Take back your time through grad school
on
Take Back Your Time!
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· Score: 3, Interesting
I am just finishing grad school. Some people assumed that I went because I had aspirations of being a professor. The more cynical people suggest that I went to avoid the real world.
In either case, I just want to say that grad school is a great way to take back your time. In computer science at least, they will basically pay you a reasonable salary to go to grad school (plus great benefits). More importantly for me, grad school has been a lot less work than most jobs. You also get to do interesting stuff rather adding feature bloat to the new widget for the local megacorp. Strangely enough, even though this is easy living, it is also very "prestigious" for some reason.
Once you are done, you are also eligible for a lot more jobs. I would suggest avoiding tenure-track professor jobs if you are interested in your time. But you can afford to be selective in finding a job since you are qualified for so many more jobs.
I will say that grad school is not necessarily the best way to get rich. If that is your goal then you may want to choose some other path. Of course, you could lose your money anyway. One nice thing about education is that you can't lose your it (other than through brain injury).
Also, I'm not saying there isn't hard work involved. But you are basically in control. You mostly set your own hours. And you can find (or at least look for) the work that motivates you.
Yeah, I use tabs all the time along with the middle mouse button and keyboard shortcuts. That's why I added the "devil's advocate" note.
I think the benefits of tabbed browsing are subtle and probably have tradeoffs. Some people have a hard time with these kinds of advanced features. Or they like the slightly more concrete metaphor of having a window for every document. These kinds of people don't seem to mind managing lots of windows. Maybe they're able to think about other things while they're doing mundane tasks like messing with windows.
It's similar to keyboard shortcuts. If you put in the additional effort to learn these then you can go much faster than people who don't know them. However, operating speed isn't the only thing to consider. For example, I might be the fastest MS Word operator in the world but it still doesn't help me write. I've actually got to have ideas to write. So what I'm saying is - I think that some of the people who don't use keyboard shortcuts are making use of the apparent "lost" time - for example, thinking about what they are going to do next while they move the mouse to click on those stupid clipboard buttons on the Word toolbar. In fact, many people say their best ideas come while they are doing mundane tasks like this.
Actually, my point was that none of those are interesting to the "average" user. There are many IE pop-up killers for any "average" users who actually care (e.g. the free Google toolbar).
Also, (playing devil's advocate here) the benefits of tabbed browsing are somewhat dubious. Why would I want to use CTRL+PAGEUP/PAGEDOWN to switch panes when I can use ALT+TAB. ALT+TAB is consistent across applications and it's closer to the home position on most keyboards.
I actually appreciate all those features but I don't think they are very motivating for non-techies. Here are a couple others I like:
X = Themeable (no, IE is not *really* themeable) X = Mouse Gestures X = Pie menues X = Block ads X = Control javascript (beyond popups)
However, these are also not very motivating for most people. Of course, there is also the negatives list:
X = Doesn't work on website foo X = Doesn't support plugin blat X = Takes longer to startup X = Requires an extra download
Some of us can swallow these, but most people can't and won't.
I really like Firebird and install it on all my machines, but I still haven't found a way to sell it to the non-tech crowd. Maybe once it gets enough momentum, all these small benefits will pull people in. Doubt it - but here's hoping.
(Slightly redundant now but...) In Firebird 0.7, middle mouse scrolling is now built in. Also, the address bar has worked exactly like Windows for a while. Firebird forms and controls also look and act like the native widgets for 2K and XP.
Try Firebird. You'll be surprised how much better than Mozilla it is.
I don't think its a problem of awareness as your post suggests. I know several people who frequently buy things from infomercials and shopping channels on TV - even though they have bought countless other worthless gadgets and nicknacks before.
I can't necessarily explain why they buy ridiculous products. Maybe they're looking for something to enhance their otherwise dull existences. In any case, I don't think this behavior is going to go away as people become more "experienced."
Although particularly suited to amusing and exercising cats, the method of the present invention can be applied to other domestic pets, for instance dogs, ferrets, and any other animals with the chase instinct.
