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User: bblazer

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  1. Yea, but what's outside on An Older, Larger Universe · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Those are some huge numbers. What gets me going though is what is outside of those 180 billion light years of width? What happens when you hit the border? Is there a passport checkpoint?

  2. Horray! on OfficeMax Drops Mail-in Rebates · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think that this is huge step in the right direction. It makes the cost after rebate a real cost, simplifies the process, and will go a long way towards customer satisfaction. I know that if OM has the same merchandise as a competing store, and I get the rebate at the register, I am going there. One more thing, if the rebate is instant, it will stop problems with rebates that are based on purchases of items in certain combinations. "I am sorry sir, but this rebate only applies if you buy x and y. Would you like to get y as well?"

  3. Re:Sounds good... on Python-to-C++ Compiler · · Score: 1

    I do understand that Python does not have structs or pointers. But pointers are fundamental to C++. I was very unclear in my first post. I was wondering if they would be converting certain types to pointers and I was curious how that was going to happen.

  4. Sounds good... on Python-to-C++ Compiler · · Score: 0

    This is an interesting development. Programmers can now use the simple syntax of python and create faster machine code. THis may make rapid prototyping even more rapid, and allow programmers with little or no C++ experience create code that will run faster and will not require someone to install Python to run something. I will have to explore it more, but it will be intriguing to see how they handle things like pointers and structs that are not in python.

  5. If it is a doc issue.... on Windows Servers Beat Linux Servers · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I am not surprised. Documentation of many open source projects (including linux) is often very poorly written and/or not maintained. Being a good code writer does not necessarily translate into being a good documentation writer. Major software companies hire whole teams of doc writers, and the results are (many times) much better than those that come with OS projects. This has been one of my fundamental points in the never ending discussion of things that are hindering wide spread adoption of OS solutions.

  6. Good riddance on Sendmail Removed From NetBSD · · Score: 2

    It is about time that this archaic MTA gets the boot. I did so on my servers a few years ago. Configuration and security are a nightmare and it didn't have to be that way.

  7. Interesting ploy on Symantec Sues Microsoft, May Delay Vista · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What Symantec is doing is rather interesting. Either asking for an injunction is to truly stop MS from causing their business damage, or it is just a lever to get into MS's checkbook. Either way, it is going to be interesting to see how this one plays out. While Symantec is not the 600lb gorilla the MS is, it is certainly in the 300lb range.

  8. No Safari Support on Google Calendar · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It is interesting to note that while it does support iCal, I get an alert window when I access it with Safari telling me that my browser is not supported and that Google Calendar may break in unexpected ways.

  9. me too on Tips for Independent Learning? · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I too am an independent learner. Although I have taken several language courses at my local college, I have found them to be limited at best. One thing you might consider is starting a project on sourceforge for something simple. Do you find yourself doing an repetitive tasks that you could write something to automate? Do you have anyone that needs some web development that you could use Ruby on Rails for? There is also TopCoder. They have a lot of coding competitions that you can participate in - many have cash prizes. Although I don't have the links handy, there are also some sites that have student programming project suggestions that you could look at.

  10. These responses are great! on Pair-Programming with a Wide Gap in Talent? · · Score: 2, Insightful

    But not for the face value reasons. It is very refreshing to hear all of this positive feedback from the responders. Too often in our field we leave newbies out in the cold with an elitist mentality about our trade. There are people who rather than help, sit back and snicker an make fun of the mistakes the new guy makes, or of his lack of experience. All of that is certainly not helpful, and can hurt an aspiring coder. From what I read here, I would be happy to work with any of these posters.

  11. why not yet? on Office Tools On The Web · · Score: 1

    Maybe someone can help me out here, but I do not understand why this hasn't happened yet? Are they having a difficult time with a pricing model? Is the technology not there yet (I am not sure that it isn't). Is it an adoption issue? We have been hearing about this for so long, I guess I am just confused as to why no one has stepped up to the plate yet.

  12. Re:Start Your Collection at number 007 on Interesting Wrist Watches? · · Score: 1

    Interesting. I thought that he wore an Omega Seamaster.

    Brian

  13. this dates me on What Was Your First Computer? · · Score: 1

    In junior high I had a TRS-80 and then I built myself a Timex Sinclair kit. There was an Apple II in there as well.

