They needed cash to improve operations/marketing in their core automotive divisions. Unfortunately, the only way to raise cash for a company with underperforming stock and too much high-yield (junk) debt is to sell off divisions or assets.
The intention must be to use the cash proceeds from the sale to reduce costs in automotive operations and to improve marketing for increased sales. Goodness knows they need it: just slipped to #2 worldwide in units sold.
One Halloween during the boom, I got all the engineers to show up in suits. We looked pretty funny, and it was better than a lame costume. But as the guys started walking in, the VP got more and more agitated as he thought we were all interviewing at other companies.
Forget the actual quitting, just show up like you've already interviewed and deny everything.
If you've got the budget, I recommend hiring a fake casino. It's a diversion if people want it, and it's neat ambiance for everyone else. When else will you double-down on your $1000 bet?
We had prizes for the biggest winners, but that led to some collusion. Instead, let people buy raffle tickets with their winnings, and raffle off the prizes.
I worked on an application for about 4 months, using Bluetooth communication for communication between two Windows PCs (as proof of concept for future devices). The experience was less than stellar. The SDK I used was discontinued while I was coding, but too late to switch to a new one (before funding ran out).
So what's my advice? Have a backup plan. Isolate your network communication procedures so you can easily switch to a new protocol/stack when one comes along. My code has been re-used, ported over to 802.11, because they found a power solution that would allow them to use the more standard protocol.
Bluetooth programming was only marginally more complicated than working with proprietary data transfer protocols I worked with in 1994. But 8 years later, it should have been easier. Call me a cynic, but the OBEX implementation of the stack I worked with caused me too many sleepless nights.
I bought my first pair of skates in 2000, wobbled around and fell. Couldn't skate worth a damn. Kept plugging away, playing two, three times a week, and now I'm not as bad as I used to be.
Softball and golf are ok pastimes, but hockey's something you can get passionate about.
I play in an adult beginner league, where I got a few "lessons" (get dressed and shuffle around) before the actual games started. My first pair of skates was a month before the first lesson, and when I started, I couldn't skate worth a darn. Ask my teammates, and they'll say I still can't:) Ah, the camaraderie.
Many large northern US cities have learn-to-play programs, designed to get people like us on the ice. My team is mostly men in their 40s, who played pond hockey as kids, and wanted to get more hockey in their lives.
We're in our third year of playing together, and we're having a blast.
Absolutely. I started at 23, and it's been fantastic. The tough part about starting at 12 is that there's no way to make up for the 6 years your peers have been skating already. It's not until you're an adult that amateur leagues really become a viable option.
You've still got time to take the GRE. You already live like a student. You are (likely) very familiar with your university's department, and your professors still know you well.
Start investigating graduate programs.
Worst case scenario: you take out some loans and hustle for part-time work. Best case scenario: they get you grant money or a teaching post, and you get your degree while they pay you.
It's crappy out here. You can always drop out of grad school when things start looking up.
A workout regimen boils down to persistence, and the way I see it, you're certainly more likely to go work out when others are depending on you to be there. You didn't mention whether you live in a major city, or why the weather is so terrible, but you'd do well to find a team sport, and if you have trouble motivating yourself to go, then make yourself important. Be the water guy. The beer guy. The organizer. You'll get there.
Personally, I caught the hockey bug. Never played before, couldn't skate, but I joined an adults' beginner hockey league and couldn't be happier. I am always looking forward to my weekly game.
Alternatively, if you want to inspire yourself to do some in-home workout, you could take Sports Guy's approach. He put his video game console in front of his treadmill (exerise bike would work, too) and plays his Madden season while working out. Pick your game. It'll work best if you've got a jones for games that can be done in 20-40 minute chunks (sports games, not MMORPGs), and if it can keep your interest, then you've got a solid way to keep yourself working out.
Aside from the relative technical illiteracy of these students, my guess is that your public file space is not used because of a weak interface. Samba, Netatalk, and secure web access to the filesystem would all encourage your users to abandon floppies altogether.
