I'm curious, I am just about to finish my Comp Eng degree, it included the backgrounds of physical electronics (how a mosfet works at the physics level etc), Verlog/VHDL chip creation, and a strong embedded systems course.
From what you see are these skills just bulk or are they at all in demand. I am interested in ASIC design, but how would one start to get experience?
We pay $$$ to the CRIA for each CDR that we purchase. All those who argue you should pay for your songs that you rip, fine I just did. Now they also want to sue us like the gestapo tactics used by the RIAA down south. Well is this going to make me change my ways? No. Is this going to make me a lot angrier, yes. Pick one: you want to go sue happy, fine do it, but take away your tax on Canadian citizens for backing up their hard drives. I don't pirate celene dion or brian adams. (You realize this is for Canadian artists only)
I think it is about time that software creation was held accountable to a standard. If you could be thrown in jail for being sloppy, would you sign off on code you couldn't confirm?
Yeah right: Would you sign off on outsourced code? Would you allow management types try to bully you into approving something and just playing the odds? What happens when code from say somewhere outside the country is made almost entirely without any sign off, who then becomes responsible?
In the area of computer patents we here all know that the level and pace of computer reltaed technology moves at a much faster pace than the 'industrial' technology at the turn of the century. Therefore if patents were to be granted it would have to be for an appropriate pro-rated time 10%? 20%? of 20 years?
As well one may argue that patents protect the investment of reserach. That is something that one cannot overlook. However I purpose changing patents to more of a registry where the owner of that patent does not say get taxed on sales of a product pro-rated to the amount of the "patent object" within the product. Any copy cat would not have that benefit. Therefore for drug companies it would be 100% untaxable sales profit for drugs that they invent, while the copy cats would not have that ability, and would be harder pressed to compete directly. At least then there would be some incentive to PRODUCE and COMPETE with the knowledge being open to the public which is the whoel point in the first place.
You know, we have the same problem in Canada, those rankings that you just saw are from our version of this report, macleans magazine does EXACTLY the same thing. Why not take all the universities and rank them by department to real categories, perhaps then you might see a BIG difference in what the scores really are.
But that being said, people see reputation over quality, if you look at the gourman reports for engineering in particular you'll see a far different picture.
Change and the development of a future technology of any given product is also subject to the market forces. What I mean is that it is hard enough now to get "mom and dad" to be able to use the simple things on the computer without becoming scared at the first warning sign. The learning curve for the older generation is much tougher. It leads to more of the same, just better. You go to what you know ( one of the reasons why Microsoft would rather have you steal their software than use linux )
Ipso facto there is no real reason for any of the big companies to innovate too much beyond the realm of familiar products. Imagine what computer could have been like if we haven't been subdued in the PC world to the same doses of Microsoft brand new operating systems, which in reality aren't that much different from the end user point of view as the first setting of windows 95. It has almost been 10 years and what do we have to show for it? (Even Linux as much as I do love it, is also fighting to become like windows in the desktop arena. Yes there are some real nice distinguishing features from all the camps but it is very windows like you can't deny that, not faulting the developers )
I don't pretend to have the answer but I think as long as you have a Wintel grip on things, (maybe the Wi-fi hand held computers will help shake things up), dont' be surprised if the next windows super duper XP 2.0 looks a lot like the previous versions....
As much as I would love to say go tell someone and show that there is a fault. Just the fact that you know about it might implicate you and make any of your marks in suspect. University bureaucracies are known for making stupid decisions.
If you can send something anonymously then I think you have done what you can. Don't jepordize your future over a good deed.
Also: what do you have to gain, aside from some kudos? You have far more to loose if someone takes what you do the wrong way.
Cancer(like the RIAA) is a horrible thing. However sometimes you need take the kemotherapy and kill off all the bad growth before good quality cells (the musicians) can come back.
I've seen lots of postings here raving of how great capitalism is, and that giant sucking sound of high standards in a race to the bottom is nothing we should be worried about. Here is a little secret: communism failed because it is an unattainable goal, but so is true free market capitalism too.
