Spawned a New Process

March 12, 2009

Back in September 2008, I mentioned that we were spawning a new process. Well, that process arrived today, and its id is Henry Burton Atwood.

We're starting him off right with a little light reading.

Henry Burton Atwood (aka Rockhard Awesome) meets the C++ Gui Programming Guide

You may recognize this book from Apple's Mac vs PC ad series, specifically, the "Gift Exchange" Mac vs PC ad.

frame from Apple's 'Gift Exchange' Get a Mac ad, showing the C++ GUI Programming Guide book

Because, truly, what better gift is there for a newborn than the C++ GUI Programming Guide? Watch the ad to see what I mean. "I've been eyeing that myself."

All credit for creation of this new process of course goes to my wife Betsy who did the real work. I now truly understand the meaning of the classic Bill Cosby skit on childbirth.

Helping my wife walk the pain scale, going from pain level 7/10, 8/10 and then seeing the maw of darkness that lies at pain scale 10/10 and beyond, was quite an experience. How much pain? Well, imagine the worst pain you've ever experienced. Now imagine taking that pain, packing it in to a rickety Oldsmobile, setting it on fire, then driving it off the edge of a cliff at maximum speed. Into a valley filled with white-hot molten lava.

It's a little bit worse than that.

You may have heard that childbirth is a mystical, spiritual process. The thing that ties every human being together as one long continuous string of life, extending all the way back to the beginning of time. To a point, it is. As my friend Phil said, it's all ponies and butterflies. Until the ponies and butterflies start spontaneously screaming. But, it was all worth it to get Henry, who is genetically engineered to be awesome. Being a geek from birth, Henry has his own Twitter account, which was opened with exactly the first message you'd expect:

Rockhard Awesome: my first Twitter message, 'hello world'

Hello World. Literally.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, I'm sure you know I will approach our new parenting adventure the same way I do programming -- with absolutely no freaking idea what I'm doing. And often hilarious results.

Here's to you, little guy, and every other little programmer being born around the world.

Posted by Jeff Atwood
435 Comments

Congratulations! And a big well done to the mother :-)

Kat on March 13, 2009 7:45 AM

I'm bored waiting for family to show up (flight was delayed), so I made a nerdy character class. Would you believe I've never actually played DD except for a couple Bioware games?

Henry Burton Atwood
Level 0 Human Offspring
STR: 1
CON: 1
DEX: 1
WIS: 18 (wisdom of children)
INT: 1 (unable to talk implies less-than-3)
CHA: 20 when content, -1 for every consecutive minute that it is not entirely satisfied with life. Returns to 20 the instant it becomes contented again.

Spells:
Banshee's wail (at will until level 3, 2/day until level 10)
Charm person (at will until level 10)
Cloudkill (50 / day until level 5)
Geas (only targetable on mother, father)

Offspring gains one level per year regardless of XP, until level 18.

Offspring will gain one point of STR, CON, DEX, and INT at a rate of 1 point per level for 3 + 2d6 levels.

At level 3, WIS will be reduced to 4 and increase at a rate of 1 point per level for 2d6 levels.

After 4 levels, Offspring will lose CHA at the rate of 1 point per level for 6 + 2d6 levels, then regain charisma for 1d6 levels. Furthermore, beginning at this point the time before application of CHA penalty doubles but the penalty quadruples. So a level 4 Offspring takes 1 minutes for a 1 CHA penalty, a level 5 Offspring takes 2 minutes for a 4 CHA penalty, a level 6 Offspring takes 4 minutes for a 16 CHA penalty, and so on. The Charisma cooldown rate increases at a rate of 1 hour per level -- so after 2 hours of unbroken contentedness, a level 6 Offspring will lose all CHA penalties. At levels 13 through 16, Offspring cannot become content.

At level 4, Offspring gains Tasha's Hideous Laughter (at will). Loses it at level 10.

At level 13, Offspring may multiclass without XP penalty. The combined level is used to calculate current primary stats and spells.

