If IBM wants to fork the codebase, isn't that their perogative under the GPL? As long as the source is released, then they are playing by the rules--you can't have a double standard.
Likewise, why should "WE" demand anything from IBM. They can play with Linux or not. If what they contribute is useful, then we can all use it. Just because they are IBM doesn't give anyone the right to demand some kind of compensation to "let" them contribute.
The article NEVER claims that everyone will install pirated software. The wording is, in fact, "...knowing full well they are at risk of acquiring pirated operating systems elsewhere...." This even leaves open the possibility of them obtaining a pirated version through ignorance.
Please, don't shoot your credibility (however little that is) by misquoting the article. It's funny enough as it is.
But the issue isn't whether government should fund certain basic research--it should. The issue is whether a private business can also pursue that area (albeit expecting financial gain eventually), and whether other businesses can help with sponsorships, partnerships, etc. Do you really want government proscribing such ventures, even if one conceivable outcome is less government funding for other projects? >KFW
O'Reilly just released a book Python Programming on Win32. There is a chapter on databases, and the table of contents indicates that it discusses DAO and ADO.
I've just started learning Python (I'm workin on another ORA book, Learning Python) but hope to use it for some Windows programming. The PythonWin environment is very easy to use. Look at www.python.org for more info.
If you're not already a programmer, I would suggest Horton's/Beginning Java 2/. It is very readable, and the pace isn't too fast (I found/Just Java/, another frequently recommended book, to be too terse--it is aimed at the experienced programmer moving into Java).
You should carefully evaluate what it is that you want to do. I spent a lot of time trying to learn Java, then decided that for what I wanted to do a scripting language like Python was actually the way to go. I checked out Perl, but the maintainability seemed to be lacking (it seems that ESR and Perens have switched to Python for this reaon, from what I've read). Python is OO, so if I decide later that I really do need Java, I should be able to ease into it without as much difficulty.
The Heinlein juveniles are a great place to start. Nothing you wouldn't want a 13 year old to read (I love Stephenson, for example, but not sure I'd recommend him for anyone under 16 or so.)/Have Spacesuit Will Travel/,/Podkayne of Mars/,/Citizen of the Galaxy/ are all excellent.
Also consider Clarke--/Rendezvous with Rama/ has one "questionable" seen for children at the end, but is very thought provoking.
The Danny Dunn series of books (probably long out of print, but you might still find them at the library--I don't know who the author is) were a favorite of mine at that age.
Jerry Pournelle has started a new "juvenile" series./Starswarm/ was pretty good.
Remember that "age appropriate" choices aren't just about being prudish--it also has to do with a kid's interests at that age, and identifying with the characters. Books with young heros/heroines may appeal to her more.
Actually, I think it was "DOS for Dummies" that made "XXX for Dummies" a popular phrase. At the time that that book came out, it was novel to have a computer book aimed at that level. Which is why it was wildly successful, which is why it spawned a publishing empire of its own. >K
After a brief perusal of Ozy and Millie I didn't find it amusing. After Y2K, on the other hand, is consistently very funny; a testimony to Nitrozac's wicked sense of humor. Undoubtedly a lot of personal preference is involved. I'm not sure there has to be a geek theme, but to be a successful comic strip you have to be funny.
I would like to hear an answer to what Nitrozac is going to do after 12/31/99? Maybe Bill G. will wake from the nightmare he had while sitting on the can. Maybe the aliens' plan will come to light. Maybe someone will offer me a red pill;-)
It is actually somewhat ironic that with the inclusion of VBA in all (or at least most) of the MS Office products, Microsoft probably has encouraged more "hacking" than any other vendors. Some/.ers may scoff, but isn't the notion of using the available tools to make the machine/program function the way YOU want the root of true hacking? MS Office is a de facto standard in most workplaces. Give the VBA hackers credit for using the software intelligently rather than rely on Clippy to tell them what to do. >KFW
It's thinking like that that has led to the rise of frivoulous lawsuits and rediculous disclaimers attached to every aspect of our life. Pepsi was being HUMOROUS. If you don't like their promo, don't buy the soda. Being an a*****e and suing is hardly the answer. >K
Sure, I could get a custom word processor from Billy-Bob's House o' Words. Unfortunately the really cool formatting can't be read by StarOffice--they haven't gotten around to that filter yet, and Billy-Bob isn't interested in filters for other apps.
