Did Slashdot really receive only one submission for this story? It's really a horrible selection to put on the front page, given its horrible grammar.
Engadget has an interview with Jack Valenti, the outgoing president of the MPAA and the object of hatred for many hacker after he took he on DVD Jon, who is retiring tomorrow after more than three decades on the job.
He took he? On DVD Jon, who is retiring tomorrow?
when he says stuff like
Yeah, shame on Engadget, and stuff.
but it is at least slightly encouraging to hear that he owns a TiVo.
This is similar to the MS Security Manager running Firefox news bit. Because Jack Valenti owns and enjoys a TiVo, means he condones all aspects of the technology? No, it's more likely Jack Valenti likes to use a TiVo as a new-fangled VCR.
"The MPAA, NFL and other sports leagues attempted to convince the agency that the devices pose a threat to copyrighted works and could be used to broadcast games where they are blacked out. FCC commissioners disagreed, finding that the fears were unfounded. MPAA chief Jack Valenti, who will step down next month, personally lobbied all five commissioners, FCC sources said."
just that the gaps you describe might be a bit exaggerated
It probably is - and I've mistakenly mentioned that is for fresh out of college (it actually is an average in the industry).
It came from the Time article (a mirror to the article is posted in a reply to this thread), and the statistics are also cited in this article about the same topic.
I don't follow this. Are you suggesting it belongs elsewhere?
Let's look at another case - university costs have gone up 10% over the past year across the nation, for various reasons. Should the administrators be compensated with a pay raise because they're managed to keep the college going through tought times?
You'll probably argue that this isn't the job market. But would you be satisfied if you end up paying raised education costs for a computer science program, only to find yourself in a barren tech industry?
No, dumping refers to selling a product at a price below its value to damage competition.
American tech workers are overpaid. That's becoming apparent. But by completely cutting jobs instead of reducing wages, what chances are corporations giving the working class?
So the American corporations (of doom) are sending jobs to foreign companies to save some cash. Considering Indian IT workers have a wage of $10,000 compared to the $60,000 of fresh out of college Americans, that adds up. The pay raises usually end up in the pockets of the business owners.
But weren't the same American business owners, albeit in other industries, complaining about other countries making money by importing goods to the US and competing with the traditional businesses? Isn't that what the entire anti-dumping, WTO policies are about?
There was a mainstream article on Time magazine entitled Where the Good Jobs Are Going. (Premium, pay article) which you might want to take a look at if you have access to it.
My initial reaction to reading this was, 'so what?' After all, UPS and FedEx do this to their packages, and it's particularly useful for online purchases.
From page xvii of the report: "Intelligent Mail could allow the Postal Service to permit mail-tracking and other in-demand services via a robust website..."
So it seems like they're going the UPS/FedEx route, and making it a useful tool for users of the postal system.
However, later on in the report (pp. 147-148): "Intelligent Mail's Security Applications Should be Aggressively Pursued"... "Requiring all mail to identify its sender would likely have a negligible impact on most users...[they] would consider such a requirement a relatively modest concession to ensure their safety"
They're using the same flawed argument that they used in many post-9/11 dealings, including the Patriot Act. Great.
If you're still concerned with algebra, this won't come in handy until later in your studies.
Keep in mind that during the 80s-90s (I think), there was a revolution of sorts in the way calculus was taught in colleges. Professors supporting this reform movement wanted students to understand the concepts instead of memorizing the formulas.
Sounds good, right? Only in concept (no pun intended).
To truly appreciate this reform, you'd need to take classes where this curriculum is being used. Just picking up a textbook using this method will probably confuse you, as it's not suppemented by the teacher's explanations and other methods of instruction.
That said, here are some common textbooks used in calculus courses today. While I know you'll probably be doing a lot of self-study, just having a regular textbook is helpful for obtaining practice problems and clarification.
