Almost nobody today has a need to know how to balance a B-Tree. Unless they happen to work on the innards of a database system, library, etc.
Sure, I learned this 35 years ago, and sure we had to do it for some class. I suppose Computer Science students still have to do it today. I've even done it in practice, but it was a LONG time ago. I would have to look it up, as would most software engineers.
In fact, any software engineer that would write something like this off the top of their head is engaging in bad practice. That would be my answer!
As a practical matter today, if you really needed to do it, you would search for best algorithms. And then question whoever asked you to do this, as B-Trees are pretty old and lame at this point There are better data structures to accomplish the goal.
What next? Ask somebody to write a compiler? "Sure, get me the Dragon Book..." (But, as well, that is surely obsolete today, as well.)
The border agent either Googled for some questions to ask a software engineer, or failed a Google interview exam. Which - I've read, Google doesn't do any more, and for good reasons.
I guess nobody else noticed that Netflix recently started supporting downloadable video.
I'd guess that they had to pinky-swear to content providers that they would make some effort to educate users on security, help them secure their computers and devices and networks, etc. etc. etc.
... even though it was written for a now-obsolete version of Ruby.
Why? Because it is entertaining enough to get you through many important basic concepts without falling asleep.
Otherwise, I recommend the approach that was common at one time and fallen out of favor. Start with machine language. Not even assembly code. Machine language. Best thing ever: punching IBM 1620 (decimal, thank goodness!) instructions one at a time on punch cards! That was high school. In college, we started with MIX. I prefer a real machine code to a made-up assembly code, though.
Still, some in high school thought "the compiler" was some bit of hardware in the computer, once we moved-on to Fortran. At least the instructor tried!
If you don't begin at the beginning, many will be forever-befuddled at what really goes on.
I hope what they come away with is an understanding of what an Orwellian society would actually look like and realize how ridiculous they sound to the rest of us when they compare that to now.
You are right.
When I first read 1984, it was well before 1984. The only thing that bothered me about the book is that it was set in England. And I saw that, instead, it was our own country (US) that seemed to be going in that direction.
But Orwell was spot-on. It is England that is well-along to being an Orwellian society. He picked the right setting after all!
Looks, though, like Trump is planning on doing as much as he can to "import" this philosophy. Better hurry, though, before he slams the gates closed on importation!
Egads, what took so long? This should have been done YEARS ago.
But tabs I am not looking at, (by default) should use ZERO CPU. I get that I might launch several tabs quickly and want to allow them to load. So, allow some time for them to load, but then cut it to zero.
Give me the OPTION to change this behavior. Give me the OPTION to play music in background (either globally, or on a specific tab). And for gosh sake, SHOW ME how much CPU each tab is using (optionally). Then I will know to avoid the sites that are using my browser to bitcoin-mine.
Apple had to clamp down on iOS apps that were abusing the "background audio" flag. Too many apps just played silent audio. Now, playing silent audio will get the app bounced from the store.
Unfortunately, the web has no benevolent dictator vetting sites. OF COURSE "background audio" will be abused!
Oh, great, then developers can respond with alternative facts!
As a developer, I have some misgivings. I fear that the reviews will be used even more than they are now for feature requests and bug reports. It's not what they are for. And I fear that developers will fall right into that hole.
I read a retort elsewhere (on MacRumors) that seemed to make the assumption that the above was the purpose of this change, and suggested that users should use "the usual support channels".
The problem is, there ARE no "usual support channels". Each author is responsible for providing whatever means of support, including bug reporting and feature requests, and every one is different since it is up to the author to set something up (or not). Unless you are a heavy user of an app, it is not worth going to the trouble to register on the author's site for access to a reporting system, forum, etc.
What Apple needs is a uniform, in-app (or in-app accessible) bug reporting and feature request feature. And then require or strongly urge use of it. Yes, developers will complain, as each has their own favorite system. But I think a uniform system would bring so much to app quality (due to higher participation) that it would be worth the (perceived) developer pain.
| Aren't the iPhone (or was it other smartphones?) already "proudly assembled in the USA"
No. They are "Designed in California".
