Read 'The way of Z' by Jonathan Jacky. It (briefly) covers the Therac-25 case and offers some interesting insights from someone who works in a field where software WILL kill if not done properly. You might find the rest of the book useful as well, as it covers formal methods, which surprisingly is a method/system for writing better software:)
The article states that the noxious chemicals do not build up in the paint...but I'm not quite convinced of that. BTW I'm pretty sure a build-up of acidic chemicals on the outside of your building is not a good thing;-P
"Ah yeah, these skyscrapers last for about 5 years and then they melt...dunno why though..."
But seriously...
I'm wondering whether or not after 5 or 10 years you would get scenes similar to asbestos-removal hype: People in protective suits very carefully remove the (toxic) paint from the outside of the building so that it can be demolished 'safely'.
Of course you could just paint over it...but then you would get layer upon layer of (highly?) toxic paint on the outside of the building - which would guarantee the 'protective suit' scenario:-o
Better to attack the source and stop polluting in the first place.
For example, here in NZ there is no exhaust-gas emmission-testing for vehicles, like they have in (some of) Europe - the result is that on some days Auckland has a worse smog problem then eh...mexico-city.
"this seems like a cruel and unecessary snub to Mr. Lee"
Or just a clever attempt to generate (yet more) hype, controversy and (indirectly) free advertising? Of course the LOTR movies don't really need any extra hype etc, but it is a possibility (however unlikely)...
The actual reason for leaving it out is soundly commercial. ROTK is too long, something had to go. Last I read Peter Jackson was trying to cut it down from 4.5 hrs to 3hrs. And that was AFTER he cut the scene with Saruman. It'll be in the extended version, which ALL of you will buy and watch (at least twice;) ROTK focuses on 'completing' the story, you can't start the movie with a 'loose end' left over from part 2.
AFAIK when M$ developed.net, they studied a large number of programming languages (java, c++, cobol, etc) and then developed the.net languages from there. Now, all the.net languages are meant to be able to be compiled and executed using one single run-time environment, so in order to get that to work the.net languages have...'converged'. (Must avoid using the word 'assimilated' here;)
Visual Basic and Visual C++ where very distinct languages. The.net languages are not. VB.net has become more like java. C# has become more like java, etc etc. I have no doubt that COBOL.net will be exactly the same.
The point is: You cannot take a 10 year old COBOL program and expect it to be able to compile using COBOL.net. You will probably have to rewrite the entire application into a sortof half mishmash of COBOL, VB and java ( -> COBOL.net:)
((Disclaimer - I am an amateur graphics-artist/designer, and I have done a number of courses on design, including design of logos. I consider myself a hacker and nearly fell of my chair when I read 'A Portrait of J. Random Hacker';))
1) From a design point of view it simply lacks...impact. It's lost on a page. Compare it to the penguin or the bsd daemon. It just doesn't have the same appeal or impact. A bit of colour could make a big difference. Perhaps something a little less abstract.
2) I can understand ESR's reasoning, and I known what the game of life is, but I do not associate it with hacker culture. I'd say that freedom of choice, a can-do-attitude, and enormous diversity are more symbolic of hacker culture. Oh, and late nights playing games/coding/swigging coffee;)
Whenever I think of the game of life, I see little bacteria and virii crawling allover the place, taking over the world. Not a good thing to be associated with.
3) A caffeinated beverage? Dammit, already been used:( (See Java)
4) My suggestion would be to come up with a number of alternatives and let people choose for themselves. Don't say: "Here it is, let's all use THIS". Giving people only one choice contradicts hacker culture IMHO:) Naughty ESR, practise what you preach.
5) Don't like it? Make your own then. I know that programmers/hackers are generally speaking not artists (and from experience -> good artists loathe programming/hacking;o) but it would seem the best (and most appropriate) course of action.
