I took a course back in university that used Scheme to teach some programming concepts. As with any course, we had to use Scheme to solve some problems on coding assignments. I remember a general rule everyone learned in the class: if your solution to the problem was more than a handful of lines, it was probably wrong. The solutions were very elegant, but very difficult to debug and very difficult to reason about.
Actually, your comment really makes sense. If I remember correctly, I was playing a real-time strategy game (I don't recall the name) that required constant scanning of all areas of the screen.
I had the opportunity to use a multi-display gaming rig for a few days and I can honestly say that there was one big showstopper of a problem that would keep me doing so again.
I found that continually turning my head right to left to view both screens put a real strain on my neck.
I tried moving back from the screens but I really couldn't find a "sweet spot" and eventally gave up.
I am not a person prone to obsessive behaviour, but when I fired up AOEII, I would often play all night until the sun rose the next day. This is during the week and with a 9 to 5 job.
There is nothing like building an impenetrable fortress and a huge assault force and then unleashing your army on a neighbour.
I love love love that game. I love it. Love love love. Am I gushing? Sorry.:)
I don't buy it because game delays are incredibly common (actually, releasing on time is the exception) and it makes Valve look bad when they don't hit deadlines. It's conjecture on my point, but that's what Slashdot is all about...
But, on the other hand, I see your point of view. Valve made one of my all-time favourite games. They haven't done anything evil in the past. I should probably give them the benefit of the doubt.
I can only guess that the self-control needed to say "it will be released when it's done" comes with experience and an understanding marketing department.
I would have more respect for Valve if they just came right out and said "listen, we are running behind. The game won't be out for a few more months." Instead they try to blame it on the source code leak. Sorry, I don't buy it.
Yes, of course there are individuals who code in all kinds of languages who write poor code. I was merely making a shallow generalization based on personal experience. Hey, it's slashdot, why not?:)
I know the parent is a troll, but I can't help but agree. Anyone I've ever met who was a big fan of PERL invariably took pleasure in writing obscure and unreadable code. Oh well, it's only karma...
This seems ever more expensive than the previous rounds of lawsuits since now there is even more effort required in matching names to IP addresses. My question is when will the RIAA start running out of money to do this sort of thing. Surely it must already be hurting the bottom line.
My advice would be to gauge the nature of the individual in power. Is this someone who genuinely wants to improve things or is he going through the motions? Is he a no-BS type of person or does he tend to beat around the bush? How does he take criticism?
If the answers are that he genuinely wants to improve things, is a no-BS type of person, and seems to be able to take criticism, then by all means take this gift and use it! Be specific, but try to not assign blame. Approach every issue from the perspective that it isn't a huge problem but rather an opportunity for improvement.
I do agree that many people do not use the the Internet to its full potential.
However, who are we to judge? My grandmother just turned 82 this year. Her husband also just passed away. I got her a computer and taught her to use the Internet. Right now she knows how to send email, chat over MSN, do her banking, and perform simple google searches. That's all. She isn't churning out homegrown linux apps or discussing religion on usenet, in fact, I'm quite sure she couldn't change the resolution on her monitor. However, it's her lifeline to the outside world. It's given her a reason to not just give up on life.
So, what I'm trying to say that the beauty of the Internet is how it can be so many different things to so many different people.
That's a good point. However, being heterosexual, I don't think I would be interested in seeing some guy's foot long member outside my window. (I'm assuming that this is one of your meanings)
I guess I would want to take one look at it, given the old "locker room" curiousity, but after that... no thanks.
I would love it if I could flip a switch and my window would show an image instead of me being able to see my "generously-proportioned" neighbour empty his garbage in the nude. Yes, yes... I know I could also use curtains... but that's so low-tech!
Is there something that people sign when they receive a screener which says that if the screener shows up on the net they are somehow liable?
I mean, who is to say how the damn thing ended up on the Internet? Who knows what happened while burning the screener, in the mail room at the studios, during the mail delivery process, etc.
