With all the hype around 2.0 I see a serious issue ensuing. What happens when 2.0 is upgraded? Obviously we can't call it 3.0 or even 2.5 that just wouldn't be "hip." Therefore we need to come up with something even more original and exciting. Be sure to watch for my next new and upgraded post, "Legitimate concern 2.0 2.0"
Last time I check programming was about creation not just debugging. Of course as with anything in life, if your first aproach doesn't work you must step back, look at the problem again, and try to get it right, ie debug. I'm seriously begining to think that if students are having such a difficult time with debugging, then maybe more time should be spent on actually teaching the students proper programming tactics.
I mean, if you are trying to get people to join computer science classes simply because there is something cool involved I don't know that is the best aproach. It's like giving them an ipod just because. And last time I checked there are robots at the school I attend although not until higher level courses.
Plus I think you need to be just a little bit of a perfectionist to really succeed in programming. If you have a problem debugging code because you are too lazy or whatever, you shouldn't be programming. And on a side note, when is computer science not hands on??? Only when you are taking theory classes and even in those I have always had practical programming assignments. To me the issue seems much bigger than what the article is letting out....
Of course I agree that there is more that affects children then what they experience in the household but the effects of such things are less if parents are doing what they should be doing as a parent. There may be things in School or the community that we as parents don't agree with. While we can't always be there to ensure the kids "do the right thing" we can express our views on the subject, ect. Also what one parent finds apropriate another may not. But, regardless, if all parents take the hands-off aproach to parenting, the governement IS forced to step in and make regulations we may or may not like. Obvisouly, China is completely different from the US and even though they may have many more restrictions on every day living the one thing that they can do is teach thier children the knowledge they have learned.
Obviously, I'm not critising your parenting methods, but in general the big problem lies in the household. Parents need to take more responsibility in raising thier kids. Children will grow up acting/living the way they learn in the home. Perhaps my initial response was a little "angry" but nothing irritates me more than parents having issues with thier kids and not stepping up to the plate. I'm not a doctor or phycologist but in my opionion the majority of problems with children can be handled if the parent would take responsibility and confront thier kids. Now should one behavior go on without confronting it professional help may be needed. People need to ask themselves, "What is most important in my life?" If the answer isn't your family perhaps you shouldn't have had one...or perhaps more time needs to be spent becoming reacquainted and finding out what you family really needs.
Wait a second here...I don't see how studying how the universe began has anything to do with God. Considering we really don't know the extent of the universe or beyond, the universe could be but a smaller part of something even bigger, similar how our solar system is to the galaxy. So, it's entirely possible that the space area is truely infinate. Now assume for a moment that God does exist. Assuming our universe was created by suppose natural or unnatrual means, it would in no way prove or disprove the existance of God. And regardless of our the universe was created, it's entirely possible that God created it anyway by method of the bigbang or what not. So, assuming the universe was created through natural or unnatural means(meaning following physical laws we are currently familiar with or not) by God would lead to confussion as to why the Pope would be concerned...maybe he's not so concerned about disproving God exists but actually proving God exists...
People spend so much time trying to develop tech for phones they don't stop to see if they should do it and ask people what they want. Why the hell would anyone want to put a chess set on thier phone? I mean seriously! Any why do people have to keep cramming more and more crap into cell phones? When I upgraded my phone last time, they kept trying to cell(haha) me one with an MP3 player. Also, not one of those phones looked like something I would even want to use. Lets pack more and more shit into phones and up the already high price! One feature that I do like on phones is the web feature(actually a useful non-bloated feature.) Games, MP3 player, and the such is rediculace for a phone.
If it's taking you 4X longer to write C++ code you don't know how to program with C++. Maybe not you specifically but my point is that your costs are dependant on your coders knowledge. Don't hire a Java programmer to write C code and vise-versa. While I know how to program in Java it's not my strong point and I would rather program in C++.
And don't tell me, "But GUI's take a lot of time." There are many development enviroments out there that aid in the Rapid development of interfaces.
