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  1. Re: Lying scum on Judge Orders State Dept, FBI To Expand Clinton Email Server Probe · · Score: -1, Troll

    So, are you saying that two wrongs make a right, or that because you so strongly dislike the Right it's okay for the Left to lie, deceive and obstruct?

    Let me point out something very, very important - Thinking the other side is worse justifies nothing.

    True, but you think the Right doesn't lie, deceive and obstruct? It's not that one side is worse; they're the same. The only difference is about what each side lies, deceives and obstructs. If you're rich, white, straight, and preferable Christian, you're welcome to hook your wagon up with the Right. Otherwise, they're the Wrong Ones for You.

  2. Re:Lying scum on Judge Orders State Dept, FBI To Expand Clinton Email Server Probe · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    She takes scumbaggery to great heights.

    Probably learned it from watching Fox "News".

  3. Re:Dear MS. You Really Don't Want To Spy On Users. on Underground Piracy Sites Want To Block Windows 10 Users · · Score: 1

    HOW THE FUCK do you "lose" money that you never actually had in the first place?

    Based on an estimate of how much money you expect you could/would have earned otherwise.

    The pharmaceutical industry does this when determining how much to charge for a drug. It's not actually (or solely) based on actual development costs, but also - and mainly (from the articles I've read) - based on how much the company would have earned by simply investing that money instead doing development. For example, from: The Make-Believe Billion

    The statistic Big Pharma typically cites ... is that the cost of bringing a new drug to market is about $1 billion. Now a new study indicates the cost is more like, um, $55 million.

    I'm not saying this is morally/ethically right, just answering your question.

  4. Re:Now that science is wrong.... on Another Slew of Science Papers Retracted Because of Fraud · · Score: 1

    I guess Christianity is true, by process of (now perfectly valid) non-scientific reasoning.

    I asked Jesus to review your assertions, but I haven't heard anything back. Anyone have better contact info?

  5. Re:Well, you *can't* trust open-source code on "Father Time" Gets Another Year At NTP From Linux Foundation · · Score: 1

    The citation would be in the original research proposal way back in 1985 my instructor, and the principal researcher, did for NASA. In addition, most of the languages you mentioned Pascal, C, C++, Java, Javascript) are all very similar in structure/syntax and that influences the way they are used to solve problems.

    Also most people -- or groups of people -- are taught how to program in a similar fashion, using the same or similar languages -- think university CS course sequence 100, 200, 300 that probably all use C++ (or, actually, Pascal at my school back then). That leads to a more common problem solving approach and process. Many of the really difficult errors in a system are in the fringe/grey areas -- eg. draw a triangle as the complete problem space and a circle within, 95-100% of all programmers will have solutions for situations within the circle, but few for issues in the corners. The study was to see if using different programming languages would help in those fringe areas.

    Case in point. The Space Shuttle had 5 redundant computers, quoting Space Shuttle:

    The four general-purpose computers operated essentially in lockstep, checking each other. If one computer provided a different result than the other three (i.e. the one computer failed), the three functioning computers "voted" it out of the system. This isolated it from vehicle control. If a second computer of the three remaining failed, the two functioning computers voted it out. A very unlikely failure mode would have been where two of the computers produced result A, and two produced result B (a two-two split). In this unlikely case, one group of two was to be picked at random.

    The Backup Flight System (BFS) was separately developed software running on the fifth computer, used only if the entire four-computer primary system failed.

    Ideally, each computer should be running independently written programs to solve the same problems, but that wouldn't be very helpful if all the programmers were taught and programmed in the same fashion, making the same assumptions and mistakes. Markedly different languages -- like C vs. Prolog -- require very different mindsets and approaches and will hopefully have different failure sets. Or that was the hypothesis.

  6. Re:Software error ... on Air Traffic Snafu: FAA System Runs Out of Memory · · Score: 1

    humans make mistakes. Get over it.

    Agreed. Which, of course, was my point. Should I have included a "/sarcasm" tag?

