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User: p4nther2004

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  1. Yes folks...the first thought is the "eval" funct. on Microsoft Roslyn: Reinventing the Compiler As We Know It · · Score: 1
    But that's NOT the advantage to this.

    Ever used JSP before? You know that JSP pages are compiled (either on the fly or precompiled) and (if you're smart) you stored off the compiled .java files so you can debug when you page goes belly-up.

    (You have to store the pages, because the line numbers match the .java classes, not the JSP pages themselves)

    Now, we're removing the compiling mess, moving it to .NET as a service, and standardizing the calling of compiling those pages.

  2. Last I checked... on Microsoft Roslyn: Reinventing the Compiler As We Know It · · Score: 1

    Ruby and Javascript were interpreted languages. The kicker isn't the eval function, but rather the def/prototype functions. In Ruby, you can instantiate a String object named str, add a method to String, and then immediately call that method on str. Upshot? - Imagine for a moment replacing (or removing) an object's toString method on the fly.

  3. Currently flying on business on TSA Groper Files Suit Against Blogger · · Score: 1

    Twice a week. Every week.

    Did I mention I refuse to go through the full-body scanners? I do NOT agree that they are safe. I always chose to opt-out.

    None of my pat-downs have been that bad. But, prior to October 2010, there was a STRONG push by TSA for pat-downs - they hoped it would get people to accept the Full-Body Scanners their bosses got kickerbacks er... bought with tax payer dollars.

    For the record - most TSA agents hate this as much as you do.....but they don't set policy. Most of them recognize that when I choose to opt-out of full body scan, I'm helping to keep more of them employed. :-)

  4. Sorry, I must disagree on Age Bias In IT: the Reality Behind the Rumors · · Score: 1

    I'm currently working in the field - in particular with a group of people from India. I have also worked with numerous Indians in the past. I *HAVE* seen Indian groups give preference to other indians. It wasn't uncommon at all with the major recruiting jobs competing for jobs. (Sidenote: that's starting to change - they used to not care which Inidian group got the contract as long as one of them did....but this recession is hitting everyone) I've worked with Indians who, frankly, knew way more than me. I've worked with ones that didn't know how to restart a deamon in RedHat. (And have been lectured about deamons from the same individual - sigh)

  5. Or you could just moan loudly. -nt on Dashboard Avatar To Replace Car Owner's Manuals · · Score: 2

    Or you could just moan loudly. -nt

  6. Not so much overcomplicates.. on Dashboard Avatar To Replace Car Owner's Manuals · · Score: 2

    But does it solve the problem?

    --But I can TALK to the car

    That's nice. But the problem was getting the car to talk to you. A light that says ENGINE or CAR isn't informing the driver of anything. A light that say ENGINE or CAR with a button that then says "3rd cylinder O2 sensor is outside of boundaries. This is not a critical problem but get this looked at the next time you service your car." DOES provide information.

    --But I wanted to talk to the car!!

    Then get OnStar.

  7. BTW: in his own words on TSA Body Scanners To Show Less Revealing Images · · Score: 1

    During my time as secretary of homeland security, the Transportation Security Administration began working to replace the 1970s-era metal detectors used at airports across America with modern technology able to detect non-metal weapons concealed by terrorists on their bodies -- even in their underwear, where Abdulmutallab allegedly hid his bomb. The latest versions of these machines -- sometimes called whole-body imagers -- are deployed at 19 airports, and the TSA is attempting to place them throughout the nation.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123101746.html

    What's curious about this: at the time - there was only one company that made full body scanners - Rapiscan.

  8. Use the source Luke on TSA Body Scanners To Show Less Revealing Images · · Score: 1

    Well, I don't know about YOUR definition of "representing", but when someone hires my company (me), I am most certainly "representing" them.

    LOL, as for his "lobbying", go do some research - Chertoff advocated heavily and repeated for the full body scanners (such as those made by Rapidscan) after the underwear bombing claiming they would have detected the explosives.

    He made no mention that this was an international flight and that the explosive would NOT have been detected - the full body scanners are deployed to the US, not internationally.

    To draw an analogy, this would be as if Microsoft hired me to do penetration testing for them, I lobbied a local politician to buy more computers for the local school, and then you came along and started whining that the reason the school board didn't buy Macs is because I was shilling for Microsoft. It's retarded.

