The arrogance of Microsoft is just amazing. They keep trying to make us believe that they have changed their ways, but they really haven't.
What will it take for them to get it into their heads that they are just a supplier? If I found out that one of my clients was seriously considering an alternative product, I would be there grovelling, pointing out the benefits of staying with my company, maybe try to negociate a discount. But no, Microsoft are outraged! They've been slandered!
You would have though they would have learned from the Licence 6.0 fiasco. It's nice to see that the europeans (at least France, Germany and the UK) have the guts to stand up to Microsoft and consider alternatives. Why isn't this happening in the US?
Try to get on a mathematics degree at a good university and mention in your interview that you don't believe 1+1=2. Try to get on a physics degree and let them know you don't believe gravity exists.
Creationists are allowed to study biology at university level just because of political correctness - the universities can't be see to turn away people because their religous beliefs are incompatible with the course. There is no other reason. And I think that's dumb. Ban them I say!
I studied a biology degree. There were three creationists on my course. The university had to accept them onto the course, so as not to be accused of religous bias. They were awarded degrees as well, although the examiners had to give their coursework and exam papers special treatment to take into account their beliefs.
Personally, I think creationists should simply be banned from studying any biological science at degree or higher level. This may seem a bit extreme, but to allow a creationist to study a biology degree is like allowing someone who doesn't believe 1+1=2 to study a mathematics degree.
Erm. Yes. I think that was my point. Maybe you misread my post.
Miguel is naive. Read what he says. He even suggests Microsoft might like to fund Mono. Now, is that naive or what? Microsoft identify Linux as being their current number one threat, and Miguel want them to fund Mono! Well, if they did, it would be to control or kill it.
Oh, I know all about capitalism and competition. I'm afraid that Miguel doesn't understand how competition in the software industy works.
Miguel's arguments sound all well and good, but I think he is fundamentally naive about Microsoft.
Microsoft have fought tooth and nail over many years to build their monopoly. They will do whatever it takes to protect that, within the boundries of what they can get away with these days.
Some parts of the.NET framework are still vague. Now, why might that be? The naive might think it's because Microsoft still haven't worked some of the details out. As has been stated many times before, Microsoft is betting the farm on.NET. Microsoft are a very competitive company, with one of the most lucrative monopolies in the world. Think about that. Imagine how Microsoft will respond if they start to loose market share, or control over developers, because of Mono.
As long as Mono stays a little project (which it is as far as Microsoft is concerned) then they will play nice. They will be able to point to it and say "Hey, look, even the Open Source people are supporting.NET! That's because it's great technology and these days we're such nice people." But as soon as they feel it's a threat, well...
Don't be naive Miguel. You are implementing a copy of a system still under development the world's largest and most aggressive software monopoly. Think about that.
This is cool, not "disturbing"!
on
Berlin's Robotic Pub
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
While this may sound rather cool, the part I find disturbing is the fact that the owner plans on webcamming the security cameras so you can check on who's at the pub.
Is this a site for nerds or what? This bar owner is doing something cool with technology, and the main point you make is that you find it disturbing? What is there to be paranoid about? Really?? I can't think of a reason to find this disturbing. Please explain...
Why is it that when Ellison pushes stuff like this, everybody screams invasion of privacy, but when a German bar owner does it, the rabid/. paranoia doesn't show up?
Because it is completely different, that's why.
This is a trendy bar, that people who like tech can go to, and the bar owners use tech in a cool way. Nothing to be paranoid about. What Ellison is proposing however...
"Hey, Microsoft, over here! Point all your fire power at us!! We're trying to steal your cash cow!"
I would like to be able to quote an ancient Chinese saying at this point, but I can't remember any, so I'll make one up: "The stupid young stag challenges the dominant male at every opportunity, and gets his young antlers broken. The wise young stag waits until his antlers are strong, and knows he can win." Whatever.
I've not posted like this before, and I know this is immediately going to be modded down, but here goes...
Recently I've noticed that the moderation on Slashdot has changed quite considerably. I consider I post intelligent, articulate and reasonable posts, and I used to score 5 quite frequently. But now more often than not my posts are moderated down as off-topic or redundant even when I am directly responding to the subject of the parent.
This makes posting less interesting, because fewer people get to read my posts, and is becoming annoying.
OK, now to see how quickly this gets modded down. Oh well...
The UK has such a high cost of living (in part due to the socialistic policies of Tony Blair)
Come on, the UK has had a high cost of living for years. There are lots of other even more "socialisitic" countries in Europe which don't have the rip-off prices that Britain has.
Tony Blair is keen on entering the Euro, something that would likely reduce prices in the UK closer to the European average (so you wouldn't have to travel abroad to avoid being ripped-off when buying a car, for instance). However, you Brits of course are choosing to stay out of that, so you have partly got yourselves to blame for "rip-off Britain".
