When I learned of this I wrote to ATI costumer relations (Tuesday) and they had already covered thier tracks by sending me the "specs" showing no HDCP listed.
See that's what I don't understand - why do you (likes of ATI) think your customers, especially the techie types are idiots. Average Joe doesn't understand what HDCP (or for that matter any thing on the spec sheet) means and probably doesn't even know what a video card is. Its only the slashdot type gaming crowd that is more or less interested in the bleeding edge graphics card and probably they are the ones who even know what things like HDCP means. For argument sake lets consider that not every gamer knows their hardware but would probably know about it eventually somewhere - like slashdot or at their LAN parties. Now these folks buy something only after looking at specs and shell out a lot of hard earned money. So by changing the specs I don't understand who they are fooling. Instead if they come out clean and say "hey we fucked up, our cute marketing rep thought she could get away with it", I think is much better way to deal with issues like this. For one, admitting your mistake is much better than hoping your customers are idiots. Take a clue from the Sony fiasco.
Stop treating your customers like they are ignorant fools.
I'd rather rephrase it like this "Actually it is only compulsory when applying for a passport. It will not be compulsory otherwise for now". Once the system is in place, its only a matter of time when it becomes common place. All they have to do is prove to public that they either caught a terrorist or prevented a subway bomb somehow. Fear is the easiest thing to sell to public.
Seriously, it seems that you have fought the good fight.
OK, by this point I have read TFA at least a few times and I still didn't find what was the good fight this guy fought. I mean he doesn't list any steps that he has taken to fight the IT department. He and his management are unhappy with the way IT department works. So just for argument sake, can I assume that you are making assumptions that may not be valid and drawing conclusions that are plain wrong?
I am not denying that this situations don't exist, but most people just whine about it, they don't do anything about it. For e.g. has this guy filed a formal written complaint to the upper management stating that the IT department is not co-operating? Has he tried forging some good rapport with the IT department? The only time any one remembers the IT department is when stuff don't work. Sometimes acknowledging that they are part of the company and their success may lead them to co-operate more. To support my argument read what the author states:
The lack of agility is maddening, because I know we are missing significant business opportunities. My management is extremely supportive and despite our excellent track record of success in creating robust/secure applications--our work has passed audit numerous times with flying colors--we get no support from IT.
So apparently according to him all the bad things that are happening in the company is due to the incompetence of IT and all the good things are happening because of his development team. Gimme a break!! That attitude (treating IT department like they are 3rd rate employees, a burden) is not going to get him or any body favors.
Suggestion to author: Try toning down your ego, treat IT department with respect, give them credit and appreciate their work. They are the ones who save your ass when you type "rm -rf/". And ocassionaly buy them beer and lunch and see those 9 months turn to 9 seconds!
Probably this would get you started. Try to answer these questions with confidence:
How good are you in OOP?
Do you believe OOP is the right solution for every application?
What are the different types of programming techniques (OOP is one of them, not the only one)? Do you know you can achieve OOP with procedural languages?
Is your goal to get in to systems programming or application programming or completely different like systems architect?
What if you end up working for Google where you are assigned a Python coding project? What if Linux Trovalds decides to give you a shot and you don't know C++?
...
Hopefully you get the idea. Doesn't matter what programming language you use of even which platform. Sure you'll be favorite on/. if you say you use Linux. But those accolades don't give you a career nor put food on the table. There is nothing wrong in working for Microsoft. Its better to get paid than rant of slashdot without a job. Bottom line wise up and start working for your goal. Programming language is just a medium. Its called "language" for a reason - you tell computer what to do. If you can do that very effectively in French, no body gives a shit.
Time to update the ol' resume and make for the exits.
Seriously, I would never hire you. In fact mentality like yours is definitely a sure fire disaster recipe. Here is what I deduce from your comment:
You run away from challenges.
You lack proper communication skills (It is important for IT person to explain stuff to average Joe in his language).
You definitely are not a leader.
You apparently think very higly of yourself.
You are definitely not a self starter.
You are not reliable.
With qualities like that I am amazed, you still have a job. This guy has the zeal to learn and to introduce change. He is showing leadership skills, trying to improve how things work in the company. A guy like that is an asset. Instead of giving him useful advise, you tell him to bolt and you have been modded insightful. And still you wonder why your job is being outsourced. Come to think of it you are asking for it.
