As a scienitist writing programs for solving the molecular structure of protiens (no, not one of the famous programs;-( ) I would like to share my thoughts on the issue.
First of all, in protein crytallography the best know programs are free (CCP 4), almost free (O) or previously free (XPlor). CCP 4 is a collection of programs, donated by various researchers from all over the world, mainly written in Fortran. O is a protein viewing program, first written for SGI's, but now ported to Linux as well. XPlor was (is) a very powerful program that was developed at a university and made available for free. Later it was bought by MSI (if I am not mistaken) and now is commercial package.
The biggest problem is that the scientists who develop the methods for solving problems (in this case determining the molecular structure) are often quite adept at using computers but lack formal training as programmers. This usually leads to programs that work, but are hard to maintain, port or extend. My first programs are perfect illustrations of this. Furthermore a user friendly presentation is often the last thing on the programmers mind.
This gives commercial companies the chance to step in and use the ideas from other programs, which are usually publiced in the literature. This makes for easy to use, comfortable programs that add some extra value.
Conclusions? I'm not sure I have any, but it seems to me that transforming the ideas from the scientists to something that the general public can use, you either need a commercial input, for beter or for worse, or a big rethinking of the way the academics work. Off course a brilliant scientist who is also a great programmer wouldn't hurt either.
First of all, I do not wish to imply that graduate students are not well worth their money. I know how little money they make. Let me rephrase my orginal statement by saying that students who return immediately upon finishing their studies have not realized their full potential for American Economy
By getting paid four times more now than you did as an RA/TA you show that the full potential can be considerably higher...
Please don't misunderstand me, I am well aware of the effects of brain drain. I was just pointing out that from the American point of view just sending people back after they completed their studies in the US does not make economic sense, IMHO. It would be benifical for their home countries, however. On a lighter note, if people stay in the US whilst not forgetting their roots the home countries will still benefit, albeit in a lesser way. Again, just IMHO
As an alien working in the USA (although I have not applied for a green card, and expect to return to my home country in the not too distant future) I can tell you that the issue is not as simple as you suggest in your message. The USA is experiencing a reverse 'Brain Drain'. Where quite a few developing countries are losing their best minds to the US and other high paying countries, the US is recruiting many of the brightest and most ambitious people, drawn in by the glory of Hollywood and the almighty dollar.
This is usually a good thing (for the US) but not without its disadvantages. Besides the resentment of some of the populus - as expressed in your comment - there is also the very real danger of the resident citizens becoming less involved in some of the less desired aspects of technology and science, in effect 'outsourcing' parts of the technological infrastruture to aliens.
For example, at the department where I work more than half of the graduate students are not from the US. I feel this is true for many of the science departments in American Universities. That means a huge amount of resources are spend on non-US citizens. If these people were to return to their home country on completion of their research, the US would, in effect, have paid for the education of someone with very return for the American economy. Therefore, it makes sense to keep these people involved in the economy for at least a few years.
I see I've begun rambling, so I'll just shut op now. But I would warn against underestimating the contribution of non-US citizens to the American economy...
Yes, that is kind funny. Imagine the justice department confiscating an art painting from your collection and then refusing to return it because "they don't get it", so to them it is "not really art"
But maybe if can explain to them what the artist meant, they will "get it" and return the painting to you...
Yes $600,000 is peanuts for AOL, but this whole Christian Brothers thing sounds like a small time business. Actually I would be suprised if CB actually made $600,000 selling seeds, so this could mean bankrupcy (which they well and truly deserve). Seems to me like a one man fraud operation, but I could be wrong.
And to those who think the money should go to the customers: if you divide $600,000 by the number of AOL users, you would not get a significant amount of money. But I like the idea of using the money for spam-education.
It would probably be most effective against "small crimes", not highly organized, professional criminals.
And even if they could distract the guard by some diversion, the computer would probably not be fooled and just ring a bell as soon as it sees the next suspicious thing.
Besides, just the ringing of the bell would heighten the attention of the guard, and that cannot be good news for the average criminal.
I've got one too and I am quite happy with it. The only drawback is that the scroller on the middle mouse button does not work under Linux. (In case you don't know, it is a small roller sticking out of the middle mouse button. If you roll it up or down, (under windows) most programs react as if you dragged on the scrollbar on the right. Very useful, IMHO)
I have not read all of Card's books but in "the Lost Boys" his religion is much more apparent. It it not such so much SF but more of a thriller, although with supernatural overtones. It was still a very good book in my opinion. It is also about a game programmer who runs into troubles at his new job. This in the time of the early PC's.
But did you know that the Alvin Maker series has some very tight links with the story of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormons? I did not at the time I read the novels but it does give an interesting perspective.
Slashdot Mirror
According to the article they are ready to make a profit of $200M this year.
Just imagine showing up in a "I'm cool - I turned in a classmate (tm)" shirt the very day they haul off the class nerd in a straightjacket.
