why do we reset the ads every year?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.
The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored.
1. All answers should be in the exact form of:
```
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
```
Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
2. The question must always be tagged with the magic [community-ads](/questions/tagged/community-ads "show questions tagged 'community-ads'") tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF or PNG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Score Threshold
There is a **minimum score threshold** an answer must meet (currently **6**) before it will be shown on the main site.
You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/5801). | [](http://medium.com/universe-factory) |
5,826 | <p>Welcome to 'Know Your Site', an every Monday Worldbuilding trivia feature where I use the Stack Exchange Data Explorer and maybe some python parsing to find out interesting things about the site.</p>
<p>I will post a question on Monday, and people have until Thursday at noon to guess the answer! To be clear, using the Data Explorer to get the answer is cheating. If you use that to find the answer, feel good about your inherent superiority, but don't post it! Also, absolutely do not look at my Data Explorer profile, because that is definitely cheating. </p>
<p>After three consecutive weeks of having my question answered in about 30 minutes, you guys have forced me to take extreme measures. For this week's question, <strong>Who is the highest reputation user whose highest tag score is a a certain tag?</strong></p>
<p>Difficultly worded question, so here are some examples. Who is the highest reputation user that has <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'reality-check'" rel="tag">reality-check</a> as their highest tag? How about for <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-based'" rel="tag">science-based</a>? Looking at the list in order of reputation:</p>
<pre><code>Name Reality Check Science Based
Cort Ammon 2526 1489
Thucydides 1592 1494
JDlugosz 1417 1675
Separatrix 1953 1236
Tim B 1028 1906
Will 1724 1897
HDE 226868 845 1402
kingledion 1841 2340
</code></pre>
<p>Cort Ammon has more rep in <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'reality-check'" rel="tag">reality-check</a> than any other tag, and is the highest rep user for which this is true, so Cort Ammon is the answer for <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'reality-check'" rel="tag">reality-check</a>. JDlugosz, Tim B, Will, HDE 226868 and kingledion all have more <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-based'" rel="tag">science-based</a> than any other tag; of these, JDlugosz has the highest rep, so he is the answer for <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-based'" rel="tag">science-based</a>, even though other users have a higher score for that tag. Make sense?</p>
<p>For these other tags, which user who has their highest tag score in each tag has the most overall reputation?</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/alternate-history" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'alternate-history'" rel="tag">alternate-history</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'biology'" rel="tag">biology</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/climate" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'climate'" rel="tag">climate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/creature-design" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'creature-design'" rel="tag">creature-design</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/economy" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'economy'" rel="tag">economy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/evolution" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'evolution'" rel="tag">evolution</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/geography" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'geography'" rel="tag">geography</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/government" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'government'" rel="tag">government</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hard-science" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'hard-science'" rel="tag">hard-science</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/humans" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'humans'" rel="tag">humans</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/language" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'language'" rel="tag">language</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/magic" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'magic'" rel="tag">magic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/physics" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'physics'" rel="tag">physics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/planets" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'planets'" rel="tag">planets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/politics" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'politics'" rel="tag">politics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/religion" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'religion'" rel="tag">religion</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-fiction" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-fiction'" rel="tag">science-fiction</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/society" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'society'" rel="tag">society</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/space" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'space'" rel="tag">space</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/space-travel" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'space-travel'" rel="tag">space-travel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/technology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'technology'" rel="tag">technology</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/warfare" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'warfare'" rel="tag">warfare</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/weapons" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'weapons'" rel="tag">weapons</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/worldbuilding-process" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'worldbuilding-process'" rel="tag">worldbuilding-process</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'xenobiology'" rel="tag">xenobiology</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Important limitations</h3>
<ul>
<li><p>Ignore <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-based'" rel="tag">science-based</a> and <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'reality-check'" rel="tag">reality-check</a>. As far as I can tell, <em>every</em> user has one of those two a their top tag.</p></li>
<li><p>The user must have at least 10 not-closed answers in a certain tag to count. Thus, if you have 581 score from one post in computers, <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/31388/how-would-facebook-sysadmins-prevent-the-summoning-of-cthulhu/31419#31419">for example</a>, you don't count. I made this limit because one-off answers with 100+ votes tend to skew things oddly. </p></li>
<li><p>Please post partial answers; you probably need it on this one :)</p></li>
</ul>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5828,
"author": "Secespitus",
"author_id": 28789,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/28789",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/alternate-history\" class... | 2018/02/05 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5826",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/23519/"
] | Welcome to 'Know Your Site', an every Monday Worldbuilding trivia feature where I use the Stack Exchange Data Explorer and maybe some python parsing to find out interesting things about the site.
I will post a question on Monday, and people have until Thursday at noon to guess the answer! To be clear, using the Data Explorer to get the answer is cheating. If you use that to find the answer, feel good about your inherent superiority, but don't post it! Also, absolutely do not look at my Data Explorer profile, because that is definitely cheating.
After three consecutive weeks of having my question answered in about 30 minutes, you guys have forced me to take extreme measures. For this week's question, **Who is the highest reputation user whose highest tag score is a a certain tag?**
Difficultly worded question, so here are some examples. Who is the highest reputation user that has [reality-check](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check "show questions tagged 'reality-check'") as their highest tag? How about for [science-based](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based "show questions tagged 'science-based'")? Looking at the list in order of reputation:
```
Name Reality Check Science Based
Cort Ammon 2526 1489
Thucydides 1592 1494
JDlugosz 1417 1675
Separatrix 1953 1236
Tim B 1028 1906
Will 1724 1897
HDE 226868 845 1402
kingledion 1841 2340
```
Cort Ammon has more rep in [reality-check](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check "show questions tagged 'reality-check'") than any other tag, and is the highest rep user for which this is true, so Cort Ammon is the answer for [reality-check](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check "show questions tagged 'reality-check'"). JDlugosz, Tim B, Will, HDE 226868 and kingledion all have more [science-based](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based "show questions tagged 'science-based'") than any other tag; of these, JDlugosz has the highest rep, so he is the answer for [science-based](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based "show questions tagged 'science-based'"), even though other users have a higher score for that tag. Make sense?
For these other tags, which user who has their highest tag score in each tag has the most overall reputation?
* [alternate-history](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/alternate-history "show questions tagged 'alternate-history'")
* [biology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/biology "show questions tagged 'biology'")
* [climate](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/climate "show questions tagged 'climate'")
* [creature-design](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/creature-design "show questions tagged 'creature-design'")
* [economy](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/economy "show questions tagged 'economy'")
* [evolution](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/evolution "show questions tagged 'evolution'")
* [geography](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/geography "show questions tagged 'geography'")
* [government](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/government "show questions tagged 'government'")
* [hard-science](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hard-science "show questions tagged 'hard-science'")
* [humans](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/humans "show questions tagged 'humans'")
* [language](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/language "show questions tagged 'language'")
* [magic](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/magic "show questions tagged 'magic'")
* [physics](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/physics "show questions tagged 'physics'")
* [planets](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/planets "show questions tagged 'planets'")
* [politics](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/politics "show questions tagged 'politics'")
* [religion](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/religion "show questions tagged 'religion'")
* [science-fiction](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-fiction "show questions tagged 'science-fiction'")
* [society](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/society "show questions tagged 'society'")
* [space](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/space "show questions tagged 'space'")
* [space-travel](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/space-travel "show questions tagged 'space-travel'")
* [technology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/technology "show questions tagged 'technology'")
* [warfare](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/warfare "show questions tagged 'warfare'")
* [weapons](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/weapons "show questions tagged 'weapons'")
* [worldbuilding-process](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/worldbuilding-process "show questions tagged 'worldbuilding-process'")
* [xenobiology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology "show questions tagged 'xenobiology'")
### Important limitations
* Ignore [science-based](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based "show questions tagged 'science-based'") and [reality-check](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/reality-check "show questions tagged 'reality-check'"). As far as I can tell, *every* user has one of those two a their top tag.
* The user must have at least 10 not-closed answers in a certain tag to count. Thus, if you have 581 score from one post in computers, [for example](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/31388/how-would-facebook-sysadmins-prevent-the-summoning-of-cthulhu/31419#31419), you don't count. I made this limit because one-off answers with 100+ votes tend to skew things oddly.
* Please post partial answers; you probably need it on this one :) | Secespitus's answer is good, but here are the corrections to his answer.
* [evolution](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/evolution "show questions tagged 'evolution'") -> [March Ho](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/4790/march-ho?tab=tags)
* [government](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/government "show questions tagged 'government'") -> [Shadow1024](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/25459/shadow1024?tab=tags)
* [humans](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/humans "show questions tagged 'humans'") -> [GaryWalker](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/7325/gary-walker?tab=tags)
* [physics](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/physics "show questions tagged 'physics'") -> [2012rcampion](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/3407/2012rcampion?tab=tags)
* [space-travel](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/space-travel "show questions tagged 'space-travel'") -> [JBH](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/40609/jbh?tab=tags)
* [weapons](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/weapons "show questions tagged 'weapons'") -> [Samuel](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/3202/samuel?tab=tags)
* [xenobiology](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/xenobiology "show questions tagged 'xenobiology'") -> [Slarty](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/42450/slarty?tab=tags)
Maybe we'll go for a little bit easier next time.... |
5,846 | <h2>Background</h2>
<p><a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/104831/44805">This question</a> was received rather negatively by the community for its naive understanding of units of force. Put simply, it asked what would happen if you punched somebody with 172500N of force. It's off-topic for WB.SE, and it [probably] wouldn't be received too well on Physics.SE.</p>
<h2>Proposal</h2>
<p>Inspired by <a href="https://xkcd.com/526/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">xkcd</a>, I hope to establish some intuitive(ish) reference points for various metric units. Many people could estimate a centimeter as about the width of a finger, but how much pressure is one megapascal? Sure, it's defined as 1e6 Pa, but what's that <em>mean</em> to the root user?</p>
<p>Answers to this question should be written for a <strong>single unit</strong>. The format is as follows:</p>
<hr />
<h1>Unit name</h1>
<p>Base SI unit: (mathjax describing unit and using only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI_base_unit" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SI base units</a>)<br>
Common units: (unit of measure commonly used. If there's an equivalent measure in Imperial units, include it as well.)</p>
<h2>Range name</h2>
<pre><code>Unit
Value Description
Value Description
</code></pre>
<h2>Defined Constants:</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/q/5846/44805" title="Link points right back to this question.">Constant</a> - description (Link to the wikipedia page for that constant.)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>Current units defined in this question:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5847/44805">Velocity</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5861/44805">Force</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5867/44805">Mass</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5868/44805">Energy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5868/44805">Power</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Units that need a definition:</p>
<ul>
<li>Momentum (maybe)</li>
<li>Luminance</li>
<li>Conductance</li>
<li>Capacitance</li>
<li>Pressure</li>
<li>Density</li>
</ul>
<p>Feel free to add more.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 5847,
"author": "Jakob Lovern",
"author_id": 44805,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/44805",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<h1>Velocity</h1>\n\n<p>Base SI units: $m/s$, $\\theta/s$<br>\nCommon units: mph, kph, m/s, %C</p>\n... | 2018/02/14 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5846",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/44805/"
] | Background
----------
[This question](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/104831/44805) was received rather negatively by the community for its naive understanding of units of force. Put simply, it asked what would happen if you punched somebody with 172500N of force. It's off-topic for WB.SE, and it [probably] wouldn't be received too well on Physics.SE.
Proposal
--------
Inspired by [xkcd](https://xkcd.com/526/), I hope to establish some intuitive(ish) reference points for various metric units. Many people could estimate a centimeter as about the width of a finger, but how much pressure is one megapascal? Sure, it's defined as 1e6 Pa, but what's that *mean* to the root user?
Answers to this question should be written for a **single unit**. The format is as follows:
---
Unit name
=========
Base SI unit: (mathjax describing unit and using only [SI base units](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI_base_unit))
Common units: (unit of measure commonly used. If there's an equivalent measure in Imperial units, include it as well.)
Range name
----------
```
Unit
Value Description
Value Description
```
Defined Constants:
------------------
* [Constant](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/q/5846/44805 "Link points right back to this question.") - description (Link to the wikipedia page for that constant.)
