I know this is an ancient node, but in my opinion, that was a totally inappropriate reason for a downvote.

Downvotes should be reserved for behaviour or responses that contravene the spirit of the monastery. I know there isn't much guidance on this, and monks are free to vote any way they want, but that is what, in my opinion, downvotes are supposed to be used for.

There should never be any opprobrium attracted for using a particular version of Perl. All versions of Perl are Perl. The monastery is there to enable Perl programmers to solve problems and move Perl forward.

5.6 wasn't a very old version when this node was written, so it seems quite likely that the other monk was taking exception to you running Perl on a Mac. Again, this is totally inappropriate IMO.

One of Perl's many strengths is that it runs on almost every platform we can find to port it to. Many fine Perl hackers work long hours to keep this so and to port Perl to new platforms. Some people don't like Apple, but if you like Perl, you should like people using Perl on Apple platforms.

As it happens I do like Apple products and am writing this on a MacBook Pro. But I'm also OK with hearing people criticise Apple too. And I was actually given this MacBook by my brother in law. Before that, I was trying to get a version of Slackware working on an old Dell notebook. I am most at home on Debian, but I've always liked Macs too, my first machine of my own was a Bondi Blue iMac Rev A.

Some things Apple do annoy me. But I think they make decent computers and take great care to write usable software and craft great user experiences. This matters. Nowadays, (though not when this node was written), all Macs actually come with Perl installed, out of the box. I think this is A Good Thing.

While I'm on the topic, let's not forget that choice of platform is not always within a Monk's power to change. They might be using someone else's machine, or like me, one they were given when they couldn't afford to buy a computer of their own. They might be using a Mac because they work for an advertising agency or architecture firm who use nothing else. Or because they actually like Macs. If so that's their choice not yours.

And if you don't like the version number, remember that they might be using a particular version of Perl for other technical reasons that are beyond their control. They may be unable to upgrade for technical or organisational reasons. Notably, big Perl shop the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) were stuck on an old version of Perl for many years due to an unusual and rather bizarre contract with their IT outsourcer Siemens, after they (unwisely IMO, but there it is) got rid of their in-house technology group.

The BBC web programmers, who also had limited access to CPAN, got round this by writing their own web framework, which they dubbed "Perl on Rails". Thus, they responded to a grave limitation with beautiful innovation. (By the way, I have never worked for the Beeb: in fact, they've turned me down twice!)

Let's not be too eager with downvotes, fellow Monks. If you have something to say, try to respond with words! Save downvotes for something idiotic, against the code of conduct, or reprehensible.

Thank you.