But at the Windows Digital Media Group, which is charged with software for portable players and the WMA format, using an iPod is not a good career move.
"In the media group they all smoke the company dope on that one," the manager said.
So a Microsoft manager is comparing their own products to mind-altering substances? I won't dispute that!
Thanks for mentioning that. I'm making a donation to Unicef right now. And my employer has a "corporate giving" program which I will be taking advantage of to have them match my donation.:-)
I am curious... will this "super superhigway" have fewer traffic jams or more traffic jams than traditional highways? Sure, there will be more lanes, but if some stupid driver decides to cut across 5 lines of traffic to try and make an exit and causes a 500 car pileup, how badly will traffic be affected?
Here's something else to think about: rest stops. They'll have to be HUGE. Like shopping malls. That could certainly be interesting.
When I go to the local airport and see a kiosk displaying a Windoze 2000 screen saver instead of information, something is wrong with the software running the kiosk.
I totally agree with your post, and hate to sound like I'm nitpicking, but I'd just like to point out that this happens with Mac OS X, too. The screen on the far right in that picture has the OS X desktop. Here is a closeup of that screen. Both pictures were taken in Terminal A at Philadelphia International Airport on August 25th, 2004.
In this case, either the software had an issue, or the user was incredibly stupid and did something they shouldn't have. Software can only protect against so much user-level stupidity. If the user does something like, drags the program to the wrong location instead of double-clicking on it, there's absolutely nothing the program can do about it.
P.S. I also am the happy owner of a Powerbook.:-) This post isn't intended as a slam against OS X.
I wonder how many stupid kids with color pritners are gonna try printing these up anyway, trying them out in change machines, and do other stupid things with them?
I agree. I used to work in Philly proper, and they have a city employment tax of something like 4.5%, which is absurd, especially considering how much the traffic on the Schulkyll Expressway sucks. When I got a job out in the suburbs, it was like an instant 4.5% pay raise.
>Remember the NSA keys in the Windows NT crypto >libraries?
I agree with the rest of your post, but I gotta call bullshit on this part.
This article explains more about "NSA Key" in Windows NT and leading cryptologists such as Bruce Schneier have debunked the possiblity of the NSA using it for spying on users. (As there are much easier ways to go about doing it)
I explained that while medicince has been around for a very long time, the degree of MD has not. PhDs degrees have a much longer history than MD degrees.
Heh, that reminds me of a friend of mine who happens to be a PhD. He likes to poke fun at MDs by saying, "Back in the middle ages, it was the learned scholar who was called 'Doctor'. The man who cut into you was called 'BARBER'!"
And he's teased his physician about this on several occaisions, saying things like, "Just take a little off the top, please!".:-)
1) You have three options as you said but there are others as well. document.title = 'str' or window.status = 'str'. I think it is a wonderful way to start. First time I saw printf() I was really lost.
I suppose changing the title and window is one way to do it, but when I build debugging hooks into my programs, I like to print out lots of lines of text, so I can see exactly what the program is doing, if it's hanging at a particular place, etc.
I agree with you about printf(), it's not exactly the easiest function for a beginning to understand. I was thinking more along the lines of the print statement in Python, Perl, PHP, and the like. Those functions are much more simple and straightforward. (Bonus points are awarded to the Python developers, who were able to make the print function in that language behave like printf() if an extra tuple additional parameters is passed in. That makes it very easy for beginners to pick up on yet powerful for advanced programmers.)
If you were to build a function with a method you can do it very easily without using the prototype construct (ie inside the class definition):
Interesting, that is a method that I did not know, thanks for sharing. It still looks a little strange ("instantating" a function seems kinda weird), but far less difficult than doing it through the prototyping method that I described.
Now the Array object is a great example of when you should use the prototype construct.
That is also very neat, and something I had not considered. Thanks for code sample, that goes a long way towards explaining why that sort of functionality exists in the language.
Just to clarify my original post, I wasn't trying to say that Javascript is a "bad" language. I've freuqntly used it for web-specific tasks like validating input fields on forms and that sort of thing. For that specific task, I think Javascript is really good at it, and fairly easy to use, as well.