When ordering online, it is not unusual to receive an iPhone shipped directly from China, with paperwork showing such. Especially when ordering a new one right at release. They're shipped on a pallet, but each individual box has already been addressed to it's final destination.
But many companies skip the insurance, because it is cheaper to just cover the losses themselves, IF the consumer actually insists on them doing so.
Unless the company can prove personal (signature) or secure delivery (delivery to a locked box), it is on the sender. "Proof" that a box was left in front of a door is not sufficient.
And of course insurance will require that a signature be obtained.
It's just companies cheaping-out, and the lack of convenient alternatives. We need more pick-up points like Amazon Lockers, now that an increasing number of purchases are made online and delivered to the home.
As a consumer, it is NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to install security systems to catch thieves. And it is NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY if the package is lost. If you want to spend some $$$ on cameras and such as a CONVENIENCE so that you will not have to have packages re-shipped, go for it! Otherwise, don't bother.
Even insured, it is the responsibility of the seller - THEY have to file the claim. But they largely don't want to be bothered. In EITHER case, if you have any trouble, start a credit-card charge-back. First, the company will threaten you, saying "oh, charge-back, we can't talk to you any more!". Then, if you insist, they will offer to replace the package once they have proof that the charge-back has been removed. If they don't follow-through, just start the charge-back again.
Facebook has no news. Just BS and trivia posted by members to keep themselves amused and acquire some sort of brownie points from their friends who keep themselves amused by posting BS and trivia.
Facebook needs to realize that they have no role in disseminating news. Their users are not reporters, not even "iReporters" or whatnot. They are just you and me (well, not ME, smart enough not to have Facebook...) giving our opinions and our filtered, inaccurate interpretation of whatever real new sources we may still pay attention to, along with made-up BS and links to made-up BS.
And the occasional accidental link to real news. I suppose for the benefit of those that refuse to pay any attention to real news any more, and prefer to have it filtered and summarized by their so-called friends (all thousands of them!)
Yes, some are quite sensitive. I did some experiments with an iPhone 5S, wanting to detect respiration. Was surprised that it also clearly picked up heartbeat. It works best with the phone laying on your stomach while laying on your back. It takes some filtering to get a clear signal, but iOS (and I presume Android) has the necessary signal processing APIs to clean it up.
Please don't try this while asleep and unmonitored, and certainly not with a Samsung!
Finally, something that Apple has removed that I can get excited about. (Bothers me much more than removal of analog audio jack...)
WTF, do they think that almost no apps use the escape key? What moves to the touchbar in the next generation? The letter Q and the numeral 4?
And it's enough that you have to type on those smooshy keys with almost no travel. Hell, they might as well just make the whole keyboard one big touchpad/OLED panel, and be done with it. Clicky keys forever!
I doubt that Siri is smart enough to press the escape key.
Siri isn't even smart enough to use a simple Google search when it ought to, which is most of the time. I have given up on Siri, as I almost NEVER get relevant results. Then I go to Google and get highly relevant results. Then I wind up typing, because I forget to use the dictation feature. It would be so much easier if Siri would simply use Google, unless wanting to send an email or text, run some app, etc.
I was asked to take my Unicomp "clicky" keyboard (Unicomp has the license for the original IBM clicky keyboard design) home, and forced to use a crappy Microsoft keyboard because the prima donna in the next cubicle couldn't stand the sound.
This despite the fact that it was a huge, chaotic, open-office with loud-ass game developers, producers, etc. (Sony Playstation development studio.) Though we were in the more-sedate back-end/server development part of the office.
But, OK. It disturbed the prima donna. But was it my fault? Or a stupid office layout?
Really, my worst annoyance there was developers using IM to communicate, when we were in eight cubicles all together, just a few steps from each other. The plus of just walking over to the other developer's cubicle is that you can how busy they are, and decide to talk later, interrupt anyway because it is too important, etc. That is, use actual judgement instead of just casting out an IM and then stewing over it if not immediately answered.
Sorry, but Webpass stinks, particularly in multi-unit installations. No way can/do they deliver the bandwidth that they promise, particularly in multi-unit housing.
OK, not really STINKS, but "meh", except when it isn't working for a few days.
That said, they do deliver fiber to some buildings - the ones on which they site their antennas. They are probably OK in those buildings. But of course, then they are/were no different than the original Google Fiber concept.
