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Comment Re:Not really important if somewhat proficient (Score 1) 545

by headbone (#34704434) Attached to: Does Typing Speed Really Matter For Programmers?

It does help a little to have some typing speed, but haste makes waste.

When it comes to typing speed, I disagree. Yes, much of my programming is sitting and thinking, but once I decide how to tackle a certain difficult task, and sort it out in my head, I wish I could type faster. (I touch-type approx. 70 wpm and am missing my right index finger.) Sometimes I write pseudo code to be filled in later so that I can get my inspiration poured out of my brain. I think experience, rather than typing speed will create better code. I (typically) no longer make common mistakes like = when I meant := etc. A good programmer that can type fast will likely code faster than a good programmer that types slow. That said, though, I do agree that a rushed project facing a looming deadline will suffer, and there, indeed, haste will make waste.
Idle

Axe Cop Trailer 8

Posted by samzenpus from the gonna-have-to-use-uni-baby dept.
The greatest action movie ever made. Written by a 5-year-old boy.
Programming

The 25 Most Dangerous Programming Errors 534

Posted by samzenpus from the spilling-your-soda dept.
Hugh Pickens writes "The Register reports that experts from some 30 organizations worldwide have compiled 2010's list of the 25 most dangerous programming errors along with a novel way to prevent them: by drafting contracts that hold developers responsible when bugs creep into applications. The 25 flaws are the cause of almost every major cyber attack in recent history, including the ones that recently struck Google and 33 other large companies, as well as breaches suffered by military systems and millions of small business and home users. The top 25 entries are prioritized using inputs from over 20 different organizations, who evaluated each weakness based on prevalence and importance. Interestingly enough the classic buffer overflow ranked 3rd in the list while Cross-site Scripting and SQL Injection are considered the 1-2 punch of security weaknesses in 2010. Security experts say business customers have the means to foster safer products by demanding that vendors follow common-sense safety measures such as verifying that all team members successfully clear a background investigation and be trained in secure programming techniques. 'As a customer, you have the power to influence vendors to provide more secure products by letting them know that security is important to you,' the introduction to the list states and includes a draft contract with the terms customers should request to enable buyers of custom software to make code writers responsible for checking the code and for fixing security flaws before software is delivered."
Programming

"Logan's Run" Syndrome In Programming 599

Posted by CmdrTaco from the stay-off-my-lawn dept.
Ian Lamont writes "InfoWorld has an interesting analysis of the reasons behind the relative dearth of programmers over the age of 40. While some people may assume that the recession has provided a handy cover for age discrimination, a closer look suggests that it's the nature of IT itself to push its elderly workers out, in what the article describes as a 'Logan's Run'-like marketplace. A bunch of factors are listed as reasons, including management's misunderstanding of the ways in which developers work: 'Any developer can tell you that not all C or PHP or Java programmers are created equal; some are vastly more productive or creative. However, unless or until there is a way to explicitly demonstrate the productivity differential between a good programmer and a mediocre one, inexperienced or nontechnical hiring managers tend to look at resumes with an eye for youth, under the "more bang for the buck" theory. Cheaper young 'uns will work longer hours and produce more code. The very concept of viewing experience as an asset for raising productivity is a non-factor — much to the detriment of the developer workplace.'"
Upgrades

Some Users Say Win7 Wants To Remove iTunes, Google Toolbar 570

Posted by timothy from the you-choose-the-teapot-you-choose-the-tempest dept.
Foofoobar writes "Due to a strike with the UK's postal system, people in Great Britain are getting copies of Windows 7 early and have already posted their experiences about the install process. Some have an easy time but others post installs taking 3 hours including Windows asking them to remove iTunes and Google toolbar prior to installation." The article indicates that many of these early users, though, are having better luck.

Submission + - Dilbert's Scott Adams is sensitive about popup ads

Submitted by headbone
headbone writes: I sent a message complaining about popup ads to the Dilbert website via my hotmail account (from work.) A couple of days later his only response was to ban my IP address. The site loads but not the comic, and the links are stroked out. The site loads fine at home. That means thirty five people in my building can't read Dilbert online anymore. What a maroon.

Particularly irked by one popup, this is what I sent:

        You must be aware of the popularity of popups. They aren't appreciated. Your site has popups that get past my popup blocker and then resist being closed. I'm sure the reason you support such tactics simply involves money. I'm disappointed, Mr. Adams. Isn't your site popular enough to attract a higher caliber of advertiser? This crap should be beneath you: "Are you sure you want to navigate away from this page? WAIT! Are you really sure you want to go. This opportunity could change your life forever. We were serious, you can get money for almost anything from the government. Click CANCEL in this window to stay on the page and get that much closer to getting the grant you deserve. Press OK to continue, or Cancel to stay on the current page."

I'm stunned. I will no longer read the strip. Poor Mr. Adams; I think I hurt his little feelings.

Submission + - Windows 7 Demands Removal of Competitors Software (theregister.co.uk)

Submitted by Foofoobar
Foofoobar writes: Due to a strike with the UK's postal system, people in Great Britain are getting copies of Windows 7 early and have already posted their experiences about the install process. Some have an easy time but others post installs taking 3 hours including Windows asking them to remove iTunes and Google toolbar prior to installation.
Mars

Submission + - Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars trip (physorg.com)

Submitted by anglico
anglico writes: Starting in 2010, an international crew of six will simulate a 520-day round-trip to Mars, including a 30-day stay on the martian surface. In reality, they will live and work in a sealed facility in Moscow, Russia, to investigate the psychological and medical aspects of a long-duration space mission. ESA is looking for European volunteers to take part.
Handhelds

Submission + - Replacement for Palm PDA? 1

Submitted by owlmon
owlmon writes: I have been using PalmOS devices for years. Now, the stars in this universe are blinking out, one by one. I am searching for a replacement device. I wish to duplicate properties such as
1. Convenient access to personal information, including contacts and appointments.
2. Simple backup/restore of all data.
3. No storage of personal data on OPS (other peoples' servers)!
4. Small and easy to use.
5. Stable software and hardware.
6. Third party developers.

The best approximation I have found so far is Apple's Ipod Touch. In second place, an HP Mini (netbook). Neither of these devices has all of the advantages of a Palm PDA. Suggestions?

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