Honestly, many people love to rush out and cram one library (or language) down everyones throat at a moments notice. The way to become a better developer is to use the best tool for the job at hand.
If I need to whip up something quick, like a splash screen program for Windows, you can bet I'm using MFC. Why MFC? Cause I only need to pop up a splash screen, maybe a dialog box or 2, and I want this thing to be done in an hour.
If I'm designing a new server app, I'm going to sit down and think over what I need to put in it before I jump on any library. (And no, MFC is not my first choice for this.)
Sometimes it's not about code readability, or reuse or even good programming. It's about getting the job, that works to the spec given, done in the shortest amount of time.
If, for example, the US actually put money into more energy efficient transportation, like passenger rail, more people might use it. Then we would be able to better use our resources for improving our other much more wasteful forms of transportation.
For Example: -- Federal transportation funding 1971-2001
$1,890,000,000,000 Air & highway funding $ 30,100,000,000 National Passenger Rail funding
It is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a machine for the life of the machine. If a company or individual donates a machine to your school, it must be donated with the operating system that was installed on the PC.
Ok, first off, it doesn't say remain installed on the machine. The license (for that OEM version, and only that copy) is bound to the system.
Second, you have the right to terminate the EULA, destroy all copies of the OS and that's it, the contract is void.
But your Honor, we had a notice on display about the videotaping.
"But the plans were on display....."
"On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."
"That's the display department."
"With a torch."
"Ah well, the lights had probably gone."
"So had the stairs."
"But look, you found the notice didn't you?"
"Yes", said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'"!
Seriously, I always thought the way to find out if a person was cheating on their CS projects/homework was to actually give them a test.
Ya know, like write a routine that does x y z given a b c.
When I was learning programming in college, I only had 1 teacher that did it right. ALL others did not know how to test students.
--Begin rant-- Getting offtopic, but CS tests should not be: 1. "Adventures in syntax." 2. Misleading to get the student to make a mistake. 3. A math class. 4. Multiple choice.
My assembly class consisted of 3 tests on converting numbers and adding/subtracting in binary and hex. Honestly, if I need to add and subtract in binary, I have a computer or calculator to do it on. And on the off chance I'm not near a computer, then why the heck am I using binary?
(Not to say that you shouldn't learn the foundations, but don't dwell on them for weeks)
--------- Bit of advice for anyone who thinks that nearly 20 years online is good. It isn't. It takes its toll, we wound up addicted to Everquest after the fall of Delphi, Compuserve and the diversi-dials. And for the first time in 17 years, I don't have a modem....aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
No matter what you do, expect to lose about 35% of them within the first 5 mins. Some will be in the MS only crowd, others will just get lost.
The rest you'll be able to work with.
Most developers know there are alternatives to SQL server, for them, it's usually called Oracle. Explain that there are alternatives to Oracle.
Most enterprise developers are not concerned with the backend, as long as it fits their needs. The thing could run on a Commodore 64, if it accepts SQL, it works.
Whatever you do, do not preach Linux to MS developers! It's the quickest way to annoy 95% of them, and I've seen it done many times before.
They have to approach it as just another platform that they can code on, no better no worse. Only once they understand that do you explain the benefits and pitfalls of running on other platforms. Make sure to explain both. That will get them thinking.
Personally, I would rather see the company that makes the OS make the API's for a library that interacts with the OS in specific ways. I don't think it's over the top for a company that makes the OS to distribute a standard with interacting with that OS. It doesn't matter if its DirectX, Win32, COM, MFC, or.NET.
Anyone can go and make their own API for Windows.
The real issue here is, should a computer dealer be allowed to remove parts of the package distributed with the OS and replace them with their own, AND still get a discounted price from Microsoft.
There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing stopping these dealers from using retail copies of Windows with their systems and doing whatever they want to it. The whole arguement is about the OEM contract.
Putting it in other terms, should you be able to get your Toyota from a Toyota dealer with a VW engine in it? The answer is No. It wouldn't be a Toyota.
Can you get a Toyota from Joe's dealership that Joe bought from a Toyota dealer and Joe then put a VW engine in it? The answer is Yes.
