PureBasic Forums - English

I don't think Sparkie actually existed in reality, I think he was some drink fuelled figment of my imagination, right up there with old Pinky and the entire ensemble of Mr. Men characters!

Mind you, imaginary coder or not, he did know a thing or two about the API that's for sure!

PB wrote: Danilo, Kale, Sparkie, Fangbeast, etc, would be posting tips and tricks
on almost a daily basis for all to use. That sort of thing just doesn't
exist anymore. These were all active, intelligent, very friendly members
here but have basically disappeared (although I suspect are lurking).

Well, this is your chance to become famous then, now the competition is gone!

(I knew I wasn't very friendly, but it's good to know I'm not intelligent or active either, pfew! )

> this is your chance to become famous then, now the competition is gone!

Hehe, I don't have time anymore.

> I knew I wasn't very friendly

I wasn't saying everyone else wasn't friendly. I was pointing out that those
named went above and beyond the call to help everyone here. You could
basically say "how do I..." and get a complete source code for an answer.
I personally think that's why Sparkie disappeared -- he became an on-call
expert and I got the feeling that he was quite sick of being used like that.

I don't think that is the case at all. Very few posts would specifically call out to Sparkie for help (though I do recall a couple! ). No one ever forced him to respond to coding questions and the fact that he did with such gusto I believe was just a consequence of his affinity for helping out. He seemed to relish the API/GDI stuff in particular and thus there was a time when no one would have been suprised to see him answer such questions very quickly.

You'll probably find he is simply too busy these days with other concerns. Last thing I heard he was building a house! I mean, bloody hell, I can't even build a rabbit hutch without breaking every bone in my body!

Hmm, well I remember seeing endless posts asking for his help.
Not with a subject of "Attn Sparkie" as such, but just inline in
other posts, like "maybe Sparkie can help (hint hint)" and so on.
I saw LOTS of them, and thought he must get so sick of it; so
when he announced he was leaving I wasn't surprised at all.
I just assumed that was the real reason and he was being nice.

Must admit that I used to do that, just in jest and the like. Hope I didn't scare him off?

I doubt it. I'm probably wrong, but I do study psychology (not officially)
so maybe I'm just reading more into it than what was really happening.

PB wrote:I doubt it. I'm probably wrong, but I do study psychology (not officially)
so maybe I'm just reading more into it than what was really happening.

Oh!

Did I ever tell you that my teacher english used to wear stiletto heals and rubber?

> my teacher english used to wear stiletto heals and rubber?

Was she female? If so, then it's a shame I never got to meet her.

Pyrostrex, check it out (=pb site) at alexa. Seems to be no problems.

PB wrote: other posts, like "maybe Sparkie can help (hint hint)" and so on.
I saw LOTS of them, and thought he must get so sick of it; so

Perhaps. But he could have simply ignored those questions he would not like to answer. Hey, Fred et all don't answer all questions us stupids ask. And rightfully so.

And lets be honest: Sparkie was quite knowledgable, more so than most of us. His departure was sad, but at least (if he ever drops in again, or lurks) his attendance was appreciated, and he clearly would be welcomed back.

If the need for help was what put him off, then at least he should know that he didn't HAVE TO answer the questions. He could have been selective in replying, and I would not have hold that against him.

Perhaps you're reading too much into it. That's what happens when reading too many books

Iirc Sparkie was sometimes put off by the fighting and flaming. After the forum experienced some of these he would often lay low for a couple of months, with the reason given being the low tone and personal attacking going on. Not much aimed at him I don't think, but it bothered him just the same. I know he was ever ready to put hours into solving someone else's problem. Also, don't forget that he took on fulltime self-employment with a small business venture back at the first of the year. I don't doubt that he's past busy 20 hours a day making that a success. These factors aside, I'm sure he'll be back sooner or later.

Lurking is... I lurked for almost a year before I bought my PB and registered!!!
I misss the old guyss too... I don't miss the script kiddies that ask questions designed to kill the internet or bot a money harvester... no real programming craft in that!

As far as the 3D functions go... the game implementations of PB still have a long way to go... no one seems to be pushing them too far or if they are they are not sharing...

There does seem to be an air of paranoia with the newer people trying to hold on to their bad code like it is spun platinum though...

I share if I understand what people are asking for that way srod and Netmaestro can have a good laugh and correct my "interpretation" of the way coding is supposed to be!

Rook Zimbabwe wrote:
There does seem to be an air of paranoia with the newer people trying to hold on to their bad code like it is spun platinum though...

sounds like it's code envy

Seriously why bother to post code if nobody else participates or even says thanks or someone comes along and knocks it

sometimes I think we all need to stick a "You are here" note to remind us what it is that we're here for which is all things to do with PureBasic, learning, helping and contributing.

I'd say netmaestro hit the nail on the head. Being self-employed has taken control of my life. I am my only employee and doing the work of 3 makes for zero free time. I still code with PureBasic for apps I use at work, and I do lurk around here quite often.

Yes, the flame wars did tend to make me stay away from time to time. There were a few times I spoke my mind, but for the most part I refused to get involved as I'd most likely end up saying something I'd later regret.

I DO miss working on the API challenges that used to pop up around here from time to time, but I simply dont have the time required to get involved in finding the solutions. Besides, srod and netmaestro are quite the experts themselves.

As blueznl said, NOBODY ever twisted my arm to get an answer out of me. I posted solutions where and when I could because I LOVE anything that challenges the mind.

@srod, the only way you'd be able to scare me off is if you threatened to come over here to the US of A and attempt to drive a vehicle on our roads where we do it on the RIGHT (correct) side.