Daylight savings time is a briliant idea, IMHO. More daylight in the summer evening hours for mowing the grass, barbequeing, whatever, and yet it's daylight at a decent hour in the morning in the winter time.
AAAAAAAEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!
DST does NOT give you any more hours of daylight! Days are just as long, nights are just as long no matter what fiddling you do to your clock. The earth's rotation is the same, the sun's movement across the sky is the same, the phases of the moon are the same.
We don't lose hours of daylight, we don't gain hours of daylight. What good is daylight at a decent hour of the morning if it's dark by 5 pm?
DST is one of the most nonsensical ideas in human history. Thinking DST gives you more daylight is like saying tearing a piece of paper in half doubles the amount of paper you have. You have two pieces now, right?
Even a "non-biased" site will do what they have to do in order to retain advertisers. I would never expect a company to allow criticism of an advertiser on their site, for obvious reasons.
The risks with USB drives are essentially the same as those with floppies, tapes, or email attachments.
You're right. This is a much bigger issue than most people realize.
Every night employees leave the office with sensitive information retrieved through their monitors. The use of monitors is widespread in most offices. In fact there may be a monitor on your desk right now and you wouldn't even know it!
So while half your IT staff is frisking for USB drives, the other half should go around removing any monitors in the office. Then your information will be secure.
Having said that, given the users I've encountered, MS would need something like "Automatically Apply Patches without Prompting Me" as one of the initial options or users would just "X" out of the warning pop-up, as they do nowadays.
Isn't automatic updates already an option for windows update?
What is a "24 hour patch for a vulnerability"? Are you asking if MS will guarantee a computer will be vulnerable for 24 hours? Or the patch will only last 24 hours?
If the issue is folks not updating systems and applying patches, then how will any patch affect the rate of infection? Isn't that the issue? Patches don't work if they're not used.
How would MS issuing patches cause the rate of infection to increase dramatically? Are you saying hackers are using security updates as guides for exploiting security weaknesses? Do you propose software companies stop issuing patches as a way to dramatically decrease infections?
What was super_ogg smoking when he asked this question, and why isn't he sharing?
Seriously. This won't affect most customers and most won't care, but out of the few that do take note, are they going to be more likely or less likely to buy Sony products in the future?
And I don't think this fits the old razor/blade example. Sure, MS takes a loss on each x-box, so they don't want you to figure out how to use the hardware without buying games.
I don't imagine Sony loses money on selling a box and a CD. That's pretty much pure profit. In fact it's better for them. I'm sure the revenue from the monthly fees are great, but then you have to support all those users--servers, developers, support monkeys, etc.
But then again, Blizzard did the same thing with Bnet, and those folks weren't even paying! You'd think Blizzard would be glad to get them off their servers...
I haven't done the research, but I doubt this is any more "repeatable" than fingerprints, or for that matter DNA.
You're not the only one. Who says fingerprints aren't "repeatable"?
Fingerprints as legal evidence are basically 'grandfathered' in--they're accepted because they're accepted. If you tried to introduce fingerprinting as a new technology--and had to prove each was unique and that you could make a positive ID based on this--you'd never get it in front of a jury.
Spot on. And is this a bad thing? Is this even unusual in gaming?
Where are the articles lamenting, "Is Chess only for the hardcore?" Or, "Is bridge only for the hardcore?"
Those examples lack the monthly charge that raises the barrier for entry to most MMOGs, but in terms of gameplay and competitiveness, the casual player just can't hang with the serious gamer. Some people enjoy some games on a casual level. Some people devote more time to some games.
I'm sure some where out there is a chess club with $15 monthly due, and it only attracts players for whom that chess playing experience is worth $15. Likewise for any MMOG with a similar fee.
Can someone explain what this is and why it is useful? The 'Help' and 'About' pages aren't very helpful or tell a lot about the project.
Instead of going to www.imdb.com and typing 'tom hanks' I go to www.ambedo.com and type 'actor tom hanks'? Isn't that more work? (BTW, the 'About' page mentions imdb.com. Does that URL resolve for anyone? I always need the full www.imdb.com.)
Why would I need a 'front page' for google? Can't I go to www.google.com?
And their built-in calculator doesn't work. But why would anyone need this? Is there some idiot savant device out there that can surf the web but doesn't do basic math?
Please tell us you meant this list as examples of bad movies, not the few exceptions. What ever merits some of those movies may have, they are all completely overwhelmed by the pile of crap that is Pitch Black.
