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Comment Re:design document vs. documenting source code? (Score 1) 545

I used to lean toward the second camp, but now I lean toward the first camp :)

Glad to hear it. I'm the first to admit that I don't always document well enough, but I'm a build-it-then-fix-it kind of guy. I've been at it long enough to get an extensible architecture off the ground right away. I'd work better with someone that's a get-it-right-the-first-time kind of guy telling me what I'm doing wrong, though.

Comment Re:Measuring readability (Score 1) 545

The developer can add comments, or rename variables, or restructure the code to make it clearer, but the end result should be readable code with fewer bugs (bugs live in hard-to-understand code, simply adding some intermediate variables to a complex formula can make them go away)

"Don't get suckered by the comments -- they can be terribly misleading. Debug only code." -- Dave Storer

This is why I always add my documentation at the end. A good programmer knows how to use his debugger. Properly named variables and methods will allow you to step through a program until you understand how it works. Once your understanding is clear, and you are quite certain that the code is good enough for somebody else, add enough documentation to aid other programmers in using or maintaining your code. The only way to know how much is needed is through the code review. The only exception I can think of to this process is when releasing the source code to the general public or to a client for their own maintenance. Since you don't usually have a code review with them, it's best to go for overkill. A pain sometimes, but a necessary part of a complete product.

Comment Causal Link (Score 5, Informative) 341

The crux of the case will lie in proving that there is a causal link between the lack of laws requiring ISPs to block websites, and the damages claimed. The precedent is Francovich v. Italy. However, given that the judge in a ruling against British Telecom forcing them to use Cleanfeed to block access to websites like Newzbin and TPB acknowledge that tools to circumvent the system were available. And, in fact, Newzbin has released a client allowing access to their website despite the Cleanfeed block. The same software allows access to TPB. It relies on both encryption and the TOR network. Newzbin told BBC news that 93.5% of UK users have downloaded their Cleanfeed circumvention software. This flies in the face of the judge's comment that "Even assuming that they all have the ability to acquire [the means to circumvent Cleanfeed], it does not follow that they will all wish to expend the time and effort required."

93.5% of UK Newzbin users may not be "all" people in the UK who want to use file sharing networks, but it certainly means that establishing the causal link between lack of ISP blocking remedies and damages from file sharing will be difficult. People want access to those files, and Cleanfeed has proven largely ineffective at stopping two of the main sites involved in sharing. It should also be noted that these sites are not the actual hosters of the allegedly damaging files; they are merely portals to peer-to-peer networks that have other access methods available (e.g. DHT on BitTorrent). Again, the claim that blocking these websites would prevent financial damage is rather dubious.

Comment Re:Switched to Pathfinder? (Score 1) 309

I much prefer Pathfinder. 4th ed. removed too many things and made a single-page character sheet extremely difficult. I don't like the attempt to make D & D more "video-gamey". Our D & D group runs a Pathfinder/d20 Modern mix that's quite enjoyable. I have no intention of moving away from 3.5-compatible source material (just like the 1st ed. people have no need of moving away from the one they learned.)

Comment Re:It's a hassle, but a tiny one... (Score 2) 142

I suspect we'll take the coward's way out and shut down processing for a minute before until a minute after and resync the clocks in the interim.

This was how I figured transaction processing would be handled. It sucks that you have to pay high-priced consultants to get that answer; plenty of people would give it to you for free.

That will, of course, be charged to our SLA downtime

I didn't consider this aspect. Thinking about it makes me realize just how stupid a leap second is. A lot of transaction processing requires >99.999% uptime, and even that two minutes (assuming everything goes perfectly smoothly) is expensive. Couldn't they be accumulated and have an extra leap year once every 86400 years?

Comment Re:It's NO work (automated in multiplatform Python (Score 0) 120

OR the electricity for a dedicated rig for it either

Don't spend it all in one place. The dedicated rig does other useful stuff that I wouldn't want bogging down my desktop.

I've actually passed English courses in college while earning 2 degrees no less (A grades usually) - have you??

Yep. This is, after all, a "News for Nerds" site. You're not the only genius here. And the rest of us don't tend to use terms like "superior technical firepower" and go off on rants about things that represent a minute portion of IT.

I know DAMN WELL I do, & it kicks the trolls asses SO BADLY, that when I challenge them to disprove my technical points I posted on ANYTHING I POSTED?

I'm not trying to disprove your technical points; I'm saying that people aren't listening to you because of the way you present your argument. I'm happy with what I've got, you're happy with what you've got.

talk about obvious, playing "pretend english professor on /." & "the MaSteR oF All ThiNgS PoStiNg MyStiCaL

This borders on delusional. I don't know how your mind got from a sincere comment on how I felt your writing represented yourself to making assumptions about the purpose of my post. The purpose of my post was to say that the content of your original post had technical merit. It still does. I just choose not to go down that road. If that requires you to tear apart my post looking for flaws not related to the original discussion, well, it's no wonder no one bothers to have a discussion with you based on technical merits.

Comment Re:Me too (but 4 DIFF. reasons)... apk (Score 1) 120

If you're willing to do this much work to avoid malware, well, go for it. Your performance gains, when compared to network latency, are probably so slight as to be imperceptible. Personally, I use AdBlock Plus and a local DNS server, and have never had issues with either malware, unwanted ads, or network performance. To each his own. If you don't want to get modded Troll, you might want to tone down on the caps and excessive bolding. You may have a legitimate technical point to make, but it gets lost in a tone that reminds me of a child throwing a tantrum.

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