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Comment: Re:Programming games for kids (Score 1) 527

by bartle (#36546220) Attached to: Why Johnny Can't Code and How That Can Change
Agentsheets (the subject of the article) is actually pretty good. The coding is almost completely drag n' drop and each of the agents processes its code in parallel. The result is I think more intuitive for a mind that is not trained in computer logic. Unfortunately the product is being produced by grad students which (at least in this case) means that it's overpriced and not terribly well coded. I kinda wish they had just sold the idea to Hasbro or something - it would be running on the iPad by now.

Comment: Re:Tell them to reimburse you (Score 2) 1307

by Bakasama (#35856996) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Do I Give IT a Login On Our Dept. Server?

Tell them that the second they reimburse you for the server they can not only get a login, but they can become responsible for its maintenance and security and they had better be sure it has a solid uptime. That only seems reasonable. :-)

Nope, I'd just quietly get the MAC and blacklist it. No network traffic for you. If I'm asked to buy a CalDAV server, I'll buy real server hardware and run it in a real server room. Not under some guy's desk where the custodial staff can kick the cable.

If you're feeling REALLY confident about your value to the hospital, feel free to bet on your clout. But if that's the case, Management probably would have paid for the server if you asked.

Comment: Re:Isn't that just a network? (Score 3, Interesting) 258

by bartle (#33681468) Attached to: NSA Chief Wants Internet Partitioned For Government, 'Critical' Industries
This idea of a nationwide secure network has never made much sense to me. Creating a secure network in a small organization is pretty easy but creating one that links many public and private enterprises sounds like a disaster. Gaps will inevitably appear but worse it creates a real target for someone who wishes to create harm.

Amateur radio in the backcountry? 1

Submitted by bartle
bartle writes "I currently spend a lot of time hiking in the Colorado Rockies. Cell phone reception is very unreliable and I'm curious if carrying a small amateur radio would make any sense at all. I don't want to add too much weight to my pack so I'm uninterested in carrying a radio that weighs much more than a pound; from what I gather this would give me at best 5 to 10 watts of transmitting power. I have no idea if this is enough to be effective in a mountainous region, I'm hoping some experienced Slashdot hams could give me a clue.

I'm only interested in acquiring a radio and license if it is a lot more effective and reliable than the cell phone I already carry. Otherwise I'm probably better off just waiting for Globalstar to bring back their duplex service and buy a next generation SPOT messaging device. I know some Slashdotters will want to suggest a modern SPOT or Personal Locator Beacon; these are suitable for the worst kinds of emergency but I'll point out that reliable communication can help prevent small crises from becoming big ones.

I don't expect anyone to be able to answer this question spot on but I bet there are a few Slashdotters out there with experiences they can share. Are small, amateur radios effective in the field or are vehicle rigs really the only way to go? Or am I just best off waiting for satellite?"

Comment: Re:Heading this off--see link to juror (Score 4, Insightful) 418

by bartle (#32023630) Attached to: Rough Justice For Terry Childs
Exactly. Quoting from this post on Slashdot:

As to these configuration backups, Mr. Childs kept these on a DVD he kept with him at all times. Furthermore, this DVD was encrypted and could only be decrypted using his laptop (as the encryption program required not only a password, but access to a specific file that existed on the laptop).

Can these actions be defended as anything other than job security? Unless someone has reason to think that BengalsUF is getting the story wrong, why is there so much popular defense for this guy?

Comment: Re:Perhaps a buy one donate several model? (Score 2, Interesting) 413

by bartle (#31407100) Attached to: Disposable Toilet To Change the World
A cat-hole is not always an option, depending on where you go and the season. The current expectation is that in these situations all hikers will pack their excrement out. I've observed that most people are fine with packing out trash but draw the line at feces. I think a lot of people would be fine with carrying in a little extra weight if they could minimize their interaction with their own stool.

Comment: Re:Good but overrated (Score 1) 37

by bartle (#26473195) Attached to: <em>Braid</em>, Games As Art, and Interpretation
In general I agree with you. As a puzzle game it is outstanding but the story just leaves players dazed and confused. I've read some Blow interviews and various interpretations and the game, while very well thought out, simply does not intend to lead the player to a specific outcome. Blow used every literary device in the book but in the end couldn't make a single recognizable point.

It makes me sad that the final level has one of the most brilliant videogame twists I've ever seen but ultimately it leads nowhere. If only the game had solidly been about a man reconciling a lost relationship with no mention of the Manhattan Project.

Push where it gives and scratch where it itches.

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