I would bet that most 'real' software engineers can predict what their code will do more than 90-95% of the time. I'm not saying that I can, but I like to think I'm getting there:). As we all gain more experience we get to the point that most of the time we can just look over the code and see what it's going to do without having to run it.
There actually are Proof of Correctness tests that can be performed on code to ensure that it will perform it's desired function. And I've heard (not actually seen though) of software that will produce 100% 'correct' code. However, 100% correct code is usually not optimized at all and in doing the optimization is where most programmers fail and where bugs are often introduced.
The solution that Software Engineers use today is to just try to break the project up into managable components and hope each one of them is done correctly. However, if a component is not correct then the problem cascades into other modules that depend on that component.
But in theory software can be written such that it doesn't have to be executed to know what it will do, however in practice this is usually not the case.
Just upload it to an xdrive account (or one of the many other free hardrives on the internet). You get around 20 or 30 megs of free space (up to 100 in some cases) and can access it from any computer with an internet connection. They also have a tool (for windows) you can download that will make your xdrive appear as a hard drive in 'my computer' to make it even easier to copy files back and forth to the xdrive with simple drag and drop.
I've been using my xdrive for a while now and it makes it very easy to copy files back and forth from school/work/home and friends. Since I'm using a unique password for it, I don't mind just telling my friends to upload the files they want to send me to my xdrive account and to get files that I want to send them from there. I can also choose to share certain files so other people (whom I wouldn't trust with my password) can download them my simply e-mailing them a link to the file.
In general I just think it's a very good service and is a very good substitute for floppy disks for data transfer or even long term storage.
Thank you for point this out. I've been thinking it while reading this thread, but you articulated it so well. If I had some mod points you'd get a few. I know several people who have guns and they are very responsbile with them, but they also have a lot of fun taking out for some target practice and shooting cd's, old computers, phone books, vegetables, etc.
Just because someone owns a gun doesn't mean they have any intention of killing someone with it. In my friends cases they just enjoy the hobby.
I think this is a good idea because it allows people to try out their windows games under linux as sort of a proof that their game will run well under linux and that when they make the move to linux they will still be able to play their games. Kind of allowing them to try their game out before actually making the move to linux.
I'm sure this could have other applications as well, for instance allowing people to try out like StarOffice for linux and other linux applications so they know that when/if they move to linux they can still do everything they could under windows.
makes it sound as though MS considers doing so to be contributory infringement if the user subsequently installs an illegal copy of Windows
IANAL of course, but it would seem like this would be difficult to uphold in court. This would be similar to holding a dealer of a fast car responsible for a customer who speeds or gets in a deadly accident. I'm not exactly sure if microsoft could hold the vender of the computer responsible for what happens to the computer after it's sold. I would hope they are refering to something along the lines of extra support calls or maybe less satisfaction because the hardware didn't work properly with a different operating system or something to that effect.
You are right that it does sound like a threat, however there is nothing that says what will happen, but I guess it's just in there to make people think about what _could_ happen. It just sounds like more fud to me to make people think "oh, maybe we shouldn't do that".
Who ever wrote this isn't really thinking very clearly and isn't acting for the benefit of the end user (surprise, it's microsoft). They're acting for the 'benifit' of the average computer user, but the average computer user doesn't order a naked pc.
1. Highlight the fact that the PC will not work without an operating system. Mention that preinstalling the operating system on the new PC saves considerable time, expense and trouble. After all, your expertise is valuable. You install system software day in, day out, so there is little question you're best equipped to do it well.
The person ordering this probably knows more than the average person about computers and will know what they are doing. And it doesn't really save that much time anyways, because the person ordering this will probably just blow it away and reinstall anyways. It has nothing to do with saying that the vendor has no expertise, but different users have different needs and abilities and some just like to install their own stuff.
2. Warn customers that acquiring the PC "naked" and subsequently pirating the software is never a good option. Explain the risks: technical troubles, upgrade problems, viruses and the law. Politely decline to expose your buyers or their businesses to such troubles.
As I said before, the person ordering a naked pc knows what they're doing and will most likely be able to work out any technical troubles on their own and will probably enjoy doing so:). I know I personally like troubleshooting computer problems. And the owner probably has a legal copy of the operating system they want to install (usually a free operating system). However, I'm sure there are a few cases of people wanted to use unlicensed copies of software.
