jrbeal

Thanks thyselius! As I said, this was my first shot at building a web site and it was suggested that I post it here once it reached MVP status. But what I'm learning (and not just from your comment) is that people want to see more flash! I'm thinking I need to implement some sort of carousel on the landing page so it doesn't look so stark -- or something like that! Like I mentioned in my first post. The breadcrumb links at the top of the page are accessible (without creating an account) for anyone interested in what the page is about and how it works. I'm not sure what more I can do. Yes, It's a lot of reading but the first paragraph covers the gist. Thanks again! I really appreciate the feedback!

Hey everybody! Welcome to my first website! Please feel free to create an account and look around. Post as many new topics or replies as you like. Don't worry about using a real email address – verification is turned off right now.

NOTE: For best results (by far!) please use Chrome or Firefox.

Before quickly concluding that this is yet another boring discussion forum, look again. It has a unique feature that I find fascinating based on the assumption that there are actually such things as “truth” and “fiction”, and it's actually possible to discern the difference. Too often people find that they disagree on a topic only to eventually “agree to disagree”. This is usually after dragging each other in circles in futile attempts to prove their positions. Valid points are often made but quickly obscured in the confusion of verbal battle. Subjects of even average complexity are very difficult to manage mentally. What is needed is a discussion forum that provides a format that helps manage this complexity. ProveIt! does this, and more.

Before trying to figure out what this website does, it's important to understand that: 1) an opinion is a conclusion based on limited (or uncertain) knowledge. 2) Facts are not opinions. 3) Opinions are not facts. 4) Personal preferences are not opinions. (It is not your opinion that green is your favorite color. It's either a fact, or it's not.)

Anyone who says, “In my opinion, two plus two equals four” should be corrected and informed that this is not an opinion but rather a universally accepted fact. On the other hand, a claim that “Syracuse has the prettiest girls in the Big East”, should never be considered a fact until it has been clearly demonstrated as such, at which point it ceases to be an opinion. ProveIt!'s main purpose is to identify opinions as either fact or fiction.

Unfortunately, many people cling to their opinions with little interest in considering other views – or much less, changing their positions. They have learned to embrace the flexibility and almost limitless latitude afforded by this word. Their targeted audience is rendered defenseless and has but two options: either except these opinions, or attempt to argue. As many of us have learned, arguing is usually a fruitless endeavor as people will often deflect all facts and reasoning, and ultimately insist that they are entitled to their opinions. We are left with nothing but frustration. Dennis Miller made famous the line, “of course, that's just my opinion... I could be wrong.” I recall laughing at the subtle irony! ProveItt! will force people to face objections and either accept them as fact, or refute them.

So with that said, feel free to log in. I've already been too long-winded here and could go on forever. Instead, I highly recommend you read the “About” and “Help” pages first. This will better explain what ProveIt! is, and how it works.

Although constructive criticism is welcome, please be kind! Again, this is my first website ever! In addition to technical observations, I'd really like to know what people think of the concept. Although I've already implemented a lot of features (like “lone wolf” and “semi-private” posts and fallacy objections), I have plenty of other ideas swimming around in my head. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas! I sincerely thank anyone who takes the time to log in and look around.

Note that most of the existing posts are by fake users controlled by me. I attempted to emulate a realistic feed. Unfortunately, I found that this was harder than it sounds! Please forgive the lame entries! I'm sure real people could come up with more interesting (or funnier) topics!

Also note that most of the fallacy verbiage has not been populated yet. I'll be working on that soon!

Thanks!!!

Congrats! I think this is a cool idea! It looks like you're pretty much committed to a 20 year target but would it have been possible to allow the user to set that target themselves (within a given range, of course)? Instead of 20 years being the default, they could specify 25, or 15, or whatever.

I'd be fine with a video-less MOOC. Just give me a textbook and tell me the chapters to study and what assignments to work on, and I'll be fine. It's difficult to do this on your own because you never know what to focus on without guidance. You're likely to waste valuable time down some unimportant or meaningless rabbit hole! Of course, I'd hope the MOOC would offer a support mechanism in case I needed help.

Interesting! Reminds me of when I first hired on with Lockheed in 1980. We used a system called Computervision for drafting and printed circuit board design. It used the same basic technology discussed in this video and was absolutely amazing at the time!