Why isn't an operating system crippled by not knowing how to render HTML? If rendering HTML is something that many programs use for functionality, then remving that feature is crippling the OS.
Microsoft is not the only company to use the HTML components in Windows. Companies like Macromedia, Intuit, and Symantec use the functionality of the HTML rendering components.
Using the same logic, we can remove DirectX as well, and not consider the OS crippled.
When it comes down to it, what defines an operating system? Is it just disk and screen access or is it a series of API's that let you program all aspects of the system?
You have a point, but you can also get an organ transplant, or a prosthetic leg. They're not going to work as well. (Maybe in 20 years they will tho, but that's another topic)
Microsoft is not saying the enduser can't replace parts of the operating system. They are saying that the dealer can't replace parts of the operating system and get a discount from Microsoft. You can't buy a new Toyota without Toyota parts.
(To a degree, you might be able to get fuzzy dice or a new steering wheel, but then you can also get Windows with OEM software on it.)
After all, you're still alive without your arms, legs, eyes, or even a kidney.
It doesn't mean you're not crippled.
Lobbing off something like the HTML component from Windows is really no different.
98Lite is a perfect example of this. Your OS becomes less functional, you can't use many features.
That's not to say you can't go and remove any added components. Such as Messenger, Calculator or Solitare (just to name a few), but remove enough and the value of the product goes down the drain.
So yes, Windows can be taken apart. But it doesn't mean it's not crippled.
"If some kind of Star Trek replicator was invented so we could copy a Mercedes as easily as a Nellie Furtado CD, we'd still need to sell them. Our world is based on jobs. Anything that destroys jobs is bad for the world."
If some kind of Star Trek replicator was invented, would 99% of us actually *need* jobs?
The real editors of Slashdot today
on
April Fools Wrap Up
·
· Score: 5, Funny
Strangely, very few noticed the difference in the quality of service.
Slightly OT: Google and the Google Toolbar for IE
on
Teoma Aims To Kill Google
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
I know it's an IE thing right now, but the Google Toolbar is one of the more useful browser addons ever.
As an experiment, for a week, I turned off the address bar and used the Google toolbar for everything. I was really impressed by the results.
Turning the address bar into a search engine is a great idea, one that Google should think about enhancing. If done right, a Google Address bar could make the current DNS system much less important, and that's just a start. There are a lot of possibilities with a setup like this.
In the end, I turned the Address bar back on to get an idea of what site I was on at the moment, it's easy to lose track without the URL line. However, I did not get rid of the toolbar, and I use it daily.
I only ship software by UPS, I HATE having hardware shipped by them. I have NEVER had a computer or monitor delivered that didn't have damage to the outside box and packing material.
Fortunately, most people realise that UPS tends to drop things, over and over and over and over, so they use extra packing material, but it's not the solution.
Of course, lots of my software that UPS ships tends to wind up in New Jersey for several days. (This was early last year, so it might have changed by now, but I doubt it). I had a game that was supposed to be shipped to me in 3 days take 2 months. No, I'm not kidding, they said the package was lost, and the shipper sent another. 2 Months later, it arrived, the company I bought it from was out of business and the game was only $19.99, so I have an extra copy of scrabble now.
Last time UPS was on strike, I was so happy, everything came in from FedEx.
Slashdot Mirror
The RFC does not contain the word deep anywhere in it.
A URL is a URL is a URL. There are no magic special deep URL's, which is what the lawyers are trying to imply.
FYI:
http://site/path/path/path/path/path is absolute.
"../file.html" is relative.
What's the definition of "deep linking"?
Is this some kind of special URL that is not the same as every other URL? Is the anchor tag somehow different?
Last time I looked, it was all standard run of the mill URLs.
"Deep Linking" is a myth made up by people who don't understand the technology they use.
Honestly, many people love to rush out and cram one library (or language) down everyones throat at a moments notice. The way to become a better developer is to use the best tool for the job at hand.
If I need to whip up something quick, like a splash screen program for Windows, you can bet I'm using MFC. Why MFC? Cause I only need to pop up a splash screen, maybe a dialog box or 2, and I want this thing to be done in an hour.
