Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper?

I read that Dell is now selling some desktops with Linux .. so you can go that route. Note I dont know if you have to go thru the business website as compared to the home\home-office website. btw, here is a link to the dell site where you can choose models with Ubuntu Linux or FreeDos http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs[^] looks like there are two desktops and one laptop. HTH, Dave

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

I'd second the recommendation for that mouse .. got one for my laptop and liked it so much I got a second to use on my desktop at work.

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Again, for a team of 10 to 20 developers in size in what order would you prioritize the following "supplemental" activities : 1. reasonable code commenting/documentation 2. code reviews 3. unit testing Also, if you could only require your developers to do one of the above, which would it be ?

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

I'm working on a new project of about 7 developers that may grow to 20 over the next few years. I want to know which branching approach is most favored for this size of a team/project. 1) All development is done off the main trunk, with branches created for each release and for "major" subproject work. Emergency bug fixes are done on the corresponding release branch. 2) Each developer has their own branch which is merged to the main trunk to produce a release. 3) Other

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

.. but wait, you forgot the part where House almost kills the patient 40 minutes into every eposide. Honestly, I think it's a great show :)

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Pete O`Hanlon wrote:

Just for once, I'd like to hear somebody say that they were working on something mundane and flawed.

I am working on something mundane and flawed :laugh: Of course if it wasnt flawed there would be no point to working on it, would there ?

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Yep, in addition to the ones you listed I use Back Forward Mail Mute

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

For the most part CP and the internet in general has replaced books & magazines ... the only time I'll hit a book is when starting something completely new .. like moving from C++ to .Net .. then I'll grab a book .. but once I'm up & running CP and the like cover my needs. It's a good thing too .. at $50/book CP has saved me serious $$$

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

based on a similiar discussion a few months ago I've switched to Bitstream Vera Sans Mono. It's zero is a circle with a dot in the middle .. while not the same as a slash .. it still gets the point across. As far as the size goes, it depends how I'm feeling that day .. most of the time I run at 8pt but sometimes have to switch to 10. I have 3 buttons on my tool bar that map to macros that allow me to quickly switch between 8, 10 and 12 pt .. the 12 pt comes in handy when reviewing code with another person . The macros are all like : Sub LMSetFont_8() Dim props As EnvDTE.Properties props = DTE.Properties("FontsAndColors", "TextEditor") props.Item("FontSize").let_Value(8) End Sub
btw, thats for 2003 .. I havent switched to 2005 yet so dont know what, if any, changes are required for that IDE.

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Well that time has come again, time to reformat my HD and re-install windows. I'm currently running XP, but wondering whether I should install 2003 instead or stick with XP ( or dual boot ? ) Mostly I do web surfing and C++ development in VS2003, although I'd like to eventually play with C# & ASP.NET .. and of course the ocasional first-person shooter What, if any, advantage does 2003 offer the developer ? Can I still play FarCry, etc or do I need XP for that ? What do you guys recommend ?

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

John Cardinal wrote:

small keyboard without the number pad

thats a good point .. I never thought of that .. it's just a shame I'm so addicted to my microsoft natural keyboard .. it's not like they make a model without a number pad .. :-(

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

I voted you a 5 .. if I could I would have made it a 10 !! (K)eep (I)t (S)imple (S)tupid ... an old cliche ... but as true today as ever.

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

My first, and last, dual processor was a dual P2-400 box ... it was running NT 4.0 ... and used to BSOD all the time due the video drivers. NT 4.0 supported dual processor out of the box .. it's just if you upgraded from single to dual processor you had to re-install a different kernel. Yeah, those were the days ... dual-processor was hard-core back then .. now a days, it dont mean a thing :-(

Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

I'm looking for the SQL equivalent to Scott Meyer's "Effective C++; 50 Specific ways to improve your pograms and designs". Thanks, Dave :-) Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Looks like well try the Pavlova & ANZAC cookies biscuits :-) Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Man, one of these days I'm going to have to teach my wife how to google .. I found tons of stuff out there. Of course, I'd still be really interested in what you guys have to offer. ( Especially if you have a good dessert recipe :-) ) Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

I know we are not supposed to ask for homework help in the Lounge, but I'm hoping you'll make an exception since this is for my 7 year old son :-) Long story short my son is doing a presentation on Australia and it is supposed to include an example of typical cuisine. My wife has tried googling but claims the only thing she could come up with were packaged products to buy and she was hoping for something that she could actually make. So now I'm off to google for myself, but of course my first thought was to stop in here and see if you guys could offer up a simple recipe or two that could be made in a typical american kitchen. Thanks in advance for any help, Dave :-) Rocket science is more fun when you actually have rockets - US Navy ad

Judah Himango wrote:

Are you sure about that? Bush seeks $1 billion more in NASA funding

... from the linked article : the other $11 billion would come from shifting funds from existing programs According to the article NASA's annual budget is $86 billion .. which makes this a 1.16% increase ... certainly insignficant compared to the corresonding requested objective. Could you, for example, replace all your automobiles ( I assume you have 1 or 2 ) with only a 1.16% raise in your salary? .. oh, and btw, those new automobiles must use technologies that dont exist yet and meet mileage and emission standards that no commerically available cars meet. "We need less government, not more. The idea that we can become a better society by having a bigger rule book is ridiculous, regardless of who is trying to change the rules" - Doug Goulden

Judah Himango wrote:

Didn't the Bush administration just announce a huge round of funding for Nasa

Nope, Bush said NASA had to do it without increased funding ... they have to, and have been, cutting other programs. "We need less government, not more. The idea that we can become a better society by having a bigger rule book is ridiculous, regardless of who is trying to change the rules" - Doug Goulden

Jim Crafton wrote:

inabiilty of NASA to discipline itself and accomplish goals

I've got to respectfully disagree with that statement. Keep in mind NASA is doing many many more projects now then they were doing when they did the first moon shot .. and all those programs must be kept running as well. Of course there is waste, as there is in all government, but I think NASA is doing really well with the limited resources we give them. "We need less government, not more. The idea that we can become a better society by having a bigger rule book is ridiculous, regardless of who is trying to change the rules" - Doug Goulden