My company transferred me to Texas. I'd probably still be there otherwise.

ICE vehicles won't be disappearing any time soon and it'll be quite a while before the Bluestar goes into production (I'm guessing 2018). I almost bought a Model S last year (made a deposit) but reluctantly backed out. (I bought the stock instead -- at $33). I'll definitely buy one in the future once it passes the "early adapter" phase.

Although people buying today are enjoying the attention of owning the coolest car on the planet, the price is definitely inflated simply because it has to be... The costs associated with starting a car company are astronomical! Once they reach equalibrium, these costs will come down and the prices will follow. In fact, it's not hard to imagine that EV's will ultimately become much cheaper than comparable ICE vehicles (far fewer parts).

With that said, if I were you, I would buy a nice ICE and wait a few years for the EV prices to come down. Of course, if everyone did that the prices would never come down! What you do depends on your circumstances.

I was born and raised in the area (born at Stanford. Went to high schools in Mountain View and San Jose) and can tell you that the high prices and wages are nothing new. I remember saying the same thing as you back in the 80's. (re: "employers are going to start fleeing...") Needless to say, it never happened! And I doubt it ever will.

Speaking of South San Jose, that's where I last lived (before leaving the area) and commuted all the way to Palo Alto every day. It wasn't so bad back in the 80's (around 30 minutes) but I have no idea what it's like now. Maybe it's better!

I have a sister who still lives there and is a top-notch real-estate agent. I'm sure she'd be happy to help with any questions. Let me know if you need her number.

Understood!

I'm so glad I posted this question... I had no idea this hotline existed. Already bookmarked. I'll definitely kick in a few bucks!

Don't "need" a Linux VDI but I have to install Ruby and Rails somewhere. Linux (Mint) seemed like a logical choice. Most people recommend NOT installing to Windows. Like I said earlier, I'd be down with buying a separate box just for this purpose (and future projects) with Linux installed natively if you guys thought that would gain me an advantage. I have a Heroku account and might deploy there initially but also have a Bluehost account that I intend to use eventually.

Can't wait for that "aha" moment when everything starts making sense! Until now, It's been pretty much me and google. I'm very encouraged by the support from everyone on this site. Thanks you very much!

I'll look into it... This sounds like it could be exactly what I need! Thanks!

My son said the same thing. I guess my concern was getting all the way to the deployment stage only to realize there was something I should have been doing differently way too late in the game... (I'm probably being paranoid!) Anyhow, so you recommend that I press with the development and NOT worry about deploying (to Heroko -- or whatever) until much later... I can live with that! (Just run the rails server and connect with browser at port 3000... right?

Thanks xentronium, I probably wasn't clear on this but my linux skills are okay (been woring in Unix for 25+years). I set up a VDI with Linux Mint which seems okay... Thanks for the encouragement! (and the tip on the "reply" button -- haha)

Jey, I've tried to avoid installing Ruby and Rails on Windows because of all the horror stories out there. I had no problem installing VirtualBox and creating a Linux Mint VDI. In fact, I've worked with UNIX for the last 25+ years so I'm actually more comfortable with it (or Linux) than Windows. My problems are with Ruby and Rails and all the associated gems, getting the Gemfile right, understanding what the hell I'm doing with Github (git commit this, git commit that, etc.) And then running the server only to get a bunch of screwy errors that make no sense. But thanks to all the support in this thread, I'm sure I'll make headway soon. Thanks!

Wow! My son was right! This site is awesome! Thanks SO much everyone! Good question wintermute. I wanted a Linux development environment but only have Windows at home. I was thinking about buying another box just for this purpose and load native Linux thinking this would be less ghetto but I don't know...

Thanks for the offer benigeri! I'll hit you up later...

thinkful.com sounds like a great resource.

shail: There were way too many problems to list here. Basically, the pattern I was falling into was as follows: I'd start a new project, start setting everything up, run into problems, fix them, run into more problems, fix them, etc... I'd have problems with everything from running bundle successfully, to deploying successfully. Then I'd get to the point where nothing would work and I'd eventually start over. Very frustrating.

The suggestions here are giving me hope and renewed enthusiasm. I'll check back later...