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User: Machtyn

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  1. RE: porch pirates aren't so common. While I don't have empirical data, I've never had a package stolen from off my porch until this year. In my neighborhood, we've had a rash of car break-ins and missing deliveries. The thing is, I live in a relatively nice neighborhood. And I've heard of more porch pirates this year than in years past. It was bound to happen with more online shopping occurring. And it is common enough that USPS, UPS, and Amazon all provide temporary boxes for concerned customers to come pick up their packages.

  2. you jest... on Death Hovers Politely For Americans' Swipe-and-Sign Credit Cards · · Score: 1

    you jest... but, currently, that's the way people act when their favorite political candidate fails to win the primary in the US. "That candidate doesn't agree with me 100%!!! I'm going to let the other guy who I disagree with completely win!"

  3. Same PIN on Death Hovers Politely For Americans' Swipe-and-Sign Credit Cards · · Score: 1

    That's not the point. The point is everyone uses the same 4-digit pin for the bank card, CC, or practically anything else that requires a 4-digit number. Passwords are much the same way.

  4. Re:jerk on Georgia Cop Issues 800 Tickets To Drivers Texting At Red Lights · · Score: 2

    A deer in my path while I have my car fully braked at a stop light is of no concern to me. The deer will likely move before I do, even if my light turns green.

  5. Re:I'd be sorry on Bradley Manning Says He's Sorry · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No they don't. MSNBC has a horrific record of presenting its news in a biased and sometimes offensive manner.

    I'm not saying FoxNews doesn't have its problems. I saw a graphic today that shows the problem very distinctly:
    [image of Obama with a Pepsi]
    1. CNN: President Obama appeals to Pepsi drinkers
    2. FoxNews: President Obama declares war on Coca-Cola drinkers
    3. MSNBC: In a few minutes, we'll cut to the President drinking the acceptable drink. Anyone who disagrees is racist!
    4. BBC: The US has fired a drone missile on Pakistan.

  6. Data from ST:TNG on AI Is Funny - a Generative Joke Model · · Score: 1

    Okay, did anyone else think of the one or two episodes where Data was trying to be funny and do stand-up? This story reminded me of that. So did the jokes.

  7. Re:County Lawyer on Pro Bono Lawyer Fights C&D With Humor · · Score: 1

    That's where context comes into play. The soundbite generation misses a lot of context due to that context being located in the rest of a paragraph or in preceding or proceeding paragraphs. But saying "tried to conclusion" means that it is over (unlike the SCO case, apparently). I suppose he could have stated tried to conclusion and won, but it would be repeating himself based on the context of the entire statement.

  8. Re: In other news on Birthday Song's Copyright Leads To a Lawsuit For the Ages · · Score: 1

    If you can't argue both sides of a point, you will likely lose the argument. Along with that, don't ever ask a question to which you don't already know the answer. Doing so puts you in a position of weakness that will cause you to lose the argument.

  9. Re:depends on what you're going into on Ask Slashdot: How Important Is Advanced Math In a CS Degree? · · Score: 2

    Yep, stats is important. But stats isn't diff. eq. Once you understand differential equations, they're really cool! Unfortunately, I'm in the same boat as the author of the question, I was a B- at very best on the advanced maths. Linear Algebra was also very cool. I can completely see where it applies to computer calculation optimization, geometric calculations and a bunch of other things. But, again, I couldn't follow the process very well while in the class and certainly not now.

    But stats... no matter what field you get into, even if it isn't an engineering (or pseudo-engineering), stats will come up.

  10. Re: Warranty or insurance? on Is Buying an Extended Warranty Ever a Good Idea? · · Score: 1

    And there you have the problem with most home owners. (of which group I obviously fall into)

  11. Re:Dreamspark etc. on It's 2013, and Windows Activation Is Still Frustrating · · Score: 1

    It's pretty bad. You go to install Windows XP. Which edition do you have?
    Home OEM?
    Home Retail?
    MCE 2005?
    MCE?
    Pro?
    Was it made by Dell? Those codes don't work anymore with the other ISOs (at least the ones I have saved), not even the OEM version.
    Of course, there is Vista and 7, but which edition? Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Family Pack or Pro? Are these OEM versions or retail versions? Which OEM?
    All I really need to know is: Ubuntu Desktop or CentOS Server? (Though, I like Slitaz for my thumb drive bootups.)

  12. Re:but then you'd have to pay them on A Case For a Software Testing Undergrad Major · · Score: 1

    Surprise! Testers, or Software QA, *are* paid like developers. Well, unless you work for a small business or a company that does not respect the development process and thinks that "If it works on the Dev's machine, it must work for everyone!" QA is part of the process as much as defining the requirements, building to the requirements and releasing the product to the customer. QA is there to make sure the expense of fixing a screw-up is minimal and taken care of before release, than very expensive and, depending on the industry, lawfully uncompliant.