My main issue with Javascript was teaching to beginners. I know that I when I first learned Javascript about 5 years ago, I had problems picking up the language, and I had been already been programming for a few years at that point. I also recall spending some time saying to myself, "Jeez, how I can get Javascript to open this file?", without realizing that the language wasn't intended to do that.:-)
>Use IE -- this stuff is very simple with included COM controls.
I'm sure it does, but I'd like to point out that the title of this article is "Learn How to Program Using Any Web Browser" (emphasis mine). If you start using Microsoft-specific stuff that's in IE, any Javascript code you write cannot be ported over to other web browsers.
The cynic in me says that this is exactly what Microsoft wants, of course. That would ensure that MSIE has the biggest market share.
I've done a fair bit of Javascript programming, I think it's an okay language. It certainly could be worse. But here are some random issues that I think may make it difficult for beginners to pick up:
1) No print() or echo() function. If you want to write something to the equivilent of stdout, you need to use document.write(). And if you use alert() as you're debugging something, you'll quickly get tired of boxes that pop up, I know I have.
2) Weird OOP syntax. If you want to create class foo, you first create function foo, then to create a method you go and create function foo.prototype.bar(). I think that's needlessly complicated. It also leaves the beginner open for a shock when they start studing OOP syntax of other languages, where a class is defined and its functions are actually defined INSIDE the class.
3) No file/database support. Good luck trying to interact with a file or database from Javascript. As the user learns more about programming, they're going to want to use these sorts of things. Javascript just wasn't designed for that.
Those are the biggest things off the top of my head on why I believe Javascript is not an ideal choice for beginners. (I don't claim to be a JS god, so if I'm wrong about any of the above, someone please correct me...)
If I drove a car without obtaining a Driver's License first, not only would I be breaking the law, but I would a danger to the other drivers on the road and a liability to my insurance company. While any clueful admin secures their server (akin to having airbags and wearing your seatbelt), they can still face problems due to the irresponsibility of other people.
I foresee in the next 20 years a program being implemented where people have to learn basic computer skills and obtain a "license" of some sort before being allowed to use a computer or order service from an ISP. Perhaps even the equivilent or a "learners' permit" for people who are just getting started and want to use a computer under the guidance of someone who is more experienced. Using a computer without a valid license would make you subject to fines and imprisonment in extreme cases. Spreading a virus through ignorance will result in getting "points" on your license. If you get too many points you lose your license and have to get a new one.
On a related note, I actually RTed the FA, and saw one of IBM's Linux ads on the page, which I thought was rather nifty.
Just so you know, I have run across bad Python code before.:-) The programmer who wrote it decided he couldn't be bothered to write functions and classes and instead indented by 5 or 6 tabs. Reading it was quite painful.
I guess the moral of the story is that no matter how well you design a programming language, it won't help any if the programmer is sufficiently stupid/lazy.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but I feel it's worth mentioning anyway. If you are jogging around with a laptop on a regular basis, be sure to take extra good care of your feet. Buy a good pair of running shoes, and if your feet start hurting, STOP and see a podiatrist.
Forgive me if I sound a little alarmist, but I learned the hard way what happens when I stomp around with a laptop. I got a pinched nerve in my left foot, was in a lot of pain, and was forced to walk on a cane for a little while. Not fun. It's a year after the neuroma has gone away, and I am still having ongoing problems in my foot, all because I didn't take care of my feet.
I'm not a shrink, but I've dealt with a couple of narcissists in my time. The big thing with narcissists is that they go around with this big chip on their shoulder, thinking that they are perfect and better than everyone else. It's so severe that they are unable to form many friendships or do much of ANYTHING, since their personality is so abrasive that it alienates most people who come into contact with them. (Lots of good info on narcissism is available at the Malignant Self Love website)
Like I said, I'm not a shrink, so I don't know what Larry's particular dysfunction may be, but I don't think it's narcissism.
Slashdot Mirror
So a Microsoft manager is comparing their own products to mind-altering substances? I won't dispute that!
...but what the hell is a "kerfuffle"?
Thanks for mentioning that. I'm making a donation to Unicef right now. And my employer has a "corporate giving" program which I will be taking advantage of to have them match my donation. :-)
I am curious... will this "super superhigway" have fewer traffic jams or more traffic jams than traditional highways? Sure, there will be more lanes, but if some stupid driver decides to cut across 5 lines of traffic to try and make an exit and causes a 500 car pileup, how badly will traffic be affected?
