• (cs)

    I love how the mug is on a wooden table. Nice touch!

  • Person Up (unregistered)

    I want one of those mugs, but not enough to go to a con for it.

  • neminem (unregistered)

    I want to go to this con, but not enough to go to Ohio for it.

    (The fact that I'd already heard of it, though, means it's clearly a pretty nifty event. If it were in LA, I would totally consider going. (Says the guy who drives from LA to Phoenix every year for the con of a silly web game.))

  • Leo (unregistered) in reply to neminem

    If I lived in a hellhole like LA I'd take any excuse to go somewhere like Ohio.

  • Former Marine (unregistered) in reply to Leo
    Leo:
    If I lived in a hellhole like LA I'd take any excuse to go somewhere like Ohio.

    25% of my bootcamp platoon was from Ohio.

    So what was that you were saying about hellholes?

  • Mark (unregistered)

    Wow, I wouldn't go to Notacon simply because their wiki is a FPOS stuffed with spam links

  • EatenByAGrue (unregistered) in reply to Former Marine
    Former Marine:
    Leo:
    If I lived in a hellhole like LA I'd take any excuse to go somewhere like Ohio.

    25% of my bootcamp platoon was from Ohio.

    So what was that you were saying about hellholes?

    I know what David St Hubbins had to say about hellholes:

    It's better in a hellhole! You know where you stand in a hellhole! Folks lend a hand in a hellhole!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4cQMI2Lnxo

    But seriously, Cleveland is pretty nice in the spring.

  • (cs)

    jump ship before getting thrown overboard

    Wow, wish I'd had enough guts to jump before I got booted... but the boot was just what I needed. Being out of work for a while sucked, but actually not nearly as much as it sucked working for the place I was at. Now, I'm employed, having a good time, and now I'm stress free.

    Alex, great post. Have fun at Notacon.

  • Anon (unregistered) in reply to neminem
    neminem:
    I want to go to this con, but not enough to go to Ohio for it.

    (The fact that I'd already heard of it, though, means it's clearly a pretty nifty event. If it were in LA, I would totally consider going. (Says the guy who drives from LA to Phoenix every year for the con of a silly web game.))

    Not Ohio, TRWTF is Cleveland.

  • TheGrenger (unregistered)

    If you have slides for your presentation, please post them!

  • Design Pattern (unregistered)
    by Alex Papadimoulis:
    What's my secret? Just the right of planning, persistence, psychology... and perhaps a dash of psychopathy. In this talk, you'll learn how to:

    ... * fill all those long hours ...

    So you finally teach us how to post troll comments on the thedailywtf.com-forums?
    by Alex Papadimoulis:
    it's a community event driven by submitted presentations
    I guess a presentation called "How to spoof Akismet" would have one of the largest audiences.

    CAPTCHA: uxor - that would actually be "||"!

  • grover (unregistered) in reply to Anon
    Anon:
    Not Ohio, TRWTF is Cleveland.

    Hey,at least we're not Detroit!

  • Kyle (unregistered)

    You think LA-Ohio is a long way...

    For the Australians amoung us (and other international TDWTF readers) will your talk be posted someplace?

  • Vilx- (unregistered)

    Since I live about 120 degrees to the east, I won't be able to attend. :( Is there any chance your talk will be recorded and made publicly available?

  • t604 (unregistered) in reply to Leo

    I totally grok this. I also totally grok not wanting to go to ohio to go to a con. But ohio > La

  • Mike (unregistered) in reply to EatenByAGrue
    EatenByAGrue:
    But seriously, Cleveland is pretty nice in the spring.

    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.

  • NotMine (unregistered)

    The work ethic described at the top of this article sounds like a segment I just finished watching on "60 Minutes on CNBC". That segment described the "work ethic", or "lack of work ethic" in France.

    According to the segment, in France they have legally mandated 35 hour work weeks, no overtime, legally mandated 5 weeks of vacation every year, at least a dozen legally proscribed holidays, almost free education, and almost free health care.

    So the work ethic described in this article sounds much like the work ethic in France...if you call it a "work ethic".

  • Karl (unregistered) in reply to NotMine

    I don't know about "no overtime"; I think there is a legal limit to how much overtime you are allowed to do, in order to protect weaker groups, not neccessarely it-workers. Yet.

    In most parts ov Europe, its 40 hour work week though.

    The only ethics thats involved is; You are doing a job, and are paid accordingly (inc benefits) to do it. The europeans have managed to fight for a decent deal.

    Both US and Europe are right now competing with chinese slave factories and underpaid indian workers, but it's clear whats ethical or not. At least to me.

  • (cs) in reply to NotMine
    NotMine:
    The work ethic described at the top of this article sounds like a segment I just finished watching on "60 Minutes on CNBC". That segment described the "work ethic", or "lack of work ethic" in France.