To say that C++ takes longer to write pure is ignorance.
While I do use windows, I've gotten to the point where I store all my important files on my server and reformat every couple 6-9 months. While it does require a bit of time, I found that if since I reinstalled windose, installed the software I want and ghost the image for next time...saves a lot of time in the long run!:P
Well, I must say I'm a little disappointed at all the negative comments about Episode One. Most of these cynical comments aren't even justified. There are several key points about Episode one that needs to be understood. One of which is that this was in no fashion meant to be a "new game." Yet, the valve team released it knowing there may be people playing this title that didn't play Half-Life 2. Therefore, a background needed to be built to understand what was going on, yet not too much for those who had already played the game. This is an extremely difficult balance to reach.
One of the cool features that were added was the ability to play through with the commentary engaged. After I finished the Episode, I played through with the commentary which answered a lot of the 'concerns' I had as to why things were a certain way. Had some of the pessimists actually participated in the commentary they wouldn't be so quick to oust Valve on some of the decisions they made regarding Episode One.
Now, I'm not saying Episode One is a perfect game. All I'm saying is that a lot of the griping about the content is not necessary.
Here are some things (my short list) I found good about the episode:
New content - Stalkers, Combine Zombies, and helpful roller mines to name a few.
Puzzles - While many of the puzzles weren't overly difficult I thought they offered a fresh change from 'same old, same old' puzzles set. Plus, the core puzzle took be back to the good old Half-Life 1 days with some of the puzzles encountered there.
Good Intro - Some of individuals didn't like scripted scene at the beginning. I thought it a very well introduction for veteran and new players alike. Now if you didn't like it because you just prefer run and gun, it's your purgative, but say that next time. I thought it did a good job of setting up the story of the episode and what your 'goal' was for the content.
Different from HL2 - While I thought they did a good job of extending the story line, I thought it was cool that they didn't follow the same example 100%. The game play all though similar had a different feel to it, to me it seemed there was more sense of urgency and I thought they did a good job of conveying that to the player. You can actually trap yourself!:P
Intriguing, Good Story line - Now, I started playing Episode one not really expecting any questions to be answered. The thing I have really enjoyed about the Half-Life series is how entwined you become in the story line and want to know more. It makes you think; guess some people don't like that!
And the bad(short list) things:
Linear - The one thing that I have never really liked about the half-life series is how linear the levels are throughout the game. Of course this is not why you play Half-Life but it's always in the back of my mind.
Drawn out - Some of the sections/ideas were a little too drawn out in my opinion for the content. For example, the ball sockets got a little old after a while. Also, I thought there were too many areas that were pitch black
Dexterity required or bugs? - Some areas I thought required a little too much finger dexterity, such as were you had to knock the falling debris out of the way with the gravity gun, for some reason I had a hard time with my timing, it seemed sometimes the Ggun wouldn't even shoot sometimes, but I couldn't tell if it was me or what.
Unfair insertion - Also I didn't really like the fact that I was pushed into fighting the Antlion Guard without knowing it was there.
Well, with that, I thought the Episode was good in general and I can't wait for the next!
Whoah there. Alyx is not invinicable. I had her die a couple times while I was playing. She doesn't go down easy but she does go down, after all if she had the same health as the player you would be resarting the section of play every two minutes.
"everything a game needs (mouse/keyboard/joystick input, sound, graphics, networking, etc.)"
Just a note but alot of the 'extra' functionality in DirectX has been depreciated or will be in newer versions. Not that it means you can't use the functionality, it's just no longer supported in newer versions of DirectX. As long as Microsoft continues to support backward compatibility the functionality remains...but possibly buggy, or not in accordance with protocol, ect.
Obviously this guy is a noob.
First of all, as was mentioned by others, why would he bother to decrypt thier files? I mean, it's like the, "you first, no you, no you" thing you did as kids.
If I personally was going to do something illeagal like this, I would just delete the files then create a randomly filed file to pose as the data I encrypted.