  7. Re:Fucking hogwash! PC-BSD is easy to install. on Debian Founder: How I Came To Find Linux · · Score: 1

    Was it very easy to install, and very easy to use in 1994? Because I didn't just discover this "Unix" and "Linux" shit last week, son. And the answer is no.

    It was easy for me. I installed and used it on my work desktop PC at work then. Then again, I'm a system programmer/admin -- who's also been around for a while -- and at that time I *also* maintained SunOS, System V, DG-UX, HP-UX, SCO (shudder), VMS and Windows. Perhaps somethings just come easier to some than others - ie. Your mileage may vary...

    Since than, I've also managed system running other Unix variants: Convex (C1, C2), Cray (2, YMP), DEC Alpha, SGI (several) and Linux PCs (RHEL, Ubuntu) -- in addition to newer Sun/Oracle, HP and Windows systems. Some are easier to install and manage than others. You get used to it.

  8. Re:Absolute vs. relative on Italian City To Dump OpenOffice For Microsoft After Four Years · · Score: 2

    You probably lose more than 3% of your time when you go peeing in the toilets ...

    Opposed to peeing elsewhere? Yes, using the trashcan in my office *would* be more efficient, but one must draw the line somewhere.

  9. Re:Sounds like an ad on Italian City To Dump OpenOffice For Microsoft After Four Years · · Score: 1

    But some tasks which would be considered simple in Excel are impossible in Libre.

    Or greeting cards in MS Publisher vs. Open Office Writer/Draw.

  10. Re:Software error ... on Air Traffic Snafu: FAA System Runs Out of Memory · · Score: 2

    I mean, my god, what are the change management and testing practices which allowed this to only be discovered in your real system?

    Don't know, probably just Government ineptitude. Let's ask free-market leaders how they handle things: Toyota (brake/accelerator pedals) or Chrysler / GM (remote access) or Boeing (Li-ion batteries) ... -- oh wait.

  11. Re:Well, you *can't* trust open-source code on "Father Time" Gets Another Year At NTP From Linux Foundation · · Score: 1

    "given enough eyeballs all bugs are shallow"

    On the other hand, many (most?) people are taught or learn programming in the same way or much the same way. This means that we all (to simplify the point) will look at things the same way and may all overlook the same problem.

    I worked on an N-version fault-tolerance research project in college way back in the mid 1980s that studied this and used different programming languages -- some wildly different, like Pascal and Prolog -- as the N versions to see if using different languages would provide more coverage against login errors. One of my tasks was to write the "gold" program in several of the alternative languages, like Prolog to which the sample programs operations were compared. I graduated before the study was complete, so I don't know the results, but know *I* had to think differently when writing the various gold programs.

  12. Re:15 million for more studies? on Mars One CEO Insists, Our Mars Colonization Plan Is Feasible · · Score: 1

    In my opinion Mars One is either a really long con, or a serious amount of deluded people thinking they're going to space.

    It could also be about "hope" - for something different, perhaps better. The fact that so many people are willing to get off this rock, probably to die soon thereafter, might be something we all want to look into as a symptom of something wrong here on Earth. Personally, I can't stand all the hypocrisy, fighting, greed, ego/ethno-centrism. People killing each other because their religions are different, people - especially already rich people - fucking over (or ignoring) others to make an extra nickel. Yada, yada, fucking yada ...

    If it's all "human nature" then human nature sucks.

  13. Re: Profiting on the Backs of Others on Oracle: Google Has "Destroyed" the Market For Java · · Score: 1

    That said, never buy a Nissan car. Ever.

    Cars? I thought they made Cup Noodles

    .

  14. Let me rephrase that. on Oracle: Google Has "Destroyed" the Market For Java · · Score: 1

    Oracle ... Now, claiming that 'Android has now irreversibly destroyed Java's fundamental value proposition as a potential mobile device operating system, ...

    ... for profit.

  15. Re:blame the caller. on Don't Hate the Phone Call, Hate the Phone (And the Network) · · Score: 2

    I was actually there the night my mother passed. ...

    I'm very sorry for your loss. I know how you feel... I was holding my wife when she died at exactly 3pm, Friday, January 13, 2006. There was also nothing I or anyone could do. I heard her last breath and felt her last heartbeat and learned what the word "forever" really means. Something like that gives you perspective, especially about what is and isn't really important.

