We are in Toronto and I can personally attest to the difficulty of finding good C++ applicants, particularly fresh from University. Unfortunately it seems that university or college graduates are now trained in java and.net, neglecting C++. Pity, as our website shows THREE open positions for C++ applicants.
Even if I were to hire good programmers and hope they would pick up C++ (a training curve we are reluctant to pay for), these fresh graduates seem to be brainwashed into thinking C++ is dying in favour or Java and.Net - how wrong they are. Even current C++ programmers seem to be looking for Java and.Net.
"It also makes one wonder how much all this is costing the US in terms of lost business"
That is a very astute comment. I'm Canadian and have avoided going to the US since 2001, simply because the hassles aren't worth it, and it has only gotten worse over the years. I've run into a surprising number of other Canadians and other nationalities who, like myself, are actively avoiding travel to or through the US.
I don't know what it has cost the US, but if I and the people I've met are an indication (and they now seem to be in the majority), it is probably in the billions. The former bastion of freedom is now viewed as the bastion of inconvenience, inconsistency and intolerance. Unfortunately, the terrorists have been winning the minds (if not the hearts) of the US citizenry.
I considered waiting till the Bill was introduced but decided against it for the simple reason that they shouldn't be introducing this Bill without EXTENSIVE public consultation.
So, Minister Prentice received an email (and would have called him from Toronto as well, but.... couldn't get through to his voicemail):)
I can't get on the evening news - I'm in the IT industry. But I've found that politicians often understand the problems of their legislation when money and party workers go elsewhere. You think that copyright interests aren't directly or indirectly doing the same thing?
The best threat I heard that worked was the threat to carry out an advertising campaign (this was a hot button topic). That individual had real cash to spend and there was no doubt about how serious he was. New legislation supporting his point of view was introduced within 3 months.
I told Minister Prentice that as a former Progressive Conservative party worker, and business executive,I for one would vote with my wallet by donating to other political parties who better represent my views on this issue... and I WILL!!
Lets see how badly they want to lose the next election.
"What about having a disinterested party as the fund adviser?
I frankly don't understand your point (or why anyone modded you up), and if you RTFA you'd see that Ray Beckerman is not the "sole" advisor. "The Fund will be advised by Ray Beckerman, the author of Recording Industry vs. The People, along with a group of selected attorneys acting as advisors"
I also want a VERY interested party to decide where funds should go, and why wouldn't it go wherever it hits the RIAA the hardest? You do realize it is a common law system right? Court decisions are relied on by other courts, meaning that if you hit the RIAA hard, you might knock them out for all future lawsuits.
If the objective is to kill these RIAA lawsuits in the most efficient and effective manner, then why the hell wouldn't I want Ray Beckerman managing it?! Hell - I'm donating BECAUSE Ray is managing it, and being in Canada I don't even get a tax dedcution!
"Just like the CRIA shutting down Demonoid, despite the fact that due to the levies we pay up here on media and players, it's been ruled multiples times by the courts that downloading for personal usage is legal. Also that uploading is legal, as obviously to download, someone has to upload."
Okay, let me correct this misunderstanding of the Copyright Act. If you look at Part VIII (Private Copying) and in particular Section 80, you will see that this only applies to sound recordings.
I don't want people to be under the misapprehension that they can download and upload whatever they like in Canada, legally. They can't. In fact, if uploading is "distribution" (that has yet to be categorically decided) you can't upload, and there are arguments that you can't even download due to technicalities (although I don't agree with that, but then again IANAL)
It's a risky strategy, but at least he isn't getting reamed by some guy who makes $300 an hour for playing a lawyer on Slashdot.
I have to say that if my lawyer was only getting $300 an hour and was regularly on Slashdot, I'd be damned happy about it! IANAL. You obviously have no concept however of the going rate for lawyers or the difficulty of finding one who is well informed on the technical side (which would save many hours of time),
Let me also say that the lawyers I've seen on Slashdot seem to have a preponderance for defending those who can't afford to defend themselves. You should hope that if it happens to you, you end up paying only $300 per hour or and/or get a defense from a slashdot lawyer who is willing to help.
"instead of "not liable in principle" it's "not liable because they couldn't prove it". Judge's favorite way of avoiding responsibility for a legal precedent for hundreds of years."
Mod this down! What an asinine comment. Does he really expect the judge to find a defendant guilty with NO EVIDENCE OF GUILT?! When did the system suddenly change to guilty until proven innocent?
For me the answer as to what I choose as the host is easy. Leaving aside the KVM virtualization built into Linux, I simply prefer Ubuntu for ease of use and functionality, even though I've used XP almost continuously since it came out at home and work, up until about 3 months ago.
That and the fact I don't have to deal with licensing crap on Ubuntu.
