This makes me happy. I think the python community could use a dose of whimsy as well. At work we're having a Free Friday that was pre-planned, but lines up well with Why Day. I think it's time to do something awesomely unorthodox.<p>Just need to stretch my brain in that direction, it's been too long.
_why isn't a recluse. I thought he just didn't want strangers poking around his private life, and quit when people wouldn't stop prying. That's not really like Hughes, or Salinger, or even Bill Watterson.
After reading this I started reading the poignant guide, and I came as close to tears as I've been in a long time. This book is a treasure and after reading a few 'chapters' I already know that this is one of my favorite books
Given there are pictures of _why, how is it possible that no one knows (and has revealed) his real name?<p>I'm not asking because I want to know–it just seems odd in this day and age that someone <i>actually could</i> remain anonymous (especially someone in technology circles).
I can't imagine Why's happy about this annual tribute by his fans.<p>Still, it would be a shame if his contributions were forgotten. The link in the article preserves about all of it:
<a href="http://viewsourcecode.org/why/" rel="nofollow">http://viewsourcecode.org/why/</a>
Incase anyone was wondering, it seems like this was one reason _why chose to leave:<p><a href="http://www.rubyinside.com/nokogiri-ruby-html-parser-and-xml-parser-1288.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.rubyinside.com/nokogiri-ruby-html-parser-and-xml-...</a><p>(_why wrote Hpricot. Imagine how that post must've felt from his perspective.)<p><a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=774170" rel="nofollow">http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=774170</a>
As awesome the _why's guide to ruby, is we shoudnt forget other things like Shoes,Hackety hack,camping among other things _why has contributed. BTW any one has read "nobody knowns shoes?" It is all a worth while read.
_why somehow reminds me of Nattramn from Silencer (band) but in a very lightweight way, where he mixed his work with a bit of 'cool insanity' until he had to go all out and it was just not something for 'an audience'. People seem hungry for this sort of behavior, and it amazes me how harmless they think it is.