Actually Transact SQL is not completly tied to M$ SQL Server.
You'll find it used with at least some versions of Sybase.
Remember M$ SQL Server's History (purchased from Sybase, indeed they were Paying Sybase royalties until 7 IIRC).
That being said, while I try and stick as closely to SQL89/92 as possible, I would say that TSQL with it's extentions is not nearly as much of a PITA as PL/SQL.
mayhap I did, but I took it as a comment on Wally world not being a technology focused company....If I was incorrect then my apologies, if not then my rant stands...
> Walmart isn't really rooted in the technology industry
utter bullshit. Guess who has the largest *private* database in the world. (and is the SOLE reason that NCR Teradata is still alive) Wal-Mart (with somewhere around 130TB in thier Topend system) Guess who has the largest single IMAP install in the world? Wal-Mart Guess who is (or was) Dell's Largest customer...Wal-Mart Guess who employees over 1400 in house (not contractors) programmers (in a single location (ok, you can split hairs with SMWDC/DMGTC being seperate)...Wal-Mart Guess which retail chain bet the bank on EDI before the next 6 largest guys even thought of it...Wal-Mart
With over 2500 stores and a sub 2 second transaction time to *all of them* , how the heck did you think they were *NOT* a technology based company!?
That crap about Wally world not being a technology company is baloney. Sam Walton bet the bank on computer technology when his rivals were still using paper invoices. I would note that the decision to sell Lindows prob has nothing to do with Wal-Mart as a company, but a lot to do with what it's Buyers and Marketing dept think will sell. (To those who have never worked in the corporate side of retail, Buyers are the guys/gals who buy the things the company then sells to it's customers, they typically work out the deals, many retail firms use independant buyers, but Wally world (and a few, very few) other companies do it all in house)).
If someone really wants to know why they are selling Lindows, then ship off a message to president@wal-mart.com, The are quite good about responding, though I'm not sure what their answer will be.
About the crack about rednecks buying Lindows...what do you think the average demographic of a Wally world online customer is? I'm willing to bet it's not ma and pa kettle in podunk Arkansas.
> Is the question really whether life begins, or HUMAN life beings at conception?
Yes, yes it is. If it's NOT a human, then go knock yourself out. If it *IS* a human your wanting to (proverably) slice-n-dice then we have a problem, since the morality of killing a fellow human for scientific research is a pretty cut and dry issue. If "Life" begins when with a blastocyst then intentionally killing that zygote is murder. Don't consider this from a religious standpoint. Think about the issue from a scientific morality standpoint. The issue really is not about cloning itself, but rather the process by which we are pursing cloning. If it were possible to clone an appendage or organ *without* creating/destroying a blastocyst or embryo I don't think you'd see much argument against it.
>I don't see too many vegetarian abortion protesters. I'm a vegetarian and I don't agree with abortion so plhtt!:-)
> PETA certainly hold that most animals deserve protection similar to humans. Funny, last time I looked they did. Of course since you have not defined "protection similar to humans" that leaves this up to the imagination.... *If* cloning is indeed killing a human being, then I'm decently sure that PETA should have as much of a problem with it as they do other forms of animal testing.
"The Indians that I have worked with have always been very productive, friendly, and don't slack off as much as their American counterparts."
I guess this would leave the trolls out for the friendly reasons and would leave the rest of us (including you:-) ) out for reading slashdot at work?
And yes I'm a consultant.
Re:HP is probably the largest Linux company now
on
HP, Compaq Deal Approved
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
Bruce,
I respect you immensely. I've been hearing the 'This is great for Linux' line from Carly, you and a few other OSS people since the merger was announced, but I have *not* seen anyone explain *why* this is good for Linux or OSS in general. Why is the merger a good Idea for the OSS crowd? I really would like to know. Right now I'm having to decide on what do I tell my clients when asked about buying HP/Compaq equipment, especially with regards to their Linux commitment. Will the DL380's with Linux compat LightsOut boards we have today still be supported 18 mos down the road by this new company? Should I tell them to check out the new Dell IU's or IBM's new line?
Please for those of us who really need to know, why is the merger a "Good Thing(tm)" for Linux?
>Thousands of people across various product teams >have attended security lectures,
That means they will write more secure code why? In the past you have called the "many eyes make bugs shallow" idea a myth for pretty much the same reasons that "attending lectures on writing secure code" would make code more secure.
