You're describing the recent trend of Debt Collection Scam. Two of the worst are Allied Interstate and NCO Financial. Now truth be told, those two companies probably do have some legitimate business in collections, but just do a Google search on their company names. Their track record is horrible, and abuse of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is rampant. It doesn't matter if you owe or not to them, as they're not interested in playing fair -- they are scammers through and through. Got your number on "Do Not Call" registry? They don't care. They're just like spammers looking for that one sucker out of thousands that will pay something they don't owe, and thus, validate their raison d'etre.
In my case, somehow both have gotten a hold of my cell phone number, and are calling at least 1-2x per week. It's always an automated dialer, leaving me a message to call them back at so-and-so number. Never, ever is there a live person, either if I pick up right away, or let it go to voicemail.
Here's the kicker though -- when they first started, I got worried that I might have been the victim of identity theft, so I pulled all 3 of my credit reports. All 3 are clean as a whistle and have been for years, and there are no unexpected accounts or credit inquiries. So, as mentioned above, they're trolling for suckers, and seeing who will return the call and then will harass the caller into paying something they don't owe.
Clearly, you've never read a "Choose your own Adventure" book. The whole point of reading was to get to the end, or to re-read and find the alternate endings. Or in one of the books, to figure out that one of the endings has no path to it. That was an interesting epiphany way back then -- my first thinking-outside-the-box experience.
Now, if one of the MMORPG's can figure out how to insert a likewise "impossible-to-reach end-game scenario" that forces a similar thought process....
Like finally figuring out how to get to the Emerald Dream in WoW (aside from the limited time granted within Bridenbrad quest chain).
That's not true. For example, when I go to Sun's URL for the Sun Fire T5240 and click through to the section to purchase a server, you first see the MSRP. However, after I login on the account window to the right, the price of the server now shows my corporate discount. Of course, this assumes you have an account that is linked with a corporate discount in the first place, but that seems like a fairly obvious assumption to me.
The flip side of becoming a point of authority in an environment as this is that if/when code defects bubble to the surface on your watch that result in a major hit to the company's bottom line, you may need to have a thick layer of asbestos underwear on in order to prevent the blame game from claiming you as a victim.
Right now, you've identified the problem for your mgmt and have suggested solutions, but you're not yet responsible for the implementation of those solutions. Becoming the VP of such an org not only makes you responsible for the fixes, but also directly accountable, possibly including from a legal standpoint. In other words, you'd better hope that the bugs in your software don't have the potential to cause medical or financial harm to your customers.
The problem is that these are typical red herring responses that managers employ in hopes of deflecting attention away from the primary issue. They don't solve the problem at all, and in fact they typically result in the introduction of new and usually unnecessary issues to deal with, while preserving the status quo.
The only hope is for the presenter to realize this quickly and get the issue back on course, or be seen as someone who unnecessarily wastes time trying to derail the FUBAR project, which can lead to an untimely departure.
My thoughts were that it was always a side effect of the need to idiot-proof everything we do, borne from past experiences. I don't know that skepticism would exist if not for the need to learn from our failures.
Well, ok. Technically, the rules aren't being made here, but this is just another example of the perversion of justice that exists among the elite in America. By and large, the America's "upper class", which include the wealthy, the politicians, celebrities, athletes, and corporations, aren't subject to the same blind justice as everyone else in this country.
If you have money and/or power, you have a way out.
I'm not a Pidgin developer, so can someone illuminate me to the positions of the two sides? Why is one group wanting resizable windows while the other does not? What are the pros and cons of each side? Is there some technical reason to require one vs. the other or are the reasons related to opinions, ergonomics, eye-candy?
My 4-year old son seems to have no end to the string of "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Mom. Mom...." when he's trying to get our attention. This occurs, of course, while we're already talking to someone else, or busy in some other respect. Sometimes even while we're talking to him.
Therefore, the role reversal that Eddie AI is going to get after this slashdotting provides me with a bit of delicious irony that only another parent would understand.
Reliability concerns are either accepted as non-critical, or mitigated through the use of controls such as parts caches
TCO of product is cheaper
Trust in the manufacturer/integrator is established
If any of these items can not be successfully accommodated, then you shouldn't use COTS parts in your product. With respect to this discussion, #1 and #3 are in question, and debatably #2.
Could it be because (a) very few of us are rocket scientists or have the necessary background to comment intelligently on such a topic, or (b) the original post itself had the snarky Skynet quip, and as such, one good turn deserves another?
If a GRB hits us in the next 10 years, the Earth is cooked and we're screwed. Game over.
If a GRB hits us in the next 100 years, the Earth is cooked, and although I'm gone, life on Earth is still screwed. Game over.
If a GRB hits us in the next 1000 years, the Earth is still cooked, I'm long gone as are the vast majority of my descendants, but maybe mankind (assuming we live that long) will have found the means to leave the planet and preserve itself. However, life on Earth is still screwed. Game over.
Ditto for 10k years, 100k, etc. Basically, there's very little we can do to save the Earth, and next to nothing we can do collectively to save ourselves, except for a few lucky individuals. Thus, the long term goal shouldn't be figuring out how to protect the Earth, but rather we should be figuring out how to preserve our legacy. Fighting against Mother Nature has proven time and time again to be futile.
Slashdot Mirror
Dare we ask how much time the average Slashdot user spends here per day?
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
You're describing the recent trend of Debt Collection Scam. Two of the worst are Allied Interstate and NCO Financial. Now truth be told, those two companies probably do have some legitimate business in collections, but just do a Google search on their company names. Their track record is horrible, and abuse of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is rampant. It doesn't matter if you owe or not to them, as they're not interested in playing fair -- they are scammers through and through. Got your number on "Do Not Call" registry? They don't care. They're just like spammers looking for that one sucker out of thousands that will pay something they don't owe, and thus, validate their raison d'etre.
