I have several "professional" friends who regard WikiPedia with disdain. Much to their reluctance, I once plaid a little game of "e-mail trivia" using American History as the theme.
We each took turns with 5 questions each and tried to respond as fast as possible. Between the three of us, I was able to respond that fastest (less than 2 hours). Why? Because of that neat little feature in FireFox that lets me query Wikipedia. All the answers were correct. When I let my friends know that I used WikiPedia, they were surprised.
It works for several reasons, but the best reason is that experts edit the articles. Sure, you're going to get trolls here and there, but when an expert at a particular subject gets his or her 15 minutes of fame, they sure are damn passionate about it. When they see things trolled, they immediately fix it and thus, the integrity of the article is preserved. At that point, it's their baby, and they want it accurate!
The whole point of information is to keep it accurate and usable. Wikipedia is the perfect example of how a "natural unregulated process" can regulate itself.
In my experience, I'll be honest and tell you that design documents are a pile of crap. They're usually written from a limited point of view with the assumption that you understand all the nuances of the business. Most of the time, that is not case.
You're a lot better off talking to the key people involved in either the business process or decision making. If you're working for a smaller company, this is relatively easy to do; however, if it's a larger company, I would think it's more difficult (ie less access to the managers). But find out how the process works and what people are looking for in a system.
The key to obtaining the right information is to ask the right questions. Don't approach with, "Hey, I'm designing a new system, what are your needs?", but rather approach with questions regarding problems with the current system. Then, when you get a feel for everything, you can design a system that will fit the right needs.
Not to be a pessimist, but I've dealt with Dell Tech Support 23 times this past year, every time with India, and I had only 2 positive experiences.
The company I work for has a lot of sales folks, who like to break laptops and all. So, I usually end up calling Dell for replacements (fulfill warranties and such) and guess what, I ALWAYS have to talk to Tech Support first. Every single time it's "reboot the machine". Come on! And good luck trying to let them know all you need is a replacement part, they just ask you a bevy of questions first and THEN transfer you when they can't understand you anymore.
They should just automate the damn tech support, it's pretty much the same effect. Those folks cannot understand you, and you end up either with a dropped line or worse, a transfer to another tech support person. BAH!
The only way to keep people from doing stupid things is summary execution of said offenders to remove them from the gene pool. But, unfortunately, there are laws against that type of thing.
Please tell me you're running for President, because you'd definitely get my vote.
Maybe the problem isn't that the fake blogs are carrying malicious code; rather that the browsers (coughIEcough) being used to surf the fake sites aren't secure enough.
Malicious websites will always be around; however, if we try and educate the public about security, they'll be rendered useless.
Baaa baaa baaa...I never had a problem with picking up hum, but good point on drivers -- always had problems with IRQ settings in DOS games...baaa baaa baaa
Gee, Creative has their hands full lately...first Creative Commons, now Creative Archive. It used to be tradition to stick with a brand name for a while, like Live! or Audigy...
I still remember waiting in line to buy a SoundBlaster 16! Boy, those were the days!
Your reasoning makes sense, but I think something like this is absolutely necessary. If it wasn't for the managers who created the guidelines and specs, there'd be no direction for the programmers to take.
Invariably, this is the situation where those who make the specs need to be at a higher level than those who code the project. The article is right, we don't think in C++, we think in English.
I can't wait to see what kind of new things this project brings about.
Interesting how now, despite the fact that you pay like 10 bucks a month for the service, TiVo feels they can serve up the most horrible type of media ad, the wretched pop-up.
At least they could've just raised the rates a little, I don't know how much people would've complained.
Alright Slashdotters, somebody throw up a link to a build-it-yourself Linux PVR unit.
True, but that one group of people used their money and influence to persuade legislators to make a law to benefit them.
Last time I checked, I thought the government was supposed to preserve fundamental Constitutional rights, not pass a new law when some lawmaker has to take care of those who donated to their campaigns.
Simply put, people will try to do things to put themselves at the top, but it's the governments fault for allowing itself to be manipulated.
I think Thomas Jefferson would be crying right now;)
What I see a problem is perception. Most of my friends enjoy playing games like Minish Cap and old school mario on their GBA's.
In fact, playing these games on the GBA is almost an excuse to return back to the simpler, yet highly addictive, 16-bit era where pixels were the rage and polygons only existed in arcades.
When I think of Sony, I think of Gran Turismo and realistic RPG's, not quirky sprites with catchy music that makes me want to play my GBA.
Maybe if Sony could get something like Bubble Bobble or another old franchise, PSP would have more appeal.
