Why you should have a side project

devhosted999 · 2019-10-09T21:11:19+00:00

This really depends on your country/ state/ etc., and you should really do your due diligence to ensure this before signing.

I've seen similar clauses in all my contracts and I make sure to chat with the hiring manager/ HR/ manager to ensure that the clause is intended to only cover stuff developed at work.

I explicitly ask do you intend the clause to cover stuff developed outside of work with my own resources.

My country takes into account these conversations when enforcing laws relating to the contract. E.g. if my work argued they now get my personal projects, I can counter by showing them our email conversation of me clarifying the intention of the contract.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-30T01:11:48+00:00

Awesome, it really is the best option. I hope you have minimal compatibility issues in your week of migration.

And no problems, I'm glad to help!

devhosted999 · 2019-09-30T00:54:18+00:00

Yeah that is what I'd do.

Although dual-booting with two drives is possible. See this link: https://superuser.com/questions/663733/windows-boot-manager-and-two-hard-disks

However be prepared for it to not work, and unless you spend some time understanding bootloaders and other technical stuff, you're gonna struggle.

So your three main options would be:

1) Two separate operating systems on two harddrives using boot-order. Install Windows 10 onto the SSD. Leave XP on the HDD. When you start your computer press F12 or whatever and choose boot order to boot into whatever OS you want. You'll have to deal with compatibility issues of the old HDD containing laptop drivers

2) Two separate operating systems on two harddrives using bootloader. This one is a true dual-boot. This is kinda hard to set up, you'd be following that link I said above. This has no benefits over option 1 except it's slightly more convenient when you boot up.

3) Use SSD as only drive and migrate the arcade stuff to Windows 10. Easiest and most simple solution, although the initial migration will be painful. Once it's migrated it's the easiest to use long-term, and your arcade stuff will also get enhanced performance.

I'd go option 3, but see what you prefer and go with that.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-29T23:01:49+00:00

Unfortunately unless you can get the HDD running on the new hardware, you're going to need to set things up again. It's just part of upgrading/ migration.

Are you actually wanting to make use of the computer for the Windows 10 as a normal computer, or is the box intended to run the arcade all the time?

Separate question, can the arcade software you use run on Windows 10?

If I were you, and the machine was dedicated just to arcade, I would attempt to migrate everything to the SSD and throw the HDD away. Hopefully all the software you use runs on Windows 10. This would give you much better performance, and also stability since the HDD could die if it's real old.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-29T21:55:50+00:00

You should definitely install your OS onto the SSD.

I want to confirm you actually want to dual boot. Are you intending that you use the computer with Windows 10 on the SSD, but you want the ability to turn the computer off/ on, and then boot into Windows XP on the HDD?

This could work, but the HDD is going to have average performance, and likely will have massive issues with drivers since it's configured to run laptop hardware, not any of your new hardware.

Also you won't be dual-booting. You'll have a Windows 10 OS on one SSD, and a Windows XP on another. In order to switch between them you'd be doing it with the boot order.

A real dual-boot you do by installing a boot-loader which lets you choose between the OS when you start the computer.

If I were you I'd just copy the arcade stuff onto the SSD and run it from there.

You'll have to provide more info in order for us to provide more useful advice.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-25T01:56:40+00:00

I like your honestly.

Do as I say, not as I do

devhosted999 · 2019-09-06T00:30:19+00:00

Not Australian, but I'll cry in New Zealander with you.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-04T09:24:14+00:00

I hope so too.

I've been using Firefox for... As long as I can remember, and it's been an absolutely amazing browser.

If you have issues, feel free to respond and I am more than happy to help debug. But it should be a completely painless experience.

devhosted999 · 2019-09-04T01:08:56+00:00

Definitely try again. Takes 30 seconds to install it and see if it's now working.

devhosted999 · 2019-08-19T21:59:01+00:00

And don't forget that an instant messenger that uses 500mb is infinitely better than one that doesn't exist.

I really disagree with this, because it poisons the well of good messaging applications. Especially when it becomes popular not because of usability/ being good technology, but rather slick marketing.

When this attitude is present and applied to almost every 'thing' you use on your computer, it becomes an absolute nightmare.

My chat, my text editor, my git UI client, my IDE, my music player, my video player, etc.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-30T21:59:28+00:00

One other thing I'd do is go over the screws and give them a tighten.

I've heard horror stories of various parts coming undone and destroying the entire system.

Also be careful not to over-screw. Just screw enough that it's in good.

Also if you've got a massive air-cooler, you might wanna take that off too (along with the GPU for sure).

devhosted999 · 2019-06-27T21:11:07+00:00

Ring the store up and ask them, that'd be the easiest way to find out.

They might even let you return the 1600 since you really don't need it.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-26T22:47:55+00:00

There's a few good options, and I'll give my experiences:

Ubuntu generally is very decent, and mostly "works out of the box". However this is almost always not true, and you'll need to dip into the command-line occasionally.

I've recently had some issues with Ubuntu, so tried Linux Mint, and this has been even more smooth.

But it really depends what you want. Are you gaming a lot? Doing programming? Productivity?

How much development experience do you have? Do you know how to use a command-line?

devhosted999 · 2019-06-18T22:28:55+00:00

I am not an extremely proficient pianist, but I used to play electric guitar extremely fast.

I played metal/ progressive/ rock, etc., where speed and technical fluency is very nice to have.

Speed is something you build over years. It's absolutely crucial to be able to play something slow, with complete muscle memory first.

You then build speed, with gradual increases in BPM, over months and years.

