[macosxnerd101]

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I am currently running with the idea that I can simply take various code examples off of the Internet and modify them to some small extent. The test will be that they have to correct the code back to working order. Is this a bad idea?

Let me get this straight- you don't know what you're doing, and you want to write a test to see if people know what they're doing? Let's pull the math analogy here. You don't know Calculus, but you want to write a Calc I test to see if a math grad student knows his stuff?

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As I said in post number 1, I only need "basic coders". I just needs to be people that love Minecraft, AND also can code for it. Or better said. I need people that love Minecraft enough to have learned to code for it.

In software, there is something known as feeping creatures. When you want one thing done, it often times grows in scope. This is true as the code base continues to grow. Sometimes a "basic coder" can't and won't cut it. Make sure you have your expectations aligned with reality here, or someone will be disappointed.

Also, just as no2pencil expressed that ideas are a dime a dozen, I want to quote these rules from your forum.

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1: Some players are better than you.
On this server there is a pecking order. You *WILL* run into elite members. These people are either friends, donators, developers, very helpful, or have simply been here a very long time. These people have priority over you. This is life, deal with it. Let me say it again...

THESE PEOPLE ARE BETTER THAN YOU ARE.

5: We do not need you, seriously... F-OFF.
Players are a dime a dozen and bandwidth is limited. Really, we can fill this server in a heart beat without even trying. So don't think, "Oh! the customer comes first" or "I'll just leave and they will get less popular because of me" No... sorry... your not that important. Not to this world or any other. This place runs on survival of the fittest. The best of the best work round the clock to make things go smoothly. You are not automatically one of these people. And yes, we CAN ban you for absolutely no reason at all. Even if it's simply just to make you angry.

Given those rules, why would people be inclined to join your project?

[Charles86]

Ugh... there are PLAYERS........ and there are STAFF. Staff live by different rules, they are "The best of the best" The rules section you're quoting is to try (TRY!!!) to ward off the nut cases and griefers. The staff doesn't need to listen to any of that, it does not apply to them.

[modi123_1]

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So you saying that what I have as an example is no good at all? As I said in post number 1, I only need "basic coders".

It's not bad but really it's a low level start. Sure.. ending brackets are okay but hell some compilers/browsers don't care if it is there or not... right? So it's a question of what does that test.. and then that folds in to what skills are you looking to test?

If you just want some sort of entry bar then sure.. go for a simple program and break it.. say "I want X output - change six characters and make it happen" or along those lines.. but that's typically just general programming knowledge and rarely language specific.

[Charles86]

Also, the paradox is EXACTLY why I am here. Because I recognize that *I* can not make a test for coders, if *I* my self can't code.

[modi123_1]

Thus the easy out/exit condition - pay someone fifty bucks to do it.

[macosxnerd101]

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Ugh... there are PLAYERS........ and there are STAFF. Staff live by different rules, they are "The best of the best" The rules section you're quoting is to try (TRY!!!) to ward off the nut cases and griefers. The staff doesn't need to listen to any of that, it does not apply to them.

I get that there are problem players you don't want to deal with, but the fact that your forum has five members speaks volumes as to how well your rules are working.

Regardless, the attitude I get from browsing your forum is that any contribution I do make if I choose to help you on your project is not valued, and that I can 'F Off' if I'm not happy.

[modi123_1]

The classic "time is money" situation.. how much of your time is it worth to learn enough of a language to write a test? If your time is wide open and is available then crack the books.. if not then send out a 'post a job' and pay up..

[jon.kiparsky]

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Also, the paradox is EXACTLY why I am here. Because I recognize that *I* can not make a test for coders, if *I* my self can't code.

So why not just do what every other non-technical manager does when they interview potential programming staff? You know, look at samples of their work, ask them to explain things they've worked on and get an idea of whether they understand it (it's obvious when you're talking to someone who has no clue and is trying to bluff), maybe ask someone who knows more than you to help with the interview process, that sort of thing.

What you're interested in is not whether someone can spot a syntax error - any moron can manage that with very little effort, as you'll see from the amount of crap programming out there - but whether someone can solve problems. Detecting that ability, it turns out, is one of the areas where humans still have the avantage over machines.

This post has been edited by jon.kiparsky: 07 September 2012 - 09:37 PM

[macosxnerd101]

There is also a third option- defer to a certification exam. Though since this is a non-professional project, I doubt you'll get many takers on this one.

[Charles86]

@modi123_1:

You are so helpful. Thank you. I knew I was guna get shi crap for this. But at least someone (you) have been understanding. +1... You are the flower among the turds.

to the idea of paying. As so-and-so pointed out. Every one has ideas. And I'm no exception. And I have had a lot of them. There is clearly no guaranty that this project isn't going to die.

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I get that there are problem players you don't want to deal with, but the fact that your forum has five members speaks volumes as to how well your rules are working.

The server.... is not.... open... to.... the .... public... yet.

Those members are STAFF (my friends). Thank you for no longer posting in my thread with the intent to aggravate me.

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There is also a third option- defer to a certification exam. Though since this is a non-professional project, I doubt you'll get many takers on this one.

That is not actually a bad idea. And yes, this is not a high profile job/task, which is why "basic coding skills" are all I require.

[jon.kiparsky]

Charles86, on 07 September 2012 - 11:45 PM, said:

@modi123_1:
You are the flower among the turds.

Ahem. Those "turds" are staff. And when you see that "Admin" badge, that means mac will pretty much post where he likes, I think.

Just sayin'.

This post has been edited by jon.kiparsky: 07 September 2012 - 09:49 PM

[Charles86]

Two flowers among the turds, #24 macosxnerd101 is being helpful.

[no2pencil]

jon.kiparsky, on 08 September 2012 - 12:48 AM, said:

Charles86, on 07 September 2012 - 11:45 PM, said:

@modi123_1:
You are the flower among the turds.

Ahem. Those "turds" are staff.

& we see this shit all the time. At least twice a week someone has some incredible idea, & we should all drop what we're doing to code it for them.

The next big zombie game, the next million dollar mmorpg, & now, the next minecraft server.

It's always the same story too. "I don't know how to code, but you can be a part of it!"

[jon.kiparsky]

Not just the next minecraft server - an automated interview that can tell whether someone is a good programmer.

I know a few people who'd pay good money for that.

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It's always the same story too. "I don't know how to code, but you can be a part of it!"

Tom Sawyer lives.

This post has been edited by jon.kiparsky: 07 September 2012 - 09:55 PM

[Charles86]

OK OK OK. look. I'm not asking for YOU to jump into MY big idea. What I am asking for is help with the work I am doing. And I am doing much of the work myself. I just want a LITTLE help.

If only there wasn't so much hostility from some people, I think we could all get along better. Realize that I cam in here with a positive attitude. You all made this a negative thing.

But lets start over...

Hi, I am Charlie. I want to make a test for minor code competency. NOT a know all that proves you are supper haxor GOD with the code. But just able to do BASIC things. It needs to be able to thwart people that would try to lie about knowing basic code. I can not spend money on this until it gets off the ground, because it would be a waste, as people have "good ideas" all the time.

What should I do?