As a scienitist writing programs for solving the molecular structure of protiens (no, not one of the famous programs ;-( ) I would like to share my thoughts on the issue.
First of all, in protein crytallography the best know programs are free (CCP 4), almost free (O) or previously free (XPlor). CCP 4 is a collection of programs, donated by various researchers from all over the world, mainly written in Fortran. O is a protein viewing program, first written for SGI's, but now ported to Linux as well. XPlor was (is) a very powerful program that was developed at a university and made available for free. Later it was bought by MSI (if I am not mistaken) and now is commercial package.
The biggest problem is that the scientists who develop the methods for solving problems (in this case determining the molecular structure) are often quite adept at using computers but lack formal training as programmers. This usually leads to programs that work, but are hard to maintain, port or extend. My first programs are perfect illustrations of this. Furthermore a user friendly presentation is often the last thing on the programmers mind.
This gives commercial companies the chance to step in and use the ideas from other programs, which are usually publiced in the literature. This makes for easy to use, comfortable programs that add some extra value.
Conclusions? I'm not sure I have any, but it seems to me that transforming the ideas from the scientists to something that the general public can use, you either need a commercial input, for beter or for worse, or a big rethinking of the way the academics work. Off course a brilliant scientist who is also a great programmer wouldn't hurt either.
Mmmm, 2^(3*10^9) different solutions sounds pretty decent to me.
First of all, I do not wish to imply that graduate students are not well worth their money. I know how little money they make. Let me rephrase my orginal statement by saying that students who return immediately upon finishing their studies have not realized their full potential for American Economy
By getting paid four times more now than you did as an RA/TA you show that the full potential can be considerably higher...
Please don't misunderstand me, I am well aware of the effects of brain drain. I was just pointing out that from the American point of view just sending people back after they completed their studies in the US does not make economic sense, IMHO. It would be benifical for their home countries, however. On a lighter note, if people stay in the US whilst not forgetting their roots the home countries will still benefit, albeit in a lesser way. Again, just IMHO
As an alien working in the USA (although I have not applied for a green card, and expect to return to my home country in the not too distant future) I can tell you that the issue is not as simple as you suggest in your message. The USA is experiencing a reverse 'Brain Drain'. Where quite a few developing countries are losing their best minds to the US and other high paying countries, the US is recruiting many of the brightest and most ambitious people, drawn in by the glory of Hollywood and the almighty dollar.
This is usually a good thing (for the US) but not without its disadvantages. Besides the resentment of some of the populus - as expressed in your comment - there is also the very real danger of the resident citizens becoming less involved in some of the less desired aspects of technology and science, in effect 'outsourcing' parts of the technological infrastruture to aliens.
For example, at the department where I work more than half of the graduate students are not from the US. I feel this is true for many of the science departments in American Universities. That means a huge amount of resources are spend on non-US citizens. If these people were to return to their home country on completion of their research, the US would, in effect, have paid for the education of someone with very return for the American economy. Therefore, it makes sense to keep these people involved in the economy for at least a few years.
I see I've begun rambling, so I'll just shut op now. But I would warn against underestimating the contribution of non-US citizens to the American economy...
Yes, that is kind funny. Imagine the justice department confiscating an art painting from your collection and then refusing to return it because "they don't get it", so to them it is "not really art"
But maybe if can explain to them what the artist meant, they will "get it" and return the painting to you...
Yes $600,000 is peanuts for AOL, but this whole Christian Brothers thing sounds like a small time business. Actually I would be suprised if CB actually made $600,000 selling seeds, so this could mean bankrupcy (which they well and truly deserve). Seems to me like a one man fraud operation, but I could be wrong.
And to those who think the money should go to the customers: if you divide $600,000 by the number of AOL users, you would not get a significant amount of money. But I like the idea of using the money for spam-education.
It would probably be most effective against "small crimes", not highly organized, professional criminals.
And even if they could distract the guard by some diversion, the computer would probably not be fooled and just ring a bell as soon as it sees the next suspicious thing.
Besides, just the ringing of the bell would heighten the attention of the guard, and that cannot be good news for the average criminal.
I've got one too and I am quite happy with it. The only drawback is that the scroller on the middle mouse button does not work under Linux. (In case you don't know, it is a small roller sticking out of the middle mouse button. If you roll it up or down, (under windows) most programs react as if you dragged on the scrollbar on the right. Very useful, IMHO)
Is there any setup that supports scrolling ?
I have not read all of Card's books but in "the Lost Boys" his religion is much more apparent. It it not such so much SF but more of a thriller, although with supernatural overtones. It was still a very good book in my opinion. It is also about a game programmer who runs into troubles at his new job. This in the time of the early PC's.
But did you know that the Alvin Maker series has some very tight links with the story of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormons? I did not at the time I read the novels but it does give an interesting perspective.
Anyhow, great books, great writer.