April 2010 Archives

I came across the dumbest code I've seen in a while at work today.

try
{
    return _Collection.Length;
}
catch (NullReferenceException)
{
    return 0;
}

I found it because when debugging an asp.net page, I had enabled thrown exception breaks and this code was causing about 5 debug breaks for every page load...  Needless to say it has now been rewritten.

The really cool thing is that the whole graphic is backed by a google doc spreadsheet that is chock full with explicit references to back up the claims.  My wife of course asked where they got the data -- and you can actually check it out (you don't have to take their word for it).  This is a graphical representation of the "Alternative" medicine trash heap I blogged about previously.

I think that skeptics need to do more and more of these things to consolidate the current state of affairs for all kinds of scientific questions that are muddied by woo proponents.

Snake Oil? The scientific evidence for health supplements

Probably one of the most clear sites with pictures showing how to prune.  Although if you're like me and have older trees that were never properly pruned early on, you have to be more creative.

HGIC 1351 Pruning & Training Apple & Pear Trees : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina