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Comment US is metric nation (Score 1) 440

by jamej (#55825859) Attached to: How Pirates Of The Caribbean Hijacked America's Metric System
The United States Of America, is a metric nation. We are one of the original 9 signors of the metric treaty of 1875. We have paid our dues every year since to further the metric system. Every one of our units of weights, measures, etc., is defined on the metric system, e.g., 6.2 miles = 10 kilometers. The whole system is elegant and cool for science. However, for every day use our traditional system is more common sense, e.g., one inch is about the length of the last thumb joint to the tip of the thumb, a foot about the length of an adult foot, a yard a one step, etc.. Later, Jim
XBox (Games)

Xbox One Games Arrive On Oculus Rift With New Streaming App (theverge.com) 16

Posted by BeauHD from the comfort-of-your-couch dept.
Microsoft has released its Xbox One streaming app to the Oculus Store today, allowing Xbox One owners to stream games to their Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset via a Windows 10 PC. The Verge reports: The app itself looks just like the Windows 10 version of Xbox streaming, with the ability to select different consoles on a network before streams are launched. Microsoft has also added the ability to open the Xbox One guide and control the orientation of games in the virtual environment. If you're interested in streaming Xbox One games to the Oculus Rift then you'll need a Windows PC to take advantage of the streaming, and games will be streamed directly from a console that's powered on and not in use. The Xbox streaming app is available immediately in the Oculus Store. The streaming app is a far cry from full VR gaming, but the app will let you simulate playing games on a large screen in a virtual environment. "Whether you're taking on Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, or any other Xbox One game, you'll be able to play in three different environments from the start -- each titled 'Citadel,' 'Retreat,' and 'Dome,'" reports Windows Central.
Wikipedia

Wikipedia Editors Revolt, Vote "No Confidence" In Newest Board Member (arstechnica.com) 186

Posted by samzenpus from the get-outta-here dept.
An anonymous reader writes with news about an editor revolt at Wikimedia to remove Arnnon Geshuri from the foundation's board. Ars reports: "Nearly 200 Wikipedia editors have taken the unprecedented step of calling for a member of the Wikimedia Foundation board of directors to be tossed out. The Wikimedia Foundation, which governs both the massive Wikipedia online encyclopedia and related projects, appointed Arnnon Geshuri to its board earlier this month. His appointment wasn't well received by the Wikipedia community of volunteer editors, however. And last week, an editor called for a 'vote of no confidence on Arnnon Geshuri.' The voting, which has no legally binding effect on the Wikimedia Foundation, is now underway. As of press time, 187 editors had voted in favor of this proposition: 'In the best interests of the Wikimedia Foundation, Arnnon Geshuri must be removed from his appointment as a trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation Board.' Just 13 editors have voted against, including Wikimedia board member Guy Kawasaki.

Comment Team VS. Group (Score 1) 522

by jamej (#43064431) Attached to: Can Valve's 'Bossless' Company Model Work Elsewhere?
We are so emmersed in top down organization we don't even notice the word team implies leadership and a top down organization. The word to describe the organization we're discussing is groups. The programers work in groups to accomplish their tasks. Group work is very hard but really worth it - I've done it and we were able to accomplish significant things rapidly.

Comment Wow - Doesn't get it (Score 1) 479

by jamej (#41791393) Attached to: Does Coding Style Matter?
I promise if your team is kicking around coding style conventions you might not be doing important work. Be careful. This might be a clue you're replaceable. If your doing creative work nobody asks about coding style. They only ask, is it new, cool, and ready to ship. Respectfully, Jim

Comment Solving Problems (Score 1) 309

by jamej (#41760867) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Is Going To a Technical College Worth It?
All that matters is, can you solve problems others cannot? Specifically, problems that others are willing to pay to have solved. If your tech school improves your ability, directly or indirectly, it is worth attending. Always concentrate on improving your abilities not on collecting academic credentials. Solving problems makes you face your short comings and overcome them. There is always room at the top and you can get there. The road to the top has some rough patches, most of them are in your attitudes and insecurities. Mastery and elegant code go hand in hand. Good luck to you. I never met you but I have learned over my career you are the only thing holding back your progress to mastery. Find 5 great programmers hang with them work with them and you will sky rocket. Good luck. I can promise you it is worth doing.

Comment My Coursera Experience (Score 2) 63

by jamej (#41432351) Attached to: Presentation Scales In Massive Online Courses; Does Interaction?
Eventually a student needs to talk with and be guided by someone adept in the field. All this online stuff is okay but, I don't think you can become an adept through the online education medium. I am half way through my first Coursera course, I have just short of a million points with Kahn Academy, and I have done 14 Euler Project problems. Online is okay but you'll eventually need more. Good luck to you all. Jim

Comment Self Serving Comments (Score 1) 767

by jamej (#41356441) Attached to: Can Anyone Become a Programmer?
The programmers -- you should have above average intelligence, blah, blah, blah. Nobody can define intelligence and nobody can measure it. All you have need is to enjoy thinking like a machine. I enjoy it. I'm okay at programming. Ego is the primary block to personal improvement in programming. Lack of willingness to work with others, see the point of view of others, and to respect others is the primary block to professional progress among programmers. I really respect what programmers do. I spend serious time programming. More often than not programmers are there own worst problem when it comes to personal and professional advancement. Few realize that when a programmer shares code it is intensely personal as it reveals how their individual brain works. What other profession is that personal--none!

Comment It's not the degree (Score 1) 260

School is a decent place to learn some of the precursor skills that might enable you to do advanced things. It is your ability to do very hard problem solving in cross domain groups that will bring you to the next level. An MS, as long as it doesn't require over specialization is okay. Most Phds are not worth it. Just scan the titles of most Phd papers. They have 17 adjectives if even one of those adjectives is missing the paper doesn't apply. God luck feel free to reach out to me if you want to discuss this further.

Comment Math opportunities (Score 1) 416

by jamej (#40189117) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: What To Do With a Math Degree?
(Much of what you see are math equations solidified.) Chief Economist for Google said statistician would be the sexiest occupation for the next ten years. Check out computational engineering too. Most colleges and Universities have life time placement services. They will be helpful. The sky is the limit.

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