Pitch Black deserves nothing higher than utter disdain. It is one of the worst movies ever made. The set-up is moronic, the cliches are insulting, the dialog is awful. The muslim family is going to space Mecca.
Space. Mecca. WTF is space Mecca? I could go on with the dozens of other problems with this movie, but really, what more did you need to know?
If you are in any way responsible for anyone associated with this movie continuing in the film industry, especially the making of the sequel, you deserve to get your ass kicked by Sean Penn.
Seriously. It's not a 'turn the brain off and just watch the action' movie. It's not campy. It's not a so-bad-it's-good. It's just bad. Shame on you for even mentioning it by name. If you think this movie has any redeeming value, there is something seriously wrong with you.
First, someone above mentioned "What color is your parachute". Absolutely 100% required reading.
Second, someone also suggested calling rather than mailing an unsolicited resume. Absolutely 100% correct.
We're technical folks, you're looking for a technical job, why aren't you taking a technical approach?
If I told you to write a program, what the first question you would ask? Ok, after, how much am I paying? You'd ask what the program is supposed to do. You need to know the desired features, the target audience, etc. before you can get started.
You friend should do the same with a job search. Okay, What is the purpose of the cover letter/resume? The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. Period. That's it. So sure, send "fluff" if you like wasting your time, paper, postage, time of the person you're sending it to, etc. Otherwise, the cover letter and resume should peak the target's interest. The goal is to get that person to invite you in to their office.
A call is better than an unsolicited resume fore several reasons.
First, a personal call has more weight. There are jag-offs out there spamming 1400 recruiters at a shot. For all I know, the resume you sent me is one of 1400. You call me, I know you're not on the phone with 1399 other people at the same time.
Second, a personal call demands attention. I may give you brush off, but at least I have to do it when you call. A resume comes in the mail, I put it in a 'to do' pile, I shuffle it around, maybe I read it, maybe I don't.
Third, a personal call gets you to do a little more of your homework. An unsolicited resume to the 'HR Department' or 'IT Hiring Manager' gets filed away. Odds are, it is never even read. You find the person you want to work for and call that person by name, A)you've done a little research into the company and judged it as a potential target. No sense in wasting my time by sending me a resume, having me call you in, only for you to decide my company isn't right for you. B)You've got my attention. Mail to 'Generic Title' ends up in the stack of papers I really should go over but don't have time for. Mail to 'Mr. Smith' at least gets opened. A phone call to 'Mr. Smith' at least gets my voice mail, if not me in person. And if I don't return vm, you don't want to work for me anyway. C)If I'm paying attention when you call, I realize you've done your research to find my name and phone number for your targeted search. You've shown you're willing to work towards your goal. You're up on 75% of the competition already. (And you're blowing the unsolicited resume crowd out of the water.)
Forth, you may get out of writing a cover letter all together (or at least have an easier time of it). The call may end with a request for your resume. You'll need to include a cover letter, but you'll mostly just need to refresh my memory of our phone conversation. (Dear Mr. Smith...resume as we discussed...my experience as I mentioned...also bring these skills to the table...hugs and kisses, and so on. It practically writes itself.) If all goes well, and this is the goal of the conversation, we end by arranging the face-to-face interview. No cover letter needed!
And there ya go! You've done a little work targeting me as a potential boss, and in doing so, set yourself ahead of the unsolicited resume crowd and created the impression of a focused, not-looking-for-the-easy-way-out, go-getter that would make an excellent addition to my team. Congratulations, when can you start?
Now, about the parent post. Get some help with cover letters and resumes. Can be professional, can be an experienced friend or family who's been through the job hunt/hiring process a few times. BUT! remember, you have to back up every single word of that resume. You can dress it up, you can spin it, but it better be true. And you had best be able to discuss it. If you put it to paper and send it in, it is fair game. If I ask you about something on you
There is no way a console going at $300 can even come close to that performance level.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh. Your computer spends most of its time waiting for you. The most expensive video card in the world isn't going to change that performance level.
A few months back my mother was looking to purchase airline tickets. I don't remember which travel site she was using, but as she examined different fares, the rates kept changing (mostly increasing) and she had no idea why.
A tip aside to your mom, I don't know of any airlines that don't sell ticket from their own websites--without any fees (above the standard taxes and security garbage and such). So after you do your searching and price comparisons on Expedia or Orbitz or whatever, make the actual purchase directly through the airline and avoid the fees from the travel site.
