BASIC on a Sinclair ZX81, followed by Z80, 6502 on a Commodore 16 (they were cheap), then 68000 on an Amiga. From there it was C/C++, Perl, Java, Javascript, Python, C#, bunch-of-other-stuff. Best days? 68000 assembly on the Amiga - translating C into assembler as the C compiler was too darn expensive.
I wouldn't say I'm a huge gaming fan, but I've played Halo. Wasn't the flaw with Cortana that she/it would degrade over time and eventually go mad? If so, good choice Microsoft. Good choice.
Learn enough about security risks in code... by enough, I mean enough to know that it's -as important- to write secure code, as it is to produce software that does what it's supposed to in the first place.
You don't need a key to develop/run the application on the simulator(s)... so the development cycle is still essentially free. Only when running on a physical device, do you need to sign the code to allow it to call the various controlled APIs.
I think as a small business you're going to need to look at the cost of getting the work done versus the cost of loss in the event something 'bad' happens.
It is prudent to assume that something 'bad' will happen; it's just a matter of time. With that assumption, start figuring a monetary value next to the loss of each kind of data you have. How much would it cost you to rebuild your customer database, weather legal action from customers, etc. in the event that the customer database is broken into and details leaked?
Don't be worried if you don't have this expertise in-house. There are many businesses out there that can work with you and share the responsibility. Think of it as outsourcing your IT security (and possibly more) to a trusted company. This doesn't have to cost the Earth, just make sure that whomever you work with starts by asking the value of what you are trying to protect!
I also have my domain registered through Network Solutions and e-mailed their customer support people yesterday to indicate my non-support for their actions. Oh... and indicated that I will switch registrar and encourage my clients to do the same if policy does not change.
The response...
Dear Mr. Ockwell-Jenner,
Thank you for contacting Network Solutions.
Please know that this is in effect by the main registry and we do not have control over this in terms of unregistered domains. We will notify you on this as soon as a notification from the main registry has been forwarded to us in this case.
Please know that your inquiry is important to us, and we value your business.
Reminds me of an assembler on the Commodore Amiga called 'Argasm' release by (I think) Argonaut Software. Not as "standardized" as HiSoft's Devpac, but blindingly fast:-)
Not so much a company present, but my manager recently gave me a.... Kettle.... for Christmas. Not even an electric kettle - but the kind you put on your stove-top!
Try to figure out what areas of interest you have, and which of those you think you would like to further. Next step, try to get a feel for which of those interests you would benefit most in having a university education versus other means (i.e. self-taught).
I entered University knowing that I could probably self-teach myself about what interested me the most: computer programming. Especially with access to the Internet, the resources available for that are just immense. So, I picked my next interest: electronics and communications. Hence, I ended up doing a degree in an area of interest, but one that I felt I could get the most value from only through a University education.
Today, I don't use much of the knowledge from my electronics degree, but the communications insight and, most importantly, the discipline etc. I picked up at University carry through to my career.
Oh... what do I do? Well, I work with computers building Intranet solutions for a telecommunications company. So... worked well in my case!
So what did Darren do wrong? My understanding is that the guy works diligently away to code and distribute ipf for many platforms. The big issue seems to be that it's possible (and happened) for the code to be changed and re-distributed as 'ipf'.
Imagine I patch the ipf code to open up a door... I then distribute (say) binaries of my 'ipf' package... who gets the bad press? Darren. Obviously not fair.
So use it, don't use it... it's just software - not like the world will cease spinning because of a license change!
-- The only thing worse than a programmer with a screwdriver is a user with an idea!
Slashdot Mirror
BASIC on a Sinclair ZX81, followed by Z80, 6502 on a Commodore 16 (they were cheap), then 68000 on an Amiga. From there it was C/C++, Perl, Java, Javascript, Python, C#, bunch-of-other-stuff. Best days? 68000 assembly on the Amiga - translating C into assembler as the C compiler was too darn expensive.
Yep, there's a whole lot of backyard bias here.
I wouldn't say I'm a huge gaming fan, but I've played Halo. Wasn't the flaw with Cortana that she/it would degrade over time and eventually go mad? If so, good choice Microsoft. Good choice.
... or is someone reading too much Mark Russinovich?
It's maybe complicated unless forensics are capturing a memory image... which they should be these days.
It's because it's being used in the context of a simple XOR-based encryption scheme -- very common in malware, actually.
Same here... replaced all my home Solaris gear with NetBSD on the same hardware. Runs like a champ!
Learn enough about security risks in code... by enough, I mean enough to know that it's -as important- to write secure code, as it is to produce software that does what it's supposed to in the first place.
You don't need a key to develop/run the application on the simulator(s)... so the development cycle is still essentially free. Only when running on a physical device, do you need to sign the code to allow it to call the various controlled APIs.
It is prudent to assume that something 'bad' will happen; it's just a matter of time. With that assumption, start figuring a monetary value next to the loss of each kind of data you have. How much would it cost you to rebuild your customer database, weather legal action from customers, etc. in the event that the customer database is broken into and details leaked?
Don't be worried if you don't have this expertise in-house. There are many businesses out there that can work with you and share the responsibility. Think of it as outsourcing your IT security (and possibly more) to a trusted company. This doesn't have to cost the Earth, just make sure that whomever you work with starts by asking the value of what you are trying to protect!
I also have my domain registered through Network Solutions and e-mailed their customer support people yesterday to indicate my non-support for their actions. Oh... and indicated that I will switch registrar and encourage my clients to do the same if policy does not change.
The response...
Dear Mr. Ockwell-Jenner,
Thank you for contacting Network Solutions.
Please know that this is in effect by the main registry and we do not have control over this in terms of unregistered domains. We will notify you on this as soon as a notification from the main registry has been forwarded to us in this case.
Please know that your inquiry is important to us, and we value your business.
Best regards,
Marie003
Network Solutions Inc.
Reminds me of an assembler on the Commodore Amiga called 'Argasm' release by (I think) Argonaut Software. Not as "standardized" as HiSoft's Devpac, but blindingly fast :-)
Perhaps I should attempt to patent the idea of granting patents? Hmmm...
Not so much a company present, but my manager recently gave me a.... Kettle.... for Christmas. Not even an electric kettle - but the kind you put on your stove-top!
Never let it be said that I don't feel valued.
Usual practice is to inform the vendor first and give them *reasonable* time to form a response... THEN go to Bugtraq with the information.
Try to figure out what areas of interest you have, and which of those you think you would like to further. Next step, try to get a feel for which of those interests you would benefit most in having a university education versus other means (i.e. self-taught).
I entered University knowing that I could probably self-teach myself about what interested me the most: computer programming. Especially with access to the Internet, the resources available for that are just immense. So, I picked my next interest: electronics and communications. Hence, I ended up doing a degree in an area of interest, but one that I felt I could get the most value from only through a University education.
Today, I don't use much of the knowledge from my electronics degree, but the communications insight and, most importantly, the discipline etc. I picked up at University carry through to my career.
Oh... what do I do? Well, I work with computers building Intranet solutions for a telecommunications company. So... worked well in my case!
Imagine I patch the ipf code to open up a door... I then distribute (say) binaries of my 'ipf' package... who gets the bad press? Darren. Obviously not fair.
So use it, don't use it... it's just software - not like the world will cease spinning because of a license change!
--
The only thing worse than a programmer with a screwdriver is a user with an idea!