Offspring's alignment must be any Evil from level 1 through level 4, inclusive. Offspring's aligment must be any Chaotic from level 13 through level 18, inclusive.

Taking classes in Offspring comes at a 10% XP penalty for every level beyond the 18th.

Ens on March 13, 2009 7:48 AM

congrats!

Jan on March 13, 2009 7:51 AM

Awesome! Congratulations, and condolences on the death of your free time ;)

Rev Matt on March 13, 2009 7:53 AM

Congratulations, Jeff and Betsy!!! Someone else mentioned The Happiest Baby on the Block but I'm going to mention it again. It's a fantastic book. Helped so much with my two girls. Read it. It's good. It's funny. Totally worth the time and effort. And, heck, it might give you something new to quote in future blog entries.

A.J. on March 13, 2009 7:54 AM

Congrats man.

I must say though that Cosby does not do a skit. That is a comedy routine and probably one of the best ever.

Harvey on March 13, 2009 8:00 AM

Congrats, Jeff Betsy.

I'm not joking when I say, I can see Jeff's face in Rockhard Awesome. :-)

Judah Himango on March 13, 2009 8:01 AM

Lovely how you're the kind of parent who's apparently pushing programming on to your child, not letting it choose its path in life. :-/

Cook-a-doodle on March 13, 2009 8:01 AM


Congratulations, this is terrific news. I am looking forward to the messages from the new parent process.

MoJo

MoJo on March 13, 2009 8:03 AM

Congratulations Jeff! Henry is already a spitting image of ya! I'll convince some broad to put up with and marry a nutcase such as myself one of these days. :-)

o.s. on March 13, 2009 8:04 AM

Congrats Jeff! Welcome to a whole new life as a parent!

David on March 13, 2009 8:13 AM

Hearty Congratulations Jeff!!!

Sujeegar on March 13, 2009 8:15 AM

Congratulations!

Don't blink, you will miss so much.

df5 on March 13, 2009 8:16 AM

You're doomed, man! I have one named Henry as well; they're the worst!

Seriously, though, congrats and good luck.

May the force be with you.

Tuque on March 13, 2009 8:18 AM

Congratulations, Jeff!

Keep that C++ GUI Programming Guide handy... it may help Henry get to sleep.

Steve Boyko on March 13, 2009 8:21 AM

Congratulations Jeff and welcome Henry!

Roland on March 13, 2009 8:23 AM

Congratulations! Well spawned !

I'm wondering what his first words will be ? Asembler ?

countzero on March 13, 2009 8:24 AM

Congratulations! Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting, where spawning a child thread not only provides endless opportunity for testing the theories of GIGO and overflow has a whole new meaning!

Brian Fitzpatrick on March 13, 2009 8:27 AM

Congratulations!

Now that your implementation is complete, it is time for the Maintenance phase (that never ends). Some of this Maintenance is viewed as janitorial work... but all of the best Dads need to do it.

I just wonder how you will setup your process monitor for Henry?

Erik Olson on March 13, 2009 8:31 AM

Congratulations, big daddy! Make sure that boy doesn't have to phreak phones to get his BBS fix!

Josh Stodola on March 13, 2009 8:38 AM

Congratulations Jeff!!

Gulzar Nazim on March 13, 2009 8:44 AM

Jeff, would you now agree that Release early and often is a good advise regarding having kids?

Dennis Gorelik on March 13, 2009 8:46 AM

Jeff,

Please don't let this interfere with your blogs; I use them as a constant source of ammunition to assail my managers' stupidity.

I kid, of course.

Congrats!

chaosape on March 13, 2009 8:51 AM

Congratulations, Jeff!

Grey Kingsley on March 13, 2009 8:52 AM

Congrats!

Gio on March 13, 2009 8:55 AM

What a beautiful little boy! Congratulations Betsy and Jeff, and welcome Henry.

helena on March 13, 2009 9:02 AM

Congrats Jeff!

Steve M on March 13, 2009 9:13 AM

Congrats to you and your family! Parenthood is an awesome experience!