What's sad about that patent is that they actually seem to have done some appropriate background research. One of the articles they reference is titled:
Visual `cortical-recipient` and tectal-recepient pontine zones play distinct roles in cat visuomotor performance
Och! I'm just wondering how they hoped to enforce this patent. I guess maybe they were planning to go after any laser pointer companies that tried to market their product as a cat toy.
Actually, this discussion is confusing two different metrics. One metric is the maximum speed limit of a given keyboard based on letter frequencies and Fitt's law. A second metric is the learning time needed to get close to that maximum speed.
If you are interested you can get some background from this paper, for example. The paper references previous work on a "metropolis" keyboard with hexagonal keys to improve key packing. Better key packing means maximum key sizes with minimal stylus/finger travel.
Those are the technical and practical reasons why people do it. I think there is also a subtle ethical difference. P2P can feel more like a community than a service like the web (not that it usually does). In Kazaa, for example, I think you can send messages to other people on the network.
So there is basically a progression from instant messaging to P2P. In instant messaging, you basically "know" everyone you're connected to. In P2P, you don't really know anyone you're connected to. But in both you can transfer files.
So you can basically pick points along the spectrum of "I know who I'm sharing with." You can go to friends of friends up to however many degrees of separation you want to allow. Well, I guess past 6 there's no point;)
I remember there were some internet filters that tried to eliminate porn through image content. What these filters seemed to end up doing was eliminating anything that contained a certain amount of skin tones. You can imagine how well that worked.
I just googled for the original article and found a related one. It talks about a search product for companies that uses "color, texture, shape and spatial configuration" to find porn. I guess that could work OK if the resuls were reviewed by actual humans.
I just tried it online here and was not surprised by how poorly it worked. For my search, I picked a picture of some woman in a white shirt and I got back a picture of a snake, a tiger, an arch, some lions, a kangaroo, a guy with some yacks, two guys with a drum, etc. And that was with limited searches and clean image sets. I can only imagine the random garbage it would generate if it was doing the whole internet.
I think that searching on image content is a terrible idea, especially for finding a particular face. It ranks up there with face recognition at airports. I can't even recognize people in photos on the internet, so I don't see how a computer algorithm can.
Why is this idea so attractive to people? Are people doing Eminem and Beyonce Knowles searches on Google and not finding what they're looking for?
Re:What's with all of the bellyaching about speed?
on
Does C# Measure Up?
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· Score: 1
My point is that it doesn't integrate with Java2D. You either take what Java2D has to offer, or you do it all yourself using OS calls or OpenGL/DirectX.
Re:What's with all of the bellyaching about speed?
on
Does C# Measure Up?
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
Maybe you're writing a routine that needs to draw lines fast
This is one of the specific things you can't really do with JNI and Java anymore. Java graphics is now really complicated. There's no way you'll be able to use low level OS rendering methods and have them integrate with Java2D and Swing.
It's actually a real problem. You've got no recourse when the graphics primitive you need is too slow. You end up with a Java workaround or you switch to OpenGL or DirectX, which don't have good support for fonts and strokes and such.
This is where C# may end up beating Java, on Windows at least. Eclipse SWT has promise too since you at least have the potential implement your own graphics code.
It still would not prove SCO's point. They have to answer the question of why they distributed the Linux source even after finding out it contained their valuable "IP."
Most of us are relying on common sense and don't really care whether a few lines of archaic code were copied. Given SCO's
1) previous sales of Linux 2) misinformation about owning Unix 3) waffling on what IP is violated 4) refusal to show copied code 5) frequent, inconsistent press releases 6) heavy insider trading 7) ridiculous licensing terms 8) collusion with MS 9) discredited evidence of code being copied 10) ? 11) profiting
Common sense says that SCO does not have a legitimate claim. There is no rabbit left for SCO to pull. So no, most people would not "forgive" them although they might concede the point that a few lines of ancient code were copied.