    Brian

  14. Re:My take? on RMS says Creative Commons Unacceptable · · Score: 1

    I have to totally agree. I think that the zealousness of RMS is turning off a lot of people that could be an asset to the OS cause. I, for one, am getting sick of his "my way or the highway" attitude. He is not the only one with an opinion.

  15. Re:Anyway, on NASA Stardust Returns to Earth · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes it is. Actually they are going to send out pictures of the capture area and have people search visually for the dust. There actually seems to be a long process to get trained for it.

  16. Dive Into Python? on Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional · · Score: 1

    What about Dive Into Python by Mark Pilgrim? Like the title says, you dive right in. There is no "Hello World!" stuff to mung through. He uses real world examples right from the start, and explains them in a way that a 4 year old could understand.

  17. Could be true on Microsoft Sees IBM as Biggest Threat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I can see Gates' point. If IBM continues to flex its muscle with OSS and releasing IP for OS use, it could have a very negative affect on Microsoft. But on the other hand, dismissing google is just FUD.

  18. Eclipse w/Plugin on Python IDE for Mac OS X? · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think that you may want to take a look at Eclipse and download the python plug in. I have really enjoyed using Eclipse and the python plugin is pretty darn good. Plus you are only a step or two away from giving jython a test drive. I am running this on a Mac PB with no problems.

  19. Re:I dont 'get' RSS on 10 Biggest Microsoft Surprises of 2005 · · Score: 1

    Maybe I am wrong about the port blocking. But here is how it works. When I get a connection at an airport (outside of the WorldPerks and Red Carpet lounges) I get redirected to a sign on page that wants me to pay ~ $9 for a one time connection. Any other site that I try to visit gets me back to the sign in page. Meanwhile, my RSS feeds are coming in just fine. Open them up, read the snippet and everything works fine until I click on a "read more" link, and back again I go to the login page.

  20. Re:I dont 'get' RSS on 10 Biggest Microsoft Surprises of 2005 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I get it... I use RSS all day, every day. I use it to feed me headlines from the news sites that I used to constantly check on. I also get updates from other sites that I don't frequent as much, but want to be informed of changes. It is a neat, simple technology. Added bonus is the lack of ads, and most WiFi networks that charge (like in airports) do not block the RSS port, so I can get my headlines and a brief story snippet for free.

  21. I Keep Saying It! on Linux's Difficulty with Names · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I have been harping on this for years. For some reason software devs love to encode the names of their apps in some archaic symbology. I still do not understand this. While Excel and Premier do not give you an automatic clue as to what they are, at least they "sound" user friendly. I there is an honest interest into getting linux into more homes, this has got to stop. Same with the terrible documentation that surrounds many of these same packages. We have got to stop writing this stuff with the geek brain in mind, but others as well. Asking a non-tech user what libconf is, is just like asking them what a dll is. It just happens that Windows shields the user as much as possible from this. And before you all go flame me, remember that geeks like us buy much less of this compared to average Joe home user.

  22. Re:I own it and have used it on Apple's Aperture Reviewed · · Score: 1

    Apple gives great student discounts. I bought the academic version for $249.

  23. I own it and have used it on Apple's Aperture Reviewed · · Score: 4, Informative

    I am what you might call a serious amateur photographer. For the past few years I have used a full version of Photoshop CS (on Mac) for my processing. On a lark, I pre-ordered Aperture. I think that it is not a refined as photoshop, but I am not sure it is meant to be. Photoshop is a scalpel in a swiss army knife, and Aperture is more of a chef's knife by itself. I definitely think that Aperture has a MUCH shorter learning curve and is more intuitive. It does not get in your way. While I (again) am no expert, I believe that the images I have processed with Aperture have the same final quality as Photoshop. Plus, it loads about 2x faster than photoshop.

  24. Good on Torvalds Gets Tough on Kernel Contributors · · Score: 4, Interesting

    While I think that his language is a bit inflammatory, I think that it is something that needs to be done. All the last minute changes must make things very difficult to manage.

  25. I got the mailling on Settlement Good News for MotorolaV710 Owners · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I bought 2 of these phones from Verizon and was so upset with the situation I cancelled the service even-though I had to eat the cancellation fee. In the settlement mailing there are 3 options.

    1) Current Verizon customers that want to keep the phone and the service may get a $25 credit to their bill.

    2) Current customers who want to keep their service but not their phone may send it in for a refund.

    3) Customers who cancelled their service and paid the cancellation fee can get a refund of the fee.

    I am not sure why they just don't enable OBEX?! That is what everyone wanted in the first place.