Alex on March 13, 2009 9:18 AM

Congratulations, Jeff!

Wayne on March 13, 2009 9:19 AM

Congrats Jeff! I hope mom and boy are well and continue to be so.

Joel on March 13, 2009 9:24 AM

Congrats Jeff. Kids are the best things ever. I have three, and my only son turns 6 today (3/13). As many have said, enjoy the wonderful, exhilirating experience.

That being said... I wouldn't want to read that book at any age! You are sure to keep him unconscious reading that. So that makes you very wise, as She Who Must Be Obeyed will appreciate that. Here's a book that my mother read to me and I always loved, and I have read it to all of my children and they love it, too. Tiki Tiki Tembo.

http://www.amazon.com/Tikki-Tembo-Arlene-Mosel/dp/0805006621

Gray Fox on March 13, 2009 9:26 AM

When my son was born 8 months ago, I couldn't believe how true the statement of it will be different when it is your own kid was.

I had the same experience you had about how blue the sky seemed the first time I went out of the hospital afterward. Everything is different -- it fluctuates from being much brighter than it ever had been before, to being darker at times, too. The ups and downs of being a parent, I guess.

One thing I've noticed is that since becoming a parent, I'm MUCH less judgmental. You want to breastfeed your kid until he's 5? Whatever. Not my kid. Everyone has advice, and I'm sure it works for their kid. But I've found that the best course of action is the one I deem appropriate after spending countless hours upon hours with him, and he's a happy healthy little boy, so I think I'm doing it right.

I'm sure you guys will to. Congratulations, and Henry, the world says hello! back!

Matt on March 13, 2009 9:30 AM

He's cute! Congratulations.

Christian on March 13, 2009 9:43 AM

Congrats. He'll keep you very busy.

Tim on March 13, 2009 9:47 AM

Awesome !!!

Congratulations, its all down hill from here, but it is the best ride at the park.


Scott Rosenbaum on March 13, 2009 9:50 AM

Congrats!

Paul Prestin on March 13, 2009 9:58 AM

Congrats!

PapaBoojum on March 13, 2009 10:03 AM

Congrats!

Paperino on March 13, 2009 10:07 AM

+ 1 Congrats to you and your wife.

Parenthood = Best.Thing.Ever

MattH on March 13, 2009 10:08 AM

Haha, just wait, he'll probably end up being a huge sports jock with absolutely no interest in computers other then myspace.

asperous on March 13, 2009 10:08 AM

Congrats!++

Kuerwen on March 13, 2009 10:09 AM

Congratulations Jeff! Keep up the good work!

Clarence on March 13, 2009 10:09 AM

Congrats, Jeff! Looks like you're starting him out right! We've got our own coder in hibernation right now, due in August. It's an awesome experience!

Mark Struzinski on March 13, 2009 10:19 AM

Congratulations!

Sleep well these two first months, because you won't again for about a year...

Miguel Farah on March 13, 2009 10:22 AM

Mazeltov!

David Gorsline on March 13, 2009 10:23 AM

CONGRATS!! I've been reading your blog for a few months now and I really enjoy it.

Also, thanks for the heads up on the pain. My wife is due in July with our first child and I am already dreading getting my hand crushed during a contraction with an iron claw.

Will on March 13, 2009 10:28 AM

Gray Fox,
I love Tikki Tikki Tembo too! It seems like very few people seem to know it outside of my family, so I'm amused you know it too. I believe the version you referenced calls him Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sarembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo or something on that order. I've also heard Tikki Tooki Timbo no si nimbo bui hui bushi fui pom pom niki nomi acko fui-o. I guess there are myriad versions, and I have fun trying to remember them. :-)

Matt S on March 13, 2009 10:30 AM

Congrants and welcome to the club.

You'll see that programing is easier :)

Gustavo Ayres on March 13, 2009 10:33 AM

congrats!

Ray Vega on March 13, 2009 10:34 AM

Just be careful. You may not be able to rollback on your mistakes or throw it away all together.

LP on March 13, 2009 10:36 AM

Congrats. Something tells me this process will be taking up a lot of processor time.

