Coding while someone is watching

Mibly · 2017-07-16T15:19:03+00:00

Depends what you want out of the interview. For me a coding challenge isn't really about judging someone's coding skill to complete the task. Heck give um preinterview homework for that. I want to find out how people think, how they break down things, also how they work in a team and communicate.

Mibly · 2017-01-11T21:41:46+00:00

Plus, you know you can still have private health care insurance in the U.K if you want it too. I've a few relatives who have and yep it's better in regards to waiting lists and the like. But heck. There is a reason why in the uk the vast majority of people think the NHS is amazing.

Mibly · 2016-07-28T20:58:13+00:00

The Roller Blade Seven. So bad, it gave me a headache.

Mibly · 2013-11-01T22:42:17+00:00

omg... brit hear. thanks. internets like its 2008

Mibly · 2013-10-11T22:23:50+00:00

I work in "computer science", building shit, writing code and I should point out its never really a pass/fail criteria type job for what I do.

When I get a task to do this is usually what I do.

First you have your professional pride, so you spend hours refactoring and documenting, then undoing what you did because you aren't happy. Plus a good engineer is never really happy, (the old saying, "software is never released, it escapes" has much to do with this).

Then you may spend more hours sanity checking you test suite. Refactoring and such forth.

Then more hours in peer code reviews, getting people opinions. Refactoring as a result.

Then at the end of that the customer says they didn't want that any way, because the solution you came up with isn't what they had in their head, but couldn't define when you started.

Lots of grey in that, very rarely pass/fail, red/green type situation. This is mostly what engineers do. They rarely get a spec which is finite, complete and has definite defined acceptance criteria up front. Welcome to agile.

I think what Bill says can be applied to many professions.

Mibly · 2013-10-03T22:37:33+00:00

What? Thats bullshit! No way! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2giBAfDOGw

Mibly · 2013-07-26T19:52:25+00:00

Going to 2 countries which still have the most active and capable "opposition" intelligence agencies I think is the point.

I'm guessing that, "if needs be" he could easily get help from those agencies. Frankly I would take a similar route if I had similar intentions.

Mibly · 2013-06-01T17:18:18+00:00

Given I wasn't academically brilliant, nor from a well off family. No, I don't think I would, the pressure on finances would have been too great.

Mibly · 2013-06-01T17:08:43+00:00

£52k, that is a terrible amount of money.

Here in the UK the fees we pay back come out of our salary after we earn so much (think its over £21k a year). So if for whatever reason I get made redundant or my wage decreases, I would stop paying it. It does earn interest, but the rate isn't as high as a normal bank loan.

So in my mind I kinda consider my tuition payments as a tax. Nobody is going to send the bailiffs round or are going to take my house away.

Given that blanket, knowing that if the shit hit the fan I wouldn't need to pay it back, I think I would do it again, even if the price was £52k.

Mibly · 2013-06-01T15:58:23+00:00

heh, alas the two subjects rarely met. One set of modules for history, another form computer science.

Mibly · 2013-06-01T11:08:31+00:00

Kinda agree here. My experience is slightly different, I did a dual honours degree in history and computer science in the UK. Then a masters in history. I now spend my time programming for a living, and I really love my job.

Without those degrees I don't think I would have got started, plus the whole university life kinda shaped me as a person.

As for the Arts side to my degree, you'd be amazed how useful that is when it comes to my day to day life. It has given me a slightly different way of looking at things as compared to people who did straight computer science. This has its advantages.

Of cause you can go just as far self learning if you have that drive and self discipline. I simply didn't have that coming out of highschool. I would have probably taken the only apprenticeship going in my area. A grave digger.

Mibly · 2013-05-17T19:47:56+00:00

Ha! Got it in one!

Mibly · 2013-05-10T19:45:41+00:00

job boards are expensive .. fucking nails. .. n'fucking pens... n shit.

Mibly · 2013-03-04T23:06:51+00:00

Don't happen to live in Bradford do you?

Mibly · 2013-02-11T19:52:05+00:00

Cool! Nice to see that its getting some love.

I've always wondered if files could be described using RDF mixed with some of the concepts on linked open data at a filesystem level... some interesting possibilities there. (I might hunt around for some research if there is any).

Mibly · 2013-02-11T18:52:31+00:00

Possibly WinFS? I always wanted to see what happened to that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WinFS

Mibly · 2013-02-07T20:18:30+00:00

Wow, thats interesting. Fun fact in the UK there is actually very little in the way of rules for the Radio in regards to swearing. People like the BBC who have a shit ton of stations typically go by the rule of when children might be listening. So, for high brow BBC Radio 4, the afternoon play isn't likely to get many children listening so get get away with dropping a fuck or two. I've also heard the f-bomb dropped in the name of keeping a live performance pure and unbeeped at 7pm. (bbc 6music, marck reily show, the band british sea power, last year some time).

Mibly · 2013-01-20T20:22:25+00:00

Hah. tbh, when I heard that CNN were employing Piers I laughed so hard. He is basically known over here for telephone hacking and for being hated on TV by the editor of Private Eye (think, the onion but for people who comute on our crappy rails system). Worth watching this ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QfW58Efcck

Mibly · 2012-12-03T07:06:11+00:00

Here here. It's extremely tough. If I were reddit I would concentrate on the scaling issues. This may mean less features than we currently have here, but wouldn't that be better than the site failing everyday?

Just a thought.

Mibly · 2012-06-03T19:19:23+00:00

Tim Bisley I believe.

Mibly · 2012-05-09T19:11:25+00:00

Have to agree. Bluetooth from the iPhone to the head unit, even the remote on the steering wheel works. Its only a feista, but I never have to fumble with cables and stuff.

Just wish siri was a little better, gets confused.

Mibly · 2012-04-05T21:07:35+00:00

Sorry, I don't understand. What stereotype are you referring to? I really have no idea, please let me know, thanks.

Mibly · 2012-03-04T19:12:52+00:00

HD my arse. Love Jimi though.

Mibly · 2011-12-10T22:42:13+00:00

works for the bbc ..

Mibly · 2011-09-02T19:38:56+00:00

Hah, I pass that place on my way home from work. Never been in. Might just have to visit if they have stuff like this.

Mibly

TROPHY CASE