When I say OS calls, I'm referring to the ability of IE to use ActiveX to run code that can possibly damage Windows XP.
Think about it, because IE uses functions built natively into Windows, it is a lot easier for hackers to use exploits to run code that shouldn't be able to execute. Remember the Windows Help and Support exploit? Yeah, you could effictively run it from IE, and use another exploit to run malicious code.
Just hang out on Windows Update and read the Security bulletins sometime, you'll be amazed to see the vast array of vulnerabilities.
Because a browser like FireFox is NOT natively integrated into Windows, it is harder for exploits to be used. Not that there isn't any, but just that it makes it more difficult, because the FireFox code prevents certain things from executing. FireFox uses its own API and everything, which makes it slower, but more secure.
To be clear there are no Operating System APIs that IE uses that are not documented on MSDN as part of the platform SDK and available to other browsers and any other software that runs on Windows..'
The question is why would I want my browser to make OS calls? Could that be why the minute you surf the "wrong site" on IE, you get infected with loads of spyware, or worse, a virus?!
I'd rather stick to being limited on some performance issues and functionality (ActiveX sucks anyways) than being able to have a website install loads of crap onto my PC.
I don't like to buy anything that would somehow cripple my functionality. Pirating aside, there are a lot of legitimate purposes for making a CD into an MP3. I do it at work all the time, I bring it in, rip it to MP3, and then take the CD home with me.
But I don't think we'll really have a choice in the future. If there's one thing companies hate, it's lawsuits, and they'll do anything to avoid them, including implementing DRM.
I think Miguel is doing all of this because he feels that.NET will be the future of doing things. I remember a few years back all of those MS people having cosmic orgasms over.NET, even though nobody really knew what the hell is was.
Slashdot Mirror
...and quite possibly anti-shark spray, although I don't think that actually exists.
called laziness.
Bender: He's gay.
Leela: How do you know?
Bender: I have this thing called gaydar.
What is with us humans? Always hanging about and waiting for the end of the world?
I have several "professional" friends who regard WikiPedia with disdain. Much to their reluctance, I once plaid a little game of "e-mail trivia" using American History as the theme.
We each took turns with 5 questions each and tried to respond as fast as possible. Between the three of us, I was able to respond that fastest (less than 2 hours). Why? Because of that neat little feature in FireFox that lets me query Wikipedia. All the answers were correct. When I let my friends know that I used WikiPedia, they were surprised.
It works for several reasons, but the best reason is that experts edit the articles. Sure, you're going to get trolls here and there, but when an expert at a particular subject gets his or her 15 minutes of fame, they sure are damn passionate about it. When they see things trolled, they immediately fix it and thus, the integrity of the article is preserved. At that point, it's their baby, and they want it accurate!
The whole point of information is to keep it accurate and usable. Wikipedia is the perfect example of how a "natural unregulated process" can regulate itself.
In my experience, I'll be honest and tell you that design documents are a pile of crap. They're usually written from a limited point of view with the assumption that you understand all the nuances of the business. Most of the time, that is not case.
You're a lot better off talking to the key people involved in either the business process or decision making. If you're working for a smaller company, this is relatively easy to do; however, if it's a larger company, I would think it's more difficult (ie less access to the managers). But find out how the process works and what people are looking for in a system.
The key to obtaining the right information is to ask the right questions. Don't approach with, "Hey, I'm designing a new system, what are your needs?", but rather approach with questions regarding problems with the current system. Then, when you get a feel for everything, you can design a system that will fit the right needs.
I actually am using the business channel. But if what you're telling me is true, then why the hell am I not getting better support!?!
I feelin' a little screwed here at the moment. Calling Dell now...
...is still Indian only.
Not to be a pessimist, but I've dealt with Dell Tech Support 23 times this past year, every time with India, and I had only 2 positive experiences.
The company I work for has a lot of sales folks, who like to break laptops and all. So, I usually end up calling Dell for replacements (fulfill warranties and such) and guess what, I ALWAYS have to talk to Tech Support first. Every single time it's "reboot the machine". Come on! And good luck trying to let them know all you need is a replacement part, they just ask you a bevy of questions first and THEN transfer you when they can't understand you anymore.
They should just automate the damn tech support, it's pretty much the same effect. Those folks cannot understand you, and you end up either with a dropped line or worse, a transfer to another tech support person. BAH!
The only way to keep people from doing stupid things is summary execution of said offenders to remove them from the gene pool. But, unfortunately, there are laws against that type of thing.
Please tell me you're running for President, because you'd definitely get my vote.