3. Point out the benefits of a legally licensed, preinstalled operating system. Customers have the original CD so they can reload the software. They also have a manual for everyday troubleshooting, and a Certificate of Authenticity that proves the software is legal. In short, protect your customer and your good name. Sell your PCs fully equipped with legally licensed operating systems preinstalled. Otherwise, who knows what you're leaving your customers-and yourself-open to?
If someone asked for a computer without an operating system they obviously know what they're doing and more than likely, they want to install a copy of a free operating system on it. And in some cases they will want to install a *CLEAN* version of windows and not the standard default install crap that I've seen most vendors ship with.
In short, selling naked pc's is aimed at a completely different market than the typical computer user and is geared more towards the power users who know what they're doing. Often this market is also of people who want to give a little money to microsoft as possible:). I doubt the average Joe Normal User will order a naked pc, but if Joe Power User wants one, they they should be able to get one without a hassel.
I'm a CS/CE student and I know about the N and NP stuff. I've also taken an Applied Graph Theory course (that's starting to slip away), so I know about the minimum clique problem too. However, the one thing I haven't figured out yet is how is this problem useful in the real world? What are the applications of this? I'm assuming some sort of networking applications, but right now I can't think of any.
Does anyone know how this algorithm and finding the minimum clique will be useful in the real world?
This kind of seems like one of those worthless computer science problems that have no real usefulness ouside of academia.
Gee who would have thunk it from a geek porn site?... actually my first thought was a bunch of computers with their cases off, and some half-cased computers with wires hanging out, and bare motherboards and stuff like that, but 452ms later I realized that thought was pretty stupid:).
mmmmm, plasma display... i want one... mmmmmmmm... they look sooooooooo sweet... maybe after i get out of college and get a job or something...
btw, anyone in the boulder/denver looking for a very talented c/c++/java programmer feel free to drop me a line:) i graduate in december and can start in january.
Re:Conceding your lawsuit is baseless?
on
RIAA CEO Speaks
·
· Score: 1
Maybe we could suggest this to MTV's celebrity deathmatch:)
Re:Conceding your lawsuit is baseless?
on
RIAA CEO Speaks
·
· Score: 2
What is wrong is profiting from others' hard work
No, I don't think this means that they're going to drop the napster lawsuit, but I think they are going to also start going after people who provide DSL, Cable Modem services, T1, and OC3 lines. They are the ones making a killing off of all this because of all the people installing high speed internet connections to their house so they can download MP3s faster.
69% of respondents had a positive view of Bill Gates, making him more likeable than either of the two presidential candidates.
That's it! My mind is made up now.
Bill Gates for president!
I didn't like the other candidates anyways, and I don't really like Bill Gates either, but if 69% of the population likes him then he must make a great president. Hmmm, Although, I'm sure that'd slightly tip the antitrust trial in his favor...
p.s. i'm not a troll, i like my karma (granted it's only 14, but i still like it), please don't mod me down
Yeah, I know people who go through AIM names like kleenex. It seems like every week they have a new screen name. At last count, they were up to at least 30 or 40 over the past 2 years. Me, on the other hand, has had the same one for 4 years:).
Most of my friends have two though, one that everyone knows and one that only a select few people know that they can get on as to hide from people they don't wanna talk to.
This brings up an interesting point. Are there Open Source automated testing suites? At my company we use Rational Robot to do automated testing which makes regression tests trivial because we just run a script overnight and it tests everything. We also have manual test plans for areas that can't be tested automatically or scripts just haven't been written for.
Do Open Source projects even have test plans? From what I can tell they don't. The developers just submit their code and they post it. I'm sure they might run through some simple tests, but sometimes I doubt they even do that. They seem to be depending on peer review too much and, as you mentioned, sometimes the problems in code are more involved than just a few lines need to be changed in which case making larger changes can sometimes cause undesired effects in other areas of the product.
I do think that with a dedicated test team running something resembling test plans that the overall quality of an Open Source project will improve.
I personally have started to grow fond of using the mozilla sidebar search panel. Mainly because it (usually) stores the search results in the sidebar so while I'm surfing the search results I don't have to go back to the search page or open a new window or anything because I can just click on the next item in the sidebar list.
Slashdot Mirror
The Microsoft Ad seems to be /.ed or just gone entirely. Any mirrors?
do you have a link to one that's not as behind? if so, could you post it?
thanks!
Boy, I should not have been in a public lab when I read this. I almost fell out of my chair laughing!
:).
Posts like these make me wish I had some moderator points
I would bet that most 'real' software engineers can predict what their code will do more than 90-95% of the time. I'm not saying that I can, but I like to think I'm getting there :). As we all gain more experience we get to the point that most of the time we can just look over the code and see what it's going to do without having to run it.