James Stewart, "Calculus" Finney, Weir, Giordano, "Thomas' Calculus" Hughes-Hallett, "Calculus" (Don't buy this - it's full of horrible explanations, imho) Larson, "Calculus with Analytic Geometry"
There are "for Dummies" books that cover many of the topics you've listed. I was never fond of them, but you may want to take a look at them.
The biggest problem when you're undertaking a self-study endeavour is that most books that are available are either - Very specialized topics (What does pi mean?) - Refresher-course books (Lots of problems, few explanations)
The specialized topics books - commonly reviewed in magazines such as Scientific American - are fun to read, but I'm not sure if they serve the purpose of what you're seeking.
How much of algebra do you know? If you can look through the table of contents of a textbook for Algebra I and II and are confident in all the topics, then I'd move on to geometry/trigonometry before calculus.
Also, keep in mind that conceptual physics texts are divided between algebra-based and calculus-based reasoning. Take whichever you're more comfortable with.
I hardly use cursive, if at all. Most assignments and written items are printed, to increase legibility.
What really bothers me, though, is the fact that kids are starting to use net speak in their school assignments. '4' instead of 'for', 'u' for 'you'... the usual sights of an AIM conversation are moving to formal, typed essays.
As opposed to changing the method of writing (cursive to typed), AIM speak is completely mutilating the language. Some argue that it's an evolution of the language; I find it stupid and lazy.
Not many students care about their essays, but using AIM speak is worse than using slang, which is also too common.
This news comes at a time when DSL prices are beginning to be slashed. Verizon has lowered their service costs by upwards of 30%, while SBC offers promotional offers.
I switched to SBC/Yahoo DSL last December, and I pay $39.99/month with the promotional offer. The same service is now being offered at $29.99.
If cable providers are forced to increase rates, I'm sure DSL companies will be willing to lower costs (at least for an extended period of time), in order to drive potential customers away from cable.
Of course, Earthlink DSL has announced that they are actually increasing rates; but that doesn't affect much of the broadband-aware states that have signed the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Including my state of California.
DNA is [like] spaghetti code because nature has been tinkering with the system for billions of years like a bad programmer.
How ignorant of you to say that. There was an article in the Feb. 2003 issue of Scientific American about genetic programming - the creation of new devices and electronic circuity by computer.
It basically involves starting out the core components (resistors, inductors, capacitors, etc) and a design (for a voltage-current converter, perhaps). A supercomputer is able to rewire the circuit through basic evolutionary processes including crossover, copying, and extinction, and come up with a much more efficient circuit.
The resulting circuitry is so effective and original that there have been designs that earned approval from the patent office. They're so complex, much like nature's genetic code.
Sure, it might look like spaghetti code - but you mean to tell me, nature is a bad programmer? Heh.
So now will we'll be able to tell if she's wearing the "I'm getting lucky tonight" panties or the "He's not worth more than dinner" panties. Might help us decide how much to spend on the date.
A quick search on Google News reveals a Register article stating that the city council of San Francisco voted last month to ban the Segway.
How far are we into January, again?
And San Francisco already has a booming bike population, AFAIK (currently dwindling, from what I hear), so it's not too much of a big deal for most of its citizens. Also keep in mind that many other states/cities actually support or allow Segways on their streets.
Amusingly enough, TechTV, the cable channel that often reviews new gadgets, is based in San Francisco. Guess they'll have to review the Segway in some studio.
Do them a favor and download from the Sundance site instead of the GNN. They have a distributed, Akamai-like system for viewing the flick.
You get the film, the GNN doesn't spend money on bandwidth, and noone feels too guilty about slashdotting a film-specializing site like Sundance. Everyone wins.
Oops. The second link is referring to the DVD release of Futurama. The first season is coming March 2003. (The UK already have this on sale, I believe, as Region 2)
2. Chat Transcript: 20th Century Fox A chat transcript, including Peter Staddon of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. [peterstaddon] There are so many TV titles coming down the road that I don't know where to start/ Futurama, The Shield, King of the hill, Son of the Beach, nypd Blue, Dark Angel, Angel, Family Guy, and probably a couple that I've overlooked as well. There's more than enough to keep you watching tv 24/7 .