  13. Re:Developer? on A Case For a Software Testing Undergrad Major · · Score: 1

    As a person who can do all that, and a lot more involving computer maintenance, business analysis and tech writing, I chose being in the Software QA environment. Why? It's an easy job. I don't get burned out on dev or tech support (which I do after hours on other projects). I get to utilize my creativity in trying to break software in unexpected ways. I utilize my understanding of computer systems from a user's standpoint to analyze the system and can relate the results to a developer or a business analyst in their own terms.

    Granted, being a tester makes me weak on dev practices and experience or in business analysis, but I do need to concentrate what I am expected to do at the moment for my employer. It doesn't mean I can't understand and communicate with those across the wall.

  14. Re: Warranty or insurance? on Is Buying an Extended Warranty Ever a Good Idea? · · Score: 1

    They get the insurance because law states they must, or it was a requirement for the loan. They don't understand anything about the insurance, what it covers, make assumptions about what it does or does not cover and their own costs in the coverage. For example, an assumption could be made that, like auto insurance, when you use it, the premiums will increase. And if you do use it, you still have a deductible to meet. So if you make a claim that doesn't meet the deductible, you now get dinged for making the report and getting a higher rate the next year. Is that how it works? I don't know. I fall into that category where I have insurance because it is required as part of the loan and I assume it is for catastrophic events, not for the broken AC unit or water heater.

  15. Re:HUD on Lawmakers Seek To Ban Google Glass On the Road · · Score: 1

    While not to the same level, I remember that it was mandatory for me to take a drivers ed class. They were also toying with a driving simulator at the time (early 90s). I don't see why, in this nanny state, we can't mandate all 16 year olds to take a drivers ed class, which includes simulator training.

  16. Re:This is how it should be on The Top Paying Tech Companies For Interns · · Score: 1

    How is that any different from a new hire or, in some cases, an entrenched employee? Bad code happens and it can happen from anybody. The Daily WTF reminds of this.

  17. Re:Compatibility on Valve Starts Promoting Steam For Linux To Windows Users · · Score: 1

    Torchlight 1 & 2 is also a really good series. Some concepts in Torchlight 1 can be found in Diablo 3.

  18. Competition on Firefox OS Smartphones Arriving For Developers · · Score: 2

    This is to compete with the Winphone and Nokia markets. Microsoft has the idea to make WinMo flexible enough to work on high and low end phones and break into the Nokia dominated, but largely untapped, low-end market. Having several options is a good thing.

  19. Re:cue jokes about RieserFS on Adam Lanza Destroyed His Computer Before Rampage · · Score: 1

    I'd say, to the general public, "Uses the computer without complaining about it" == "Computer Genius".

  20. Re:tech is a fairly broad category on If Tech Is So Important, Why Are IT Wages Flat? · · Score: 2

    Don't forget, the "fiscal cliff" means that those making over $72k will go from paying their unfair share of about 14% to their fair share of about 27%. Don't worry, you're rich. The truly wealthy? Well, they'll go from paying their unfair share of about 35% to their fair share of about 39%.

    There's a reason George Lucas sold his assets before Obama was re-elected. He knows the hammer (and sickle) is coming.

  21. Re:tech is a fairly broad category on If Tech Is So Important, Why Are IT Wages Flat? · · Score: 1

    Threat of taxes. Uncertainty with PPACA. Lack of direction and leadership. And we voted this failure in for another 4 years.

    Granted, government isn't the only reason, but its policies, heavy handed regulation, threats, etc, etc, have been a hinderance for the past 6 years and will continue for the next 4 years.

    In reality, the tech world is doing really good compared to other industries, where unemployment is really high. Give it time, our friends on the Hill are going to make us all drones and wards of the State soon enough.

  22. Re:This is a surprise? on Microsoft Security Essentials Loses AV-Test Certificate · · Score: 1

    Well the "full report" site is having some troubles. But why not give Comodo a try? It's free for both personal AND business use. It's software firewall is top notch and the AV and other utilities it brings are decent. I've not had any virus issues over the past 5 years. And very few of my clients have as well.

  23. Re:Well, that's great on A Gentle Rant About Software Development and Installers · · Score: 1

    So, you have a monstrous mish-mash of software that all has to be installed. Does it have to be compiled on the fly at the client site? Yep, an installer can handle that. Does it need to have the compiler installed first at the client site? Yep, a clicky-click installer can do that and then progress right into compilation. Are there third party apps that are a bugger to install (MS SQL Server can be a bugger to install and get patched up), yeah, that can be automated, too. A computer is a numbers cruncher first. It's an automated tool second. Manual interaction is probably not even third on the list of important things a computer does.

  24. Re:It's easy on How Do We Program Moral Machines? · · Score: 0

    Law 1: Thou shalt not kill. Okay, murder everyone I see.
    Law 2: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. Okay, well since I've murdered everybody, I must also hate them.
    Law 3: Honor they mother and father. Umm, see my response to Law 1.
    etc, etc.

  25. Re:Blinky on How Do We Program Moral Machines? · · Score: 2

    Ahh, Vimeo isn't blocked. Here's the link http://vimeo.com/21216091