> new development >has been stopped, old code and new code has been >stringently reviewed,
1. For Joe User, the code reviews will mean exactly nil.
When exactly will users of Win 95,98,ME,NT 4.0 be seeing the fruits of those labors...simply put they won't. As always Microsoft is only focusing on the latest-greatest products they are shipping. Economically this makes sense, but how many thousands of NT 4.0 IIS 4.0 servers, SQL 7.0 servers and (soon to be obsoleted) Win2K Pro boxes will continue to hammer my clients firewalls because Microsoft refuses to maintain any sort of legacy product support?
2. No Proof of coding reviews.
What sort of reviews? In the past you have called for formal, codified coding review policies. I have yet to see Microsoft document how exactly they are reviewing their code. Simply sending developers to a lecture and making them re-read their code does not = more secure coding practices. How many patches has Microsoft released to fix bugs found in released products because of this review? Combing bugtraq I see none.
>Now on to counter the main claims of your post >that releasing software with security issues is >a good business [snipped for space]
3. Insecure software still makes sense for Microsoft. It still unfortunately makes good business sense. Shall I send you the ads from Microsoft that litter my inbox, touting that WinXP is more secure than previous Microsoft OS's...Again, Microsoft is NOT releases patches for past products where security flaws are found, The message has stayed the same. Want a "secure" os/platform, then upgrade to our latest and greatest.
>[...]when in truth there is more to security >than just applying a buzzword technology or >software development style
4. Yup, re-read what you wrote again. Memos of "we must do better", 2 months of reviewing and sending developers to lectures on a topic they should ALREADY know do not change decades of practice, nor the underlying attitude of management. If you want to produce secure, reliable code it takes a consistent attention to detail, a emphasis on quality and a understanding that code you write today may well be in use long after you've retired. It takes understanding of basic principles of software development; it takes understanding software development as an engineering practice, not as a semi-skilled trade.
What surprises me is that Microsoft (and much of the industry) acts like writing secure software is something new. Software security problems have been around since before telenet was patching holes left and right because of the quality of their login code. If you think Microsoft is bad about security, you should browse the quality of code that many in-house projects have though.
I would add that if you really have a commitment to security, then you must be willing to understand that you can't call it secure and then shoot the messenger when he/she posts a vuln that says otherwise
1. no direct links, all results are filtered via ask.com. If I wanted to go to ask.com I'd damn well go there. the mudged links are rude to put it lightly.
2. no "Related" pages search.
3. VERY limited database with no cache
4. goofy javascript on page. search engines should be as simple as possible.
"By declaring this practise illegal, I'm afraid Australia could be severely stifling the incentive of movie companies to include special DVD-only features. This move doesn't benefit anyone"
What part of "120% increase" in price failed to register with you? what part of "would have forced some (Video Rental Stores) Out of business" did you fail to read? Sounds quite likely to me that
1. The Video Rental association in question only sued because, well the new contracts would have forced some of thier people out of business
2. Consumers win in this case because the extra costs of getting DVD's (the 120% increase mentioned) to rent will not be passed on to them...
3. Your argument that it's software fails on a few marks. Consider this. Is a Music CD, simply a "Music CD" or is it software? Replace VHS with Tape Cassettes, and DVD with "Music CD" in your argument. Are Music CD's (in particular the "Enhanced" or HyperCD's) Software or music? Even the RIAA considers them Music..(for many reasons, the AHRA (Home Recording act) amoung others).
4. Your statment "Australia could be severely stifling the incentive of movie companies to include special DVD-only features", leads to a strawman argument. Simply put, The move means that Warner (and other companies) will only be able to charge what is fair and reasonable, rather than a forced $55 per DVD, they still make money, they still can increase the price, but they can't lock the Rental houses in.
But ignoring that...It really doesn't matter a rats ass if it hurts the Movie rental industry, what DOES matter is, *Is the Practice (Contract in this case) Legal*, guess what, the courts said NO.
What caught my eye about your post is that it reads like the script that most of our Corporate attorneys spout.
Yes, sad I know, but visit any decently large Arcade, (particularly in a Mall) and just watch for 5-10 minutes....
The death of the American family is another topic that I won't go into...two income families have been GREAT for economic growth, but the kids have suffered. No matter how you cut it, you just can't do the same job our parents parents did when you have 1/3 the time and crap like having to worry that Johnny is going to get iced by suzie because he pulled her pig tails or expelled beause he tried to kiss her....
But that's really secondary, the point being that, just as you are supposed to with R and NC17 movies, without a parent present (and therfore giving consent), kids should not be able to play the games/view the movie....
Before commenting, please actually *read* the law. The "ban" prohibited kids from playing the games "without parental consent" *exactly* like the poster below thought they should try.
" 10-year old kids should not be able to play those games at the arcades without their parent's (or other adult's) consent, just like they cannot go to a rated-R movie by themselves."