Well, I can't claim any insider knowledge, but I bet that all kind of crap goes on within the MS development teams that we never hear about.
When you've got a lot of bright people working hard on a very big, complex thing, something would be very wrong if you didn't get these kind of problems arising occasionally.
Personally, I think Linus is right, and all those people who are bitching should sit down and think for a moment, and perhaps think of ways they can help to make Linus's very hard task a little easier, rather than just complaining.
Why is the dialog in these games always so embarrasingly crappy? Listening to strong American accents in a pseudo-medieval setting just doesn't do it for me...
That's interesting-- could you please name these companies that are doing so well financially and also cite references for their good deeds and kind employee relations.
It sounds good but more of a rumor than anything else.
It's not just rumour, you just live in the wrong part of the world. I know many Americans find these thing difficult to believe. That just shows how screwed-up the American mentality has become.
One big difference between here and America is that, these companies policies aren't just for PR purposes, but they are actually core to the peoples life values. If you actually visited these countries and saw it for yourself, then you'd understand that the "America way" isn't the only way, or necessarily the best.
Thats life. It's not anyone's job to make your life peachy. It's your job. Don't whine to me about how the corparate machine is ruining your life.
What a sad sentiment.
I don't understand why so many people (I think I'm right in saying mostly Americans) on Slashdot have such a shitty attitude towards life.
We all have a choice as to how we behave towards others (and that includes company directors and shareholders). Before anyone shouts "you're naive" or "get with the real world", many companies in Northern Europe, particularly in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, have very high ethical standards. They don't pollute the environment, treat their employees badly, rip-off their customers, etc., not because the law demands it, but because it is the civilised thing to do. And some of these companies are extremely successful globbally.
It is a bit of a shame when many people in America, the so-called "leader of the free world", have such a primitive attitude towards life.
One of the things that angers me about this is that the software companies are such hypocrites. Most of them deliberately don't do very much to make it difficult to copy software, because they know that preventing all copying would be disadvantageous for them, and yet the accuse many otherwise perfectly law-abiding companies and organisations of the serious crime of theft. If I leave my front-door open I deserve to get robbed.
There are lots of techniques that they could use which would make it impossible (for Joe User at least) to install software on multiple machines, for instance by providing a floppy or USB dongle with the installation CDs which must be inserted the first time the software is installed and which won't let the user install again. They don't do this because they don't want it to be difficult to copy their software. So, by my way of thinking, to an extent they deserve the copying that occurs.
I agree with your general point and confess to a lack of experience with 'NASA size' projects.
However, I think the point is made - the better specified a project is, the easier it is to get an accurate estimate. Of course, on a very large project, specification itself may be a significant task. For my company's clients we often charge for specification and costing on a separate contract before the programming itself starts. In this way the client change their minds if they don't like the price, but we still get paid for the time we have spent on specification.
As someone who has to provide estimates to different clients for different types of jobs on a frequent basis, I have to say that I don't think it is as difficult as some people make out.
The secret is to base your estimate on a detailed specification. Specify in detail, break down the big task into smaller ones, estimate for each smaller task, add up, add 10% for contingency.
I think the problem is that too many estimates are made on the basis of poor specifications, then you get a shock when you discover a problem you haven't anticipated. So, my top tips:
1) detailed spec agreed with client.
2) breakdown into smaller tasks.
3) estimate for smaller tasks.
4) add up and add 10%.
All this stuff about doubling etc. - what are you people like? If you have to do things like that then perhaps project estimation isn't something you should be doing...
In the real world, we don't go by some estimation or rigid schedule, and we wouldn't have to if not for the accountants and marketing people that have to prove their usefulness.
In the real world, companies have to be profitable and keep clients happy by delivering projects on time.
but my experience is that these products start at about USD 15000 and go up to about USD 50000. With these kind of prices, nobody cares about an operating system which costs USD 1000.
Maybe you've got money to burn, but I think most people would like a discount of between 2 and 7% on a reasonably large transation. $1000 is, well, $1000 whichever way you look at it.
Slashdot Mirror
The arrogance of Microsoft is just amazing. They keep trying to make us believe that they have changed their ways, but they really haven't.
What will it take for them to get it into their heads that they are just a supplier? If I found out that one of my clients was seriously considering an alternative product, I would be there grovelling, pointing out the benefits of staying with my company, maybe try to negociate a discount. But no, Microsoft are outraged! They've been slandered!
You would have though they would have learned from the Licence 6.0 fiasco. It's nice to see that the europeans (at least France, Germany and the UK) have the guts to stand up to Microsoft and consider alternatives. Why isn't this happening in the US?