I figured I'd save myself the download and buy it off their website...on the web-order form it was $20 or $25 for the PLE and eh...right above that was listed the full version at a meager $2000 or something:) << ah what the heck, let's click on THAT checkbox instead >>;^)
The PLE came in a nice DVD case, with an extra free DVD filled with tutorial/video material, showcase stuff, etc and a little booklet with other helpful hints. The CD contains the Windows and Mac OS X version btw:)
And yes, there is a frigging ENORMOUS blue watermark in the background. Cannot be removed. I do believe the software can only be used for a limited time or something...but I'd have to check on that. (This is not the latest version BTW) There are other limitations as well, as mentioned above, no or limited compatibility with the full version of Maya being the major one. Obviously it is a learning tool only.
But still, always a good skill to have on your CV - proficient in Maya:D
There is a linux version, but AFAIK it only works with specific kernels and distributions and hardware. (An older version of RedHat with a specific type of graphics card? Something like that...)
I know this is going to be modded 'redundant', but what the heck...let's sum this up:
* Obviously Microsoft is not the only chat-room 'provider' in the world. Plenty of alternatives. Some of those alternatives are potentially less safe than whatever Microsoft provides. Most people will simply migrate to another form of chat-rooms. This will have no impact WHATSOVER on people trading porn and doing who knows what else in chatrooms.
* Microsoft is going to provide 'subscription' based chat-rooms. Some monitored(?), some unsupervised? Either way, more control and money for Micro$oft. (And probably proprietary lock-in - or an attempt at that;)
* A subscription based chat-room means you need a credit-card to be able to use it. Who would be stupid enough to pay for something that you can get for free? It also means -> 'goodbye anonymous internet/chat-room user' -> 'hello Mr <insert name>, please pay here'. Also fits in well with the.NET eh..thingy strategy. (Preparing customers for a future where you have to pay for things that are free at the moment using some sort of subscription model)
* A chat-room where people are registered (using their credit-card) is nice, and implies more responsible people, and possibly guarantees accountability and who knows what else, but (IMHO) the whole point and appeal of a chat-room was the anonymous access!
* The media is focusing (almost exclusively) on the 'safer for our kids' angle...yeah right. The articles I've read seem to imply that Microsoft is the ONLY chat-room provider and that this is 'a great step forward'. Right. Whatever.
I don't use IRC by the way. I can think of many better ways to waste my time.
P2P will never die. It is NOT a passing fad. (I don't use it, but that's another story;)
P2P is forcing (or going to force) some companies to change the way they do business. There is no way around it. Adapt or die. (And yes, some rights/things/bands/products will be lost along the way - I can see why some companies are keen on palladium and DRM and god knows what else)
I cannot even begin to predict how this will affect the game/software/movie/music industry...
A time of great change is upon us... (In internet-terms: This will all have been sorted out by the end of next week;)
Ehm...from the little court-experience that I have, (and not having read the article;^)
there might be a problem establishing the EXACT amount of damage. Be Inc never sold any/much products right? They offered their OS for free to OEM Manufacturers? Yes, ok, so how much income did they lose? How much (potential/real) loss of revenue did they suffer? I'm guessing that they'd find it quite hard to put a value on that, and even if you do the judge will probably say: "How did you come by this amount? Proove it!"
But I'm not a laywer, so there's probably more to it:o)
From the article: "forward compatibility has often been a problem."
Correct, but I'd venture that most software would suffer from that, not just M$ Office.
However, please note that backward compatibility is also problematic with (some/all) M$ software.
IMHO there is no guarantee that a newer release of a given M$ program will be able to open files from an older release of that same program. Again, this is not unusual for (a lot of/some) software. But of course, with open source this doesn't pose as much of a problem.
FWIW I seem to remember running into trouble when I used M$ Publisher. I have a newer version installed on one of these machines <<gestures>> that cannot open publisher files from an older version of Publisher. These 2 different version are sequential releases...I think that is unacceptable >:\
I have to wonder how they (them, you-know-who;) came up with a name for this massive rock...given the chances that it will hit us, you'd have thought that they'd come up with something more imaginative... (For good examples, please see relevant crap doomsday movies or scifi novels;)
In a situation like this, I'd recommend what any other geek would: We need a slashdot Poll!