In my case, somehow both have gotten a hold of my cell phone number, and are calling at least 1-2x per week. It's always an automated dialer, leaving me a message to call them back at so-and-so number. Never, ever is there a live person, either if I pick up right away, or let it go to voicemail.
Here's the kicker though -- when they first started, I got worried that I might have been the victim of identity theft, so I pulled all 3 of my credit reports. All 3 are clean as a whistle and have been for years, and there are no unexpected accounts or credit inquiries. So, as mentioned above, they're trolling for suckers, and seeing who will return the call and then will harass the caller into paying something they don't owe.
The scambusters website has a lot more good information on this growing scam. Go here --> http://www.scambusters.org/debt.html
FWIW -- I've recently filed complaints with the FTC. We'll see where that goes.
Clearly, you've never read a "Choose your own Adventure" book. The whole point of reading was to get to the end, or to re-read and find the alternate endings. Or in one of the books, to figure out that one of the endings has no path to it. That was an interesting epiphany way back then -- my first thinking-outside-the-box experience.
Now, if one of the MMORPG's can figure out how to insert a likewise "impossible-to-reach end-game scenario" that forces a similar thought process....
Like finally figuring out how to get to the Emerald Dream in WoW (aside from the limited time granted within Bridenbrad quest chain).
I see someone else here has read "Rainbows End". Interesting book, for those who haven't read it, and touches on the parent's post.
That's not true. For example, when I go to Sun's URL for the Sun Fire T5240 and click through to the section to purchase a server, you first see the MSRP. However, after I login on the account window to the right, the price of the server now shows my corporate discount. Of course, this assumes you have an account that is linked with a corporate discount in the first place, but that seems like a fairly obvious assumption to me.
Everytime I see the brand name, it always comes through first as "Dell Imprison".
On second thought....
Careful what you wish for though....
The flip side of becoming a point of authority in an environment as this is that if/when code defects bubble to the surface on your watch that result in a major hit to the company's bottom line, you may need to have a thick layer of asbestos underwear on in order to prevent the blame game from claiming you as a victim.
Right now, you've identified the problem for your mgmt and have suggested solutions, but you're not yet responsible for the implementation of those solutions. Becoming the VP of such an org not only makes you responsible for the fixes, but also directly accountable, possibly including from a legal standpoint. In other words, you'd better hope that the bugs in your software don't have the potential to cause medical or financial harm to your customers.
N.B. -- this does not apply to politics. In fact, the phrase "Political Science" may be turning into the biggest oxymoron of all time.
You aren't kidding -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania -- the mine fire there has been burning for 46 years now.
The problem is that these are typical red herring responses that managers employ in hopes of deflecting attention away from the primary issue. They don't solve the problem at all, and in fact they typically result in the introduction of new and usually unnecessary issues to deal with, while preserving the status quo.
The only hope is for the presenter to realize this quickly and get the issue back on course, or be seen as someone who unnecessarily wastes time trying to derail the FUBAR project, which can lead to an untimely departure.
1. Open only as necessary per app.
2. Deny everything else.
My thoughts were that it was always a side effect of the need to idiot-proof everything we do, borne from past experiences. I don't know that skepticism would exist if not for the need to learn from our failures.
I wonder if they know Darl McBride & friends.....
"He who has the gold, makes the rules."
Well, ok. Technically, the rules aren't being made here, but this is just another example of the perversion of justice that exists among the elite in America. By and large, the America's "upper class", which include the wealthy, the politicians, celebrities, athletes, and corporations, aren't subject to the same blind justice as everyone else in this country.
If you have money and/or power, you have a way out.
I'm not a Pidgin developer, so can someone illuminate me to the positions of the two sides? Why is one group wanting resizable windows while the other does not? What are the pros and cons of each side? Is there some technical reason to require one vs. the other or are the reasons related to opinions, ergonomics, eye-candy?
What say ye?
s/allowed/forced/
My 4-year old son seems to have no end to the string of "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Dad. Mom. Mom...." when he's trying to get our attention. This occurs, of course, while we're already talking to someone else, or busy in some other respect. Sometimes even while we're talking to him.
Therefore, the role reversal that Eddie AI is going to get after this slashdotting provides me with a bit of delicious irony that only another parent would understand.
Maybe I should introduce my 4-year old to Eddie.
If any of these items can not be successfully accommodated, then you shouldn't use COTS parts in your product. With respect to this discussion, #1 and #3 are in question, and debatably #2.
Just part of NASA's offshoring efforts.
Whew! Well that was close...guess that GRB wasn't perfectly aimed at us after all....
Could it be because (a) very few of us are rocket scientists or have the necessary background to comment intelligently on such a topic, or (b) the original post itself had the snarky Skynet quip, and as such, one good turn deserves another?
This product is brought to you by the letter 'F'.
So let me see if I've got this right...
If a GRB hits us in the next 10 years, the Earth is cooked and we're screwed. Game over.
If a GRB hits us in the next 100 years, the Earth is cooked, and although I'm gone, life on Earth is still screwed. Game over.
If a GRB hits us in the next 1000 years, the Earth is still cooked, I'm long gone as are the vast majority of my descendants, but maybe mankind (assuming we live that long) will have found the means to leave the planet and preserve itself. However, life on Earth is still screwed. Game over.
Ditto for 10k years, 100k, etc. Basically, there's very little we can do to save the Earth, and next to nothing we can do collectively to save ourselves, except for a few lucky individuals. Thus, the long term goal shouldn't be figuring out how to protect the Earth, but rather we should be figuring out how to preserve our legacy. Fighting against Mother Nature has proven time and time again to be futile.
Science fiction becomes science fact again?