There actually are Proof of Correctness tests that can be performed on code to ensure that it will perform it's desired function. And I've heard (not actually seen though) of software that will produce 100% 'correct' code. However, 100% correct code is usually not optimized at all and in doing the optimization is where most programmers fail and where bugs are often introduced.
The solution that Software Engineers use today is to just try to break the project up into managable components and hope each one of them is done correctly. However, if a component is not correct then the problem cascades into other modules that depend on that component.
But in theory software can be written such that it doesn't have to be executed to know what it will do, however in practice this is usually not the case.
Just upload it to an xdrive account (or one of the many other free hardrives on the internet). You get around 20 or 30 megs of free space (up to 100 in some cases) and can access it from any computer with an internet connection. They also have a tool (for windows) you can download that will make your xdrive appear as a hard drive in 'my computer' to make it even easier to copy files back and forth to the xdrive with simple drag and drop.
I've been using my xdrive for a while now and it makes it very easy to copy files back and forth from school/work/home and friends. Since I'm using a unique password for it, I don't mind just telling my friends to upload the files they want to send me to my xdrive account and to get files that I want to send them from there. I can also choose to share certain files so other people (whom I wouldn't trust with my password) can download them my simply e-mailing them a link to the file.
In general I just think it's a very good service and is a very good substitute for floppy disks for data transfer or even long term storage.
Thank you for point this out. I've been thinking it while reading this thread, but you articulated it so well. If I had some mod points you'd get a few. I know several people who have guns and they are very responsbile with them, but they also have a lot of fun taking out for some target practice and shooting cd's, old computers, phone books, vegetables, etc.
Just because someone owns a gun doesn't mean they have any intention of killing someone with it. In my friends cases they just enjoy the hobby.
I could spark a holy war here by asying all you need is vi
Well, all you really need is vi, so why have a holy war?
I think this is a good idea because it allows people to try out their windows games under linux as sort of a proof that their game will run well under linux and that when they make the move to linux they will still be able to play their games. Kind of allowing them to try their game out before actually making the move to linux.
I'm sure this could have other applications as well, for instance allowing people to try out like StarOffice for linux and other linux applications so they know that when/if they move to linux they can still do everything they could under windows.
I'm assuming Make Money Fast, but I could be wrong.
makes it sound as though MS considers doing so to be contributory infringement if the user subsequently installs an illegal copy of Windows
IANAL of course, but it would seem like this would be difficult to uphold in court. This would be similar to holding a dealer of a fast car responsible for a customer who speeds or gets in a deadly accident. I'm not exactly sure if microsoft could hold the vender of the computer responsible for what happens to the computer after it's sold. I would hope they are refering to something along the lines of extra support calls or maybe less satisfaction because the hardware didn't work properly with a different operating system or something to that effect.
You are right that it does sound like a threat, however there is nothing that says what will happen, but I guess it's just in there to make people think about what _could_ happen. It just sounds like more fud to me to make people think "oh, maybe we shouldn't do that".
You seem to have a bit of a lag.. analog modem
:(...
Worse... a shared 28.8 dialup...
life as a poor starving college student sucks
Who ever wrote this isn't really thinking very clearly and isn't acting for the benefit of the end user (surprise, it's microsoft). They're acting for the 'benifit' of the average computer user, but the average computer user doesn't order a naked pc.
:). I know I personally like troubleshooting computer problems. And the owner probably has a legal copy of the operating system they want to install (usually a free operating system). However, I'm sure there are a few cases of people wanted to use unlicensed copies of software.
:). I doubt the average Joe Normal User will order a naked pc, but if Joe Power User wants one, they they should be able to get one without a hassel.
1. Highlight the fact that the PC will not work without an operating system. Mention that preinstalling the operating system on the new PC saves considerable time, expense and trouble. After all, your expertise is valuable. You install system software day in, day out, so there is little question you're best equipped to do it well.
The person ordering this probably knows more than the average person about computers and will know what they are doing. And it doesn't really save that much time anyways, because the person ordering this will probably just blow it away and reinstall anyways. It has nothing to do with saying that the vendor has no expertise, but different users have different needs and abilities and some just like to install their own stuff.
2. Warn customers that acquiring the PC "naked" and subsequently pirating the software is never a good option. Explain the risks: technical troubles, upgrade problems, viruses and the law. Politely decline to expose your buyers or their businesses to such troubles.
