Kyle DavisDec 19, 2024

I have a theory about people who develop software.

Let's say you got a lego kit when you were a kid.
Did you follow the instructions to build the kit or just use the bits for your own purpose?

EDIT: so, a lot of you have said things like 'followed the instructions once - how do I answers?' I guess answer what motivated you to want the lego set in the first place: the model (i.e. following instructions) or the bits.

Not a developer: followed instructions
15.4%
Not a developer: used the bits for own purpose.
4.6%
Developer: followed instructions
47.7%
Developer: used the bits for own purpose.
32.3%
Poll ended at .
Show threadKyle Davis

So: my theory went out the window.

I was going to guess developers would be mostly in the "used the bits for own purpose" category like me.

I know as a kid I would go find the kit with the best bits, and literally throw the instructions in the bin within minutes of getting home.

Oh well. 🤷

Dec 20, 2024 at 9:46pmWeb
Show threadfreeformz 🏳️‍🌈Dec 20, 2024
@linux_mclinuxface always follow the instructions the first time. After that - build whatever.
Show threadKyle DavisDec 20, 2024

@freeformz I got a lot of that response.

I recall being older and helping my younger cousin put together a kit and watching him follow the instructions carefully and thinking "really? people _use_ those?"

Show threadChris Huck  Dec 21, 2024
@linux_mclinuxface I never got any #Lego sets as a kid. However, I received #Construx and an #Erector set. In both cases, I built all of the things in the instructions, which is how I learned how the pieces interact. However, I later learned that some of the pieces in the Erector set fit with the Construx… So, from then on, I combined the two into lots of my own creations. I often wish I still had some of both to recreate the cool stuff I made as a kid.
Show threadChris Huck  Dec 21, 2024
These days, I find myself buying Lego sets for others, but not for myself. I think #FreeCAD and a 3D printer is my #Lego.
Show threadamdDec 21, 2024
@chrishuck this feels so true.
Show threadKyle DavisDec 21, 2024

@chrishuck huh. I had no idea that construx interacted with erector sets. I had a little bit of erector stuff.

(Also, several folks have brought up construx… I thought it was obscure! Guess not, at least here!)

Show threadamdDec 21, 2024

@linux_mclinuxface I missed your poll but I find it interesting.

I would follow instructions once. Usually blow through it in an afternoon.

Then I’d strip it for parts and build my own thing

Show threadJago NissiDec 21, 2024

@linux_mclinuxface But you got a statistically significant difference. 25% of "not a developer"s said they use parts for own purposes, but if I read the numbers correctly, it was 40% for developers.

If anything, this reinforces the theory that this could be _more common_ among developers. =P