---
Current units defined in this question:
* [Velocity](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5847/44805)
* [Force](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5861/44805)
* [Mass](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5867/44805)
* [Energy](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5868/44805)
* [Power](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/5868/44805)
Units that need a definition:
* Momentum (maybe)
* Luminance
* Conductance
* Capacitance
* Pressure
* Density
Feel free to add more. | Velocity
========
Base SI units: $m/s$, $\theta/s$
Common units: mph, kph, m/s, %C
*Note: This answer includes both linear and angular velocity.*
Linear Velocity
---------------
['Orders of magnitude' on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(speed))
### Atom smashers
### People and cars
```
kph m/s
5 1.5 Walking
13 3.5 Jogging
25 7 Sprinting
35 10 Fastest human
45 13 Housecat
55 15 Rabbit
75 20 Raptor
100 25 Slow highway
110 30 Interstate (65 mph)
120 35 Speed you actually go when it says “65”
140 40 Raptor on hoverboard
```
### Things that fly
```
kph
893 Boeing 747-300 cruise speed
7,274 X-15 (see https://what-if.xkcd.com/58/)
```
### Space, orbital
```
kph
2,286 Moon's linear orbital velocity around the Earth
11,052 linear velocity of geostationary
27,600 ground velocity of the International Space Station
108,000 linear velocity of Earth as it orbits the Sun
720,000 linear velocity of the Sun around the center of the galaxy
18,000,000 S2's orbital speed around the black hole Sagittarius A*
?? velocities of various objects in orbit around earth
```
### Space, nonorbital
```
kph
39,897 maximum velocity of Apollo 11 (earth reference point)
61,200 Velocity of voyager space probe (sun reference point)
252,792 fastest we've ever made anything go (Helios 1)
1,440,000 velocity of hypervelocity stars
```
### Space, relativistic
```
%c
<1 hypervelocity stars (0.13%)
1 S2's orbital velocity (1.6%)
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
95
99 ejection jet of Blazars (99.9%)
ultra high-energy cosmic ray particles (99.99999999999999999999951%)
```
Angular Velocity
----------------
['Orders of magnitude' on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(angular_velocity))
### Placeholder
```
lorem ipsum
dolor sit amet
```
Defined constants:
------------------
* c - Speed of light in a vacuum. equal to 299792458 $m/s$ |
6,452 | <p>Over the course of time I have copied the common comment statements of others (e.g. "Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE!") and have had my comment statements copied by others.</p>
<p>The problem is that simply copy-and-pasting the statement means losing all the code, such as the <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/239707/complete-list-of-help-center-magic-links">magic links</a> and <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/94000/157730">more here</a> (of which there are many and I don't use them as often as I should).</p>
<p>To help out new users, please post your favorite or common comment scripts below. <strong>Please remember that magic links only resolve in comments, they do not resolve in posts.</strong> For the convenience of all, it means a bit of work for we posters. I recommend the following format.</p>
<p><strong><em>New users: you would copy-and-paste the "code" in the PRE block, not the text in the example block.</em></strong></p>
<hr>
<blockquote>
<p>This is what my script will look like after it's rendered. This means Magic Links like <strong>help center</strong> and <strong>tour</strong> are rendered for users.</p>
</blockquote>
<pre><code><pre>This is what my script will look like after it's rendered.
This means Magic Links like [help] and [tour] are rendered
for users.</pre>
</code></pre>
| [
{
"answer_id": 6453,
"author": "JBH",
"author_id": 40609,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/40609",
"pm_score": 0,
"selected": false,
"text": "<blockquote>\n <p>Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, pleas... | 2018/07/24 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6452",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/40609/"
] | Over the course of time I have copied the common comment statements of others (e.g. "Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE!") and have had my comment statements copied by others.
The problem is that simply copy-and-pasting the statement means losing all the code, such as the [magic links](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/239707/complete-list-of-help-center-magic-links) and [more here](https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/94000/157730) (of which there are many and I don't use them as often as I should).
To help out new users, please post your favorite or common comment scripts below. **Please remember that magic links only resolve in comments, they do not resolve in posts.** For the convenience of all, it means a bit of work for we posters. I recommend the following format.
***New users: you would copy-and-paste the "code" in the PRE block, not the text in the example block.***
---
>
> This is what my script will look like after it's rendered. This means Magic Links like **help center** and **tour** are rendered for users.
>
>
>
```
<pre>This is what my script will look like after it's rendered.
This means Magic Links like [help] and [tour] are rendered
for users.</pre>
``` | Mine is this one:
>
> Welcome to Worldbuilding, (Insert username)! If you have a moment, please take the **tour** and visit the **help center** to learn more about the site. You may also find **Meta** and [The Sandbox](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6168/sandbox-for-proposed-questions) useful. [Here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/q/6388) is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!
>
>
>
The tour, help center, and Meta would all convert from magic links. The raw script (what you should copy+paste) is
`Welcome to Worldbuilding, (Insert username)! If you have a moment, please take the [tour] and visit the [help] to learn more about the site. You may also find [meta] and [The Sandbox](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6168/sandbox-for-proposed-questions) useful. [Here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/q/6388) is a meta post on the culture and style of Worldbuilding.SE, just to help you understand our scope and methods, and how we do things here. Have fun!`
I'll modify as needed by changing parts of it or adding another notice. Remember to update it with the new link in case there's a new Sandbox (the current one is [this one](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6168/sandbox-for-proposed-questions)).
I adapted it from this answer from [Are there any rules or a specific format for "Welcome to WorldBuilding!" comments?](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5254/are-there-any-rules-or-a-specific-format-for-welcome-to-worldbuilding-comment/5255#5255) But felt that meta and The Sandbox should be mentioned, and later on the post on "Welcome to Worldbuilding!". Sometimes I'll customize it with magic links like `[edit]` or `[chat]`, or things like "Nice first question!" If I mean it. I pop into the first Q/A review queue, add this message to each new post, and then hit the skip button — it lets me greet new users while letting others do the main review work, unless I feel like it that day.
**Don't forget** to change the "(insert username)" to the name of the user, or simply delete it. I've had it happen to me a couple times that I'll comment using this script but leave the "insert username" in and have to go back and fix it. |
6,579 | <p>Or critique I dunno, anyways no one is perfect and this includes this site, it's moderators and me.</p>
<p>Let's assume that I disagree with some of the aspects/practices of the site and to an extent, the community. I want to tell this in a more sophisticated format than <strong>"Worldbuilding sucks, I go to bed."</strong> </p>
<p><strong>In what format can and should one express their disagreement on this site? What rules should he keep in mind? I'm asking about structuring your temper tantrum to be clear and effective.</strong></p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 6580,
"author": "dot_Sp0T",
"author_id": 2746,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2746",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<h1>Regarding Acting</h1>\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Don't</strong> throw a temper tantrum, instead refrain from... | 2018/08/18 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6579",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/32097/"
] | Or critique I dunno, anyways no one is perfect and this includes this site, it's moderators and me.
Let's assume that I disagree with some of the aspects/practices of the site and to an extent, the community. I want to tell this in a more sophisticated format than **"Worldbuilding sucks, I go to bed."**
**In what format can and should one express their disagreement on this site? What rules should he keep in mind? I'm asking about structuring your temper tantrum to be clear and effective.** | Regarding Acting
================
1. **Don't** throw a temper tantrum, instead refrain from name-calling, wailing, aggressiveness, and all the other things that are involved in a tantrum
2. Gather the things that bother you, think about them - Why do they bother you?
3. Make a meta-post:
```
Title: **This thing bothers me (because yada yada)**
Here I am explaining why it bothers me, I am using
examples of where I've experienced this bothersome behaviour
Here I am explaining how I think this bothersome thing could be made better
```
4. Reactions might not be what you expect: **Do not lash out**
Regarding Reacting
==================
1. **Don't** throw a temper tantrum, instead refrain from name-calling, wailing, aggressiveness, and all the other things that are involved in a tantrum
2. Gather the things that bother you on the question, think about them - Why do they bother you?
3. Make an answer:
```
Here I am explaining why I agree AND/OR disagree with the question/premise
Here I am proposing things, in a normal tone, respecting the other parties
```
4. No matter what the situation, *you are **not** better than the querent* |
6,922 | <p>I've been clicking various links and interrogating Help. So far no luck.</p>
<p>I'd like to find or make a league table of the most popular questions of all time on the main Worldbuilding SE. I'm interested in upvotes and/or views .</p>
<p>Does such exist? If not, how can I build one?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 6923,
"author": "user",
"author_id": 29,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/29",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>For questions by votes, you can <a href=\"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/search?tab=votes&q=is%3aq... | 2018/12/01 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6922",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10759/"
] | I've been clicking various links and interrogating Help. So far no luck.
I'd like to find or make a league table of the most popular questions of all time on the main Worldbuilding SE. I'm interested in upvotes and/or views .
Does such exist? If not, how can I build one? | For questions by votes, you can [search for `is:q` and sort by votes](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/search?tab=votes&q=is%3aq).
For answers by votes, you can [search for `is:a` and sort by votes](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/search?tab=votes&q=is%3aa).
To get a list of questions by views, you can use the Stack Exchange Data Explorer. [Here's an example query](https://data.stackexchange.com/worldbuilding/query/938848?opt.textResults=true) to get you started:
```
SELECT TOP(10)
Id,
ViewCount,
Title,
'https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/' + CONVERT(NVARCHAR(MAX), Id) AS Link
FROM Posts
ORDER BY ViewCount DESC
```
(SEDE isn't using the most recent data -- I think it updates weekly -- but allows you to perform queries that are difficult or impossible to express in the on-site search field syntax.) |
7,063 | <p>2019 is here! And with the new year, as usual, comes a new iteration of <strong>Community Promotion Ads</strong>! Let’s refresh these for the coming year :)</p>
<h3>What are Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>the site's amazing blog</li>
<li>useful tools or resources for understanding worlds</li>
<li>blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds</li>
<li>cool events or conferences</li>
<li>anything else your community would genuinely be interested in</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. </p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads every year?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.</p>
<p>The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>All answers should be in the exact form of:</p>
<pre><code>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p></li>
<li><p>The question must always be tagged with the magic <a href="/questions/tagged/community-ads" class="post-tag moderator-tag" title="show questions tagged 'community-ads'" rel="tag">community-ads</a> tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.</p></li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF or PNG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB</li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Score Threshold</h3>
<p>There is a <strong>minimum score threshold</strong> an answer must meet (currently <strong>6</strong>) before it will be shown on the main site.</p>
<p>You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/7063">here</a>.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 7065,
"author": "HDE 226868",
"author_id": 627,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/627",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"https://astronomy.stackexchange.com\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/1tczj.png\" alt=\"... | 2019/01/23 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7063",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/8555/"
] | 2019 is here! And with the new year, as usual, comes a new iteration of **Community Promotion Ads**! Let’s refresh these for the coming year :)
### What are Community Promotion Ads?
Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.
### Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:
* the site's amazing blog
* useful tools or resources for understanding worlds
* blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds
* cool events or conferences
* anything else your community would genuinely be interested in
The goal is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join.
### Why do we reset the ads every year?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.
The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored.
1. All answers should be in the exact form of:
```
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
```
Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
2. The question must always be tagged with the magic [community-ads](/questions/tagged/community-ads "show questions tagged 'community-ads'") tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF or PNG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Score Threshold
There is a **minimum score threshold** an answer must meet (currently **6**) before it will be shown on the main site.