You seem to want to return to the darkages
Try to get on a mathematics degree at a good university and mention in your interview that you don't believe 1+1=2. Try to get on a physics degree and let them know you don't believe gravity exists.
Creationists are allowed to study biology at university level just because of political correctness - the universities can't be see to turn away people because their religous beliefs are incompatible with the course. There is no other reason. And I think that's dumb. Ban them I say!
I studied a biology degree. There were three creationists on my course. The university had to accept them onto the course, so as not to be accused of religous bias. They were awarded degrees as well, although the examiners had to give their coursework and exam papers special treatment to take into account their beliefs.
Personally, I think creationists should simply be banned from studying any biological science at degree or higher level. This may seem a bit extreme, but to allow a creationist to study a biology degree is like allowing someone who doesn't believe 1+1=2 to study a mathematics degree.
You'll find some of these peoples writings by searching for 'evolution' on this site:
http://www.khouse.org/
I'm afraid that their simplistic and biased arguments aren't really worth the effort reading.
Ever hear of capitalism or competition?
Erm. Yes. I think that was my point. Maybe you misread my post.
Miguel is naive. Read what he says. He even suggests Microsoft might like to fund Mono. Now, is that naive or what? Microsoft identify Linux as being their current number one threat, and Miguel want them to fund Mono! Well, if they did, it would be to control or kill it.
Oh, I know all about capitalism and competition. I'm afraid that Miguel doesn't understand how competition in the software industy works.
Miguel's arguments sound all well and good, but I think he is fundamentally naive about Microsoft.
.NET framework are still vague. Now, why might that be? The naive might think it's because Microsoft still haven't worked some of the details out. As has been stated many times before, Microsoft is betting the farm on .NET. Microsoft are a very competitive company, with one of the most lucrative monopolies in the world. Think about that. Imagine how Microsoft will respond if they start to loose market share, or control over developers, because of Mono.
.NET! That's because it's great technology and these days we're such nice people." But as soon as they feel it's a threat, well...
Microsoft have fought tooth and nail over many years to build their monopoly. They will do whatever it takes to protect that, within the boundries of what they can get away with these days.
Some parts of the
As long as Mono stays a little project (which it is as far as Microsoft is concerned) then they will play nice. They will be able to point to it and say "Hey, look, even the Open Source people are supporting
Don't be naive Miguel. You are implementing a copy of a system still under development the world's largest and most aggressive software monopoly. Think about that.
While this may sound rather cool, the part I find disturbing is the fact that the owner plans on webcamming the security cameras so you can check on who's at the pub.
Is this a site for nerds or what? This bar owner is doing something cool with technology, and the main point you make is that you find it disturbing? What is there to be paranoid about? Really?? I can't think of a reason to find this disturbing. Please explain...
Why is it that when Ellison pushes stuff like this, everybody screams invasion of privacy, but when a German bar owner does it, the rabid /. paranoia doesn't show up?
Because it is completely different, that's why.
This is a trendy bar, that people who like tech can go to, and the bar owners use tech in a cool way. Nothing to be paranoid about. What Ellison is proposing however...
... and in the current public mood, perfect for urban combat ...
you people are scary.
Come on, what do you expect him to say?
"Hey, Microsoft, over here! Point all your fire power at us!! We're trying to steal your cash cow!"
I would like to be able to quote an ancient Chinese saying at this point, but I can't remember any, so I'll make one up: "The stupid young stag challenges the dominant male at every opportunity, and gets his young antlers broken. The wise young stag waits until his antlers are strong, and knows he can win." Whatever.
I've not posted like this before, and I know this is immediately going to be modded down, but here goes...
Recently I've noticed that the moderation on Slashdot has changed quite considerably. I consider I post intelligent, articulate and reasonable posts, and I used to score 5 quite frequently. But now more often than not my posts are moderated down as off-topic or redundant even when I am directly responding to the subject of the parent.
This makes posting less interesting, because fewer people get to read my posts, and is becoming annoying.
OK, now to see how quickly this gets modded down. Oh well...
The UK has such a high cost of living (in part due to the socialistic policies of Tony Blair)
Come on, the UK has had a high cost of living for years. There are lots of other even more "socialisitic" countries in Europe which don't have the rip-off prices that Britain has.
Tony Blair is keen on entering the Euro, something that would likely reduce prices in the UK closer to the European average (so you wouldn't have to travel abroad to avoid being ripped-off when buying a car, for instance). However, you Brits of course are choosing to stay out of that, so you have partly got yourselves to blame for "rip-off Britain".
Me: Sorry boss, I missed the meeting because it was pissing down with rain so there was lots of traffic and I missed my flight.
PHB: Don't worry, we're getting all our staff one of those automatic alarming-woman thing's so you won't miss it next time.
Me: D'oh!
