How to translate "gunslinger"?

Hi! I am translation one of Joel's articules to Portuguese (The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code).

Can anybody help me on the term "gunslinger"?

I know that literally is "A professional killer who uses a gun". But is there any special meaning in the software context? Can it be transalated like "adventurous"? Is it related to sense of "elite"?

Using google, I found lots of references in software and programming newsgroups.

"And it's possible to imagine a team of "gunslingers" that doesn't do any of this stuff"(...).

Thank you.

Pedro Vieira
Thursday, November 6, 2003

People who pull out guns and shoot without thinking beforehand.

Joel Spolsky
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Spanish "pistolero" if that helps.

Stephen Jones
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Is there a Portugeuse word for "cowboy"?  That's probably the closest to the spirit of the usage of the word "gunslinger."  It's primarily a reference to the rugged individualism of the American Wild West, specifically the disregard for conventional social "rules" that was a part of living in an unsettled land where there weren't any laws yet or a government to enforce them.

Matt Latourette
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Thank you all!

I will translate as "pistoleito desregrado e indomável" (untamed gunman that does not follow rules).

I think our image of "cowboys" is "cleaner" that yours. I mean, the cowboys are the "good guys", despite the fact use guns! The indians are the "bad guys". At least this is the impression left by the classical wild west movies.

Pedro Vieira
Thursday, November 6, 2003

There is a whole different meaning in the context of prison life.

Mike
Thursday, November 6, 2003

IS El-Mariachi close?

Prakash S
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Think of any of the Seven Samurai, or if you prefer The Magnificent Seven, I'm the one that looks like Yul Brynner from the front.

Simon Lucy
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Fondio

Doh
Thursday, November 6, 2003

One thing that is missing from the above is that a gunslinger is hired outside muscle.

If you had a problem, you (big cheese) would hire a gunslinger (outsider, skilled with weapons) who would fight for you, for money alone, and leave when the problem was solved.

If they got killed in the process, tough cookies.

Gunslingers are usually the bad guys in a western.

Contrary Mary
Thursday, November 6, 2003

So a gunslinger is a mercenary in the badlands.

Right?
Thursday, November 6, 2003

Can I ride shotgun?

please ...

Tapiwa
Friday, November 7, 2003

The first of Stephen Kings's Dark Tower series was called 'The Gunslinger.'

Was this book translated into Portuguese?  How was the title translated?

Ged Byrne
Friday, November 7, 2003

That Stephen King's book has been translated as "Pistoleiro" (kind of "man with a pistol"), at leans in the Brazilian Portuguese version.

So I think I did the right choice!

Pedro Vieira
Friday, November 7, 2003

Incidentally, the book was also called "Le Pistolero" in French.

GP
Saturday, November 8, 2003

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