1
The point system should encourage participation. If we reset the point system every quarter (3 months) or every YC funding cycle, and then give permanent awards to the leaders, then all of us, leaders or laggards, have more reason to participate positively.
Or, instead of awards, we can tack permanent bonus points onto each user. #1 place gets +20 bonus points. Starts the next season with an automatic advantage (like racee qualifiers).
nickb (100+53) 100 is permanant.. 53 is current quarter.. total 153
Keep things fresh.
Books can often be better than movies because of the depth of narrative needed to expose a concept or idea. Also because your own imagination drives the story, so each reader might actually come up with something different (their own interpretation and eventual implementation).
That being said, I'm no expert on this topic, but here are some good ones (emphasis on fun reads), feel free to share your favorites, but don't spoiler it!
For the record, I will play video games over reading a book.
=================================
::Snow Crash:: by Neal Stephenson
Plot Outline: A Cyber Ninja hacker set in a Matrix-like world where Real Life and Virtual Life mesh.
Some Ideas Profiled:
+ Metaverse, a cyber world that many people live in or use to interface with the real world. Think MMOs and Second Life.
+ Gargoyles, people who wear gadgets to record everything that goes on around them and sell the data into a central marketplace. Think Crowdsourcing, Streetview Startups or Justin.tv.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553380958/ref=pd_cp_b_0/00...
I've heard from people who read books often that this is classic cyberpunk. A Second Life founder cites Snow Crash as major inspiration for the game.
=============================
::Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom:: by Cory Doctorow
Plot Outline: A Futuristic Society (set in Disneyland no less) based on expounding today's Internet Phenomenons: social networks, pagerank, ebay reputation, blogging-fame mechanics, and Dog-eat-dog Startup Competition. And everyone lives forever~~~
Some Ideas Profiled:
+ Reputation Economy, money doesn't exist in the future. Instead, people connect to a Google like system through their head and commerce works by measuring your reputation and fame (e.g. how many think about you and thus create a link for your personal pagerank).
http://www.amazon.com/Down-Magic-Kingdom-Cory-Doctorow/dp/07...
Check the customers reviews and you'll see that Jeff Bezos tells you to read it.
=============================
::The Code Book:: by Simon Singh
Outline: A short, history based narrative of Cryptography. Written in the tone similar to how a Wired Magazine writer will sex up a topic they cover.
Covers Julius Caesar to Quantum Cryptography.
Non-Fiction, but for me, it had a startup-like quality when read. More so than Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson which is ABOUT a startup but reads like a regular story (I can't finish that book, its a Tome!).
http://www.amazon.com/Code-Book-Science-Secrecy-Cryptography...
Stay happier programming by eating good. When you're not in the mood for Cup Ramen and the Dollar Menu at MickyD's.
My favorite relaxer when under stress is Basil Tomato Soup. It really helps me clear my head for more programming. Takes 5-10 minutes to prepare and put in pot. Then forget about it for 40 minutes while it cooks (don't even have to stir).
When I only have 1 minute to microwave something, I make a 1337 Haxor Boca (my own concoqtion). Recipes below.
1) 1337 Haxor Boca
Buy Spicy Chicken Boca Burger at Safeway, some Spicy Hummus, and Pita Bread. Microwave the spicey chicken boca burger for 1 minute. Toast the pita bread if u want to. Cut the pita in half. Cut the boca in half. Put one half of the boca into each pita half. Use a knife and wedge some Spicy Hummus in. Done. Tastes great. Fills you up for 6 hrs. Nothing to clean.
Needs: Box of Spicy Chicken Boca Burger, Pita Bread, Hummus, Microwave
2) Basil Tomato Soup (is this a tuscan thing?):
(Best when you have stale hard bread laying around that you don't want to waste)
Chop 4 garlic cloves into chunks (like the size of rice or bigger). In a saucepot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil on medium. Throw in the garlic. Put a layer of the stale (hopefully not moldy) bread on the bottom. Toast the bread a little in the pot. If you don't have stale bread, throw a handful of rice in instead (abt 2 tbsp). Then put 1 can of whole tomatoes in ($1 from safeway). Canned tomatoes are better than produce section tomatoes because they are easier to use and canned when they're the freshest (food hack!). Put half a can of water in. When it boils. Turn the heat to the low setting. Chop a handful of basil. Throw it in. Come back in 40 minutes for something great. Add salt to taste.
Needs: Can of whole tomatoes, Basil, Garlic, Stale Bread, Olive Oil, a Stove.