Actually, Canadian users should file a complaint about Rogers misleading advertising with the Competition Bureau (not advising purchasers of their high speed service in their advertising that they will lower the speed of P2P apps). I have, and so have others. It really is a question or priorities and complaint volume though, and at present the number of complaints has been very few.
For anyone interested, the Competition Act and there are numerous sections dealing with misleading advertising. By not advising they public they are actually reducing the speed of P2P apps, they are knowingly making a material misrepresentation to the public (Parts VI and VII.1).
You can file complaints with the Canadian Competition Bureau about Rogers, here.
I've been on Ubuntu Linux for about 3 months, and had dabbled in it many, many years ago. I'm an XP user both at work and at home, and I'm not a techie.
I was absolutely stunned at how much easier Ubuntu was to use, than Linux. Cleaner desktop and with Expose from Compiz it is a wonder. The only thing is that while you can use it, you need further learning curve if you want to get in any deeper (like where files are, etc).
Tell your non-nerdy colleague to try a Ubuntu Live disk (probably Mandriva, SLED and many others would do as well) before he says that it is more "user friendly". At least compared to Ubuntu, there is no question, it isn't. It's just more "familiar"
Exactly what I'm planning on too - run a virtualized Windows.
Why not, with the price of dual core and quad core chips? Lots of excess processing power. Just throw in lots of cheap ram, and you have a powerhouse linux machine that can also run Windows - maybe even virtualized windows remotely with VirtulaGL:)
Doesn't an officer of the court have an obligation to provide all relevant material? If so, does this mean Thomas is likely to be overturned by the judge? Puts the judge in a rather awkward position, having to reverse himself, but if I were him I'd shoot the RIAA's lawyers out of a cannon if they truly did know, and didn't disclose.
My sympathies to our friends south of the border, and particularly to this defendent!
Now I'm back to questioning why the RIAA dropped the make available argument elsewhere, but were able to successfully put it into play for jury instruction in this trial? Yikes!
In Canada we watch the US situation quite carefully as our government(s)and leading political parties have shown a preponderance to follow the US lead. The CRIA (our RIAA) is their political patron, doling out cash to compliant MPs. I'm hoping you can get this reversed this - quick!
It makes all the difference in the world for us, too.
Pick a program that isn't native to Windows or Linux default installations. Then try to type in the instructions for installing such a program in both windows and linux. How would the average user install the program on their machine? Could you document the steps for Linux? How would those steps compare to a windows installation?
I am a relatively new Ubuntu user and frankly haven't played around with it nearly as much as I'd like to, but as far as I can tell it is far easier in Linux as you just search the entire library of software out there, and it installs it. Windows you have to go from website to website to find what you want. I can't tell you how impressed I was at the ease of finding and installing software with Ubuntu
In fairness, perhaps this didn't answer the question as you state a program that isn't native to Windows or Linux default installations. But then again, Windows only has one default installation and source code, and with Linux (as far as I understand it there are.rpm and.dev (not to mention source code). If we are talking about source code, I haven't compiled software for 25 years, but I'd be willing to bet I'd have an easier time finding the tools to do that on Linux where it is more common for users to compile from source code, than it is on Windows. If I ever get a spare weekend (unlikely - sigh) I'd love to try it!
I beg your pardon?! It is PERFECTLY LEGAL to download in Canada because we pay a tax on CD/DVD media that goes to the music industry.
Our opinions don't count because we can legally download? I think our opinions should count for more BECAUSE WE PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE!
You have a point. So, maybe I can get you to vote at Dell IdeaStorm for the idea to have Dell offer to sell virtualized XP on high end Ubuntu desktops and notebooks:
I've wondered what I could do to help Burma/Myamar, as this situation has dragged on for years. If I can't get to them directly, this is a brilliant idea to do it indirectly. China through various funds owns 50% or more of Lenovo.
So, I'm not buying Lenovo - Dell gets the business. I get equivalent value anyway, and maybe the message will travel up chain from Lenovo to the Chinese government, that they have a PR problem they may want to deal with. I know this isn't as precisely targeted as I'd like, but still, how much less effective can it be than the sanctions have proven to be?
Excellent - so I'm not the only one:) Upgrade to my system isn't a lot more than buying Vista, and I get a whole lot more fun and flexibility. In fact I don't know what value Vista would offer over this.
I was thinking of using KVM virtualization as it is part of the kernel? Don't know much about it though.
Ohhh - and how does XP handle installation, err electronic licensing? Does this mean I have to call MS every time I load it on a different virtual machine?
Slashdot Mirror
We are in Toronto and I can personally attest to the difficulty of finding good C++ applicants, particularly fresh from University. Unfortunately it seems that university or college graduates are now trained in java and .net, neglecting C++. Pity, as our website shows THREE open positions for C++ applicants.
.Net - how wrong they are. Even current C++ programmers seem to be looking for Java and .Net.