    According to the segment, in France they have legally mandated 35 hour work weeks, no overtime, legally mandated 5 weeks of vacation every year, at least a dozen legally proscribed holidays, almost free education, and almost free health care.

    So the work ethic described in this article sounds much like the work ethic in France...if you call it a "work ethic".

    Semantic failure: the holidays are *prescribed* or *mandated*, not *proscribed* (*prohibited*)...

    My experience over the last two years of the French work ethic is that it does not live down to your low expectations. Sure, the law says this, that, and the other thing about hours worked per week. That doesn't mean that developers rush off home as soon as the 7 hours per day is up.

    Actually, the weirdest thing about living in France is rudeness, or rather the lack of it. All the world, including the French themselves, thinks the French are rude to one and all, especially to foreigners. It isn't true, but my colleagues were surprised to hear me say so.

  • derari (unregistered) in reply to neminem
    neminem:
    I want to go to this con, but not enough to go to Ohio for it.
    I want to go to Ohio, but not enough to cross the Atlantic for it.

    Also, will there be a video of your talk available online?

  • Anonymous Coward (unregistered)

    "My Talk: Hacking the Workplace... How to Make the Most with the Least"

    I love the agenda. As a non-slacker who does work hard every day (and is paid and recognised for this), I'd be interested in hearing the other side of the fence of slackerville.

    Please post the video of the not-a-presentation for us all to watch

  • (cs)

    "I've made more money at each job than the last" Is that through EMBEZZLEMENT?

  • (cs) in reply to Leo
    Leo:
    If I lived in a hellhole like LA I'd take any excuse to go somewhere like Ohio.
    I used to attend events like this, but no more.

    I am an EX-CON.

  • eric (unregistered)

    please record a video indeed, i'd love to hear the speech :)

  • justsomedudette (unregistered) in reply to Mike
    Mike:
    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.
    I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway, seeing as it's not a state (and AFAIK isn't part of one either). I'm sure someone can clarify that.
  • (cs) in reply to justsomedudette
    justsomedudette:
    Mike:
    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.
    I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway, seeing as it's not a state (and AFAIK isn't part of one either). I'm sure someone can clarify that.
    DC is basically its own state without the perks. It gets no representation in congress for example. In fact its run completely by the feds. Its technically a district and not a state.
  • foo (unregistered) in reply to NotMine
    NotMine:
    The work ethic described at the top of this article sounds like a segment I just finished watching on "60 Minutes on CNBC". That segment described the "work ethic", or "lack of work ethic" in France.

    According to the segment, in France they have legally mandated 35 hour work weeks, no overtime, legally mandated 5 weeks of vacation every year, at least a dozen legally proscribed holidays, almost free education, and almost free health care.

    So the work ethic described in this article sounds much like the work ethic in France...if you call it a "work ethic".

    Interesting that GDP/hours worked in France is so much higher than most other countries, including the US... :)

    http://www.businessinsider.com/are-the-french-the-most-productive-people-in-the-world-2009-8

    Disclaimer: I'm not anti-US before y'all start shouting. Being a Brit I have no love for the cheese-eating-surrender-monkeys. But I envy their 35 work conditions and general attitude to life.

  • (cs) in reply to foo
    foo:
    NotMine:
    The work ethic described at the top of this article sounds like a segment I just finished watching on "60 Minutes on CNBC". That segment described the "work ethic", or "lack of work ethic" in France.

    According to the segment, in France they have legally mandated 35 hour work weeks, no overtime, legally mandated 5 weeks of vacation every year, at least a dozen legally proscribed holidays, almost free education, and almost free health care.

    So the work ethic described in this article sounds much like the work ethic in France...if you call it a "work ethic".

    Interesting that GDP/hours worked in France is so much higher than most other countries, including the US... :)

    http://www.businessinsider.com/are-the-french-the-most-productive-people-in-the-world-2009-8

    Disclaimer: I'm not anti-US before y'all start shouting. Being a Brit I have no love for the cheese-eating-surrender-monkeys. But I envy their 35 work conditions and general attitude to life.

    On the internet, no one can tell you're a frog.

  • Anon (unregistered) in reply to Mike
    Mike:
    EatenByAGrue:
    But seriously, Cleveland is pretty nice in the spring.

    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.

    This comment should be featured!

  • Anon (unregistered) in reply to grover
    grover:
    Anon:
    Not Ohio, TRWTF is Cleveland.

    Hey,at least we're not Detroit!

    I thought that was Baltimore's city motto.

  • Anon (unregistered)

    Really should move it somewhere nicer. Perhaps Baghdad? Or Kabul?

  • rfoxmich (unregistered)

    "My Talk: Hacking the Workplace... How to Make the Most with the Least"

    I can't shake this vision of Wally.

