I was told that there was a version in existance with new levels, weapons and features and it only needed "polishing" and optimization to hit the market. After numerous requests for this version, I found out that there was no such thing and that Art Data Interactive was under the false impression that all anyone needed to do to port a game from one platform to another was just to compile the code and adding weapons was as simple as dropping in the art.

I would have quit or renegotiated, not death marched to finish on time. It sounds like the client clearly misrepresented the amount of work to be done - either through ignorance, incompetence, or malice. None of which is my problem as the contracted programmer. Maybe I don't understand how these sorts of gigs work being I'm salaried at a large company. If someone hires me to do X amount of work in Y time for Z money, and it turns out I have to do 2X work because of their misrepresentation of the situation, why would I death march to do that? If I were getting a percentage of revenue and expected a big payout if I made a deadline (in time for Christmas), I probably would. But as a flat-fee gig, no? Perhaps there's a "passion" and "pride" factor involved. Anyone care to enlighten me?

I would consider COBOL to be computer science history. It may not be too useful in itself, but it shows where we came from and how things used to be. Someone willing to take that kind of class seems more dedicated to the realm of CS than someone just trying to get their MSCE or certificate in the latest fad.

I visited a milking ranch once and the rancher told me the cows tend to line up to be milked in a regular order. There is a hierarchy in the herd and the lower status cows get the back of the line. A change in the order indicates something is up

It's amazing to me how "scientists" often know very little about the things they are studying. Ask someone who actually WORKS in the field and they can tell the scientists all sorts of information. The scientists may still be useful to measure and quantify the common knowledge, but it is hardly a new discovery.

Southwest's Facebook page is filled with people bickering about the incident - one side calling SW bad names and the other defending the agent's actions.

I'm sure that is not the sort of traffic SW wants filling their page. I expect this guy will get some kind of free lifetime perk, the agent will be sent for niceness training, and SW corporate will apologize profusely.

I also wouldn't be surprised if some sleazy lawyers reach out to the guy to go after SW.

Alcohol stoves are fairly popular with backpackers. Would this powder be an effective way to carry more fuel? Would it be a fire hazard - especially if it became airborne?

The disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant continues to be mismanaged. Incompetence and corruption abound and give a giant black eye to nuclear power in general.

healthcare.gov is a great example of corruption in government contracts and the cost of rolling out something that isn't done. Maybe nerds around the world will now have another line for over-eager managers: "Do you want another healthcare.gov?"

- Jasen.

That's an interesting statistic.

If you get in an accident in a gas powered car the likelihood of it catching fire (and presumably doing extensive damage to the vehicle) is low. But in the Tesla the chances of your car burning up are much higher?

But that assumes the amount of damage caused by a fire is catastrophic. Now we need stats on how much damage is done by fires to know how bad catching fire really is.

- Jasen.

The negative stories in financial press are designed to drive down the stock price. Then the buddies of the press - or the people the analysts really work for - can pick up shares on the dip. Or they can warn their buddies that a negative story is coming out and work the options angle.

- Jasen.

I suggest Denver. Huge open area where people are herded into a giant square of snaking lines. And the queue of people is separated from the totally uncontrolled space by a few flimsy mobile walls.

It's a ridiculously soft target. To think that any real terrorist would risk getting on a plane rather than hit the juicy target the security screening line presents is stupid.

If I recall correctly less than 50% of the eligible electorate bother to vote. So all those people are not "voting for them anyway".

They should be. But for not voting. However their choices have been severely limited by the two major parties that have rigged the system so that third parties don't have a chance.

- Jasen.

A friend of mine and the group of guys he works with on a nearby Army base got fired on Tuesday. They MIGHT all get hired back once the government turns on again. For now, they collect state unemployment and look for other work.

If you read the original source, they did start with a different platform.
"I started building a small Mini ITX PC and put it inside a metal frame. Using some parts from a low mode cage from an elderly Glidecam V20, I mounted the camera with odds and ends into a basic camera shape. It was magnificently sucky; The computer heat failed within a week!"
The Mac mini can also run on "unregulated 12V power when the power supply was removed; this was a huge discovery! It removed the need to add any voltage regulation into the camera design." - Jasen.

The story is about the coming rise in contract workers. With lots of semi-retired baby-boomers around, companies will need to hire far fewer full-time employees. All the geezers will be happy to put in 10-20 hours a week with no expectation of benefits or a high wage - If they've planned properly, they have retirement income. Contract work should be a nice supplement, not their entire income.

If I'm a hiring manager, I can choose a full-time employee with required health, retirement, etc. benefits, or I can contract some old-guy who knows his way around and pay him more hourly but much less when the entire compensation package is computed.

I am left handed. That is not "normal". I am not offended.

You mean like Bandcamp? - Jasen.