|
Yes, there have certainly been some "how on earth did they fit that in there?" games over the years. Some of the 16k Spectrum things are amazing - Way of the Exploding Fist is a nice example.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
|
|
|
|
|
The thing that most makes me go "Wow" is how my GPS device can plan a route through real-world roads and take into account all the traffic laws, such as where you're not allowed to turn left, and such. Amazing! 
|
|
|
|
|
... and then direct you into a river and give up ... 
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
First time I saw a blinking cursor on a green CRT screen, press a key on the keyboard and the character appears on the screen. I said the myself, "Wow!" 
|
|
|
|
|
The first time I spent a day on a green CRT, I said "Wow! That's what I call eye-strain!"
I used to hate those things with a passion, the amber ones were so much nicer to work with but everywhere had those horrible green ones.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
|
|
|
|
|
I hear ya, staring at greet CRT all day is stressful. Now a day, I can't even code on 2 27" LCD. I must have a 55" 4K and set the font size to 150% or 12Pts font. Still going home with blurry vision every day.
|
|
|
|
|
I've not got quite that bad but I do find myself struggling a bit with eyestrain from 27's these days. This job certainly isn't good for the eyes (or your health in general, for that matter).
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
|
|
|
|
|
Pretty much anything.
Wow, how can a computer compute?
Wow, how can a (cell) phone, or computer for that matter, connect to any other device anywhere in the world in milliseconds?
Wow, how can we build big ass skyscrapers with all kinds of fancy architecture?
Wow, how could the early civilizations do pretty much the same without all our fancy technology?
Wow, how can Google calculate the shortest or fastest route from anywhere to anywhere by car, public transport, bike or foot (and so accurately)?
Wow, how can anyone write decent code in JavaScript? Actually, I haven't seen this for myself yet and I'm not ready to believe this exists.
Wow, how can Google search through millions of websites for some random string in milliseconds.
Wow, you already mentioned Shazam, who does the same but with music, WOW!
I know it's all perfectly logical.
Some physics, some chemistry, some math...
But wow.
And that's just some human achievements.
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptography - I've never had the math to understand it.
Flight control for aircraft - I was involved with one project and it's scary stuff. Lots of complex, high-rate data acquisition coupled with complicated math. In that software, if there was a bug that let the aircraft go unstable, the pilot died 2-3 seconds later.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
I don't think I'd ever get a wink of sleep if I worked on stuff like that.
98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
|
|
|
|
|
We actually built a software emulator of the flight control system for the purpose of validating the system's design. Our emulator could be 'flown' in ways that a normal flight test would not allow. Still scary stuff (if we missed something  ), but a step removed from direct responsibility for the pilot's safety.
As I recall we only found two or three minor design errors, none of which had flight safety concerns.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
How about a software control a eye surgical laser. One fault move and the patient lost a sight. Which why it takes 2 years develop and 4 years testing.
|
|
|
|
|
I've had laser eye surgery.
I am a software developer.
And I've thought about that exact same thing. When I had the laser beaming into my eyeball.
Not a pleasant thought to have at that exact moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
My biggest AHA Moment was realizing that the
WEB + Browser <==> MainFrame + Page Mode Terminal.
Think about a Browser being a Terminal Emulator for a few seconds. Specifically Page Mode.
You get your screen. You edit/work locally. and you XMIT/SEND/POST/SUBMIT all responses on the page.
The job of the Terminal Emulator is to take "escape sequences mixed in with field data" and separate them out, and control how they display.
==
Direct Programming. Learning how Mathematical Change of Basis is the underpinning of AutoCads ability to draw from various perspectives!
|
|
|
|
|
I started with "Pong"; and "bought into" every incremental change after that.
It's been an effort to maintain the rush.
We are now onto XR.
"(I) am amazed to see myself here rather than there ... now rather than then".
― Blaise Pascal
|
|
|
|
|
Cloud computing, as the old new thing, hits a note with me --sour.
So much time and energy dumped into promoting Cloud Computing as the wave of the future/web 3.0 or whatever. Thin client, FTP and distributed architecture is old as hell --it just got icons now, that's all that changed. The only cloud I give a crap about is White Cloud or Charmin (whichever's on sale at the time). ![Java | [Coffee]](https://codeproject.global.ssl.fastly.net/script/Forums/Images/coffee.gif)
I was unaware of that...
|
|
|
|
|
Dumb question. First, I don't express myself with grunts and syllables. 'Apps' is merely the sound I make when someone punches me. And if I'm very unfortunate, there will be too many days that go like this[^].
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
Finishing it.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
Pure wisdom. 
|
|
|
|
|
If it wasn't for management or the sales Nazis, no app would ever be considered "finished", or even "good enough".
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote: If it wasn't for management or the sales Nazis, no app would ever be considered "finished", or even "good enough".
By my own standards, I'd still be working on my first Hello World. Fortunately, management/sales Nazis have lower standards.
|
|
|
|
|
Coming up with an idea that doesn’t already have 4 or 5 similar apps already available for free on the app store
I'm pretty sure I would not like to live in a world in which I would never be offended.
I am absolutely certain I don't want to live in a world in which you would never be offended.
Freedom doesn't mean the absence of things you don't like.
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
That can't be so hard. Does the Mickeysoft store have more than 4 or 5 total by now?
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
Ooh Microsoft apps. I thought the OP meant iOS or android apps - you know - the kind that people use!
Wait - Microsoft has an app store?
I'm pretty sure I would not like to live in a world in which I would never be offended.
I am absolutely certain I don't want to live in a world in which you would never be offended.
Freedom doesn't mean the absence of things you don't like.
Dave
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
