I used to be a programmer with no degree. I'd like to think I was pretty darn good at it... I knew several languages (C, C++, Python, Perl, Java, and several more) that I had taught myself. I did this for about 9 years, before I finally got a degree in CS, and then got a Master's in CS shortly afterward.

One thing this did for me is open up my mind quite a bit. I'm still a good programmer, but I now know programming isn't it. There's a lot more that goes on when it comes to developing good software, and though I could code up some pretty good stuff really quickly, now my code is better, more thought out, and most importantly, I am much more likely to ask the question "Is this really the problem we're trying to solve?" leading to actually useful code instead of neat stuff it turned out really wasn't what was needed.

In addition, I'm better at interacting with people. I used to have the attitude "This makes no sense to me, therefore it's stupid" and now I realize that maybe I don't have all of the information, there's something I don't know (this is key!) which would help me understand and realize my position isn't exactly right, and so I don't just get mad and storm off anymore when things don't make sense.

Getting a degree made me a more well rounded person... I found a love for history, music and literature that I didn't quite have before. I can have conversations that don't just involve the latest tech and video games. (though I still love talking about that stuff)

I guess my point is... a degree doesn't make a great programmer, but a degree can help make a better person (which is the whole point really... it's not to "learn a trade", it's to expand your horizons and explore the world and become a critical thinker) and so given the situation, I would likely lean toward hiring a great programmer with a degree over a great programmer without one.

Wait... wasn't it ATH0? Not O... ATO was come online, ATH0 was was put the line "on hook", whereas ATH1 was take the line "off hook"...

I think you could combine ATH1 followed by ATO to essentially accomplish an ATA

Someone already rebooted Star Control II. It was called Mass Effect. :)

I'm kidding, but seriously, go play Mass Effect 1 and compare it to SC2. There are a LOT of similarities there.

For starters, check this out:

http://aliens.wikia.com/wiki/Ur-Quan_Kzer-Za
http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Thorian

Heck, the thorian's mind controlled minions are even referred to as "thralls"

You use a finger on your right hand, duh

Unity 4 (which is now in beta) supports Linux. This might be what they're waiting on as far as open sourcing it.

Keyboard? How quaint.

In my experience, 50-year-olds spend more like 90% of their time on Facebook. Sheesh, mom, we don't care what you ate for lunch!

Yeah, exactly.

There's this little thing that parents seem to forget these days called "saying no".

When my daughter would ask to go to McDonald's, I would say no. She may have thrown a fit the first few times, but I didn't let it get to me. Eventually, she stopped asking.

I see so many parents say something like "Well I don't think that's a good idea..." the kids then throw a fit and they give in to avoid the screaming. All this does is teaches them that screaming gets them what they want. It's bad for you and them in the long run.

Say no when you mean no, let them have their fits but NEVER give in. In the long run, they'll give up on the fits, and you'll both be happier.

I'd do that, except that it's been my experience that anyone who asks that question doesn't know which is which. So I usually just answer with "the one under the question mark"... it's easier that way.

If they changed it back... how do we know it wasn't a defacement hack intended to get some cheap laughs at the idea that Microsoft is racist in Poland?

I mean, that photoshop was bad enough that I could expect it from a 14 year old script kiddie... but not even the most rushed "pro" job.

I will not be impressed until a robot wins "So You Think You Can Dance"

Your G5 has two side buttons?

Yours must be newer.

Mine only has one.. I keep finding myself wishing it had a forward button. Despite that, this is the best mouse I've ever owned.

It's not like it's that hard to *get* a programming language for Windows, though.

Just download a copy of Visual [C++|C#|VB] and you can do all kinds of fun stuff.

Windows doesn't have a programming language at boot because it's an OS for the masses, and the masses would get confused by a "READY." prompt.