Tree structures, since before Hans Reiser was born, have been described using parent-child-sibling terminology. Hans Reiser is embroiled in a drama involving his wife and kids.
Interesting because I focussed on the left and right pointers juxtaposed with the two explanations.
Taking a superficial connection and riding it throughout an entire piece is just bad writing.
I think it's good writing because it accomplishes two things simultaneously. It creates a thread to connect elements of the story and it gives us insight into the work of Reiser and his personality. For example, I found this to be some creative coding:
+ if (!JF_ISSET(node, JNODE_HEARD_BANSHEE))
+ warning("nikita-3177", "Parent not found");
So now I know there's some references to screaming banshees and French movies in the code. The cool thing is the references don't interfere with the coherence of the source code. Very creative. Very humorous.
It is a serious piece, but it doesn't have to be dry. Reiser's story is very compelling. I think the author was pretty gentle, actually. You could be quite brutal with this story and the participants. The elements are sordid (s&m, ecstasy, etc), the characters smart but flaky. It could have been a slam fest.
The end of the article is a dramatic conclusion and ties in the whole code theme that's found throughout the article. It was peculiar that Reiser wanted to finish his summary of db science even though the listener was unable to follow. If there was a hint, it may have been unconscious. Does it matter? The author doesn't make any concrete conclusions.
I'm sure you're not suggesting that an investigative journalist shouldn't be curious about a major element of a story.
First of all, my life's work is not oranges, so my choking on an orange would be unremarkable. Second, you're reading way too much into the inclusion of the code snippets about the author's intentions. Third, the fact that a brilliant programmer is a whack-job is not a comment on you, so drop the defensive tone.
The author is merely reporting the sordid story. Sorry if you're offended, but Reiser is weird. Probably 1000 times smarter than me. But weird all the same.
No where in the article does it say the Reiser is in prison. He is referred to as a prisoner, which is probably apt for jails as well as prisons. Later in the article, the author states the caller id says "PRISON."
Do a text search on prison. It occurs once as the caller id and twice as a substring of prisoner.
This reflects my experience. I enjoy programming and time flies by when I'm doing interesting work. I've tried to share the enthusiam for programming with my two kids, with little success. Most people just aren't in to it, and that's fine.
Sometimes I wonder how many people get a similar kick out of their profession. Do lawyers thrill with the application of law the same way I love getting threads to cooperate to solve a problem? Or override equals so that a set works as specified?
Perplexing. How can you suggest that software engineering, human interface engineering, and programming aren't part of computer science? Are you confusing training with education? Because the same could be said of lawyers and engineers. (Probably not doctors only because the systems are so complex that years of study is required.)
Just to clarify my position, we need more highly educated people, not less.
I agree. If you want to create an intelligent being, you'd start with instinct and emotion and the bot would eventually develop the ability to learn.
Starting with instinct more closely resembles how evolution did it, which is the only model of intelligence building we have. To start with reason is a dead end, cross reference GOFAI.
What you say is true, however, I don't want the government ignoring the dangers of mercury. We're not talking about discovering planets in other solar systems.
Small and medium size businesses will adopt web-centric applications because they're more cost effective. The efficiency gains will create a market advantage as staff and management are freed from the office. Once a critical mass is achieved, businesses will be forced to move to the net for lack of competent staff. All the innovative employees will seek employers with the most nimble computing infrastructure.
That may be true and all, but I too have noticed that conservatives whine a lot. I'm not going to make an argument, I haven't the time. I will observe, however, that your post has a rather whiney air to it.
It's true. Engineers, scientists, programmers, mathmeticians, etc, would rather engineer than participate in meetings and organizational politics. Often, this is accompanied by an inability to play well with others--which I suspect is the case in this instance.
There are so many cases on the record where LT beats a hasty retreat after his arguments are demonstrated to have poor logic. Let's hope LT learns to moderate his penchant for hyperbole. Let's all be glad he codes better than he discusses policy.
Slashdot Mirror
B'BOOM !!
Interesting because I focussed on the left and right pointers juxtaposed with the two explanations.