Forgive me, but it's 2am, so one of my reactions to the article included "oooh, pictures."
Using organic materials for data seemed to be perfect with cybernetics and other cyborg-esque technology; however, this idea is far from it. It's more closer, it seems, to Morse code - it apparently uses differing amounts and timings of water droplets to signify the color of the particular pixel.
In addition, the packets are supported by gravity; hard to imagine how this could be done in a horizontal setting - I'm sure most of you know how fluids and pressure work. (Difficult to pass packets of water horizontally)
Slashdot Mirror
Did Slashdot really receive only one submission for this story? It's really a horrible selection to put on the front page, given its horrible grammar.
Engadget has an interview with Jack Valenti, the outgoing president of the MPAA and the object of hatred for many hacker after he took he on DVD Jon, who is retiring tomorrow after more than three decades on the job.
He took he? On DVD Jon, who is retiring tomorrow?
when he says stuff like
Yeah, shame on Engadget, and stuff.
but it is at least slightly encouraging to hear that he owns a TiVo.
This is similar to the MS Security Manager running Firefox news bit. Because Jack Valenti owns and enjoys a TiVo, means he condones all aspects of the technology? No, it's more likely Jack Valenti likes to use a TiVo as a new-fangled VCR.
Let's see what Google turned up:
"The MPAA, NFL and other sports leagues attempted to convince the agency that the devices pose a threat to copyrighted works and could be used to broadcast games where they are blacked out. FCC commissioners disagreed, finding that the fears were unfounded. MPAA chief Jack Valenti, who will step down next month, personally lobbied all five commissioners, FCC sources said."
just that the gaps you describe might be a bit exaggerated
It probably is - and I've mistakenly mentioned that is for fresh out of college (it actually is an average in the industry).
It came from the Time article (a mirror to the article is posted in a reply to this thread), and the statistics are also cited in this article about the same topic.
I don't follow this. Are you suggesting it belongs elsewhere?
Let's look at another case - university costs have gone up 10% over the past year across the nation, for various reasons. Should the administrators be compensated with a pay raise because they're managed to keep the college going through tought times?
You'll probably argue that this isn't the job market. But would you be satisfied if you end up paying raised education costs for a computer science program, only to find yourself in a barren tech industry?
No, dumping refers to selling a product at a price below its value to damage competition.
American tech workers are overpaid. That's becoming apparent. But by completely cutting jobs instead of reducing wages, what chances are corporations giving the working class?
So the American corporations (of doom) are sending jobs to foreign companies to save some cash. Considering Indian IT workers have a wage of $10,000 compared to the $60,000 of fresh out of college Americans, that adds up. The pay raises usually end up in the pockets of the business owners.
But weren't the same American business owners, albeit in other industries, complaining about other countries making money by importing goods to the US and competing with the traditional businesses? Isn't that what the entire anti-dumping, WTO policies are about?
There was a mainstream article on Time magazine entitled Where the Good Jobs Are Going. (Premium, pay article) which you might want to take a look at if you have access to it.
An Airzooka.
Granted, it's not as big of a deal as they make it, but it's more effective than a smoke ring.
My initial reaction to reading this was, 'so what?' After all, UPS and FedEx do this to their packages, and it's particularly useful for online purchases.
...
From page xvii of the report:
"Intelligent Mail could allow the Postal Service to permit mail-tracking and other in-demand services via a robust website..."
So it seems like they're going the UPS/FedEx route, and making it a useful tool for users of the postal system.
However, later on in the report (pp. 147-148):
"Intelligent Mail's Security Applications Should be Aggressively Pursued"
"Requiring all mail to identify its sender would likely have a negligible impact on most users...[they] would consider such a requirement a relatively modest concession to ensure their safety"
They're using the same flawed argument that they used in many post-9/11 dealings, including the Patriot Act. Great.