Here's something else to think about: rest stops. They'll have to be HUGE. Like shopping malls. That could certainly be interesting.
This has been going on since before the days of the (long since defunct) IEMMC with their bogus remove list, which was back in 1997 or so.
Here's one article that was written about the IEMMC.
Call The Election Protection Coalition at 866-OUR-VOTE. They can help.
The dumbass assumed that spammers would pay for something they could obtain for free illegally.
Spammers stealing software? Why, that's never happened before!
When I go to the local airport and see a kiosk displaying a Windoze 2000 screen saver instead of information, something is wrong with the software running the kiosk.
:-) This post isn't intended as a slam against OS X.
I totally agree with your post, and hate to sound like I'm nitpicking, but I'd just like to point out that this happens with Mac OS X, too. The screen on the far right in that picture has the OS X desktop. Here is a closeup of that screen. Both pictures were taken in Terminal A at Philadelphia International Airport on August 25th, 2004.
In this case, either the software had an issue, or the user was incredibly stupid and did something they shouldn't have. Software can only protect against so much user-level stupidity. If the user does something like, drags the program to the wrong location instead of double-clicking on it, there's absolutely nothing the program can do about it.
P.S. I also am the happy owner of a Powerbook.
stupid 7-11 etc clerks that will except the copies.
Surely you meant to say "accept"? If they "except" such fake bills, then that's exactly what we want to see happen!
Not to nitpick or anything, I just found your typo rather amusing.
I wonder how many stupid kids with color pritners are gonna try printing these up anyway, trying them out in change machines, and do other stupid things with them?
I agree. I used to work in Philly proper, and they have a city employment tax of something like 4.5%, which is absurd, especially considering how much the traffic on the Schulkyll Expressway sucks. When I got a job out in the suburbs, it was like an instant 4.5% pay raise.
>Remember the NSA keys in the Windows NT crypto
>libraries?
I agree with the rest of your post, but I gotta call bullshit on this part.
This article explains more about "NSA Key" in Windows NT and leading cryptologists such as Bruce Schneier have debunked the possiblity of the NSA using it for spying on users. (As there are much easier ways to go about doing it)
"Drop and give me 20 bootups!"
Modify your IM client so that when you start a new session with someone a message is automatically sent saying:
"BY ENTERING THIS CHAT, YOU ARE AWARE THAT WHAT YOU SAY CAN BE RECORDED AND SAVED TO DISK. IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT, PLEASE END THIS CHAT."
IANAL, but I think this would be sufficient under the current laws that we have that regulate wiretapping.
Maybe I should code up a patch for GAIM...
Heh, that reminds me of a friend of mine who happens to be a PhD. He likes to poke fun at MDs by saying, "Back in the middle ages, it was the learned scholar who was called 'Doctor'. The man who cut into you was called 'BARBER'!"
And he's teased his physician about this on several occaisions, saying things like, "Just take a little off the top, please!".
I suppose changing the title and window is one way to do it, but when I build debugging hooks into my programs, I like to print out lots of lines of text, so I can see exactly what the program is doing, if it's hanging at a particular place, etc.
I agree with you about printf(), it's not exactly the easiest function for a beginning to understand. I was thinking more along the lines of the print statement in Python, Perl, PHP, and the like. Those functions are much more simple and straightforward. (Bonus points are awarded to the Python developers, who were able to make the print function in that language behave like printf() if an extra tuple additional parameters is passed in. That makes it very easy for beginners to pick up on yet powerful for advanced programmers.)
Interesting, that is a method that I did not know, thanks for sharing. It still looks a little strange ("instantating" a function seems kinda weird), but far less difficult than doing it through the prototyping method that I described.
That is also very neat, and something I had not considered. Thanks for code sample, that goes a long way towards explaining why that sort of functionality exists in the language.
Just to clarify my original post, I wasn't trying to say that Javascript is a "bad" language. I've freuqntly used it for web-specific tasks like validating input fields on forms and that sort of thing. For that specific task, I think Javascript is really good at it, and fairly easy to use, as well.
