Converting floating point to string

This is not as simple as one could think:

Ref:
http://patrakov.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-use-old-dtoac.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-point_arithmetic

http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/#float

Floating Point in XML:
http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?joel.3.653326.31

Installing Visual C++ Toolkit 2003

I am banging my head trying to install Installing Visual C++ Toolkit 2003.

Instructions from:
http://root.cern.ch/root/Procedure/Procedure%20to%20install%20the%20free%20Microsoft%20Visual%20C.htm
http://www.ogre3d.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15131&highlight=&sid=ce193664e1d3d7c4af509e6f4e2718c6

However I cannot find msvcrt.lib:

Steps:
$ winetricks dotnet20
$ cd .wine
$ find . | grep -i msvcrt
./drive_c/windows/system32/msvcrt.dll

Where is msvcrt.lib ?

The passionate developer: I do like my profession, I don't like my job

http://blog.jonasbandi.net/2009/09/passionate-developer-i-do-like-my.html

http://www.martinfowler.com/bliki/AlphaGeek.html
The term alpha geek, has got most of its currency through a talk and online essay by Tim O'Reilly. In this talk he says that by watching what alpha geeks are doing you get a sense of what the future is like for the technology industry as a whole.

Alpha geeks are typically experimenting with technology. In software development they are the people who first try new languages and frameworks. They are also inclined to build things to solve their problems if there isn't a viable alternative out there. Although they can be wedded to a particular platform, most of them will use what makes them most effective, hopping between platforms. They usually are very passionate about software development and spend more time, often spare time, reading books, going to conference, and tinkering.

Tim's view was that alpha geeks, as a whole, are leading indicators. This isn't true of an individual, who may try all sorts of things and drop if they don't end up being useful. But the aggregate result is important. If many alpha geeks are liking the same thing, then there's a good chance that this is something that's important. It may be several years before it hits the mainstream, but when it does it will matter.

I tend to agree with this view. Although most of my work is playing around with the recent past, trying to capture things we know in a comprehensible way, I do keep an eye on what alpha geeks are looking at and liking. So far its tended to lead to me things that are usually interesting, and more often than not to things that make an important difference to our profession as a whole.

In many ways the name "alpha geek" is unfortunate. In this context, at least, it doesn't necessarily indicate that the alpha geeks are the best technologists - someone who is very expert in a particular technology but doesn't look for new stuff wouldn't fit. "Alpha" also has connotations of superiority and dominance that also don't necessarily fit. The point in this context is that alpha geeks are the people who like to explore and try new things.

C++: Want Speed? Pass by Value.

Something that might surprise some people:

http://cpp-next.com/archive/2009/08/want-speed-pass-by-value/

Appel à cotisations de la CIPAV

Quelques liens pour ceux qui ne le sauraient pas encore:

* Appel à cotisations de la CIPAV
* Lien vers le communiqué sur le site de la CIPAV
* Auto-entrepreneur : un couac sur les appels à cotisations
* Auto-entrepreneurs : des appels à cotisations envoyés par erreur
* Cotisations indues au RSI, à la CIPAV, à l'URSSAF

Communiqué du 29 mai 2009
Certains professionnels auto-entrepreneur se sont émus d’avoir été destinataires d’un appel de cotisations émis par la CIPAV. Ainsi que l’a déjà rappelé la presse, les auto-entrepreneurs n’ont évidemment pas à s’acquitter de ces cotisations forfaitaires (régime vieillesse et régime invalidité décès).
On notera toutefois que les conseillers retraite du centre d’appels de la CIPAV n’ont traité qu’une quarantaine d’appels relatifs au statut d’auto-entrepreneur ces huit derniers jours. Rappelons que depuis le 1er janvier 2009, la CIPAV a affilié plus de 9 000 professionnels libéraux, aucun ne relevant du statut d’autoentrepreneur selon les éléments de déclaration qui ont été transmis à la Caisse.
La CIPAV s’emploie à identifier les sources d’erreurs dans la chaîne d’affiliation. D’ores et déjà, elle demande à tous les auto-entrepreneurs destinataires par erreur d’un appel à cotisations, de bien vouloir lui renvoyer (CIPAV, 21 rue de Berri – 75403 Paris cedex 08) l’attestation d’affiliation qui leur a été délivrée par l’URSSAF (l’accusé de réception reçu après l’inscription sur le site de l’autoentrepreneur ne vaut pas affiliation). Dans ce cas, les personnes concernées n’ont pas à s’acquitter des cotisations forfaitaires demandées.

DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/science/18dna.html?_r=1

The Hague Declaration

http://www.digistan.org/hague-declaration:en

The Hague Declaration

Adopted and proclaimed
by the founders of the Digital Standards Organization
in The Hague on 21 May 2008.

Whereas almost 60 years ago the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established in international law these rights and freedoms:

1. Freedom from discrimination by government or law (Article 2, Article 7).
2. Freedom of movement within the borders of each state (Article 13.1).
3. The right to participate in government (Article 21.1).
4. The right of equal access to public services (Article 21.2).

Whereas these rights and freedoms are today accepted by every democratic government and backed by the constitutions of most states;

Considering that all countries are moving, at different rates and from different starting points, towards a society in which full and effective participation in government and society, and access to public services, education and opportunity, are increasingly dependent upon access to electronic communications;

Considering more specifically that:

* Government information, services and resources are increasingly provided virtually rather than physically;
* Freedom of speech and association are increasingly exercised on line rather than in person;
* The Internet and the Web provide an unprecedented avenue to equality of education and opportunity for all peoples throughout the world;

Considering that the benefits of the Internet may only be guaranteed, and our hard-won human rights may only be preserved as we make the transition to a digital society, by ensuring affordable, equal access to the Internet, and if the openness of the Internet is also preserved;

Considering the unique role that free and open digital standards can play in ensuring this result by fostering competition and innovation, lowering costs and increasing choice;

Considering that governments, through example and procurement, are uniquely able to ensure that all people achieve the benefits that free and open digital standards can provide;

Considering that these benefits are of particular importance to the economically, socially, and geographically disadvantaged peoples of the world;

Considering that there is increasing consensus on the attributes of a free and open digital standard;

We call on all governments to:

1. Procure only information technology that implements free and open standards;
2. Deliver e-government services based exclusively on free and open standards;
3. Use only free and open digital standards in their own activities.