Jeremy Beckham on March 13, 2009 10:42 AM

Great news! Congrats!

tim on March 13, 2009 10:47 AM

Congratulations!
(He's really cute too!)

Glynn on March 13, 2009 10:51 AM

Awesome! Congratulations! Glad everyone is healthy and happy. When's Henry going to get his first Commodore 64?

Erik B on March 13, 2009 10:51 AM

Congratulations! He looks just like his Dad! I know he'll be the best thing that's ever happened to you, just like mine was for me. God bless you and your family!

Brian Sullivan on March 13, 2009 10:52 AM

congrats jeff!

how your world will change! (not a bad thing)

My father thought the name 'henry' was terrible...
but I love it.

Eric on March 13, 2009 10:52 AM

I think they make drugs for that pain thing now... just saying.

Oh and congrats! In the old days, we used to just be embarrassed by our parents' photos of us growing up. Your kid gets to be embarrassed by photos, movies, blogging, Twitter, Facebook, AdultFriendFinder... oh wait maybe not that last one.

CynicalTyler on March 13, 2009 11:02 AM

Congratulations Jeff, and welcome to little Henry!

Rainier on March 13, 2009 11:08 AM

This is very exciting! Glad all went well, minus the screaming butterflies.

Raymond on March 13, 2009 11:09 AM

GUI diapers != Gooey diapers

Charles on March 13, 2009 11:11 AM

Congratulations!

Lucas McCoy on March 13, 2009 11:19 AM

Congratulations Jeff and Betsy!!!
Best wishes!

MaxDZ8 on March 13, 2009 11:19 AM

Congratulations Jeff. :)

Mohit Ranka on March 13, 2009 11:30 AM

Congratulations, Henry.
I hope you are better than I was at your age.

Best wishes,
-Someone, somewhere on earth

DDR on March 13, 2009 11:38 AM

Congratulations, Betsy and Jeff!!

You are now officially adults. Enjoy these wonderful early years. The only advice I can give that hasn't been yet is this: Don't drop him.

As for Henry: Welcome, little citizen.

Tom on March 13, 2009 11:39 AM

Hmm. Voting to close: Not Programming Related!

Just kidding -- many congratulations!

Bill Karwin on March 13, 2009 11:48 AM

You better get him a Linux box too.

Zoasterboy on March 13, 2009 12:03 PM

Congratulations.

Pass a nice kidney stone and you can semi-experience the same pain your wife may have!

Fun!

Mal on March 13, 2009 12:04 PM

Congratulations!

Best hello world I have seen.

I kept saying hello world when my Abigail arrived 4 months ago but my wife did not get it.

Practicality on March 13, 2009 12:11 PM

Must... resist... sheepishness..... GAH... Baaaah!

Congratulations!

...there, I said it. I'm truly sorry, I couldn't come up with anything more interesting with which to wish you a happy year or so of not being able to focus your eyes for 5 minutes at a time. ^_^

You're a braver man than I. Good luck, and may the almighty power of cheese whiz guide you and protect you from diaper bombs.

Nicholas Flynt on March 13, 2009 12:11 PM

Congrats, have you told Richard Stallman the good news?

Donal on March 13, 2009 12:15 PM

Best wishes to the family! Welcome to fatherhood. Good name choice, we have a Henry too!

Rick Cabral on March 13, 2009 12:16 PM

congrats! You will get tyred, wet, dirty, but the joy of a baby will make you forget everything about it :)

And more congrats to your wife (hey, she DID the job!)

Gonzalo on March 13, 2009 12:28 PM

Congratulations! Best of luck to all of you...

Neil on March 13, 2009 12:30 PM

That little guy looks like a keeper! Best of luck to your growing family.

As a father of two little girls I can attest to the fact that I was not properly prepared for how simultaneously thrilling and disgusting childbirth really is. But all the gore was forgotten when the nurses put my twin girls in my arms. Ten years later, it's been the most educational experience I've ever had.