A friend who owns apartment buildings put in WebPass and gives his tenants free Internet. I made him under-promise, so his rental listings only claim 50mbps. He is happy, his tenants are happy, as he only has about 40 units, and his tenants aren't expecting the 500mbps that they can't deliver to every one of them at peak times. They get free basic Internet, and as many of them then won't want/need cable, it saves some wear/tear on move-ins/move-outs with no need for the Cable Guy.
They will double-up transceivers in a larger installation if they get complaints.
... are more likely than not to be liberals/democrats.
They aren't afraid of terrists. They are afraid that Trump might win.
And Bill Gates is of an age (same as me) to have acquired a life-long fear of the realistic possibility of global thermonuclear war. (BEFORE "War Games", during the Cuban Missile Crisis.)
If Trump wins, now you have TWO international leaders of nuclear-armed countries who are off-the-rails. Let the fun begin!
It was a risky move, IMO, on the part of Akamai, and sends a horrible message about their service.
Were it not that the perpetrators have now apparently been arrested, why would they not then go back and go after Akami in general, just to prove a point? In fact, why wouldn't others now go after Akamai, just to prove a point?
Perhaps it was not really a severe impact to Akamai (other than cost), and they could have withstood the attack. If somebody wants to prove that they are the King of DDOS, now what an opportunity to prove that they have the capability!
Akamai risked bringing on a bigger attack. And they risked their reputation. A smart move on the part of a competitor would be to welcome Krebs. I fully expect some smart company will do that in the coming days.
Slashdot Mirror
Almost nobody today has a need to know how to balance a B-Tree. Unless they happen to work on the innards of a database system, library, etc.
Sure, I learned this 35 years ago, and sure we had to do it for some class. I suppose Computer Science students still have to do it today. I've even done it in practice, but it was a LONG time ago. I would have to look it up, as would most software engineers.
In fact, any software engineer that would write something like this off the top of their head is engaging in bad practice. That would be my answer!
As a practical matter today, if you really needed to do it, you would search for best algorithms. And then question whoever asked you to do this, as B-Trees are pretty old and lame at this point There are better data structures to accomplish the goal.
What next? Ask somebody to write a compiler? "Sure, get me the Dragon Book..." (But, as well, that is surely obsolete today, as well.)
The border agent either Googled for some questions to ask a software engineer, or failed a Google interview exam. Which - I've read, Google doesn't do any more, and for good reasons.
I guess nobody else noticed that Netflix recently started supporting downloadable video.
I'd guess that they had to pinky-swear to content providers that they would make some effort to educate users on security, help them secure their computers and devices and networks, etc. etc. etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
And those who have some basic cognizance of their environment will simply see the LEDs under their feet.
But this will be a great boost to the longevity of those who walk around on public streets wearing VR goggles.
Always wanted and excuse to use that term. Finally found one.
Why's Poignant Guide to Ruby
... even though it was written for a now-obsolete version of Ruby.
Why? Because it is entertaining enough to get you through many important basic concepts without falling asleep.
Otherwise, I recommend the approach that was common at one time and fallen out of favor. Start with machine language. Not even assembly code. Machine language. Best thing ever: punching IBM 1620 (decimal, thank goodness!) instructions one at a time on punch cards! That was high school. In college, we started with MIX. I prefer a real machine code to a made-up assembly code, though.
Still, some in high school thought "the compiler" was some bit of hardware in the computer, once we moved-on to Fortran. At least the instructor tried!
If you don't begin at the beginning, many will be forever-befuddled at what really goes on.
At least it wasn't github.com.
So, it didn't break the Internet.
And practically everything else.
You are right.
When I first read 1984, it was well before 1984. The only thing that bothered me about the book is that it was set in England. And I saw that, instead, it was our own country (US) that seemed to be going in that direction.
But Orwell was spot-on. It is England that is well-along to being an Orwellian society. He picked the right setting after all!
Looks, though, like Trump is planning on doing as much as he can to "import" this philosophy. Better hurry, though, before he slams the gates closed on importation!
Fortunately, this won't go on all that long.
