A CS degree, and consequently most CS graduates, are hyperfocused on one aspect of software development: algorithms and data structures. Unless you're making AAA games, your learning should not end or begin there. Any other, more useful, parts of software development (design patterns, TDD, etc.) fall by the wayside because so much time is spent familiarizing the students with, well, programming language and OOP basics. However, since the CS degree is the closest thing to a "software development degree", employeers will continue to require it for even the most basic programming jobs. I don't expect the complaints about CS degree holding aplicants that can't fizzbuzz ending anytime soon, either.
The closer to the hardware you get, the more the lines blur between the CS ideal (Big O) and the hardware reality (registers and bandwidth and machine code interleaving). You really can't optimize for one without optimizing for the other.
Another interesting fact about low-level languages is that it is much more difficult for bugs to hide. Writing correct code is nearly the same as writing understandable code. The only things that can go wrong (huge functions, tons of global variables, etc.) could just as well go wrong in a higher level language. Just look at all the ruby and python developers writing code that translates easily into c, and only throwing in a class or two to look OOP.
Except the code has to be decrypted to run on the cpu. The only "uncrackable" (in the very crackable ps3 sense of the word) way is to have a cpu on the dongle with signed firmware.
First of all, "IT" encompasses a whole lot more than you think. So yes, a broad field such as that should be able to escape across-the-board HIPPA-style regulation. Secondly, absolutely anything can be said to endanger national security, as we have seen. So dont think this wont expand past its stated purpose s decade or so down the road. Lastly, you know as well as I do that the best solution is the threat of serious fines for a business that gets hacked and lose sensitive data, but clearly the government is not interested in any legislation that would have to be used, only legislation thay they have the option to use (govt IT security audits wouldnt hit campaign contributors very hard, now would they? Fines after the fact would.)
At a time when there seems to be more defunct than active game companies, and huge gaming monstrosities such as Activision and EA are merging/acquiring left and right, it's a welcome change to see new developers like Runic spring up overnight.
Vandalism, yes. But it also probably counts as hacking, since you're accessing some computer system (the iPhone kernel), without permission, display model or not. This jailbreak frenzy is just getting silly.
It's happened to us all, I am certain. However, at some point (college hopefully, or at least later in the "real world") the joke's on them. Those who let the geek do all the work and make no effort to understand the project may get a passing grade, or be perceived as having accomplished something at work, but ultimately it will come around to bit them in the ass. I was in a programming class where they attempted to split the class in to those with programming experience, and those without. They then formed mixed groups. However, this backfired completely, as most of the people who were not experienced in programming let the programmer do all the work, and never learned anything. Finals came around, and, well, I imagine most of them are in that class for a second try.
Unlike many of the people posting here, I am actually in classes in which people bring laptops, and use them to watch youtube, play WoW, and Facebook. However, I don't find myself distracted one bit. If you find that you cannot divert your gaze from the excess flashiness of someone's game of WoW, or the boring details of their Facebook friends, then you have bigger problems than your classmates. Also, why should the professor care if people are paying attention to him? It's their money. Oh yes it is, even with financial aid. Do you really think they are going to continue paying for your education when you start failing classes? I think not.
Aside from those obvious points, there remains the many ways that laptops in class can help. For example, I've taken a laptop to one class in order to use wikipedia to fill in various details missed in the sporadic and rambling lectures of some professors. I download the powerpoint slides used by the professors so I don't have to strain my eyes trying to read badly-focused projected text from the back row (I sit in the back row to avoid distracting people, and I hate it when people look over my shoulder anyway).
Luckily, the students still hold enough of a say at the university I am attending that such ridiculous measures would never fly. But if my professors DID demand that laptops be absent from the lectures, I would be one of the few to actually be affected. Those now playing MMORPGs and Facebook games would simply find another source of distraction - perhaps cellphones (remember those? I hear they have 3D networked games and Facebook now. Amazing.) Those distracted by the laptops of others will simply find some spot of dust on the wall to attract their attention, and still not learn anything.
... who is surprised by this? Lots of fan projects have been shut down in recent years. Chrono Resurrection, Crimson Echoes, Halogen, etc. Anyone working on a fangame at this point and not taking drastic measures to ensure that they are not infringing on trademarks or copyright gets zero sympathy from me when they get their eventual C&D.
It's a sad catch-22 that to drum up interest in your game project you need to base it on an existing franchise. As long as people are willing to latch onto any small glimmer of hope that their favorite nostalgic game will be remade in modern times, there will be fangames. And they will be shut down.
The point is, he doesn't feel responsible for his student's success, or even think that he is doing them a favor. He just likes getting +5 in Slashdot when he posts about it.
"You do realize of course that the very computer you are using to bash Compaq would not be in existence if it wasn't for Compaq, right?"
Yes, we'd probably be using something superior to x86. The IBM compatibles survived because they... were compatible. If Compaq hadn't reverse-engineered the PC, someone else would have, or someone would have reverse-engineered Macintosh, or something entirely different.
Slashdot Mirror
A CS degree, and consequently most CS graduates, are hyperfocused on one aspect of software development: algorithms and data structures. Unless you're making AAA games, your learning should not end or begin there. Any other, more useful, parts of software development (design patterns, TDD, etc.) fall by the wayside because so much time is spent familiarizing the students with, well, programming language and OOP basics. However, since the CS degree is the closest thing to a "software development degree", employeers will continue to require it for even the most basic programming jobs. I don't expect the complaints about CS degree holding aplicants that can't fizzbuzz ending anytime soon, either.
