I agree. I really have no problem paying to watch a film; I just don't want paying for it to be a painful, unreliable experience. The way these discussions go on Slashdot, you'd think there was an attempt to make free content illegal.

I find your lucid argument compelling and wish to know more.

My point stands: the reviewers in this case are neither authoritative nor independent. Suggesting this passed review with flying colours, then, is drawing a rather long bow. And that's granting the imprimatur of journal peer review in the first place, which, having been on both sides of the fence, I don't.

Take that with a pinch of salt. His latest 'recursive fury' paper was reviewed (only) by two postgrads, both of whom he references several times in the paper.

Either way, you should find out the story Lewandowsky isn't telling (just google for it) and make your own mind up whether this guy is being honest or just telling you what you might want to hear.

You must know some astounding programmers. I've been doing this for thirty years, I've a PhD in the subject, and I still grab people to review my code (wherein they often find something to fix). Maybe your experience of code reviews has been adversarial? They shouldn't be like that at all.

I don't know why you were down-voted (well, other than this is Slashdot where egos are fragile things).

I completely agree: I want my code to be reviewed for two reasons. First, a second pair of eyes invariably catches a problem I've missed, even if it's not having adequately explained my code. Second, I want to show off how cool my code is and set a target to aim for :-)

(1) Code reviews. At first, just get 'em to grab a passer by to look at their code prior to check-in. If the PB cannot understand what they've done, they haven't finished the job. Later on you can upgrade to more stringent reviews, but the first thing is to get *some* reviews happening *at all*.

(2) Comments and (some) documentation. You need to lead by example. This stuff isn't optional.

(3) Unit testing. If your code base is a pig, you'll need to start somewhere and begin teasing out the "bits that think" (easier to UT) from the "bits that talk to things" (these are harder to UT and you can get away with integration testing here until you're in better shape). Unit testing is a skill anyone can learn. Sack 'em if they refuse to do it!

(4) Simplify your processes and your architecture where possible. Avoid trendy bandwagons. If the obvious thing works and is maintainable, then that is probably the best way to go.

Allow me to illuminate you.

(1) My point, which I assume was obvious to other people, regarding having a modern version of Android on my 'Fire was precisely that I have it to compare against Windows Phone 7.5 as a small-device OS. You do realise you can replace the OS on a 'Fire?

(2) This is my only account which I've held pretty much since Slashdot started.

(3) Are you aware that your posts are nothing more than ad hominem attacks? Do you accuse everyone who disagrees with you of "shilling"?

(4) If you spoke to people face to face the way you speak on Slashdot you'd get a few good slaps. Which would probably do you a world of good.

All the best.

Well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I honestly don't think the overwrought expressions of WinPhone's inferiority common on this thread come from anyone who has seriously (or even actually) used the product. The press reviews are almost unanimously very positive and that matches my experience.

Android 4. It's Jelly Bean. You may have heard of it? Now, pray tell, what makes you think I'm "shilling"?

"Hater", "fanboy", "snivelling", "when you get to high school". You're right, these are the kinds of phrase that you expect in polite, open discussion and not frothing invective. I stand corrected.

Sure, I installed Jelly Bean on the 'Fire. If that's beyond you, perhaps you're reading the wrong site.

Now, what makes me a shill for saying I enjoy using my Windows Phone?

I think I missed the anomaly you saw.

Nokia sold 50% more lumias than the preceding quarter and a 100% more lumias than Symbian phones in the same quarter.

I've owned a Windows 7.5 phone (a Samsung) for over a year now and I'm delighted with it. I've owned an iPhone and I have Android 4 on my Kindle Fire and neither of them match up in terms of usability. I really don't understand the juvenile frothing at the mouth here whenever it is pointed out that MS has made a good product.

Be my guest :-)

I have coined a rule after myself. I give you, Ralph's Rule: "There is no technology so poorly conceived, so inconsistent, so aesthetically offensive, or so woefully untouched by theory that it will not see widespread adoption in the Web community."