You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/7063). | [](https://writing.stackexchange.com/) |
7,242 | <p>I'm trying to define a <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/143052/ice-world-cryo-world-settlementamorphous-cryolava-cryomagma">QA context</a> about especially cold ice-worlds(maybe they should be called cryo-worlds), where surface temperature range 0-100°K. I noticed there is not a tag for ice-world, nor cryo-world, and <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cryogenics" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'cryogenics'" rel="tag">cryogenics</a> tag description says it's reserved for cryogenic hibernation specifically. I did see the ice and dry-ice tags, although dry ice is only about 216.6 °K, and the context I was trying to get at was much colder than that. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryogenics" rel="nofollow noreferrer">According to Wikipedia cryogenic gasses liquify at or below 123°K...</a> </p>
<p>...and so I've used the cryogenics tag, I hope this is not too egregious a violation, although I was thinking I'd like to propose a couple new tags: </p>
<p>-<code>liquid-nitrogen</code><br>
-<code>absolute-zero</code> / <code>zero-Kelvin</code> </p>
<p>(Also perhaps <code>liquid-methane</code>). </p>
<p><strong>Quick freezing point chart</strong></p>
<pre><code> freezing points
H2O 273.2 °K
CO2 216.6 °K
CH4 90.70 °K
CO 68.13 °K
N2 63.15 °K
</code></pre>
<p>I'd rather not used tags inappropriately if at all possible, but the large discrepancy in temperatures for each of these substances is so broad, and I think could help differentiate different types of cold worlds scenarios for <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'science-based'" rel="tag">science-based</a> and <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hard-science" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged 'hard-science'" rel="tag">hard-science</a> Q&A.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 7247,
"author": "Separatrix",
"author_id": 16295,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/16295",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>Cryogenics is the right term for your purposes but the tag definition is incorrect. </p>\n\n<p>The c... | 2019/04/03 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7242",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | I'm trying to define a [QA context](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/143052/ice-world-cryo-world-settlementamorphous-cryolava-cryomagma) about especially cold ice-worlds(maybe they should be called cryo-worlds), where surface temperature range 0-100°K. I noticed there is not a tag for ice-world, nor cryo-world, and [cryogenics](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cryogenics "show questions tagged 'cryogenics'") tag description says it's reserved for cryogenic hibernation specifically. I did see the ice and dry-ice tags, although dry ice is only about 216.6 °K, and the context I was trying to get at was much colder than that. [According to Wikipedia cryogenic gasses liquify at or below 123°K...](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryogenics)
...and so I've used the cryogenics tag, I hope this is not too egregious a violation, although I was thinking I'd like to propose a couple new tags:
-`liquid-nitrogen`
-`absolute-zero` / `zero-Kelvin`
(Also perhaps `liquid-methane`).
**Quick freezing point chart**
```
freezing points
H2O 273.2 °K
CO2 216.6 °K
CH4 90.70 °K
CO 68.13 °K
N2 63.15 °K
```
I'd rather not used tags inappropriately if at all possible, but the large discrepancy in temperatures for each of these substances is so broad, and I think could help differentiate different types of cold worlds scenarios for [science-based](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/science-based "show questions tagged 'science-based'") and [hard-science](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hard-science "show questions tagged 'hard-science'") Q&A. | Cryogenics is the right term for your purposes but the tag definition is incorrect.
The correct solution is perhaps to create a new [cryonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryonics) tag for many of the questions currently tagged [cryogenics](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cryogenics "show questions tagged 'cryogenics'"), and free up cryogenics to be used correctly. |
7,367 | <p>I recently saw this ad on Worldbuilding:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/1ajQn.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/1ajQn.gif" alt="The best questions are perfected first in our Sandbox!"></a></p>
<p>I hovered over it and saw that this is the link it goes to:</p>
<p><code>http://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/ct/7073?url=https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f7183%2fsandbox-for-proposed-questions&s=180e2f25810f79c41228e12f54de8770e28ab11c91cc704f647090556be8183e</code></p>
<p>This is a non-HTTPS link, and thus insecure. Stack Exchange moved to secure HTTPS a few years ago, and this should be fixed some time to make the network more secure.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 7368,
"author": "JBH",
"author_id": 40609,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/40609",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>The link is not wrong. If you visit the <a href=\"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/a/7073/406... | 2019/06/06 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7367",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/62089/"
] | I recently saw this ad on Worldbuilding:
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1ajQn.gif)
I hovered over it and saw that this is the link it goes to:
`http://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/ct/7073?url=https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f7183%2fsandbox-for-proposed-questions&s=180e2f25810f79c41228e12f54de8770e28ab11c91cc704f647090556be8183e`
This is a non-HTTPS link, and thus insecure. Stack Exchange moved to secure HTTPS a few years ago, and this should be fixed some time to make the network more secure. | **This is a non-issue with modern, standards-compliant browsers.**
Along with a bunch of other headers, every response to a request to worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com comes with these headers:
```
content-security-policy: upgrade-insecure-requests
strict-transport-security: max-age=15552000
```
(You can see these yourself in the network console of your browser, or equivalent.)
The effect of these is to (CSP) tell the web browser to use HTTPS for everything referenced from the page ([MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Security-Policy/upgrade-insecure-requests) says "non-navigational insecure resource requests are automatically upgraded (first-party as well as third-party requests)" and specifically illustrates with `<img>`, but not off-host `<a href>` links), *and* (HSTS) to record the fact that plain-text HTTP requests to this host are prohibited for a duration of 15,520,000 seconds (180 days).
The CSP thus doesn't necessarily affect the target of the link (MDN seems a little unclear if navigational links to the same host are upgraded). However, the HSTS header *does* have an effect ([MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Strict-Transport-Security)), in forcing the browser to *only* allow HTTPS (technically, "secure") transport to the host that the HSTS header was received from.
**Therefore, in practice, as soon as a request is made to the host, it will be force-upgraded to HTTPS before hitting the network.** So no plain-text HTTP is involved when clicking on the ad, even though the link says plaintext HTTP. |
7,787 | <p>2020 has come! But… oops, where did the time go? It’s already March! Belated as it is, it’s time for a refresh of <strong>Community Promotion Ads</strong>!</p>
<h3>What are Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>the site's amazing blog</li>
<li>useful tools or resources for understanding worlds</li>
<li>blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds</li>
<li>cool events or conferences</li>
<li>anything else your community would genuinely be interested in</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. </p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads every year?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.</p>
<p>The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>All answers should be in the exact form of:</p>
<pre><code>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p></li>
<li><p>The question must always be tagged with the magic <a href="/questions/tagged/community-ads" class="post-tag moderator-tag" title="show questions tagged 'community-ads'" rel="tag">community-ads</a> tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.</p></li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF or PNG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB</li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Score Threshold</h3>
<p>There is a <strong>minimum score threshold</strong> an answer must meet (currently <strong>6</strong>) before it will be shown on the main site.</p>
<p>You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats <a href="https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/7787">here</a>.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 7788,
"author": "Dragonrage",
"author_id": 15221,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/15221",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"https://gaming.stackexchange.com\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/kz3jL.png\" alt=\... | 2020/03/05 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7787",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/8555/"
] | 2020 has come! But… oops, where did the time go? It’s already March! Belated as it is, it’s time for a refresh of **Community Promotion Ads**!
### What are Community Promotion Ads?
Community Promotion Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, in the right sidebar. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be shown.
### Why do we have Community Promotion Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. For example, you might promote the following things:
* the site's amazing blog
* useful tools or resources for understanding worlds
* blogs or articles of existing interesting worlds
* cool events or conferences
* anything else your community would genuinely be interested in
The goal is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join.
### Why do we reset the ads every year?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. We reset the ads once a year, every December.
The community promotion ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a year of exposure.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored.
1. All answers should be in the exact form of:
```
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
```
Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
2. The question must always be tagged with the magic [community-ads](/questions/tagged/community-ads "show questions tagged 'community-ads'") tag. In addition to enabling the functionality of the advertisements, this tag also pre-fills the answer form with the above required form.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels, or double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF or PNG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Score Threshold
There is a **minimum score threshold** an answer must meet (currently **6**) before it will be shown on the main site.
You can check out the ads that have met the threshold with basic click stats [here](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/ads/display/7787). | [](https://writing.codidact.com/) |
8,008 | <p>I was in the middle of answering <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/185079/40609">this newly asked question</a> when it was deleted by the author. It had been up for 30 minutes.</p>
<p>I can't read the OP's mind, but I suspect the question was closed because challenges were being made to the <em>back story.</em> To wit, the OP's premise of using current or near-future nuclear weaponry would not result in 90% deaths.</p>
<p>The problem, of course, is that such an observation is fundamentally <em>irrelevant.</em> The OP's question was how long it would take for the world to recover to some specified conditions after the event?</p>
<p><strong>Tradition</strong></p>
<p>It's something of a tradition on Worldbuilding.SE to challenge the back story to a question. So much so that I've occasionally recommended that an OP remove the back story completely so that people would stop challenging it and focus on the question the OP actually asked. That, unfortunately, results in people complaining that the back story wasn't provided, <em>as if the back story was more important than the question.</em></p>
<p>In most cases, I think, the challenges are provided in a way that's beneficial to the OP. Something along the lines of "as you work through this issue, you might want to consider the following weakness in your back story." But I don't believe that happened in the referenced case. And it's unreasonable to believe the brand-spanking new user (literally!) could possibly understand the culture and rules of the site.</p>
<p>Result? The OP deleted the question. I voted to undelete it.</p>
<p><strong>My Question(s)...</strong></p>
<p>What should be our site's policy for handling issues involving the back story to a question?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Should we flag comments that fail to remind the OP that the observation is just that, an observation, and not an issue for the question itself and not at all a reason to edit or delete the question?</p>
</li>
<li><p>Should we judge the back story equally with the OP's actual question? In other words, if we believe the back story can't support the question, is it permissible to ignore the question and vote/comment based only on the back story?</p>
</li>
<li><p>Is there an in-between compromise I'm not seeing?</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>My Opinion</strong></p>
<p>I've been frustrated over the years by users who believe the back story is equally important with the question. Frankly (and simplistically for the purposes of this presentation), "How long would it take for Earth civilizations to recover to [this end condition] given [this starting condition]" shouldn't have any discussion based on the backstory used to establish [this starting condition] at all. Who cares if the nuclear arsenal available to us today is insufficient for achieving a 90% mortality rate?</p>
<p><em>Honestly, how many of us have grown up with the concept of "the world's nuclear arsenal can destroy the world X times over!" I don't know the OP's age and expecting them to realize that no arsenal would be used to evenly blanket the Earth might be a massive presumption.</em></p>
<p>I consider this issue an extension of the site's unwritten and too-often-used culture of assuming that whatever science we know today is the heaven-written truth, ineffable and immutable, and that there will never be more science or better science in the future. (I'm on a bit of a rant, but I know too many people who boisterously proclaim their atheism and disdain for religion — all the while treating science with the same blind faith they accuse the followers of religion of having.) The OP tried to make it clear that his proposal was for the near future (2070-2080).</p>
<p><em>Considering that 99.9% of the world's technology was invented in the last 150 years and that 99.9% of the worlds nuclear technology was invented in the last 100 years — the assumption that a nuclear arsenal 50–60 years from now couldn't kill 90% of the inhabitants is hubris bordering on rampant arrogance.</em></p>
<p>Consequently, my opinion is that I have little patience for driving away a new user for something as inane as a theoretical weakness in the <em>back story.</em></p>
<pre><Rant mode: off><grateful for patience mode: on></pre>
<hr>
<p><strong>EDIT</strong></p>
<p>Comments made about <a href="https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/a/189755/40609">this answer</a> led me to what I believe is a really great way to help people know when it's appropriate to challenge the backstory.</p>
<ul>
<li>Remember to address the question, not the backstory. <strong>Unless you're sure the reason for the question will change the answer,</strong> focus only on the question and enjoy the creativity of the backstory.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>An example of a backstory that shouldn't be challenged (except, perhaps, in comments)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Q:</strong> On my world the atmosphere is tainted such that it appears bright magenta during the day. My question is this: how would seafarers navigate during the day?</p>
<p>A Frame Challenge suggesting that what makes the sky magenta affects the answer would be specious in that it's true the OP hadn't defined what caused the atmosphere to be magenta, but it's actually irrelevant to the question. The color of the sky does not affect sea navigation.</p>
<p><strong>An example of a backstory that could be challenged</strong></p>
<p><strong>Q:</strong> On my world the atmosphere is tainted such that it appears bright magenta during the day. My question is this: what color would the horizon be with the setting sun?</p>
<p>A Frame Challenge would be appropriate for this second example because what causes the sky to appear magenta during the day could affect the color of the sky when the sun sets. (It should be noted that it would be more appropriate to ask in comments for additional details including what makes the sky magenta... but an appropriate Frame Challenge could suggest that it's impossible to have an inhabitable world with a magenta sky, so asking the question is irrelevant.)</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 8009,
"author": "Ash",
"author_id": 78800,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/78800",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>You've put together a complex story, you're proud of it, you've come here requesting help on Part A. Someo... | 2020/09/06 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8008",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/40609/"
] | I was in the middle of answering [this newly asked question](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/185079/40609) when it was deleted by the author. It had been up for 30 minutes.
