I remember watching a show on television about doctor's salaries. One of the MD Union guys said, "Hey we pay athletes millions of dollars to hit a small white ball around, so paying 100K for a life saving operation shouldn't be too ridiculous." what's my point? Well, it all comes down to "money". I used to think that those "Learn to program in 24 Hours" books were the worst thing that could have happened to our industry because it has allowed "cowboys" to enter the business and run-a-muck (you wouldn't build a house after reading a "Learn to build a house in 24 hrs" book right?). But then I remembered how I have used short articles and "dummies" books to quickly stick something together to meet a need or a deadline - and I had to because of MONEY!!!
Employers have deadlines and need results and they push us to "whip something together".
They are not academic institutes that care about the protocol for SOAP etc they just want you to link to that server and grab that info. It seems to me that there is a place for the "technician" and the "academic" in this world.
In my experience it has only been with the advent of "architects" that more time and money is spent on proper planning, design etc. I think that it is a good development for the industry and I hope to see more of it, but no matter how much academics jump up and down and rant about this stuff - if there is no buy-in from the business side nothing is going to change. And as long as they can make a buck off of quick-fixes there will be no buy-in.
Hmmm... interesting. I have nothing against Java applets per se, but whenever I wanted to get them to intereact with the OS I had to jump through all sorts of hoops with certs and permission files and whatever (was a while ago can't remember too much).
So does your company's applet have the option to print, save etc...? becuase that is where it started getting really tricky for me.
The reason I ask is that I have an idea for a really cool RIA and I was wondering if a Java Applet was still a viable option these days?
Thanks for that. That is a good business model. On the question of Logos however, do you outsource or do you do them yourself? What about the other graphics stuff (backgrounds, icons, side bars etc?)
I am like you - I like the scripting but man I just cannot do the whole graphic thing - I need to do a course or something because it really is a serious limitation factor.
One way that I have found to deal with the problem is to partner with a freelance graphic designer that I pull in on the job. I then pay them exactly what I would have been paid for the hour to make the logo and then charge it back to the client - but it would be good to be able to do that myself.
I wonder if - by that same measure - we could say that a canon, or nuclear weapon by itself is not a weapon of terror. After all if it just sits there and does nothing then it is not scary right? But if the person applies it for the purpose of instilling fear or terror then it becomes a terrorist weapon. Could I not apply the same argument to a computer? A car? A cell phone?
In and of itself it is nothing but how it is applied and used is the "cause" of the terror.
So then a computer can be a terrorist weapon.
I know that it is a cheasy example but to save typing space - Die Hard 4 - computers as weapons of terror? yes / No?
Re:Linux support is 'coming'
on
Sun Releases JavaFX
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· Score: 2, Insightful
I think that it comes down to a business decision. Creating brand awareness, gaining market penetration etc. In these markets it seems that "days count". Get the "acronym", or prduct name or whatever out there - create a buzz - get some interest and momentum behind the idea and add features as you go.
I for one applaud Sun's open source efforts and don't hold this against them. They are inventing / tweaking a very difficult business model by releasing free software and getting support / client / business / developer buy in. It is not easy and they have had to take a few hits while sorting it out. So I understand and considering everything that we are getting for free from them (and top quality I might add) I will allow them this decision.
Every time I hear about the great research that MS does I think about how great it is that they are putting their money into these IT projects. Then I stop and think "wait a minute, will this only work on Windows?"
Well it seems obvious to me that a display technology should not be impacted by an OS but then my more synical nature takes over and asks if there is SOMEHOW a way that they could make this a Windows only thing.
Well is it possible?
Care to give us a breakdown of your setup i.e.
What version of Linux are you using on the desktop?
What technology stack are you using for your solutions? Python/php/Java/Apache/MySQL
What IDE / Toolset are your developers using?
Read this: http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=763499
I tell you what. this coutry is great in so many respects but they are really bad at punishing people. I have been the victim of crimes many many times here and there is so little that they can do to the offenders when they are caught because the law is so leniant.
Did you know that it is now even illegal to smack your child in NZ?
That all depends on how you interpret that meteric - just maybe I meant that an increase in beauracracy will lead to an increase in productivity.
Hey? Hey? See what I did there?
Now aren't you glad that I use my powers for good and not evil?
We are all familiar with the axioms...
"You ca judge a society by the way it treats its [criminals | children | aged | (insert demographic here)]"
I propose a new one...
"You can judge a society's [productivity | output | (insert KPI here)] by the level of beareaucrcy it imposees on its citizens"
It doesn't quite role off the tongue but I am working on it.
Dude that was such a cool breakdown of the situation.