Microsoft must be laughing
Well, I can't claim any insider knowledge, but I bet that all kind of crap goes on within the MS development teams that we never hear about.
When you've got a lot of bright people working hard on a very big, complex thing, something would be very wrong if you didn't get these kind of problems arising occasionally.
Personally, I think Linus is right, and all those people who are bitching should sit down and think for a moment, and perhaps think of ways they can help to make Linus's very hard task a little easier, rather than just complaining.
Why is the dialog in these games always so embarrasingly crappy? Listening to strong American accents in a pseudo-medieval setting just doesn't do it for me...
Thats what freedom is. Nobody will be there to help you up if you fall on your face.
Am I glad I don't live in America.
That's interesting-- could you please name these companies that are doing so well financially and also cite references for their good deeds and kind employee relations.
w ork.asp
Nokia
http://www.nokia.com/insight/index.html
Ericsson
http://www.ericsson.com/ericssonresponse/
http://www.ericsson.com/sustainability/
Ikea
http://www.ikea.co.uk/about_ikea/code_of_conduct/
Lego
http://www.lego.com/eng/info/profile.asp
It sounds good but more of a rumor than anything else.
It's not just rumour, you just live in the wrong part of the world. I know many Americans find these thing difficult to believe. That just shows how screwed-up the American mentality has become.
One big difference between here and America is that, these companies policies aren't just for PR purposes, but they are actually core to the peoples life values. If you actually visited these countries and saw it for yourself, then you'd understand that the "America way" isn't the only way, or necessarily the best.
Thats life. It's not anyone's job to make your life peachy. It's your job. Don't whine to me about how the corparate machine is ruining your life.
What a sad sentiment.
I don't understand why so many people (I think I'm right in saying mostly Americans) on Slashdot have such a shitty attitude towards life.
We all have a choice as to how we behave towards others (and that includes company directors and shareholders). Before anyone shouts "you're naive" or "get with the real world", many companies in Northern Europe, particularly in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, have very high ethical standards. They don't pollute the environment, treat their employees badly, rip-off their customers, etc., not because the law demands it, but because it is the civilised thing to do. And some of these companies are extremely successful globbally.
It is a bit of a shame when many people in America, the so-called "leader of the free world", have such a primitive attitude towards life.
Well, if you think Alan Cox would find it difficult to find another job, God help the rest of us!
I'm sure he would have companies lining up to employ him. (IBM, SUSE, Mandrake...)
One of the things that angers me about this is that the software companies are such hypocrites. Most of them deliberately don't do very much to make it difficult to copy software, because they know that preventing all copying would be disadvantageous for them, and yet the accuse many otherwise perfectly law-abiding companies and organisations of the serious crime of theft. If I leave my front-door open I deserve to get robbed.
There are lots of techniques that they could use which would make it impossible (for Joe User at least) to install software on multiple machines, for instance by providing a floppy or USB dongle with the installation CDs which must be inserted the first time the software is installed and which won't let the user install again. They don't do this because they don't want it to be difficult to copy their software. So, by my way of thinking, to an extent they deserve the copying that occurs.
I agree with your general point and confess to a lack of experience with 'NASA size' projects.
However, I think the point is made - the better specified a project is, the easier it is to get an accurate estimate. Of course, on a very large project, specification itself may be a significant task. For my company's clients we often charge for specification and costing on a separate contract before the programming itself starts. In this way the client change their minds if they don't like the price, but we still get paid for the time we have spent on specification.
As someone who has to provide estimates to different clients for different types of jobs on a frequent basis, I have to say that I don't think it is as difficult as some people make out.
The secret is to base your estimate on a detailed specification. Specify in detail, break down the big task into smaller ones, estimate for each smaller task, add up, add 10% for contingency.
I think the problem is that too many estimates are made on the basis of poor specifications, then you get a shock when you discover a problem you haven't anticipated. So, my top tips:
1) detailed spec agreed with client.
2) breakdown into smaller tasks.
3) estimate for smaller tasks.
4) add up and add 10%.
All this stuff about doubling etc. - what are you people like? If you have to do things like that then perhaps project estimation isn't something you should be doing...
I use this on EVERY single estimate I provide, WHY ?? It works, its not too high not too low, just right.
A task will expand to fill the time available... That's why your method of estimation always seems just right.
In the real world, we don't go by some estimation or rigid schedule, and we wouldn't have to if not for the accountants and marketing people that have to prove their usefulness.
In the real world, companies have to be profitable and keep clients happy by delivering projects on time.
but my experience is that these products start at about USD 15000 and go up to about USD 50000. With these kind of prices, nobody cares about an operating system which costs USD 1000.
Maybe you've got money to burn, but I think most people would like a discount of between 2 and 7% on a reasonably large transation. $1000 is, well, $1000 whichever way you look at it.
A fool and his money...