I've had 5 different people including the guy who works at the coffeehouse ask me about the web and databases, and I always refer them to Phil Greenspun's site @ http://www.photo.net/webdb
They usually come back with an awed look on their face and tell me they never thought computers could be that complicated. If they're lucky.
The best database design book is Database Design for Mere Mortals.
The best beginner's SQL reference book is SQL: A Reference Manual.
The best advanced SQL book is SQL for Smarties.
The best book which actually ties all of it together and shows you how it works with a web site or an application is probably Web Tools Review, or Oracle Design. IMNSHO:-).
Perl actually uses a reference counting algorithm for garbage collection, rather than mark and sweep -- this can cause problems with self-referential data structures (i.e. if A points to B and B points to A, there are references, but the variable may not be available.)
In the short run, this doesn't matter so much with Perl because it's more useful as a tool than as an actual language. Try to run mod_perl, where the interpreter is persistent, and issues with reference counting become immediately apparent.
Many people don't consider reference counting to be "true" GC at all -- Java has some interesting arguments about their GC implementation, along with the little known fact that up to 40% of CPU time can be used just in GC: they do it right but it's not cheap...
I believe there's even a koan regarding GC in the Hacker Dictionary(which is appropriately self-referential...)
PLEASE. I've filtered Katz, but it's embarrassing to know he's out there without a filter. If we're going to have Katz, we should be able to have others.
I read the article, go back to the main page, and then see there's a comment on there. But there IS no comment.
In the space of a minute, a first poster got on there and then INSTANTLY got zapped to -1. This is a Good Thing. My congrats to the moderator concerned.
Hell yes, you have my vote. I'd far rather read an article from you just on the basis of your single article. If they're about Linux and the spelling is good, they've got to be more worthwhile. Maybe we can poll you in?
Admittedly it won't be nearly as amusing to watch the commentary, but it would be interesting to see some serious newbie competition against Katz (with comments from the peanut gallery, of course).
Jerry Pournelle has actually seen the inside of a computer. He's hooked together his own LAN. He was playing around with windowing systems and OS/2 before 95 took over.
He may have a small army of techs to help him out, and his political views could "use work"...
...but I give JP enough credit to say he would probably send back the UPS box, and then eviserate IIS in print.
There's two ways to read this -- either Katz is a fool and his dog really did EAT HIS MOTHERBOARD, or he's making it up. I think he's making it up.
Katz wants an audience, any audience, even if it means being a clown and making a fool of himself in front of a public which does nothing but throw things at him. That's pretty low, but the alternative is even worse.
There's no secret involved in getting a job; you just have to work hard and phone everyone, then ask them for a lead if they don't give you a job. Leads, persistence and references.
If you're young, untried, and willing to work hard, then people will say good things about you. If you've worked at several jobs and been lousy, no amount of degrees or genius will make up for that.
Slashdot Mirror
I've had 5 different people including the guy who works at the coffeehouse ask me about the web and databases, and I always refer them to Phil Greenspun's site @ http://www.photo.net/webdb
:-).
They usually come back with an awed look on their face and tell me they never thought computers could be that complicated. If they're lucky.
The best database design book is Database Design for Mere Mortals.
The best beginner's SQL reference book is SQL: A Reference Manual.
The best advanced SQL book is SQL for Smarties.
The best book which actually ties all of it together and shows you how it works with a web site or an application is probably Web Tools Review, or Oracle Design. IMNSHO
Couple of point here...
Anarchy doesn't scale.
You can always find an uncensored place to post your opinions. Try Usenet.
Second, who the hell cares about being cool? What matters is content.
Perl actually uses a reference counting algorithm for garbage collection, rather than mark and sweep -- this can cause problems with self-referential data structures (i.e. if A points to B and B points to A, there are references, but the variable may not be available.)
In the short run, this doesn't matter so much with Perl because it's more useful as a tool than as an actual language. Try to run mod_perl, where the interpreter is persistent, and issues with reference counting become immediately apparent.
Many people don't consider reference counting to be "true" GC at all -- Java has some interesting arguments about their GC implementation, along with the little known fact that up to 40% of CPU time can be used just in GC: they do it right but it's not cheap...
I believe there's even a koan regarding GC in the Hacker Dictionary(which is appropriately self-referential...)
PLEASE. I've filtered Katz, but it's embarrassing to know he's out there without a filter. If we're going to have Katz, we should be able to have others.
Two minutes ago the article wasn't there.
I read the article, go back to the main page, and then see there's a comment on there. But there IS no comment.
In the space of a minute, a first poster got on there and then INSTANTLY got zapped to -1. This is a Good Thing. My congrats to the moderator concerned.
Just for reference, the ZDNet article is:
, 1013867,00.html
http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories/news/0,4153
You're doing a great job for people who appreciate it.
Maybe we should organize a stroke-a-thon -- have slashdotters clap if they like Rob...
Slashdot flames Jon Katz.
/.?
Jon Katz writes a book about hanging out with his new buddies @ Slashdot.
That's scary. And yet, it makes a certain kind of sense from a media perspective. If you can turn Monica Lewinsky into a story, why not
I guess this explains what he's been doing over the last two months, and why he wants the Slashdot audience so badly.
I hope Rob gets some of the royalties...
Hell yes, you have my vote. I'd far rather read an article from you just on the basis of your single article. If they're about Linux and the spelling is good, they've got to be more worthwhile. Maybe we can poll you in?
Admittedly it won't be nearly as amusing to watch the commentary, but it would be interesting to see some serious newbie competition against Katz (with comments from the peanut gallery, of course).
Jerry Pournelle has actually seen the inside of a computer. He's hooked together his own LAN. He was playing around with windowing systems and OS/2 before 95 took over.
He may have a small army of techs to help him out, and his political views could "use work"...
...but I give JP enough credit to say he would probably send back the UPS box, and then eviserate IIS in print.
There's two ways to read this -- either Katz is a fool and his dog really did EAT HIS MOTHERBOARD, or he's making it up. I think he's making it up.
Katz wants an audience, any audience, even if it means being a clown and making a fool of himself in front of a public which does nothing but throw things at him. That's pretty low, but the alternative is even worse.
There's no secret involved in getting a job; you just have to work hard and phone everyone, then ask them for a lead if they don't give you a job. Leads, persistence and references.
If you're young, untried, and willing to work hard, then people will say good things about you. If you've worked at several jobs and been lousy, no amount of degrees or genius will make up for that.
Best of luck...