"Most appropriate name for a massive rock that will most likely possibly maybe destroy all life on earth:
A) EarthCrusher B) Foot of God C) StarHammer D) SCO's Laywers' Bill E) DinosaurKiller F)..... G) CowboyNeal's Booger
When I enabled that setting on my linux box (redhat , latest version of X and a nvidia geforce 4200) I got weird glitches all over the screen, most notably in the window borders and wherever windows or menu's overlapped other things on the screen. There was an increase in speed however. As you might expect I disabled it after about 15 minutes. Ugh. I'll have another look at it when it's been fixed:D
If you ain't got the users you ain't got the market-share and you ain't going nowhere. (3DLabs is probably a bad example, but we're talking in general here;^)
Slashdot Mirror
I glanced at the headline and thought it said:
:D
"Asteroid-sized City to Pass Earth This Fall"
Doh!
Oh well, as long as I don't see any baby-elephant paratroopers wearing high-heel platform shoes...we should be ok
For some reason I misread that as: :D
;^P )
"The triffids are coming!"
You guys wouldn't happen to have noticed any strange plants growing in your gardens would you?(Other than the mary jane kind
Suddenly the phrase "Try to avoid bugs" takes on a whole new meaning...
;)
(No, it's not funny)
I'm wondering how heavy a wooden mouse would be...would long-term use give you thick muscled wrists? (*NO* don't even think about it
Read 'The way of Z' by Jonathan Jacky. :)
It (briefly) covers the Therac-25 case and offers some interesting insights from someone who works in a field where software WILL kill if not done properly. You might find the rest of the book useful as well, as it covers formal methods, which surprisingly is a method/system for writing better software
The article states that the noxious chemicals do not build up in the paint...but I'm not quite convinced of that. BTW I'm pretty sure a build-up of acidic chemicals on the outside of your building is not a good thing ;-P
:-o
"Ah yeah, these skyscrapers last for about 5 years and then they melt...dunno why though..."
But seriously...
I'm wondering whether or not after 5 or 10 years you would get scenes similar to asbestos-removal hype:
People in protective suits very carefully remove the (toxic) paint from the outside of the building so that it can be demolished 'safely'.
Of course you could just paint over it...but then you would get layer upon layer of (highly?) toxic paint on the outside of the building - which would guarantee the 'protective suit' scenario
Better to attack the source and stop polluting in the first place.
For example, here in NZ there is no exhaust-gas emmission-testing for vehicles, like they have in (some of) Europe - the result is that on some days Auckland has a worse smog problem then eh...mexico-city.
Oh yes, I can't wait to pay $20 million for a 'holiday' trip to space where they will then make me WORK!
;)
Geez...I have enough trouble getting my first million, thankyouverymuch
"this seems like a cruel and unecessary snub to Mr. Lee"
;)
Or just a clever attempt to generate (yet more) hype, controversy and (indirectly) free advertising?
Of course the LOTR movies don't really need any extra hype etc, but it is a possibility (however unlikely)...
The actual reason for leaving it out is soundly commercial. ROTK is too long, something had to go. Last I read Peter Jackson was trying to cut it down from 4.5 hrs to 3hrs. And that was AFTER he cut the scene with Saruman. It'll be in the extended version, which ALL of you will buy and watch (at least twice
ROTK focuses on 'completing' the story, you can't start the movie with a 'loose end' left over from part 2.
AFAIK when M$ developed .net, they studied a large number of programming languages (java, c++, cobol, etc) and then developed the .net languages from there. Now, all the .net languages are meant to be able to be compiled and executed using one single run-time environment, so in order to get that to work the .net languages have...'converged'. (Must avoid using the word 'assimilated' here ;)
.net languages are not.
:)
Visual Basic and Visual C++ where very distinct languages. The
VB.net has become more like java. C# has become more like java, etc etc. I have no doubt that COBOL.net will be exactly the same.
The point is: You cannot take a 10 year old COBOL program and expect it to be able to compile using COBOL.net. You will probably have to rewrite the entire application into a sortof half mishmash of COBOL, VB and java ( -> COBOL.net
Did I miss something?
Is it the 1st of April?
Surely you are pulling my leg yes?