Documentation, as well as an all-out propaganda campaign, would make a difference as well. Assuming that your users have modems (or better Internet access) on the other computers they use, you could make a big difference with an education campaign, centered on users in your public labs.
How long will it be before parents realize that the expensive computers they buy are merely game consoles with internet (warez) access?
Home computers are purchased for a number of reasons, but one of the most frequent (in the appropriate age-category) is that little Johnny needs a computer to help him get his homework done. Bovine scatology. He needs a word processor. He wants an expensive game machine. He needs 2-4MB VRAM. He wants a 32MB 3D accelerated video card.
And, of course, the PentiumIII-500 will make the web so much faster over a 56k modem.
First there were game consoles. Then there were computers, which were better game consoles than the game consoles. Now there are game consoles which are better computers than the computers. Whatever. I want internet access and the ability to distract myself. One item or two, doesn't matter.
Slashdot Mirror
They needed cash to improve operations/marketing in their core automotive divisions. Unfortunately, the only way to raise cash for a company with underperforming stock and too much high-yield (junk) debt is to sell off divisions or assets.
The intention must be to use the cash proceeds from the sale to reduce costs in automotive operations and to improve marketing for increased sales. Goodness knows they need it: just slipped to #2 worldwide in units sold.
One Halloween during the boom, I got all the engineers to show up in suits. We looked pretty funny, and it was better than a lame costume. But as the guys started walking in, the VP got more and more agitated as he thought we were all interviewing at other companies.
Forget the actual quitting, just show up like you've already interviewed and deny everything.
In my office, we have a Nespresso machine. 50 cents per cup, single shots of sealed grounds. No cleanup after each cup. Easy and neat.
If you've got the budget, I recommend hiring a fake casino. It's a diversion if people want it, and it's neat ambiance for everyone else. When else will you double-down on your $1000 bet?
We had prizes for the biggest winners, but that led to some collusion. Instead, let people buy raffle tickets with their winnings, and raffle off the prizes.
I worked on an application for about 4 months, using Bluetooth communication for communication between two Windows PCs (as proof of concept for future devices). The experience was less than stellar. The SDK I used was discontinued while I was coding, but too late to switch to a new one (before funding ran out).
So what's my advice? Have a backup plan. Isolate your network communication procedures so you can easily switch to a new protocol/stack when one comes along. My code has been re-used, ported over to 802.11, because they found a power solution that would allow them to use the more standard protocol.
Bluetooth programming was only marginally more complicated than working with proprietary data transfer protocols I worked with in 1994. But 8 years later, it should have been easier. Call me a cynic, but the OBEX implementation of the stack I worked with caused me too many sleepless nights.
Dan
I usually come in about 9:15, through the back door so Lumbergh doesn't see me come in. Then I sit at my desk and space out for a few hours.
Space out?
Yeah, just stare at my screen, make it look like I'm working.
...and to think I was about to blog this just so you would read this article and reply to it. Nice userid number.
Very regional. In Boston, do we have a cheaper cost of living? A "buck" doubles as a hundred dollars.
Yes, I once bought a car for five bucks, but had to drop two bucks more, just getting the front axle replaced.
Your boss isn't going to care about your Prince Albert, and if she notices it, you're halfway to a relationship or a great harassment lawsuit.
I bought my first pair of skates in 2000, wobbled around and fell. Couldn't skate worth a damn. Kept plugging away, playing two, three times a week, and now I'm not as bad as I used to be.
Softball and golf are ok pastimes, but hockey's something you can get passionate about.
I play in an adult beginner league, where I got a few "lessons" (get dressed and shuffle around) before the actual games started. My first pair of skates was a month before the first lesson, and when I started, I couldn't skate worth a darn. Ask my teammates, and they'll say I still can't :) Ah, the camaraderie.
Many large northern US cities have learn-to-play programs, designed to get people like us on the ice. My team is mostly men in their 40s, who played pond hockey as kids, and wanted to get more hockey in their lives.