The US has nothing more than a demo(ney)cracy, if you can't pay for it, you just don't get it. I think this trend will just have to continue longer and longer until the flint michigan scenario plays out before people stand up and wonder what happened to their life style and demand that something be done about it.
> If the answer for good times is "work harder, longer" and for bad times "work harder, longer". Its the behaviour of an employee who just works hard. Why is this a bad thing?
If it is a management request, my point is that it isn't a thought out strategy it is management types who don't know what they are doing and proper managing the situation, just looking for quick answers to problems. It just doesn't work.
Working and giving 100% is not something I disagree with, I do disagree with living to work, not working to live. The time wasted for little gain is something far more precious than the unpaid overtime.
At the end of the day there is no justification on the employers side for mistreating their employees period. If the answer for good times is "work harder, longer" and for bad times "work harder, longer". It is the behaviour of an addict. Maybe it is time to reconsider who you are working for. Yes I know the market isn't sh*t hot right now, but unless you are a one trick pony get your skills up to date and move to a company that doesn't have its head up its ass.
Microsoft has been known for "accidently leaking" lots of software.
If we really want to hurt microsoft, let us help them secure their software so people HAVE to pay for it to run.
Think of all the people out there without valid licenses? If you can't run windows and are not prepared to pay the money for a new copy, maybe they might switch to an alternative that *just* happens to be ready and waiting for them *cough linux*.
I"m an engineer. (Well in name anyway, I can't legally call myself that quite yet).
When a lot of people ask me what do engineers do, it really isn't a simple answer. In fact, many people who are far more eloquent than I, have tried without much success.
That being said: Programmers may apply some engineering principles to what they do (and maybe not even know it), but it still does not take into account the rest of the training and mindset. Just because a porsche and VW both have wheels and an engine doesn't make them the same.
I agree with the above posters when they mention responsibility. Right now an engineer would have to be insane to stamp (professionally approve and take responsibility for) a chunket of code no matter if it comes from a hard core programmer or engineer. There are many other aspects that do differ the engineers from those without the training, even when there are those out there without the training who do a good job applying the principles.
I'm also hoping that they raise the level of the ATMs. I'm over 6 foot tall, all the camera is going to see is my stomach, and having to bend down all the time just so I can get my money is annoying.
That said, I hope the iris isn't the only method of identification. As stupid as it sounds can the system recognize a dead eye or an eye that has been removed from a socket? Unless there are also other forms of identification that "prove" (and I use that term loosely) that it is joe blow standing there and not some schmuck holding his eye ball:P
Why would a company devote time and resources for only a 10% return where they could spend 100% effort into marketing to a 90% MS desktop market. Added to that whatever FUD that MS or such pulls out with GPL myths etc, and you will scare people away from developing for linux.
And at the same time, if there were all the good ports of software for linux, I think a lot more people would have switched to it.
I just keep reading all this very depressing news about the DRM and DCMA, etc etc It is nothing less than an direct attack against people's rights and freedoms for free speech just to ensure that some people with executive-class($$$) speech ( to coin an airline phrase) get better service.
I don't live in the US, so no matter what I do an say, I cannot affect anything that happens within its borders, especially its laws and technology that will eventually get pimped out to where I reside.
The more and more that I read on, I realize that unless you too can buy a senator / congressman or outbid the RIAA, or Disney. The US will be nothing more than a government for hire.
We (those of us who read sites like/. and others) who realize what is happening have no power unless we either form a more powerful lobby than those currently buying off the ears of the politicians. But how realistic is that? I mean really for us to say even form up a million dollar "encouragement" donation to a candidate's fund in the primaries is nothing compared to what the current lobbyists can drum up without blinking.
That leaves really no options to fight any of this, save one:
We can code, we can design, and we can still use our power as consumers. I'm saying look at projects like Open Office, and KOffice. Those are potential MS killers if they are brought up to speed, as right now they still need work and can't really do what the MS Office can do with the same ease of use that joe user can understand and use without frustration.