I can't read the OP's mind, but I suspect the question was closed because challenges were being made to the *back story.* To wit, the OP's premise of using current or near-future nuclear weaponry would not result in 90% deaths.
The problem, of course, is that such an observation is fundamentally *irrelevant.* The OP's question was how long it would take for the world to recover to some specified conditions after the event?
**Tradition**
It's something of a tradition on Worldbuilding.SE to challenge the back story to a question. So much so that I've occasionally recommended that an OP remove the back story completely so that people would stop challenging it and focus on the question the OP actually asked. That, unfortunately, results in people complaining that the back story wasn't provided, *as if the back story was more important than the question.*
In most cases, I think, the challenges are provided in a way that's beneficial to the OP. Something along the lines of "as you work through this issue, you might want to consider the following weakness in your back story." But I don't believe that happened in the referenced case. And it's unreasonable to believe the brand-spanking new user (literally!) could possibly understand the culture and rules of the site.
Result? The OP deleted the question. I voted to undelete it.
**My Question(s)...**
What should be our site's policy for handling issues involving the back story to a question?
* Should we flag comments that fail to remind the OP that the observation is just that, an observation, and not an issue for the question itself and not at all a reason to edit or delete the question?
* Should we judge the back story equally with the OP's actual question? In other words, if we believe the back story can't support the question, is it permissible to ignore the question and vote/comment based only on the back story?
* Is there an in-between compromise I'm not seeing?
**My Opinion**
I've been frustrated over the years by users who believe the back story is equally important with the question. Frankly (and simplistically for the purposes of this presentation), "How long would it take for Earth civilizations to recover to [this end condition] given [this starting condition]" shouldn't have any discussion based on the backstory used to establish [this starting condition] at all. Who cares if the nuclear arsenal available to us today is insufficient for achieving a 90% mortality rate?
*Honestly, how many of us have grown up with the concept of "the world's nuclear arsenal can destroy the world X times over!" I don't know the OP's age and expecting them to realize that no arsenal would be used to evenly blanket the Earth might be a massive presumption.*
I consider this issue an extension of the site's unwritten and too-often-used culture of assuming that whatever science we know today is the heaven-written truth, ineffable and immutable, and that there will never be more science or better science in the future. (I'm on a bit of a rant, but I know too many people who boisterously proclaim their atheism and disdain for religion — all the while treating science with the same blind faith they accuse the followers of religion of having.) The OP tried to make it clear that his proposal was for the near future (2070-2080).
*Considering that 99.9% of the world's technology was invented in the last 150 years and that 99.9% of the worlds nuclear technology was invented in the last 100 years — the assumption that a nuclear arsenal 50–60 years from now couldn't kill 90% of the inhabitants is hubris bordering on rampant arrogance.*
Consequently, my opinion is that I have little patience for driving away a new user for something as inane as a theoretical weakness in the *back story.*
```
<Rant mode: off><grateful for patience mode: on>
```
---
**EDIT**
Comments made about [this answer](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/a/189755/40609) led me to what I believe is a really great way to help people know when it's appropriate to challenge the backstory.
* Remember to address the question, not the backstory. **Unless you're sure the reason for the question will change the answer,** focus only on the question and enjoy the creativity of the backstory.
**An example of a backstory that shouldn't be challenged (except, perhaps, in comments)**
**Q:** On my world the atmosphere is tainted such that it appears bright magenta during the day. My question is this: how would seafarers navigate during the day?
A Frame Challenge suggesting that what makes the sky magenta affects the answer would be specious in that it's true the OP hadn't defined what caused the atmosphere to be magenta, but it's actually irrelevant to the question. The color of the sky does not affect sea navigation.
**An example of a backstory that could be challenged**
**Q:** On my world the atmosphere is tainted such that it appears bright magenta during the day. My question is this: what color would the horizon be with the setting sun?
A Frame Challenge would be appropriate for this second example because what causes the sky to appear magenta during the day could affect the color of the sky when the sun sets. (It should be noted that it would be more appropriate to ask in comments for additional details including what makes the sky magenta... but an appropriate Frame Challenge could suggest that it's impossible to have an inhabitable world with a magenta sky, so asking the question is irrelevant.) | My opinion on this event is fairly simple and straightforward:
**I think we too often rely on Science As We Know It to be the end-all be-all of measures by which we view, critique, understand, and answer every question in this forum.**
We have a lot of very intelligent, very science oriented (science almost to the point of dogmatic faith) people here and it's long been an observation of mine that these individuals especially and our Company as a whole (and I've done this too, from time to time!) tend to approach all questions through the lens of real world understanding.
I hold that we tend to forget sometimes that this is all about fiction. We almost never know what the OP's perspective is: are they writing fantasy, or myth, or fairy story, or quasiVictorian mystery, or pseudoscientific adventure? Are they working on a magical world (hard or soft magic; integral or ephemeral), or a scifi world (hard or soft scifi; rigid or lax compliance), or the real world itself?
We can't approach all these kinds of worlds with the same hammer. We need to, I think, be a little more creative. Sometimes I think we need also to be more open and perhaps more willing to offer an answer even if we don't have all the data.
To take the query at hand: if I were to answer, I would (most likely) ignore AlexP's entirely correct, but also in a key way beside the point challenges. Simply because the question isn't "are there enough weapons to do what I want" but rather "this is the Situation; and this is the Background; now I need help with an Assessment and a Recommendation as to timeframe". What I mean by this is *okay, this is the fictional world the OP has constructed, and here is the problem the OP is facing: now, how can I apply my real world knowledge in combination with my creativity and in combination with my understanding that it's the ultimate narrative that is important here in order to help the OP through my response?*
Very simple.
To answer your question (finally!): it is always appropriate to challenge an OP's assumptions, ***BUT*** **we always need to adjust our perspective and our approach to the background type and the individual question at hand.** |
8,330 | <p><strong>September update:</strong> Community Ads are now live network-wide. All ads with a score of 6 or higher, or with a score of 4 or higher <em>and</em> no downvotes will be displayed (except for any that have a note from the CM Team explaining why it wasn't selected). Go to <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518">the main post on MSE</a> for a list of the ads that are being displayed. And stay tuned for 2022's edition for the next opportunity to submit more ad proposals!</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>AUGUST NOTE:</strong> This post has now been locked and new submissions are not being accepted. Ad submissions are now undergoing review by the Community Team, and this question will be updated once the ads are live.</p>
<hr />
<p>We're almost halfway through 2021, and <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518">in case you missed it</a>, Community Promotion Ads are gonna be a bit different this time! <strong>TL;DR: submit and vote for ad proposals before August 2nd!</strong></p>
<h3>What are Community Ads?</h3>
<p>Community Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, or on other sites in the network. They can show up in the right sidebar, or in banners in question pages. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be considered by <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/99341/208518">the Community Management Team</a> to be displayed.</p>
<h3>Why do we have Community Ads?</h3>
<p>This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. The goal of this initiative is for future visitors to find out about <em>the stuff your community deems important</em>. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are <em>relevant to your own community's interests</em>, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. You may want to promote external resources, or Meta guidance for newcomers, for instance.</p>
<p>This initiative has an added goal of providing your community with <em>an opportunity to showcase exemplary questions from your main site, as well as frequently-linked-to guides from your Meta site</em>. While the latter makes sense to be shown solely on this site, the former can be shown all across the network. These should avoid hot button topics, and instead focus more on evergreen questions that show what your community’s all about.</p>
<h3>Why do we reset the ads?</h3>
<p>Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. Historically, we've reset the ads every year — since this is the first run of a new format, we'll run the ads collected in this post through the end of 2021 and reassess the rotation cycle then.</p>
<p>The community ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a previous exposure.</p>
<h3>Are there restrictions to the ads I can post?</h3>
<p>All proposed ads need to abide by <a href="/conduct">our Code of Conduct</a>. <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/advertising/guidelines">Our ad creative guidelines</a> also generally apply (note that the first 2 bullet points on the “Tracking” section do not apply, and a lot of the guidelines surrounding claims, comparisons, proof, etc., while still applicable, may not be particularly relevant). Finally, ads can not be promoting products nor soliciting programmer time or resources for: knowledge sharing or collaboration tools for technologists, or for sites where ad buyers are primarily targeting technologists.</p>
<h3>How does it work?</h3>
<p>The answers you post to this question <em>must</em> conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored:</p>
<ol>
<li><p><strong>Each answer must relate to a single ad submission.</strong> Please do not post multiple ad submissions in the same answer.</p>
</li>
<li><p>All answers must be in one of the below formats:</p>
<ol>
<li>If you have an image for the ad you want to display on this site (must be the case for ads to external sources):</li>
</ol>
<pre><code>[![Image name. Example: "community_ad_name_300x250"][1]][2]
[1]: https://image-url
[2]: https://clickthrough-url
</code></pre>
<ol start="2">
<li>If you want to create an ad for a question from your main or meta site, to be advertised on this or other sites in the network (staff will generate a frame for the ad with this site's theme, for brand consistency):</li>
</ol>
<pre><code>Question title
Question URL
Ad size (right sidebar or banner ads)
Site(s) to be displayed in. Can be:
- "self" for ads to be displayed on this site
- "all" for ads to be displayed all over the network
- a specific subset of sites
</code></pre>
</li>
<li><p>Please <strong>do not add anything else to the body of the post</strong>. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Image requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li>The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels for right sidebar ads or 728 x 90 pixels for banner ads. Images can be double that if high DPI.</li>
<li>Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)</li>
<li>Must be GIF, PNG, or JPG</li>
<li>No animated GIFs</li>
<li>Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB</li>
<li>If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Selection process</h3>
<p><strong>This post will remain open for ad submissions and voting until August 2nd</strong>. At that point, the question will be closed/locked, and no more ad submissions will be accepted. For ad submissions to be considered for selection by the Community Management Team, they must have <strong>a minimum score of 6 at the time the post was closed/locked for submissions.</strong> Given this is the first run with this new format, we may adjust the score threshold to be a bit lower if we see ads struggling to get to it (especially if the ads are not getting downvotes) by the time submissions and voting are closed.</p>
<h3>Reporting statistics</h3>
<p>Once this cycle is over, at the end of 2021, the Community Management Team will provide you with reporting statistics, as described in the "reporting" section of <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518">this post</a>.</p>
<hr />
<p>Feel free to use the question's comment section to ask for any clarifications.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 8332,
"author": "JBH",
"author_id": 40609,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/40609",
"pm_score": 1,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p><a href=\"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7183/sandbox-for-proposed-questions\"><im... | 2021/06/17 | [
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8330",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/users/8555/"
] | **September update:** Community Ads are now live network-wide. All ads with a score of 6 or higher, or with a score of 4 or higher *and* no downvotes will be displayed (except for any that have a note from the CM Team explaining why it wasn't selected). Go to [the main post on MSE](https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518) for a list of the ads that are being displayed. And stay tuned for 2022's edition for the next opportunity to submit more ad proposals!
---
**AUGUST NOTE:** This post has now been locked and new submissions are not being accepted. Ad submissions are now undergoing review by the Community Team, and this question will be updated once the ads are live.
---
We're almost halfway through 2021, and [in case you missed it](https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518), Community Promotion Ads are gonna be a bit different this time! **TL;DR: submit and vote for ad proposals before August 2nd!**
### What are Community Ads?
Community Ads are community-vetted advertisements that will show up on the main site, or on other sites in the network. They can show up in the right sidebar, or in banners in question pages. The purpose of this question is the vetting process. Images of the advertisements are provided, and community voting will enable the advertisements to be considered by [the Community Management Team](https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/99341/208518) to be displayed.
### Why do we have Community Ads?
This is a method for the community to control what gets promoted to visitors on the site. The goal of this initiative is for future visitors to find out about *the stuff your community deems important*. This also serves as a way to promote information and resources that are *relevant to your own community's interests*, both for those already in the community and those yet to join. You may want to promote external resources, or Meta guidance for newcomers, for instance.