Wikipedia links to this PDF: http://www.crysys.hu/skywiper/skywiper.pdf
The closer to the hardware you get, the more the lines blur between the CS ideal (Big O) and the hardware reality (registers and bandwidth and machine code interleaving). You really can't optimize for one without optimizing for the other.
Another interesting fact about low-level languages is that it is much more difficult for bugs to hide. Writing correct code is nearly the same as writing understandable code. The only things that can go wrong (huge functions, tons of global variables, etc.) could just as well go wrong in a higher level language. Just look at all the ruby and python developers writing code that translates easily into c, and only throwing in a class or two to look OOP.
Except the code has to be decrypted to run on the cpu. The only "uncrackable" (in the very crackable ps3 sense of the word) way is to have a cpu on the dongle with signed firmware.
First of all, "IT" encompasses a whole lot more than you think. So yes, a broad field such as that should be able to escape across-the-board HIPPA-style regulation. Secondly, absolutely anything can be said to endanger national security, as we have seen. So dont think this wont expand past its stated purpose s decade or so down the road. Lastly, you know as well as I do that the best solution is the threat of serious fines for a business that gets hacked and lose sensitive data, but clearly the government is not interested in any legislation that would have to be used, only legislation thay they have the option to use (govt IT security audits wouldnt hit campaign contributors very hard, now would they? Fines after the fact would.)
...so long as there aren't any serious IDEs that run on Android/iOS.
if emacs or vi will support gesture recognition first.
Okay, is that "sudo apt-get remove autoplay"?
Let's see... Three moves shaved off every 2 years... That means that by the year 2024, we'll be able to solve any Rubix Cube in 1 move (or less!).
At a time when there seems to be more defunct than active game companies, and huge gaming monstrosities such as Activision and EA are merging/acquiring left and right, it's a welcome change to see new developers like Runic spring up overnight.
Vandalism, yes. But it also probably counts as hacking, since you're accessing some computer system (the iPhone kernel), without permission, display model or not. This jailbreak frenzy is just getting silly.
The rover will be equipped with weaponry for use against cats.
... how long it'll be before a movie is made?
I give it about ten weeks.
It's not fully understood yet? Quick, somebody write a sci-fi novel, à la Michael Crichton or Parasite Eve!
What world did I wake up in where Charlotte's Web is considered "great literature"?
Give me a pair of scissors and a Vista DVD and I'll show you. It's superior to Vista in every way.
You heard it here first, folks: Facebook users cannot figure out how to use condoms!
China will be feeling the pain when their businesses and citizens are no longer able to be conned out of their money by GoDaddy.
It's happened to us all, I am certain. However, at some point (college hopefully, or at least later in the "real world") the joke's on them. Those who let the geek do all the work and make no effort to understand the project may get a passing grade, or be perceived as having accomplished something at work, but ultimately it will come around to bit them in the ass. I was in a programming class where they attempted to split the class in to those with programming experience, and those without. They then formed mixed groups. However, this backfired completely, as most of the people who were not experienced in programming let the programmer do all the work, and never learned anything. Finals came around, and, well, I imagine most of them are in that class for a second try.
superexp.cn is gearing up4 the new semester! 1000experience points just $19.99! 1million 4 jst $29.99 safe and secure payment. delivery in hours!
Japans major export these days is weirdness.
Unlike many of the people posting here, I am actually in classes in which people bring laptops, and use them to watch youtube, play WoW, and Facebook. However, I don't find myself distracted one bit. If you find that you cannot divert your gaze from the excess flashiness of someone's game of WoW, or the boring details of their Facebook friends, then you have bigger problems than your classmates. Also, why should the professor care if people are paying attention to him? It's their money. Oh yes it is, even with financial aid. Do you really think they are going to continue paying for your education when you start failing classes? I think not.
Aside from those obvious points, there remains the many ways that laptops in class can help. For example, I've taken a laptop to one class in order to use wikipedia to fill in various details missed in the sporadic and rambling lectures of some professors. I download the powerpoint slides used by the professors so I don't have to strain my eyes trying to read badly-focused projected text from the back row (I sit in the back row to avoid distracting people, and I hate it when people look over my shoulder anyway).
Luckily, the students still hold enough of a say at the university I am attending that such ridiculous measures would never fly. But if my professors DID demand that laptops be absent from the lectures, I would be one of the few to actually be affected. Those now playing MMORPGs and Facebook games would simply find another source of distraction - perhaps cellphones (remember those? I hear they have 3D networked games and Facebook now. Amazing.) Those distracted by the laptops of others will simply find some spot of dust on the wall to attract their attention, and still not learn anything.
... who is surprised by this? Lots of fan projects have been shut down in recent years. Chrono Resurrection, Crimson Echoes, Halogen, etc. Anyone working on a fangame at this point and not taking drastic measures to ensure that they are not infringing on trademarks or copyright gets zero sympathy from me when they get their eventual C&D.
It's a sad catch-22 that to drum up interest in your game project you need to base it on an existing franchise. As long as people are willing to latch onto any small glimmer of hope that their favorite nostalgic game will be remade in modern times, there will be fangames. And they will be shut down.
The point is, he doesn't feel responsible for his student's success, or even think that he is doing them a favor. He just likes getting +5 in Slashdot when he posts about it.
"You do realize of course that the very computer you are using to bash Compaq would not be in existence if it wasn't for Compaq, right?" Yes, we'd probably be using something superior to x86. The IBM compatibles survived because they... were compatible. If Compaq hadn't reverse-engineered the PC, someone else would have, or someone would have reverse-engineered Macintosh, or something entirely different.