I have it and it is the crown jewel of my electronics collection. Put it side by side any other player (yes, including the almighty iPod) and it is quite obviously superior in almost every respect.
This is almost becoming another Slashdot cliche (or is it already? Hard to keep track these days).
Ogg is all fine and good, but hardly anyone knows about it, even fewer people use it, and there really isn't any good reason for these facts to change.
Maybe it will cost me some Karma... but this is a gem:
TO: Real Networks
SUBJECT: Fuck You All
I am holding myself back in the most intense way at the moment.
I don't care if this is the wrong address to send this to. Your website is a labyrinth of misdirection in which finding the simple thing you want is nigh-impossible. This, after about 20 clicks, was the first email address I came to. If you, as the person receiving this letter, have a shred of humanity left, you will submit this to the proper people. And now, on to my letter.
Where do you people get off?
My task: download Realplayer in order to view some streaming content. A simple project, one would say. Well, first you have to wade through the aforementioned sea of misdirection, all of it aimed at extracting your visa number to buy the completely useless realplayer plus. I realize you people need to make some money, but save it for the server business - it's bad enough that back in the day, you were inferior to several other streaming technologies, but somehow, like scum in water, you rose to the top. Leave the users who are stuck with your products out of your sick little power games.
All I want is Realplayer Basic, to play realmedia, and ONLY realmedia. I am not interested in realjukebox, realdownloadagent, or realbuttplug. I specified this when I was installing it. I also am not interested in having your inferior product play my mp3s, or any format other than your own. This was also specified when I installed. How difficult a concept is this? Anyone can grasp it. And I won't even get into the god-knows-how-many useless "subscribe to our spam service!" checkboxes I have to uncheck, including five which are HIDDEN AT THE BOTTOM OF A STACK OF UNCHECKED ONES. With each click, the bile rises higher in my throat. If I knew a satanist, I would have him summon demons to terrorize your offices.
So then, I go to launch an mp3 out of Agent, and not only does your software launch even though I SPECIFICALLY TOLD IT NOT TO DO THAT, but it's not even Realplayer - it's Realjukebox which I also SPECIFICALLY TOLD IT NOT TO INSTALL.
And here's the real point: if you're going to go ahead and do a fascist coup of my system's preferences and resources (getting your filthy little icons out of my system tray gets more difficult with each new version), why bother pretending that you are giving me a choice? Just go ahead and take it, save me the trouble of unchecking all those boxes and saying No 20 times. Just go ahead, play your little game, and let me get on with removing your annoying system resource wastes from my pristine desktop.
In closing, I would just like to say that I view your company as the most evil force operating on the internet today, and while I would end this with "may God have mercy on your souls" for anyone else (including Bill Gates), for you, I only pray that the people behind your software's design are raped by syphilitic camels at some point.
Just a friendly reminder to everyone that the criminals behind the Nigerian scam emails are just that -- criminals. There have been several murders involving those who have become involved with the scammers. Granted, these are people who went to meet with them foreign locales with pockets full of money. However, this is definitely a "better safe than sorry" scenario. If you really must contact these people for pestering purposes, guard your information carefully.
Re:Bluetooth devices must include "off" switch
on
Spammed by Bluetooth
·
· Score: 1
Let me use your email analogy to better explain. Having an off switch for Bluetooth is like being able to disconnect from the Internet on your home PC between sessions of emailing. Sure, you could keep the PC connected to the Internet at all times. But, you leave yourself open to attacks. Same thing with a Bluetooth switch. If another device is close by and you need to use Bluetooth, just flip the switch to "ON". Otherwise, the switch is left off. Functionality isn't being limited... just opportunities for attack.
You are one of these people who gets angry at 45 year old housewives who don't know how to configure Linux.
Look, as Bluetooth becomes more and more integrated into devices two things will happen:
1. Non-geeks will use increasingly more Bluetooth enable devices. Do you think they will have any idea what "discoverable" is? Do you think they will want to wade through software menus to turn Bluetooth on and off?
