Comments

Maybe this is me coming from WCF land in most of my messaging scenarios but I always like to specify contracts at the interface level not the class level. Implement the interface and specify reasonable functionality for the methods. Things change, db schema on the backend whatever you change the object on the server side and the clients still work because they are still getting IOfWhateverContract.

@renaming question: I didn't hear in the description that there was a domain at the workplace. If they are just a bunch of PCs in a small office can you still create a domain (ie no active directory server)? I'm assuming you could install linux and/or LDAP and play around but probably not a supportable small office solution.

Can you just tick AD somewhere like you can with IIS as a windows feature to add?

@RonnieCorny: Default device: good point/good chance that is the case. It probably comes down to the manufacturer/motherboard but I'd love to be able to select output method or even lock it so for example you don't have to unplug headphones to turn the system speakers on.

At some level this must be possible because Skype always rings on system speakers even though the call audio comes through my headset if my headset is attached I'd rather it ring though it since I talk to people overseas and a very loud ring at 4am isn't very pleasant. Would be a nice setting to have something like headphones always work and still be able to toggle on and off speakers (my headset attaches to the  back of my computer so it is is a pain to switch output methods). I don't recall seeing that anywhere in system settings (might just be something MS has no control over).

I don't fully understand the premise of Lodestone they say open source do they mean free open source? What is the model of how people will contribute? In my mind if I can get $250k/yr making plumbing software for a round robin of banking customers why would I contribute to a FOSS repository?

If I'm thinking correctly banks would still have to pay to make the model work, they could either have their in house developers publish their code (with mutual sharing with others in the industry) or have it as part of the contract for the consultants that the code gets turned over with the required FOSS license. But I can't see why people capable of doing the high paid jobs would give the code away instead of doing the consulting gigs. Linux I can see because it is something the individual gets a kick out of and can actually use themselves, doing plumbing code for a bank is work and needs to pay me IMHO.

Very funny I'm listening to an old Pragmatic programmer podcast with Michael Nygard and then check out C9 to see what is new and This is on the top of the list

Re colour inversion for low light: would be nice if all computers had it but some computers (Mac Book Pro from a few years ago with lit keyboard in low light environment comes to mind) especially laptops adjust light level based on ambient lighting coditions. Would be nice if there was a way to piggyback off that and rather than just dimming the screen you could trigger colour inversion. How cool would it be to be working in a office only lit by daylight and have your screen and keyboard back-lighting kick on like streetlights?

1920X1200 that is so 2008

Another huge problem with autologin: all someone has to do to get access to your machine is hit the power button twice and then wait for windows to boot. There is no point locking your screen saver or manually win-L. Sure you'll know someone probably played with your computer, but who? You haven't prevented them from messing with you just made it more obvious that they did (as things you expect to have been in a particular state might not be afterwards.

Another huge problem with autologin: all someone has to do to get access to your machine is hit the power button twice and then wait for windows to boot. There is no point locking your screen saver or manually win-L. Sure you'll know someone probably played with your computer, but who? You haven't prevented them from messing with you just made it more obvious that they did (as things you expect to have been in a particular state might not be afterwards.

@mlaneor:A related problem: if few people have the certifications employers likely will just hire whoever seems the best candidate. Than once the employee is hired in the role it will be hard to justify several thousand dollars of training/exam fees for a certification. The fact that they got the job in the first place proves they don't need it.

Admittedly I've worked for bad employers at least in terms of their training mentalities but I've never required a certification to get a job and whenever I asked for formal training I got turned down. Reason being "you can already do that so why would we pay you to "learn it"" or "that training is for a different role and we only cover training that is relevant to your current job". At best I get handed a book or a sarcastic "let me google that for you" email telling me to read docs online and play with spare computers to figure things out.

So in short I haven't been able to get training for both whatever my current job is at the time and for a future job from my employers (government and non-government, startup and 3k+ orgs, both coasts + overseas etc so it isn't just a one industry/location issue). Since I get jobs without the certs I'm not about to drop several k of my own money for them. Certs are fighting a uphill battle against the mentality that msdn and wikipedia can teach you all you need to know for free (well in the case of MSDN at least for the current expected operating costs).