It's not easy. The readers don't read black/white, they read relective/not-so-reflective.
I've wholly obscured bar codes with a sharpie before and a reader can read them. So if you can come up with a clear coating that reflects red/near-infrared light (which most BCRs use), you'll be rich! It will be even better if you can clear-print a totally different bar code on it which will be almost invisible.
"Right-o, Mr. G.W. Bush of 1600 PA Avenue, come on in!"
I have never, EVER, met a person who 'plays' this game, I am probably the only one in my circle who has even heard of it, and I only hear about it here on slashdot.
My sentiments exactly. And I work with hundreds of nerds/engineers/etc.
All of the people I know seem to have first lives.
Learn how to write and read requirements This is VERY important! It keeps you from wasting your time.
And only experience will teach you when to know what the customer/boss is REALLY asking for, no matter what they say. VERY few people know how to design a program/project/interface, or even know what they want.
I find step 1 is often telling people "Get a piece of paper and draw out what you want". Saves a LOT of time and budget when they come to you later and say "This isn't what I wanted!" You show them their drawing or flowchart and say "Which part?"
br00tus is 100% correct. There is a LOT more IT specialization going on. A generic IT dept (and a helpdesk in Bangalore) cannot help specific departments where in-depth knowledge of the needs and activities of the department are connected to almost every IT decision.
I occasionally have to bring in contractors to help me on some IT projects for my department. The first thing I do is give them a course on what we do, how we do it and why. Even the brightest still have to ask a lot of operational questions about the department throughout the contract.
So if you work for a big company, learn what various departments do and what they need. (DB and programming experience can help ANY department) Then suck up to them and get hired as their dept. IT person. It's a lot of work but usually a sweet, high-paying gig.
I once attended a Windows 3.1 seminar back in 1994 where some jackass kept complaining that I sat in HIS chair (out of 300 identical folding chairs) after the lunch break.
He was about a foot taller and at least 30 lbs heavier than me. I finally told him to shut the hell up or we could go outside and I would kick his butt. He shut the hell up and apologized later.
You've apparently never had to report many crimes. The reporter is ALWAYS the first suspect.
I used to have to be the one to report any missing items in the IT dept in a state office. I always got the third degree. The investigating officer immediately asked lots of questions about my financial situation.
Why did I have to report all the crimes at this office? I was one of the only white guys there. I REALLY would not have wanted to be in that situation if I were black or hispanic.
Oh I agree, you can configure the Vista UI to work like XP, but out of the box I think it really blows. But not everyone thinks so.
Remember these are my NON-TECH-SAVVY friends. So who do you think has to work on their PCs when things go wrong? I have to reconfigure the UI (especially that totally f-d up start menu) so I can work on the damn things and then they get all whiney that I changed it. So I have to reset to default, then deal with reconfiguring again when things go wrong. Actually, things really haven't gone wrong, but sometimes the hoi-polloi get confused by error messages, or lose their picures because their camera software shoves them into some weird location, or they don't have a codec for some video...etc. You know how it is.
I guess I need to write a script that will convert the UI back and forth with one click. Gotta just be some stupid registry entries.
While I personally believe the new Windows Vista interface is clunky, confusing and generally annoying, many of my very non-tech-savvy friends think the new interface is great and easy to use.
Yep. I used to work at a high-tech research consortium.
The CEO didn't have a computer, he had his secretary print out all his e-mails. Then she would type his responses for him...after he wrote them down on paper.
And we paid him about half a million a year, plus perks.
Strange, I've reported things to the police before, they didn't treat me like a suspect. I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't start fining people who report the problem as a matter of course - they're more likely to look up the renter before them and fine them. Just as easy and doesn't punish people who report things
Ah, you are probably white, then. You white folks enjoy your little cars. I'll stay away from them.
How do you prevent someone with horrible hygiene from renting one? Do you want to get into a smelly vehicle with a mucous-covered steering wheel and god-knows-what stains on the seats? (note: this question is NOT directed at folks who regularly use NYC taxis)
And as a communicable disease vector, these things would be really potent.
