This is stupid. We already use multipurpose tools for generating the code we want - we call them compilers. What they're talking about is the simple process of building up higher and higher level code. We're no longer coding in punch cards or buttons on the front of the computer, are we? If you had made the same prediction back in 1960, you'd have "code archaeologists" going back and finding old punch cards to translate into programs today or maybe people reusing the same bits of assembler instead of coding it from hand.
Dude... did you even read what I wrote? I totally agree with your first paragraph.
As far as the "bitches" comment I don't mean that everyone who can't use a computer is an idiot or a whiner, I mean that people who use software are greedy and whiny - everything must work PERFECTLY or they will complain. No matter who they are, they are using the software to get something done, and very often they want it done NOW. Anything short of that is unacceptable.
That, my friend, is a bitch. And I'm saying that ALL users are these kinds of people - I'm one when I become a user. So are you. So is everyone else. Everyone who uses software needs to be babied.
Of course, they're right. And it's not for any crazy reasons like "the iPod don't work" like esr would have you believe. The key of course is getting developers to target their products toward users of course. We all know this is the problem. I think that these days if doesn't agree that Linux (pick your distro) isn't ready to go for people with no computing background is crazy. I see, however, a lot of "oh but people are just trained on Windows" - this is no excuse. It's possible to make software discoverable, it's just really HARD.
I'm starting to think that this is the major flaw of Open Source Software. It's not that people don't have a desire to bring FOSS to the masses, nor the ability to make it usable for Aunt Tilly, but more due to the fact that most end users are fucking bitches. It's not easy for a volunteer staff to put up with the bullshit that real users require - but if you don't deal with it, you can't complain. That's life - you put up with idiots using computers or you aren't competitive in that market. Until FOSS gets more backing by businesses or developers learn to focus on how their product behaves, you aren't going to get anywhere.
Personally, I think the first thing that needs to happen is for distros to get their act together. I don't know what would help - maybe drafting/implementing Linux distribution standards? - but installation is always the first step.
No, freedom is always relative. Does the child have the right not to be kidnapped, or does the kidnapper have the right to carry off any child that ain't nailed down? In this case it's pretty obvious whose freedom wins out. With DRM, you're trying to say do users have the right to copy music they bought or do the copyright owners have the right to force the user to handle those digital bits in the manner they prescribe? Every case where there is a law is a decision between two freedoms.
yeah, i missed that oops:) he may have just gotten a poor education, taken the wrong courses (how many undergrad students learn how to reduce an NP-complete problem anyway? and you need to know a good deal to read knuth fully) and it's wise words in general. imho
Learn different programming languages. Perl, C++, Python, Ruby, and make sure to include functional ones like Lisp, Haskell, and ML. Build something useful or interesting in each of them.
Study algorithms. Get an algorithms textbook and learn about trees, linked lists, hashes, etc.
Study complexity theory. Learn how to find the big-O running time of an algorithm. Learn how to reduce an NP-complete problem so you can tell if the problem you are working on is intractible.
The summary has the article completely backwards - they merely found that the students that enjoyed math were in fact worse at it. This has nothing to do with people's social confidence, as the article summary would have you believe.
Personally I think that the focus on math is all wrong - people are trying to increase enjoyment in math by making things "relevant" or "fun", when it should place more of a focus on logic and solving puzzles. Math is inherently a lot of fun once you realize that it's not all about crunching numbers and doing sums, and more about consistent, logical systems.
You know, this sucks for Iran and all, but if you're China, it must be pretty telling of how controlling your government is when Iran has a more lax Internet policy than you do.
But the problem is that Firefox is so advanced it can actually stop a script when it thinks it has run out of control. But they were so worried about that they forgot about a very simple flaw: when an "alert" box pops up it disables the entire freaking window. You can't close the web page or switch to a new tab! So when you get a ton of them, the advanced infinite loop/too much processing trigger doesn't fire, but you're still stuck anyway! The irony is that this is really easy to fix, but it's has been completely overlooked.
You've already made up your mind by asking Slashdot in the first place. Obviously, you have some kind of wish to work with Google and not Microsoft. Similar questions include "should I get a job lobbying for the EFF or the RIAA?" and "should I invest in SCO or Red Hat?"
Slashdot Mirror
This is stupid. We already use multipurpose tools for generating the code we want - we call them compilers. What they're talking about is the simple process of building up higher and higher level code. We're no longer coding in punch cards or buttons on the front of the computer, are we? If you had made the same prediction back in 1960, you'd have "code archaeologists" going back and finding old punch cards to translate into programs today or maybe people reusing the same bits of assembler instead of coding it from hand.
