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Roger Wright wrote: But even a blind squirrel finds an occasional acorn
Brother Roger, I am afraid in this economy : many sighted squirrels are not finding occasional acorn.
best, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
modified on Monday, November 23, 2009 4:17 AM
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I'm intimately aware of the problem, having spent 12 years trying to find a job that paid more than a subsistence wage. I survived, and those suffering now will, too. They may not be able to continue in their chosen fields for a time, and may have to adjust their expectations some, but they'll get by. And some will probably thrive. That doesn't make it fun, as I well know.
There aren't many bright spots out there today, but I can relate that, when I joined this company we were experiencing 40% growth each year. In the past year it's been 0%. But over the past two months we've seen a growing horde of people - investor groups, mainly - approaching us with development plans for relatively large projects. The "money" is stirring again, albeit slowly, and as soon as a few commit and start the game again, things will begin to move for everyone. I don't think it's going to happen fast, but it will happen.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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The prospect of your prosperity brings me delight. best, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
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Roger Wright wrote: They just can't be sure that more will follow, so temporary help is a reasonable solution for them. This will pass, as it always has...
My recruiter seems less than positive about finding me a contracting position. I don't know whether she has fewer of them, or they pay the agency less.
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I'm sure the problem is in the sheer number of applicants relative to the available jobs. There are so many; it's unprecedented! Around here, even people who flip burgers and pound nails can't find work. But nothing remains static; even this will change in time.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Makes one wonder how they QA new laws. Or do they just apply them directly to production (read: society) and hope for the best?
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
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QA is supposed to be done by the Supreme Court, but that only happens after enough people have been hurt to cause a political firestorm, and always takes years. Even then it's a crapshoot, as the Supreme Court has for the past 40 years taken upon itself to usurp the powers granted only to Congress to make law instead of interpret it, it's only legitimate function. In simple terms, the legislative process is currently running open loop, and anyone who has survived a class in elementary control systems knows where that leads... There are a number of poles on the right side of the plane at the moment; things are bound to get interesting. 
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Good discourse! I especially like the idea of legislation that doesn't rob Peter to pay Paul. When you rob Peter to pay Paul, Peter is going to get sore, and no one can have fun with a sore Peter.
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Roger Wright wrote: no one can have fun with a sore Peter
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
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Right On! 
Personally, I love the idea that Raymond spends his nights posting bad regexs to mailing lists under the pseudonym of Jane Smith. He'd be like a super hero, only more nerdy and less useful. [Trevel]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server
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Oh man... I'll be laughing all day over that!
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Yup. The average social or legal problem is about as complicated as the average programming problem...
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Nice thought.
But there are some unpleasant realities that go with that.
The minute any money gets associated with a new law that money becomes somebody's "rice bowl".
So they fight tooth and nail to keep that money flowing. The expression as I recall is "someone's ox is gored".
When they killed off the Volstead Amendment (Prohibition in America) they had to go and get a whole other Amendment to do it.
The twenty-first. It's almost like the law is built like a series of vectors rather than a base.
I do like what are called "Sunset Clauses" which cause a law to expire if it isn't reinstated by the legislature.
They're a modern idea to do approximately what you ask; that the code be rolled back if the legislature is not happy with how it is working.
So, for example there are several tax cuts that were brought in during the Bush (W, not HW) that are set to expire. The dems now control every element that would renew them, and they won't renew those. (This is not a soapbox about an opinion on that subject, simply a statement of what is going on to illustrate the point).
On a lesser scale, there is a highway in the Denver Metro Area that is a Turnpike from I-25 to Boulder. It was originally a toll road and was set to expire when the road was payed for (maintenance being a different issue). When it got paid for, the toll ended. The state certainly could have come up with a 'change' to the original law to make it last longer or become permanent.
Now it is quite common for the people who run for office to be lawyers. If you are suggesting that almost any other profession could do at least as good a job you are probably on to something.
_____________________________
Every app cloud has a user whining.
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Now it is quite common for the people who run for office to be lawyers. If you are suggesting that almost any other profession could do at least as good a job you are probably on to something.