Even if I were to hire good programmers and hope they would pick up C++ (a training curve we are reluctant to pay for), these fresh graduates seem to be brainwashed into thinking C++ is dying in favour or Java and
"It also makes one wonder how much all this is costing the US in terms of lost business"
That is a very astute comment. I'm Canadian and have avoided going to the US since 2001, simply because the hassles aren't worth it, and it has only gotten worse over the years. I've run into a surprising number of other Canadians and other nationalities who, like myself, are actively avoiding travel to or through the US.
I don't know what it has cost the US, but if I and the people I've met are an indication (and they now seem to be in the majority), it is probably in the billions. The former bastion of freedom is now viewed as the bastion of inconvenience, inconsistency and intolerance. Unfortunately, the terrorists have been winning the minds (if not the hearts) of the US citizenry.
I considered waiting till the Bill was introduced but decided against it for the simple reason that they shouldn't be introducing this Bill without EXTENSIVE public consultation.
.... couldn't get through to his voicemail) :)
So, Minister Prentice received an email (and would have called him from Toronto as well, but
I can't get on the evening news - I'm in the IT industry. But I've found that politicians often understand the problems of their legislation when money and party workers go elsewhere. You think that copyright interests aren't directly or indirectly doing the same thing? The best threat I heard that worked was the threat to carry out an advertising campaign (this was a hot button topic). That individual had real cash to spend and there was no doubt about how serious he was. New legislation supporting his point of view was introduced within 3 months.
I told Minister Prentice that as a former Progressive Conservative party worker, and business executive,I for one would vote with my wallet by donating to other political parties who better represent my views on this issue ... and I WILL!!
Lets see how badly they want to lose the next election.
"What about having a disinterested party as the fund adviser?
I frankly don't understand your point (or why anyone modded you up), and if you RTFA you'd see that Ray Beckerman is not the "sole" advisor. "The Fund will be advised by Ray Beckerman, the author of Recording Industry vs. The People, along with a group of selected attorneys acting as advisors"
I also want a VERY interested party to decide where funds should go, and why wouldn't it go wherever it hits the RIAA the hardest? You do realize it is a common law system right? Court decisions are relied on by other courts, meaning that if you hit the RIAA hard, you might knock them out for all future lawsuits.
If the objective is to kill these RIAA lawsuits in the most efficient and effective manner, then why the hell wouldn't I want Ray Beckerman managing it?! Hell - I'm donating BECAUSE Ray is managing it, and being in Canada I don't even get a tax dedcution!
"Just like the CRIA shutting down Demonoid, despite the fact that due to the levies we pay up here on media and players, it's been ruled multiples times by the courts that downloading for personal usage is legal. Also that uploading is legal, as obviously to download, someone has to upload."
Okay, let me correct this misunderstanding of the Copyright Act. If you look at Part VIII (Private Copying) and in particular Section 80, you will see that this only applies to sound recordings.
I don't want people to be under the misapprehension that they can download and upload whatever they like in Canada, legally. They can't. In fact, if uploading is "distribution" (that has yet to be categorically decided) you can't upload, and there are arguments that you can't even download due to technicalities (although I don't agree with that, but then again IANAL)
It's a risky strategy, but at least he isn't getting reamed by some guy who makes $300 an hour for playing a lawyer on Slashdot.
I have to say that if my lawyer was only getting $300 an hour and was regularly on Slashdot, I'd be damned happy about it! IANAL. You obviously have no concept however of the going rate for lawyers or the difficulty of finding one who is well informed on the technical side (which would save many hours of time),
Let me also say that the lawyers I've seen on Slashdot seem to have a preponderance for defending those who can't afford to defend themselves. You should hope that if it happens to you, you end up paying only $300 per hour or and/or get a defense from a slashdot lawyer who is willing to help.
"instead of "not liable in principle" it's "not liable because they couldn't prove it". Judge's favorite way of avoiding responsibility for a legal precedent for hundreds of years."
Mod this down! What an asinine comment. Does he really expect the judge to find a defendant guilty with NO EVIDENCE OF GUILT?! When did the system suddenly change to guilty until proven innocent?
For me the answer as to what I choose as the host is easy. Leaving aside the KVM virtualization built into Linux, I simply prefer Ubuntu for ease of use and functionality, even though I've used XP almost continuously since it came out at home and work, up until about 3 months ago. That and the fact I don't have to deal with licensing crap on Ubuntu.
Somebody intelligent said it earlier .... the answer is virtualization.
I'm with you - sort of. Ubuntu I've found is actually better than XP, so next computer with more memory is getting Ubuntu with virtual XP.
Best of all worlds that way!