And if you complain about the condition of the car? How do we know YOU didn't ding the door? How do we know YOU didn't rip the seats and leave that crusty residue on the door handle? Eventually the company will start fining the people who report the problems. Don't think it will happen? Then you've obviously never reported a property crime to the police. You instantly become their first suspect.
It's a great idea for the movies, but not in reality.
Visit Wendover Nevada. Some of the casinos there have HDTV screens hanging like pictures on the wall with beautiful, clear scenes displayed on them. They initially appear like static pictures, but the first time you notice a ship slowly crossing the ocean picture, or a camel walking across the desert picture is really cool. The scenes change every few minutes and you can stand there for an hour and just watch the pretty pictures. The casino put these near anywhere you may have to stand in line and wait. (bell desk, buffet line, cashier cage, etc.) One of the best applications of HDTV I've seen yet.
This was all caused because he had a "lack of interest in violent gaming". If violent games hadn't existed, he wouldn't have had a lack of interest in them! You can't have a lack of interest in something that doesn't exist!
I spent the last 10 years without brodband because I live in the country. Time Warner was always "Just a few miles away" and would be here any day now.
Then a bunch of wireless ISPs popped up out here in the hills. I paid one of them $200 to come set up an antenna and now I get better than T1 speeds. Not super amazing, but good enough for everything except web hosting. I can even watch online Netflix movies.
Cost? $60/month Range? My signal comes from a town about 8 miles away.
If you live in the boonies, look into it. Most of the companies are small and don't advertise that much. There are at least 3 that cover my area.
Slashdot Mirror
Renting and watching videos should be enough for anyone
As long as you don't watch the video more than ONCE per rental fee.
Anything else is STEALING!
My thoughts exactly. Apple has done this since the 80's with their student pricing and free computer labs.
You sure you heard that right?
Have you ever TRIED obscuring a bar code?
It's not easy. The readers don't read black/white, they read relective/not-so-reflective.
I've wholly obscured bar codes with a sharpie before and a reader can read them. So if you can come up with a clear coating that reflects red/near-infrared light (which most BCRs use), you'll be rich! It will be even better if you can clear-print a totally different bar code on it which will be almost invisible.
"Right-o, Mr. G.W. Bush of 1600 PA Avenue, come on in!"
That does it, I'm just making my own moonshine in the basement and sneaking a flask into the bar.
"Just a Coke, please, I'm the designated driver!"
I have never, EVER, met a person who 'plays' this game, I am probably the only one in my circle who has even heard of it, and I only hear about it here on slashdot.
My sentiments exactly. And I work with hundreds of nerds/engineers/etc.
All of the people I know seem to have first lives.
Learn how to write and read requirements
This is VERY important! It keeps you from wasting your time.
And only experience will teach you when to know what the customer/boss is REALLY asking for, no matter what they say. VERY few people know how to design a program/project/interface, or even know what they want.
I find step 1 is often telling people "Get a piece of paper and draw out what you want". Saves a LOT of time and budget when they come to you later and say "This isn't what I wanted!" You show them their drawing or flowchart and say "Which part?"
br00tus is 100% correct. There is a LOT more IT specialization going on. A generic IT dept (and a helpdesk in Bangalore) cannot help specific departments where in-depth knowledge of the needs and activities of the department are connected to almost every IT decision.
I occasionally have to bring in contractors to help me on some IT projects for my department. The first thing I do is give them a course on what we do, how we do it and why. Even the brightest still have to ask a lot of operational questions about the department throughout the contract.
So if you work for a big company, learn what various departments do and what they need. (DB and programming experience can help ANY department) Then suck up to them and get hired as their dept. IT person. It's a lot of work but usually a sweet, high-paying gig.
As far as I know, yes.
It isn't all Cristal and Foie Gras here at the top.
I was sure there was tons of money to be made from the poorest of the poor!
Are you telling me this isn't true?
I once attended a Windows 3.1 seminar back in 1994 where some jackass kept complaining that I sat in HIS chair (out of 300 identical folding chairs) after the lunch break.
He was about a foot taller and at least 30 lbs heavier than me. I finally told him to shut the hell up or we could go outside and I would kick his butt. He shut the hell up and apologized later.
