Comment Re:Wait wait ... I got a super new idea .. (Score 1) 231
Or a
Comment Repeating the past and the same *yawn" arguments (Score 1) 66
Leading with several book recommendations.... for those who've forgotten the past.
"Code Complete" by Steve McConnell
"Writing Solid Code" by Steve MacGuire
"Pragmatic Programmer" by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt
These book will help you understand the reasons for writing code that others will be interacting with as well as code that performs well. They may pertain to older languages and technology stacks, but still a lot of relevant info. There are several others that are more recent, that pertain to "modern" architectures, which I'll leave as an exercise for the reader to uncover.
The funny thing for me.... is that this is the same BS we've been "arguing/discussing/fighting" over for the last 30+ years. Nothing is new under the sun, not even the players.
Submission + - Systems that can secretly track where cellphone users go around the globe (washingtonpost.com)
cold fjord writes: The Washington Post reports, "Makers of surveillance systems are offering governments across the world the ability to track the movements of almost anybody who carries a cellphone, whether they are blocks away or on another continent. The technology works by exploiting an essential fact of all cellular networks: They must keep detailed, up-to-the-minute records on the locations of their customers to deliver calls and other services to them. Surveillance systems are secretly collecting these records to map people’s travels over days, weeks or longer ... It is unclear which governments have acquired these tracking systems, but one industry official ... said that dozens of countries have bought or leased such technology in recent years. This rapid spread underscores how the burgeoning, multibillion-dollar surveillance industry makes advanced spying technology available worldwide. “Any tin-pot dictator with enough money to buy the system could spy on people anywhere in the world,” said Eric King, deputy director of Privacy International, ... “This is a huge problem.” "
Submission + - Haking a Mercedes to autonomous car with a soda can
Petrut Malaescu writes: Last year Mercedes introduced an intelligent Lane Assist system to it's S-class which is cataloged as a Level 1 "Function-specific Automation" aka "hands and feet always on the controls", but a clever(?) driver discovered that all it takes to turn his car up a notch, is a soda can that bypasses the steering wheel sensor which detects the drivers hands. The trick was picked up by Road & Track magazine and I agree that it's not a good idea to try this on a busy highway.
Computer Games and Traditional CS Courses 173
drroman22 writes "Schools are working to put real-world relevance into computer science education by integrating video game development into traditional CS courses. Quoting: 'Many CS educators recognized and took advantage of younger generations' familiarity and interests for computer video games and integrate related contents into their introductory programming courses. Because these are the first courses students encounter, they build excitement and enthusiasm for our discipline. ... Much of this work reported resounding successes with drastically increased enrollments and student successes. Based on these results, it is well recognized that integrating computer gaming into CS1 and CS2 (CS1/2) courses, the first programming courses students encounter, is a promising strategy for recruiting and retaining potential students."
While a focus on games may help stir interest, it seems as though game development studios are as yet unimpressed by most game-related college courses. To those who have taken such courses or considered hiring those who have: what has your experience been?
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