Somehow your statement implies that the computer science programs in India is florishing due to investments by the likes of Microsoft. You couldn't be more wrong. There is a reason why all these tech companies are moving their research divisions to India - availability of quality engineers with PhD. Computer Science has been and still is the most sought after program in India inspite of recent decline in enrollment or demand for it. I know this because I came through that system. In every college, it used to be the case where only top 2%-5% would only be eligible to get in to computer science. Now its a bit easier as there are more colleges to accomodate more students.
Decline in American universities CompSci enrollment may be has little to do with outsourcing, but then again most of the outsourced jobs are plain programming type jobs not actual engineering level. Its plain fact that after the bubble people realized that it is no more that way to easy top dollar.
Here you go - http://www.penenberg.com/biography.html. He is an assistant professor at New York University and assistant director of the business and economic reporting program in the school's department of journalism.
All that to combat worms and viruses? If I am correct, most of the worms and viruses infect because of a vulnerabilitly in the software. So what if these sentinnels of "guardian angels" themselves have some flaws which these viruses exploit. How about spending some money on training developers to practise safe coding. How about educating average joe to not click on the Britney's image and let him know that she is not going to blow him? How about lobbying to pass laws to force software companies to pass a higher standard? Heck even children toys have certain standards that the companies have to adhere to.
Seems like rational ideas are just an illision now a days. Don quixote suddenly seems more reasonable to me than this guy.
The Oakley Thumps may have come first, but at 3x the cost of Nu Tech Dark Shadows, even frugal geeks can look smooth..
Sorry I don't share your enthusiasm, but I don't think you will look smoother, only geekier. I am geeky enough and I don't want to wear it on my face. Besides, the audio actually sucks....what, I had to try it on...common gimme a break!
Have you considered that Slashdot, where people come for the comments and not the stories, is the exception and not the rule?
In your statement, you are overlooking an important point. People come to slasdot for comments and not for news. That means, people are not interested in some absent minded journalist reporting what has happened. The reader probably already knows it by now. What he/she wants to know is what his fellow human being thinks about it. If you take same concept to national newspapers, may be just may be the journalists will start paying more attention and hopefully we won't have more Judith Millers.
One thing newspapers have which Slashdot does not is journalistic integrity.
One example - Judith Miller. There are many. Sure you can claim that it is more an exception. But her part was a key role in getting us closer war and more troubles. That is costly on a national scale. Apparently we need checks and balances for our news media too.
Sure, I'll buy that. But this is just a way of saying that customer service is important to a business.
I think you are missing the point. I think what author is saying that provide the news or content that will appeal to local audience. That means provide a product that is relevant to the consumer. Obviously the customer service is a way to find what the readers want (read surveys). So no its not that obvious, its hard work.
May be just may be we need to rethink what Newspapers are essentially meant for in this modern age. Certainly the "news" in newspapers is old by the time they go to print. So what is the benefit to the consumer to subscribe to a newspaper? Your reasoning could be valid - relaxing. But how many people feel that way? I do enjoy a lazy sunny afternoon break where I can catch my breath and get a cup of coffee and read newspaper. Its certainly relaxing, but at the same time I am not looking for "news". I already know it by then. In fact, by the time I am done reading the first paragraph I am bored. So may be newspapers need to shift focus.
Just telling me what happened might not be enough. It is all over the TV channels, online blogs and even if you missed all that, your know-it-all cubicle neighbor will make sure that you know about it. Now that means the obvious solution might be opinion or editorials etc. But there is already a section for that. But I think they should occupy front page headlines. How about editorials on the current events on front page? Since people already know what has happened, how about giving people an in-depth story about it. Going local is a key concept that the author discussed. How about editorials on local stuff? Forget about war on Iraq and ID. They are being beten to death on news channels and national newspapers.
I am not trying to provide a solution, I am just saying to that just "news" in newspaper will mean zero circulation eventually.
I agree with mostly what you are trying to say, but let me ask you this - does the average person even know what RIAA is? I don't think so. Even some of the more technically inclined persons were asking me "what does RIAA stand for?" Now, I am not sure if that is very strange but I tend to believe that average Nascar Dad or Soccer mom don't care about RIAA let alone what Sherman thinks. In fact, most of these average Joes and Janes, I came across just know that there is a thing called virus and spyware thanks to AOL ads. Now we are throwing a lot of acronyms and technical terms like RIAA, rootkits etc. which will only confuse them. Within a month the mainstream media will forget about Sony DRM and they won't bother. RIAA will still be there in one form or other.