I see sales of Animal Farm are trending as well. (#1 in satire fiction).
It would be doubleplusgood if people would apply the analogy to the current situation.
Egads, what took so long? This should have been done YEARS ago.
But tabs I am not looking at, (by default) should use ZERO CPU. I get that I might launch several tabs quickly and want to allow them to load. So, allow some time for them to load, but then cut it to zero.
Give me the OPTION to change this behavior. Give me the OPTION to play music in background (either globally, or on a specific tab). And for gosh sake, SHOW ME how much CPU each tab is using (optionally). Then I will know to avoid the sites that are using my browser to bitcoin-mine.
Apple had to clamp down on iOS apps that were abusing the "background audio" flag. Too many apps just played silent audio. Now, playing silent audio will get the app bounced from the store.
Unfortunately, the web has no benevolent dictator vetting sites. OF COURSE "background audio" will be abused!
Oh, great, then developers can respond with alternative facts!
As a developer, I have some misgivings. I fear that the reviews will be used even more than they are now for feature requests and bug reports. It's not what they are for. And I fear that developers will fall right into that hole.
I read a retort elsewhere (on MacRumors) that seemed to make the assumption that the above was the purpose of this change, and suggested that users should use "the usual support channels".
The problem is, there ARE no "usual support channels". Each author is responsible for providing whatever means of support, including bug reporting and feature requests, and every one is different since it is up to the author to set something up (or not). Unless you are a heavy user of an app, it is not worth going to the trouble to register on the author's site for access to a reporting system, forum, etc.
What Apple needs is a uniform, in-app (or in-app accessible) bug reporting and feature request feature. And then require or strongly urge use of it. Yes, developers will complain, as each has their own favorite system. But I think a uniform system would bring so much to app quality (due to higher participation) that it would be worth the (perceived) developer pain.
| Aren't the iPhone (or was it other smartphones?) already "proudly assembled in the USA"
No. They are "Designed in California".
When ordering online, it is not unusual to receive an iPhone shipped directly from China, with paperwork showing such. Especially when ordering a new one right at release. They're shipped on a pallet, but each individual box has already been addressed to it's final destination.
They can seal the deal by offering the use of their parking lot for Uber drivers.
One shift at Foxconn. One shift at Uber. One shift sleeping in the parking lot.
Wow, the NSA has been busy writing code!
Like most companies, Apple follows the law in the places in which they operate.
Unlike Uber...
Their only other option would be to "make a statement" by not doing business in places whose laws they disagree with.
Insurance. Duh.
But many companies skip the insurance, because it is cheaper to just cover the losses themselves, IF the consumer actually insists on them doing so.
Unless the company can prove personal (signature) or secure delivery (delivery to a locked box), it is on the sender. "Proof" that a box was left in front of a door is not sufficient.
And of course insurance will require that a signature be obtained.
It's just companies cheaping-out, and the lack of convenient alternatives. We need more pick-up points like Amazon Lockers, now that an increasing number of purchases are made online and delivered to the home.
As a consumer, it is NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to install security systems to catch thieves. And it is NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY if the package is lost. If you want to spend some $$$ on cameras and such as a CONVENIENCE so that you will not have to have packages re-shipped, go for it! Otherwise, don't bother.
Even insured, it is the responsibility of the seller - THEY have to file the claim. But they largely don't want to be bothered. In EITHER case, if you have any trouble, start a credit-card charge-back. First, the company will threaten you, saying "oh, charge-back, we can't talk to you any more!". Then, if you insist, they will offer to replace the package once they have proof that the charge-back has been removed. If they don't follow-through, just start the charge-back again.
Facebook has no news. Just BS and trivia posted by members to keep themselves amused and acquire some sort of brownie points from their friends who keep themselves amused by posting BS and trivia.
Facebook needs to realize that they have no role in disseminating news. Their users are not reporters, not even "iReporters" or whatnot. They are just you and me (well, not ME, smart enough not to have Facebook...) giving our opinions and our filtered, inaccurate interpretation of whatever real new sources we may still pay attention to, along with made-up BS and links to made-up BS.
And the occasional accidental link to real news. I suppose for the benefit of those that refuse to pay any attention to real news any more, and prefer to have it filtered and summarized by their so-called friends (all thousands of them!)
