Michelangelo
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Posts posted by Michelangelo
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Tanith Belbin! Go USA!
*woots and hollers*
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Is this a joke?
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C is hardly an "ancient legacy language", it's pretty much the standard when it comes to compilers for embedded applications (anything from digital cameras, DVD players, car computer systems). Not to mention developing algorithms with Matlab. It's fast, and gives you total control over the hardware (the only way you're going to do better is if you drop down to assembly).
Total control over the hardware means that the programmer has to know how to handle the hardware. This is really too much to ask a beginner to do, programming is hard enough. Learning with a low level he must learn the syntax but more importantly the logic of developing a program AND learn about the hardware at the same time. Higher level languages do a better job because of their singular focus, allowing the programmer to develop that algorithmic type of thinking which is so important while hiding the machinery.
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To throw in a different opinion: I really don't think learning C is the best way to start off programming. C is a fairly low level language and you'll have enough problems learning the syntax and logic of a program to have to worry about what's going on with the hardware.
I recommend Python, it's a gentle introduction to what programming is all about. You can find tutorials and all the information you'll need here http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html
C++ wouldn't be too bad of a start. My first textbook was Structured & Object-Oriented Problem Solving Using C++. I found the writing very clear and the author describes each concept very thoroughly. You may be able to find it at http://www.cheapesttextbooks.com/ or one of the various other college text book sites. Another pro of the book is that it comes with Visual C++: all the programs to code and compile a program.
But even before that you may want to go out and buy the book Programming Logic and Design by Joyce Farrell. Learning a language (for the most part) should not be an incredibly difficult task although there are exceptions. It's all about algorithms. The language comes second. If you really want to get inside the head of a programmer, read the aforementioned book and do some of the problems at the end of the chapter. You'll find that while you never actually 'code' anything, your creating the logic that can be coded using any language.
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I never did quite catch on to the consoles. I always found the pc much more interactive and I never felt like I had total control over the movements with the controls like I do with a mouse and keyboard. I'm a FPS (first person shooter) lover, my favorite being Quake 3 Arena. Counter Strike is a great game for team work. I've also been looking at Quake 4 which looks just awesome. Painkiller is another one that is so intense to watch; very fast paced. Unfortunately my computer being a 1.5ghz gateway cries out in pain whenever I try to play these graphic intense games. This Christmas should change that. Speaking of Painkiller, there was the CPL tournament recently, yes professional gamers playing against each other in the biggest electronics tournament. This last event being the grand finals with a purse of $250,000; $150,000 awarded to first, $100,000 going to second place. If you guys are interested in seeing it, here’s the link http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games/month...ek_05/cpl.jhtml
The skill that both players’ posses truly are inspiring and even if you don't like the genre you can't help but get caught up in the excitement
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The website, www.terrygood.com is not owned by Terry Goodkind. It's a good friend of Terry's that owns the site, so that might complicate things a bit, but if you want to reach the friend his email is [email protected] found at http://www.terrygoodkind.com/contact.php
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I mean if racism is completely evil, why does the government try to get the statistic on how many minorities there are?
Because diets can vary widely between different ethnicities. Not as an absolute but it can not be denied that there are groups consisting largely of the same ethnicities that share common dietetic problems. That and among other reasons.
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Audrey Hepburn just has to be the most beautiful women. It's hard to describe what exactly makes her gorgeous except to say that she is gorgeous ! And the only reason why I'm posting is because she certainly deserves a better picture posted.
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I haven't seen him posted up yet, so don't know if I'm alone here but I think Edward Norton is good looking; definitely hot? What I find most intriguing about him, is his somewhat innocent demeanor and yet he can also give off a very intense and determined persona. An all around great actor. I especially liked him in American History X.
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Good job Thaconos.
*spoilers*
The boy was not ridden by Darken Rahl but was killed and then he latched onto the boys soul as it went to the underworld.
Any other inconsistencies that you've found. I'm a walking Sword of Truth Almanac; a Goodkind scholar so to speak and would be more then glad to answer any questions.
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Can you explain to us what particular part of the fourth rule is confusing to you? I'm not sure what you're getting at here.
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Thanks for the quick reply. I was not in anyway making a stance for Oprah, but as I'm new to philosophy I was just probing to understand your stance a little more clearly. I have to admit that I don't watch her show, although I have seen snipits from time to time.