Yup, this is exactly what they were pushing for. The games themselves were *NOT banned*, and even the restriction was intended for *Public Arcades* only.
Instead of the knee-jerk "it's censorship" and "won't somone please think of the First Admendment" reactions that pervade the comments on this story, look a bit deeper.
If you actually have children you understand a bit more about not wanting your 10 year old to glorify in ripping the heart out of a virtual opponent in some game that you'd damn sure not want them playing until they are actually old enough to "give peace a chance", and about the RESPONSIBILITY of raising *balanced* children, IMHO this involves a lot more of spending what little "free time" you have as a working parent with your kids trying to teach them how to think and why glorifying in taking the "Rambo" approach to situations is not an answer ANYTIME in life that prevades pretty much every show on network TV and video game in the U.S.
I'm perfectly in favor of having the NC17 type ratings on Video games enforced. This has *NOTHING* to do with "free speech" and everything to do with helping parents control the crap that American society tries to force on our Kids today.
To those that think that video games *don't* influance kids in any way, all I have to say is..."all your base belong to us"
The reason that software development timetable "estimation" (guess is a better word) is so often wrong is that quite often you are not given enough information about the projecto accuratly pin down what your milestones are much less your final delivery date.
To accuratly plan a software release you must have the project, and all it's complexities and nuances down COLD. otherwise you are not giving an estimation, you are giving a guess based upon incomplete knowledge.
The question becomes, do or, can you, know the complete details of the project? In this, software development is NOT like manufacturing, but more like home construction.
I fondly remember running my first bbs...
a Tandy T1000 with 384K of storage and a HD floppy...
The days of fighting with Frontdoor (a mail tossing package for those of you too young to remember. A cross between procmail and a MTA) and Remote Access 1.01. The Days spent glued to my CGA and Hercules monitors creating Ansi screens with TheDraw! and trying to keep people from screwing with the door games (LORD, Overkill (I miss that one), FantasyLand (anyone remember this one?), Lotto and the like.) The days of totally tripping at getting more than 50 messages for the board from the FidoNet feed (Net 391)
Those days are gone now, at least in some regards, I thing the 'Blogs are taking thier place, but the desires are the same. A place to hang out and learn about cool stuff and where "everybody knows your name" (with apologies to Cheers).
BBS's wont come back and indeed the Telnet based ones are slowly dieing as time goes on, but the *IDEA* they represented will live on, be it in 'Blogs or ListServs or simply 'Underground' (I use this in the sense we used it back in the pre 1992 days) sites that offer the sense of comradarie (sp?) that people need.
Tadghe
Sysop The Cyberfreedom Project (1994-1997) (501/513)
Sysop Dr StrangeBrew's Tavern (1991-1994) (501)
Sysop EDU2000/Gateway 2000 (1993-1994) (501)
Co-Sysop Godzilla's Tree (1992-1993) (501)
Having just gone through the job hunting stage for the first time in 4 years I can empathize with the author...but....I would have simply refused to interview in the first place had an NDA or the like been requested. I've signed quite a few NDA's and Non-Compete clauses for the last 2 companies I worked for but I darn sure would not have signed them before employment. Prior to employment there is zero incentive for me to give up any of my rights so why should I?
|ON SOAPBOX| Because Neither of those have the abilities of VB. Before you respond with the usual "you can't do xxx in VB, or VB is not a 'REAL' Language" I suggest you learn it first. Writing a cutsy "hello world" app doesn't count. You want to know WHY VB is the Most Popular language? I has NOTHING to do with Talent. I would advise those that think otherwise to spend a bit of time learning ADO/DAO/RDO, MAPI,CDO,ActiveX and the Win32 API's and ASP development. Those are the tools you will find in your average "Business Application" VB has plenty of power, a decent learning curve (only Kiddies equate a steep learning curve with power) and is very flexable. Your average Programmer (those that write code for a living, not spend time bitching about how much they Hate this language or that platform) use the "Right Tool for the Right Job" and try to adhere to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid! for those who haven't bothered to study the theory behind the code). Sure I can write a cool, quick interface in C++, but the code would be MUCH more complex and take MUCH more time than doing the same in VB. The Prevailing attitude amoung the kids that bitch about VB is that is regardless of the power, flexability, or ease of use, it must suck because M$ makes it. Listen up kids, I'll tell you a secret.... in the real world of those of us who write code to keep the food on your table we don't get to decide what platform to use , nor do we get to tell the customer "I'm sorry but I will need more time because I refuse to use a RAD tool to create this application for you". The platform is a corporate standard and the Deadlines ever tighter. Visual Basic is our favorite language because it means we get to go home somewhat on time and not worry about the pager going off at 3:00 AM.