Secondly, if he was just trying to be a nice guy and really needed some money, then yeah he should have come up with a different scheme...I mean one persons pays up and posts the key on/. and everyone has the key. Wow, every time I read something like this I just want to smack someone... >:|
My gosh, what the hell is wrong with people? So I suppose if i type my name in google and someone else comes up I can sue too? Or if results for a site featuring a "gay monkey f***er?" Come on, it's not like Google is intentionally putting anything on there "site" it's a fricken search engine people!!! Grow up. Man, this is one thing that pisses me off, google has money so everyone wants a piece of free pie.
If this hasn't been mentioned or if anyone has concerns as to what Net Neutrality is there are many articles online that describe the pros and cons. Once such article is found on Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality
What I think is interesting is the fact that everyone is argueing over whether or not it's okay to delete the "cheaters" files...good or bad intentions a virus is wrong, it's like genocide on a software level, how sad.:(
I do have to say this is a rather complicated issue. Now, first I am a horrible speller and sometimes I type faster then I can think. This coupled with the fact that I have a larger vocabulary is not a good thing when there is no spell checker to be found! This in can be problematic if your word is so far off the other person thinks it's a different word, which I have experienced from other peoples spelling errors.
Also, I do agree that the tone can be set with "smiles/emotes." if I say, "Damn you suck" it has a completely different ring if I say, "Damn you suck!:P" IF some gets offended over the second example they have personal issues that need taken care of and I know a good doctor to help!;)
I have also used all caps to emphasize certain words which can help a lot in setting a particular tone.
The big problem in text as well with words is that of sarcasm. It doesn't matter whether it's written or said someone will take offence if they don't know you. I'm sure you will find there really isn't that many differences between the two, it just depends on attitude.
I am generally very cautious to make sure the other person understands what I'm saying and generally don't use much sarcasm until I really know the person or feel they know me.
If I feel I don't understand what someone said to me, I will ask them flat out, "What do you mean?" This gives other people a chance to explain themselves, without being jumped on like a crazed baboon.
Plain and simple, people in general are idiots. There's the saying, "You can please some people all the time, and all the people some of the time, but not all the people all of the time." It doesn't matter what you type or say there will be misunderstandings with violence!
Apparently you don't know what "there isn't a distinction" means. I have not even been to a starbucks I'm using this as an example and you apperently don't understand what I'm saying, if there private network is unsecured in a public place along side there public network, it is public. I'm not wasting anymore time on this subject.
Slashdot Mirror
With all the hype around 2.0 I see a serious issue ensuing. What happens when 2.0 is upgraded? Obviously we can't call it 3.0 or even 2.5 that just wouldn't be "hip." Therefore we need to come up with something even more original and exciting. Be sure to watch for my next new and upgraded post, "Legitimate concern 2.0 2.0"
I mean, if you are trying to get people to join computer science classes simply because there is something cool involved I don't know that is the best aproach. It's like giving them an ipod just because. And last time I checked there are robots at the school I attend although not until higher level courses.
Plus I think you need to be just a little bit of a perfectionist to really succeed in programming. If you have a problem debugging code because you are too lazy or whatever, you shouldn't be programming. And on a side note, when is computer science not hands on??? Only when you are taking theory classes and even in those I have always had practical programming assignments. To me the issue seems much bigger than what the article is letting out....
M$ needs no loans, there "credit score" is useless. They could be paying ca$h for the next decade!
Of course I agree that there is more that affects children then what they experience in the household but the effects of such things are less if parents are doing what they should be doing as a parent. There may be things in School or the community that we as parents don't agree with. While we can't always be there to ensure the kids "do the right thing" we can express our views on the subject, ect. Also what one parent finds apropriate another may not. But, regardless, if all parents take the hands-off aproach to parenting, the governement IS forced to step in and make regulations we may or may not like. Obvisouly, China is completely different from the US and even though they may have many more restrictions on every day living the one thing that they can do is teach thier children the knowledge they have learned.