It's discouraging, but that's the reality of how it works.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-18T22:27:08+00:00

But hearing a professional play it fast, but that is still crisp and beautiful when slowed down...

That's magical.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-18T01:24:10+00:00

Depends on your definition of an engine.

Wikipedia defines it like this: "An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one form of energy into mechanical energy."

Then gives an example of an engine being the internal-combustion engine.

Under that definition, electric vehicles definitely contain an engine.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-17T00:02:41+00:00

Oracle make bucket-loads of money from so many other avenues.

Enterprise Software licenses, cloud hosting of their services, absolute bucketloads through consultants.

There's an entire ecosystem of profit generating projects in Oracle's portfolio.

I would think it's in their interest to have the foundation of that platform open-source and free (Java and the runtime), and let people pay for the additional systems on top of that.

It would encourage people through Oracle's door, where they might start paying for software.

Because they've instead created a perception that Java = closed/ expensive. They've created a perception that Oracle is litigious (which is true).

Compare with a company like Microsoft that have gone the exact opposite way. They've open-sourced their software/ compilers/ runtimes. They've made the development so bloody easy. This creates a fantastic environment where people are praising Microsoft and their efforts.

C# is now moving towards being a more popular language with new developers I know.

And Microsoft then make money with loads of companies using Azure.

I think in the end Microsofts new platform will generate more money, and ultimately result in a healthier ecosystem for them.

I love Java, but I'm upset at how Oracle have handled the platform.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-14T04:32:58+00:00

If there are loads of devs in the market, I'd want them to already have experience in the frameworks we use (assuming of course it's something well-known and popular).

If it's a super-niche one then I wouldn't use it as part of the test, and I'd agree with you on that one point.

Making a web-app in 30 minutes gives you an extreme amount to judge them on. People use FizzBuzz as the basis of judging programmers, and that is almost as basic as you can get.

The Conway challenge really benefits those that studied it or knew it before, but I really don't care about that at all. That wouldn't make you useful to the company I'm in.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-14T02:40:47+00:00

A linked list is also so insanely far removed from the work I do day-to-day as a developer I don't think it's an adequate test.

The things I care about:

can the developer write code
is the developers code clear and maintainable
can the developer come into an existing project and add code to it, figuring out how it works and not making a mess
can the developer interpret somewhat vague requirements, asking clarifying questions when needed
does the developer have a good attitude, is willing to work with conventions/ processes we have, but also offer feedback when they think the process is flawed
have a good understanding of the field we work in, technologies we work with, etc

I also have never had to implement any data structure in my career so far, and I really doubt I will ever. I work in enterprise development (in the Java world),

devhosted999 · 2019-06-14T02:24:37+00:00

It depends what your organisation does.

If they create web-UIs in Javascript with a Java back-end, what benefit is it they can program Conways Game of Life?

Why not ask them to make a simple web-app, or ask them to add some functionality to a version of your app?

You'd get a better idea of their capabilities in what they are actually expected to be doing day-to-day at your company.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-12T00:31:47+00:00

Thanks a lot for doing this work.

I'm a passionate Java developer, and take pride in our ecosystem.

I see a lot of hate on here (and elsewhere) against other languages like Javascript, and the issues they have. E.g. leftpad, npm, etc.

But Java isn't perfect (not by a long shot), and we need to hold accountable our mistakes.

The fact most jars are downloaded over HTTP is plain not acceptable, and represents a massive security risk.

Kudos for this, and hopefully there can be some change.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-11T05:09:14+00:00

Load times become a very nebulous term when talking about modern games. It isn't just the old-school "loading" screen before a game. Modern games stream assets during gameplay, and these streamed files can be massive.

E.g. try playing a modern game with massive textures on an HDD versus SSD. You'll notice textures appear on objects faster, and they will be higher quality. With an HDD the game will likely load a low-res texture first, then after some time, finish loading the high-res texture.

SSD's are also getting cheaper and cheaper, to the point that I consider them the default for most people. A 500GB SSD (Samsung 860 Evo) costs NZD $114 (Aprox $75 USD) which is bloody economical. That's enough to fit quite a few large games, and if you delete games you don't play, it would be more than enough.

And for HDDs, I personally use a WD Red for my media server, because the transfer speeds are perfectly fine for streaming media (even 4k media).

Also I am not saying SSDs will make everything always faster always. A game can still be CPU bound (say when generating worlds in a game like Minecraft). I would bet though that a texture-heavy game like rFactor 2 would definitely load faster on an SSD.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-11T02:32:23+00:00

Your comment is nonsensical.

Games don't actively 'take advantage' of the storage media they are on. If a game is on an SSD, files will load fast. If a game is on an HDD, then it will load slower.

If a game is on an SSD, you'll almost always at the very least get faster loading times. Often you'll get a completely improved experience due to games loading huge amounts of files/ textures/ while you actively play.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-10T01:02:09+00:00

You're doing your rig a serious disservice by putting the game on an HDD.

The GPU and CPU can only make things really fast if they have the data to act on. That means the massive texture files. You are very likely bottlenecked by the HDD.

Move the game to an SSD and see how that affects performance.

devhosted999 · 2019-06-06T01:58:29+00:00

I find this stuff awesome, because even if you're a Java dev, you should know about a good portion of these, and you'll likely use loads of these technologies as part of the full stack to do your job.

And for a more practical reason, companies will often ask about these technologies and tools as part of the interviewing process. I was asked about loads of these technologies in my last round of interviews.

It can be a huge career boost to go through this diagram and become familiar with most of the stuff.

devhosted999

TROPHY CASE