Code: Ruby [Select]

1. def shutter_clicked
2. if @camera.off? || @camera.memory_card_full?
3.   // the camera either got turned off by mistake or is full
4.   // TODO: write error handling and detect which problem
5.   // for now let's just return without an error.
6.  return
7. end
8.  // ok, camera is ready so let's capture the image
9.   // TODO: make sure to reset camera state later
10.   capture_image
11. end

-mouser (May 23, 2007, 07:53 PM)

From this code fragment I conclude:

• The coder created his code on the fly
• The coder created his code from some sample, therefore the intents he expresses in comments might be wrong
• The coder might not know the generic prereqisites of "problem"
• The coder might not know the difference between detecting a problem and exploring its causes
• The choosen language has no constructs to signal incompleteness of the code
• The coder is a friend of trivial redundant comments
• The choosen language has no constructs for ad hoc protocols
• The choosen language might not have constructs for protocols at all

If there is some interest to discuss these points I will give further reasoning.

What is illegal in one country can be totally acceptable in another

-housetier (May 19, 2006, 04:06 PM)

Perfectly true. In the former German democratic republic software was like carbon dioxide: once emitted everybody was allowed to use, copy and distribute it.

The problems with the Skype EULA are

1. you are not allowed to proof a hack in your copy of skype and are at the same time responsible for the consequences of that hack.

2. you can do what you want between the date of the termination of the license and the date of the deletion of all copy's under your control.

3. the period between both dates is unspecified.

4. Once terminated you can revive the license by simply getting a new copy and account.