The Pædantic Programmer

Roy,

Would you like to work with me to fix the US patent system? I sure would like it if you’d stop saying mean things about the most active and effective Free Software developers I know. If we have to fix the broken patent system in order for you to stop giving F/OSS a black eye, then let’s do it, k?

So… next week, I start a contract with Microsoft in Redmond. I’ll be working on what seems like a fun project. I’ve enjoyed working at CarDomain for the last four months. Fun projects, a cohesive group, neat technology. I’m mostly moving on because a) I’ve been writing web pages for a long time and want to try something else and b) the commute will be much easier and I’ll get to drive in with Hannah!

I’m looking forward to being able to play with some of the fancy internal toys that I’ve heard so much about. Someone told me yesterday that even the folks who were hardcore MS haters love their job there. I’m certainly not a hater. Perhaps skeptical, but not a hater. I figure I’ll learn a bunch of fun new things even in the worst case scenario.

Anyway. Now that the various colliertech.org bits are functioning again, I thought I’d write something.

Management wants MORE RESULTS NOW NO MATTER WHAT THE COST!!!!!

I feel like the world is telling me to give them more crap, less useful code!

Does anyone else feel like business requirements are forcing them to produce lots of fluff rather than small amounts of quality content? Should I be concerned? Should I care that the business is focusing on high output in the short term in exchange for low output in the long term?

I’ve been told to quit trying to fix problems and to focus on what my manager wants, whether or not it means breaking the system for investors. This seems like a self-serving way to look at the world. If I were concerned with my family’s status in the world over the stockholders, I would totally go for it.

But my conscience is getting in the way. Could someone recommend a way for me to slay my concern for humanity so that I can think like management and care less about the welfare of the world?

KTHXBI

It looks like Adobe Creative Suite 3 kicks your security in the nuts while it installs its call home software. It sounds as if it a) doesn’t ask for permission to shut your firewall down, b) doesn’t inform you that it is shutting your firewall down and c) doesn’t bring your firewall back up when it’s done.

Not cool, folks. It is good of you to discover the problem and post it in a public forum, though.

During the installation, the Adobe installer sets up controlled access to the Version Cue CS3 Server through specific ports in the personal firewall. To be granted access to these ports, the installer first turns off the personal firewall. After the installation is complete, the Adobe installer does not automatically re-activate the firewall.

It sounds to me like OS X needs a bit better MAC management interface. I won’t install CS3 on my laptop until I know that the installer app *must* request my permission before futzing with security settings. As it stands, the installer asks for your permission to acquire superuser status, after which it may do anything without asking. Whee. It would be better if it described what it intended to do explicitly and allowed me to allow/deny on an individual level.

This week’s monocast features a charming and debonaire, sophisticated and well spoken guest. With great hair. You should really listen.

Hi, mom.

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Sorry for the delay in this production. It was mostly my fault. We just about had it one night, but then I forgot my headset at work. I’m such a dork.

So. With no further ado, RevFry’s MonoCast

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http://www.sdtimes.com/article/story-20061001-02.html

Sorry Matt,

Miguel was on vacation and I took charge while he was gone. My apolgies for letting your bug slip through the cracks. I was busy with work work. If that link does not work, it is likely because you do not have an account on our system.

Please post the bug number on our bugzilla, and we will get to it as quickly as possible.

Thanks for your patience,

Cheers,

C.J.
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I heard a rumor today that the GNOME foundation is fundamentally broken.

Thoughts? Why would someone say this?

Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Aug/02
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Jul/19
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Jun/25
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Jun/07
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Mar/22
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Mar/15
Minutes of the Board meeting, 2006/Mar/01
Minutes of the Board meeting 2006/Feb/15