Okay so the article is fairly standard stuff if you've read the Joel essays. When I interview now I get the candidate to break down a problem with me and answe

Okay so the article is fairly standard stuff if you've read the Joel essays. When I interview now I get the candidate to break down a problem with me and answer it in sudo code. I'll ask questions and guide the candidate about how it could be done better, asking if there are there any edge cases we have missed and generally just build something out (a plan if you like). The best candidates tell you you are wrong (politely) and come up with a better way of building whatever it is that you've tasked them (I expect the people I hire to be a lot better than me!). You also have a vague idea of what it would be like to work with them. Weak candidates (even after you explain to them) just do not get that it's a discussion and don't ask questions or for help, they just get frustrated. Use of the Internet is fine and you'll soon see if you can work with their brain or not.