For example, we tried several times to start using Ajax (forgive me for saying it) to make interfaces more like desktop applications.
Users completely rebelled. The general sentiment was, "Why doesn't that bring up a page when I click on it?"
The importance of "usability" is overstated by people who make money parroting it.
Yes, simplicity and obviousness are important. Just don't confuse those objectives with usability as it is now sold.
Usability starts with a set of normative values that most users accept. This often includes accepting that most users accept a version of the internet that is closer to 1996 than 2006.
IDEs are such a matter of personal preference. I know people that hate IDEs because they feel the friggin program is more a roadblock of suggestions and conventions. I know folks who insist that by the 12th straight hour at a computer, your mind just isn't up to the task of diagnosing what's wrong with code.
There is a point in coding where your eyes just glaze over and you cannot quite fathom where the hell the tiny little mistake is because everything reads right.
Your head eventually clicks: oh, it's a damned semi-colon needed right there! Grrrr.
And then you resume life for a few hours.
For these reasons, it's better to let folks find their own groove.
I used to work very strongly with HTML templates that had XML-like tags embedded.
Instead of busting my head trying to make PHP and HTML co-exist, I'd just FOPEN the template and parse it for "" type tags and replace those with the PHP output.
Lately, I've drifted toward embedding HTML or XML in the PHP and then using big monster functions in APIs. This is also handy for the occassional instance where PHP won't get the job done.
In some instances, there just is no choice. You have to hodgepodge everything together and make it work.
Because even when Microsoft has the kernel of a good idea, it oftens takes a beating because:
1. Microsoft's long practice of anti-competitive behaviors calls its motives into question on every project.
2. Microsoft is prone to screwing things up even when they mean well.
I agree there are concerns. Most of those concerns stem, justifiably, from the word "Microsoft".
But, since we're not going to stop MS, it's worth seeing where the project pans out to.
IF... and that's a big if... Microsoft has the balls to leave it fully automated and let the system do its thing.
Now, if they start taking payola for delisting malware, then this will be no better than all the shit the current batch of jokers/anti-spyware companies pull every day.
How long ago was it that Sony was the God of this industry?
For that matter, it wasn't all that long ago that Sega was making consoles and garnering good press.
Would anyone have called the Dreamcast -- unquestionably the most badass system of its time -- a dicey move?
Yet, Sega underwent a major restructuring as a consequence of its move in the console wars.
Ultimately, I suspect this move will insulate Nintendo, because it plays to Nintendo's strength, producing great games, while brutalizing its opponents' weaknesses, awful price points and too much emphasis on whiz-bang gfx.
On the whole, I've long thought Nintendo would win this round.
Judging Wii's buzz against 360's buzz and the PS3's raw antipathy from the public, Nintendo may actually vault past MS and take first place by the end of this round.
I think Sony may be out of business and being eaten by someone else by the end of this round.
The lesson: the least bold move is making no bold moves.
ICANN today announced the introduction of two new TLDs:.FUK and.SUK.
The announcement coincides with ICANN's move to dismiss the introduction of.XXX.
An ICANN spokesman commented off the record, "In truth, we should be more honest. XXX indicates we're hiding something."
He added, "That can't be on the open and transparent internet. We feel that Dot-FUK and Dot-SUK represent what everone is looking for, just like all Dot-ORGs are not-for-profit groups, right? Know what I mean? Say no more."
ICANN also expressed interest in adding.GAY so "straight dudes and closet dudes needn't worry."
ICANN's next step coming in June is a decision on.PERV, whose supporters hope can be used to herd all the child molesters into one spot.
The move is opposed by the producers of Dateline: NBC, who say it could destroy their growing cottage industry of filming pedophiles being confronted.
ICANN is believed to be leaning toward adopting.PERV, as all things on the internet belong in nifty containers marked accurately.
This one deserves to be filed in the "no shit" pile.
Let's face it... the equation goes like so:
- Chick screws rugged non-provider.
- Non-provider runs off to screw some other dumbass broad.
- Chick hooks some poor slob into raising knuckle-dragger's offspring.
- Nice guy teaches kid to play catch.
- Kid flips out and bludgeons nice guy screaming, "You're not my real father, you fucking dodo!"
- Kid grows up and finds dumbass chick to breed.
- Rinse and repeat.
While the GameCube was a gigantic disappointment (largely because memory cards are one generation too old), Smash Brothers Melee is an all-time greatest game that shows Nintendo knows just plain fun.
I'd make a similar argument regarding the SNES. The SNES's greatest highlights were games like DKC.
To some extent, the N64 was a push. This was largely due to the higher cost of ownership compared to the PS1.
Nintendo appears to be taking a brilliant gamble with the Wii.
Only if your assumption/ gamble pays off that you are:
1) Really good
2) Really cheap
3) Really good at SEO or self promotion
Um... dude? I run a business. In all fairness, if I'm not good at self-promotion, I'm screwed. If I'm not cheap, I'll be beaten. If I'm not good, I'll never be contacted.
So, I will gladly play those assumptions, because that is just the nature of business.
Because, honestly, I think we should skip that nuclear war/lasers/satellites/nanobots/MMOG/infowar/biowea pons/petrowar step, preserve the planet, and just start fighting with rocks.
It looks so cool when the Palestinians do it!
Just imagine whole armies chucking rocks at each other!
NBC Nightly News would steal a whole demographic away from Spike TV and G4.
Slashdot Mirror
My experience has been that bosses could care less as long as the existing system works.