Splicing/grafting plants together is not that hard, but I thought this could only be done with plants of the same eh..family.
but...the logo is rather unimpressive.
;))
;)
:( (See Java)
:) Naughty ESR, practise what you preach.
;o) but it would seem the best (and most appropriate) course of action.
((Disclaimer - I am an amateur graphics-artist/designer, and I have done a number of courses on design, including design of logos. I consider myself a hacker and nearly fell of my chair when I read 'A Portrait of J. Random Hacker'
1) From a design point of view it simply lacks...impact. It's lost on a page. Compare it to the penguin or the bsd daemon. It just doesn't have the same appeal or impact. A bit of colour could make a big difference. Perhaps something a little less abstract.
2) I can understand ESR's reasoning, and I known what the game of life is, but I do not associate it with hacker culture. I'd say that freedom of choice, a can-do-attitude, and enormous diversity are more symbolic of hacker culture. Oh, and late nights playing games/coding/swigging coffee
Whenever I think of the game of life, I see little bacteria and virii crawling allover the place, taking over the world. Not a good thing to be associated with.
3) A caffeinated beverage? Dammit, already been used
4) My suggestion would be to come up with a number of alternatives and let people choose for themselves. Don't say: "Here it is, let's all use THIS". Giving people only one choice contradicts hacker culture IMHO
5) Don't like it? Make your own then. I know that programmers/hackers are generally speaking not artists (and from experience -> good artists loathe programming/hacking
Oh well...just my 20 cents.
I figured I'd save myself the download and buy it off their website...on the web-order form it was $20 or $25 for the PLE and eh...right above that was listed the full version at a meager $2000 or something :) ;^)
:)
:D
<< ah what the heck, let's click on THAT checkbox instead >>
The PLE came in a nice DVD case, with an extra free DVD filled with tutorial/video material, showcase stuff, etc and a little booklet with other helpful hints. The CD contains the Windows and Mac OS X version btw
And yes, there is a frigging ENORMOUS blue watermark in the background. Cannot be removed. I do believe the software can only be used for a limited time or something...but I'd have to check on that. (This is not the latest version BTW) There are other limitations as well, as mentioned above, no or limited compatibility with the full version of Maya being the major one.
Obviously it is a learning tool only.
But still, always a good skill to have on your CV - proficient in Maya
There is a linux version, but AFAIK it only works with specific kernels and distributions and hardware. (An older version of RedHat with a specific type of graphics card? Something like that...)
In school they told me that girls had cooties and that I shouldn't spend so much time behind my computer!
And look at me now!
I know this is going to be modded 'redundant', but what the heck...let's sum this up:
;)
.NET eh..thingy strategy. (Preparing customers for a future where you have to pay for things that are free at the moment using some sort of subscription model)
* Obviously Microsoft is not the only chat-room 'provider' in the world. Plenty of alternatives. Some of those alternatives are potentially less safe than whatever Microsoft provides.
Most people will simply migrate to another form of chat-rooms. This will have no impact WHATSOVER on people trading porn and doing who knows what else in chatrooms.
* Microsoft is going to provide 'subscription' based chat-rooms. Some monitored(?), some unsupervised? Either way, more control and money for Micro$oft. (And probably proprietary lock-in - or an attempt at that
* A subscription based chat-room means you need a credit-card to be able to use it. Who would be stupid enough to pay for something that you can get for free? It also means -> 'goodbye anonymous internet/chat-room user' -> 'hello Mr <insert name>, please pay here'. Also fits in well with the
* A chat-room where people are registered (using their credit-card) is nice, and implies more responsible people, and possibly guarantees accountability and who knows what else, but (IMHO) the whole point and appeal of a chat-room was the anonymous access!
* The media is focusing (almost exclusively) on the 'safer for our kids' angle...yeah right.
The articles I've read seem to imply that Microsoft is the ONLY chat-room provider and that this is 'a great step forward'. Right. Whatever.
I don't use IRC by the way. I can think of many better ways to waste my time.
"I for one welcome our new P2P overlords!"