    If you were a penetration testing expert and you claimed schools should buy them because they can't be hacked into...then yes I could claim you were shilling.

    In fact, I have claimed that multiple testing organizations have shilled for Microsoft both now and in the past because they received cash and then "claimed" that Microsoft systems provided a clear advantage over their competitors. Where do you think FUD comes from? (Or do you think FUD is purely fiction?)

    Moreover, even if what's claimed in that article were 100% true, it wouldn't support the original statement, which was:

    "the purpose of these body scanners was NEVER to increase security, it was a gigantic kickback to former homeland security chief Michael Chertoff who received very well documented "consulting" positions with the company that makes those scanners"

    You'd have to show that their purpose wasn't to increase security, AND that Chertoff got kickbacks based on actual sales, AND you'd have to justify the quotation marks around the word "consulting". Failing that, the statement remains an idiotic conspiracy theory, based on the delusional interpretations of a paranoid mind.

    1. I claim their purpose was to enrich the pockets of company that make the scanners (what, you think they're giving them away?)
    2. I claim Chertoff got kickbacks (no, the kickback do NOT have to relate to actual sales) - and he did, his firm was "hired", meaning money exchanged hands
    3. And finally I don't have to justify the word "consulting". At this point, I have enough of a case to question his judgement, or the judgement of any politician, by showing that money has exchanged hands -- if Chertoff wants to clear his name, he can explain in detail what consulting he provided and what cash he received.

    If you don't want to connect the dots - that's your business, but Chertoff was hired by Rapidscan and Rapidscan is doing business with the Government.

  9. Cursory google search on TSA Body Scanners To Show Less Revealing Images · · Score: 1

    with Michael Chertoff scanners.

    4th item:

    A few days later the Washington Post revealed that Chertoff represents Rapiscan - a maker of full body scanners drawing criticism of groups who oppose full body scanners "Mr. Chertoff should not be allowed to abuse the trust the public has placed in him as a former public servant to privately gain from the sale of full-body scanners under the pretense that the scanners would have detected this particular type of explosive," said Kate Hanni, founder of FlyersRights.org, which opposes the use of the scanners.

    Continue reading at NowPublic.com: Full Body Scanner Lobby: Michael Chertoff & Rapiscan | NowPublic News Coverage http://www.nowpublic.com/world/full-body-scanner-lobby-michael-chertoff-rapiscan-2552674.html#ixzz1SkZjxX2P

    http://www.nowpublic.com/world/full-body-scanner-lobby-michael-chertoff-rapiscan-2552674.html

    Frankly, it's common knowledge.

  10. I won't argue that outsourcing is on Hillary Clinton Takes Data.gov Overseas · · Score: 1

    the worse problem. It's hard to hire a 60k a year programmer when you can hire 10 6K a year programmers.

    But H1B's don't help either. Ideally they should be paid market rates, but employers bring them in as junior programmer (lower cost) and once here, the H1B acts like a straight-jacket, making more difficult for the employee to quit/change jobs.

    I'm better than an H1B - by a long shot - but financially it's hard to argue with an H1B and offshoring.

    The solution for me is to open my own business. Provide the contracting/consulting/marketing that H1Bs and offshoring don't provide. Then when I get a contract, I can hire those guys cheap, verify the work, and rake in the difference as profit.

    The long term solution is for this recession/depression to continue...as the dollar keeps falling against the rupie - those 6K programmer are suddenly 30k...and offshore...and everything else that makes offshoring and H1B difficult.

    No wonder Indian officials are screaming to exempt their workers from Social Security.

  11. Blah on Hillary Clinton Takes Data.gov Overseas · · Score: 1

    The current law stipulates that no more than 65,000 H1-B visas be issued each fiscal year. As of July 18, only 20,500 of these are filled. Of those, around 12,800 hold a Master's degrees. Are you suggesting that stopping the H1-B program is going to improve employment in US? No. What you'll be doing is reducing the quality of workers in American workplaces.

    Ahem.

    1. I have a master's degree. Meh.
    2. Currently I'm employeed...but ask me about March 2009.
    3. Yes - I'm serious suggesting that stopping the H1-B program WILL improve my chances of employment in the US.