"Free market" is defined by the guys like RIAA, MPAA and all those lobbyists associations you or I probably haven't heard of and certainly not your average Joe six-pack. Thus my point is this - the playing field is already rigged in favor of these modern day cartels. May be its a little bit cynical view and I really am an optimistic guy, but I would be very surprised if it is not true. So my point is this - Free market ain't going to do anything to these "Cartels", unless something radically changes - like your average person worrying about these things other than things like missing an episode of Desperate Housewives.
Even though you can try to justify it and I am sure there are some isolated usefulness, I'd say NO, at least for work PC. We have enough trouble with email and IM itself (there have been a lot of stories on those on/.); the last thing we need is some ads popping up when someone is trying to work especially in crunch time. It might work for home editions or home users, but professional uses - NO. I don't care how contextual the ads are, they are a distraction and I bet they will be flash based or something more silly and obnoxious or at least they will evolve in to those.
First of all digg and slashdot do not have the same niche. Idea is similar - have a story and have people comment on it and argue. But slashdot tends to be more technical in nature - even YRO to the most part. Digg on the other hand does not restrict you to a particular set of categories. You can even post a goatse link if you want to. But will it get to the front page, most probably not unless we have too many wackos in this fading republic. But on the other hand I see it this way - it is good to know about something else other than just technology; although I lose interest very quickly. Even though the stories can be any topic, if you notice the front page stories on digg, they are more or less technical. Now I don't know if that is gonna stay that way forever.
Editorial:
Slashdot: Targeted by very technical editors, I generally want to hear about 40% of the stories.
Digg: Targeted by users, I generally want to hear about 5% of the stories.
I think you are missing an important distinction. Stories in Digg do not get rejected. If it is of great interest to lot of people, it makes to the front page. In/. if the editor doesn't want to hear about it, it adios...Pick your coolaid.
You made that claim for Apple based on just one version of their server OS? Based on my experience, 10.3 was a nightmare. 10.4 seems more stable, offers better compatibility with Active Directory, and the command line management even though is available since 10.3, seems more useful now. In 10.3, every time I had to manage anything, I had to go to the server room and in Linux, unless there is a need I never am at the terminal. My take, give it some time and then decide, its too early to draw conclusions.
Slashdot Mirror
See that's what I don't understand - why do you (likes of ATI) think your customers, especially the techie types are idiots. Average Joe doesn't understand what HDCP (or for that matter any thing on the spec sheet) means and probably doesn't even know what a video card is. Its only the slashdot type gaming crowd that is more or less interested in the bleeding edge graphics card and probably they are the ones who even know what things like HDCP means. For argument sake lets consider that not every gamer knows their hardware but would probably know about it eventually somewhere - like slashdot or at their LAN parties. Now these folks buy something only after looking at specs and shell out a lot of hard earned money. So by changing the specs I don't understand who they are fooling. Instead if they come out clean and say "hey we fucked up, our cute marketing rep thought she could get away with it", I think is much better way to deal with issues like this. For one, admitting your mistake is much better than hoping your customers are idiots. Take a clue from the Sony fiasco.
Stop treating your customers like they are ignorant fools.
I was reading your first line and I thought probably you had a bad relationship before. Then I saw this gem:
"Frist Psot?"I take it you're a virgin...;)
I'd rather rephrase it like this "Actually it is only compulsory when applying for a passport. It will not be compulsory otherwise for now". Once the system is in place, its only a matter of time when it becomes common place. All they have to do is prove to public that they either caught a terrorist or prevented a subway bomb somehow. Fear is the easiest thing to sell to public.
Seems like Yahoo has found a new way to advertize ;)
OK, by this point I have read TFA at least a few times and I still didn't find what was the good fight this guy fought. I mean he doesn't list any steps that he has taken to fight the IT department. He and his management are unhappy with the way IT department works. So just for argument sake, can I assume that you are making assumptions that may not be valid and drawing conclusions that are plain wrong?