This is our power that we can all use to make a far bigger dent and threat to the MS Wintel empire that we all know and (i'm sure ) just love to pieces. I really feel that this will make a much stronger impact, than the occasional ignored letter to the senator (as much as I do appreciate the effort, I think unless that letter includes a 3 million $$$ campaign contribution, it might fall upon deaf ears)
> working longer hours is good. The question is good for whom?
I guess it ultimately depends on do you enjoy / believe in what you do? Has the company treated you well up to this point? How will the hours affect the rest of your life, assuming you have one?
I've worked for some of the big boys in the industry, and all I can say about long hours is that once it starts, it doesn't stop. Management gets used to this "new" amazing level of productivity and it is then expected to get anywhere up to a point where you can spend enormous amounts of time at work to maybe get that 1% extra on your bonus, and a potential decrease should you decide to take normal hours again.
You may make a decent salary but at the end of the day you work for but peanuts per hour. If you have a family what is the cost/ hour of not being there because that extra subroutine needs tweaking?
Unless what you do directly affects someone on life support, it isn't all that important.
just my 2 cents
Re:Obfuscated DeCSS programming contest
on
A New DeCSS
·
· Score: 1
This is a great idea, If one makes sure all code is encrypted so that any MPAA analysts would have to circumvent the DMCA to verify what the code does,...and counter sue for damages. -S
Slashdot Mirror
I'm curious, I am just about to finish my Comp Eng degree, it included the backgrounds of physical electronics (how a mosfet works at the physics level etc), Verlog/VHDL chip creation, and a strong embedded systems course.
From what you see are these skills just bulk or are they at all in demand. I am interested in ASIC design, but how would one start to get experience?
Here in Canada:
We pay $$$ to the CRIA for each CDR that we purchase. All those who argue you should pay for your songs that you rip, fine I just did. Now they also want to sue us like the gestapo tactics used by the RIAA down south. Well is this going to make me change my ways? No. Is this going to make me a lot angrier, yes. Pick one: you want to go sue happy, fine do it, but take away your tax on Canadian citizens for backing up their hard drives. I don't pirate celene dion or brian adams. (You realize this is for Canadian artists only)
So nicely put, piss off.
I think it is about time that software creation was held accountable to a standard. If you could be thrown in jail for being sloppy, would you sign off on code you couldn't confirm?
Yeah right: Would you sign off on outsourced code? Would you allow management types try to bully you into approving something and just playing the odds? What happens when code from say somewhere outside the country is made almost entirely without any sign off, who then becomes responsible?
There is only one problem with that:
If our cost of living would also be dropped down as low as India and China accordingly, then this really wouldn't be an issue.
So how would McDonalds exporting low end jobs to India in your ficticious story help Americans out of work.
Point is: For the everyday guy, all that makes 0 difference whatsoever.
In the area of computer patents we here all know that the level and pace of computer reltaed technology moves at a much faster pace than the 'industrial' technology at the turn of the century. Therefore if patents were to be granted it would have to be for an appropriate pro-rated time 10%? 20%? of 20 years?
As well one may argue that patents protect the investment of reserach. That is something that one cannot overlook. However I purpose changing patents to more of a registry where the owner of that patent does not say get taxed on sales of a product pro-rated to the amount of the "patent object" within the product. Any copy cat would not have that benefit. Therefore for drug companies it would be 100% untaxable sales profit for drugs that they invent, while the copy cats would not have that ability, and would be harder pressed to compete directly. At least then there would be some incentive to PRODUCE and COMPETE with the knowledge being open to the public which is the whoel point in the first place.
Good, I hope 'innovation' all over, such as the likes of Microsoft innovation, is stiffled. This way perhaps we can get back to 'invention' again.
Don't forget Bush outsourced his campaign fundraising telemarketing staff to offshore to India.
j an /50310103.016.asp
http://www.business-standard.com/archives/2003/
Also just to note, that the # 1 school in the other report was beaten by the #15 school when rated more objectively in engineering.
