This is exactly why libraries shouldn't die right here. A company is not beholden to freedom of speech issues the same way an institution like a library is.
I really wish the library had a online book store like Amazon.
"Younger workers' lives are all integrated, not segregated," says Larry Rivard. "They have learned to work anywhere -- at a kitchen table or wherever."
Y'know when I was younger I would have worked on a shelf if it meant I had a job and I was doing something I loved, I don't see this as anything new.
I really can't think of any cube environment I've worked in that was conducive to work, the best environments always seem to have been open, yet not too big. An open room with 6 to 8 people seems to be the magic zone.
The biggest cube I worked in was at the Provincial Gov't, they had this massive 1960s job that had two chairs, a proper desk, a fully adjustable "computer" desk and a coat rack. I kinda liked that cube because there was enough room for small meetings, pair programming and it gave you some space for thinking (without having three other noisy people two meters away from you all the time). In fact it wasn't until I got into a modern cube farm that I had to go out and buy noise cancelling headphones (though very nearly a noise cancelling shotgun).
It's weird, with walls people are loud and obnoxious, with no walls they have respect for each other.
I've heard this before and I have to question whether the costs / safety issues have been reduced since then (the 60s I guess?) I mean, it's been a long time since that proof of concept right?
I see the comment about military grade nuclear power usage but even then, a lot of those machines were built 25 to 50 years ago (though I do see references to the Gerald R. Ford Class carriers that are supposedly being designed with an all new A1B reactor).
Are these expensive because they are being designed for military use or that there is no market for naval reactors?
I guess I see an opportunity here for growth in a high tech field.
You could say the same thing by comparing a dog and a rock. A rock will not fetch a stick, it simply doesn't want to, the distinction however is because it can't want to.
Not saying cats aren't intelligent, just a bad example.
That totally smacks of effort though, mysterious people compile and deliver phone books to my house free of charge and yet I only have to use them when I'm in dire straits (internet is down, etc).
On one hand I never use the thing making it a giant waste of paper.
On the other hand when the power is out it comes in handy as all my numbers are either stored in autodial or a local Google search away both of which don't work with the power off...
Let me put it this way, there are still tons of COBOL apps out in the wild. The last project I was on used a DB2 backend with a ton of COBOL stored procs. Imagine my surprise at having to learn enough COBOL to be dangerous in order to facilitate change to an application with an ASP.NET front end.
This sounds like rotoscoping in real time using a digital process.
Being able to "skin" your actors in real time with costumes/makeup will have a profound impact on a lot of films, but also the film making industry itself. I'm sure there are a lot fewer model-makers/matte painters since the advent of CG, will this have the same effect on makeup/props/costumers?
Sorry I meant tools that artificially add precision without user input. I agree with you 100%
Some of these tools hamper expression to the extreme (i.e. the difference between hand-inking an illustration VS using Adobe Illustrator). You can be creative in both but one seems... less interesting.
I dabble in digital art and I have found the more people rely on certain tools that deemphasize precision the worse their artwork becomes (myself included).
A great example of this is available on television almost every day, you can see any number of cartoons created using basic shape templates and Bézier curves. They all look starkly similar, follow no rules of form or design and are generally awful.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's much more artistically valuable to see what your friend can do with, say, his feet than some algorithm can do with limited input.
Also, yes, I am aware of the irony that my hobby is artwork and I am legally blind...
Almost every time I go to a party primarily populated by non-techies it comes up, sometimes vicariously which is even worse ("oh this guy can help you out, he's a programmer"). In reality I don't mind talking about what I do, but I mind very much if I'm being tapped as a resource at a sociable gathering. So it has paid to just keep my big yap shut on that particular subject.
I learnt a long time ago specifically not to mention that "I work with computers" because it inevitably leads to the "Oh really? I'm having a problem with my..."
When pressed, I just say "systems analyst", most people nod sagely and the conversation continues unimpeded, however I sometimes get the impression that I could say that I'm a "floob doppler" and have that carry equal meaning...
Honestly, as a site operator, advertising revenue is just one of many possible streams of income. Selling merch, premium content, forum access, donation boxes, all these things can and have replaced simply joining ad networks and hoping that enough dough rolls in to balance costs.
Heck even a model where users can opt out of seeing ads by paying a nominal fee works pretty good for some sites.
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This is exactly why libraries shouldn't die right here. A company is not beholden to freedom of speech issues the same way an institution like a library is.
I really wish the library had a online book store like Amazon.
I was gonna say, we had a trolley bus system in Edmonton in operation between 1939 and 2009. A closure that was thoroughly opposed by Edmontonians.
I'm addicted to placebos!
Well, given most of the equipment at hand was 40+ years and going I think they got good ROI on it...
Y'know when I was younger I would have worked on a shelf if it meant I had a job and I was doing something I loved, I don't see this as anything new.