Sure I'd love to write code on Linux in C++ (my favorite for personal use), and use a Tcl/TK front end, but it just ain't going to happen until they become Corporate Standard. Those a bit wiser have realized this. Linux has made HUGE inroads in the corporate world, but it's not there yet, and bitches about other platforms, or Development enviroments won't get it to where it needs to be. Focus on making Linux Better, not bitching about how bad the other guys are.
AMEN! Sure I run Linux at home (and work, although it's HIGHLY unofficial), but when I have a customer needing an app to automagicly pull reports for 6 departments from 3 informix databases, put the reports in html and printed postscript, what development tool do you think this college educated C programmer uses? Visual Basic 6.0 Wanna dis it as convoluted, stupid and "the tool of Monkey programmers" Send me a friggin email... Those haters forget who the hell pays the bills. Linux software development doesn't keep a roof over my kids head. Those haters (you know who you are) have never had to freakin' program for a living in the real world of corporate programmers. According to a 1996 (a bit dated) Symantec survey 2/3's of all programmers work developing inhouse apps for corporations. If I've got a tight deadline and a customer wanting a clean, userfriendly package with simple interface you DON'T do it in a console mode C/C++ app. You write you app in the quickest RAD tool avaliable. Currently that would be Visual Studio, Delphi, Powerbuilder, or on the Unix side possibly Informix 4GL. "Real Programmers" ie: those who sit at a screen pumping out code for 10 hours a day use the right tool for the right job, OS/Development holy wars matter little, You don't tell the requestor "sorry I can't make that deadline because I don't like Winbloz" You get the job done. Does that mean we are "simple minded" "Monkey" programmers" Hell no. Wanting to disrespect corporate programmers using Windows tools as somehow "inferior" to *NIX programmers makes VERY little sense. We corporate programmers have had to master (and use daily) ADO/DAO/RDO (database) OLE/OLE Automation, ActiveX Controls, ActiveX DLL's, ActiveX EXE's (server and desktop side), MAPI, and the Win32 API's. The same simpletons disrespecting Windows Programmers as "Monkeys" at the same time seem to bitch about how complex the Win32 API's or Data Objects are. There is LITTLE simple about writting serious business apps in Windows. I would suggest a tour through a real windows app before dismissing Windows Programmers as "simple". On a further note. Instead of bitching about all the VB apps out there, give us a TRUE RAD tool in Linux that can rival the power and ease of use of Delphi/Visual Studio/Power Builder and maybe, just maybe you will not have to bitch about them. I apologize for the intensity of my response, but I've about had it with kids bitching about Windows being soooo simple in one breath and bitching that they can't understand the API's in the next, and finishing with the usual "why don't you just write apps in *NIX" dribble that doesn't help and only draws attention away from real issue of how to get more developers on *NIX.
Teradata's great (I work for the company with the world's largest Teradata database, and write code against it so I'm a little biased here), but, unless you are hitting 60 TB's or so, I'd look at a bit more userfriendly package (Oracle 8i, or DB/2 or Informix (Informix's drivers byte,however) I would reccomend taking a serious look at Oracle 8i (forget the stuff about it being so new that it's buggy, take a look at the highend customers using it, and the comments they have about it) Quite a bit of the Online stores and datawarehouses I've seen have used 8i with super success. Be aware however you may have to balance cost-vs-performance unless you happen to have an extra couple (or more) grand to toss around. I'd try a demo of all the products, and pick which one seems right to you. I would however stay away from MYSQL (you *MUST* have good transaction behavior and good cursor support for multi-gigabyte databases, unless you happen to enjoy downtime.....) I've never toyed with any of the other freebies, so I can't comment on them.....
Slashdot Mirror
Actually Transact SQL is not completly tied to M$ SQL Server.
You'll find it used with at least some versions of Sybase.
Remember M$ SQL Server's History (purchased from Sybase, indeed they were Paying Sybase royalties until 7 IIRC).
That being said, while I try and stick as closely to SQL89/92 as possible, I would say that TSQL with it's extentions is not nearly as much of a PITA as PL/SQL.
> Would you really want to have sex with a smurf?
Yes, yes and Hell yes.
um, sorry but you have to compile assembly also...
org 100h
mov dx,msg
mov ah,9
int 21h
mov ah,4Ch
int 21h
msg db 'You still have to compile me!',0Dh,0Ah,'$'
nasm -f elf compileme.asm
ld -s -o compileme compileme.o
mayhap I did, but I took it as a comment on Wally world not being a technology focused company....If I was incorrect then my apologies, if not then my rant stands...
alright damnit, enough is enough.