    YMMV.

  12. Well, neither am I on DOJ: We Can Force You To Decrypt That Laptop · · Score: 1

    But they can't prove I'm obstructing justice...nor can they prove I haven't "forgotten" the password - I can remember Presidents who have forgotten lots of things.

    Hell, if "I can't recall" wasn't valid, a lot of people would be in jail...including Dick (72 times) Cheney.

    The second is likely to get you a obstruction of justice charge, tamping with evidence, etc. But I am assuming that those are lesser crimes compared to whatever is on your laptop. (After all, if there wasn't anything there, other than the privacy issue, it's would be in your favor to say - "Sure, here you go. BTW: since there is no evidence, I'm suing the state for false arrest")

    And let's face it....any state that offers you a "well, you can get an obstruction of justice charge" vs. "really, really, really nasty charges" and you'd be a fool not to take it.

    All they have to do is offer "feature" and states would NEVER ask you for the password again.

  13. Trick is on DOJ: We Can Force You To Decrypt That Laptop · · Score: 1

    As several people have pointed out - it is perfectly reasonable for someone to forget a password/combination or lose a key. (Sorry, yer honor, I can't remember it/find it)

    As an aside - the obvious next step is to include in the software a destroy password. This would be akin to a safe having an incinerate button. Then the police *WILL* ask you for the password and not just have you type it in.

    Finally, most safes, even if you don't have the key/combo can eventually be opened. Police have that option...same as they do in this case.

  14. Really? He's worked on code? on Microsoft: No Botnet Is Indestructible · · Score: 1

    Come on...read the Computerworld article. No he didn't.

    He's worked on the legal side. And, there, I'll listen to him. But arguing that "TECHNICALLY" he knows what he's talking about - well, that's like me arguing I know what law is about. (Hint: it's a bad idea)

    But I will listen to what Alex Lanstein has to say.

  15. Ah, Merritt Island... on CmdrTaco at Kennedy Space Center · · Score: 1

    People want to believe KSC is on Cape Canaveral...don't believe 'em. Take SR3 North and you'll run right to the 39A & B.

    Grew up on Merritt Island...everyone was involved in KSC in some way. Went to Merritt Island High, eventually worked at KSC for a while (left in '97').

    I'm flying into Orlando tonight....so if it's not scrubbed, I won't see this launch. This program shutdown is going to hit MI hard. It'll come back, just like it did after Apollo ended...but things are going to get tight over there for a while.

  16. Why are we listening to a lawyer on Microsoft: No Botnet Is Indestructible · · Score: 1

    about Technical stuff?

    Microsoft lawyer involved with the Rustock take-down said Tuesday, countering claims that another botnet was 'practically indestructible.' Richard Boscovich, a senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crime Unit said, 'If someone says that a botnet is indestructible, they are not being very creative legally or technically. Nothing is impossible

    No offense there Boscovich, but um, do you know programming/computer science? Why are we listening to you?

    Sigh, I gave up Moderator points for this?

  17. I agree... on Don't Fly If You Just Had Surgery! · · Score: 1

    -- but anal cavity bombers are a genuine threat to high profile targets The problem is that we're NOT talking high profile targets. High profile targets should fly on private planes - NOT public aircraft (Got that Boehner? All of Congress should fly on private aircraft....or you go through security like the rest of us...right now you're putting us in danger) Any time you talk about security, it's a risk vs reward type thing. We've made flying more difficult....spent billions (trillions?), and haven't caught anybody....demanded diapers....and allowed people with fake boarding passes to get onto planes.

  18. If necessary, vote with your feet. on The Dark Side of Making L.A. Noire · · Score: 2

    But first, say no and mean it.

    Check out the book Clean Coder. (There's a review of it on here somewhere). The author compares the IT department to the legal department at a company.

    The result - people feel like they can ask the IT department to work weekends and "do whatever it takes."

    But, on the same task, people feel uncomfortable asking the legal department to work through the weekend.

    Why are we allowing them to do this to us?

    Because we all know lawyers can get up and leave? These guys just did leave. So why do we think it's acceptable to allow them to ask us to work weekends, to go above and beyond the call of duty?

    The only answer is that we must feel we're not working as hard as we could be.

    Think about it.