This initiative has an added goal of providing your community with *an opportunity to showcase exemplary questions from your main site, as well as frequently-linked-to guides from your Meta site*. While the latter makes sense to be shown solely on this site, the former can be shown all across the network. These should avoid hot button topics, and instead focus more on evergreen questions that show what your community’s all about.
### Why do we reset the ads?
Some services will maintain usefulness over the years, while other things will wane to allow for new faces to show up. Resetting the ads every year helps accommodate this, and allows old ads that have served their purpose to be cycled out for fresher ads for newer things. This helps keep the material in the ads relevant to not just the subject matter of the community, but to the current status of the community. Historically, we've reset the ads every year — since this is the first run of a new format, we'll run the ads collected in this post through the end of 2021 and reassess the rotation cycle then.
The community ads have no restrictions against reposting an ad from a previous cycle. If a particular service or ad is very valuable to the community and will continue to be so, it is a good idea to repost it. It may be helpful to give it a new face in the process, so as to prevent the imagery of the ad from getting stale after a previous exposure.
### Are there restrictions to the ads I can post?
All proposed ads need to abide by [our Code of Conduct](/conduct). [Our ad creative guidelines](https://stackoverflow.com/advertising/guidelines) also generally apply (note that the first 2 bullet points on the “Tracking” section do not apply, and a lot of the guidelines surrounding claims, comparisons, proof, etc., while still applicable, may not be particularly relevant). Finally, ads can not be promoting products nor soliciting programmer time or resources for: knowledge sharing or collaboration tools for technologists, or for sites where ad buyers are primarily targeting technologists.
### How does it work?
The answers you post to this question *must* conform to the following rules, or they will be ignored:
1. **Each answer must relate to a single ad submission.** Please do not post multiple ad submissions in the same answer.
2. All answers must be in one of the below formats:
1. If you have an image for the ad you want to display on this site (must be the case for ads to external sources):
```
[![Image name. Example: "community_ad_name_300x250"][1]][2]
[1]: https://image-url
[2]: https://clickthrough-url
```
2. If you want to create an ad for a question from your main or meta site, to be advertised on this or other sites in the network (staff will generate a frame for the ad with this site's theme, for brand consistency):
```
Question title
Question URL
Ad size (right sidebar or banner ads)
Site(s) to be displayed in. Can be:
- "self" for ads to be displayed on this site
- "all" for ads to be displayed all over the network
- a specific subset of sites
```
3. Please **do not add anything else to the body of the post**. If you want to discuss something, do it in the comments.
### Image requirements
* The image that you create must be 300 x 250 pixels for right sidebar ads or 728 x 90 pixels for banner ads. Images can be double that if high DPI.
* Must be hosted through our standard image uploader (imgur)
* Must be GIF, PNG, or JPG
* No animated GIFs
* Absolute limit on file size of 150 KB
* If the background of the image is white or partially white, there must be a 1px border (2px if high DPI) surrounding it.
### Selection process
**This post will remain open for ad submissions and voting until August 2nd**. At that point, the question will be closed/locked, and no more ad submissions will be accepted. For ad submissions to be considered for selection by the Community Management Team, they must have **a minimum score of 6 at the time the post was closed/locked for submissions.** Given this is the first run with this new format, we may adjust the score threshold to be a bit lower if we see ads struggling to get to it (especially if the ads are not getting downvotes) by the time submissions and voting are closed.
### Reporting statistics
Once this cycle is over, at the end of 2021, the Community Management Team will provide you with reporting statistics, as described in the "reporting" section of [this post](https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/364556/208518).
---
Feel free to use the question's comment section to ask for any clarifications. | [](https://worldbuilding.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7183/sandbox-for-proposed-questions) |
381 | <p>Let's imagine we have an algorithm that produce an elevation-map for a sphere. I wonder if the ratio between the planet radius and the delta between the highest and lowest altitude is a constant or can be guessed depending a few factors (main chemical components of the planet, atmosphere thickness, ...). Of course, I speak about telluric planets.</p>
<p>For example, Earth has a delta of, approximately, 20 km (Mount Everest in Nepal is 8,848 m hight and Mariana trench is 10,911 m deep in Pacific Ocean). See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_points_of_Earth#Elevation" rel="noreferrer">Wikipedia</a> for more details. And, radius is about 6300 km. So, the final ratio is 0,003 (radius/delta).</p>
<p>On Mars (see <a href="http://geology.com/articles/highest-point-on-mars.shtml" rel="noreferrer">here</a>), the highest point is the peak of Olympus Mons at 21,229 m, and the deepest is in the Hellas Impact Crater which is 8,200 m deep. So, the total delta is about 29 km. Then, Mars radius is about 3400 km, which makes a ratio of 0.008.</p>
<p>As you can see, the variation of this ratio between these two planets are quite different.</p>
<p>So, I would like to have some way of "guessing" this ratio (maybe I am missing a few factors that I did not take into account, the radius is probably not enough). My point is to be able to make a map-making algorithm that will stay within realistic elevations when computing the points.</p>
<p>It can also be that I am totally wrong and such ratio do not exist (or has absolutely no sense at all), but, then, I would like to have a few arguments about it. </p>
<p><strong>EDIT</strong></p>
<p>Just to make it clear, what I am looking for is an equation providing the delta of the elevation map (highest and deepest points) according to several parameters such as planet density and planet size (radius) and others... </p>
<p>Something like:</p>
<p>$$\Delta \text{(meter)} = \text{constant(m}^3\text{/kg)} \times \text{planet radius(meters)} \times \text{planet density(kg/m}^3\text{)}$$</p>
<p><strong>EDIT 2</strong></p>
<p>I have collected a few samples to illustrate the formula that I am looking for. I recall that I am looking for the elevation delta based on various physical parameters which are only linked to the physics and NOT evolution of the landscape (no tectonic activity, no erosion, ...).</p>
<pre><code> delta radius density surface gravity
Earth 20 km 6300 km 5.51 g/cm^3 1g
Mars 29 km 3400 km 3.93 g/cm^3 .376 g
Mercury 30 km 2439 km 5.43 g/cm^3 .38 g
Moon 18 km 1700 km 3.34 g/cm^3 .16 g
</code></pre>
<p>Somehow, I suspect that the planet radius and the surface gravity are involved in the formula but I don't see quite well how they interact right now. And, I suspect that I am still missing one parameter.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 385,
"author": "Monty Wild",
"author_id": 75,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/75",
"pm_score": 5,
"selected": true,
"text": "<p>The main factors that would be involved are:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Surface gravity - an effect of diameter and densit... | 2014/09/21 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/381",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/156/"
] | Let's imagine we have an algorithm that produce an elevation-map for a sphere. I wonder if the ratio between the planet radius and the delta between the highest and lowest altitude is a constant or can be guessed depending a few factors (main chemical components of the planet, atmosphere thickness, ...). Of course, I speak about telluric planets.
For example, Earth has a delta of, approximately, 20 km (Mount Everest in Nepal is 8,848 m hight and Mariana trench is 10,911 m deep in Pacific Ocean). See [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_points_of_Earth#Elevation) for more details. And, radius is about 6300 km. So, the final ratio is 0,003 (radius/delta).
On Mars (see [here](http://geology.com/articles/highest-point-on-mars.shtml)), the highest point is the peak of Olympus Mons at 21,229 m, and the deepest is in the Hellas Impact Crater which is 8,200 m deep. So, the total delta is about 29 km. Then, Mars radius is about 3400 km, which makes a ratio of 0.008.
As you can see, the variation of this ratio between these two planets are quite different.
So, I would like to have some way of "guessing" this ratio (maybe I am missing a few factors that I did not take into account, the radius is probably not enough). My point is to be able to make a map-making algorithm that will stay within realistic elevations when computing the points.
It can also be that I am totally wrong and such ratio do not exist (or has absolutely no sense at all), but, then, I would like to have a few arguments about it.
**EDIT**
Just to make it clear, what I am looking for is an equation providing the delta of the elevation map (highest and deepest points) according to several parameters such as planet density and planet size (radius) and others...
Something like:
$$\Delta \text{(meter)} = \text{constant(m}^3\text{/kg)} \times \text{planet radius(meters)} \times \text{planet density(kg/m}^3\text{)}$$
**EDIT 2**
I have collected a few samples to illustrate the formula that I am looking for. I recall that I am looking for the elevation delta based on various physical parameters which are only linked to the physics and NOT evolution of the landscape (no tectonic activity, no erosion, ...).
```
delta radius density surface gravity
Earth 20 km 6300 km 5.51 g/cm^3 1g
Mars 29 km 3400 km 3.93 g/cm^3 .376 g
Mercury 30 km 2439 km 5.43 g/cm^3 .38 g
Moon 18 km 1700 km 3.34 g/cm^3 .16 g
```
Somehow, I suspect that the planet radius and the surface gravity are involved in the formula but I don't see quite well how they interact right now. And, I suspect that I am still missing one parameter. | The main factors that would be involved are:
1. Surface gravity - an effect of diameter and density
2. Tectonic activity levels
3. Erosion rate.
Mars has lower surface gravity, and due to its thinner atmosphere, a lower erosion rate. This means that there is less gravity to prevent taller mountains and less weather to wear them down.
So, unfortunately there isn't a single factor. |
1,091 | <p>I'm trying to design a food chain. For the sake of argument lets say it's based on flying creatures over a particular mountain range.</p>
<pre><code>Sun
Plants/Fungus etc
Tiny Insects
Small Birds
Hawks
Large Apex Predator
</code></pre>
<p>However I'm struggling with getting the balance right. Obviously the big predators are the more interesting animals and the ones which drive the story but I want to ensure there are enough small birds and animals for them to eat.</p>
<p>If I want three large apex predators (each weighing 100KG) how many KGs of hawks would I need to sustain this population? How many KGs of small birds?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 1102,
"author": "Mark",
"author_id": 278,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/278",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>A good rule of thumb is that at each step of the food chain, 90% of the energy is lost: a plant only absorbs 10% o... | 2014/10/06 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/1091",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/18/"
] | I'm trying to design a food chain. For the sake of argument lets say it's based on flying creatures over a particular mountain range.
```
Sun
Plants/Fungus etc
Tiny Insects
Small Birds
Hawks
Large Apex Predator
```
However I'm struggling with getting the balance right. Obviously the big predators are the more interesting animals and the ones which drive the story but I want to ensure there are enough small birds and animals for them to eat.
If I want three large apex predators (each weighing 100KG) how many KGs of hawks would I need to sustain this population? How many KGs of small birds? | The 10% conversion efficiency mentioned in other answers is a decent rule of thumb — there's a lot of variation in the real world, but if you assume that the total prey biomass equals somewhere around 10 times the total predator biomass, you'll get a fairly plausible-looking food chain.
Tim B makes an excellent point in the comments, though: **generally, even apex predators mostly hunt herbivores,** simply because they're usually the easiest and most abundant food source around. So a 100 kg apex predator does *not* need 1,000 kg of lower predators to support it — it just needs 1,000 kg of *some* kind of prey, which may include both herbivores and other carnivores.
In fact, in real life, many apex predators (such as bears and, indeed, humans) are even omnivorous to some extent, consuming some plants (usually parts with high nutritive value, like fruits, nuts and berries) to supplement their hunting. Indeed, one major advantage of a flexible omnivorous diet, for species high up in the food chain, is that it helps guarantee a steady food supply, minimizing the risk of mass starvation (from which apex predators, with their small population sizes and long generation times, have a hard time recovering from) due to fluctuations lower down in the food chain. Conversely, since apex predators, by definition, have relatively little competition, they don't suffer such a strong pressure to specialize as species lower in the food chain, and can thus afford to maintain a generalist diet.
Actually, the only reason *everything* in nature isn't omnivorous is that different nutrition sources sometimes require incompatible adaptations. For example, the reason why autotrophs (plants) and heterotrophs (animals) are mostly distinct is because efficient autotrophy requires some adaptations (like a low-energy sessile lifestyle) that are incompatible with those needed for efficient heterotrophy (in particular, mobility for grazing/hunting). Similarly, the distinction between primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary consumers (carnivores / omnivores) is a follow-on effect to this: efficient grazing on such a low-density nutrition source as most plant tissue requires behavioral traits and digestive adaptations that are not well suited for hunting, and vice versa, so while a predator may occasionally eat plants, it is unlikely to be able to survive well on plants alone.