> Walmart isn't really rooted in the technology industry
utter bullshit.
Guess who has the largest *private* database in the world. (and is the SOLE reason that NCR Teradata is still alive) Wal-Mart (with somewhere around 130TB in thier Topend system)
Guess who has the largest single IMAP install in the world? Wal-Mart Guess who is (or was) Dell's Largest customer...Wal-Mart
Guess who employees over 1400 in house (not contractors) programmers (in a single location (ok, you can split hairs with SMWDC/DMGTC being seperate)...Wal-Mart
Guess which retail chain bet the bank on EDI before the next 6 largest guys even thought of it...Wal-Mart
With over 2500 stores and a sub 2 second transaction time to *all of them* , how the heck did you think they were *NOT* a technology based company!?
That crap about Wally world not being a technology company is baloney. Sam Walton bet the bank on computer technology when his rivals were still using paper invoices.
I would note that the decision to sell Lindows prob has nothing to do with Wal-Mart as a company, but a lot to do with what it's Buyers and Marketing dept think will sell. (To those who have never worked in the corporate side of retail, Buyers are the guys/gals who buy the things the company then sells to it's customers, they typically work out the deals, many retail firms use independant buyers, but Wally world (and a few, very few) other companies do it all in house)).
If someone really wants to know why they are selling Lindows, then ship off a message to president@wal-mart.com, The are quite good about responding, though I'm not sure what their answer will be.
About the crack about rednecks buying Lindows...what do you think the average demographic of a Wally world online customer is? I'm willing to bet it's not ma and pa kettle in podunk Arkansas.
--Tadghe, former WalMartian.
> One way for small businesses to deal with the problem would be to avoid it by using Paypal. They're a reputable financial institution
Tell me, what color is sky in your world?
Or Let me ask it like This...
What Color Is The Sky In Your World?
> Is the question really whether life begins, or HUMAN life beings at conception?
:-)
Yes, yes it is. If it's NOT a human, then go knock yourself out. If it *IS* a human your wanting to (proverably) slice-n-dice then we have a problem, since the morality of killing a fellow human for scientific research is a pretty cut and dry issue. If "Life" begins when with a blastocyst then intentionally killing that zygote is murder. Don't consider this from a religious standpoint. Think about the issue from a scientific morality standpoint. The issue really is not about cloning itself, but rather the process by which we are pursing cloning. If it were possible to clone an appendage or organ *without* creating/destroying a blastocyst or embryo I don't think you'd see much argument against it.
>I don't see too many vegetarian abortion protesters.
I'm a vegetarian and I don't agree with abortion so plhtt!
> PETA certainly hold that most animals deserve protection similar to humans.
Funny, last time I looked they did. Of course since you have not defined "protection similar to humans" that leaves this up to the imagination.... *If* cloning is indeed killing a human being, then I'm decently sure that PETA should have as much of a problem with it as they do other forms of animal testing.
"The Indians that I have worked with have always been very productive, friendly, and don't slack off as much as their American counterparts."
:-) ) out for reading slashdot at work?
I guess this would leave the trolls out for the friendly reasons and would leave the rest of us (including you
And yes I'm a consultant.
Bruce,
I respect you immensely. I've been hearing the 'This is great for Linux' line from Carly, you and a few other OSS people since the merger was announced, but I have *not* seen anyone explain *why* this is good for Linux or OSS in general. Why is the merger a good Idea for the OSS crowd?
I really would like to know. Right now I'm having to decide on what do I tell my clients when asked about buying HP/Compaq equipment, especially with regards to their Linux commitment. Will the DL380's with Linux compat LightsOut boards we have today still be supported 18 mos down the road by this new company?
Should I tell them to check out the new Dell IU's or IBM's new line?
Please for those of us who really need to know, why is the merger a "Good Thing(tm)" for Linux?
Oh goody, a borgette.
>Thousands of people across various product teams >have attended security lectures,
That means they will write more secure code why? In the past you have called the "many eyes make bugs shallow" idea a myth for pretty much the same reasons that "attending lectures on writing secure code" would make code more secure.
> new development >has been stopped, old code and new code has been >stringently reviewed,
1. For Joe User, the code reviews will mean exactly nil.
When exactly will users of Win 95,98,ME,NT 4.0 be seeing the fruits of those labors...simply put they won't. As always Microsoft is only focusing on the latest-greatest products they are shipping. Economically this makes sense, but how many thousands of NT 4.0 IIS 4.0 servers, SQL 7.0 servers and (soon to be obsoleted) Win2K Pro boxes will continue to hammer my clients firewalls because Microsoft refuses to maintain any sort of legacy product support?
