On the 8 Spot

This is both funny and scary in almost equal doses. Who watches the watchmen? Who determines what is not anti social. This is Fucked, In a world where things like women’s rights, minority rights, LGTB right’s were once considered non-sensical we have to go against things such as the one I quoted !

This is not harmless official maternalism: a government that concerns itself with the happiness or psychological well-being of its citizens is a government that will prohibit conduct or speech deemed psychologically harmful, or simply not conducive to happiness. Also known as a government actively hostile to liberty. In Britain, as Reason magazine reported two years ago, you can be served with an “Antisocial Behavior Order (ASBO) for engaging in conduct considered likely to cause others alarm or distress. This past year a woman subject to an ASBO was arrested for indulging in noisy, consensual sex in what is apparently no longer the privacy of her own home. I suppose you could call ASBO’s a form of democratization: what was once the prerogative of kings–the power to secure the arrest of people who irritated or “distressed” them–is now extended to peevish citizens who can invoke it against each other.

via Liberty, Self-Esteem and Self-Governance – Wendy Kaminer.

Trying to find freelance work I can vouch for what he says here, people have really unrealistic expectations.

Why Software is Expensive

I hate to write this post, but my recent conversation with my IT-illiterate friend prompted me to do this.

My friend wanted to build a CMS website, “to earn a nice part time income”. Given that he trusted me quite a lot, he asked me for an estimation of the cost. He mentioned that he wanted a CMS solution, with some mix-match of static-dynamic content. Also, he wanted some distinct flavors in the theme.

Given that he is quite a detailed guy ( read: loves to fuss over minor detail) and quite fickle mind, I told him that probably USD 200 is a minimum. We are living in Malaysia, so that works out to RM 700.

He was startled.

“What? How come it costs so much? I thought the underlying CMS framework such as Drupal or Joomla is free and open source?! A Windows Vista Home Edition is only costing RM 400!”

My friend is by no means the only one who grossly misprices the true cost and value of software. There was a client who asked us to implement a spreadsheet component because “Excel has it” at zero price. Yes, you hear it right. Zero . The reason? Because “Excel has it and so it must not be so difficult to implement”.

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My previous book, What Should I Do With My Life?, was a portrait of a generation that had spent the first two decades of life ignoring their intrinsic motivations. They were bright and talented, but had spent so many years doing what was expected of them, and studying what society told them they should study, that they were no longer in touch with their natural desires. They’d been praised endlessly, told they were smart, and had no internal compass when it came to making career decisions. Learning to recognize their own passions was incredibly difficult and stunted. It had been drilled out of them as children.

It’s important to underscore that this isn’t a philosophical argument—it’s a neurological argument. Motivation is experienced in the brain as the release of dopamine. It’s not released like other neurotransmitters into the synapses; instead, it’s sort of spritzed into large areas of the brain, which enhances the signaling of neurons. The motivated brain, literally, operates better, signals faster. Kids learn better.

via Why Dumb Toys Make Kids Smarter – Page 2 – The Daily Beast.

Nice list although I am really against no 9 certifications are for losers!

#9: Not taking advantage of free training and certification opportunities. Each time I have updated my resume in preparation for seeking a new job, I’ve regretted not having formal certifications to accompany my experience. This has been particularly irritating when the company I am trying to leave has a policy of paying for any classes the employees want to take, whether they’re relevant to the business or not. It’s kept me from applying to several jobs I was otherwise qualified for simply because they required possession of particular certifications.

Lessons learned? Take advantage of all free training opportunities, even if they have to be pursued out of business hours.

via Confessions of an IT pro: My nine biggest professional blunders.