I used to write apps for a small company. We upgraded to 19" LCDs (cheap ones too) and I kept my 21" CRT as a second display. I ended up hardly ever using the CRT, except when debugging really tricky stuff that needed lots of watches and such (yeah, I'm just a hack). The CRT was a top of the line, but aging tech at that point, and yes, they have better ones, but the LCD cost less than $500, and I could stare at that thing all day with no eye strain. After that experience, everywhere I go I demand an LCD screen (now I use a ViewSonic VE175 . . . it's really nice).
The theme that viruses (virii?) ultimately improve computer security is flawed given the assumption that there is always a security hole somewhere. Just because you are aware of some holes and able to patch them doesn't mean that you are secure. With or without virii the situation is basically the same . . . there is always a hole ready to be exploited. On that note I think I'll unplug (&*@%(&* NO CARRIER
I agree with you partially, but think the counter argument has merit:
An agressive primary process ensures that the Dem who can best handle the attacks will move on. The Dems are simply attacking each other in the same way they expect the Republicans to attack the ultimate Democrat candidate.
Sometimes man pages and online help are either a) incomplete (at best), b) slow response, or both (man pages are rarely slow response . . .;) ). I have not seen the book, and IANAA (author), but the review points to this book as a great reference. I have references that I use all of the time (like PHP and MySQL Web Development 2nd) and being able to quickly find examples of how things happen is invaluable. This is in my experience not as easily available in the form of on-line documentation, (sometimes my on line is an off line), or the sheer volume of matches on google searches. A well written reference by an experienced guru is always better than the so called information super highway (IMHO).
Sweeping Generalization
on
Software Exorcism
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
I doubt very highly that your instructors will tell you how to handle all the nasty little things that can occur when humans work in groups: backstabbing, stonewalling, sabotage, etc. The sad truth is that the people who do actually learn about these tactics (under the guise of "organizational behavior") are MBAs, the people who end up being managers. Folks, the deck has been stacked: The MBAs have been given whips, and the CS majors have all been given saddles. It's called animal husbandry;... now go look up the word "cull."
This is a little bit on the extremist side. I took a few org behavior classes on my way to dropping out of an MBA program. The classes I took were exactly 180 out from how the above characterizes them. As future company members (employees) we were encouraged to think about how to listen to your teammates, to think about how the heirarchical models of employee, manager, and worker were not optimal for good business, rather teams where job title have nothing to do with role could vastly improve the nature of the working environment and the bottom line. This is regarded as "hooey" by the status quo, but embraced by techies everywhere (sorry for the sweeping generalization of my own). I agree that the software industry needs to change, but B-Schools (at least some of them) also recognize this about many industries, and are actively teaching MBAs to be less egotistical and heirarchy minded, and better listeners and facilitators (which all of my good bosses were).
Techies need to be trained in this as well, so that everyone coming in to the working environment understands what collaboration and teamwork mean, and how to contribute effectively in that environment.
Please ignore any grammar and spelling errors, and let me know what you think.
of Linux perhaps. If you have a class learning spreadsheets, then you might mention that there is another machine in the corner running "another operating system" (or some phrase designed to minimize FUD) that has a free spreadsheet on it. There may be people out there coming in who don't have a computer, but are thinking of buying one. Why not educate them about the choices in some way? I am definitely telling all of my computer illiterate friends that there are choices, and when the come to me with "My computer is broken" I often have them bring it by just so I can show them my Linux (Mandrake 9.1) box. The idea that Windows is "easier" to use than Linux is patently false. Windows doesn't even offer better support, in that you have to pay someone to fix your machine if you don't have the knowhow.
Uhh, last I checked having a job is not a right . . . it's probably not even a priveledge. If you don't like the industry you are in, then find another one. If the industry you are in fails then find another one. Bringing lawsuits to solve problems like this (ie. But Judge, it's just not fair!) does two things: it further erodes the right of people to decide things for themselves by giving the right to some authority, and, it opens the door to have some government meddling in industry, which is why capitalism falls prey to corruption and greed. Corporations should not have the right to interfere in government, just as government should not have the right to interfere in the marketplace. The only role of the government should be to ensure the livlihood of the people. This role would be greatly overstepped if the government were to tell companies that they had to hire from a certain population.
With the DNC, the government is doing exactly what it is supposed to do: provide a service which protects people from being harrased.
A bit harsh on the India assessment. I find your comments to be quite intelligent and reasoned, so I figure this isn't a troll, but a point of view. If you have ever been to India you quickly realize that there is so much poverty and death due to poverty there that it can be overwhelming to us privledged westerners. Good for them for getting some jobs.
I think there is another point of view, and that is when India starts to emerge economically so that they are producing as a country, we will start to benefit and get jobs through them. It always amazes me to see a community that rallies around the ideology of Free and Open Software, completely change their tune and become just as staunchly conservative as the biggest fear mongering FUD dispenser the USA has created.