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You can't have your cake etc., etc.
If IBM wants to fork the codebase, isn't that their perogative under the GPL? As long as the source is released, then they are playing by the rules--you can't have a double standard.
Likewise, why should "WE" demand anything from IBM. They can play with Linux or not. If what they contribute is useful, then we can all use it. Just because they are IBM doesn't give anyone the right to demand some kind of compensation to "let" them contribute.
>K
The article NEVER claims that everyone will install pirated software. The wording is, in fact, "...knowing full well they are at risk of acquiring pirated operating systems elsewhere... ." This even leaves open the possibility of them obtaining a pirated version through ignorance.
Please, don't shoot your credibility (however little that is) by misquoting the article. It's funny enough as it is.
>K
But the issue isn't whether government should fund certain basic research--it should. The issue is whether a private business can also pursue that area (albeit expecting financial gain eventually), and whether other businesses can help with sponsorships, partnerships, etc. Do you really want government proscribing such ventures, even if one conceivable outcome is less government funding for other projects?
>KFW
I've just started learning Python (I'm workin on another ORA book, Learning Python) but hope to use it for some Windows programming. The PythonWin environment is very easy to use. Look at www.python.org for more info.
HTH
>K
If you're not already a programmer, I would suggest Horton's /Beginning Java 2/. It is very readable, and the pace isn't too fast (I found /Just Java/, another frequently recommended book, to be too terse--it is aimed at the experienced programmer moving into Java).
You should carefully evaluate what it is that you want to do. I spent a lot of time trying to learn Java, then decided that for what I wanted to do a scripting language like Python was actually the way to go. I checked out Perl, but the maintainability seemed to be lacking (it seems that ESR and Perens have switched to Python for this reaon, from what I've read). Python is OO, so if I decide later that I really do need Java, I should be able to ease into it without as much difficulty.
hth,
>K
The Heinlein juveniles are a great place to start. Nothing you wouldn't want a 13 year old to read (I love Stephenson, for example, but not sure I'd recommend him for anyone under 16 or so.) /Have Spacesuit Will Travel/, /Podkayne of Mars/, /Citizen of the Galaxy/ are all excellent.
/Starswarm/ was pretty good.
Also consider Clarke--/Rendezvous with Rama/ has one "questionable" seen for children at the end, but is very thought provoking.
The Danny Dunn series of books (probably long out of print, but you might still find them at the library--I don't know who the author is) were a favorite of mine at that age.
Jerry Pournelle has started a new "juvenile" series.
Remember that "age appropriate" choices aren't just about being prudish--it also has to do with a kid's interests at that age, and identifying with the characters. Books with young heros/heroines may appeal to her more.
Actually, I think it was "DOS for Dummies" that made "XXX for Dummies" a popular phrase. At the time that that book came out, it was novel to have a computer book aimed at that level. Which is why it was wildly successful, which is why it spawned a publishing empire of its own.
>K
After a brief perusal of Ozy and Millie I didn't find it amusing. After Y2K, on the other hand, is consistently very funny; a testimony to Nitrozac's wicked sense of humor. Undoubtedly a lot of personal preference is involved. I'm not sure there has to be a geek theme, but to be a successful comic strip you have to be funny.
;-)
I would like to hear an answer to what Nitrozac is going to do after 12/31/99? Maybe Bill G. will wake from the nightmare he had while sitting on the can. Maybe the aliens' plan will come to light. Maybe someone will offer me a red pill
>K
It is actually somewhat ironic that with the inclusion of VBA in all (or at least most) of the MS Office products, Microsoft probably has encouraged more "hacking" than any other vendors. Some /.ers may scoff, but isn't the notion of using the available tools to make the machine/program function the way YOU want the root of true hacking? MS Office is a de facto standard in most workplaces. Give the VBA hackers credit for using the software intelligently rather than rely on Clippy to tell them what to do.
>KFW
It's thinking like that that has led to the rise of frivoulous lawsuits and rediculous disclaimers attached to every aspect of our life. Pepsi was being HUMOROUS. If you don't like their promo, don't buy the soda. Being an a*****e and suing is hardly the answer.
>K
Sure, I could get a custom word processor from Billy-Bob's House o' Words. Unfortunately the really cool formatting can't be read by StarOffice--they haven't gotten around to that filter yet, and Billy-Bob isn't interested in filters for other apps.
Arbitrary modification may not be for the best.
>K