I am not denying that this situations don't exist, but most people just whine about it, they don't do anything about it. For e.g. has this guy filed a formal written complaint to the upper management stating that the IT department is not co-operating? Has he tried forging some good rapport with the IT department? The only time any one remembers the IT department is when stuff don't work. Sometimes acknowledging that they are part of the company and their success may lead them to co-operate more. To support my argument read what the author states:
The lack of agility is maddening, because I know we are missing significant business opportunities. My management is extremely supportive and despite our excellent track record of success in creating robust/secure applications--our work has passed audit numerous times with flying colors--we get no support from IT.So apparently according to him all the bad things that are happening in the company is due to the incompetence of IT and all the good things are happening because of his development team. Gimme a break!! That attitude (treating IT department like they are 3rd rate employees, a burden) is not going to get him or any body favors.
Suggestion to author: Try toning down your ego, treat IT department with respect, give them credit and appreciate their work. They are the ones who save your ass when you type "rm -rf /". And ocassionaly buy them beer and lunch and see those 9 months turn to 9 seconds!
Hopefully you get the idea. Doesn't matter what programming language you use of even which platform. Sure you'll be favorite on /. if you say you use Linux. But those accolades don't give you a career nor put food on the table. There is nothing wrong in working for Microsoft. Its better to get paid than rant of slashdot without a job. Bottom line wise up and start working for your goal. Programming language is just a medium. Its called "language" for a reason - you tell computer what to do. If you can do that very effectively in French, no body gives a shit.
You can never get your spelling correct, can you?
Seriously, I would never hire you. In fact mentality like yours is definitely a sure fire disaster recipe. Here is what I deduce from your comment:
With qualities like that I am amazed, you still have a job. This guy has the zeal to learn and to introduce change. He is showing leadership skills, trying to improve how things work in the company. A guy like that is an asset. Instead of giving him useful advise, you tell him to bolt and you have been modded insightful. And still you wonder why your job is being outsourced. Come to think of it you are asking for it.
Somehow your statement implies that the computer science programs in India is florishing due to investments by the likes of Microsoft. You couldn't be more wrong. There is a reason why all these tech companies are moving their research divisions to India - availability of quality engineers with PhD. Computer Science has been and still is the most sought after program in India inspite of recent decline in enrollment or demand for it. I know this because I came through that system. In every college, it used to be the case where only top 2%-5% would only be eligible to get in to computer science. Now its a bit easier as there are more colleges to accomodate more students.
Decline in American universities CompSci enrollment may be has little to do with outsourcing, but then again most of the outsourced jobs are plain programming type jobs not actual engineering level. Its plain fact that after the bubble people realized that it is no more that way to easy top dollar.
And its damn hot!
Here you go - http://www.penenberg.com/biography.html. He is an assistant professor at New York University and assistant director of the business and economic reporting program in the school's department of journalism.
All that to combat worms and viruses? If I am correct, most of the worms and viruses infect because of a vulnerabilitly in the software. So what if these sentinnels of "guardian angels" themselves have some flaws which these viruses exploit. How about spending some money on training developers to practise safe coding. How about educating average joe to not click on the Britney's image and let him know that she is not going to blow him? How about lobbying to pass laws to force software companies to pass a higher standard? Heck even children toys have certain standards that the companies have to adhere to.
Seems like rational ideas are just an illision now a days. Don quixote suddenly seems more reasonable to me than this guy.
Suddenly the loony phrase "freedom fries" doesn't seem loony afterall.
Sorry I don't share your enthusiasm, but I don't think you will look smoother, only geekier. I am geeky enough and I don't want to wear it on my face. Besides, the audio actually sucks....what, I had to try it on...common gimme a break!
In your statement, you are overlooking an important point. People come to slasdot for comments and not for news. That means, people are not interested in some absent minded journalist reporting what has happened. The reader probably already knows it by now. What he/she wants to know is what his fellow human being thinks about it. If you take same concept to national newspapers, may be just may be the journalists will start paying more attention and hopefully we won't have more Judith Millers.
One thing newspapers have which Slashdot does not is journalistic integrity.One example - Judith Miller. There are many. Sure you can claim that it is more an exception. But her part was a key role in getting us closer war and more troubles. That is costly on a national scale. Apparently we need checks and balances for our news media too.
Sure, I'll buy that. But this is just a way of saying that customer service is important to a business.I think you are missing the point. I think what author is saying that provide the news or content that will appeal to local audience. That means provide a product that is relevant to the consumer. Obviously the customer service is a way to find what the readers want (read surveys). So no its not that obvious, its hard work.
