The very first time I used Python this exact thing happened to me. Transferred a largeish script from school computer (which used tabs) to my own IDE (which used spaces). It took me forever to even realize what was wrong. I still use Python from time to time, but I wouldn't use it for anything large that requires multiple people.

That is an interesting point about kids though. Now, I've observed some very well behaved kids walking through the various office-spaces I've worked in. No problem there. I've also observed some who are just horrible little monsters. I'd say that if your child is well behaved and is not going to make me uncomfortable or distract me simply by existing, I have no problem with it being there. Why shouldn't the same thing apply to dogs? If your dog is well behaved and doesn't shed or drool over everything, then I've got no problem having them in the office. Hell some people even call their dogs their "kids", and if you look at it, there really is very little objective difference, isn't there?

I've met people that still believe that argument. They didn't particularly appear crazy either, just ignorant (given the area I was in, they may not have ever had anyone tell them otherwise). But they are dwindling, probably because people started using said argument as an example for "how crazy religious people are".

What about a mail slot that is built into the house?
...
Hmm I actually decided to read the article cited (thanks for citing it :D) and apparently a mail slot built into the house is NOT property of the US Post Office.

A lot of people still don't see the point to doing this unfortunately enough. Then again, I agree there are places where it is overused.

Regarding your code example, you can always write it as

if ("".equals(firstName))

because you never have to worry about "" being null (and if firstName is null, the equals returns false). I used to do it the same way as you before someone pointed this out to me.

That can be difficult when we don't get to choose the choices we make.

I'm curious, why do you think jQuery is a shitty library? Not trolling, honestly interested in why you think that way.

To be honest that's half the reason I even read the comments anymore. It can be quite interesting to see exactly HOW those discussions get so far off track.

Seriously? Who modded this up? Obvious flamebait.

Ah that's a good idea. Was trying to play AC the other day and ran into this exact problem. I'll have to look into your solution.

I work with a large number of programmers overseas in India who only know one language. Our UI team is made up of 2 guys who understand Javascript/CSS/HTML, 2 who understand PHP/MySQL, and one that understands both (but can't actually do either very well). And while I've observed it to be a terrible handicap to them a lot of the time, and I really wish they would find a new career, that seems to be the norm over there. So I guess if you only know one language you have good prospects in India.

To be honest that's how I read TFS at first....