I was thinking of a different Heinlein book (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress?) in which the lunar workers successfully seceded from Earth by building a rail gun to drop large rocks on the planet.
I think you are right. This is what separates the geeks from the non-geeks. It is one of the main criteria by which I try to judge people in the hiring process. Do they have the capability, curiosity, and desire to learn? In other words, have they learned to learn?
Oddly, though, I came at this from the opposite direction than some here. I grew up in the sticks, worked on a farm, did a lot of construction. So, I picked up the basics of farming, mechanics, home building and repair, before I turned to the computer sciences. Oddly, now that I have the high-tech job, I find that the skills that my friends and family value the most are the home maintenance and mechanical. To most people, these are lost arts. Even changing oil in a car or changing a tire is beyond them.
I've found that you are never without friends if you have a few tools in your garage, the skill to use them, and the willingness to help out. Oh, and a pickup truck. There is never a shortage of friends when you have a pickup truck.
Tonight I head over to my sister-in-law's house to repair some water-damaged closet shelves. It gives me a chance to visit family, and I get a free meal out of the deal.
Actually, with the No Child Left Behind Act, this type of thing will probably become more and more common. See http://www.nclb.gov/ In part, the act is an attempt to make schools more accountable to parents. A lot of schools are having to scramble to come up with money to meet some of the provisions in the act. This company may be getting in (somewhat) early on the demand created in the educational market by NCLB.
Aren't there also tax incentives in the US for purchasing an electric or hybrid car? If so, is it going to make a noticeable difference on your tax return, this year? I'm trying to sell myself and my wife on the hybrid civic.
Slashdot Mirror
I was thinking of a different Heinlein book (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress?) in which the lunar workers successfully seceded from Earth by building a rail gun to drop large rocks on the planet.
I think you are right. This is what separates the geeks from the non-geeks. It is one of the main criteria by which I try to judge people in the hiring process. Do they have the capability, curiosity, and desire to learn? In other words, have they learned to learn?
Oddly, though, I came at this from the opposite direction than some here. I grew up in the sticks, worked on a farm, did a lot of construction. So, I picked up the basics of farming, mechanics, home building and repair, before I turned to the computer sciences. Oddly, now that I have the high-tech job, I find that the skills that my friends and family value the most are the home maintenance and mechanical. To most people, these are lost arts. Even changing oil in a car or changing a tire is beyond them.
I've found that you are never without friends if you have a few tools in your garage, the skill to use them, and the willingness to help out. Oh, and a pickup truck. There is never a shortage of friends when you have a pickup truck.
Tonight I head over to my sister-in-law's house to repair some water-damaged closet shelves. It gives me a chance to visit family, and I get a free meal out of the deal.
SharkJumper
The slashdot effect wouldn't even be a blip.
Maybe not now, but just wait until this story is posted three more times.
Actually, with the No Child Left Behind Act, this type of thing will probably become more and more common.
See http://www.nclb.gov/
In part, the act is an attempt to make schools more accountable to parents. A lot of schools are having to scramble to come up with money to meet some of the provisions in the act. This company may be getting in (somewhat) early on the demand created in the educational market by NCLB.
It's obvious. To predict the weather!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/2/19442.htm l
It would seriously cut into the funding for such attacks, however.
Aren't there also tax incentives in the US for purchasing an electric or hybrid car? If so, is it going to make a noticeable difference on your tax return, this year? I'm trying to sell myself and my wife on the hybrid civic.