If I choose to post a comment and not have my name attached to it (Anonymous) does that make me a member of Anonymous or just another willing pawn?

That commute is going to be a bitch...

Think I'll plug it in and set it up to broadcast "CIA_DEA_FBI_SURVEILLANCE" but not connect it to anything. I wonder how long it will be before it shows up in a story here...

We had a lawyer and had him draft a letter requesting information on what they claimed was illegal. Then we offered to show them the results of an internal audit. We also offered to submit to a third party audit that BSA would have to pay for. After lots of meetings and lots of legal wrangling the BSA went away empty handed. One small difference was we were running non-licensed software and were in violation. It was a web design house with 8 graphic designers and not one legal copy of Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Since the BSA provided us with the list they claimed was illegal, we scrubbed it from the offending boxes so as to appear legal. Then over the span of the next 2-years we bought all of the licenses needed to cover our butts. This cost over $120,000 in software licenses. Far cheaper than what the BSA wanted. But the lawyer was key. Check with the Bar in your area for a probono lawyer. Perhaps you can find someone willing to work on a sliding scale. Also check with the Small Business Administration for ideas for legal help. Good luck.

Depending on the job I would say yes, I agree with the article when it comes to high-level programming skills. But if its a low-level "entry" position, I'd say no. I've seen both sides of the issue, both as a person trying to learn the skills and craft, and as the "old-timer" helping HR hire a new person. If the skills needed are basic "idiot proof" skills, then why not hire the kid fresh out of school? It's only when you need the person who has the "mad skilz" when you really have to be careful. More places need to actually test their skills by having the potential employee do some actual code. My last job had set up a computer that was off the network and could only access the internet. I was given a series of tasks to complete in a set amount of time, so that they could actually see my coding skills. Not many of the places I've interviewed at actually tested my abilities. I'd have to say that there is where the problem lies. Not enough HR folks have the sense to bring in the IT group to help Test the potential new hires.

Goran

Was that your server I attacked? I'm sorry.

I thought it was the Dancing with the Stars host.

(Must remember not to drink and hack.)

While some of the programming is slow to be posted to Hulu, my family and I are happy only shelling out $8.00/month to netflix. When I look at all the money I spent to both dish network and Directv it still makes me sick. For several years I fought with Directv to get the "Free" upgrades that new customers got. I left when they started jacking around my bill and not keeping agreements. Dish wasn't much better. The reception sucked, had them out several times to "re-aim the dish" to improve the signal. Then they too started charging for services that were supposed to be free. Then they stared tacking on more fees and charges and soon I was paying more but getting less. Since going to streaming, my kids love the cartoons on demand, I love being able to watch episode after episode of my favorite shows. Going back just isn't an option any more. We even live close enough where all the network stations can be viewed by antenna. It's wonderful!

If you hit the thrift stores and scrap off the glow-in-the-dark paint from pre-70's clocks and watches you can start to collect the needed radium for use in your breeder reactor. Let me know when you've collected at least 28 grams. Then we can start construction of the reactor using an old pickle crock and a washboard....

"cough, cough" Bullsh*t "cough, cough"

Fine. I'll settle the argument once and for all. I'll force myself to fly in a rocket to mars with 50 women who also want to settle this question. We'll get it on in the rocket on the way and after we arrive on mars. Damn! But the things I'm willing to force myself to do for Science! -Goran

Funny!

Our school district didn't have the money for anything computer related until 1978. They bought 2 TRS-80's and one apple II for both High Schools and thought it would be enough for the next 5 years. Then apple gave our district a grant to buy more. It was their way to thumb their noses at the HP plant in town. It did get HP to fund system upgrades the year after I graduated however.

My first home computer was a hand-me-down IBM XT with an 8088 chip in it.
Even had the expansion memory board in it.
The 20meg FM Hard drive was the most fun. Had to park the head before shutting down.
Thought I was pretty hot stuff when I stuck a 2400baud modem in it to "surf" the web.
Ended up selling it for $50.00 in 1995

Good golly but it was a heap of junk. But at the time it was really cool!

-Goran

with a game I wrote using BASIC and machine language. Too bad I don't have an appleII to run the disk....