I started off learning BASIC on an Apple II+ in elementary school and on a Kaypro II at home. Went on to teach myself C, C++, Java, et cetera.
Was a poli sci major in college (talk about a waste of time and money). In my first job (inside sales), I fell into programming because I taught myself ObjectPAL (for Borland Office) and wrote an order entry and management database app that changed the way the company worked. I decided maybe I should look at programming as a career. Got a job as a professional programmer (working with C/C++) about a year later and never looked back.
Never stopped teaching myself new languages, either. Still do it.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of the way Mac OS developed (I started using it with Jaguar). I moved back to Linux (I can't stand Windows). Having been away from using desktop Linux for around a decade, I was pleasantly surprised when I switched back.
Yeah. Also interesting that the boat where the suspect was hiding was outside the perimeter of the search zone where the authorities had been conducting their house-to-house searches all day, and that the tip came in within *minutes* of the "shelter in place, all you vulnerable citizens, while we protect you" order being lifted. The homeowner went outside to get some air and check his property.
So thank a private business for the initial video of the suspects, and thank an "ordinary" citizen for the observation that led to the second suspect's capture.
I'm already running Linux instead of Windows or OS X, so I guess my answer is "none of them." Games aren't very high on my software priority list. That said, I'd probably buy some titles, if they were available on Linux.
So the "vulnerability" is an unsecured JMX console? That's like saying leaving your front door wide open is a "vulnerability." Or giving out the root password to users is a "vulnerability." Technically true, but also forehead-slapping obvious. Anyone who leaves the JMX console unsecured doesn't just have to worry about worms; the entire application server is wide open if you do that.
L: Doug-Sama, we’ve had a number of readers ask for your take on this new Bitcoin system. As a person who likes to see the private sector compete in areas that governments try to reserve for themselves, this seems right up your alley – what do you think?
Doug: It’s a sign of the times. Lots of people are actively looking for an alternative to the dollar. I think Bitcoin is a very good thing, in principle. But after the recent disastrous hack, it’s probably a dead duck, at least in version 1.0.
It’s appropriate, however, that we’re talking about Bitcoin – an Internet-driven phenomenon – while you are in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and I’m in Beirut, Lebanon, and we’re speaking essentially for free over the Internet. Money is increasingly going to be Internet-related. But first we should explain what Bitcoin is.
L: Sure. There’s a Wiki entry, but the basic idea is that Bitcoin is an online (and therefore digital), non-government-backed currency. It’s not backed by anything, actually, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for many users. The system has been adopted by a growing number of people around the world in just the last two years. People are used to currencies not backed by anything, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. On the other paw, unlike government currency, the Bitcoin system is based on a decentralized computer system that no single person or entity – including any government – has control over. That’s part of a design to keep the number of Bitcoins in circulation (inflation) strictly in check. So I can see why some people would see Bitcoin as being just like government currency, but better, because it’s supposedly inflation-proof.
That’s the idea, anyway, but in my view, it’s still not money – no more than unbacked government promises are. You can only use them among others willing to pioneer this cyber-frontier, so I really was quite surprised to see them catch on as well as they have. I’ve seen estimates that the market value of Bitcoins in circulation rose to about $130 million before they crashed last weekend.
Doug: Again, it’s quite encouraging to see that so many people are so disgusted with government currencies, and the total lack of privacy in banking. That’s why Bitcoin could catch on at all. But let’s go back to basics, and see if Bitcoin qualifies as money. Money is a medium of exchange and a store of value. Bitcoin may work as a medium of exchange sometimes, but not a very good one, because it’s proving so unstable. It has fluctuated so much in value over its short life that it is totally unsuitable as a store of value. Over 2,300 years ago, Aristotle identified the five essential attributes that are necessary for a good money
L: It has to be durable, divisible, convenient, consistent, and have value in itself. But don’t forget your own addendum of “can’t be created out of thin air infinitely.”
Doug: Right. Let’s see how Bitcoin stacks up. First, is it durable? As nothing more than ones and zeros on a computer network, it might seem that the answer is no – it’s certainly not as substantial as gold. But a Bitcoin is arguably a lot more durable than a piece of government-issued paper than can be lost, burned, or even fall apart in your jeans pocket if you forget to take it out before doing the laundry. Moreover, since the Internet was designed to be multiply redundant, and even able to withstand nuclear attack, it’s arguable the Bits won’t just disappear.
L: We should point out that the recent problem with a bunch of usernames and accounts being exposed was not a failure of the Bitcoin system itself, but apparently of the physical security of an intermediary business that interfaces between the public and Bitcoin. There
That "con" of your app generally looking bad on every platform with AWT may not apply if you're drawing custom objects to a canvas, rather than relying on AWT widgets.