2. More sophisticated methods will be discovered to take advantage of people who unwittingly leave the Bluetooth window open. This includes spam or viruses and other as-yet undiscovered threats. This means it will become increasingly important to be able to *quickly* and *efficiently* turn off Bluetooth when required (ie. not through some crappy menu).
Bluetooth devices must include "off" switch
on
Spammed by Bluetooth
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Bluetooth-enabled devices must include an easy hardware switch which allows the convenient shutting off of Bluetooth functionality. An indicator light displaying the current status must also be included on the device. Devices like the Tapwave Zodiac are well designed and include these features.
Slashdot Mirror
I took a course back in university that used Scheme to teach some programming concepts. As with any course, we had to use Scheme to solve some problems on coding assignments. I remember a general rule everyone learned in the class: if your solution to the problem was more than a handful of lines, it was probably wrong. The solutions were very elegant, but very difficult to debug and very difficult to reason about.
Actually, your comment really makes sense. If I remember correctly, I was playing a real-time strategy game (I don't recall the name) that required constant scanning of all areas of the screen.
I found that continually turning my head right to left to view both screens put a real strain on my neck.
I tried moving back from the screens but I really couldn't find a "sweet spot" and eventally gave up.
What is a Burger King-esque maze?
There is nothing like building an impenetrable fortress and a huge assault force and then unleashing your army on a neighbour.
I love love love that game. I love it. Love love love. Am I gushing? Sorry. :)
But, on the other hand, I see your point of view. Valve made one of my all-time favourite games. They haven't done anything evil in the past. I should probably give them the benefit of the doubt.
I can only guess that the self-control needed to say "it will be released when it's done" comes with experience and an understanding marketing department.
I would have more respect for Valve if they just came right out and said "listen, we are running behind. The game won't be out for a few more months." Instead they try to blame it on the source code leak. Sorry, I don't buy it.
Yes, of course there are individuals who code in all kinds of languages who write poor code. I was merely making a shallow generalization based on personal experience. Hey, it's slashdot, why not? :)
I know the parent is a troll, but I can't help but agree. Anyone I've ever met who was a big fan of PERL invariably took pleasure in writing obscure and unreadable code. Oh well, it's only karma...
This seems ever more expensive than the previous rounds of lawsuits since now there is even more effort required in matching names to IP addresses. My question is when will the RIAA start running out of money to do this sort of thing. Surely it must already be hurting the bottom line.
If the answers are that he genuinely wants to improve things, is a no-BS type of person, and seems to be able to take criticism, then by all means take this gift and use it! Be specific, but try to not assign blame. Approach every issue from the perspective that it isn't a huge problem but rather an opportunity for improvement.
Good luck!
However, who are we to judge? My grandmother just turned 82 this year. Her husband also just passed away. I got her a computer and taught her to use the Internet. Right now she knows how to send email, chat over MSN, do her banking, and perform simple google searches. That's all. She isn't churning out homegrown linux apps or discussing religion on usenet, in fact, I'm quite sure she couldn't change the resolution on her monitor. However, it's her lifeline to the outside world. It's given her a reason to not just give up on life.
So, what I'm trying to say that the beauty of the Internet is how it can be so many different things to so many different people.
I guess I would want to take one look at it, given the old "locker room" curiousity, but after that... no thanks.
I would love it if I could flip a switch and my window would show an image instead of me being able to see my "generously-proportioned" neighbour empty his garbage in the nude. Yes, yes... I know I could also use curtains... but that's so low-tech!
I mean, who is to say how the damn thing ended up on the Internet? Who knows what happened while burning the screener, in the mail room at the studios, during the mail delivery process, etc.
I can copy my mp3s to any mp3 player and they will play.
I can give a cd of mp3s to my mother and she can easily play them on her computer without having to futz around.
I have no need to distribute a product and I would say the same thing for the vast majority of people.
What I can't do is fluff up my ego by telling strangers I use a sexy standard to encode my music. I guess I can live with that.
I have it and it is the crown jewel of my electronics collection. Put it side by side any other player (yes, including the almighty iPod) and it is quite obviously superior in almost every respect.