Actually, Canadian users should file a complaint about Rogers misleading advertising with the Competition Bureau (not advising purchasers of their high speed service in their advertising that they will lower the speed of P2P apps). I have, and so have others. It really is a question or priorities and complaint volume though, and at present the number of complaints has been very few.
For anyone interested, the Competition Act and there are numerous sections dealing with misleading advertising. By not advising they public they are actually reducing the speed of P2P apps, they are knowingly making a material misrepresentation to the public (Parts VI and VII.1).
You can file complaints with the Canadian Competition Bureau about Rogers, here.
If the US stops importing hard drives, the price is going to plummet here in Canada :)
Mmm - petabyte RAID 10!!
I've been on Ubuntu Linux for about 3 months, and had dabbled in it many, many years ago. I'm an XP user both at work and at home, and I'm not a techie.
I was absolutely stunned at how much easier Ubuntu was to use, than Linux. Cleaner desktop and with Expose from Compiz it is a wonder. The only thing is that while you can use it, you need further learning curve if you want to get in any deeper (like where files are, etc).
Tell your non-nerdy colleague to try a Ubuntu Live disk (probably Mandriva, SLED and many others would do as well) before he says that it is more "user friendly". At least compared to Ubuntu, there is no question, it isn't. It's just more "familiar"
Exactly what I'm planning on too - run a virtualized Windows. Why not, with the price of dual core and quad core chips? Lots of excess processing power. Just throw in lots of cheap ram, and you have a powerhouse linux machine that can also run Windows - maybe even virtualized windows remotely with VirtulaGL :)
Doesn't an officer of the court have an obligation to provide all relevant material? If so, does this mean Thomas is likely to be overturned by the judge? Puts the judge in a rather awkward position, having to reverse himself, but if I were him I'd shoot the RIAA's lawyers out of a cannon if they truly did know, and didn't disclose.
Would someone mod this post up?! I'd do it myself, but I already posted elsewhere.
My sympathies to our friends south of the border, and particularly to this defendent!
Now I'm back to questioning why the RIAA dropped the make available argument elsewhere, but were able to successfully put it into play for jury instruction in this trial? Yikes!
In Canada we watch the US situation quite carefully as our government(s)and leading political parties have shown a preponderance to follow the US lead. The CRIA (our RIAA) is their political patron, doling out cash to compliant MPs. I'm hoping you can get this reversed this - quick!
It makes all the difference in the world for us, too.
Now - how do we donate for the appeal?
Pick a program that isn't native to Windows or Linux default installations. Then try to type in the instructions for installing such a program in both windows and linux. How would the average user install the program on their machine? Could you document the steps for Linux? How would those steps compare to a windows installation?
I am a relatively new Ubuntu user and frankly haven't played around with it nearly as much as I'd like to, but as far as I can tell it is far easier in Linux as you just search the entire library of software out there, and it installs it. Windows you have to go from website to website to find what you want. I can't tell you how impressed I was at the ease of finding and installing software with Ubuntu
In fairness, perhaps this didn't answer the question as you state a program that isn't native to Windows or Linux default installations. But then again, Windows only has one default installation and source code, and with Linux (as far as I understand it there are .rpm and .dev (not to mention source code). If we are talking about source code, I haven't compiled software for 25 years, but I'd be willing to bet I'd have an easier time finding the tools to do that on Linux where it is more common for users to compile from source code, than it is on Windows. If I ever get a spare weekend (unlikely - sigh) I'd love to try it!
I beg your pardon?! It is PERFECTLY LEGAL to download in Canada because we pay a tax on CD/DVD media that goes to the music industry. Our opinions don't count because we can legally download? I think our opinions should count for more BECAUSE WE PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE!
You have a point. So, maybe I can get you to vote at Dell IdeaStorm for the idea to have Dell offer to sell virtualized XP on high end Ubuntu desktops and notebooks:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74179/Provide_Virtualized_XP_with_Ubuntu_Laptops
I've wondered what I could do to help Burma/Myamar, as this situation has dragged on for years. If I can't get to them directly, this is a brilliant idea to do it indirectly. China through various funds owns 50% or more of Lenovo.
So, I'm not buying Lenovo - Dell gets the business. I get equivalent value anyway, and maybe the message will travel up chain from Lenovo to the Chinese government, that they have a PR problem they may want to deal with. I know this isn't as precisely targeted as I'd like, but still, how much less effective can it be than the sanctions have proven to be?
Great idea!
I can always buy naked, but as a matter of fact, I usually do build my own :)
Excellent - so I'm not the only one :) Upgrade to my system isn't a lot more than buying Vista, and I get a whole lot more fun and flexibility. In fact I don't know what value Vista would offer over this.
I was thinking of using KVM virtualization as it is part of the kernel? Don't know much about it though.
Ohhh - and how does XP handle installation, err electronic licensing? Does this mean I have to call MS every time I load it on a different virtual machine?