If I'm designing a new server app, I'm going to sit down and think over what I need to put in it before I jump on any library. (And no, MFC is not my first choice for this.)
Sometimes it's not about code readability, or reuse or even good programming. It's about getting the job, that works to the spec given, done in the shortest amount of time.
If, for example, the US actually put money into more energy efficient transportation, like passenger rail, more people might use it. Then we would be able to better use our resources for improving our other much more wasteful forms of transportation.
For Example:
--
Federal transportation funding 1971-2001
$1,890,000,000,000 Air & highway funding
$ 30,100,000,000 National Passenger Rail funding
-Sources: New York Times, Washington Post
M.C. or just Mike?
Ok, bad joke, but someone had to say it.
No, wait they didn't...
It is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a machine for the life of the machine. If a company or individual donates a machine to your school, it must be donated with the operating system that was installed on the PC.
Ok, first off, it doesn't say remain installed on the machine. The license (for that OEM version, and only that copy) is bound to the system.
Second, you have the right to terminate the EULA, destroy all copies of the OS and that's it, the contract is void.
Think EverQuest 24 hours for 3 days.
And they call it EverCrack now.
Thanks for clearing that up.
:)
Whats the BOFH?
Seriously.
But your Honor, we had a notice on display about the videotaping.
"But the plans were on display....."
"On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."
"That's the display department."
"With a torch."
"Ah well, the lights had probably gone."
"So had the stairs."
"But look, you found the notice didn't you?"
"Yes", said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked
filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying
'Beware of the Leopard'"!
- Douglas Adams
It happened over 22.3 years ago, therefore it can be declared funny.
Don't you know about the 22.3 year rule?
Seriously, I always thought the way to find out if a person was cheating on their CS projects/homework was to actually give them a test.
Ya know, like write a routine that does x y z given a b c.
When I was learning programming in college, I only had 1 teacher that did it right. ALL others did not know how to test students.
--Begin rant--
Getting offtopic, but CS tests should not be:
1. "Adventures in syntax."
2. Misleading to get the student to make a mistake.
3. A math class.
4. Multiple choice.
My assembly class consisted of 3 tests on converting numbers and adding/subtracting in binary and hex. Honestly, if I need to add and subtract in binary, I have a computer or calculator to do it on. And on the off chance I'm not near a computer, then why the heck am I using binary?
(Not to say that you shouldn't learn the foundations, but don't dwell on them for weeks)
Yes, I know it's a joke.
But seriously, emoticons were in use in 1984.
(Yes, 1984, I had a C64 and a 300 baud modem)
:p
---------
Bit of advice for anyone who thinks that nearly 20 years online is good. It isn't. It takes its toll, we wound up addicted to Everquest after the fall of Delphi, Compuserve and the diversi-dials. And for the first time in 17 years, I don't have a modem....aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
No matter what you do, expect to lose about 35% of them within the first 5 mins. Some will be in the MS only crowd, others will just get lost.
The rest you'll be able to work with.
Most developers know there are alternatives to SQL server, for them, it's usually called Oracle. Explain that there are alternatives to Oracle.
Most enterprise developers are not concerned with the backend, as long as it fits their needs. The thing could run on a Commodore 64, if it accepts SQL, it works.
Whatever you do, do not preach Linux to MS developers! It's the quickest way to annoy 95% of them, and I've seen it done many times before.
They have to approach it as just another platform that they can code on, no better no worse. Only once they understand that do you explain the benefits and pitfalls of running on other platforms. Make sure to explain both. That will get them thinking.
Personally, I would rather see the company that makes the OS make the API's for a library that interacts with the OS in specific ways. I don't think it's over the top for a company that makes the OS to distribute a standard with interacting with that OS. It doesn't matter if its DirectX, Win32, COM, MFC, or .NET.
Anyone can go and make their own API for Windows.
The real issue here is, should a computer dealer be allowed to remove parts of the package distributed with the OS and replace them with their own, AND still get a discounted price from Microsoft.