    Sue died of a brain tumor, just seven weeks after diagnosis. We were together for only 20 years and I'm thankful for that time and, especially, those last weeks together. Grieving is hard and unique to each person. I wrote a short creative non-fiction story about our life together; it's under the "Remember" link on the small Remember Sue... Tumblr. Quoting something near the end:

    He told himself, “I was strong for her. I was holding her when she died. She was never alone or in any pain. I kept all my promises to her.” But such thoughts offered little solace.

    He cried every night for weeks.

    I can tell you that it gets easier, except for those moments you know she or the two of you would have enjoyed. That said, I still wear my wedding ring and haven't dated anyone since.

    All my best to you and yours.

  16. Re:blame the caller. on Don't Hate the Phone Call, Hate the Phone (And the Network) · · Score: 2

    Another supreme irritation is when I email a person, but they call me back.

    • You: [email] Hey Dad! How's Mom?
    • Dad: [email] She died last night.

    Ya, That would be sooo much better than a phone call.

    Accosting me for details just means im going to keep pointing you to the email.

    So, you equate someone wanting to talk with you with "accosting"? (Which, of course, they could also do via email.)

    I get it. Your/my time is important, but don't be one of those self-centered/important hipster douches that thinks the world does or should revolve around him/her. The world need more civility, not less. Now, to state the obvious: As for unwanted calls, register your number with Do Not Call. Not perfect, but I get almost zero cold calls on both my home/land line and cell phone. For the few I do get, if it's a person I tell them I'm not and won't be interested and ask them to remove my from their list -- and they almost always. Obviously, robo-calls get hung up on.

  17. Re:SubjectsInCommentsAreStupid on The LibreOffice Story · · Score: 1

    Maybe he means .... the Ribbon.

    I just threw up in my mouth a little - thanks.

  18. Re:ISIS is in Kentucky? on New Video Shows Shot Down Drone Hovered For Only 22 Seconds · · Score: 1

    We use the "half plus seven" rule of thumb. If the female is less than half your age, plus seven years, she's too young for you.

    What about for an older gal and younger guy? In 1985, I was 22 when I met my (future) wife who was 41. We were very happily together for 20.5 years -- she died in Jan 2006.

  19. Two out of three ain't bad... on New Video Shows Shot Down Drone Hovered For Only 22 Seconds · · Score: 3, Funny

    The shooter says he did not know if the drone was being operated by a paedophile, criminal or ISIS terrorist before he opened fire.

    Okay. This was in Kentucky, so I can imagine 2 out of those 3 as possibilities.

  20. Re:Ha! on Company Testing Standardized Salaries Is Struggling · · Score: 1

    Secondly, you're a damn good person...

    I don't know about that, but I don't think I'm a bad person. My guiding thought is that whenever I see Sue again, I hope she will be proud of me or, at least, not be disappointed.

  21. Re:Don't routers already run BSD? on The Internet of Compromised Things · · Score: 1

    Just because you replace your technology frequently doesn't mean that the rest of us do. Frankly I'd rather spend my money on other pursuits rather than re-buying the same theoretically-durable goods all of the time.

    Agreed. My previous cell phone was a Qualcomm QCP-1900 I bought in 1998 for $200. It was one of the first all-digital phones. It only made voice calls, which is all I needed. I had to get a new phone last month because nTelos (originally PrimeCo in my area) sold their spectrum to Sprint in my area and, for some reason, my phone would no longer work on the network.

    Yes, I arguably got my monies worth from the phone, but it *still* worked just fine - grrr..

    Just to note: I switched to Ting and got a Kyocera Hydo Vibe. Perhaps not a standout phone, but it's got some nice features and is not a wallet breaker. I went with a smartphone instead of flip to give me options... App plug: NextRadio works great on my phone - uses built-in FM tuner for live, OTA (non-streamed) radio using little/no data (enhance/basic interface).