However, on higher levels of the food chain, this specialization starts to break down: the adaptations needed to hunt songbirds are not that different from those needed to hunt falcons, so an apex predator that can do one will most likely be capable of both. They're still most likely to hunt *mostly* songbirds, though, simply because there will be a lot more songbirds around than falcons (and also because songbirds will likely be easier to catch, and less likely to fight back, than falcons).
(In fact, IRL, falcons would generally be considered apex predators themselves. While there are species that may, *occasionally*, kill and eat falcons, none of them really do so routinely or to such an extent as to put any significant predation pressure on the falcons. To a first approximation, nothing eats falcons.)
---
So, with that out of the way, how should you figure out the biomass of different species in your ecosystem? Well, the first step would be to roughly sketch out the [food web](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_web) for the ecosystem. For example, a quick sketch might look something like this:
* Large apex predator (100 kg), large carnivore:
+ Mainly eats mountain goats (80%), supplemented by some lemmings (15%) and songbirds (5%).
+ May opportunistically eat falcons, but not very often (< 1%).
+ Does not usually eat insects (too small to hunt efficiently) or plants (not easily digestible).
* Mountain goat (50 kg), large herbivore:
+ Mainly eats plants (> 99%); can eat almost any plant, even those inedible to most other herbivores.
* Falcon (0.2 kg), small carnivore:
+ Mainly eats songbirds (25%) and lemmings (75%).
+ May opportunistically scavenge mountain goat remains left by apex predators (< 5%).
* Lemming (0.1 kg), small herbivore / omnivore:
+ Mainly eats plants (90%; shoots, leaves, roots and seeds / berries) and some insects (10%).
+ May occasionally eat eggs (< 5%) when available.
* Songbird (0.02 kg), small herbivore / insectivore:
+ Diet consists mainly of insects (50%) and seeds (50%); proportion varies by season (mostly insects in spring / summer, seeds in autumn / winter).
* Insects and arachnids:
+ Broad group subsuming a complex sub-ecosystem of herbivorous, predatory, scavenging, symbiotic and parasitic species.
+ Predatory insects and arachnids mainly hunt other insects; thus, overall, the group may be considered mainly herbivorous (> 95%).
+ Some parasitic species, such as ticks and mosquitoes, derive a significant part of their nutrition from birds and mammals (< 5% overall).
* Plants and fungi:
+ Autotrophs / detritivores, obtain their energy and nutrients from sunlight and/or from waste and remains of other organisms.
+ A few species in nutrient-scarce habitats may catch insects for extra nutrients (< 1%).
Note that I've added a few land herbivores to your ecosystem, since it didn't seem realistic to me *not* to have any. In particular, if you want large apex predators, you really do need some large prey that they can hunt efficiently; without those, there probably would not be any niche for predators much larger than your falcons.
Now, since you've already decided how many apex predators you want, you can start from the top and work out how much food they need. So, for example, three apex predators (3 × 100 kg = 300 kg) will, by the 10% rule, need around 3,000 kg of prey. Around 80% of that will be mountain goats, so that's 2,400 kg / 50 kg = 48 goats; let's round that up to 50. (Nothing else really eats goats in this ecosystem, so we don't need to account for other predators.) That's not a huge lot of goats, but then, three apex predators is quite a small population in itself.
The apex predators also eat some lemmings; the 10% rule says we need 450 kg / 0.1 kg = 4,500 lemmings to satisfy their craving for small furry snacks. However, the lemming population is also harvested by falcons; we haven't yet decided how many falcons there should be, since falcons are not a major food source for anything, but let's say there are 100 falcons, making their total biomass 20 kg. They'll thus need 200 kg of prey, of which 75% will be lemmings, giving us a total lemming biomass of 450 kg + 150 kg = 600 kg, and thus a typical population of 6,000 lemmings.
(Of course, if these are anything like real lemmings, their population size will be cyclic, growing over a few years to a peak and then crashing. This will likely induce a similar cycle in the falcon population, or at least in their offspring production rate. During peak years, the apex predators may also consume a significantly higher proportion of lemmings, since they'll be plentiful and easy to catch.)
The apex predators and falcons will also require a songbird biomass of 150 kg + 50 kg = 200 kg, giving us a population of around 10,000 songbirds. Half of the songbirds' food will be insects, which means they'll need around 1 tonne of insects to support them; however, the lemmings also eat some insects, pushing the total insect biomass needed to support both populations to around 1.6 tonnes. (In practice, the real insect biomass should almost certainly be higher, since some of it will be consumed by other insects and arachnids. I don't have a good conversion factor for that, so let's just arbitrarily call it 2 tonnes.)
The 2.5 tonnes of mountain goats will, by the 10% rule, need 25 tonnes of plants to support them; the lemmings will need about 5.5 tonnes, and the songbirds will need about 1 tonne of fruits and seeds. Treating the 2 tonnes of insect biomass as roughly 100% herbivores means they'll need 20 tonnes of plants to support them (and everything that depends on them), for a total plant biomass of around 50 tonnes. (This figure does not generally include things like tree trunks, which are not easily consumed by herbivores.)
We'll thus get the following rough biomass / population figures:
* Apex predators: 3 × 100 kg = 300 kg
* Mountain goats: 50 × 50 kg = 2,500 kg
* Falcons: 100 × 0.2 kg = 20 kg
* Lemmings: 6,000 × 0.1 kg = 600 kg (typical)
* Songbirds: 10,000 × 0.02 kg = 200 kg
* Insects: 2 tonnes
* Plants: 50 tonnes (live tissue; not including tree trunks etc.)
As noted above, if the lemming population is anything like in the real world, it may cycle strongly, from, say, 600 to 60,000 individuals. This oscillation is likely to be reflected, to varying degrees (and with varying delays) in the other populations as well.
These cyclic interactions can get quite complex. For example, during peak lemming years, the apex predators may hunt less goats, which will allow the goat population to rise next year; however, the lemmings will also compete with the goats for food, which may somewhat moderate the rise. If the lemmings deplete the plant resources considerably on peak years, this may cause the goat population to first peak (due to reduced predation) on the next year, and then crash (due to lack of food) afterwards. Similarly, a lot of lemmings means that falcons will hunt fewer songbirds this year, but also that there will be more falcons next year.
In any case, all of this is assuming an essentially closed ecosystem. However, in nature, few ecosystems are totally isolated from their surroundings, so there will likely be migration and other interactions with surrounding areas. Fortunately, these interactions often tend to be stabilizing: for example, if there aren't enough songbirds and lemmings around, the falcons can fly off the mountain and look for prey elsewhere.
In particular, a population of three apex predators is *not* anywhere near stable in isolation; unless rescued by immigration from elsewhere, it will almost surely go extinct within a few generations (and even if it did not, it would suffer greatly from inbreeding). However, a population of three large predators *can* live just fine on a mountain, as long as there are other populations nearby from which new individuals can occasionally immigrate, and to which the offspring of the current population can emigrate if there's not enough local prey to support them. |
3,478 | <blockquote>
<ul>
<li><p>An interesting setting conducive to telling many stories in? <em>Go!</em></p>
</li>
<li><p>Well thought out inhabitants in this setting with diverse cultural
backgrounds? <em>Go!</em></p>
</li>
<li><p>A proper noun for any of it? <em>Houston, we have a problem....</em></p>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>This is a common problem for me. I can develop a world in every detail (or as little detail as a story demands), but I am usually left with documents full of <strong><insert name here></strong> or <strong><come up with something alien sounding for this></strong>. These placeholders take the longest time to fill, and what I fill them with is less than satisfying. I will spare you the examples. I will also spare you the output spewed by the never ending list of “random name generator” sites that purport to solve this problem.</p>
<p>As I am a monoglot, I do not generally attempt to design languages for other races; all the writing will be in English. It should be assumed I do not have in mind what any particular culture’s language sounds like.</p>
<p>What I would like is a technique for developing <em>consistent-sounding</em>, <em>alien-sounding</em> (or foreign-sounding) names within the context of a (sub)culture. Are there <em>existing</em>, <em>documented</em> techniques or tools for doing this?</p>
<p>Addendum:</p>
<p>Perhaps I should also be asking if 'not having in mind what the language sounds like' is an inherent flaw with trying to come up with alien sounding names.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 3480,
"author": "HDE 226868",
"author_id": 627,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/627",
"pm_score": 4,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>One partial technique is to create an <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_posteriori_(languages)\" rel=... | 2014/11/02 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/3478",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/2110/"
] | >
> * An interesting setting conducive to telling many stories in? *Go!*
> * Well thought out inhabitants in this setting with diverse cultural
> backgrounds? *Go!*
> * A proper noun for any of it? *Houston, we have a problem....*
>
>
>
This is a common problem for me. I can develop a world in every detail (or as little detail as a story demands), but I am usually left with documents full of **<insert name here>** or **<come up with something alien sounding for this>**. These placeholders take the longest time to fill, and what I fill them with is less than satisfying. I will spare you the examples. I will also spare you the output spewed by the never ending list of “random name generator” sites that purport to solve this problem.
As I am a monoglot, I do not generally attempt to design languages for other races; all the writing will be in English. It should be assumed I do not have in mind what any particular culture’s language sounds like.
What I would like is a technique for developing *consistent-sounding*, *alien-sounding* (or foreign-sounding) names within the context of a (sub)culture. Are there *existing*, *documented* techniques or tools for doing this?
Addendum:
Perhaps I should also be asking if 'not having in mind what the language sounds like' is an inherent flaw with trying to come up with alien sounding names. | To not have anything in mind about a particular language is asking a bit much. If the names are to be spoken, and thus based on the sound of the language, you need to know *something* about that. Similarly, for written names, you'd need a minimal idea about the language's building blocks and their composition. This can't be avoided since it is at the heart of asking for consistency.
That said, many readers don't mind if you take short-cuts. They'd be satisfied with a small part of the language, just enough to make names and still sound like a credible part of a language. To invent names, you could create a set of similar names like this:
1. Define minimal building blocks (and possibly combination rules)
2. Create random valid combinations
3. Filter the combinations for uniqueness, aesthetics, or other reasons for suitability
I'll call the building blocks *elements*, since it would be constraining to make assumptions about their complexity. They could be letters, sounds, syllables, or even whole words; either works but produces a different kind of similarity between the names.
That's already better than nothing. Personally, I'd season it with a little meaning, to create an illusion of depth:
* Sketch a cultural background
* Select some combinations and give them a *concept* or an *association*. When naming, use or exclude these situationally.
* Create semantics for the usage of any meaningful components you defined (e.g. placement rules for titles, honorifics, adjectives)
Let's do a little example. I call my culture the *Ahl*, since one-syllable names are cool and I'm too lazy to go down the alphabet.
Building blocks and their combination
-------------------------------------
To give the words structure, I invent two types of elements to build words from: $a$ and $b$. For this example, they're combinable by the formal grammar $S \rightarrow aS; S \rightarrow ab$. (So valid words would be structured $ab$, $aab$, $aaab$, and so on.) *This is not a general solution, but a set of rules specific to the culture we're creating names for.*
Since "Ahl" should be a valid name, let's say that "Ah" would be a possible $a$ and "L" a possible $b$. We need a few more, so here goes!
```
let aList = ["Ah"; "Riu"; "Ne"; "Iya"]
let bList = ["L"; "N"; "D"; "Sh"]
```
*Feel free to ignore the syntax unless you want to computer-generate names in the next step.* Of course, actual lists of elements should be larger. It might take a bit to come up with *good* elements -- these are just me typing in anything that first came to mind.
*I am limiting myself to the Latin alphabet and common sounds here. That is, of course, not necessary. When using alien names, you often need annotations on how to read them anyway.*
Combining
---------
Now, just combine them and have a look! Easy to do by hand...
but this is Stackexchange, so let's add a program to output all allowed words of a given count of elements. But feel free to do it by hand instead. (The following is in F#. You can paste it, together with the element lists, on the website tryfsharp.org if it works on your browser, or any F# compiler or console.)