Ogg is all fine and good, but hardly anyone knows about it, even fewer people use it, and there really isn't any good reason for these facts to change.
TO: Real Networks
SUBJECT: Fuck You All
I am holding myself back in the most intense way at the moment.
I don't care if this is the wrong address to send this to. Your website is a labyrinth of misdirection in which finding the simple thing you want is nigh-impossible. This, after about 20 clicks, was the first email address I came to. If you, as the person receiving this letter, have a shred of humanity left, you will submit this to the proper people. And now, on to my letter.
Where do you people get off?
My task: download Realplayer in order to view some streaming content. A simple project, one would say. Well, first you have to wade through the aforementioned sea of misdirection, all of it aimed at extracting your visa number to buy the completely useless realplayer plus. I realize you people need to make some money, but save it for the server business - it's bad enough that back in the day, you were inferior to several other streaming technologies, but somehow, like scum in water, you rose to the top. Leave the users who are stuck with your products out of your sick little power games.
All I want is Realplayer Basic, to play realmedia, and ONLY realmedia. I am not interested in realjukebox, realdownloadagent, or realbuttplug. I specified this when I was installing it. I also am not interested in having your inferior product play my mp3s, or any format other than your own. This was also specified when I installed. How difficult a concept is this? Anyone can grasp it. And I won't even get into the god-knows-how-many useless "subscribe to our spam service!" checkboxes I have to uncheck, including five which are HIDDEN AT THE BOTTOM OF A STACK OF UNCHECKED ONES. With each click, the bile rises higher in my throat. If I knew a satanist, I would have him summon demons to terrorize your offices.
So then, I go to launch an mp3 out of Agent, and not only does your software launch even though I SPECIFICALLY TOLD IT NOT TO DO THAT, but it's not even Realplayer - it's Realjukebox which I also SPECIFICALLY TOLD IT NOT TO INSTALL.
And here's the real point: if you're going to go ahead and do a fascist coup of my system's preferences and resources (getting your filthy little icons out of my system tray gets more difficult with each new version), why bother pretending that you are giving me a choice? Just go ahead and take it, save me the trouble of unchecking all those boxes and saying No 20 times. Just go ahead, play your little game, and let me get on with removing your annoying system resource wastes from my pristine desktop.
In closing, I would just like to say that I view your company as the most evil force operating on the internet today, and while I would end this with "may God have mercy on your souls" for anyone else (including Bill Gates), for you, I only pray that the people behind your software's design are raped by syphilitic camels at some point.
Burn in hell.
Right...
Just a friendly reminder to everyone that the criminals behind the Nigerian scam emails are just that -- criminals. There have been several murders involving those who have become involved with the scammers. Granted, these are people who went to meet with them foreign locales with pockets full of money. However, this is definitely a "better safe than sorry" scenario. If you really must contact these people for pestering purposes, guard your information carefully.
Let me use your email analogy to better explain. Having an off switch for Bluetooth is like being able to disconnect from the Internet on your home PC between sessions of emailing. Sure, you could keep the PC connected to the Internet at all times. But, you leave yourself open to attacks. Same thing with a Bluetooth switch. If another device is close by and you need to use Bluetooth, just flip the switch to "ON". Otherwise, the switch is left off. Functionality isn't being limited... just opportunities for attack.
Look, as Bluetooth becomes more and more integrated into devices two things will happen:
1. Non-geeks will use increasingly more Bluetooth enable devices. Do you think they will have any idea what "discoverable" is? Do you think they will want to wade through software menus to turn Bluetooth on and off?
2. More sophisticated methods will be discovered to take advantage of people who unwittingly leave the Bluetooth window open. This includes spam or viruses and other as-yet undiscovered threats. This means it will become increasingly important to be able to *quickly* and *efficiently* turn off Bluetooth when required (ie. not through some crappy menu).
Bluetooth-enabled devices must include an easy hardware switch which allows the convenient shutting off of Bluetooth functionality. An indicator light displaying the current status must also be included on the device. Devices like the Tapwave Zodiac are well designed and include these features.