Alternatively, it's possible that even Intel fanboys around the world have come to realize that clock speed isn't the only (or even most) useful metric. Intel wouldn't ditch GHz if the marketing team could successfully use it.
Yes, the Greeks knew the world was round because the shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always round. Also, a greek librarian (Eratosthenes of Cyrene) figured out the size of the Earth from his books and a little measurement.
Columbus' success was based on two things: 1) He vastly underestimated the size of the Earth (even compared to other estimates of the time) and 2) got really lucky that the Americas were in the way.
I think the "full C compatability" is a problem. It's -not- a feature.
Actually it's both. C compatibility leads to early and widespread adoption, but it also carries tons of baggage--at least that's been the case in C++.
One of the biggest problems in C++ is backwards-compatibility with integer promotion rules. It appears to cause more confusion than templates and name lookup combined.
Wouldn't that mean that the limiting factor for fps is NOT the card but some other thing (processor, memory bandwidth) ?
Not necessarily. It could be a fill rate issue, but more likely with DirectX 9 games you're seeing the performance of the pixel shaders. For instance, Halo on the PC is very sensitive to resolution because of heavy pixel shader use, and you can see that in the benchmarks.
I just installed Debian to replace Mandrake 9, and it was far easier to install.
Of course, I installed Knoppix and then installed to the hard drive. But I didn't have to go through the tons of menus in Mandrake to select packages, hardware, etc. Knoppix just worked.
I'd love it if an OEM produced a standard form-factor laptop that could swap all (or most) of the components, even if it was bulkier/heavier. More people are using laptops as desktop replacements (or 2nd computer) and would like this (I've counted 10+ at our office who would buy something like this if it were available and somewhat reasonably priced).
At my company, we write scientific simulation software using OpenGL for visualization. We need a fast CPU and powerful video card (with good drivers). A good laptop solution is what some people want, and when they're paying $50K+ for each license, a $3K laptop vs. a $2K desktop is chump change to them.
We've found that the gaming laptops have just the right combination of CPU/Video power.
The outsourcing only spells the end to abundant positions as low level code monkeys.
And unfortunately, there go the entry-level positions that help train people to be software architects.
Where will we get our next generation of engineers and architects? Hint: once all the low-level positions are outsourced, who will get trained for the advanced positions?
Apparently enough to grow their revenue by 108.7%. Well, registrations plus embedded sales.
I have registered version 6 and 7. See, I'm supporting software I use and love. My only complaint is that they don't have a port to PocketPC.
pseudo-compiled languages can't fix logic errors
on
How C# Was Made
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· Score: 1
In many cases, pseudo-compiled languages, or languages that use a VM are a better choice. No worrying about memory management, buffer overflows, etc.
Memory management (GC, smart pointers, etc.) are all available with C++ right now. Buffer overflows are logic errors, not syntax errors. Learn to write correct code and you won't get a silent buffer overrun or a thrown exception (available in C++ as well, see std::vector::at() member function).
The biggest problem with all GC languages I've seen is the issue of lifetime management. I don't care so much about when memory is reclaimed (that is after all just a resource the OS should manage). I do care when the object's life ends--it is then that the object must take care of any logic that must follow if it is going away. The C# model is that once you're being garbage collected, you have no guarantee about any object which you might have a reference to. Hence you need to differentiate between being disposed of by the program vs. by the system. Oh, and if you want to check that reliably, you need to worry about muliple threads disposing of the object, etc.
Some of the most exciting developments I've seen in the C++ community arise (ironically) with Herb Sutter's suggestions about how to make Managed C++ better (that is, make a C++ variant that is GC friendly). He separates the ideas of lifetime management and memory management. And although I disagree with some of his conclusions, he clearly gets it.
There will always be a place for C and C++ in places where you *NEED* low-level control over things like memory management, or where performance is very critical. But for most applications, this is simply not the case. You want a language that can do all you need it to do, and you don't want to worry about the rest of the details.
But I don't worry about details in C++ anymore. And haven't for several years now. The problem with languages which "take care of the details" is that they don't let you take care of the details. I much prefer an expressive language which allows me to do what I need to with minimal fuss, but lets me get into the details if necessary over a language (or environment) which ties my hands. Especially when it really doesn't fix things, like Java's null-pointer exception, or C#'s brain-dead 'using'.
Isaac Asimov wrote about this 30 years ago and called it the "Eureka Phenomenon" referring to Archimedes' discovery about water displacement, and I've found it to be true. IIRC he compared it to letting your autonomous functions control breathing instead of trying to control your breathing conciously.
Also he said (again IIRC) that to turn off his conscious brain and let his subconscious work he'd watch a brainless action movie.
HL2 had the source code stolen thing, and that's an understandable delay in shipping.
Sure, except that steam (Valve's online gaming/distro network which replaced WON and patches) sucks rocks, and no one in the community with a brain expected an on-time ship date.