We (as a community) need to make sure India gets full support of the Free and Open community, so that they will start to feed into that rather than into the corporate conglomerate that exists. To demonize India is, IMHO, a grave mistake. Paul
Slashdot Mirror
I used to write apps for a small company. We upgraded to 19" LCDs (cheap ones too) and I kept my 21" CRT as a second display. I ended up hardly ever using the CRT, except when debugging really tricky stuff that needed lots of watches and such (yeah, I'm just a hack). The CRT was a top of the line, but aging tech at that point, and yes, they have better ones, but the LCD cost less than $500, and I could stare at that thing all day with no eye strain. After that experience, everywhere I go I demand an LCD screen (now I use a ViewSonic VE175 . . . it's really nice).
The theme that viruses (virii?) ultimately improve computer security is flawed given the assumption that there is always a security hole somewhere. Just because you are aware of some holes and able to patch them doesn't mean that you are secure. With or without virii the situation is basically the same . . . there is always a hole ready to be exploited. On that note I think I'll unplug (&*@%(&* NO CARRIER
I agree with you partially, but think the counter argument has merit: An agressive primary process ensures that the Dem who can best handle the attacks will move on. The Dems are simply attacking each other in the same way they expect the Republicans to attack the ultimate Democrat candidate.
Testing kermit in a weightless environment?
Sometimes man pages and online help are either a) incomplete (at best), b) slow response, or both (man pages are rarely slow response . . . ;) ). I have not seen the book, and IANAA (author), but the review points to this book as a great reference. I have references that I use all of the time (like PHP and MySQL Web Development 2nd) and being able to quickly find examples of how things happen is invaluable. This is in my experience not as easily available in the form of on-line documentation, (sometimes my on line is an off line), or the sheer volume of matches on google searches. A well written reference by an experienced guru is always better than the so called information super highway (IMHO).
This is a little bit on the extremist side. I took a few org behavior classes on my way to dropping out of an MBA program. The classes I took were exactly 180 out from how the above characterizes them. As future company members (employees) we were encouraged to think about how to listen to your teammates, to think about how the heirarchical models of employee, manager, and worker were not optimal for good business, rather teams where job title have nothing to do with role could vastly improve the nature of the working environment and the bottom line. This is regarded as "hooey" by the status quo, but embraced by techies everywhere (sorry for the sweeping generalization of my own). I agree that the software industry needs to change, but B-Schools (at least some of them) also recognize this about many industries, and are actively teaching MBAs to be less egotistical and heirarchy minded, and better listeners and facilitators (which all of my good bosses were).
Techies need to be trained in this as well, so that everyone coming in to the working environment understands what collaboration and teamwork mean, and how to contribute effectively in that environment.
Please ignore any grammar and spelling errors, and let me know what you think.
Is there a documented physical slashdotting yet? Remember, don't push, and don't bogart the front row.
of Linux perhaps. If you have a class learning spreadsheets, then you might mention that there is another machine in the corner running "another operating system" (or some phrase designed to minimize FUD) that has a free spreadsheet on it. There may be people out there coming in who don't have a computer, but are thinking of buying one. Why not educate them about the choices in some way?
I am definitely telling all of my computer illiterate friends that there are choices, and when the come to me with "My computer is broken" I often have them bring it by just so I can show them my Linux (Mandrake 9.1) box. The idea that Windows is "easier" to use than Linux is patently false. Windows doesn't even offer better support, in that you have to pay someone to fix your machine if you don't have the knowhow.
Uhh, last I checked having a job is not a right . . . it's probably not even a priveledge. If you don't like the industry you are in, then find another one. If the industry you are in fails then find another one. Bringing lawsuits to solve problems like this (ie. But Judge, it's just not fair!) does two things: it further erodes the right of people to decide things for themselves by giving the right to some authority, and, it opens the door to have some government meddling in industry, which is why capitalism falls prey to corruption and greed. Corporations should not have the right to interfere in government, just as government should not have the right to interfere in the marketplace. The only role of the government should be to ensure the livlihood of the people. This role would be greatly overstepped if the government were to tell companies that they had to hire from a certain population. With the DNC, the government is doing exactly what it is supposed to do: provide a service which protects people from being harrased.
A bit harsh on the India assessment. I find your comments to be quite intelligent and reasoned, so I figure this isn't a troll, but a point of view. If you have ever been to India you quickly realize that there is so much poverty and death due to poverty there that it can be overwhelming to us privledged westerners. Good for them for getting some jobs.
I think there is another point of view, and that is when India starts to emerge economically so that they are producing as a country, we will start to benefit and get jobs through them. It always amazes me to see a community that rallies around the ideology of Free and Open Software, completely change their tune and become just as staunchly conservative as the biggest fear mongering FUD dispenser the USA has created.
We (as a community) need to make sure India gets full support of the Free and Open community, so that they will start to feed into that rather than into the corporate conglomerate that exists. To demonize India is, IMHO, a grave mistake.
Paul