I really can't think of any cube environment I've worked in that was conducive to work, the best environments always seem to have been open, yet not too big. An open room with 6 to 8 people seems to be the magic zone.
The biggest cube I worked in was at the Provincial Gov't, they had this massive 1960s job that had two chairs, a proper desk, a fully adjustable "computer" desk and a coat rack. I kinda liked that cube because there was enough room for small meetings, pair programming and it gave you some space for thinking (without having three other noisy people two meters away from you all the time). In fact it wasn't until I got into a modern cube farm that I had to go out and buy noise cancelling headphones (though very nearly a noise cancelling shotgun).
It's weird, with walls people are loud and obnoxious, with no walls they have respect for each other.
Two words: "classic mode"
Or as I like to call it, readable mode.
Sad thing is that the story has been up for nearly 2 hours and there's less than 20 comments...
I was gonna say, that's a heck of a long time for "data" to be in RAM...
I've heard this before and I have to question whether the costs / safety issues have been reduced since then (the 60s I guess?) I mean, it's been a long time since that proof of concept right?
I see the comment about military grade nuclear power usage but even then, a lot of those machines were built 25 to 50 years ago (though I do see references to the Gerald R. Ford Class carriers that are supposedly being designed with an all new A1B reactor).
Are these expensive because they are being designed for military use or that there is no market for naval reactors?
I guess I see an opportunity here for growth in a high tech field.
One big ship or lots of smaller ships? Is it time to lose "the fear" and go nuclear on cargo vessels?
You're anthropomorphizing the cats perspective.
You could say the same thing by comparing a dog and a rock. A rock will not fetch a stick, it simply doesn't want to, the distinction however is because it can't want to.
Not saying cats aren't intelligent, just a bad example.
That totally smacks of effort though, mysterious people compile and deliver phone books to my house free of charge and yet I only have to use them when I'm in dire straits (internet is down, etc).
On one hand I never use the thing making it a giant waste of paper.
On the other hand when the power is out it comes in handy as all my numbers are either stored in autodial or a local Google search away both of which don't work with the power off...
I'm willing to bet they'll go for the best talent that's willing to be there, just like a lot of places.
Do the machines call out? If they do I hope they sound like Bender (but you know, in Japanese):
"Hey fatass, got a nice 200 oz can of fried chicken here!"
"Hey baby! All the supermodels are drinking Diet Water, what's your deal?"
And so forth...
Let me put it this way, there are still tons of COBOL apps out in the wild. The last project I was on used a DB2 backend with a ton of COBOL stored procs. Imagine my surprise at having to learn enough COBOL to be dangerous in order to facilitate change to an application with an ASP.NET front end.
This sounds like rotoscoping in real time using a digital process.
Being able to "skin" your actors in real time with costumes/makeup will have a profound impact on a lot of films, but also the film making industry itself. I'm sure there are a lot fewer model-makers/matte painters since the advent of CG, will this have the same effect on makeup/props/costumers?
Damn you sir! Good writing and acting has no place in Star Wars!
I propose we make a new internet, except with blackjack and hookers! Oh...
Except instead of Rei or Asuka you get Buzz Aldrin... the future is a terrifying place children...
Sorry I meant tools that artificially add precision without user input. I agree with you 100%
Some of these tools hamper expression to the extreme (i.e. the difference between hand-inking an illustration VS using Adobe Illustrator). You can be creative in both but one seems... less interesting.
I dabble in digital art and I have found the more people rely on certain tools that deemphasize precision the worse their artwork becomes (myself included).
A great example of this is available on television almost every day, you can see any number of cartoons created using basic shape templates and Bézier curves. They all look starkly similar, follow no rules of form or design and are generally awful.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's much more artistically valuable to see what your friend can do with, say, his feet than some algorithm can do with limited input.
Also, yes, I am aware of the irony that my hobby is artwork and I am legally blind...
You sir, are lucky.
Almost every time I go to a party primarily populated by non-techies it comes up, sometimes vicariously which is even worse ("oh this guy can help you out, he's a programmer"). In reality I don't mind talking about what I do, but I mind very much if I'm being tapped as a resource at a sociable gathering. So it has paid to just keep my big yap shut on that particular subject.
Yes, that.
I learnt a long time ago specifically not to mention that "I work with computers" because it inevitably leads to the "Oh really? I'm having a problem with my..."
When pressed, I just say "systems analyst", most people nod sagely and the conversation continues unimpeded, however I sometimes get the impression that I could say that I'm a "floob doppler" and have that carry equal meaning...
Honestly, as a site operator, advertising revenue is just one of many possible streams of income. Selling merch, premium content, forum access, donation boxes, all these things can and have replaced simply joining ad networks and hoping that enough dough rolls in to balance costs.
Heck even a model where users can opt out of seeing ads by paying a nominal fee works pretty good for some sites.