You know, we have the same problem in Canada, those rankings that you just saw are from our version of this report, macleans magazine does EXACTLY the same thing. Why not take all the universities and rank them by department to real categories, perhaps then you might see a BIG difference in what the scores really are.
But that being said, people see reputation over quality, if you look at the gourman reports for engineering in particular you'll see a far different picture.
Mod me up please.
Speaking as an Engineer,
....
Change and the development of a future technology of any given product is also subject to the market forces. What I mean is that it is hard enough now to get "mom and dad" to be able to use the simple things on the computer without becoming scared at the first warning sign. The learning curve for the older generation is much tougher. It leads to more of the same, just better. You go to what you know ( one of the reasons why Microsoft would rather have you steal their software than use linux )
Ipso facto there is no real reason for any of the big companies to innovate too much beyond the realm of familiar products. Imagine what computer could have been like if we haven't been subdued in the PC world to the same doses of Microsoft brand new operating systems, which in reality aren't that much different from the end user point of view as the first setting of windows 95. It has almost been 10 years and what do we have to show for it? (Even Linux as much as I do love it, is also fighting to become like windows in the desktop arena. Yes there are some real nice distinguishing features from all the camps but it is very windows like you can't deny that, not faulting the developers )
I don't pretend to have the answer but I think as long as you have a Wintel grip on things, (maybe the Wi-fi hand held computers will help shake things up), dont' be surprised if the next windows super duper XP 2.0 looks a lot like the previous versions
my $.02
As much as I would love to say go tell someone and show that there is a fault. Just the fact that you know about it might implicate you and make any of your marks in suspect. University bureaucracies are known for making stupid decisions.
If you can send something anonymously then I think you have done what you can.
Don't jepordize your future over a good deed.
Also: what do you have to gain, aside from some kudos? You have far more to loose if someone takes what you do the wrong way.
Remember: Good deeds don't go unpunished.
Cancer(like the RIAA) is a horrible thing. However sometimes you need take the kemotherapy and kill off all the bad growth before good quality cells (the musicians) can come back.
Remember, it is always darkest before dawn.
We will beat this.
Cancer is a horrible thing. However sometimes you need take the kemotherapy and kill off all the bad growth before good quality cells can come back.
Remember, it is always darkest before dawn.
We will beat this.
I ndia
B ecause of
M oney
I've seen lots of postings here raving of how great capitalism is, and that giant sucking sound of high standards in a race to the bottom is nothing we should be worried about. Here is a little secret: communism failed because it is an unattainable goal, but so is true free market capitalism too.
The US has nothing more than a demo(ney)cracy, if you can't pay for it, you just don't get it. I think this trend will just have to continue longer and longer until the flint michigan scenario plays out before people stand up and wonder what happened to their life style and demand that something be done about it.
> If the answer for good times is "work harder, longer" and for bad times "work harder, longer".
Its the behaviour of an employee who just works hard. Why is this a bad thing?
If it is a management request, my point is that it isn't a thought out strategy it is management types who don't know what they are doing and proper managing the situation, just looking for quick answers to problems. It just doesn't work.
Working and giving 100% is not something I disagree with, I do disagree with living to work, not working to live. The time wasted for little gain is something far more precious than the unpaid overtime.
At the end of the day there is no justification on the employers side for mistreating their employees period. If the answer for good times is "work harder, longer" and for bad times "work harder, longer".
It is the behaviour of an addict.
Maybe it is time to reconsider who you are working for. Yes I know the market isn't sh*t hot right now, but unless you are a one trick pony get your skills up to date and move to a company that doesn't have its head up its ass.
Times are tough, things will get better
But i mean it!
.02
Microsoft has been known for "accidently leaking" lots of software.
If we really want to hurt microsoft, let us help them secure their software so people HAVE to pay for it to run.
Think of all the people out there without valid licenses? If you can't run windows and are not prepared to pay the money for a new copy, maybe they might switch to an alternative that *just* happens to be ready and waiting for them *cough linux*.
Just my
I"m an engineer. (Well in name anyway, I can't legally call myself that quite yet).
