Slashdot Mirror
Does Santa Hate Linux?
beernutmark writes "Well, it looks like Santa or at least Norad/Google hates Linux. This year, for the first time since its inception, Norad is not making a simple .kml file available for download to track Santa. You must connect to their website with a Windows/Mac browser and use the browser plugin. No full-screen Google Earth to look at the beautiful areas around Santa's path. (Anyone have any open source source kml files for tracking Santa or any idea how we can go about making one for 2010?)"
Linux users have figured out that Santa doesn't exist.
Hey, I just felt something woosh over my head! Was it Santa!? Maybe he does exist!
This year, for the first time since its inception, Norad is not making a simple .kml file available for download to track Santa.
NORAD's been putting out .kml files since 1958?
Under Ubuntu, use Firefox, install User Switcher Agent, select "Internet Explorer 7". It appears to work fine. Granted, it is annoying, but it is easy to work around.
The elves are annoyed with the Gnomes.
1. Open web browser of your choice.
2. Go to noradsanta.com
3. (if you have NoScript, turn it off or at least unblock everything but googleanalytics).
4. On the right hand side, there's a diagonal arrow. Click it.
5. Hit whatever button makes your browser go fullscreen.
There. Full-screen Santa-y goodness.
Admittedly not QUITE as good as Google Earth, but you can at least get a full-screen Google Maps experience which is pretty darned close.
Tested in Linux (Mint 8, Firefox 3.5) and Windows XP, Firefox 3.5.
PS: Direct link to the fullscreen map: http://www.noradsanta.org/map.html#fullscreen
"This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
He also hates the baffled and disenchanted faces of little children who receive exactly what they ask for: Red Hats and Fedoras.
Yeah, because providing a link to download a KML file is much harder than embedding fullblown Google Earth as a browser plugin.
2009 is not the year of Santa on the desktop. At least, not for Linux users :(
Does Santa Hate Linux? .kml file available for download to track Santa. You must connect to their website with a Windows/Mac browser and use the browser plugin. No full-screen Google Earth to look at the beautiful areas around Santa's path. (Anyone have any open source source kml files for tracking Santa or any idea how we can go about making one for 2010?)"
beernutmark writes "Well, it looks like Santa or at least Norad/Google hates Linux. This year, for the first time since its inception, Norad is not making a simple
Gee, I wonder which line of this summary got this story posted. I wonder if those complaining about Apple rumor stories will catch this.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Actually, Linux would be related closer to "pagan" or polytheistic religions. We believe in multiple gods (software authors), although there is a high deity (Linus) who created the universe (Linux) where the rest reside. Some of the other deities work not only in his universe, but in others as well (other *nix's, and even Windows).
The gods are kind and benevolent. Not only do they bestow their gifts upon us (software), but they show us the way (source) so we can ascend to their level.
Not only do they welcome ascension, but the know that no being, god or mortal, is without flaw. They listen when we say there is a problem (bug report) and accept our suggestions (patches) to make the universe better.
Praise be to the gods and goddesses.
And to you, on the cusp of the celebration of the Winter Solstice, I wish you and yours the best. May we help educate the nonbelievers (monotheistic computer followers) into seeing the light (the world which is *nix).
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Which reminds me of two famous quotes.
"God is dead" - Nietzsche
"Nietzsche is dead" - God
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Of course Santa hates Linux. I mean, think about it, he's Mr. Materialism. Santa is all about shopping malls. It's that smart rabbi, that Jesus guy, who talked about sharing with others as a path to happiness, not Santa. Santa's heart belongs to Microsoft.
You're a mean one, Mister Grinch...
You mean like this?
http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/noradsanta/index.html#utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=hpp&utm_source=en-hpp-na-us-gns-norad
Sig it.
Sounds like you and some "Christians" have something in common - lots of the most religious people aren't so fond of Santa either.
Hint: Just because he's called "Saint Nick" does not mean the Pope has recognized him.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Well technically, Santa has pretty much nothing to do with christianity or christmas. The tradition was stolen to further the church's influence.
Oy, gevalt. Vot a tregedy. Vot an awful ting to vorry about. My knishes are in a knot and my borscht is bleeding.
Good luck shooting down a sleigh that travels at relativistic speeds.
That "Christian fairy-tale" you are whining about is responsible for more joy, laughter, wonder, and good will in this world than anything else you can name.
Not in my house. The Tooth Fairy trumps all.
This could be just a really lame joke post, but since it got modded interesting I guess I will falling for it if it is... Get a little perspective? You have a sig that says "Life's too short." but you spend your time getting riled up about the government spending a tiny bit of money amusing children over the holidays... OH THE HORROR! Also, a large number of non-religious families do the whole Santa thing too you know. It is just something fun for kids, not "propagandising children".
?
No he doesn't. He just mailed me a wrapped kubuntu CD.
In soviet Russia, God creates you!
Various statements on the website strongly imply that it is an all-volunteer project. I doubt tax money is funding it.
I don't like the idea of my tax dollars being spent on non-essential services either, but I really don't think that's the case here.