I've done this a bunch of times and never found a fare on a travel site I couldn't get directly from the airline's own web site.
I visit Amazon MANY times a day, have bought many hundreds of items between them, and verify a lot of pricing that many other people have seen. Never once have I seen a discrepancy between what someone else has seen and what I (or anyone else) sees. I've heard that a couple people may or may not have seen different prices on a few DVDs when Amazon was doing price testing, but the reason for that didn't have anything to do with the consumers themselves, but just because Amazon wanted to see what price people would buy things at. They do change their prices quite often, but I've never seen a difference from person to person besides the aforementioned price testing - if one person saw it, everybody saw it. If you have any proof of this, I'd be very interested.
I'm not surprised this is happens (especially price differences between online and brick stores (why not? a large chain like walmart or target will have difference prices across the country)), I'm not surpised most people don't expect this, but I would think the folks around here would accept as given this is the way these companies do busniness. (I'm not saying necessary accept as okay, just accept that they do it.)
The news here is not the business practice, the news is a study on few people know about it.
How do they do that? As far as I can see they don't charge me extra for it.
As far as you see. Those little slips of paper that come with your bill every couple months, the ones where the company unilaterally changes your credit card agreement. They contain details of what interest you will pay on outstanding balances, as well as what grace period you have before interest starts accruing, what fees you'll pay for a late payment or returned check, and what annual fees you'll pay for having the card.
You read all that fine print, don't you? Good. Do you read all the fine print they send your neighbor? How far is, as far as you see?
Just as retailers have different prices for different customers, credit cards may have different interest rates and fees for different customers. Austerity Empowers, you and I pay off the balance in full each and never miss a payment, so we don't pay much mind to changes in interest rates and late fees. But credit card companies have been known to initiate annual fees for accounts that started with no such fees, when the card holders did not produce enough revenue. There were stories a few back regarding companies cancelling out-right accounts that did not produce enough income.
Yes, credit card companies make money on each transaction. But there is pricing pressure on that side--don't think merchants don't feel those fees and are afraid to cancel accounts with companies that charge higher rates. I've been out of retail for a while, but at least as of 2001 in the USA a lot more places accepted MasterCard and Visa than accepted AmEx. Amex charged more per transaction. Naturally the credit card companies look to make up the difference on the other. (That's you and me.)
Slashdot Mirror
http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/begging.htm
1 9970627
http://skepdic.com/begging.html
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=
It's a form of circular reasoning.
AAAAAAAEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!
DST does NOT give you any more hours of daylight! Days are just as long, nights are just as long no matter what fiddling you do to your clock. The earth's rotation is the same, the sun's movement across the sky is the same, the phases of the moon are the same.
We don't lose hours of daylight, we don't gain hours of daylight. What good is daylight at a decent hour of the morning if it's dark by 5 pm?
DST is one of the most nonsensical ideas in human history. Thinking DST gives you more daylight is like saying tearing a piece of paper in half doubles the amount of paper you have. You have two pieces now, right?
And everyone clearly knows studying has nothing to do with intelligence. [/sarcasm]
I'm certainly no SAT fanboy, but what is wrong with the idea studying might help you become more intelligent?
No ads, no problem:
http://www.consumerreports.org/
You're right. This is a much bigger issue than most people realize.
Every night employees leave the office with sensitive information retrieved through their monitors. The use of monitors is widespread in most offices. In fact there may be a monitor on your desk right now and you wouldn't even know it!
So while half your IT staff is frisking for USB drives, the other half should go around removing any monitors in the office. Then your information will be secure.
This man and his gang were unavailable for comment.
Of course he doesn't expect her to do it all herself. He'll get her to help.
Isn't automatic updates already an option for windows update?
What is a "24 hour patch for a vulnerability"? Are you asking if MS will guarantee a computer will be vulnerable for 24 hours? Or the patch will only last 24 hours?
If the issue is folks not updating systems and applying patches, then how will any patch affect the rate of infection? Isn't that the issue? Patches don't work if they're not used.
How would MS issuing patches cause the rate of infection to increase dramatically? Are you saying hackers are using security updates as guides for exploiting security weaknesses? Do you propose software companies stop issuing patches as a way to dramatically decrease infections?