This comment is often mentioned in news reports to show the economic crisis in North Korea.
For a more clear image, look at this GIF from the U. Colorado at Boulder.
If you're still concerned with algebra, this won't come in handy until later in your studies.
Keep in mind that during the 80s-90s (I think), there was a revolution of sorts in the way calculus was taught in colleges. Professors supporting this reform movement wanted students to understand the concepts instead of memorizing the formulas.
Sounds good, right? Only in concept (no pun intended).
To truly appreciate this reform, you'd need to take classes where this curriculum is being used. Just picking up a textbook using this method will probably confuse you, as it's not suppemented by the teacher's explanations and other methods of instruction.
That said, here are some common textbooks used in calculus courses today. While I know you'll probably be doing a lot of self-study, just having a regular textbook is helpful for obtaining practice problems and clarification.
James Stewart, "Calculus"
Finney, Weir, Giordano, "Thomas' Calculus"
Hughes-Hallett, "Calculus" (Don't buy this - it's full of horrible explanations, imho)
Larson, "Calculus with Analytic Geometry"
There are "for Dummies" books that cover many of the topics you've listed. I was never fond of them, but you may want to take a look at them.
The biggest problem when you're undertaking a self-study endeavour is that most books that are available are either
- Very specialized topics (What does pi mean?)
- Refresher-course books (Lots of problems, few explanations)
The specialized topics books - commonly reviewed in magazines such as Scientific American - are fun to read, but I'm not sure if they serve the purpose of what you're seeking.
How much of algebra do you know? If you can look through the table of contents of a textbook for Algebra I and II and are confident in all the topics, then I'd move on to geometry/trigonometry before calculus.
Also, keep in mind that conceptual physics texts are divided between algebra-based and calculus-based reasoning. Take whichever you're more comfortable with.
Some 'refresher-course' books that will come in handy with the conceptual books that others may suggest:
Schaum's Outlines
Research & Education Association's Problem Solvers series
CliffsNotes and SparkNotes
I hardly use cursive, if at all. Most assignments and written items are printed, to increase legibility.
What really bothers me, though, is the fact that kids are starting to use net speak in their school assignments. '4' instead of 'for', 'u' for 'you'... the usual sights of an AIM conversation are moving to formal, typed essays.
As opposed to changing the method of writing (cursive to typed), AIM speak is completely mutilating the language. Some argue that it's an evolution of the language; I find it stupid and lazy.
Not many students care about their essays, but using AIM speak is worse than using slang, which is also too common.
This news comes at a time when DSL prices are beginning to be slashed. Verizon has lowered their service costs by upwards of 30%, while SBC offers promotional offers.
I switched to SBC/Yahoo DSL last December, and I pay $39.99/month with the promotional offer. The same service is now being offered at $29.99.
If cable providers are forced to increase rates, I'm sure DSL companies will be willing to lower costs (at least for an extended period of time), in order to drive potential customers away from cable.
Of course, Earthlink DSL has announced that they are actually increasing rates; but that doesn't affect much of the broadband-aware states that have signed the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Including my state of California.
I think the bosses upstairs would be worried for other reasons when they start seeing employees that look up AK-47 information at the workplace..
The last link is about genetic programming; I just typo'ed 'genetic engineering'.
Carry on...
DNA is [like] spaghetti code because nature has been tinkering with the system for billions of years like a bad programmer.
How ignorant of you to say that. There was an article in the Feb. 2003 issue of Scientific American about genetic programming - the creation of new devices and electronic circuity by computer.
It basically involves starting out the core components (resistors, inductors, capacitors, etc) and a design (for a voltage-current converter, perhaps). A supercomputer is able to rewire the circuit through basic evolutionary processes including crossover, copying, and extinction, and come up with a much more efficient circuit.