Yeah, I know I can potentially lose an unlimited amount of money. I was wondering what others thought the chances of that are. I looked on Motley Fool and they argued that shorts are often not as risky as people make them out to be. The price doesn't usually go up that much and stay up that much. But I'd like some historical examples if someone has them. Also, if anyone has the "days to cover" for SCOX, I'd love to hear it.
Also, here is what I think I stand to lose if I buy 30 shares of SCOX at say $16. Suppose the unlikely event that the price goes to $100 and stays there. Then I lose $2520. I'm not excited about that, but I am not totally appalled by it either. Now if it went up to Washington Post (WPO) prices around $700, then I'd be pissed. Then I'd be out more like $20K. So I'm wondering if something like that has ever happened.
Apropos the sibling post, I'm thinking of shorting a few hundred dollars worth of SCO stock. Partly on principle and partly because it seems like easy money. Can anyone offer any concrete advice on whether this is a good or bad idea? It doesn't seem like the price could inflate that much more so I'm not worried about losing say more than twice what I put in (in the absolute worst case). I'm also willing to wait to buy back the stock for as long as it takes for the lawsuits to settle. What's the worst that could happen?
Can I even do it? I remember reading somewhere that I might not be able to short SCOX stock for some reason.
I doubt the virus idea is going to fly with most people. However, I made the "I didn't mean to do it" argument the other day too.
Instead of a virus, just blame usability. Here is a paper talking about a usability problem with Kazaa. It seems like you could always blame usability. "I didn't mean to share that directory!" You'd be playing on the technophobia that the judge is likely to have anyway.
I can think of several legal arguments. Of course IANA(BS)L.
Here's my favorite - "I didn't know I was sharing those files" - point to papers such as this Kazaa study. Heck, the RIAA is terrified of computers so they may even sympathize with you.
Speaking of which - how is this different from the products sold by Alien Technology? They are already selling tiny RFID tags for this purpose with 64 bits. They've actually taken care of the real issues with their system like reading the tag at any orientation even when obscured by layers of different materials. Oh yeah, they've also taken care of the whole mass production aspect.
As far as I can tell, all this article says is "96 bits" are a lot. Was there anything concrete in there? I sure couldn't find it.
We would simply bend over and pay up like good little lemmings?
Aside from the mixed metaphor - lemmings don't commit suicide. You may already know this but I wanted to help educate the general public...
Who knows what other lies Disney has been feeding us? Next we'll find out that there aren't really mermaids!
Oh, and to stay on topic, here is some info on making a complaint to the FTC. Here's the link to the online FTC complaint form. For good measure, you can also submit a complaint to the SEC here.
And you are making money in those 4 years, not spending it.
This is actually one of the main reasons you should get an advanced degree in IT. They pay you to do it. Granted, it's not as much as you'd make at a typical job, but you are still getting money out rather than putting it in.
Also, I think we should be clear on what we mean by being worth it. If your goal is to make the most money possible then you are probably better off finding a way to exploit our economic system. If you are interested in things other than money then education will probably be more valuable to you.
We had that too. However, the trick was that although all buses looked like they had cameras - only certain ones actually did. So I think after people didn't get in trouble on a certain bus for a while - everyone figured out which buses didn't really have cameras. In this case, it sounds like all classrooms have cameras.
Anyway, I agree with those saying that this has potential uses. However, the potential abuses are enormous. Schools can't even keep their antiquated computer labs running. And they expect to keep hoardes of webcams secure from hacking? Is this really the best way to spend our dwindling education budgets?
You're talking about behavior. Of course you can change behavior.
A better test of introvert vs. extrovert is how you process information. Do you process information better by talking about it or by sitting alone and thinking about it.
This is a better test of the hardwiring of your brain. I think you will find that this doesn't change much with your behavior. Of course, our brains are pretty adaptive so it can change a little bit. My extroverted wife has been working on my nearly-autistic introverdedness for over 10 years. As a result, I can definitely tell that I am becoming more extroverted. But given where I started, there is no danger of me actually converting from introvert to extrovert.
Of course, some people are probably on the border to begin with so their behavior may influence them enough to convert from one to the other.