  • Anonymous (unregistered)

    I commend the subject matter of your presentation but I'm already a seasoned expert in this field.

  • Your Name (unregistered) in reply to Anon
    Anon:
    grover:
    Anon:
    Not Ohio, TRWTF is Cleveland.

    Hey,at least we're not Detroit!

    I thought that was Baltimore's city motto.

    No, Baltimore's motto is "Don't stray from the Inner Harbor".

  • K|O|G|I (unregistered)

    I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I'm pretty dense, but: work like a lazy, under-zealous sloth, create and deliver believable excuses, master performance reviews, jump ship before getting thrown overboard...

    I really hope you're joking!

  • Anonymous (unregistered) in reply to K|O|G|I
    K|O|G|I:
    I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I'm pretty dense, but: work like a lazy, under-zealous sloth, create and deliver believable excuses, master performance reviews, jump ship before getting thrown overboard...

    I really hope you're joking!

    You appear to have completely missed the point of Notacon. This is the same conference that brings you presentations such as "Corporate Evil: The Legal Way to Commit Fraud and Murder or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Corruption", not to mention "The Ancient Sport of Falconry". Yes, falconry. As in birds.

    Notacon is not your average tech conference. Hence the name.

  • Zornod (unregistered) in reply to derari
    derari:
    neminem:
    I want to go to this con, but not enough to go to Ohio for it.
    I want to go to Ohio, but not enough to cross the Atlantic for it.
    I want to cross the Atlantic, but not enough to visit your planet for it.
  • Shuryno (unregistered) in reply to Steve The Cynic
    Actually, the weirdest thing about living in France is rudeness, or rather the lack of it. All the world, including the French themselves, thinks the French are rude to one and all, especially to foreigners. It isn't true, but my colleagues were surprised to hear me say so.

    S.V.P !Ne défaites pas cette réputation que les Français ont travaillé si fort à bâtir.

    KTHXBYE!

  • (cs)

    Aarg I want to go! The topics all look so interesting and I'd love to see many of them!

    I'm ~14.5 thousand km's away though :(

  • Brian White (unregistered) in reply to galgorah
    galgorah:
    justsomedudette:
    Mike:
    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.
    I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway, seeing as it's not a state (and AFAIK isn't part of one either). I'm sure someone can clarify that.
    DC is basically its own state without the perks. It gets no representation in congress for example. In fact its run completely by the feds. Its technically a district and not a state.

    It is not run by the feds. We have a city council and a mayor, created under the Home Rule Act. They manage the city. Congress still has the ridiculous ability to hold our budgets up and overrule our laws within the first 90 days though, when they feel like being dicks.

    "I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway". Read the Constitution, it calls out the creation of DC: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

  • Absolutely Everyone (unregistered) in reply to Brian White
    Brian White:
    galgorah:
    justsomedudette:
    Mike:
    This statement is TRWTF. Cleveland is a terrible place to be any time of year. I used to travel there twice a month for 4 years. That town sucked the life out of me every time I went there. If I were choosing places to eliminate from the US, Cleveland would be an easy #1 (and I've been to Detroit). I am, however, willing to listen to arguments in favor of removing Washington, DC.
    I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway, seeing as it's not a state (and AFAIK isn't part of one either). I'm sure someone can clarify that.
    DC is basically its own state without the perks. It gets no representation in congress for example. In fact its run completely by the feds. Its technically a district and not a state.

    It is not run by the feds. We have a city council and a mayor, created under the Home Rule Act. They manage the city. Congress still has the ridiculous ability to hold our budgets up and overrule our laws within the first 90 days though, when they feel like being dicks.

    "I don't see how Washington, DC is part of the United States anyway". Read the Constitution, it calls out the creation of DC: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

    snores loudly

  • Jamie (unregistered) in reply to Steve The Cynic

    I'm a British national who's been working in France for the last couple of years also.

    I completely agree with you. The French are not as rude as everyone portrays them to be. Sure, you get the odd a***hole here who dislikes foreigners etc., but you get them everywhere. Also, I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, but as you have said, this doesn't mean that I do my hours and then just go home as soon as it's 4.30. I will often stay until rather late fixing problems, doing upgrades etc. However, it does depend on which company you're working for.

    But yes, France is a lot less stressful than working in the UK. I prefer their balance between work and personal life.

  • C (unregistered)
    Alex:
    What's my secret? Just the right of planning, persistence, psychology... and perhaps a dash of psychopathy.
    And the obligatory missing word every few paragraphs! ;-)
  • Tripp (unregistered)

    I love your speech topic. I feel like I'm already a student of your philosophy. I barely work more than 3 hours a day while playing video games during the other 5 hours at work and they keep throwing money at me and telling me how awesome I am. Lazy programmers are productive programmers because we hate to repeat ourselves.

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