2. No Proof of coding reviews.
What sort of reviews? In the past you have called for formal, codified coding review policies. I have yet to see Microsoft document how exactly they are reviewing their code. Simply sending developers to a lecture and making them re-read their code does not = more secure coding practices. How many patches has Microsoft released to fix bugs found in released products because of this review? Combing bugtraq I see none.
>Now on to counter the main claims of your post >that releasing software with security issues is >a good business [snipped for space]
3. Insecure software still makes sense for Microsoft.
It still unfortunately makes good business sense. Shall I send you the ads from Microsoft that litter my inbox, touting that WinXP is more secure than previous Microsoft OS's...Again, Microsoft is NOT releases patches for past products where security flaws are found, The message has stayed the same. Want a "secure" os/platform, then upgrade to our latest and greatest.
>[...]when in truth there is more to security >than just applying a buzzword technology or >software development style
4. Yup, re-read what you wrote again. Memos of "we must do better", 2 months of reviewing and sending developers to lectures on a topic they should ALREADY know do not change decades of practice, nor the underlying attitude of management. If you want to produce secure, reliable code it takes a consistent attention to detail, a emphasis on quality and a understanding that code you write today may well be in use long after you've retired. It takes understanding of basic principles of software development; it takes understanding software development as an engineering practice, not as a semi-skilled trade.
What surprises me is that Microsoft (and much of the industry) acts like writing secure software is something new. Software security problems have been around since before telenet was patching holes left and right because of the quality of their login code. If you think Microsoft is bad about security, you should browse the quality of code that many in-house projects have though.
I would add that if you really have a commitment to security, then you must be willing to understand that you can't call it secure and then shoot the messenger when he/she posts a vuln that says otherwise
1. no direct links, all results are filtered via ask.com. If I wanted to go to ask.com I'd damn well go there. the mudged links are rude to put it lightly.
2. no "Related" pages search.
3. VERY limited database with no cache
4. goofy javascript on page. search engines should be as simple as possible.
my $.02...
Check out the "ecommunity" they want you to sign up for...
.jsp), no ASP/ASP.NET here...
1. it's using Java Server Pages (notice the
2. it's using IIS 4.0 on NT4....no W2K/IIS5....
This is entirely too funny.
What shill asked you to spout this crock of crap?
"By declaring this practise illegal, I'm afraid Australia could be severely stifling the incentive of movie companies to include special DVD-only features. This move doesn't benefit anyone"
What part of "120% increase" in price failed to register with you? what part of "would have forced some (Video Rental Stores) Out of business" did you fail to read? Sounds quite likely to me that
1. The Video Rental association in question only sued because, well the new contracts would have forced some of thier people out of business
2. Consumers win in this case because the extra costs of getting DVD's (the 120% increase mentioned) to rent will not be passed on to them...
3. Your argument that it's software fails on a few marks. Consider this. Is a Music CD, simply a "Music CD" or is it software? Replace VHS with Tape Cassettes, and DVD with "Music CD" in your argument. Are Music CD's (in particular the "Enhanced" or HyperCD's) Software or music? Even the RIAA considers them Music..(for many reasons, the AHRA (Home Recording act) amoung others).
4. Your statment "Australia could be severely stifling the incentive of movie companies to include special DVD-only features", leads to a strawman argument. Simply put, The move means that Warner (and other companies) will only be able to charge what is fair and reasonable, rather than a forced $55 per DVD, they still make money, they still can increase the price, but they can't lock the Rental houses in.
But ignoring that...It really doesn't matter a rats ass if it hurts the Movie rental industry, what DOES matter is, *Is the Practice (Contract in this case) Legal*, guess what, the courts said NO.
What caught my eye about your post is that it reads like the script that most of our Corporate attorneys spout.
Yes, sad I know, but visit any decently large Arcade, (particularly in a Mall) and just watch for 5-10 minutes....
The death of the American family is another topic that I won't go into...two income families have been GREAT for economic growth, but the kids have suffered. No matter how you cut it, you just can't do the same job our parents parents did when you have 1/3 the time and crap like having to worry that Johnny is going to get iced by suzie because he pulled her pig tails or expelled beause he tried to kiss her....
But that's really secondary, the point being that, just as you are supposed to with R and NC17 movies, without a parent present (and therfore giving consent), kids should not be able to play the games/view the movie....
Before commenting, please actually *read* the law. The "ban" prohibited kids from playing the games "without parental consent" *exactly* like the poster below thought they should try.
" 10-year old kids should not be able to play those games at the arcades without their parent's (or other adult's) consent, just like they cannot go to a rated-R movie by themselves."