;^)
;)
;)
:)
Anyway, let's just state the obvious: (IMHO
P2P will never die. It is NOT a passing fad.
(I don't use it, but that's another story
P2P is forcing (or going to force) some companies to change the way they do business. There is no way around it. Adapt or die.
(And yes, some rights/things/bands/products will be lost along the way - I can see why some companies are keen on palladium and DRM and god knows what else)
I cannot even begin to predict how this will affect the game/software/movie/music industry...
A time of great change is upon us...
(In internet-terms: This will all have been sorted out by the end of next week
Just my 0.02 cents
Ehm...from the little court-experience that I have, ;^)
:o)
(and not having read the article
there might be a problem establishing the EXACT amount of damage. Be Inc never sold any/much products right?
They offered their OS for free to OEM Manufacturers? Yes, ok, so how much income did they lose? How much (potential/real) loss of revenue did they suffer?
I'm guessing that they'd find it quite hard to put a value on that, and even if you do the judge will probably say: "How did you come by this amount? Proove it!"
But I'm not a laywer, so there's probably more to it
Ah..my daily /. SCOverdose
....."
Yet more lawsuits...hmmm...hey wait, there is someone left to sue? Who haven't they sued?!?
"OK, can everybody who is getting sued by SCO move over to this side please!!!"
<<shuffle shuffle shuffle>>
"Ok, so what does that leave?"
"Ah, Mr. Gates, as expected...and who is that hiding behind you there?"
"Why...it's
From the article:
"forward compatibility has often been a problem."
Correct, but I'd venture that most software would suffer from that, not just M$ Office.
However, please note that backward compatibility is also problematic with (some/all) M$ software.
IMHO there is no guarantee that a newer release of a given M$ program will be able to open files from an older release of that same program. Again, this is not unusual for (a lot of/some) software. But of course, with open source this doesn't pose as much of a problem.
FWIW I seem to remember running into trouble when I used M$ Publisher. I have a newer version installed on one of these machines <<gestures>> that cannot open publisher files from an older version of Publisher. These 2 different version are sequential releases...I think that is unacceptable >:\
Why am I suddenly thinking
;^)
'briefcase bomb'?
"Don't even think about it man, this laptop is armed and ready to blow!"
(I am suddenly reminded of the nifty little gizmo briefcase that James Bond used to carry around
I have to wonder how they (them, you-know-who ;) ;)
.....
came up with a name for this massive rock...given the chances that it will hit us, you'd have thought that they'd come up with something more imaginative...
(For good examples, please see relevant crap doomsday movies or scifi novels
In a situation like this, I'd recommend what any other geek would: We need a slashdot Poll!
"Most appropriate name for a massive rock that will most likely possibly maybe destroy all life on earth:
A) EarthCrusher
B) Foot of God
C) StarHammer
D) SCO's Laywers' Bill
E) DinosaurKiller
F)
G) CowboyNeal's Booger
"Scientists say that there is a one in 909,000 chance of asteroid 2003 QQ47 impacting our planet."
:o
So it's pretty much a million-to-one chance of getting hit...
but...any geek knows that million-to-one chances crop up nine out of ten times
When I enabled that setting on my linux box (redhat , latest version of X and a nvidia geforce 4200) :D
I got weird glitches all over the screen, most notably in the window borders and wherever windows or menu's overlapped other things on the screen. There was an increase in speed however. As you might expect I disabled it after about 15 minutes. Ugh. I'll have another look at it when it's been fixed
Or.... ;^)
It could be methane emmissions from all those cows/rednecks that them pesky martians keep abducting
Most programmers already do:
:o
"This is going to be the best damn game EVER!"
"This is going to be the best damn spreadsheat EVER!"
But then management and accounting step in and things get all messy
There was an article on /. on the maximum physical speed possible for CD's and DVD's,
seems appropriate here...
Ah...here it is:
exploding cd's
Bah, tainted code schmode mr troll.
;^)
More drivers for linux = more users = good thing.
If you ain't got the users you ain't got the market-share and you ain't going nowhere.
(3DLabs is probably a bad example, but we're talking in general here