Dude... did you even read what I wrote? I totally agree with your first paragraph.
As far as the "bitches" comment I don't mean that everyone who can't use a computer is an idiot or a whiner, I mean that people who use software are greedy and whiny - everything must work PERFECTLY or they will complain. No matter who they are, they are using the software to get something done, and very often they want it done NOW. Anything short of that is unacceptable.
That, my friend, is a bitch. And I'm saying that ALL users are these kinds of people - I'm one when I become a user. So are you. So is everyone else. Everyone who uses software needs to be babied.
Of course, they're right. And it's not for any crazy reasons like "the iPod don't work" like esr would have you believe. The key of course is getting developers to target their products toward users of course. We all know this is the problem. I think that these days if doesn't agree that Linux (pick your distro) isn't ready to go for people with no computing background is crazy. I see, however, a lot of "oh but people are just trained on Windows" - this is no excuse. It's possible to make software discoverable, it's just really HARD.
I'm starting to think that this is the major flaw of Open Source Software. It's not that people don't have a desire to bring FOSS to the masses, nor the ability to make it usable for Aunt Tilly, but more due to the fact that most end users are fucking bitches. It's not easy for a volunteer staff to put up with the bullshit that real users require - but if you don't deal with it, you can't complain. That's life - you put up with idiots using computers or you aren't competitive in that market. Until FOSS gets more backing by businesses or developers learn to focus on how their product behaves, you aren't going to get anywhere.
Personally, I think the first thing that needs to happen is for distros to get their act together. I don't know what would help - maybe drafting/implementing Linux distribution standards? - but installation is always the first step.
haskell!
Really? I wonder if the "default Google" behavior is a leftover from Firefox 1 - then when people upgrade it keeps their settings?
To be fair, let's not forget tanks rolling out to quash protests and the government actively censoring free speech!
Sure, they'll do it just as soon as Firefox stops choosing Google by default.
This has been a great eight years! I always wanted to know what it was like to live in China, and now we keep getting closer every day! :)
intelligence != acting like a human
No, freedom is always relative. Does the child have the right not to be kidnapped, or does the kidnapper have the right to carry off any child that ain't nailed down? In this case it's pretty obvious whose freedom wins out. With DRM, you're trying to say do users have the right to copy music they bought or do the copyright owners have the right to force the user to handle those digital bits in the manner they prescribe? Every case where there is a law is a decision between two freedoms.
yeah, i missed that oops :) he may have just gotten a poor education, taken the wrong courses (how many undergrad students learn how to reduce an NP-complete problem anyway? and you need to know a good deal to read knuth fully) and it's wise words in general. imho
Almost forgot - SICP is indispensable. Read it and do the exercises (also teaches you Scheme!).
I think we've learned something here today :)
Holy shit I can't believe someone else has seen this. This was probably the best TV show I have ever seen. A fucking chicken, for chrissakes.
Yes, I would prefer to have "virtual work" or "hybrid play" in my IT office! See I can make up words too!
That's what they get for calling them "webisodes".
The summary has the article completely backwards - they merely found that the students that enjoyed math were in fact worse at it. This has nothing to do with people's social confidence, as the article summary would have you believe.
Personally I think that the focus on math is all wrong - people are trying to increase enjoyment in math by making things "relevant" or "fun", when it should place more of a focus on logic and solving puzzles. Math is inherently a lot of fun once you realize that it's not all about crunching numbers and doing sums, and more about consistent, logical systems.
You know, this sucks for Iran and all, but if you're China, it must be pretty telling of how controlling your government is when Iran has a more lax Internet policy than you do.
My name is Ingo Molnar. You SIGKILLed my parent process. Prepare to be made real-time.
But the problem is that Firefox is so advanced it can actually stop a script when it thinks it has run out of control. But they were so worried about that they forgot about a very simple flaw: when an "alert" box pops up it disables the entire freaking window. You can't close the web page or switch to a new tab! So when you get a ton of them, the advanced infinite loop/too much processing trigger doesn't fire, but you're still stuck anyway! The irony is that this is really easy to fix, but it's has been completely overlooked.
You've already made up your mind by asking Slashdot in the first place. Obviously, you have some kind of wish to work with Google and not Microsoft. Similar questions include "should I get a job lobbying for the EFF or the RIAA?" and "should I invest in SCO or Red Hat?"
I can't wait to read Wikipedia... I hope the US stops blocking it soon!
Lime makes bodies decompose more quickly. ::innocent whistle::
THIS is tasteless!
And funny.