What was super_ogg smoking when he asked this question, and why isn't he sharing?
Good point.
And I don't think this fits the old razor/blade example. Sure, MS takes a loss on each x-box, so they don't want you to figure out how to use the hardware without buying games.
I don't imagine Sony loses money on selling a box and a CD. That's pretty much pure profit. In fact it's better for them. I'm sure the revenue from the monthly fees are great, but then you have to support all those users--servers, developers, support monkeys, etc.
But then again, Blizzard did the same thing with Bnet, and those folks weren't even paying! You'd think Blizzard would be glad to get them off their servers...
oh well...
You're not the only one. Who says fingerprints aren't "repeatable"?
Fingerprints as legal evidence are basically 'grandfathered' in--they're accepted because they're accepted. If you tried to introduce fingerprinting as a new technology--and had to prove each was unique and that you could make a positive ID based on this--you'd never get it in front of a jury.
Spot on. And is this a bad thing? Is this even unusual in gaming?
Where are the articles lamenting, "Is Chess only for the hardcore?" Or, "Is bridge only for the hardcore?"
Those examples lack the monthly charge that raises the barrier for entry to most MMOGs, but in terms of gameplay and competitiveness, the casual player just can't hang with the serious gamer. Some people enjoy some games on a casual level. Some people devote more time to some games.
I'm sure some where out there is a chess club with $15 monthly due, and it only attracts players for whom that chess playing experience is worth $15. Likewise for any MMOG with a similar fee.
Can someone explain what this is and why it is useful? The 'Help' and 'About' pages aren't very helpful or tell a lot about the project.
Instead of going to www.imdb.com and typing 'tom hanks' I go to www.ambedo.com and type 'actor tom hanks'? Isn't that more work? (BTW, the 'About' page mentions imdb.com. Does that URL resolve for anyone? I always need the full www.imdb.com.)
Why would I need a 'front page' for google? Can't I go to www.google.com?
And their built-in calculator doesn't work. But why would anyone need this? Is there some idiot savant device out there that can surf the web but doesn't do basic math?
Please tell us you meant this list as examples of bad movies, not the few exceptions. What ever merits some of those movies may have, they are all completely overwhelmed by the pile of crap that is Pitch Black.
Pitch Black deserves nothing higher than utter disdain. It is one of the worst movies ever made. The set-up is moronic, the cliches are insulting, the dialog is awful. The muslim family is going to space Mecca.
Space. Mecca. WTF is space Mecca? I could go on with the dozens of other problems with this movie, but really, what more did you need to know?
If you are in any way responsible for anyone associated with this movie continuing in the film industry, especially the making of the sequel, you deserve to get your ass kicked by Sean Penn.
Seriously. It's not a 'turn the brain off and just watch the action' movie. It's not campy. It's not a so-bad-it's-good. It's just bad. Shame on you for even mentioning it by name. If you think this movie has any redeeming value, there is something seriously wrong with you.
Eeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
There's a reason I don't eat any thing from a "communal candy bowl"
...but how the proletariat got in my pajamas I'll never know
The closest thing I could find on the web site was the Electronics Learning Lab, but the old style project kits are still around.
Argh!
First, someone above mentioned "What color is your parachute". Absolutely 100% required reading.
Second, someone also suggested calling rather than mailing an unsolicited resume. Absolutely 100% correct.
We're technical folks, you're looking for a technical job, why aren't you taking a technical approach?
If I told you to write a program, what the first question you would ask? Ok, after, how much am I paying? You'd ask what the program is supposed to do. You need to know the desired features, the target audience, etc. before you can get started.
You friend should do the same with a job search. Okay, What is the purpose of the cover letter/resume? The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. Period. That's it. So sure, send "fluff" if you like wasting your time, paper, postage, time of the person you're sending it to, etc. Otherwise, the cover letter and resume should peak the target's interest. The goal is to get that person to invite you in to their office.
A call is better than an unsolicited resume fore several reasons.
First, a personal call has more weight. There are jag-offs out there spamming 1400 recruiters at a shot. For all I know, the resume you sent me is one of 1400. You call me, I know you're not on the phone with 1399 other people at the same time.
Second, a personal call demands attention. I may give you brush off, but at least I have to do it when you call. A resume comes in the mail, I put it in a 'to do' pile, I shuffle it around, maybe I read it, maybe I don't.