Yes, some are quite sensitive. I did some experiments with an iPhone 5S, wanting to detect respiration. Was surprised that it also clearly picked up heartbeat. It works best with the phone laying on your stomach while laying on your back. It takes some filtering to get a clear signal, but iOS (and I presume Android) has the necessary signal processing APIs to clean it up.
Please don't try this while asleep and unmonitored, and certainly not with a Samsung!
Well, he's really just following Trump's lead. Open mouth, insert foot. Then celebrate your accomplishment!
Finally, something that Apple has removed that I can get excited about. (Bothers me much more than removal of analog audio jack...)
WTF, do they think that almost no apps use the escape key? What moves to the touchbar in the next generation? The letter Q and the numeral 4?
And it's enough that you have to type on those smooshy keys with almost no travel. Hell, they might as well just make the whole keyboard one big touchpad/OLED panel, and be done with it. Clicky keys forever!
I doubt that Siri is smart enough to press the escape key.
Siri isn't even smart enough to use a simple Google search when it ought to, which is most of the time. I have given up on Siri, as I almost NEVER get relevant results. Then I go to Google and get highly relevant results. Then I wind up typing, because I forget to use the dictation feature. It would be so much easier if Siri would simply use Google, unless wanting to send an email or text, run some app, etc.
I was asked to take my Unicomp "clicky" keyboard (Unicomp has the license for the original IBM clicky keyboard design) home, and forced to use a crappy Microsoft keyboard because the prima donna in the next cubicle couldn't stand the sound.
This despite the fact that it was a huge, chaotic, open-office with loud-ass game developers, producers, etc. (Sony Playstation development studio.) Though we were in the more-sedate back-end/server development part of the office.
But, OK. It disturbed the prima donna. But was it my fault? Or a stupid office layout?
Really, my worst annoyance there was developers using IM to communicate, when we were in eight cubicles all together, just a few steps from each other. The plus of just walking over to the other developer's cubicle is that you can how busy they are, and decide to talk later, interrupt anyway because it is too important, etc. That is, use actual judgement instead of just casting out an IM and then stewing over it if not immediately answered.
But that would take actual COMMON SENSE.
Sorry, but Webpass stinks, particularly in multi-unit installations. No way can/do they deliver the bandwidth that they promise, particularly in multi-unit housing.
OK, not really STINKS, but "meh", except when it isn't working for a few days.
That said, they do deliver fiber to some buildings - the ones on which they site their antennas. They are probably OK in those buildings. But of course, then they are/were no different than the original Google Fiber concept.
A friend who owns apartment buildings put in WebPass and gives his tenants free Internet. I made him under-promise, so his rental listings only claim 50mbps. He is happy, his tenants are happy, as he only has about 40 units, and his tenants aren't expecting the 500mbps that they can't deliver to every one of them at peak times. They get free basic Internet, and as many of them then won't want/need cable, it saves some wear/tear on move-ins/move-outs with no need for the Cable Guy.
They will double-up transceivers in a larger installation if they get complaints.
I note that all of the groups mentioned:
- Oscar Winners
- Sports stars
- Bill Gates
... are more likely than not to be liberals/democrats.
They aren't afraid of terrists. They are afraid that Trump might win.
And Bill Gates is of an age (same as me) to have acquired a life-long fear of the realistic possibility of global thermonuclear war. (BEFORE "War Games", during the Cuban Missile Crisis.)
If Trump wins, now you have TWO international leaders of nuclear-armed countries who are off-the-rails. Let the fun begin!
It was a risky move, IMO, on the part of Akamai, and sends a horrible message about their service.
Were it not that the perpetrators have now apparently been arrested, why would they not then go back and go after Akami in general, just to prove a point? In fact, why wouldn't others now go after Akamai, just to prove a point?
Perhaps it was not really a severe impact to Akamai (other than cost), and they could have withstood the attack. If somebody wants to prove that they are the King of DDOS, now what an opportunity to prove that they have the capability!
Akamai risked bringing on a bigger attack. And they risked their reputation. A smart move on the part of a competitor would be to welcome Krebs. I fully expect some smart company will do that in the coming days.