Slashdot Mirror
I am just finishing grad school. Some people assumed that I went because I had aspirations of being a professor. The more cynical people suggest that I went to avoid the real world.
In either case, I just want to say that grad school is a great way to take back your time. In computer science at least, they will basically pay you a reasonable salary to go to grad school (plus great benefits). More importantly for me, grad school has been a lot less work than most jobs. You also get to do interesting stuff rather adding feature bloat to the new widget for the local megacorp. Strangely enough, even though this is easy living, it is also very "prestigious" for some reason.
Once you are done, you are also eligible for a lot more jobs. I would suggest avoiding tenure-track professor jobs if you are interested in your time. But you can afford to be selective in finding a job since you are qualified for so many more jobs.
I will say that grad school is not necessarily the best way to get rich. If that is your goal then you may want to choose some other path. Of course, you could lose your money anyway. One nice thing about education is that you can't lose your it (other than through brain injury).
Also, I'm not saying there isn't hard work involved. But you are basically in control. You mostly set your own hours. And you can find (or at least look for) the work that motivates you.
Yeah, I use tabs all the time along with the middle mouse button and keyboard shortcuts. That's why I added the "devil's advocate" note.
I think the benefits of tabbed browsing are subtle and probably have tradeoffs. Some people have a hard time with these kinds of advanced features. Or they like the slightly more concrete metaphor of having a window for every document. These kinds of people don't seem to mind managing lots of windows. Maybe they're able to think about other things while they're doing mundane tasks like messing with windows.
It's similar to keyboard shortcuts. If you put in the additional effort to learn these then you can go much faster than people who don't know them. However, operating speed isn't the only thing to consider. For example, I might be the fastest MS Word operator in the world but it still doesn't help me write. I've actually got to have ideas to write. So what I'm saying is - I think that some of the people who don't use keyboard shortcuts are making use of the apparent "lost" time - for example, thinking about what they are going to do next while they move the mouse to click on those stupid clipboard buttons on the Word toolbar. In fact, many people say their best ideas come while they are doing mundane tasks like this.
Actually, my point was that none of those are interesting to the "average" user. There are many IE pop-up killers for any "average" users who actually care (e.g. the free Google toolbar).
Also, (playing devil's advocate here) the benefits of tabbed browsing are somewhat dubious. Why would I want to use CTRL+PAGEUP/PAGEDOWN to switch panes when I can use ALT+TAB. ALT+TAB is consistent across applications and it's closer to the home position on most keyboards.
I actually appreciate all those features but I don't think they are very motivating for non-techies. Here are a couple others I like:
X = Themeable (no, IE is not *really* themeable)
X = Mouse Gestures
X = Pie menues
X = Block ads
X = Control javascript (beyond popups)
However, these are also not very motivating for most people. Of course, there is also the negatives list:
X = Doesn't work on website foo
X = Doesn't support plugin blat
X = Takes longer to startup
X = Requires an extra download
Some of us can swallow these, but most people can't and won't.
I really like Firebird and install it on all my machines, but I still haven't found a way to sell it to the non-tech crowd. Maybe once it gets enough momentum, all these small benefits will pull people in. Doubt it - but here's hoping.
(Slightly redundant now but...) In Firebird 0.7, middle mouse scrolling is now built in. Also, the address bar has worked exactly like Windows for a while. Firebird forms and controls also look and act like the native widgets for 2K and XP.
Try Firebird. You'll be surprised how much better than Mozilla it is.
I don't think its a problem of awareness as your post suggests. I know several people who frequently buy things from infomercials and shopping channels on TV - even though they have bought countless other worthless gadgets and nicknacks before.
I can't necessarily explain why they buy ridiculous products. Maybe they're looking for something to enhance their otherwise dull existences. In any case, I don't think this behavior is going to go away as people become more "experienced."
Watch out marmot owners! This applies to you too!
Although particularly suited to amusing and exercising cats, the method of the present invention can be applied to other domestic pets, for instance dogs, ferrets, and any other animals with the chase instinct.