As I said before, the person ordering a naked pc knows what they're doing and will most likely be able to work out any technical troubles on their own and will probably enjoy doing so
3. Point out the benefits of a legally licensed, preinstalled operating system. Customers have the original CD so they can reload the software. They also have a manual for everyday troubleshooting, and a Certificate of Authenticity that proves the software is legal. In short, protect your customer and your good name. Sell your PCs fully equipped with legally licensed operating systems preinstalled. Otherwise, who knows what you're leaving your customers-and yourself-open to?
If someone asked for a computer without an operating system they obviously know what they're doing and more than likely, they want to install a copy of a free operating system on it. And in some cases they will want to install a *CLEAN* version of windows and not the standard default install crap that I've seen most vendors ship with.
In short, selling naked pc's is aimed at a completely different market than the typical computer user and is geared more towards the power users who know what they're doing. Often this market is also of people who want to give a little money to microsoft as possible
I'm a CS/CE student and I know about the N and NP stuff. I've also taken an Applied Graph Theory course (that's starting to slip away), so I know about the minimum clique problem too. However, the one thing I haven't figured out yet is how is this problem useful in the real world? What are the applications of this? I'm assuming some sort of networking applications, but right now I can't think of any.
Does anyone know how this algorithm and finding the minimum clique will be useful in the real world?
This kind of seems like one of those worthless computer science problems that have no real usefulness ouside of academia.
Lots of sex and gross stuff
:).
Gee who would have thunk it from a geek porn site?... actually my first thought was a bunch of computers with their cases off, and some half-cased computers with wires hanging out, and bare motherboards and stuff like that, but 452ms later I realized that thought was pretty stupid
MrT vs. The Matrix is pretty cool, but I still like the Bastardization of The Matrix a lot better :).
mmmmm, plasma display... i want one... mmmmmmmm... they look sooooooooo sweet... maybe after i get out of college and get a job or something...
btw, anyone in the boulder/denver looking for a very talented c/c++/java programmer feel free to drop me a line
Maybe we could suggest this to MTV's celebrity deathmatch :)
What is wrong is profiting from others' hard work
No, I don't think this means that they're going to drop the napster lawsuit, but I think they are going to also start going after people who provide DSL, Cable Modem services, T1, and OC3 lines. They are the ones making a killing off of all this because of all the people installing high speed internet connections to their house so they can download MP3s faster.
69% of respondents had a positive view of Bill Gates, making him more likeable than either of the two presidential candidates.
That's it! My mind is made up now.
Bill Gates for president!
I didn't like the other candidates anyways, and I don't really like Bill Gates either, but if 69% of the population likes him then he must make a great president. Hmmm, Although, I'm sure that'd slightly tip the antitrust trial in his favor...
p.s. i'm not a troll, i like my karma (granted it's only 14, but i still like it), please don't mod me down
Yeah, I know people who go through AIM names like kleenex. It seems like every week they have a new screen name. At last count, they were up to at least 30 or 40 over the past 2 years. Me, on the other hand, has had the same one for 4 years :).
Most of my friends have two though, one that everyone knows and one that only a select few people know that they can get on as to hide from people they don't wanna talk to.
No, but I'm sure if you stare at it long enough you might start getting some headaches and drill a hole in your head.
OSS doesn't have test suites available
This brings up an interesting point. Are there Open Source automated testing suites? At my company we use Rational Robot to do automated testing which makes regression tests trivial because we just run a script overnight and it tests everything. We also have manual test plans for areas that can't be tested automatically or scripts just haven't been written for.
Do Open Source projects even have test plans? From what I can tell they don't. The developers just submit their code and they post it. I'm sure they might run through some simple tests, but sometimes I doubt they even do that. They seem to be depending on peer review too much and, as you mentioned, sometimes the problems in code are more involved than just a few lines need to be changed in which case making larger changes can sometimes cause undesired effects in other areas of the product.
I do think that with a dedicated test team running something resembling test plans that the overall quality of an Open Source project will improve.
I've been using Outlook 2000 at work
I'm guessing then that you might have an exchange server at work (like we do) that is stripping out the TNEF info.
I personally have started to grow fond of using the mozilla sidebar search panel. Mainly because it (usually) stores the search results in the sidebar so while I'm surfing the search results I don't have to go back to the search page or open a new window or anything because I can just click on the next item in the sidebar list.
And you could use your router as a web server if you were on crack *grin*
or maybe just provide a web interface for configuration and maintinance/monitoring, etc via TUX.
I think that would be a very useful and practical application for TUX, imho of course.