  19. I love linux, but I don't recommend it. on Why Johnny Can't Code and How That Can Change · · Score: 2
    (BTW: Unity sucks and you can go backward, I did.)

    Anyway, ...back to your argument:

    "absolutely no goddamn fucking clue what a normal desktop user wants, needs, or what will appeal to same.'

    I love linux, but I never^H^H^H^H^Hrarely recommend it.

    If you like Windows...USE it. Why would you go to Linux? I tell people Linux is harder to use, flat out.

    And then people either shutup about it...or they ask me WHY I use it. Oh, then it gets interesting. I explain, that, for a programmer, Linux represents probably the best choice as a platform. Endless programming language, databases, web servers, browsers, etc. More tools I can shake a stick at. All free!

    But most people aren't interested in that. Like you pointed out, they want to run Microsoft Office, play games, etc. That's fine, run Windows.

    So, we'll never have a Linux desktop? Cough. Most people have USED linux at one point or another. How many appliances use linux? How many tablets, smart phones, routers, etc are using it? People use it all the time....but it's not a Linux "Desktop"

    The reason for that is simple. A Desktop for people is "Running Microsoft Office, playing games, etc."

    Linux is bigger than that.

  20. DEFINITELY Read the article by Paul Vixie on DNS Heavyweights Raise Concern Over DNS Filtering · · Score: 2
    Hilarous

    This root key would have to be generated and signed in some kind of ceremony, maybe with people wearing viking hats and carrying swords and torches, and the resulting public validation key would have to be published on the web and managed according to RFC 5011 so that it can roll forward throughout all time. Videos from this ceremony would go up on YouTube.

    http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110318_on_mandated_content_blocking_in_the_domain_name_system/

  21. the job situation has morphed on Ask Slashdot: How To Ask For Equity In a Startup? · · Score: 1

    a bit in recent years.

    But, originally at least, contractors made a significant amount more than employees....yes, benefits weren't paid and that accounted for it, but the theory was that contractors were specialists brought in and expected to be let go. Ideally, employees would keep through thick and thin.

    This has been lost recently, mostly with companies treating employees like...well, anyway. But the practice still continues. As a contractor, if you want to pay me $$$ for getting signatures on a sheet of paper (believe it or not, I have actually done that...spent 8 hours talking to people trying to explain why a change was okay to go to production) - and I had no problems with that.

    Make me an employee though and that's the first thing to change. Then I'm supposed to have a tie into whether or not the company does well (and makes it's next quarter or not).

    (Also...contractors...at least myself...expect to change jobs at the drop of a hat. I don't expect that as much if I'm an employee)

  22. Ummm...no. on Ask Slashdot: How To Ask For Equity In a Startup? · · Score: 1

    --Working as a contractor, especially for a startup, is always a risk Um...balderdash. Working for a contractor is NOT a risk. I've worked as an employee and contractor and as a contractor, I know I'm always the first to go. I also know I get paid contractors rates. There is a premium paid for no having to pay for education, medical, insurance, overtime, etc. If you want a piece of success...be willing to take on some of the risks. Waiting UNTIL the revenue stream comes in....not exactly fair.

  23. Wipe and reload on Sergey Brin: Windows Is "Torturing Users" · · Score: 1

    --Every year or so I wipe the drive with a fresh XP-CD install, and need to reinstall my favorite programs, but that would be true of any OS, whether it's Mac, Lubuntu, or Chrome. Actually, I've had a Fedora Core Server I need to switch over to Ubuntu. Still haven't gotten around to it. It's been running flawlessly for years. Why would you need to wipe and reload the OS?

  24. Stupid point on Ron Paul Spam Traced to Reactor Botnet · · Score: 1

    But at an exchange rate of $2800 for one ounce of gold, that's the fastest way to devalue the dollar.

    Don't believe me?

    1. Buy gold at $800 an oz.
    2. Sell gold at $2800 an oz to the US Gov.
    3. Profit!

  25. That's how I read it. on How To Beat Congress's Ban Of Humans On Mars · · Score: 4, Informative

    The headline ignores that they upped NASA's budget over what the President asked. (Congress hates NASA...honest). I grimace with each launch of the Shuttle now. I keep expecting another failure. They're running on a shoestring as it is now.