Yup, this is exactly what they were pushing for. The games themselves were *NOT banned*, and even the restriction was intended for *Public Arcades* only.
Instead of the knee-jerk "it's censorship" and "won't somone please think of the First Admendment" reactions that pervade the comments on this story, look a bit deeper.
If you actually have children you understand a bit more about not wanting your 10 year old to glorify in ripping the heart out of a virtual opponent in some game that you'd damn sure not want them playing until they are actually old enough to "give peace a chance", and about the RESPONSIBILITY of raising *balanced* children, IMHO this involves a lot more of spending what little "free time" you have as a working parent with your kids trying to teach them how to think and why glorifying in taking the "Rambo" approach to situations is not an answer ANYTIME in life that prevades pretty much every show on network TV and video game in the U.S.
I'm perfectly in favor of having the NC17 type ratings on Video games enforced. This has *NOTHING* to do with "free speech" and everything to do with helping parents control the crap that American society tries to force on our Kids today.
To those that think that video games *don't* influance kids in any way, all I have to say is..."all your base belong to us"
--Tadghe
The reason that software development timetable "estimation" (guess is a better word) is so often wrong is that quite often you are not given enough information about the projecto accuratly pin down what your milestones are much less your final delivery date.
To accuratly plan a software release you must have the project, and all it's complexities and nuances down COLD. otherwise you are not giving an estimation, you are giving a guess based upon incomplete knowledge.
The question becomes, do or, can you, know the complete details of the project? In this, software development is NOT like manufacturing, but more like home construction.
Think about it.
I fondly remember running my first bbs...
a Tandy T1000 with 384K of storage and a HD floppy...
The days of fighting with Frontdoor (a mail tossing package for those of you too young to remember. A cross between procmail and a MTA) and Remote Access 1.01. The Days spent glued to my CGA and Hercules monitors creating Ansi screens with TheDraw! and trying to keep people from screwing with the door games (LORD, Overkill (I miss that one), FantasyLand (anyone remember this one?), Lotto and the like.) The days of totally tripping at getting more than 50 messages for the board from the FidoNet feed (Net 391)
Those days are gone now, at least in some regards, I thing the 'Blogs are taking thier place, but the desires are the same. A place to hang out and learn about cool stuff and where "everybody knows your name" (with apologies to Cheers).
BBS's wont come back and indeed the Telnet based ones are slowly dieing as time goes on, but the *IDEA* they represented will live on, be it in 'Blogs or ListServs or simply 'Underground' (I use this in the sense we used it back in the pre 1992 days) sites that offer the sense of comradarie (sp?) that people need.
Tadghe
Sysop The Cyberfreedom Project (1994-1997) (501/513)
Sysop Dr StrangeBrew's Tavern (1991-1994) (501)
Sysop EDU2000/Gateway 2000 (1993-1994) (501)
Co-Sysop Godzilla's Tree (1992-1993) (501)
just 2 quickie questions.
What color is the Sky in your world?
really...I'm curious....
You've never worked on a Farm have you......
Chuckle, thanks though, your nick brightened up my day.
Tadghe
Check this:
http://www.interblaze.com
Guess who is the support for this site?
support@pagecreators.net
Guess where the cancellation policy for this site is at? yup pagecreators.net/cancel
now take a look at the whois....strange...
The net existed for many years without a single Advertisment, indeed the web existed for a short while without it to.
Besides, getting rid of cookies won't stop advertisers, just make them rely more on "Other" methods.....
Tadghe
Having just gone through the job hunting stage for the first time in 4 years I can empathize with the author...but....I would have simply refused to interview in the first place had an NDA or the like been requested. I've signed quite a few NDA's and Non-Compete clauses for the last 2 companies I worked for but I darn sure would not have signed them before employment. Prior to employment there is zero incentive for me to give up any of my rights so why should I?
|ON SOAPBOX|
Because
Neither of those have the abilities of VB. Before you respond with the usual "you can't do xxx in VB, or VB is not a 'REAL' Language" I suggest you learn it first. Writing a cutsy "hello world" app doesn't count. You want to know WHY VB is the Most Popular language? I has NOTHING to do with Talent. I would advise those that think otherwise to spend a bit of time learning ADO/DAO/RDO, MAPI,CDO,ActiveX and the Win32 API's and ASP development. Those are the tools you will find in your average "Business Application"
VB has plenty of power, a decent learning curve (only Kiddies equate a steep learning curve with power) and is very flexable. Your average Programmer (those that write code for a living, not spend time bitching about how much they Hate this language or that platform) use the "Right Tool for the Right Job" and try to adhere to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid! for those who haven't bothered to study the theory behind the code). Sure I can write a cool, quick interface in C++, but the code would be MUCH more complex and take MUCH more time than doing the same in VB.