  22. Re:Ha! on Company Testing Standardized Salaries Is Struggling · · Score: 2

    Or to look at it another way, in a situation where the worst employee is making the same money as the best ones, it tells the eomployees that the worst one is just as valuable to teh company as the best one.

    Perhaps, but in this case, Dan cut his salary and took that money to bump the salary floor to something actually livable. He wasn't comparing the worth of employees, just increasing the minimum - again, with his own money. He did this so those employees at the bottom could afford to live and work.

    When I worked at the NY Times, our manager did a salary survey on the 4 senior admin staff (this included me with more experience than the other three - combined) -- 2 Unix admins (one was me) and 2 Oracle database admins -- and then bumped all our salaries to be the same. One DB admin got a $12k raise and I got a $2k raise. I was happy for the other admins, especially as one was otherwise considering leaving for more pay. In this case, the salaries were based on market factors, in the Gravity Payments case, it seems to be based on living-wage factors for that area. Sure not exactly apples to apples, but I didn't feel my worth was slighted by the other's pay.

  23. Re:Just Like Walmart on Company Testing Standardized Salaries Is Struggling · · Score: 1

    Is walmart really hard work (I don't know I don't go there), but seems easy compared with something like being a landscaper or farmer.

    Depends on the department. I know someone who worked in the produce department and it was apparently a better workout than going to the gym. One has to keep the food properly stocked - not too much, not too little. He would often have to hand carry many boxes of bananas a day - which are apparently heavy. He lost over 50 pounds in less than 6 months. All for ~ $10/hour.

  24. Re:Ha! on Company Testing Standardized Salaries Is Struggling · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Imagine that.

    Differences in pay exist for a reason: Because different people perform functions of different value to the company.

    And some people feel they deserve more pay than others, regardless of whether that's actually true. Don't underestimate the power of "ego".

    Why, actually, does it matter to one person what another gets paid? If *you* are getting paid a fair wage for your efforts and can live the life you want/need to live, why does anything else matter? It's not a contest of whoever has the most wins.

    Personally, I make more than I need. I have deferred raises in favor of my teammates who need the extra money more. I have volunteered to take time off w/o pay, when the work load permits, to prevent teammates from being laid off. They have families and bills, my wife died in 2006 and I'm debt free. In the past 9.5 years, I've given about $100k to friends who were in trouble, through (almost) no fault of their own or who needed something extra to pursue bettering themselves. They didn't ask for help and were willing/trying to make it on their own -- I could help so I did.

    I have also had a few comments about my behavior. A few years ago, when I volunteered to reduce my hours to reduce the impact of a budget shortfall on my teammates, because I could live on less money, one of my manager's managers remarked that I could keep working and give him the extra money I didn't need. I replied that would be happy to give him *all* my money, if he'd give me my wife back. (Haven't heard from him since.)

    According to a NYT article, Dan Price bumped the salaries of his employees when he learned that many people were having trouble making ends meet on their salaries and decided to pay them a more livable salary. Some of his other employees got ticked off because of what they think people *deserve* to be paid.

    Some CEOs make 100-300 times what their lowest-paid employee makes. Based on the CEOs you know or know about is that right? Perhaps we'd all be better off if people concerned themselves less on what they *can* earn and more on what they need to earn and about the benefit of their teammates and, if you're in management, the benefit of the company as a whole. Employees that feel valued -- really valued, not that "employees are our most valuable asset" bullshit -- and secure are often better employees as they have less to fear and worry about.

    I will be writing Dan an actual snail-mail letter commending him on his actions and wishing him the best.

    Remember Sue...

  25. Can do this for laser printers too. on Epson Is Trying To Kill the Printer Ink Cartridge · · Score: 2

    Kyocera (and perhaps others) has made cartridge-free laser printers for a while now.

    KYOCERA's ECOSYS printers incorporate "cartridge-free" technology using a durable print drum and high yield toner container that provides thousands of printed pages, a low total cost of ownership and less routine user involvement.

    A company for whom I worked back in the 1990s had one and it worked pretty well. It had a print drum rated for 300,000 copies (like a copier) and used toner refills you dumped into a reservoir. The cost per printed sheet was really low compared to toner/drum cartridge-based printers.