```
let aStep = List.collect (fun (s : string) -> [for a in aList -> a + s.ToLower()])
let rec allNames length =
if length > 1 then aStep <| allNames (length - 1) else bList
```
`allNames 2 |> List.iter (printfn "%s")` outputs all two-element names (scroll up in the output if you test it on tryfsharp):
>
> Ahl Riul Nel Iyal Ahn Riun Nen Iyan Ahd Riud Ned Iyad Ahsh Riush Nesh Iyash
>
>
>
For three elements, we get a longer list, with names like "Riunen", "Neriud", or "Iyanel". If the rules and elements are chosen carelessly, many combinations will be unusable, but that's not a problem as long as you can find enough usable ones.
The count of possible names increases rapidly when using larger element sets, shorter elements, or longer words. Choosing a large set of possibilities adds some realism, but might make the similarity of the names less apparent. You can use much more restrictive rules for making names than would be reasonable to make words of a language. (Seeing how similar names in some cultures are, this is quite realistic.)
Meaning
-------
We need context before adding meaning, so I'll make up something. The Ahl are a mysterious society. Their cities are shrouded in thick fog; they have excellent hearing and can navigate by sound. In their view, strength is knowledge about one another: deception is defense and surveillance is offense, the cautious is wise and the noisy a fool and a nuisance.
Someone important in Ahl society would be a *keeper of secrets* or something along that line. So I just take one of the short combinations to create a title for that: *Nesh*. A Nesh is the one who decides what can and can't be told to outsiders.
Similar picks can be made for other important concepts: noisiness, listening, knowing, cartography -- things an Ahl might have a special word or phrase for.
Scaling the effort
------------------
This method can be used in a very simple way, say, by writing down a dozen syllables and combining them arbitrarily. Spending a little more time, one can think of a few rules on how to build words and how to use them. It should be easy to create names that are distinct from the names of other cultures in the same setting.
The difficulty lies in making the names credible as something alien, not something an author just came up with on a whim. There is, of course, much more to this; a major problem lies in sounds and phonetics. It is very unlikely that an alien language can be transcribed into an English text without an elaborate explanation how to read it. But that is a broad topic and this post is already too long. *Also, I'd have to ask Nesh Ryunen if I may disclose any more.*
---
Addendum: fast step 1-2 via sample text Markov chain
----------------------------------------------------
In [this answer](https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/a/3579/2615), evandentremont suggested a fast way for the first two steps if you have a sample for which you want to generate similar-sounding text. In a first step, calculate the probability for letters depending on the previous letter(s). Then, output random strings that follow the same distribution. (This is a Markov chain approach.)
[Here is an F# program to do this with selectable amount of considered characters per character placed (order).](http://fssnip.net/ol) An order of one produces results of limited quality, since the actual sounds comprising words are more than single letters. higher orders require longer samples to work well, but the output looks more sane.
This method has its downsides, as you aren't consciously creating the sounds and words. This makes it harder to interpret meaningful patterns into them and design distinct alien features. It is still fun to do and a *very fast* method. Here is what it does for an order of two:
**Input**: "lololololol zomg roflmao"
>
> zomg zomg zomg roflmao lol lololololololol zomg lolol
>
>
>
*Wow, it can speak online kiddie*
Note that samples in real use cases should be *much* longer. Let's test it with an input that is a little closer to a realistic use case.
**Input**: 70 names of planets and moons in our solar system
>
> Lysida Calia Cara Epinopa Amassa Aritanus Laranus Kalyke Chaliel Tethea Theus Porax Elasiphalia
>
>
>
These sound pretty real, don't they? This may be more of a language analysis tool than a language creation tool, but it sure is a quick way to enlarge a set of fantasy names. |
3,580 | <p>Mars' gravity is 38% of that of Earth's.</p>
<p>Supposing a human born and raised on a Mars colony traveled to earth later in their life, would they be able to survive the increased gravity?</p>
<pre><code>For example, I would weigh 63 pounds on Mars, and would land on Earth weighing 166 pounds.
</code></pre>
<p>What physiological effects could be expected? If one could not survive, would it be possible through intensive care?</p>
<h3>Some things to consider:</h3>
<ol>
<li><p>Side effects - for example, would one's bones, due to being much thinner, break easily? Would there be respiratory troubles? I suppose there is only speculation in a lot of this as it's never happened.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Length of time to full recovery. Obviously, given one survives, the body would eventually adjust, bones thicken, etc. What sort of estimate could one give on how long it would take to adjust and become "normal" on this increased gravity?</p>
</li>
</ol>
| [
{
"answer_id": 3583,
"author": "HDE 226868",
"author_id": 627,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/627",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>You could always simply lie down.</p>\n\n<p>Jokes aside, the answer is that there would be quite a few issue... | 2014/11/04 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/3580",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/2517/"
] | Mars' gravity is 38% of that of Earth's.
Supposing a human born and raised on a Mars colony traveled to earth later in their life, would they be able to survive the increased gravity?
```
For example, I would weigh 63 pounds on Mars, and would land on Earth weighing 166 pounds.
```
What physiological effects could be expected? If one could not survive, would it be possible through intensive care?
### Some things to consider:
1. Side effects - for example, would one's bones, due to being much thinner, break easily? Would there be respiratory troubles? I suppose there is only speculation in a lot of this as it's never happened.
2. Length of time to full recovery. Obviously, given one survives, the body would eventually adjust, bones thicken, etc. What sort of estimate could one give on how long it would take to adjust and become "normal" on this increased gravity? | You could always simply lie down.
Jokes aside, the answer is that there would be quite a few issues. Your spine would not be used to being so compressed. [This is a problem](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_spaceflight_on_the_human_body) with astronauts returning home from extended stays in space. There are two key issues:
1. **[Spaceflight osteopenia:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceflight_osteopenia)** In microgravity, there is less stress on the bones in the body. Therefore, they become less dense. Back on Earth, the bones must support weight. However, they are too weak, and it is extremely hard for astronauts to walk again after long stays in space because of this loss. On Mars, a human would have low bone density; they wouldn't be able to stay upright *without much effort* on Earth. To counteract this, Wikipedia gives the following:
>
> Increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D is a standard countermeasure for osteoporosis. Clay is reportedly used by NASA for retaining calcium.
>
>
>
You'd need a *lot* of calcium and vitamin D, but it's possible you could adapt to life on Earth.
2. **[Muscle Atrophy:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_atrophy)** Something similar happens to muscles. In space, they aren't used to maintaining effort by keeping the body up. Therefore, they become weak. This would also be a problem for someone going from Mars to Earth. Their muscles would only be useful in relatively weak gravity. Wikipedia suggests the following:
>
> One important rehabilitation tool for muscle atrophy includes the use of functional electrical stimulation to stimulate the muscles. This has seen a large amount of success in the rehabilitation of paraplegic patients.
>
>
>
Or you could go the low-tech way and simply work out for a while. It would take quite some time, but it would work.
I think it's safe to say that you would survive, but it would take a lot of effort for you to function normally on Earth. |
3,676 | <h2>Background</h2>
<p>For my own entertainment, I have been designing how I would hypothetically make a spiritual sequel to <strong>Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magic Obscura</strong>. It is hypothetical as the work needed to do it right is beyond my abilities and resources but not my imagination. THE major interesting feature of this game was the interplay between magic and technology which are largely mutually exclusive/antagonistic in this world. The flexibility of a mage compared to the difficulty to achieve mastery in any area for a scientist meant that the game was a lot easier for the first group but boring to play multiple times as a mage. I usually write Sci-Fi stories (and do nothing with them) which means I automatically wanted to find a systematic way to handle magic which is significantly different from the original but would solve these issues.</p>
<h2>Basic Plan</h2>
<p>All magic in this world by my current plan <strong>has a color</strong> and difficultly. Whether a mage can cast the spell is dependent on his color (no not race) and power. I wanted color to be described by 6 cardinal directions which in the simplest case is an octahedron.</p>
<p>One of my main hopes was that the appearance and interface would change depending on the character's expertise in a given area. It would start and octahedron far any user. As magic developed would become a triakis octahedron. By end game, it would be a constellation, geometric design, flame like fractal, crystal, lightning branching structure, etc. depending on the mage's particular aptitude. This means for a powerful mage, the auras would become the major aesthetic difference from the increasingly detailed gritty, steampunk appearance of the world from the eyes of a scientist.</p>
<p>For magic, the most obvious directions would be fire, earth, water, air, light, and darkness. The point is that a mage could cast pure fire or pure light spells but not pure light and dark spells. Any electric, lava, astral projection, life, or healing spells would be combinations of these. The issue is, I need have appropriate real colors which correlate with each of these. Unfortunately, the colors that first spring to mind are red, brown, blue, light blue, white, and black. These will not work well.</p>
<h2>What am I asking for?</h2>
<p>I want a (preferably) continuous map of magical abilities that has a superimposable color map. The idea is that from the level/size of the aura and the color of the aura, an experienced oberserver can know which spells (that the observer knows about) the mage can cast. It must be inherently designed such that no mage (no matter how powerful) can become a master of all areas of magic. Spells analogous to those from the original game's colleges (listed below) must have an intuitive place of the map. The map should attempt to distribute these over the map as uniformly as possible so one particular build is not overpowered. The designer is free to add additional (but logical) spells or colleges, break up colleges, or revise them to make this work out better/easier. Ideally colors should aethetically mesh with the type of spell in that area.</p>
<ul>
<li>Air</li>
<li>Conveyance (telekinesis, space warping, and teleportation)</li>
<li>Divination (detect magic, see contents, identify magic properties)</li>
<li>Earth</li>
<li>Fire</li>
<li>Force (electric, force push, disintegrate opponent)</li>
<li>Mental (charm, control will, stun)</li>
<li>Meta (magic about magic such as silence or reflect spells)</li>
<li>Morph (turning things into other things such as opponents into sheep)</li>
<li>Nature</li>
<li>Black Necromancy (talk to dead/trap in rotting corpse, raise undead, extract soul to kill)</li>
<li>White Necromancy (heal, resurrect, essentially nice versions of necromancy)</li>
<li>Phantasm (light based spells such as blinding flashes and illusion casting)</li>
<li>Summoning</li>
<li>Temporal (time based magic such as slowing enemies while speeding allies up)</li>
<li>Water</li>
</ul>
<p>I have included my best answer thus far but am not satisfied with how certain etherial magics (meta, mental, temporal, conveyance) fit into it. I am also uncomfortable with what type of magic should be purple (or how else to jump between the red and blue without going green). While that answer attempts to address it, I believe that one side of the map is very unbalenced.</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 3677,
"author": "kaine",
"author_id": 129,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/129",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>My current best direction/color combinations are: </p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>earth: yellow (color of sandstone)</li>\n<li>... | 2014/11/05 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/3676",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/129/"
] | Background
----------
For my own entertainment, I have been designing how I would hypothetically make a spiritual sequel to **Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magic Obscura**. It is hypothetical as the work needed to do it right is beyond my abilities and resources but not my imagination. THE major interesting feature of this game was the interplay between magic and technology which are largely mutually exclusive/antagonistic in this world. The flexibility of a mage compared to the difficulty to achieve mastery in any area for a scientist meant that the game was a lot easier for the first group but boring to play multiple times as a mage. I usually write Sci-Fi stories (and do nothing with them) which means I automatically wanted to find a systematic way to handle magic which is significantly different from the original but would solve these issues.
Basic Plan
----------
All magic in this world by my current plan **has a color** and difficultly. Whether a mage can cast the spell is dependent on his color (no not race) and power. I wanted color to be described by 6 cardinal directions which in the simplest case is an octahedron.
One of my main hopes was that the appearance and interface would change depending on the character's expertise in a given area. It would start and octahedron far any user. As magic developed would become a triakis octahedron. By end game, it would be a constellation, geometric design, flame like fractal, crystal, lightning branching structure, etc. depending on the mage's particular aptitude. This means for a powerful mage, the auras would become the major aesthetic difference from the increasingly detailed gritty, steampunk appearance of the world from the eyes of a scientist.
For magic, the most obvious directions would be fire, earth, water, air, light, and darkness. The point is that a mage could cast pure fire or pure light spells but not pure light and dark spells. Any electric, lava, astral projection, life, or healing spells would be combinations of these. The issue is, I need have appropriate real colors which correlate with each of these. Unfortunately, the colors that first spring to mind are red, brown, blue, light blue, white, and black. These will not work well.