Just last week my Compaq Presario 2800T display failed (after about 18 months). That is, I was opening the lid and saw 1/2 of the pixel columns disappear (actually went to mid-level gray I think). I'm pretty sure it's just the cable connection. I bought it nearly-new from another person, so an extended warrantee wasn't an option.
I checked where the nearest service center is, and the phone message listed the two Radio Shacks in town (I'm in a smaller city in Northern California--about 100,000 people). Yeah, like I'm going to trust my $1800 laptop to the guys at Radio Shack. Sure.
I checked the parts list, and my screen is a 1400x1050 (SXGA+) display, so replacing it would cost nearly $1000. If that's the cost to fix it, I'll end up getting a replacement, and give this to my wife as her machine (hooked up to monitor, etc.). You can bet the replacement won't be from HP/Compaq. I would have purchased a Thinkpad in the first place, but I can't stand that stiking eraser-head of a mouse interface.
The War is illegal because it was never declared. In a legal sence, the United States of America has only been at war with Iraq one time. 1991. Since then we've bombed a soverign state for shits and giggles, but haven't really declared war. War has fairly cristiline properties in international law.
And because Saddam didn't comply with the treaty that ended that war, we were still at war.
Yes. A CEO should be paid based on the value he adds to the company, not based on how hard the work is, or how many hours he works. A good CEO adds huge value to the whole company.
Slashdot Mirror
Alternatively, it's possible that even Intel fanboys around the world have come to realize that clock speed isn't the only (or even most) useful metric. Intel wouldn't ditch GHz if the marketing team could successfully use it.
Columbus' success was based on two things: 1) He vastly underestimated the size of the Earth (even compared to other estimates of the time) and 2) got really lucky that the Americas were in the way.
Not only is it "non-toxic", but it's an ingredient of one of my favorite carbonated beverages, Dr Pepper.
And we are the product of a big rock doing that same thing about 65 million years ago. What might come if we get wiped out?
Oops. Mean to post this link.
Fortunately English isn't Latin, and we can feel free to boldly split the infinitive.
One of the biggest problems in C++ is backwards-compatibility with integer promotion rules. It appears to cause more confusion than templates and name lookup combined.
Not necessarily. It could be a fill rate issue, but more likely with DirectX 9 games you're seeing the performance of the pixel shaders. For instance, Halo on the PC is very sensitive to resolution because of heavy pixel shader use, and you can see that in the benchmarks.
Of course, I installed Knoppix and then installed to the hard drive. But I didn't have to go through the tons of menus in Mandrake to select packages, hardware, etc. Knoppix just worked.
I'd love it if an OEM produced a standard form-factor laptop that could swap all (or most) of the components, even if it was bulkier/heavier. More people are using laptops as desktop replacements (or 2nd computer) and would like this (I've counted 10+ at our office who would buy something like this if it were available and somewhat reasonably priced).
We've found that the gaming laptops have just the right combination of CPU/Video power.
Where will we get our next generation of engineers and architects? Hint: once all the low-level positions are outsourced, who will get trained for the advanced positions?
I have registered version 6 and 7. See, I'm supporting software I use and love. My only complaint is that they don't have a port to PocketPC.
The first time I tried to play it I got the BSOD. I don't give programs a second chance once they do that. Period.
Also he said (again IIRC) that to turn off his conscious brain and let his subconscious work he'd watch a brainless action movie.
I'm betting HL2 is vaporware for 2004 as well.
Just last week my Compaq Presario 2800T display failed (after about 18 months). That is, I was opening the lid and saw 1/2 of the pixel columns disappear (actually went to mid-level gray I think). I'm pretty sure it's just the cable connection. I bought it nearly-new from another person, so an extended warrantee wasn't an option.
I checked where the nearest service center is, and the phone message listed the two Radio Shacks in town (I'm in a smaller city in Northern California--about 100,000 people). Yeah, like I'm going to trust my $1800 laptop to the guys at Radio Shack. Sure.
I checked the parts list, and my screen is a 1400x1050 (SXGA+) display, so replacing it would cost nearly $1000. If that's the cost to fix it, I'll end up getting a replacement, and give this to my wife as her machine (hooked up to monitor, etc.). You can bet the replacement won't be from HP/Compaq. I would have purchased a Thinkpad in the first place, but I can't stand that stiking eraser-head of a mouse interface.
Actually it was just one user sharing 1,054 files. For a total of 1,054 user equivalents.
... and a 30-sec forward button. All I have to say is: TV has ads?
Sounds like a bigger reason to have a magnetic bubble around your head to me...
I e-think I'm going to be e-sick.... (apologies to Foxtrot)
Of course, when I make a significant change in Linux, I have to recompile the FSCK'ing kernel.
Yes. A CEO should be paid based on the value he adds to the company, not based on how hard the work is, or how many hours he works. A good CEO adds huge value to the whole company.