When a lot of people ask me what do engineers do, it really isn't a simple answer. In fact, many people who are far more eloquent than I, have tried without much success.
That being said: Programmers may apply some engineering principles to what they do (and maybe not even know it), but it still does not take into account the rest of the training and mindset. Just because a porsche and VW both have wheels and an engine doesn't make them the same.
I agree with the above posters when they mention responsibility. Right now an engineer would have to be insane to stamp (professionally approve and take responsibility for) a chunket of code no matter if it comes from a hard core programmer or engineer. There are many other aspects that do differ the engineers from those without the training, even when there are those out there without the training who do a good job applying the principles.
Just my 2 cents
Well if we are all terrorists for pirating, then maybe it is time we call a Jihad against those who would be our enemies and boycott their stuff.
Not that it is going to happen anyway.
Apathy rules.
I'm also hoping that they raise the level of the ATMs. I'm over 6 foot tall, all the camera is going to see is my stomach, and having to bend down all the time just so I can get my money is annoying.
:P
That said, I hope the iris isn't the only method of identification. As stupid as it sounds can the system recognize a dead eye or an eye that has been removed from a socket? Unless there are also other forms of identification that "prove" (and I use that term loosely) that it is joe blow standing there and not some schmuck holding his eye ball
Linux has how much of the desktop market ? 10% ?
Why would a company devote time and resources for only a 10% return where they could spend 100% effort into marketing to a 90% MS desktop market. Added to that whatever FUD that MS or such pulls out with GPL myths etc, and you will scare people away from developing for linux.
And at the same time, if there were all the good ports of software for linux, I think a lot more people would have switched to it.
A catch-22. I dont' know the solution
I just keep reading all this very depressing news about the DRM and DCMA, etc etc It is nothing less than an direct attack against people's rights and freedoms for free speech just to ensure that some people with executive-class($$$) speech ( to coin an airline phrase) get better service.
/. and others) who realize what is happening have no power unless we either form a more powerful lobby than those currently buying off the ears of the politicians. But how realistic is that? I mean really for us to say even form up a million dollar "encouragement" donation to a candidate's fund in the primaries is nothing compared to what the current lobbyists can drum up without blinking.
.02
I don't live in the US, so no matter what I do an say, I cannot affect anything that happens within its borders, especially its laws and technology that will eventually get pimped out to where I reside.
The more and more that I read on, I realize that unless you too can buy a senator / congressman or outbid the RIAA, or Disney. The US will be nothing more than a government for hire.
We (those of us who read sites like
That leaves really no options to fight any of this, save one:
We can code, we can design, and we can still use our power as consumers. I'm saying look at projects like Open Office, and KOffice. Those are potential MS killers if they are brought up to speed, as right now they still need work and can't really do what the MS Office can do with the same ease of use that joe user can understand and use without frustration.
This is our power that we can all use to make a far bigger dent and threat to the MS Wintel empire that we all know and (i'm sure ) just love to pieces. I really feel that this will make a much stronger impact, than the occasional ignored letter to the senator (as much as I do appreciate the effort, I think unless that letter includes a 3 million $$$ campaign contribution, it might fall upon deaf ears)
Just my
> working longer hours is good.
The question is good for whom?
I guess it ultimately depends on do you enjoy / believe in what you do? Has the company treated you well up to this point? How will the hours affect the rest of your life, assuming you have one?
I've worked for some of the big boys in the industry, and all I can say about long hours is that once it starts, it doesn't stop. Management gets used to this "new" amazing level of productivity and it is then expected to get anywhere up to a point where you can spend enormous amounts of time at work to maybe get that 1% extra on your bonus, and a potential decrease should you decide to take normal hours again.
You may make a decent salary but at the end of the day you work for but peanuts per hour. If you have a family what is the cost/ hour of not being there because that extra subroutine needs tweaking?
Unless what you do directly affects someone on life support, it isn't all that important.
just my 2 cents
This is a great idea, If one makes sure all code is encrypted so that any MPAA analysts would have to circumvent the DMCA to verify what the code does, ...and counter sue for damages. -S