Fighting the Plumbing since 1979
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FizzBuzz is an interview-related meme that did the rounds about a year ago. The idea is that you can use a very simplistic question to screen-out a significant percentage of candidates applying for a job in software development. If you can't program FizzBuzz in a deep coma while having half your brain removed, then you can't program anything properly. Read more
13-Mar-2008 23:00
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The Skeptical Software Development Manifesto
We are always interested in claims to the invention of better ways of developing software. However we consider that claimants carry the burden of proving the validity of their claims. We value:
* Predictability over novelty
* Empirical evidence over anecdotal evidence
* Facts and data over rhetoric and philosophy
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
Read more26-May-2007 23:50
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I for one welcome our new chess overlords
A while ago, I took Jeff Attwood to task about his analysis of the current state of chess and computers. I claimed that the chess machines such as Hydra and chess programs such as Deep Fritz are now starting to crush all human opposition.
So what happened?
Read more26-May-2007 18:45
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I spent a long time looking for a visualiser program that could produce nice flowing graphics. My search ended a few days ago. Read more
30-Dec-2006 02:35
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Where I spend my time when I work at home. Read more
23-Nov-2006 00:35
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Be careful, especially when writing "easy" code. Read more
20-Nov-2006 21:00
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Beware when stealing somebody's wireless Internet access, and other fine stories. Read more
17-Oct-2006 01:44
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The chess Terminators are already among us
Here is GM Nigel Short's interesting analysis:
"I have a great business proposition for you: I give you $10,000, or $20,000 if you are really, really good. You get on a stage in London and allow yourself to be fucked by a machine for six days. How does it sound?"
Read more15-Oct-2006 18:00
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Somebody on a Joel on Software forum asked how to explain Web Services to a non-technical business person. Here's my 10-second elevator pitch. Read more
07-Apr-2006 02:00
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Having been a long-time user of E&C in the VB.Classic IDE, I have mixed feelings about its return in VS2005. There are both benefits and dangers to this feature, and on balance, I feel that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The arguments against E&C tend to emphasise the dangers of this feature in the hands of inexperienced developers. Well, almost everything is dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced developer. so that's just not a convincing argument for me. And if you do understand what you're doing, E&C can be a great benefit. Read more
24-Dec-2005 18:00