That's about all I remember from that seminar.
You've apparently never had to report many crimes. The reporter is ALWAYS the first suspect.
I used to have to be the one to report any missing items in the IT dept in a state office. I always got the third degree. The investigating officer immediately asked lots of questions about my financial situation.
Why did I have to report all the crimes at this office? I was one of the only white guys there. I REALLY would not have wanted to be in that situation if I were black or hispanic.
EMI. There IS a reason why.
- you kids may not understand that
Oh I agree, you can configure the Vista UI to work like XP, but out of the box I think it really blows. But not everyone thinks so.
Remember these are my NON-TECH-SAVVY friends. So who do you think has to work on their PCs when things go wrong? I have to reconfigure the UI (especially that totally f-d up start menu) so I can work on the damn things and then they get all whiney that I changed it. So I have to reset to default, then deal with reconfiguring again when things go wrong. Actually, things really haven't gone wrong, but sometimes the hoi-polloi get confused by error messages, or lose their picures because their camera software shoves them into some weird location, or they don't have a codec for some video...etc. You know how it is.
I guess I need to write a script that will convert the UI back and forth with one click. Gotta just be some stupid registry entries.
While I personally believe the new Windows Vista interface is clunky, confusing and generally annoying, many of my very non-tech-savvy friends think the new interface is great and easy to use.
Different strokes and all that.
Yep. I used to work at a high-tech research consortium.
The CEO didn't have a computer, he had his secretary print out all his e-mails. Then she would type his responses for him...after he wrote them down on paper.
And we paid him about half a million a year, plus perks.
It's times like these when I am REALLY glad the second amendment to our constitution is still fully in force.
The best!
http://www.videlectrix.com/racewalk.html
Strange, I've reported things to the police before, they didn't treat me like a suspect. I'm willing to bet that they wouldn't start fining people who report the problem as a matter of course - they're more likely to look up the renter before them and fine them. Just as easy and doesn't punish people who report things
Ah, you are probably white, then. You white folks enjoy your little cars. I'll stay away from them.
Okay then...
How do you prevent someone with horrible hygiene from renting one? Do you want to get into a smelly vehicle with a mucous-covered steering wheel and god-knows-what stains on the seats? (note: this question is NOT directed at folks who regularly use NYC taxis)
And as a communicable disease vector, these things would be really potent.
And if you complain about the condition of the car? How do we know YOU didn't ding the door? How do we know YOU didn't rip the seats and leave that crusty residue on the door handle? Eventually the company will start fining the people who report the problems. Don't think it will happen? Then you've obviously never reported a property crime to the police. You instantly become their first suspect.
It's a great idea for the movies, but not in reality.
Yeah, I believe Woody Allen had that in "Sleeper" as well.
So when do we get the Orgasmotron?
Kyle "the Yellow Dart" Smith soon to file a lawsuit
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail64.html
Visit Wendover Nevada. Some of the casinos there have HDTV screens hanging like pictures on the wall with beautiful, clear scenes displayed on them. They initially appear like static pictures, but the first time you notice a ship slowly crossing the ocean picture, or a camel walking across the desert picture is really cool. The scenes change every few minutes and you can stand there for an hour and just watch the pretty pictures. The casino put these near anywhere you may have to stand in line and wait. (bell desk, buffet line, cashier cage, etc.) One of the best applications of HDTV I've seen yet.
Don't you see?
This was all caused because he had a "lack of interest in violent gaming". If violent games hadn't existed, he wouldn't have had a lack of interest in them! You can't have a lack of interest in something that doesn't exist!
Think of the children!
I spent the last 10 years without brodband because I live in the country. Time Warner was always "Just a few miles away" and would be here any day now.
Then a bunch of wireless ISPs popped up out here in the hills. I paid one of them $200 to come set up an antenna and now I get better than T1 speeds. Not super amazing, but good enough for everything except web hosting. I can even watch online Netflix movies.
Cost? $60/month
Range? My signal comes from a town about 8 miles away.
If you live in the boonies, look into it. Most of the companies are small and don't advertise that much. There are at least 3 that cover my area.