Obviously, I'm not critising your parenting methods, but in general the big problem lies in the household. Parents need to take more responsibility in raising thier kids. Children will grow up acting/living the way they learn in the home. Perhaps my initial response was a little "angry" but nothing irritates me more than parents having issues with thier kids and not stepping up to the plate. I'm not a doctor or phycologist but in my opionion the majority of problems with children can be handled if the parent would take responsibility and confront thier kids. Now should one behavior go on without confronting it professional help may be needed. People need to ask themselves, "What is most important in my life?" If the answer isn't your family perhaps you shouldn't have had one...or perhaps more time needs to be spent becoming reacquainted and finding out what you family really needs.
Bullshit, I don't care what country you are from, parents get off your ass and do some parenting.
Okay, aparently no one lives in a wooded area. I use a pistol for protection against bears. And yes if one charges me I want my weapon discharging!!
http://finance.google.com/finance?q=microsoft
Wait a second here...I don't see how studying how the universe began has anything to do with God. Considering we really don't know the extent of the universe or beyond, the universe could be but a smaller part of something even bigger, similar how our solar system is to the galaxy. So, it's entirely possible that the space area is truely infinate. Now assume for a moment that God does exist. Assuming our universe was created by suppose natural or unnatrual means, it would in no way prove or disprove the existance of God. And regardless of our the universe was created, it's entirely possible that God created it anyway by method of the bigbang or what not. So, assuming the universe was created through natural or unnatural means(meaning following physical laws we are currently familiar with or not) by God would lead to confussion as to why the Pope would be concerned...maybe he's not so concerned about disproving God exists but actually proving God exists...
People spend so much time trying to develop tech for phones they don't stop to see if they should do it and ask people what they want. Why the hell would anyone want to put a chess set on thier phone? I mean seriously! Any why do people have to keep cramming more and more crap into cell phones? When I upgraded my phone last time, they kept trying to cell(haha) me one with an MP3 player. Also, not one of those phones looked like something I would even want to use. Lets pack more and more shit into phones and up the already high price! One feature that I do like on phones is the web feature(actually a useful non-bloated feature.) Games, MP3 player, and the such is rediculace for a phone.
And don't tell me, "But GUI's take a lot of time." There are many development enviroments out there that aid in the Rapid development of interfaces.
To say that C++ takes longer to write pure is ignorance.
Yeah, exactly, this is a pointless project to spend time on.
While I do use windows, I've gotten to the point where I store all my important files on my server and reformat every couple 6-9 months. While it does require a bit of time, I found that if since I reinstalled windose, installed the software I want and ghost the image for next time...saves a lot of time in the long run! :P
In referance to unfair insertion, you have to understand I was reaching for neagative points.
One of the cool features that were added was the ability to play through with the commentary engaged. After I finished the Episode, I played through with the commentary which answered a lot of the 'concerns' I had as to why things were a certain way. Had some of the pessimists actually participated in the commentary they wouldn't be so quick to oust Valve on some of the decisions they made regarding Episode One.
Now, I'm not saying Episode One is a perfect game. All I'm saying is that a lot of the griping about the content is not necessary.
Here are some things (my short list) I found good about the episode:
New content - Stalkers, Combine Zombies, and helpful roller mines to name a few.
Puzzles - While many of the puzzles weren't overly difficult I thought they offered a fresh change from 'same old, same old' puzzles set. Plus, the core puzzle took be back to the good old Half-Life 1 days with some of the puzzles encountered there.
Good Intro - Some of individuals didn't like scripted scene at the beginning. I thought it a very well introduction for veteran and new players alike. Now if you didn't like it because you just prefer run and gun, it's your purgative, but say that next time. I thought it did a good job of setting up the story of the episode and what your 'goal' was for the content.
Different from HL2 - While I thought they did a good job of extending the story line, I thought it was cool that they didn't follow the same example 100%. The game play all though similar had a different feel to it, to me it seemed there was more sense of urgency and I thought they did a good job of conveying that to the player. You can actually trap yourself! :P
Intriguing, Good Story line - Now, I started playing Episode one not really expecting any questions to be answered. The thing I have really enjoyed about the Half-Life series is how entwined you become in the story line and want to know more. It makes you think; guess some people don't like that!