Maybe the problem isn't that the fake blogs are carrying malicious code; rather that the browsers (coughIEcough) being used to surf the fake sites aren't secure enough.
Malicious websites will always be around; however, if we try and educate the public about security, they'll be rendered useless.
...that it is permanently lit, with a balmy -58 Fahrenheit (-50 C)."
Wow, you think they'll have cruise ships there? I'm checking Orbitz now...
Baaa baaa baaa...I never had a problem with picking up hum, but good point on drivers -- always had problems with IRQ settings in DOS games...baaa baaa baaa
Gee, Creative has their hands full lately...first Creative Commons, now Creative Archive. It used to be tradition to stick with a brand name for a while, like Live! or Audigy...
;)
I still remember waiting in line to buy a SoundBlaster 16! Boy, those were the days!
Your reasoning makes sense, but I think something like this is absolutely necessary. If it wasn't for the managers who created the guidelines and specs, there'd be no direction for the programmers to take.
Invariably, this is the situation where those who make the specs need to be at a higher level than those who code the project. The article is right, we don't think in C++, we think in English.
I can't wait to see what kind of new things this project brings about.
Interesting how now, despite the fact that you pay like 10 bucks a month for the service, TiVo feels they can serve up the most horrible type of media ad, the wretched pop-up.
At least they could've just raised the rates a little, I don't know how much people would've complained.
Alright Slashdotters, somebody throw up a link to a build-it-yourself Linux PVR unit.
Oh, I see, it's one of THOSE things.
;)
Yep, I guess I'll just go order me a glass of "You Got Served" juice, and enjoy it miserably
True, but that one group of people used their money and influence to persuade legislators to make a law to benefit them.
;)
Last time I checked, I thought the government was supposed to preserve fundamental Constitutional rights, not pass a new law when some lawmaker has to take care of those who donated to their campaigns.
Simply put, people will try to do things to put themselves at the top, but it's the governments fault for allowing itself to be manipulated.
I think Thomas Jefferson would be crying right now
Oh, you're the government?
Could you kinda like, um, stop sucking? I'll wave a flag or whatever, maybe even say something nice about the President, but please, stop sucking.
Seriously, why can't the US government learn to keep their noses out of every aspect in our lives?!
What I see a problem is perception. Most of my friends enjoy playing games like Minish Cap and old school mario on their GBA's.
In fact, playing these games on the GBA is almost an excuse to return back to the simpler, yet highly addictive, 16-bit era where pixels were the rage and polygons only existed in arcades.
When I think of Sony, I think of Gran Turismo and realistic RPG's, not quirky sprites with catchy music that makes me want to play my GBA.
Maybe if Sony could get something like Bubble Bobble or another old franchise, PSP would have more appeal.
Just my two cents.
When I say OS calls, I'm referring to the ability of IE to use ActiveX to run code that can possibly damage Windows XP.
Think about it, because IE uses functions built natively into Windows, it is a lot easier for hackers to use exploits to run code that shouldn't be able to execute. Remember the Windows Help and Support exploit? Yeah, you could effictively run it from IE, and use another exploit to run malicious code.
Just hang out on Windows Update and read the Security bulletins sometime, you'll be amazed to see the vast array of vulnerabilities.
Because a browser like FireFox is NOT natively integrated into Windows, it is harder for exploits to be used. Not that there isn't any, but just that it makes it more difficult, because the FireFox code prevents certain things from executing. FireFox uses its own API and everything, which makes it slower, but more secure.
To be clear there are no Operating System APIs that IE uses that are not documented on MSDN as part of the platform SDK and available to other browsers and any other software that runs on Windows..'
The question is why would I want my browser to make OS calls? Could that be why the minute you surf the "wrong site" on IE, you get infected with loads of spyware, or worse, a virus?!
I'd rather stick to being limited on some performance issues and functionality (ActiveX sucks anyways) than being able to have a website install loads of crap onto my PC.
I don't like to buy anything that would somehow cripple my functionality. Pirating aside, there are a lot of legitimate purposes for making a CD into an MP3. I do it at work all the time, I bring it in, rip it to MP3, and then take the CD home with me.
But I don't think we'll really have a choice in the future. If there's one thing companies hate, it's lawsuits, and they'll do anything to avoid them, including implementing DRM.
So, I guess the moral here should be that it's easier to join the 800lbs gorilla rather than try and tame the beast?
I think Miguel is doing all of this because he feels that .NET will be the future of doing things. I remember a few years back all of those MS people having cosmic orgasms over .NET, even though nobody really knew what the hell is was.
Maybe Miguel knows something we all don't?