:-)
My main issue with Javascript was teaching to beginners. I know that I when I first learned Javascript about 5 years ago, I had problems picking up the language, and I had been already been programming for a few years at that point. I also recall spending some time saying to myself, "Jeez, how I can get Javascript to open this file?", without realizing that the language wasn't intended to do that.
>Use IE -- this stuff is very simple with included COM controls.
I'm sure it does, but I'd like to point out that the title of this article is "Learn How to Program Using Any Web Browser" (emphasis mine). If you start using Microsoft-specific stuff that's in IE, any Javascript code you write cannot be ported over to other web browsers.
The cynic in me says that this is exactly what Microsoft wants, of course. That would ensure that MSIE has the biggest market share.
I've done a fair bit of Javascript programming, I think it's an okay language. It certainly could be worse. But here are some random issues that I think may make it difficult for beginners to pick up:
1) No print() or echo() function. If you want to write something to the equivilent of stdout, you need to use document.write(). And if you use alert() as you're debugging something, you'll quickly get tired of boxes that pop up, I know I have.
2) Weird OOP syntax. If you want to create class foo, you first create function foo, then to create a method you go and create function foo.prototype.bar(). I think that's needlessly complicated. It also leaves the beginner open for a shock when they start studing OOP syntax of other languages, where a class is defined and its functions are actually defined INSIDE the class.
3) No file/database support. Good luck trying to interact with a file or database from Javascript. As the user learns more about programming, they're going to want to use these sorts of things. Javascript just wasn't designed for that.
Those are the biggest things off the top of my head on why I believe Javascript is not an ideal choice for beginners. (I don't claim to be a JS god, so if I'm wrong about any of the above, someone please correct me...)
If I drove a car without obtaining a Driver's License first, not only would I be breaking the law, but I would a danger to the other drivers on the road and a liability to my insurance company. While any clueful admin secures their server (akin to having airbags and wearing your seatbelt), they can still face problems due to the irresponsibility of other people.
I foresee in the next 20 years a program being implemented where people have to learn basic computer skills and obtain a "license" of some sort before being allowed to use a computer or order service from an ISP. Perhaps even the equivilent or a "learners' permit" for people who are just getting started and want to use a computer under the guidance of someone who is more experienced. Using a computer without a valid license would make you subject to fines and imprisonment in extreme cases. Spreading a virus through ignorance will result in getting "points" on your license. If you get too many points you lose your license and have to get a new one.
On a related note, I actually RTed the FA, and saw one of IBM's Linux ads on the page, which I thought was rather nifty.
Just so you know, I have run across bad Python code before. :-) The programmer who wrote it decided he couldn't be bothered to write functions and classes and instead indented by 5 or 6 tabs. Reading it was quite painful.
I guess the moral of the story is that no matter how well you design a programming language, it won't help any if the programmer is sufficiently stupid/lazy.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but I feel it's worth mentioning anyway. If you are jogging around with a laptop on a regular basis, be sure to take extra good care of your feet. Buy a good pair of running shoes, and if your feet start hurting, STOP and see a podiatrist.
Forgive me if I sound a little alarmist, but I learned the hard way what happens when I stomp around with a laptop. I got a pinched nerve in my left foot, was in a lot of pain, and was forced to walk on a cane for a little while. Not fun. It's a year after the neuroma has gone away, and I am still having ongoing problems in my foot, all because I didn't take care of my feet.
I warned ya.
I'm not a shrink, but I've dealt with a couple of narcissists in my time. The big thing with narcissists is that they go around with this big chip on their shoulder, thinking that they are perfect and better than everyone else. It's so severe that they are unable to form many friendships or do much of ANYTHING, since their personality is so abrasive that it alienates most people who come into contact with them. (Lots of good info on narcissism is available at the Malignant Self Love website)
:-)
Like I said, I'm not a shrink, so I don't know what Larry's particular dysfunction may be, but I don't think it's narcissism.
Sorry if I sound like I'm nitpicking.
CAUCE's response to the law can be read here.
A copy of the final version of the law can be found here.
According to CAUCE, the law was passed without any public hearings. What a shame.
...no one can hear your data scream.