There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing stopping these dealers from using retail copies of Windows with their systems and doing whatever they want to it. The whole arguement is about the OEM contract.
Putting it in other terms, should you be able to get your Toyota from a Toyota dealer with a VW engine in it? The answer is No. It wouldn't be a Toyota.
Can you get a Toyota from Joe's dealership that Joe bought from a Toyota dealer and Joe then put a VW engine in it? The answer is Yes.
Why isn't an operating system crippled by not knowing how to render HTML? If rendering HTML is something that many programs use for functionality, then remving that feature is crippling the OS.
Microsoft is not the only company to use the HTML components in Windows. Companies like Macromedia, Intuit, and Symantec use the functionality of the HTML rendering components.
Using the same logic, we can remove DirectX as well, and not consider the OS crippled.
When it comes down to it, what defines an operating system? Is it just disk and screen access or is it a series of API's that let you program all aspects of the system?
You have a point, but you can also get an organ transplant, or a prosthetic leg. They're not going to work as well. (Maybe in 20 years they will tho, but that's another topic)
Microsoft is not saying the enduser can't replace parts of the operating system. They are saying that the dealer can't replace parts of the operating system and get a discount from Microsoft. You can't buy a new Toyota without Toyota parts.
(To a degree, you might be able to get fuzzy dice or a new steering wheel, but then you can also get Windows with OEM software on it.)
After all, you're still alive without your arms, legs, eyes, or even a kidney.
It doesn't mean you're not crippled.
Lobbing off something like the HTML component from Windows is really no different.
98Lite is a perfect example of this. Your OS becomes less functional, you can't use many features.
That's not to say you can't go and remove any added components. Such as Messenger, Calculator or Solitare (just to name a few), but remove enough and the value of the product goes down the drain.
So yes, Windows can be taken apart. But it doesn't mean it's not crippled.
Web surfing $3
Patches/Software downloads $7.50
Everquest $250
---
You hit a monster for 105 points of damage ($.50)
You hit a monster for 75 points of damage ($.35)
You killed a monster. ($2.95)
"If some kind of Star Trek replicator was invented so we could copy a Mercedes as easily as a Nellie Furtado CD, we'd still need to sell them. Our world is based on jobs. Anything that destroys jobs is bad for the world."
If some kind of Star Trek replicator was invented, would 99% of us actually *need* jobs?
The picture speaks for itself.
(CmdrTaco seen far right.)
"We figured it would be a good idea to go visit that big blue room, or 'outside' as some people call it.", said one source.
"What we didn't expect was that the one editor who did arrive today did a pretty good job on his own."
Strangely, very few noticed the difference in the quality of service.
I know it's an IE thing right now, but the Google Toolbar is one of the more useful browser addons ever.
As an experiment, for a week, I turned off the address bar and used the Google toolbar for everything. I was really impressed by the results.
Turning the address bar into a search engine is a great idea, one that Google should think about enhancing. If done right, a Google Address bar could make the current DNS system much less important, and that's just a start. There are a lot of possibilities with a setup like this.
In the end, I turned the Address bar back on to get an idea of what site I was on at the moment, it's easy to lose track without the URL line. However, I did not get rid of the toolbar, and I use it daily.
Would have been more funny if it included at least:
A. 1 Microsoft reference
and/or
B. 1 alternate dns root reference.
and/or
C. 1 Zork reference. (Hey, I like Zork)
I only ship software by UPS, I HATE having hardware shipped by them. I have NEVER had a computer or monitor delivered that didn't have damage to the outside box and packing material.
Fortunately, most people realise that UPS tends to drop things, over and over and over and over, so they use extra packing material, but it's not the solution.
Of course, lots of my software that UPS ships tends to wind up in New Jersey for several days. (This was early last year, so it might have changed by now, but I doubt it). I had a game that was supposed to be shipped to me in 3 days take 2 months. No, I'm not kidding, they said the package was lost, and the shipper sent another. 2 Months later, it arrived, the company I bought it from was out of business and the game was only $19.99, so I have an extra copy of scrabble now.
Last time UPS was on strike, I was so happy, everything came in from FedEx.