What's sad about that patent is that they actually seem to have done some appropriate background research. One of the articles they reference is titled:
Visual `cortical-recipient` and tectal-recepient pontine zones play distinct roles in cat visuomotor performance
Och! I'm just wondering how they hoped to enforce this patent. I guess maybe they were planning to go after any laser pointer companies that tried to market their product as a cat toy.
QWERTY is better because it is consistent.
Actually, this discussion is confusing two different metrics. One metric is the maximum speed limit of a given keyboard based on letter frequencies and Fitt's law. A second metric is the learning time needed to get close to that maximum speed.
If you are interested you can get some background from this paper, for example. The paper references previous work on a "metropolis" keyboard with hexagonal keys to improve key packing. Better key packing means maximum key sizes with minimal stylus/finger travel.
Those are the technical and practical reasons why people do it. I think there is also a subtle ethical difference. P2P can feel more like a community than a service like the web (not that it usually does). In Kazaa, for example, I think you can send messages to other people on the network.
;)
So there is basically a progression from instant messaging to P2P. In instant messaging, you basically "know" everyone you're connected to. In P2P, you don't really know anyone you're connected to. But in both you can transfer files.
So you can basically pick points along the spectrum of "I know who I'm sharing with." You can go to friends of friends up to however many degrees of separation you want to allow. Well, I guess past 6 there's no point
I remember there were some internet filters that tried to eliminate porn through image content. What these filters seemed to end up doing was eliminating anything that contained a certain amount of skin tones. You can imagine how well that worked.
I just googled for the original article and found a related one. It talks about a search product for companies that uses "color, texture, shape and spatial configuration" to find porn. I guess that could work OK if the resuls were reviewed by actual humans.
I just tried it online here and was not surprised by how poorly it worked. For my search, I picked a picture of some woman in a white shirt and I got back a picture of a snake, a tiger, an arch, some lions, a kangaroo, a guy with some yacks, two guys with a drum, etc. And that was with limited searches and clean image sets. I can only imagine the random garbage it would generate if it was doing the whole internet.
I think that searching on image content is a terrible idea, especially for finding a particular face. It ranks up there with face recognition at airports. I can't even recognize people in photos on the internet, so I don't see how a computer algorithm can.
Why is this idea so attractive to people? Are people doing Eminem and Beyonce Knowles searches on Google and not finding what they're looking for?
My point is that it doesn't integrate with Java2D. You either take what Java2D has to offer, or you do it all yourself using OS calls or OpenGL/DirectX.
Maybe you're writing a routine that needs to draw lines fast
This is one of the specific things you can't really do with JNI and Java anymore. Java graphics is now really complicated. There's no way you'll be able to use low level OS rendering methods and have them integrate with Java2D and Swing.
It's actually a real problem. You've got no recourse when the graphics primitive you need is too slow. You end up with a Java workaround or you switch to OpenGL or DirectX, which don't have good support for fonts and strokes and such.
This is where C# may end up beating Java, on Windows at least. Eclipse SWT has promise too since you at least have the potential implement your own graphics code.
It still would not prove SCO's point. They have to answer the question of why they distributed the Linux source even after finding out it contained their valuable "IP."
Most of us are relying on common sense and don't really care whether a few lines of archaic code were copied. Given SCO's
1) previous sales of Linux
2) misinformation about owning Unix
3) waffling on what IP is violated
4) refusal to show copied code
5) frequent, inconsistent press releases
6) heavy insider trading
7) ridiculous licensing terms
8) collusion with MS
9) discredited evidence of code being copied
10) ?
11) profiting
Common sense says that SCO does not have a legitimate claim. There is no rabbit left for SCO to pull. So no, most people would not "forgive" them although they might concede the point that a few lines of ancient code were copied.
Yeah, I know I can potentially lose an unlimited amount of money. I was wondering what others thought the chances of that are. I looked on Motley Fool and they argued that shorts are often not as risky as people make them out to be. The price doesn't usually go up that much and stay up that much. But I'd like some historical examples if someone has them. Also, if anyone has the "days to cover" for SCOX, I'd love to hear it.
