Greetings, fellow Monks,

I regret that I have been inactive in this grand Monastery for many years. I have actually suffered through several years of damaged cognition, often hopeless that I might never know the joy of hacking together any worthwhile code ever again.

Thankfully my mental faculties have begun to resurface steadily over the past many months. I have become able to read and comprehend and even write some gratifying Perl again. After prolonged hibernation and dormancy, I am thrilled to be able to read and understand /. and HackerNews again. I have missed this place and am glad I could now remember my old login info. Seeing jdporter's sig made me expect to have become a Zombie, but I am relieved my history qualified beyond such a fate.

It's good to be back here, and able to begin learning new complexities again. Yesterday I was fascinated to learn about cryptocurrencies in some thorough detail. I have begun delving into distributed development techniques and challenges. There are so many newer languages and frameworks out now to explore and learn from.

I would like to weigh in on this comment thread in wholehearted agreement with BrowserUk and the OP flexvault. I believe our PerlMonks community would do well to persuade our elders that christening a new "Off Topic" or "Related Discussions" section would be a significant improvement.

I echo all the good reasons presented above, and similarly struggle to identify likely downsides. I understand the ongoingly valid reasons not to endorse wanton inclusion of frivolous new topical sections, but I see "Off Topic" as wholly warranted and broadly enriching.

I would also like to say that the Anonymous cowards who demonstrate contentedness with a contribution of sardonic insults, wisecracks, and bravado exemplify the antithesis of Monk-like devotion. Such belligerent disruption should be recognized as vastly more distressing than any amount of newly acceptable non-Perl, yet still expectedly positive and virtuous, software discussion threads could be.

Thank you for considering my opinion.

Thanks for ignoring the troll(s) and speaking up Pip. Welcome back. I hope we'll see more of you.

---

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I'm with torvalds on this

In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. Agile (and TDD) debunked

You are welcome. I just hope I can remember my login.

PipTigger,

Welcome back!

Regards...Ed

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

Coming back and jumping right into thick of it with a nice post.

Keep it up! :)

Regardless .... there it is ....

thats a rock solid alibi!