In the Uh oh Department: On January 10, 2004, the Unix/Linux time_t typedef (defined as a signed long) rolls over to -1. I'm not sure if this has been widely recognized as a problem, but I suspect it will be an issue for many smaller-scale/embedded systems. Some software companies are already in panic mode over this Y2K-like problem. Recommendation: fresh ammo, ramen noodles and bottled water. ;-).



Technical recruiting tip: for all current and aspiring technical headhunters... visit the hardest of the hardcore-software development discussion boards and find the smartest people there. Email them. It's just that simple: The Joel on Software Forum.



Installer: need a quick, yet capable, installer for your application? My recommendation is the free, open-source Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (or NSIS). NSIS is used by BadBlue - and a bunch of other apps - and generates a miniscule 30-40K of overhead after compressing the files to be delivered.



Google Calculator: thanks to the AngryCoder, I found out that Google now supports a calculator mode. Just type an expression into the search box, e.g., 5 * 2 + 2, and *voila*... Google determines it's a formula and evaluates it for you. In addition to the calculator, Google now also supports definitions.



At first I thought this was a joke, but apparently it's all too real: Girls' High School Wrestling.