Parallella...

I'm not afraid, I just do my best to deal with it.

Modifications of the binaries creates a new variant of a virus, which may go undetected. I'm shocked! If you'd like an AV solution that performs a deep inspection on every binary, each time they are executed on your device, it's going to be a sloooooow ride.

If we ever get our fiber NBN, flag me as interested. :S

That's crazy, but it just might work. I can't imagine the complexity of the slicing that would be required! One solution that exists and is slowly pushing its way down to home-brew 3D printing is the use of dissovable support structure: using two extruders. And +1 for the flying cars comment, I can't believe we still drive cars when airplanes have proven the superior transport mechanism. Oh wait a minute, I can't afford an airplane...

If you're looking at getting into 3D printing, take heed that 3D Systems (maker of theCube 3D)are currently suing Formlabs (Kickstarter company pushing insane 3D technologies to consumer prices) over a seemingly ungrounded patent infringement. Read up either here: http://www.wired.com/design/2012/11/3d-systems-formlabs-lawsuit/ or google up a storm! I'm always careful to make sure I'm backing the innovators, not the litigators!

Sorry to break it to you Steve, but I live 35.659km (as per google maps) from the center of Melbourne and I'm not on the NBN constuction list till after June 2015. Unless some serious cable comes to town I'll still be living the 10Mbit ADSL2 dream. Yeah I was excited when they announced the NBN, I really was.

Well stated, Although I've never been involved in a situation like you describe, I've witnessed similar, and it was just plain sad for all involved. I've since moved to a new company, with a vastly different culture. I believe company / team culture is the core of this problem, and it is the solution.That said, changing a bad culture (ones that tolerate situation like you found yourself in) is an epic task, not impossible, just epic. As for the original question, if they have got this kind of culture in the office, it needs to change faaast. Maybe they will make it into the 21st century?

In Melbourne http://ptv.vic.gov.au/maps-stations-stops/metropolitan-maps/metropolitan-train-network-map/ have a core ring about 2km wide, consisting of 5 stations, 4 (80%) of which link two or more lines, and our 'spider legs' are 30km + much more than 2x the core width. Maybe this is why our system is a constant failure?

Gamification requires an objective. If it is to measure employee output, they will smell it. In reality some workers will never have the capacity of others, and you will make it publicly known, that's some bad karma heading your way. If we gamify employee efforts not the results then all can achieve highly if they put effort in, and you will get a very good measure of employee dedication. Another side effect will be employees enjoying work!

I can barely read this article, I better get a new video card! Shameless comes to mind.

Unfortunately, for the most part we don't know the people on our Facebook accounts. I am a loser at the facebook game, I only add people I actually know, but still sometimes end up going 'who is that, why did I accept them?' Once you factor this into the argument, it's easy to see how the 6 degrees of seperation can be diluted down to 4.74, artificially through 'friends' that we don't even know of.

Games motivates kids, but explaining beyond what they know it becomes really easy to lead into anything CS: databases (WoW and F.Book), algorithms (video game special effects), physics (Portal), etc. :-)

A Turtleneck too far?

Valve have spent countless time and money nurturing the Steam Community. Running forums, making changes based on the community, creating events, keeping the griefers under control; all of this requires funding. Given how much been put in to build such a strong community, they have really earnt this level of support form their community (which is obvious through the positive response by their community). Good work!