May be just may be we need to rethink what Newspapers are essentially meant for in this modern age. Certainly the "news" in newspapers is old by the time they go to print. So what is the benefit to the consumer to subscribe to a newspaper? Your reasoning could be valid - relaxing. But how many people feel that way? I do enjoy a lazy sunny afternoon break where I can catch my breath and get a cup of coffee and read newspaper. Its certainly relaxing, but at the same time I am not looking for "news". I already know it by then. In fact, by the time I am done reading the first paragraph I am bored. So may be newspapers need to shift focus.
Just telling me what happened might not be enough. It is all over the TV channels, online blogs and even if you missed all that, your know-it-all cubicle neighbor will make sure that you know about it. Now that means the obvious solution might be opinion or editorials etc. But there is already a section for that. But I think they should occupy front page headlines. How about editorials on the current events on front page? Since people already know what has happened, how about giving people an in-depth story about it. Going local is a key concept that the author discussed. How about editorials on local stuff? Forget about war on Iraq and ID. They are being beten to death on news channels and national newspapers.
I am not trying to provide a solution, I am just saying to that just "news" in newspaper will mean zero circulation eventually.
WRONG. You cannot recover, you can only reset your password. You fail. Get some experience and then show up.
I agree with mostly what you are trying to say, but let me ask you this - does the average person even know what RIAA is? I don't think so. Even some of the more technically inclined persons were asking me "what does RIAA stand for?" Now, I am not sure if that is very strange but I tend to believe that average Nascar Dad or Soccer mom don't care about RIAA let alone what Sherman thinks. In fact, most of these average Joes and Janes, I came across just know that there is a thing called virus and spyware thanks to AOL ads. Now we are throwing a lot of acronyms and technical terms like RIAA, rootkits etc. which will only confuse them. Within a month the mainstream media will forget about Sony DRM and they won't bother. RIAA will still be there in one form or other.
"Free market" is defined by the guys like RIAA, MPAA and all those lobbyists associations you or I probably haven't heard of and certainly not your average Joe six-pack. Thus my point is this - the playing field is already rigged in favor of these modern day cartels. May be its a little bit cynical view and I really am an optimistic guy, but I would be very surprised if it is not true. So my point is this - Free market ain't going to do anything to these "Cartels", unless something radically changes - like your average person worrying about these things other than things like missing an episode of Desperate Housewives.
Even though you can try to justify it and I am sure there are some isolated usefulness, I'd say NO, at least for work PC. We have enough trouble with email and IM itself (there have been a lot of stories on those on /.); the last thing we need is some ads popping up when someone is trying to work especially in crunch time. It might work for home editions or home users, but professional uses - NO. I don't care how contextual the ads are, they are a distraction and I bet they will be flash based or something more silly and obnoxious or at least they will evolve in to those.
First of all digg and slashdot do not have the same niche. Idea is similar - have a story and have people comment on it and argue. But slashdot tends to be more technical in nature - even YRO to the most part. Digg on the other hand does not restrict you to a particular set of categories. You can even post a goatse link if you want to. But will it get to the front page, most probably not unless we have too many wackos in this fading republic. But on the other hand I see it this way - it is good to know about something else other than just technology; although I lose interest very quickly. Even though the stories can be any topic, if you notice the front page stories on digg, they are more or less technical. Now I don't know if that is gonna stay that way forever.
Yup I read it on digg 3 days ago.
I think you are missing an important distinction. Stories in Digg do not get rejected. If it is of great interest to lot of people, it makes to the front page. In /. if the editor doesn't want to hear about it, it adios...Pick your coolaid.
"There are two ways of disliking poetry; one way is to dislike it, the other is to read Pope." -- Oscar Wilde
Lets modify it..."There are two ways of disliking slashdot; one way is to dislike it, the other is to read digg. -- rovingeyes
Oscar Wilde sue me for copyright infringment.you should have tried $sys$fp. Then see if the moderators would have caught you. Oh well...
You made that claim for Apple based on just one version of their server OS? Based on my experience, 10.3 was a nightmare. 10.4 seems more stable, offers better compatibility with Active Directory, and the command line management even though is available since 10.3, seems more useful now. In 10.3, every time I had to manage anything, I had to go to the server room and in Linux, unless there is a need I never am at the terminal. My take, give it some time and then decide, its too early to draw conclusions.