Java2D is part of AWT (take a look at the Java2D API and its packages). Ultimately, Swing is built on top of AWT (yes, even the lightweight widgets). The OP was talking about drawing "custom objects" on a canvas, which sounds more like custom painting using Java2D rather than making use of widgets. For a widget-based UI, I think you're right on the money suggesting Swing. For painting custom objects, you're going to be using classes in the java.awt.* package.
I'd use Java AWT or OpenGL. They're both cross-platform, and what you learn will can be easily leveraged elsewhere, since they're widely adopted technologies. (No matter what you pick, you're going to have some learning curve.)
I've been without cable or satellite TV for years. I watch DVDs, and lately have been watching most shows/movies with Netflix instant (or from the TV networks on the Internet). I've been getting by with a 6Mbps DSL line, but I'm getting ready to switch over to 25Mbps cable (internet only, no TV). At some point, I'll probably get a new TV, at which time I'll use an antenna for HDTV.
I think the complaint misses the point of the device. It's not supposed to be a full-blown personal computer. It's supposed to be an iPod for documents (including web pages and especially books -- note that bookstore), doing for them what the iPod did for music: let me carry it around and interact with it in my easy chair or my bed or on a park bench.
I'm using a MacBook Pro to drive a Samsung SyncMaster 2333 at 1920 x 1080 as my main display while using the laptop's 17" screen at 1680 x 1050 as a secondary. With a bluetooth mouse and keyboard this works out pretty well.
When I switched to OS X, I found myself more at home with keyboard shortcuts because the standard OS X GUI controls use keyboard shortcuts that are similar to emacs: ctrl-a for beginning of line, ctrl-e for end of line, et cetera. I guess it's just what you get used to, but it sure felt "right" to me.
I don't think programmers necessarily deserve a commemorative more than other professions, but I'd say that just about any profession deserves it more than the usual gang of politicians and such.
Slashdot Mirror
I started off learning BASIC on an Apple II+ in elementary school and on a Kaypro II at home. Went on to teach myself C, C++, Java, et cetera. Was a poli sci major in college (talk about a waste of time and money). In my first job (inside sales), I fell into programming because I taught myself ObjectPAL (for Borland Office) and wrote an order entry and management database app that changed the way the company worked. I decided maybe I should look at programming as a career. Got a job as a professional programmer (working with C/C++) about a year later and never looked back. Never stopped teaching myself new languages, either. Still do it.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of the way Mac OS developed (I started using it with Jaguar). I moved back to Linux (I can't stand Windows). Having been away from using desktop Linux for around a decade, I was pleasantly surprised when I switched back.
Yeah. Also interesting that the boat where the suspect was hiding was outside the perimeter of the search zone where the authorities had been conducting their house-to-house searches all day, and that the tip came in within *minutes* of the "shelter in place, all you vulnerable citizens, while we protect you" order being lifted. The homeowner went outside to get some air and check his property. So thank a private business for the initial video of the suspects, and thank an "ordinary" citizen for the observation that led to the second suspect's capture.
Lol. Mod parent up; that AC knows what he's talking about.
FWIW, Tomato 1.26 and 1.27 also use miniupnp v. 1.4
I'm pleased to hear that at least some of the people working for the TSA are ashamed. They should be.
I'm already running Linux instead of Windows or OS X, so I guess my answer is "none of them." Games aren't very high on my software priority list. That said, I'd probably buy some titles, if they were available on Linux.
So the "vulnerability" is an unsecured JMX console? That's like saying leaving your front door wide open is a "vulnerability." Or giving out the root password to users is a "vulnerability." Technically true, but also forehead-slapping obvious. Anyone who leaves the JMX console unsecured doesn't just have to worry about worms; the entire application server is wide open if you do that.
Doug Casey on Bitcoin and Currencies
L: Doug-Sama, we’ve had a number of readers ask for your take on this new Bitcoin system. As a person who likes to see the private sector compete in areas that governments try to reserve for themselves, this seems right up your alley – what do you think?
Doug: It’s a sign of the times. Lots of people are actively looking for an alternative to the dollar. I think Bitcoin is a very good thing, in principle. But after the recent disastrous hack, it’s probably a dead duck, at least in version 1.0.
It’s appropriate, however, that we’re talking about Bitcoin – an Internet-driven phenomenon – while you are in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and I’m in Beirut, Lebanon, and we’re speaking essentially for free over the Internet. Money is increasingly going to be Internet-related. But first we should explain what Bitcoin is.