What am I asking for?
---------------------
I want a (preferably) continuous map of magical abilities that has a superimposable color map. The idea is that from the level/size of the aura and the color of the aura, an experienced oberserver can know which spells (that the observer knows about) the mage can cast. It must be inherently designed such that no mage (no matter how powerful) can become a master of all areas of magic. Spells analogous to those from the original game's colleges (listed below) must have an intuitive place of the map. The map should attempt to distribute these over the map as uniformly as possible so one particular build is not overpowered. The designer is free to add additional (but logical) spells or colleges, break up colleges, or revise them to make this work out better/easier. Ideally colors should aethetically mesh with the type of spell in that area.
* Air
* Conveyance (telekinesis, space warping, and teleportation)
* Divination (detect magic, see contents, identify magic properties)
* Earth
* Fire
* Force (electric, force push, disintegrate opponent)
* Mental (charm, control will, stun)
* Meta (magic about magic such as silence or reflect spells)
* Morph (turning things into other things such as opponents into sheep)
* Nature
* Black Necromancy (talk to dead/trap in rotting corpse, raise undead, extract soul to kill)
* White Necromancy (heal, resurrect, essentially nice versions of necromancy)
* Phantasm (light based spells such as blinding flashes and illusion casting)
* Summoning
* Temporal (time based magic such as slowing enemies while speeding allies up)
* Water
I have included my best answer thus far but am not satisfied with how certain etherial magics (meta, mental, temporal, conveyance) fit into it. I am also uncomfortable with what type of magic should be purple (or how else to jump between the red and blue without going green). While that answer attempts to address it, I believe that one side of the map is very unbalenced. | This may be a little unconventional, but I propose the following candidates for axes:
* **Normal-Strange** How close to natural occurrences is the spell? A flame or a gust of wind are rather ordinary. A floating object, not so much, but still not extreme when knowing magnetism. A walking corpse or a local disturbance in space topology, however... you get the point.
* **Blunt-Intricate** How much structure is in the spell, how many constraints on it being correct? Hail, an explosion, or a nova don't call for too much precision. A defensive wall already needs a little more. But resurrection or mind control won't work unless executed with precision.
* **Rash-Calm** Is the spell the kind someone would cast in a rage, or after careful consideration? Creative spells tend to go in the "calm" direction, while a curse or a direct attack counts as rash.
I came up with these by brainstorming 16 potential axes and filtering them for applicability to sample spells and correlation. *Though I wouldn't claim to have been very thorough with picking candidates.* Here's a table with example classifications, in which I split each axis only into the two extremes and a neutral slot. The Rash-Calm axis is the innermost distinction, with rash at the top, neutral in the middle and calm at the bottom.
```
Normal Unusual Strange
======================================================================
Blunt Fire, Hail Corrode, Swarm Devouring Darkness
Wind, Fog Push, Bend Alter Gravity
Rain, Sunshine Beacon, Eclipse Aura of Magic
======================================================================
Structured Lightning Mind Stun Infest/Possess
Poison Frighten Distort Space/Time
Stone Wall Thornbush Wall Skeleton Minion
======================================================================
Intricate Disease Curse Netherworld Banish
Identify Barrier, Enchant Transform
Create Item Hear the Dead Portal
```
*Swarm would be an insect swarm or such, Aura of Magic an undirected magic buff.*
I can't imagine the setting or planned content too well, so the examples might be off. But it seems easier to me to map a new spell to these axes than to axes like "Earth" or "Light".
How to map these to colors would probably depend on the distribution of actual spells. I hope they are fairly close to orthogonal, but that of course depends on the actual spells.
RGB mapping
-----------
If those are orthogonal, one could simply map them to RGB. Players will have to decompose colors in any case, so why not make it easy for them? Say, red is rash, green intricate, and blue normal?
Then, black would be calm-blunt-strange, white would be rash-intricate-normal, violet would be blunt-normal, teal would be calm-unusual, yellow would be rash-intricate-strange.
Dynamic visualization
---------------------
If you are making a game, you're not technically limited to a static color. Instead of trying to get the most out of color space, you could use the fact that the image is not static. How about those axes:
* **Hue** Red is blunt, then it goes up the spectrum until violet is maximally intricate
* **Brightness** Black is calm and white is the total berserker
* **Noise** A uniform color is normal, and flickering spots or color noise indicate strangeness
The noise could be implemented such that, for very bright or dark characters, the noise peaks out in such a way that the hue can still be determined from remaining flickers, even though the color is technically black or white. This would mean that for perfectly "normal" characters that are either perfectly calm or rash types, the intricacy cannot be told.
In a strange way, that's kind of logical. *Though, if you don't like this, just limit the brightness range.* |
6,925 | <p>I've been wracking my brain about a world I'm writing in, how to make some group of regular people able to survive in space for extended periods with or without a suit. I can reduce the amount of time they'll spend via a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina" rel="nofollow">deus ex machina</a>, but I'd prefer to really drive certain points home by allowing inter-planetary travel.</p>
<p>The characters have the ability to alter the physical properties of the world around them, but they can run out of energy or lose concentration and will be at the mercy of the elements (in this case, space!). This is accomplished by some technology that converts their knowledge of physics into phenomena, and just about anything is within their ability to affect.</p>
<p>I'd <em>like</em> to be able to figure out a way to have them travel without a suit at all. Because they have power over the physical world, they can pressurize a bubble around themselves. My concern is how long, realistically, could a character with infinite energy and a machine to convert that energy with infinite efficiency last? Can they reclaim large amounts of breathable air from their waste (breath) or from water?</p>
<p>From my own research:</p>
<pre><code>Earth's air - 20% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 2% carbon dioxide/other
Diver's Mix - Oxygen/helium (squeaky voice side effect :))
Other - 5% oxygen/any (read that oxygen and nothing poisonous is enough for us)
</code></pre>
<p>I'm guessing that the obvious thing to do would say that the character can break up the CO<sub>2</sub> he breathes out back into oxygen and expel the carbon, but the reclamation of that, I assume, would be very small, but I really don't have a good frame of reference for how to measure parts of gases.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas on how I could have the characters explain what they are doing to survive?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 6927,
"author": "user55318",
"author_id": 4994,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/4994",
"pm_score": 3,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>If they have unlimited energy and advanced technology, they can create matter. This is a result of the <a h... | 2014/12/24 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/6925",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/749/"
] | I've been wracking my brain about a world I'm writing in, how to make some group of regular people able to survive in space for extended periods with or without a suit. I can reduce the amount of time they'll spend via a [deus ex machina](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina), but I'd prefer to really drive certain points home by allowing inter-planetary travel.
The characters have the ability to alter the physical properties of the world around them, but they can run out of energy or lose concentration and will be at the mercy of the elements (in this case, space!). This is accomplished by some technology that converts their knowledge of physics into phenomena, and just about anything is within their ability to affect.
I'd *like* to be able to figure out a way to have them travel without a suit at all. Because they have power over the physical world, they can pressurize a bubble around themselves. My concern is how long, realistically, could a character with infinite energy and a machine to convert that energy with infinite efficiency last? Can they reclaim large amounts of breathable air from their waste (breath) or from water?
From my own research:
```
Earth's air - 20% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 2% carbon dioxide/other
Diver's Mix - Oxygen/helium (squeaky voice side effect :))
Other - 5% oxygen/any (read that oxygen and nothing poisonous is enough for us)
```
I'm guessing that the obvious thing to do would say that the character can break up the CO2 he breathes out back into oxygen and expel the carbon, but the reclamation of that, I assume, would be very small, but I really don't have a good frame of reference for how to measure parts of gases.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I could have the characters explain what they are doing to survive? | If they have unlimited energy and advanced technology, they can create matter. This is a result of the [mass-energy equivalence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass%E2%80%93energy_equivalence). So they can produce oxygen or whatever they need.
Current technology is not exactly there yet but is [on the way](http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/may/18/matter-light-photons-electrons-positrons). |
7,182 | <p>I posed a similar question earlier but was told maybe I should ask another one. I hope I am doing the right thing, so here goes.</p>
<p>The setting is a post-catastrophe Earth that is entirely or almost entirely covered in water, so naturally people live exclusively on big oil/tanker ships. For safety and community people usually develop fleets of ships that travel together, let's say that during a particularly strong storm, unnaturally strong that is, one of the ship's engines become damaged beyond repair and that ship is now adrift. Just to clarify the engines got damaged during the storm and the storm is still ongoing and the ship is adrift, the situation must be addressed <em>during</em> the storm.</p>
<ul>
<li>The technology level is today's commercially available technology</li>
<li>The ship has lifeboats</li>
<li>Is near the rest of the fleet, uncomfortably near</li>
<li>It is otherwise in normal functioning condition - no fire, hull intact, only the engines are gone, the only risk is of ramming into the other ships</li>
<li>The fleet has lifeboats and a couple of helicopters</li>
</ul>
<p>How can the people on the ship be saved?<br>
Can the ship itself be saved?</p>
| [
{
"answer_id": 7185,
"author": "Peter M. - stands for Monica",
"author_id": 687,
"author_profile": "https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/687",
"pm_score": 2,
"selected": false,
"text": "<p>If ship is only way to survive (no land), you would NOT want to abandon the ship if it is ... | 2015/01/02 | [
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/7182",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com",
"https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/users/3360/"
] | I posed a similar question earlier but was told maybe I should ask another one. I hope I am doing the right thing, so here goes.
The setting is a post-catastrophe Earth that is entirely or almost entirely covered in water, so naturally people live exclusively on big oil/tanker ships. For safety and community people usually develop fleets of ships that travel together, let's say that during a particularly strong storm, unnaturally strong that is, one of the ship's engines become damaged beyond repair and that ship is now adrift. Just to clarify the engines got damaged during the storm and the storm is still ongoing and the ship is adrift, the situation must be addressed *during* the storm.
* The technology level is today's commercially available technology
* The ship has lifeboats
* Is near the rest of the fleet, uncomfortably near
* It is otherwise in normal functioning condition - no fire, hull intact, only the engines are gone, the only risk is of ramming into the other ships
* The fleet has lifeboats and a couple of helicopters
How can the people on the ship be saved?
Can the ship itself be saved? | That doesn't sound too bad at all.
There's no threat to either the ship or the lives of the people on board (other than possible collision with another vessel), if I understand correctly. This is therefore a situation of '[urgency](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-pan)' rather than distress.
So the obvious thing to do is:
* Ship communicates "[vessel not under command](http://navruleshandbook.com/Rule27.html)" to nearby vessels (using radio, lights, etc). Crew and passengers remain on board (much safer than evacuation in bad weather).
* Other vessels manoeuvre to avoid collision.
* All parties wait for the storm to die down and then think about next steps: repair, towing, etc.
Lights and shapes:
[International Collision Regulations > Part C - Lights and shapes >
Rule 27 - Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre](http://www.otenmaritime.com/international-collision-regulations/part-c---lights-and-shapes/rule-27---vessels-not-under-command-or-restricted-in-their-ability-to-manoeuvre)
>
> (a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit:
>
> (i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen;
>
> (ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen;
>
> (iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
>
>
>
>
[Radio transmission of urgency message](http://www.portreath-harbour.org/distress-proceedures/pan-pan/):
>
> The format of the urgent message is as follows:
>
> PAN PAN (repeated three times) Your vessels name (repeated three times).
>
> Your International call sign and MMSI.
>
> PAN PAN (once) your vessels name (once).
>
> Your Position (in Lat and Long) or compass bearings if you have no way of working out your position. Or position unknown.
>
> Contents of urgent message
>
> Over.
>
>
>
> for example:-
>
>
>
```
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
This is fishing vessel LL307 Early Dawn Early Dawn Early Dawn call sign 2CSG2 MMSI 235075333
PAN PAN fishing Vessel LL307 Early Dawn call sign 2CSG2 MMSI 235075333
My position is Five Zero degrees, Four Six minutes, North: Zero Zero Five degrees, One Seven minutes, West
I have a crewman who has passed out, breathing and pulse steady, I require medical advice.
Over.
```
<http://www.portreath-harbour.org/distress-proceedures/pan-pan/> |