Also, here is what I think I stand to lose if I buy 30 shares of SCOX at say $16. Suppose the unlikely event that the price goes to $100 and stays there. Then I lose $2520. I'm not excited about that, but I am not totally appalled by it either. Now if it went up to Washington Post (WPO) prices around $700, then I'd be pissed. Then I'd be out more like $20K. So I'm wondering if something like that has ever happened.
Could you summarize or post a link?
Apropos the sibling post, I'm thinking of shorting a few hundred dollars worth of SCO stock. Partly on principle and partly because it seems like easy money. Can anyone offer any concrete advice on whether this is a good or bad idea? It doesn't seem like the price could inflate that much more so I'm not worried about losing say more than twice what I put in (in the absolute worst case). I'm also willing to wait to buy back the stock for as long as it takes for the lawsuits to settle. What's the worst that could happen?
Can I even do it? I remember reading somewhere that I might not be able to short SCOX stock for some reason.
I doubt the virus idea is going to fly with most people. However, I made the "I didn't mean to do it" argument the other day too.
Instead of a virus, just blame usability. Here is a paper talking about a usability problem with Kazaa. It seems like you could always blame usability. "I didn't mean to share that directory!" You'd be playing on the technophobia that the judge is likely to have anyway.
I was just thinking... could someone convert that to blue whales for me?
I can think of several legal arguments. Of course IANA(BS)L.
Here's my favorite - "I didn't know I was sharing those files" - point to papers such as this Kazaa study. Heck, the RIAA is terrified of computers so they may even sympathize with you.
Speaking of which - how is this different from the products sold by Alien Technology? They are already selling tiny RFID tags for this purpose with 64 bits. They've actually taken care of the real issues with their system like reading the tag at any orientation even when obscured by layers of different materials. Oh yeah, they've also taken care of the whole mass production aspect.
As far as I can tell, all this article says is "96 bits" are a lot. Was there anything concrete in there? I sure couldn't find it.
We would simply bend over and pay up like good little lemmings?
Aside from the mixed metaphor - lemmings don't commit suicide. You may already know this but I wanted to help educate the general public...
Who knows what other lies Disney has been feeding us? Next we'll find out that there aren't really mermaids!
Oh, and to stay on topic, here is some info on making a complaint to the FTC. Here's the link to the online FTC complaint form. For good measure, you can also submit a complaint to the SEC here.
And you are making money in those 4 years, not spending it.
This is actually one of the main reasons you should get an advanced degree in IT. They pay you to do it. Granted, it's not as much as you'd make at a typical job, but you are still getting money out rather than putting it in.
Also, I think we should be clear on what we mean by being worth it. If your goal is to make the most money possible then you are probably better off finding a way to exploit our economic system. If you are interested in things other than money then education will probably be more valuable to you.
We had that too. However, the trick was that although all buses looked like they had cameras - only certain ones actually did. So I think after people didn't get in trouble on a certain bus for a while - everyone figured out which buses didn't really have cameras. In this case, it sounds like all classrooms have cameras.
Anyway, I agree with those saying that this has potential uses. However, the potential abuses are enormous. Schools can't even keep their antiquated computer labs running. And they expect to keep hoardes of webcams secure from hacking? Is this really the best way to spend our dwindling education budgets?
You're talking about behavior. Of course you can change behavior.
A better test of introvert vs. extrovert is how you process information. Do you process information better by talking about it or by sitting alone and thinking about it.
This is a better test of the hardwiring of your brain. I think you will find that this doesn't change much with your behavior. Of course, our brains are pretty adaptive so it can change a little bit. My extroverted wife has been working on my nearly-autistic introverdedness for over 10 years. As a result, I can definitely tell that I am becoming more extroverted. But given where I started, there is no danger of me actually converting from introvert to extrovert.
Of course, some people are probably on the border to begin with so their behavior may influence them enough to convert from one to the other.