L: Sure. There’s a Wiki entry, but the basic idea is that Bitcoin is an online (and therefore digital), non-government-backed currency. It’s not backed by anything, actually, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for many users. The system has been adopted by a growing number of people around the world in just the last two years. People are used to currencies not backed by anything, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. On the other paw, unlike government currency, the Bitcoin system is based on a decentralized computer system that no single person or entity – including any government – has control over. That’s part of a design to keep the number of Bitcoins in circulation (inflation) strictly in check. So I can see why some people would see Bitcoin as being just like government currency, but better, because it’s supposedly inflation-proof.
That’s the idea, anyway, but in my view, it’s still not money – no more than unbacked government promises are. You can only use them among others willing to pioneer this cyber-frontier, so I really was quite surprised to see them catch on as well as they have. I’ve seen estimates that the market value of Bitcoins in circulation rose to about $130 million before they crashed last weekend.
Doug: Again, it’s quite encouraging to see that so many people are so disgusted with government currencies, and the total lack of privacy in banking. That’s why Bitcoin could catch on at all. But let’s go back to basics, and see if Bitcoin qualifies as money. Money is a medium of exchange and a store of value. Bitcoin may work as a medium of exchange sometimes, but not a very good one, because it’s proving so unstable. It has fluctuated so much in value over its short life that it is totally unsuitable as a store of value. Over 2,300 years ago, Aristotle identified the five essential attributes that are necessary for a good money
L: It has to be durable, divisible, convenient, consistent, and have value in itself. But don’t forget your own addendum of “can’t be created out of thin air infinitely.”
Doug: Right. Let’s see how Bitcoin stacks up. First, is it durable? As nothing more than ones and zeros on a computer network, it might seem that the answer is no – it’s certainly not as substantial as gold. But a Bitcoin is arguably a lot more durable than a piece of government-issued paper than can be lost, burned, or even fall apart in your jeans pocket if you forget to take it out before doing the laundry. Moreover, since the Internet was designed to be multiply redundant, and even able to withstand nuclear attack, it’s arguable the Bits won’t just disappear.
L: We should point out that the recent problem with a bunch of usernames and accounts being exposed was not a failure of the Bitcoin system itself, but apparently of the physical security of an intermediary business that interfaces between the public and Bitcoin. There
Hey, maybe Greenland will be green and lush, again, soon.
That "con" of your app generally looking bad on every platform with AWT may not apply if you're drawing custom objects to a canvas, rather than relying on AWT widgets.
Java2D is part of AWT (take a look at the Java2D API and its packages). Ultimately, Swing is built on top of AWT (yes, even the lightweight widgets). The OP was talking about drawing "custom objects" on a canvas, which sounds more like custom painting using Java2D rather than making use of widgets. For a widget-based UI, I think you're right on the money suggesting Swing. For painting custom objects, you're going to be using classes in the java.awt.* package.
I'd use Java AWT or OpenGL. They're both cross-platform, and what you learn will can be easily leveraged elsewhere, since they're widely adopted technologies. (No matter what you pick, you're going to have some learning curve.)
I've been without cable or satellite TV for years. I watch DVDs, and lately have been watching most shows/movies with Netflix instant (or from the TV networks on the Internet). I've been getting by with a 6Mbps DSL line, but I'm getting ready to switch over to 25Mbps cable (internet only, no TV). At some point, I'll probably get a new TV, at which time I'll use an antenna for HDTV.
The carrier battle group is obsolete, the Navy just doesn't wan't to admit it.
I think the complaint misses the point of the device. It's not supposed to be a full-blown personal computer. It's supposed to be an iPod for documents (including web pages and especially books -- note that bookstore), doing for them what the iPod did for music: let me carry it around and interact with it in my easy chair or my bed or on a park bench.
Never talk to the police (even if you're perfectly innocent).
I'm using a MacBook Pro to drive a Samsung SyncMaster 2333 at 1920 x 1080 as my main display while using the laptop's 17" screen at 1680 x 1050 as a secondary. With a bluetooth mouse and keyboard this works out pretty well.
When I switched to OS X, I found myself more at home with keyboard shortcuts because the standard OS X GUI controls use keyboard shortcuts that are similar to emacs: ctrl-a for beginning of line, ctrl-e for end of line, et cetera. I guess it's just what you get used to, but it sure felt "right" to me.
I don't think programmers necessarily deserve a commemorative more than other professions, but I'd say that just about any profession deserves it more than the usual gang of politicians and such.