Taking a superficial connection and riding it throughout an entire piece is just bad writing.I think it's good writing because it accomplishes two things simultaneously. It creates a thread to connect elements of the story and it gives us insight into the work of Reiser and his personality. For example, I found this to be some creative coding:
So now I know there's some references to screaming banshees and French movies in the code. The cool thing is the references don't interfere with the coherence of the source code. Very creative. Very humorous.
It is a serious piece, but it doesn't have to be dry. Reiser's story is very compelling. I think the author was pretty gentle, actually. You could be quite brutal with this story and the participants. The elements are sordid (s&m, ecstasy, etc), the characters smart but flaky. It could have been a slam fest.
The end of the article is a dramatic conclusion and ties in the whole code theme that's found throughout the article. It was peculiar that Reiser wanted to finish his summary of db science even though the listener was unable to follow. If there was a hint, it may have been unconscious. Does it matter? The author doesn't make any concrete conclusions.
I'm sure you're not suggesting that an investigative journalist shouldn't be curious about a major element of a story.
First of all, my life's work is not oranges, so my choking on an orange would be unremarkable. Second, you're reading way too much into the inclusion of the code snippets about the author's intentions. Third, the fact that a brilliant programmer is a whack-job is not a comment on you, so drop the defensive tone.
The end of the article is deliberately ambiguous. You're reading way too much into it.
The author is merely reporting the sordid story. Sorry if you're offended, but Reiser is weird. Probably 1000 times smarter than me. But weird all the same.
I think the article is a great read.
No where in the article does it say the Reiser is in prison. He is referred to as a prisoner, which is probably apt for jails as well as prisons. Later in the article, the author states the caller id says "PRISON."
Do a text search on prison. It occurs once as the caller id and twice as a substring of prisoner.
The code fragments were short, sparse, and deliciously ironic.
Interesting. I found the line drew me into the story.
Or, Brazil's failure has yet to come to light.
More seriously, the USA failed because the electoral process itself was allowed to become politicised.
And nor do I!
This reflects my experience. I enjoy programming and time flies by when I'm doing interesting work. I've tried to share the enthusiam for programming with my two kids, with little success. Most people just aren't in to it, and that's fine.
Sometimes I wonder how many people get a similar kick out of their profession. Do lawyers thrill with the application of law the same way I love getting threads to cooperate to solve a problem? Or override equals so that a set works as specified?
Perplexing. How can you suggest that software engineering, human interface engineering, and programming aren't part of computer science? Are you confusing training with education? Because the same could be said of lawyers and engineers. (Probably not doctors only because the systems are so complex that years of study is required.)
Just to clarify my position, we need more highly educated people, not less.
I grew up using imperial, then moved to a country where metric is standard. After 10 years, I moved back to the US.
Metric is superior. It's not even a contest. Imperial is kind of irritating in its naivety.
Personal foul; 15 yards; Straw man argument.
I agree. If you want to create an intelligent being, you'd start with instinct and emotion and the bot would eventually develop the ability to learn.
Starting with instinct more closely resembles how evolution did it, which is the only model of intelligence building we have. To start with reason is a dead end, cross reference GOFAI.
Actually, you can't have intelligence without emotion. This is true of all animals, including mosquitos.
What you say is true, however, I don't want the government ignoring the dangers of mercury. We're not talking about discovering planets in other solar systems.
Go on, I dare ya
Yaaawwwwwwnnn....
Small and medium size businesses will adopt web-centric applications because they're more cost effective. The efficiency gains will create a market advantage as staff and management are freed from the office. Once a critical mass is achieved, businesses will be forced to move to the net for lack of competent staff. All the innovative employees will seek employers with the most nimble computing infrastructure.
That may be true and all, but I too have noticed that conservatives whine a lot. I'm not going to make an argument, I haven't the time. I will observe, however, that your post has a rather whiney air to it.
Care for some cheese to go with your whine?
It's true. Engineers, scientists, programmers, mathmeticians, etc, would rather engineer than participate in meetings and organizational politics. Often, this is accompanied by an inability to play well with others--which I suspect is the case in this instance.
There are so many cases on the record where LT beats a hasty retreat after his arguments are demonstrated to have poor logic. Let's hope LT learns to moderate his penchant for hyperbole. Let's all be glad he codes better than he discusses policy.
It's ok. We'll get you a puppy for Christmas.
Ooooh. That stings. You're so hardcore and pejorative. You get to be sheriff.