I love it when people do that - someone did that the other day with the post about the gpcode virus and how it does it encryption etc and it was an eye opener.
Forgive me if this is obvious but if the bug goes that far back will it not affect all other unixes that are based on this same source code - not just OpenBSD?
Thanks for your response, you raise some interesting points.
I've always thought that a CIO needs more business specific skills like budget forecasting, financial reporting, contract negotiation, SLA's etc.
This is where it gets interesting for a techie that tries to make the leap.
I've always thought that the best way to move from techie to corporate is through team lead - then Dev manager - then PM then CIO or a similar path.
Do CIO's report to the board or to the CEO?
Hey good luck with that!
It takes a huge amount of self confidence to sit in that chair.
So well done and all the best.
Keep us informed as to how it goes - I for one will find it interesting to see your take on it.
You never know it may inspire me to take the plunge one day.
BTW do you have an MBA or something?
How did you get selected - what are you bringing to the table?
I ask this because I am interested in the skillset required for a CIO.
There is the obvious IT skillset but then there are the PM skills, costing, vendor management, people management etc...
How do you handle conflict?
How is your domain specific knowledge in the field you will be working?
Wow you really came out gun-a-blazin' at me didn't ya?
Never mind I shall take the high road and explain that although your post was very interesting, I already understood how the Enterprise/Network/Server services model works for Linux, but, as stated in my question, I am not familiar with how the business model works for Desktop Linux - which is what Xandros and Linspire are targetting.
I am still stunned that any company can make money on a desktop linux product.
There are so many GOOD free options available to the end user that I just cannot see where the potential revenue stream is.
I use Mandriva 2008 Spring. It HAS and DOES everthing that I need on a desktop.
Now maybe this is because I am using it in a private capacity and maybe it changes the moment I put it into a commercial workspace - maybe someone can enlighten me.
Is it the support agreements? is this where the money is? How much revenue can desktop support genererate?
Wow you are set dude! Good luck with all of that.
A BS in Math and an MA in Economics - dude you have some good fortune coming your way.
Enjoy - yes I am jealous but I will not let that impede my ability to wish yu well.
Slashdot Mirror
I remember watching a show on television about doctor's salaries. One of the MD Union guys said, "Hey we pay athletes millions of dollars to hit a small white ball around, so paying 100K for a life saving operation shouldn't be too ridiculous." what's my point? Well, it all comes down to "money". I used to think that those "Learn to program in 24 Hours" books were the worst thing that could have happened to our industry because it has allowed "cowboys" to enter the business and run-a-muck (you wouldn't build a house after reading a "Learn to build a house in 24 hrs" book right?). But then I remembered how I have used short articles and "dummies" books to quickly stick something together to meet a need or a deadline - and I had to because of MONEY!!! Employers have deadlines and need results and they push us to "whip something together". They are not academic institutes that care about the protocol for SOAP etc they just want you to link to that server and grab that info. It seems to me that there is a place for the "technician" and the "academic" in this world. In my experience it has only been with the advent of "architects" that more time and money is spent on proper planning, design etc. I think that it is a good development for the industry and I hope to see more of it, but no matter how much academics jump up and down and rant about this stuff - if there is no buy-in from the business side nothing is going to change. And as long as they can make a buck off of quick-fixes there will be no buy-in.
Hmmm ... interesting. I have nothing against Java applets per se, but whenever I wanted to get them to intereact with the OS I had to jump through all sorts of hoops with certs and permission files and whatever (was a while ago can't remember too much).
So does your company's applet have the option to print, save etc ...? becuase that is where it started getting really tricky for me.
The reason I ask is that I have an idea for a really cool RIA and I was wondering if a Java Applet was still a viable option these days?
Very cool indeed - thanks dude I will try that.
Thanks for that. That is a good business model. On the question of Logos however, do you outsource or do you do them yourself? What about the other graphics stuff (backgrounds, icons, side bars etc?) I am like you - I like the scripting but man I just cannot do the whole graphic thing - I need to do a course or something because it really is a serious limitation factor. One way that I have found to deal with the problem is to partner with a freelance graphic designer that I pull in on the job. I then pay them exactly what I would have been paid for the hour to make the logo and then charge it back to the client - but it would be good to be able to do that myself.
I wonder if - by that same measure - we could say that a canon, or nuclear weapon by itself is not a weapon of terror. After all if it just sits there and does nothing then it is not scary right? But if the person applies it for the purpose of instilling fear or terror then it becomes a terrorist weapon. Could I not apply the same argument to a computer? A car? A cell phone? In and of itself it is nothing but how it is applied and used is the "cause" of the terror. So then a computer can be a terrorist weapon. I know that it is a cheasy example but to save typing space - Die Hard 4 - computers as weapons of terror? yes / No?