The Prevailing attitude amoung the kids that bitch about VB is that is regardless of the power, flexability, or ease of use, it must suck because M$ makes it.
Listen up kids, I'll tell you a secret.... in the real world of those of us who write code to keep the food on your table we don't get to decide what platform to use , nor do we get to tell the customer "I'm sorry but I will need more time because I refuse to use a RAD tool to create this application for you". The platform is a corporate standard and the Deadlines ever tighter. Visual Basic is our favorite language because it means we get to go home somewhat on time and not worry about the pager going off at 3:00 AM.
Sure I'd love to write code on Linux in C++ (my favorite for personal use), and use a Tcl/TK front end, but it just ain't going to happen until they become Corporate Standard. Those a bit wiser have realized this. Linux has made HUGE inroads in the corporate world, but it's not there yet, and bitches about other platforms, or Development enviroments won't get it to where it needs to be. Focus on making Linux Better, not bitching about how bad the other guys are.
|OFF SOAPBOX|
AMEN!
Sure I run Linux at home (and work, although it's HIGHLY unofficial), but when I have a customer needing an app to automagicly pull reports for 6 departments from 3 informix databases, put the reports in html and printed postscript, what development tool do you think this college educated C programmer uses? Visual Basic 6.0
Wanna dis it as convoluted, stupid and "the tool of Monkey programmers" Send me a friggin email...
Those haters forget who the hell pays the bills. Linux software development doesn't keep a roof over my kids head. Those haters (you know who you are) have never had to freakin' program for a living in the real world of corporate programmers. According to a 1996 (a bit dated) Symantec survey 2/3's of all programmers work developing inhouse apps for corporations. If I've got a tight deadline and a customer wanting a clean, userfriendly package with simple interface you DON'T do it in a console mode C/C++ app. You write you app in the quickest RAD tool avaliable. Currently that would be Visual Studio, Delphi, Powerbuilder, or on the Unix side possibly Informix 4GL. "Real Programmers" ie: those who sit at a screen pumping out code for 10 hours a day use the right tool for the right job, OS/Development holy wars matter little, You don't tell the requestor "sorry I can't make that deadline because I don't like Winbloz" You get the job done. Does that mean we are "simple minded" "Monkey" programmers" Hell no.
Wanting to disrespect corporate programmers using Windows tools as somehow "inferior" to *NIX programmers makes VERY little sense. We corporate programmers have had to master (and use daily) ADO/DAO/RDO (database) OLE/OLE Automation, ActiveX Controls, ActiveX DLL's, ActiveX EXE's (server and desktop side), MAPI, and the Win32 API's. The same simpletons disrespecting Windows Programmers as "Monkeys" at the same time seem to bitch about how complex the Win32 API's or Data Objects are. There is LITTLE simple about writting serious business apps in Windows. I would suggest a tour through a real windows app before dismissing Windows Programmers as "simple".
On a further note. Instead of bitching about all the VB apps out there, give us a TRUE RAD tool in Linux that can rival the power and ease of use of Delphi/Visual Studio/Power Builder and maybe, just maybe you will not have to bitch about them.
I apologize for the intensity of my response, but I've about had it with kids bitching about Windows being soooo simple in one breath and bitching that they can't understand the API's in the next, and finishing with the usual "why don't you just write apps in *NIX" dribble that doesn't help and only draws attention away from real issue of how to get more developers on *NIX.
Man I hope you truly have insurance, but at least everyone's ok.
:).
Maybe someone has an extra PC you could curl up with
Tadghe
Teradata's great (I work for the company with the world's
largest Teradata database, and write code against it so I'm a little
biased here), but, unless you are hitting 60 TB's or so, I'd look
at a bit more userfriendly package (Oracle 8i, or DB/2 or
Informix (Informix's drivers byte,however) I would reccomend taking
a serious look at Oracle 8i (forget the stuff about it being
so new that it's buggy, take a look at the highend customers
using it, and the comments they have about it) Quite a bit of the
Online stores and datawarehouses I've seen have used 8i
with super success. Be aware however you may have to
balance cost-vs-performance unless you happen to have an
extra couple (or more) grand to toss around. I'd try a demo of all the products,
and pick which one seems right to you. I would however stay away
from MYSQL (you *MUST* have good transaction behavior and
good cursor support for multi-gigabyte databases, unless you happen
to enjoy downtime.....) I've never toyed with any of the other
freebies, so I can't comment on them.....
Tadghe