But, in fairness, if you have serious doubts about the platform the owner insists upon using, then this isn't the place for you to be working.
You're either onboard, or you owe it to your boss to leave the company.
Please God... please say someone took the project home on CD, or we're fucked!
The Bull Shit Association expresses outrage.
Eventually, when you start your own business, you'll have a good bead drawn on what works.
Users completely rebelled. The general sentiment was, "Why doesn't that bring up a page when I click on it?"
The importance of "usability" is overstated by people who make money parroting it.
Yes, simplicity and obviousness are important. Just don't confuse those objectives with usability as it is now sold.
Usability starts with a set of normative values that most users accept. This often includes accepting that most users accept a version of the internet that is closer to 1996 than 2006.
The closest thing to that in computing terms is knowing PowerPoint.
My brother does the exact same thing with his computers.
There is a point in coding where your eyes just glaze over and you cannot quite fathom where the hell the tiny little mistake is because everything reads right.
Your head eventually clicks: oh, it's a damned semi-colon needed right there! Grrrr.
And then you resume life for a few hours.
For these reasons, it's better to let folks find their own groove.
Sorry. I just remembered not being able to read the Windows partition. If I had really thought about it, I would have recalled using NTFS.
Instead of busting my head trying to make PHP and HTML co-exist, I'd just FOPEN the template and parse it for "" type tags and replace those with the PHP output.
Lately, I've drifted toward embedding HTML or XML in the PHP and then using big monster functions in APIs. This is also handy for the occassional instance where PHP won't get the job done.
In some instances, there just is no choice. You have to hodgepodge everything together and make it work.
Only major problem was getting the NDIS wrapper to work. Took a couple tries, but now it work gorgeously.
If you need to dual-boot and read the Windows partition, I'd advise against Fedora since it does not come pre-built with FAT32 mounting.
Does the Wii have the potential to propel someone new, who "gets" the Wii remote control, to the forefront?
Only time will tell.
But, I like the bold, eveocative nature of the Wii controller. It speaks well of Nintendo to be thinking of things other than polygons and shaders.
Just curious. Most people would.
All mine is labelled "Nice college girls" and such.
1. Microsoft's long practice of anti-competitive behaviors calls its motives into question on every project.
2. Microsoft is prone to screwing things up even when they mean well.
I agree there are concerns. Most of those concerns stem, justifiably, from the word "Microsoft".
But, since we're not going to stop MS, it's worth seeing where the project pans out to.
Now, if they start taking payola for delisting malware, then this will be no better than all the shit the current batch of jokers/anti-spyware companies pull every day.
For that matter, it wasn't all that long ago that Sega was making consoles and garnering good press.
Would anyone have called the Dreamcast -- unquestionably the most badass system of its time -- a dicey move?
Yet, Sega underwent a major restructuring as a consequence of its move in the console wars.
Ultimately, I suspect this move will insulate Nintendo, because it plays to Nintendo's strength, producing great games, while brutalizing its opponents' weaknesses, awful price points and too much emphasis on whiz-bang gfx.
On the whole, I've long thought Nintendo would win this round.
Judging Wii's buzz against 360's buzz and the PS3's raw antipathy from the public, Nintendo may actually vault past MS and take first place by the end of this round.
I think Sony may be out of business and being eaten by someone else by the end of this round.
The lesson: the least bold move is making no bold moves.
The announcement coincides with ICANN's move to dismiss the introduction of .XXX.
An ICANN spokesman commented off the record, "In truth, we should be more honest. XXX indicates we're hiding something."
He added, "That can't be on the open and transparent internet. We feel that Dot-FUK and Dot-SUK represent what everone is looking for, just like all Dot-ORGs are not-for-profit groups, right? Know what I mean? Say no more."
ICANN also expressed interest in adding .GAY so "straight dudes and closet dudes needn't worry."
ICANN's next step coming in June is a decision on .PERV, whose supporters hope can be used to herd all the child molesters into one spot.
The move is opposed by the producers of Dateline: NBC, who say it could destroy their growing cottage industry of filming pedophiles being confronted.
ICANN is believed to be leaning toward adopting .PERV, as all things on the internet belong in nifty containers marked accurately.
Let's face it... the equation goes like so:
- Chick screws rugged non-provider.
- Non-provider runs off to screw some other dumbass broad.
- Chick hooks some poor slob into raising knuckle-dragger's offspring.
- Nice guy teaches kid to play catch.
- Kid flips out and bludgeons nice guy screaming, "You're not my real father, you fucking dodo!"
- Kid grows up and finds dumbass chick to breed.
- Rinse and repeat.
The general rule is that if you want to find the source you just follow the river. That rule applies to streams of bullshit, too.
I'd make a similar argument regarding the SNES. The SNES's greatest highlights were games like DKC.
To some extent, the N64 was a push. This was largely due to the higher cost of ownership compared to the PS1.
Nintendo appears to be taking a brilliant gamble with the Wii.
I agree: it's going to payoff big time.
This takes huge balls.
Um... dude? I run a business. In all fairness, if I'm not good at self-promotion, I'm screwed. If I'm not cheap, I'll be beaten. If I'm not good, I'll never be contacted.
So, I will gladly play those assumptions, because that is just the nature of business.
If business were easy, everyone would do it.
It looks so cool when the Palestinians do it!
Just imagine whole armies chucking rocks at each other!
NBC Nightly News would steal a whole demographic away from Spike TV and G4.