The original intent was for common folk to go to DC (or state gov't) and work for a few years, then return to private life (consent of the governed and all that). We've drifted far away from that ideal. Now we have political dynasties like the Kennedys and Bushes (Bush's?), and lifetime politicians like Robert Byrd and others. As much as anyone, the K Street lawyers and lobbyists run Washington. The longer one stays in DC, the more he / she is owned by the lobbyists.
As far as I'm concerned the whole bunch needs to step down.
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Even though there is good evidence most software engineering problems increase with amount of code, we try to solve them with more code. See a pattern?
We deal with stable platforms that behave consistently no matter what you throw at them. The same is our ideal component. People, on the other hand, behave a whole lotta different depending on what you throw.
We do know how to analyze changes rippling through a system - but we also want to minimize that. So legislation would be more of a Daily WTF - style maintenance job from hell than building the next killer app.
Our mantra is "never change a running system" - we'd end up far on the conservative spectrum, in one pool with revanchist conservatives and eco-nazis.
Just some thoughts.
Personally, I love the idea that Raymond spends his nights posting bad regexs to mailing lists under the pseudonym of Jane Smith. He'd be like a super hero, only more nerdy and less useful. [Trevel]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server
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Good points, all. I tend to be just right of center on most issues, and often just go berserk over the lack of common sense in US legislation. We have people running the country who I wouldn't trust to run a lemonade stand.
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They would parse documents to realise laws about to be passed are stupid and unenforceable.
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Heading back in after my latest bout with a brain biopsy.
Taking it easy by heading in on a short week, but I have to admit the feeling is still a bit unnerving, and I know there are going to be more than a few uncomfortable people there.
Not sure how long I am going to be back since I have not officially started radiation treatments yet and I have no no idea how they are going to hit me, but it is time that I get back in the saddle I guess.
It has been a really weird trip and as things go it is going to get weirder, I am sure.
If there is anyone out there with some words of advice about how to handle a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole, I am listening.
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I have every hope that the therapy will result in a complete cure. As for advice, I haven't any. My stepfather died a few years ago of a brain cancer, and while no one's passing is pleasant, he experienced no pain and no lingering illness. It seems to get better, or get worse - either way, it's quick.
On a lighter note, as I see you definitely have not lost your sense of humour, there was a book based on the characters from the TV show M*A*S*H called MASH Goes to Maine. In that book, one of the characters was misdiagnosed with brain cancer, and he took it as license to do all the socially unacceptable things he'd always wanted to do. And all the busybody neighbors could do was look on and shake their heads in understanding, "poor man... leave him be." Some might consider this an opportunity. Read it, and perhaps you'll have a few good ideas of your own! 
I do pray for the best, Ray... It is going to be decidedly odd going back to work, but if you feel ready for it, your coworkers will just have to deal with it. I suspect that the best possible thing in the world for you now is to get back to doing what you like doing, and work's a big part of that. Enjoy, and best of luck. And if there are any pinchable pretty girls in the office, well...
"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"
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Thanks for the kinds words and great advice. I loved MASH and will have to dig up copy of that book.
Ideas, ideas, ideas 
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Ray Cassick wrote: and I know there are going to be more than a few uncomfortable people there.
Yes. And they'll follow the leader in the group on how they treat you. If they are generally pretty mature then you should get through it without too much trouble. If their de-facto social leader is an okay person then s/he will put the rest in line by example.
In spite of the fact that this is a life-changing experience you are still the same person you were. When they figure that out they'll get over it.
Keep in mind, what you do isn't the only factor. Their character will affect the outcome of this as well.
Most offices I've worked in would have been able to handle it, so I doubt you'll have problems.
_____________________________
Every app cloud has a user whining.
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smcnulty2000 wrote: In spite of the fact that this is a life-changing experience you are still the same person you were.
Hope so. No one has told me that I have changed, but I know I have a few memory gaps around the seizures that I have had. Feels odd, kind of like an alien abduction thing when I think back and try to remember them and what the wife tells me. I seem to have lost almost a complete two days at one point because of my first seizure.
Very odd feeling actually.
I know I work with a great bunch of folks...
Thanks for the advice.
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The worst thing they can do is walk on eggshells, they should let you get on with things.
Tell them that.
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Yeah, the problem with that is that I am (was) the lead architect on two projects and a SME on another when this happened, and they are all three now in at very least a yellow status.
I get your idea though. I intend to to that, as best I can.
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