Well cowpokes, 2005 has screeched to a halt and left us poised at the brim of 2006, ready to step off the edge and start this ride all over again. Time for the annual state of the drive address. Don't know about you, but it seems to me like we were just doing this very thing not too long ago!
Turning back to ponder the events of last year, I noticed something about the good ole Cattle Drive. We had a total of 22 drivers who submitted assignments during 2005, and 7 of those are on the active list, meaning they've submitted something within the last 30 days. This leaves 15 drivers on the inactive list. Of those 15, 4 have completed the drive in its current form, and 1 of those 4 has gone back for some remedial work in servlets.
Now, statistics ain't my strong suit, but indulge me a bit as I try to make some sense out of this stuff.
There are 11 inactive students, and 5 of them submitted Java-4b (Say) as their last assignment. That's 45% bogging down on this particular assignment. Now I knew Java-4b was a toughie, but this here's gotta be statstical proof! And we all know statistics don't lie!
Now, let's get to the meat of this address.
These intrepid souls decided to join the drive this year. Although some of them are currently on the inactive list, we know they're out there somewhere, struggling through some box canyon or other, but hopefully they'll be popping in soon. The others are doing some very impressive riding, and making fine progress.
Here's the list:I'm not sure if we should encourage driving fast, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the pace at which Kelly Loyd, one of our newest Cattle Drivers, is tearing up the trail. Them dogies ain't gonna have a speck of fat on 'em if he keeps up this pace! Y'all should check him out soon, because if you wait, he might be finished before you stop in.
Some of our older cowhands got back in the saddle and are kicking up some fresh dust. From as far back as 2001! Where they've been holed up and what they've been doing may remain a mystery, but the point is they're back, and ready to ride. Here's the names:
Elouise wished to make it known that reports of her demise were greatly exagerated, and that order for a tombstone should be cancelled. She ain't ready fer that yet, not by a long shot!
These four folks left me scratching my head. Three of 'em are stuck out in 4b country. Maybe they're holed up together, or just wandering around in search of water, I dunno. The other is in OOP, so he's bagged himself at least one moose, but nobody's heard from him lately. Keep an eye out for these folks, and give 'em some help if ya' see 'em!
Be on the lookout for:
Let us take this time to thank Marilyn and Pauline for their efforts, without which none of this would work. Pauline has signed on as a moderator for the Cattle Drive thread, for which I am very grateful, and she now has the double duty of nit-picking code with Marilyn, and moderating the Drive. Where she finds time to sleep, I'm sure I don't know. Anyway, they both do a stellar job, and I hope they feel appreciated!
Well, that about does it for this year's State of the Drive Address. Can't help but notice that nobody took my dare to come back and do the current version of Servlets. Perhaps a fear of Ants? Here's hoping 2006 is a great year for everyone, and hope to see you out on the trail! Let's go round up them strays! Yeeeee-Hawwwwww!