Third, a personal call gets you to do a little more of your homework. An unsolicited resume to the 'HR Department' or 'IT Hiring Manager' gets filed away. Odds are, it is never even read. You find the person you want to work for and call that person by name, A)you've done a little research into the company and judged it as a potential target. No sense in wasting my time by sending me a resume, having me call you in, only for you to decide my company isn't right for you. B)You've got my attention. Mail to 'Generic Title' ends up in the stack of papers I really should go over but don't have time for. Mail to 'Mr. Smith' at least gets opened. A phone call to 'Mr. Smith' at least gets my voice mail, if not me in person. And if I don't return vm, you don't want to work for me anyway. C)If I'm paying attention when you call, I realize you've done your research to find my name and phone number for your targeted search. You've shown you're willing to work towards your goal. You're up on 75% of the competition already. (And you're blowing the unsolicited resume crowd out of the water.)
Forth, you may get out of writing a cover letter all together (or at least have an easier time of it). The call may end with a request for your resume. You'll need to include a cover letter, but you'll mostly just need to refresh my memory of our phone conversation. (Dear Mr. Smith...resume as we discussed...my experience as I mentioned...also bring these skills to the table...hugs and kisses, and so on. It practically writes itself.) If all goes well, and this is the goal of the conversation, we end by arranging the face-to-face interview. No cover letter needed!
And there ya go! You've done a little work targeting me as a potential boss, and in doing so, set yourself ahead of the unsolicited resume crowd and created the impression of a focused, not-looking-for-the-easy-way-out, go-getter that would make an excellent addition to my team. Congratulations, when can you start?
Now, about the parent post. Get some help with cover letters and resumes. Can be professional, can be an experienced friend or family who's been through the job hunt/hiring process a few times. BUT! remember, you have to back up every single word of that resume. You can dress it up, you can spin it, but it better be true. And you had best be able to discuss it. If you put it to paper and send it in, it is fair game. If I ask you about something on you
Go to http://www.swissarmy.com/ and look under Multi-tools-->do-it-yourself-->CyberTool
Torx bits, Pozidrive bits, mini-screwdiver (perfect for fixing glasses), plus all the usual swiss army fun.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh. Your computer spends most of its time waiting for you. The most expensive video card in the world isn't going to change that performance level.
A tip aside to your mom, I don't know of any airlines that don't sell ticket from their own websites--without any fees (above the standard taxes and security garbage and such). So after you do your searching and price comparisons on Expedia or Orbitz or whatever, make the actual purchase directly through the airline and avoid the fees from the travel site.
I've done this a bunch of times and never found a fare on a travel site I couldn't get directly from the airline's own web site.
"Ah, for special friends of Rick's we have a special discount."
Maybe they stopped doing this, or toned it down to a large extent, but this is not a new story.
Amazon charging different prices on some DVDs
Which Price is Right?
Same Part, Same Supplier, Different Prices
I'm not surprised this is happens (especially price differences between online and brick stores (why not? a large chain like walmart or target will have difference prices across the country)), I'm not surpised most people don't expect this, but I would think the folks around here would accept as given this is the way these companies do busniness. (I'm not saying necessary accept as okay, just accept that they do it.)
The news here is not the business practice, the news is a study on few people know about it.
As far as you see. Those little slips of paper that come with your bill every couple months, the ones where the company unilaterally changes your credit card agreement. They contain details of what interest you will pay on outstanding balances, as well as what grace period you have before interest starts accruing, what fees you'll pay for a late payment or returned check, and what annual fees you'll pay for having the card.
You read all that fine print, don't you? Good. Do you read all the fine print they send your neighbor? How far is, as far as you see?
Just as retailers have different prices for different customers, credit cards may have different interest rates and fees for different customers. Austerity Empowers, you and I pay off the balance in full each and never miss a payment, so we don't pay much mind to changes in interest rates and late fees. But credit card companies have been known to initiate annual fees for accounts that started with no such fees, when the card holders did not produce enough revenue. There were stories a few back regarding companies cancelling out-right accounts that did not produce enough income.
Yes, credit card companies make money on each transaction. But there is pricing pressure on that side--don't think merchants don't feel those fees and are afraid to cancel accounts with companies that charge higher rates. I've been out of retail for a while, but at least as of 2001 in the USA a lot more places accepted MasterCard and Visa than accepted AmEx. Amex charged more per transaction. Naturally the credit card companies look to make up the difference on the other. (That's you and me.)