I don't get a speech about altruism from the average person. It's quite rare in my daily life to hear about it from random people, and it is the rare person indeed that mentions it in the command-to-abjectly-sacrifice way that is meant by a true altruist.Why? Does the average person that you know erupt constantly in a call for you to sacrifice? How horrible!
I think I may have a somewhat biased experience; living in a house where everyone is either a Democrat or a Green. I have to thank Ms. Ayn Rand whom I stumbled upon that made me question many things.
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How is Oprah really different then the average person? Is it just because of the large audience that she has, that sets her apart from the rest? Aren't the intellectuals to blame; not some talk show host?
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I believe 'Fallen' may be used to describe the necessary conclusion of the moral code of the Old World. Mr. Goodkind has gone through great lengths to show the immense poverty, the sense of death and hopelessness that has gripped all who live there. Even amongst all of this the people still cling to the Orders philosophy; it is their faith that keeps them prisoner.
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I've heard of Goodkind, and want to give him a try. Which book would you fans recommend I start with? (Let me know which book is the first book in a series -- I hate to buy a book, get all psyched to read it, and then discover that I've got to go back and find the previous book).
I encourage you not to listen to the gripes people on here have posted. Try it for yourself by reading Wizards First Rule. What they don't like could bring you great joy. I know for me, Terry Goodkind has filled my life with tremendous happiness. His ability for conflict, drama, and creating vivid pictures is unmatched. There is no more prolific and popular Objectivist fiction writer then Terry Goodkind. I know there are not many Objectivist fiction writers, which makes him even more special.
The writing reminds me too much of stereotypical "series" fantasy: David Eddings, Robert Jordan, Mercedes Lackey . . . I don't know whether I'm developing better taste or just losing patience.It could be that you don't know enough about David Eddings or the other popular fiction authors. I'd really like to see you back this snipe remark with some facts. Terry is a class of his own compared to them. Just because there's magic and monsters involved, does not all of a sudden make him 'just another fantasy author'.
P.S. Hold on iouswuoibev! It's such a great book, and you really wont want to know any spoilers. If you haven't already recieved the book.
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As much as I can recall, living standards are based on the cost of and quality of goods and services. Can you think of something that isn't a good or services (excluding personal creations)? The house you live in, the car you drive, the food you eat are all goods. Your dentist/doctor/mechanic are the services provided to you. Naturally, if these same services are available to you at a lower cost, your standard of living will rise; you can spend the same amount of money on these services with money left in your pocket to purchase other 'things'.
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I think my disagreement stems from a different understanding of the word fashion. Obviously some people here think of it in quite a different way then I do. On the same note, I don't know if the term has been sufficiently defined in a way that all parties can agree on. I admit that my perception of fashion may be skewed; what with the mind dumbing anti intellectual channels like E! and the celebrity worshiping demon Joan Rivers.
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Toronto, Scotia plaza:
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=286365
Toronto, various buildings
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=286369
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=206403
Sears Tower (one of my favorites)
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=301366
New York, Trump World Tower
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=137717
New York City
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The Constitution of the United States
Article 1 Section 8.
Where's my 50,000?
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What about living your own life and caring about the rational opinions of others? No contradiction.
Also ---
What about enjoying and decorating your body with clothing and accessories and proudly displaying the result in public?
What about surveying the rich variety of ever-changing fashions available in the marketplace and choosing the ones that best express your values and meet your needs?
What about treating yourself to new and different items of clothing?
What about giving thought to and taking pleasure in all the aspects of your life, big and small, public and private?
I'm not arguing against any of these principles Betsy. I do disagree though with the view that you can't be a good Objectivist and not have a desire to be 'fashionable'.
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What happened to living your own life and not caring about the irrational opinions of others? The two seem to be at a contradiction.
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What if style IS a principle for me?
I think that the way a person dresses--along with his hair style, gait, intonation, etc.--is an expression of his personality. I dress the way I do because I am who I am. So, for me, yielding to fashion wouldn't only mean letting other people take control of how I dress, but also of who I am. An unbearable thought!
Okay, but what if I hold all the great principles of an Objectivist, but couldn't care for the life of me of what 'style' of clothing I wear? Is this not possible?
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The book by Ed Locke is called: Study Methods & Motivation: A Practical Guide to Effective Study.
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As silly as it seems, should it be legal for an only parent of a child to commit suicide? Since he is the guardian of the childs rights, isn't he morally and legally responsible to fullfill his duty in this respect?
Unconsious Mind
in Questions about Objectivism
Posted
This board is becoming quite the dogmatic enclave...