And the bad(short list) things:
Linear - The one thing that I have never really liked about the half-life series is how linear the levels are throughout the game. Of course this is not why you play Half-Life but it's always in the back of my mind.
Drawn out - Some of the sections/ideas were a little too drawn out in my opinion for the content. For example, the ball sockets got a little old after a while. Also, I thought there were too many areas that were pitch black
Dexterity required or bugs? - Some areas I thought required a little too much finger dexterity, such as were you had to knock the falling debris out of the way with the gravity gun, for some reason I had a hard time with my timing, it seemed sometimes the Ggun wouldn't even shoot sometimes, but I couldn't tell if it was me or what.
Unfair insertion - Also I didn't really like the fact that I was pushed into fighting the Antlion Guard without knowing it was there.
Well, with that, I thought the Episode was good in general and I can't wait for the next!
Whoah there. Alyx is not invinicable. I had her die a couple times while I was playing. She doesn't go down easy but she does go down, after all if she had the same health as the player you would be resarting the section of play every two minutes.
Just a note but alot of the 'extra' functionality in DirectX has been depreciated or will be in newer versions. Not that it means you can't use the functionality, it's just no longer supported in newer versions of DirectX. As long as Microsoft continues to support backward compatibility the functionality remains...but possibly buggy, or not in accordance with protocol, ect.
Obviously this guy is a noob. First of all, as was mentioned by others, why would he bother to decrypt thier files? I mean, it's like the, "you first, no you, no you" thing you did as kids. If I personally was going to do something illeagal like this, I would just delete the files then create a randomly filed file to pose as the data I encrypted. Secondly, if he was just trying to be a nice guy and really needed some money, then yeah he should have come up with a different scheme...I mean one persons pays up and posts the key on /. and everyone has the key. Wow, every time I read something like this I just want to smack someone... >:|
My gosh, what the hell is wrong with people? So I suppose if i type my name in google and someone else comes up I can sue too? Or if results for a site featuring a "gay monkey f***er?" Come on, it's not like Google is intentionally putting anything on there "site" it's a fricken search engine people!!! Grow up. Man, this is one thing that pisses me off, google has money so everyone wants a piece of free pie.
If this hasn't been mentioned or if anyone has concerns as to what Net Neutrality is there are many articles online that describe the pros and cons. Once such article is found on Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality
What I think is interesting is the fact that everyone is argueing over whether or not it's okay to delete the "cheaters" files...good or bad intentions a virus is wrong, it's like genocide on a software level, how sad. :(
Also, I do agree that the tone can be set with "smiles/emotes." if I say, "Damn you suck" it has a completely different ring if I say, "Damn you suck! :P" IF some gets offended over the second example they have personal issues that need taken care of and I know a good doctor to help! ;)
I have also used all caps to emphasize certain words which can help a lot in setting a particular tone.
The big problem in text as well with words is that of sarcasm. It doesn't matter whether it's written or said someone will take offence if they don't know you. I'm sure you will find there really isn't that many differences between the two, it just depends on attitude.
I am generally very cautious to make sure the other person understands what I'm saying and generally don't use much sarcasm until I really know the person or feel they know me.
If I feel I don't understand what someone said to me, I will ask them flat out, "What do you mean?" This gives other people a chance to explain themselves, without being jumped on like a crazed baboon.
Plain and simple, people in general are idiots. There's the saying, "You can please some people all the time, and all the people some of the time, but not all the people all of the time." It doesn't matter what you type or say there will be misunderstandings with violence!
That sounds about right...when you lack common sense you search for it!
Google Desktop 4? and it's still beta???
Apparently you don't know what "there isn't a distinction" means. I have not even been to a starbucks I'm using this as an example and you apperently don't understand what I'm saying, if there private network is unsecured in a public place along side there public network, it is public. I'm not wasting anymore time on this subject.