This is an interesting article on a topic that many people do not understand. It's worth a look. ETFs » Asset Allocation: Finding Your Risk Level

This is a very interesting article on how the backwards compatibility for the XBOX 360 is done. It makes me wonder if marketing was overzealous on this feature. Xbox Team : On Backwards Compatibility

Lately, I have been doing a lot of reading between Refactoring Databases : Evolutionary Database Design, Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art, and some of the new .NET books that were released in March 2006. Previously, I had the impression that experience and learning new technologies are the important qualities to get ahead. Though, I am beginning to get the impression that learning new APIs and libraries are not as important as being disciplined in writing quality code. In fact, the software engineering world is too mixed up in using the latest and greatest technology and not worrying about how to maintain and enhance current software. Picking up new technology has always been a habit for good developers, and, is therefore, the reason why I think building more quality and bug-free habits are better.

Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art sounds like it is going to be a good book. In my opinion, estimating is probably one of the toughest aspect of software development that you wish you never have to deal with. Hopefully, some good insight would come from this book, especially from the author of Code Complete. I will give an opinion of my findings as soon as I finish.

I never understood how the eBay.com Feedback system can work well with Half.com. Here's how I summarize the risks for selling and buying for each site

eBay.com Risks

• Seller: The risk that a buyer won't pay.
• Buyer: The risk that a seller won't ship the product or ship on time. The risk that the product is different than what was described.

Half.com Risks

• Seller: None. Payment already received and taken care by eBay/Half.com.
• Buyer: The risk that a seller won't ship the product or ship on time. The risk that the product is different than what was described.

In both cases, the Buyer should give feedback after receiving (or not receiving) the product. Though, the Seller has a risk that exists in eBay and not Half.com. In eBay, typically, the seller posts feedback as soon as payment has been received. In Half.com, it is puzzling how a Seller is able to rate the Buyer because the Seller has not gained any type of information about the Buyer. So, my thoughts are that in Half.com, the Buyer should be the post feedback first. Though, I'm not sure on what grounds a Seller should post, other than miscommunications.

This is one idea that I wish a lot of software engineers and programmers keep in mind. It's an idea that is stated in Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change (2nd Edition) by Kent Beck called Collective Code Ownership. This is an idea that I practice a lot in my line of work. Though, I do come across people who don't share this idea. There is actually one good reason why and it's something that I've experience first hand:

"In practice collective code ownership is actually more reliable than putting a single person in charge of watching specific classes. Especially since a person may leave the project at any time." (link)

For some reason, I've been seeing a trend where a lot of places are selling opened (non-factory sealed) video games as new. I remember stopping into GameStop one day and bought a new copy of Capcom vs. SNK 2: E.O. for XBOX. Usually, they put an empty case on the shelves. All the games were kept behind a glass cabinet. When they gave me the game, it looked like it was sealed differently. The side of the game lacked the authentic halogram that all factory-sealed XBOX games have. So, the next day, I returned the game without any complaint, in its original fake seal.

So, the moral of the story? When buying a new console game, make sure that the hologram seal (or whatever factory seal the console platform uses) is on the item. I don't think this applies to PC games since I've seen video games sealed with something close to plastic tape. Additionally, when you see a new game on eBay auctions, make sure the factory-seal is pictured, or have the seller email you a picture of the seal. No one should pay a premium on games that are not exactly new.

I'm actually surprised that many sellers on Half.com do not post a picture of the product they are selling. It can create trust that the product you are selling is in your posession. Anyway, I redid all the photos I posted for Half.com and used the following:

• Canon PowerShot A620 (7.1MP), Canon PowerShot A610 (5MP), or Canon PowerShot A520 (4MP)
• SLIK SDV-20 Photo/Video Tripod
• Corel Paint Shop Pro X (PSPX)

After doing this, it brings me to the topic about a regular Internet user selling on eBay, Amazon, or Half.com. Creating your own auction using your own resources isn't that hard, though, I know many users who struggle posting items on eBay or Half.com. Mainly, I think their concerns are the following:

1. Taking an image of the product you are selling
2. Packaging the item for shipment (including pricing shipping costs)
3. Fraud

Taking a good picture isn't that hard. In fact, I've learned that many quality picture can be taken with the flash turned off. My Half.com pictures for Items without a flash were taken with ISO 50 on a tripod in a average lit room. Even though the shutter was open for about 1 second, I was able to get a very clear shot because it was a stationery object. After running the dark picture through PSPX using Smart Photo Fix, I was able to bring all the colors back without having the dark corners or inconsistent lighting due to the weak flash on the camera.

Packaging is another thing. Of course, you have to buy packaging material, which you can get from your closest office supply store. Most boxes cost anywhere from $0.99 to $1.50. If you are shipping a book, you can probably use padded envelopes. Additionally, to calculate how heaving your item is, I use a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself first on the bathroom scale. Then, bring the item you want to sell and carry it with you on the scale. The difference should be the weight of the item. Of course, if your item weighs less than one pound, you should probably use a scale at your closest post office or buy one. Based on the weight, you can have at least an estimate of how much shipping is going to cost. Additionally, be sure to take distance into account, since many shippers also charge by distance. This matter most when you are on the east or west coast.

Now, fraud is another story. This is one topic I haven't experienced first hand. Though, there are many ways to prevent fraud. One way is to always get a confirmation or tracking number of any type when you ship an item, which means an extra cost. This is as much as you need to know for Half.com and Amazon zShops. For eBay, you have to take a look at a combination of Feedback and Shipping address. If asked to ship to another shipping address than the billing address (especially if they are more than 10 miles apart), you should ask yourself if you really want to take that order. Many eBay businesses factor that risk in their costs and profits. But, a user who only has one item should NEVER take this risk. It's an unnecessary risk and you are probably better off taking a lower bid/purchase than taking a user (who may even have good feedback) with an unverified address. This is the one distinct difference that all private online sellers should always remember.

After all this, I don't see a reason why an average person cannot create an auction/listing themselves.