Like many of the others have said, enjoy all of it. Miss nothing. Be there for every game, play, recital, etc. no matter what the career sacrifice. You'll never regret it. I haven't.

Bob Mc on March 13, 2009 12:36 PM

Here's to hoping it's not a zombie process! It should be sleeping, then active, and certainly never idle!

BG on March 13, 2009 12:56 PM

Oh, and Congrats!

BG on March 13, 2009 12:57 PM

congratulations for a new independent program ;)


in hebrew its Mazal Tov


http://design-to-last.com

daniel on March 13, 2009 1:01 PM

Congrats!

Mike on March 13, 2009 1:06 PM

I was actually thinking about your old post the other day, wondering why you hadn't followed up on it and hoping that nothing bad had happened. I find it a bit distressing that I go around thinking about your (then) unborn since I don't have any contact with you, but I guess that parenthood (I have two daughters) can do that to you. :-)

Congratulations and good luck to the three of you!

Martin J. Steer on March 13, 2009 1:14 PM

Congratulations!

Cody Brimhall on March 13, 2009 1:15 PM

Doctor to new mother: Your baby is so cute!
New mother: Thanks, but don't you say that about every baby?
Doctor: No, just the ones who are really cute.
New mother: Then what do you say about the rest?
Doctor: 'He looks just like you!'


(I count four of each so far, so let me add a He's so cute!)

mmyers on March 13, 2009 1:17 PM

Congratulations, and well done!

Paul on March 13, 2009 1:28 PM

Um, but who said he will become a programmer? ;)

Anonymous on March 13, 2009 1:30 PM

Yey congratulations!

Wilfred Knievel on March 13, 2009 1:30 PM

And I thought spawning processes on Windows was slow!

Congrats :)

fowl on March 13, 2009 1:39 PM

Congratulations! Keep them coming.

Roger Karlsson on March 13, 2009 1:47 PM

Mazal tov!

Sebastian on March 13, 2009 1:49 PM

Gratz!

Fabian on March 13, 2009 1:49 PM

Congratulations Jeff! God bless, I hope he will be a gigantic computer neard!

Fredrik Sanberg on March 13, 2009 1:51 PM

Congratulations to all three of you!

As a father of three, where the oldest is now leaving the nest, I'll give you this advice (as others already have):

Spend as much time as you can with your children. The first years never come back, so make sure that you have your priorities straight! Just when you start to know your children, they're flying away!

Anders Isaksson on March 13, 2009 1:53 PM

Good job!

Just remember that you need to run a `renice 20 -p Henry Burton Atwood` or else you're going to get into some serious problems.

Of course, chances are you are not the owner of that process so I do hope you have sudo.

Brad on March 13, 2009 1:53 PM

Congratulations on beginning an epic adventure..

And you thought programming was hard :o)

Hope you are all well.

Mark on March 13, 2009 1:54 PM

Congrats Jeff!

Corey Hart on March 13, 2009 1:55 PM

Congratulations you two :)

15 years down the line with my daughter I can only say that every second is different, and worth it :)

And, ermmm, shouldn't he be learning C first ???

DrewG on March 14, 2009 2:18 AM

Many congratulations Jeff. I wish you and your family all the very best. Look forward to reading more about your new adventures!

SS.//

PS Henry looks a little like he is calculating Pi in his sleep...Go Henry!

Sundeep Sidhu on March 14, 2009 3:17 AM

Congratulations!

Lee jong-sung on March 14, 2009 3:17 AM

Congratulations Jeff on the newest edition to your family! :)

Laura on March 14, 2009 3:23 AM

1 Fender Stratocaster: $1100

1 80's-era signature rock headband: $25

Watching your kid grow up to become a rock star: priceless.

Being able to beat him at Guitar Hero 14: even more priceless.

Congratulations Jeff on the new addition to the Atwood family.

James on March 14, 2009 3:31 AM

Congratulations Jeff and Betsy!

And hello Henry!

BTW: Henry and Betsy are both really good names.

Benedict on March 14, 2009 3:34 AM

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