Indeed, it is super complex. It's been much harder than we initially expected. We'd thought maybe two years--it wouldn't be fast, but it would be complete. But things like invokedynamic instruction, annotations, etc. have added complexity far beyond what we originally expected. But it's been highly instructive. And it's great fun to see full Java programs execute and watch the instructions fly by as they execute. On average we're presently at about 1/3 the performance of the JDK with the -Xint (interpreter mode) flag set. (Some of that performance penalty is due to using go vs. HotSpot's use of C.) We hope in a year to be able to invite interested folks to try it out with their code.
Oracle had record revenue in its most recent fiscal year, with record user engagement. So whatever connection you're trying to establish between its fate and that of SO or myspace is off-target, both in terms of popularity and revenue.
When Wikipedia first came out, there was a big debate about articles on people: should it be inclusive (anybody with minor accomplishments gets in) or should there be some threshold to be met? Ultimately, it was decided that if the perception was that the person involved was to become notable principally by having a WP page, then they did not qualify. WP did not want to be used as a means of getting attention/traction/credibility. I like that criterion and I think it’s reasonable to feel that Odin does not meet it…yet.
2/3 of policies sold in California are assigned to the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), which is a semi-private/semi-public corporation that carries the principal risk. It was formed in 1994, when many private insurers discontinued earthquake insurance after the Northridge quake.
Insurance agencies serve primarily as vendors, customer service, etc., but the risk is carried by the CEA. The remaining 1/3 of policies are carried by a few private insurers who still underwrite policies.
In theory, that system should prevent insolvency. Remember that California is a huge state and even a very strong earthquake would still have fairly localized damage. For example, the 1906 earthquake (Richter 8.0) that levelled San Francisco did comparatively little damage to Petaluma, a city 40 miles to the north.
Alas, not. Most policies in California have a 15% deductible. That’s 15% of the insured value of your home. So for nearly all houses, a $25K bill is not covered. California policies are and have always been to cover catastrophic damage.
The publisher was generally familiar with Beethoven’s writing and conventions. He’d prepare galleys that Beethoven would proof (and frequently edit). A substantial part of Beethoven’s known correspondence concerns corrections to galleys (and managing payments).
What the Brexit vote demonstrated IMHO is that you should not make profound systemic changes based on 50% + 1 vote. You really need a super-majority, otherwise the country is at the mercy of any campaign or latest fashion. This vote is not like electing a new PM, as it caused changes that will ripple across generations and dozens of PMs. Such changes should require a true mandate--which Brexit's 51.9% was not.
Everything the author complains about occurred in the dot-com bubble as well. His view that until 2007 founders were lovable nerds is completely off-base. In Silicon Valley, the same dynamics of start-ups chasing money, then getting it and proclaiming their genius, as they were “going to change the world” happened in 2000 as in similar ways today. The popping of the internet bubble brought back a lot of humility.
Take this difficulty and make the desired sound piano and put the whole thing into 1960s technology and you can see why recording studios were never able to remove Glenn Gould's humming from his recordings.
One additional benefit of Fastmail is fast, helpful tech support. The few times i’ve needed them, they’ve answered quickly and given me what i needed in the first response.