We're in our third year of playing together, and we're having a blast.
Absolutely. I started at 23, and it's been fantastic. The tough part about starting at 12 is that there's no way to make up for the 6 years your peers have been skating already. It's not until you're an adult that amateur leagues really become a viable option.
You've still got time to take the GRE. You already live like a student. You are (likely) very familiar with your university's department, and your professors still know you well.
Start investigating graduate programs.
Worst case scenario: you take out some loans and hustle for part-time work. Best case scenario: they get you grant money or a teaching post, and you get your degree while they pay you.
It's crappy out here. You can always drop out of grad school when things start looking up.
...Full Day Rental...so that's how you got the ZipCar to Kittery last summer without paying through the nose.
Mod me down
-1: Inside Joke
What a terrible idea! Cheddar on pizza? I understand you want a jaguar-orange, but can't you just use more orange peppers?
Bleah. Bad food that looks pretty is sooo Windows XP.
How I wish I had the time to install 10.2 this weekend, but alas, I need to paint the new apartment.
Personally, I caught the hockey bug. Never played before, couldn't skate, but I joined an adults' beginner hockey league and couldn't be happier. I am always looking forward to my weekly game.
Alternatively, if you want to inspire yourself to do some in-home workout, you could take Sports Guy's approach. He put his video game console in front of his treadmill (exerise bike would work, too) and plays his Madden season while working out. Pick your game. It'll work best if you've got a jones for games that can be done in 20-40 minute chunks (sports games, not MMORPGs), and if it can keep your interest, then you've got a solid way to keep yourself working out.
Good luck. We've all got the same uphill battle.
Chris,
The question was all about analysis and aggregation, not IMO and YMMV.
Dan
Launch dates:
Mario: August
Metroid: November
Zelda: February 2003
Maybe I'll invest in some other diversion for the summer and pick up a $100 GameCube around Christmas.
Two summers back, there were a few lights out at the Somerville hospital (semi-urban Boston), and their large sign read
"Somerville Ho"
No wonder the snooty locals call the town Slummerville.
Aside from the relative technical illiteracy of these students, my guess is that your public file space is not used because of a weak interface. Samba, Netatalk, and secure web access to the filesystem would all encourage your users to abandon floppies altogether.
Documentation, as well as an all-out propaganda campaign, would make a difference as well. Assuming that your users have modems (or better Internet access) on the other computers they use, you could make a big difference with an education campaign, centered on users in your public labs.
Wireless and/or noise-reducing headphones (Bose just made their NR's commercially available)
WEGA
TT Roadster
Better Stereo cables
Happy Friday the 13th, everybody...
Can these robots tell the difference between a good Irish whiskey and the legions of bourbons and midland-American whiskeys?
Thank goodness you guys love good whiskey.
Maybe Pete foresaw "Lifehouse" even before the deal with BBCRadio:
Anyone else notice the saturation of Who songs in commercials right now?
Nissan: Won't get fooled again
Gateway: Who are you
Dell: (I forget)
Who else is using their tunes?
At first I figured Townshend must be broke, but now it looks like he was just getting exposure to the music of Lifehouse.
Downside: how many product images flow through my head when I crank the tunes on my radio!
Downside2: advertising tie-ins for the firms that use the music
How long will it be before parents realize that the expensive computers they buy are merely game consoles with internet (warez) access?
Home computers are purchased for a number of reasons, but one of the most frequent (in the appropriate age-category) is that little Johnny needs a computer to help him get his homework done. Bovine scatology. He needs a word processor. He wants an expensive game machine. He needs 2-4MB VRAM. He wants a 32MB 3D accelerated video card.
And, of course, the PentiumIII-500 will make the web so much faster over a 56k modem.
First there were game consoles. Then there were computers, which were better game consoles than the game consoles. Now there are game consoles which are better computers than the computers. Whatever. I want internet access and the ability to distract myself. One item or two, doesn't matter.