The resulting circuitry is so effective and original that there have been designs that earned approval from the patent office. They're so complex, much like nature's genetic code.
Sure, it might look like spaghetti code - but you mean to tell me, nature is a bad programmer? Heh.
Google search on genetic programming
Everything2: Genetic programming
What is Genetic Engineering?
AOL Time-Warner - WB, HBO, Cinemax, CNN, TBS
General Electric - NBC, A&E, Bravo, MuchMusic
Viacom - CBS, UPN, MTV, VH1, Showtime, Nickelodeon
Walt Disney Company - ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN
Liberty Media Corp. - Discovery Channel, TLC, USA Networks, Sci-Fi Channel
AT&T Corp. - Many shared stakes with AOL-TW
News Corp. - Fox Network, FX
Bertelsmann - Largest European broadcaster
Vivendi Universal - USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, HSN, Sundance
Sony - Telemundo, Game Show Network
More detailed information available at The Nation.
Yes. In fact, it was in the article.
Public Comments Filing for Media Ownership Policy Reexamination
Public "People's Forum" on Media Ownership, at Phoenix, Arizona (April 7)
So now will we'll be able to tell if she's wearing the "I'm getting lucky tonight" panties or the "He's not worth more than dinner" panties. Might help us decide how much to spend on the date.
So.. into crossdressing gentlemen, I see?
Not necessarily.
When Google bought out DejaNews (as the article point out), they made a section entitled Google Groups, separate from the main site.
You don't see newsgroup posts on your usual searches, do you?
A quick search on Google News reveals a Register article stating that the city council of San Francisco voted last month to ban the Segway.
How far are we into January, again?
And San Francisco already has a booming bike population, AFAIK (currently dwindling, from what I hear), so it's not too much of a big deal for most of its citizens. Also keep in mind that many other states/cities actually support or allow Segways on their streets.
Amusingly enough, TechTV, the cable channel that often reviews new gadgets, is based in San Francisco. Guess they'll have to review the Segway in some studio.
Do them a favor and download from the Sundance site instead of the GNN. They have a distributed, Akamai-like system for viewing the flick.
You get the film, the GNN doesn't spend money on bandwidth, and noone feels too guilty about slashdotting a film-specializing site like Sundance. Everyone wins.
Bruce Eckel's been releasing his programming books electronically for the past few years. (Not sure of its licensing, however)
This is probably one of the first cases of a publisher supporting this, however.
Oops. The second link is referring to the DVD release of Futurama. The first season is coming March 2003. (The UK already have this on sale, I believe, as Region 2)
1. Its Official - Futurama will be part of Cartoon Networks "Adult Swim" from Jan. 2003
Although Cartoon Network has a 5-year contract for Futurama, 20th Century Fox has the right to sell to syndication if TV stations show an interest in buying the reruns.
2. Chat Transcript: 20th Century Fox
A chat transcript, including Peter Staddon of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
[peterstaddon] There are so many TV titles coming down the road that I don't know where to start/ Futurama, The Shield, King of the hill, Son of the Beach, nypd Blue, Dark Angel, Angel, Family Guy, and probably a couple that I've overlooked as well. There's more than enough to keep you watching tv 24/7 .
Forgive me, but it's 2am, so one of my reactions to the article included "oooh, pictures."
Using organic materials for data seemed to be perfect with cybernetics and other cyborg-esque technology; however, this idea is far from it. It's more closer, it seems, to Morse code - it apparently uses differing amounts and timings of water droplets to signify the color of the particular pixel.
In addition, the packets are supported by gravity; hard to imagine how this could be done in a horizontal setting - I'm sure most of you know how fluids and pressure work. (Difficult to pass packets of water horizontally)
So, anyone have good uses for this 'protocol'?
Many of their lists, while nostalgic, is always the "Top 10 Games Released Before the Invention of the Light Bulb".
There's plenty of miserable games in recent years - Daikatana, anyone?