I think that it comes down to a business decision. Creating brand awareness, gaining market penetration etc. In these markets it seems that "days count". Get the "acronym", or prduct name or whatever out there - create a buzz - get some interest and momentum behind the idea and add features as you go. I for one applaud Sun's open source efforts and don't hold this against them. They are inventing / tweaking a very difficult business model by releasing free software and getting support / client / business / developer buy in. It is not easy and they have had to take a few hits while sorting it out. So I understand and considering everything that we are getting for free from them (and top quality I might add) I will allow them this decision.
Somewhere in the world a grammar nazi just had a stroke at their keyboard.
Every time I hear about the great research that MS does I think about how great it is that they are putting their money into these IT projects. Then I stop and think "wait a minute, will this only work on Windows?"
Well it seems obvious to me that a display technology should not be impacted by an OS but then my more synical nature takes over and asks if there is SOMEHOW a way that they could make this a Windows only thing.
Well is it possible?
Dude try Netbeans you will not regret it!
Care to give us a breakdown of your setup i.e.
...
What version of Linux are you using on the desktop?
What technology stack are you using for your solutions? Python/php/Java/Apache/MySQL
What IDE / Toolset are your developers using?
That sort of thing
In order to determine that it is 2% means that they would have to know exactly how much is out there in the first place - how would they know that?
I disagree. I once read a study that stated the exact opposite.
I wonder if we should be spending money making other worlds livable when our own world needs it so badly to make it a place worth living in.
Read this: http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=763499 I tell you what. this coutry is great in so many respects but they are really bad at punishing people. I have been the victim of crimes many many times here and there is so little that they can do to the offenders when they are caught because the law is so leniant. Did you know that it is now even illegal to smack your child in NZ?
That all depends on how you interpret that meteric - just maybe I meant that an increase in beauracracy will lead to an increase in productivity. Hey? Hey? See what I did there? Now aren't you glad that I use my powers for good and not evil?
Octopodes. Remember that it is the whole "Greek vs Latin" root.
We are all familiar with the axioms ... ...
"You ca judge a society by the way it treats its [criminals | children | aged | (insert demographic here)]"
I propose a new one
"You can judge a society's [productivity | output | (insert KPI here)] by the level of beareaucrcy it imposees on its citizens"
It doesn't quite role off the tongue but I am working on it.
Dude that was such a cool breakdown of the situation. I love it when people do that - someone did that the other day with the post about the gpcode virus and how it does it encryption etc and it was an eye opener.
Forgive me if this is obvious but if the bug goes that far back will it not affect all other unixes that are based on this same source code - not just OpenBSD?
You spelt behaviour wrong. I joke, I joke ... I'm a kidder.
Thanks for your response, you raise some interesting points. I've always thought that a CIO needs more business specific skills like budget forecasting, financial reporting, contract negotiation, SLA's etc. This is where it gets interesting for a techie that tries to make the leap. I've always thought that the best way to move from techie to corporate is through team lead - then Dev manager - then PM then CIO or a similar path. Do CIO's report to the board or to the CEO?
Hey good luck with that! It takes a huge amount of self confidence to sit in that chair. So well done and all the best. Keep us informed as to how it goes - I for one will find it interesting to see your take on it. You never know it may inspire me to take the plunge one day. BTW do you have an MBA or something? How did you get selected - what are you bringing to the table? I ask this because I am interested in the skillset required for a CIO. There is the obvious IT skillset but then there are the PM skills, costing, vendor management, people management etc ...
How do you handle conflict?
How is your domain specific knowledge in the field you will be working?
Wow you really came out gun-a-blazin' at me didn't ya? Never mind I shall take the high road and explain that although your post was very interesting, I already understood how the Enterprise/Network/Server services model works for Linux, but, as stated in my question, I am not familiar with how the business model works for Desktop Linux - which is what Xandros and Linspire are targetting.
I am still stunned that any company can make money on a desktop linux product. There are so many GOOD free options available to the end user that I just cannot see where the potential revenue stream is. I use Mandriva 2008 Spring. It HAS and DOES everthing that I need on a desktop. Now maybe this is because I am using it in a private capacity and maybe it changes the moment I put it into a commercial workspace - maybe someone can enlighten me. Is it the support agreements? is this where the money is? How much revenue can desktop support genererate?
Wow you are set dude! Good luck with all of that. A BS in Math and an MA in Economics - dude you have some good fortune coming your way. Enjoy - yes I am jealous but I will not let that impede my ability to wish yu well.