OP here. Actually, I am a pretty damn hard core atheist. And being so, I know that Jesus had a snow balls chance in hell of being born on Dec 25th (or any other date really). I could care less about the christ part of christmas. In fact, if the uptight atheists would review their history and realize that christmas gained immediate popularity by taking over already popular pagan festivals they could relax and enjoy our atheist takeover of the christian's holiday. That said, it is damn fun being a parent and following santa and all that. Blowing it off because you are an atheist is missing the whole point. Take it over and embrace it BECAUSE you are an atheist. Or just celebrate saturnalia and figure out how to wedge Santa in there.
Clearly tracking Santa promotes the practice of giving holiday gifts, which increases interstate commerce!
Welcome to post-1937 America.
2bits.com, Inc: Drupal, WordPress, and LAMP performance tuning.
Norad Tracks Santa uses 1,200 volunteers and money from several corporate sponsors. Only 1 person is assigned from Norad to manage it year-round, and it's not his/her full time job.
None of your precious tax money is being used for this. Santa is also not a Christian symbol at all anymore, but is really the symbol of the secular Christmas. Most people in the West who are not Jewish celebrate Christmas, with or without the religious part. Hell, Santa is huge in Japan, and they have very few Christians there. There was a story on CNN earlier today about how Santa is used there as a symbol to celebrate the New Year, and they're primarily Muslims.
I'm sorry you had a bunch of crappy Christmases as a child, but there's no need to take it out on everyone else.
Brilliant, you made my Christmas Eve.
I'm tired of this fat jolly asshole violating our airspace every year.
Actually you should be far more worried about him violating the laws of physics.
Professor Knuth is a Christian (see his 3:16), and I suspect he's smart enough to be on slashdot.
He should try a distro that came out in the last 5 years. Heck, even Gentoo doesn't make it that hard anymore (though it does take that long still).
> ... they are using tax money ...
Not. It's all funded by corporate sponsors and volunteers. Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) owns the website.
-- Don't Tase me, bro!
i think your the one lacking any kind of perspective son.
If you mod me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine....
Perhaps he lets his prophet speak for him. He's funny that way.
That's so wrong, I don't know where to begin, but here goes:
1. Santa Claus is unrelated to Christianity.
2. Christmas is really a pagan festival that in relatively recent times was adopted by the Christian church and later by business people who wanted to sell more goods. The conversion into the event of mass consumption of goods that we have today was done very deliberately.
The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
Mainly because she gives great head.
Also, millions of people appreciate the love, sharing, laughter, happiness, and peace, without Saint Nick just fine, as they have been throughout history. So get over it.
Hell, Santa is huge in Japan, and they have very few Christians there. There was a story on CNN earlier today about how Santa is used there as a symbol to celebrate the New Year, and they're primarily Muslims.
The Japanese are primarily Muslim? What?
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
I'm an atheist too, but I celebrate Christmas. Why? Because I suspect that, like a lot of myths, the story of Jesus started with a grain of truth. I figure he was probably a Jewish rabble-rouser who went around preaching a philosophy of pacifism - a dangerous thing to do in an empire whose wealth and power was based almost entire on continuous military expansion. So, he caught the attention of the emperor, was executed, and as with many martyrs, his tale grew in the telling.
But, ignoring all of the supernatural mythology that found its way into his story over time, I have a ton of respect for him as a philosopher. His "turn the other cheek" for instance, shows that he understood the cyclical nature of violence far better than most people at that time - he understood that the cycle doesn't end until someone has the strength of character to take the last blow without retaliating.
So, I celebrate his birthday, for pretty much the same reason I celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Not because I believe all that stuff about him being the son of god, or dying to save our souls, but simply because I respect the man and what he taught.
Japanese Muslims?
Doh. What I meant to say is Santa is used as a symbol in Turkey, which is primarily Muslim. Sorry about that.
Damn Slashdot and its lack of an "edit" button...see my reply to the earlier poster.
You forgot the last line:
"Nietzsche is God" - Death
When it takes a man to make up a quote from God, then God is definitely dead.
Not having been there, for me to believe either quote would be an act of faith.
Christmas was only a "christian" holiday for a short time after the catholic church took it. It lost that meaning long ago.
PS, Saying "xtians" makes you sound like a pompous cunt.
When people decide to be atheist, where is it in the agreement they they have to be so damn full of them selves? I think I missed that part.
1. Santa Claus is unrelated to Christianity.
Right, so you don't have to believe in God or Jesus to appreciate Santa.
2. Christmas is really a pagan festival that in relatively recent times was adopted by the Christian church and later by business people who wanted to sell more goods. The conversion into the event of mass consumption of goods that we have today was done very deliberately.
Again, no need to be a Christian to appreciate Santa.
As for the commercialism, you are free to give it the finger and still appreciate the spirit of Santa. Greet the sunrise on the 21st (and go on for 12 days). Give an elderly neighbor the gift of a snow-free driveway and good food. Prepare a feast. Give your mail carrier some home baked treats, etc. etc. They can't MAKE you go to the mall and abuse your credit cards and a lot of gestures are a whole lot nicer than a random something from the mall anyway.
Apparently Santa can't be tracked in English - perhaps Norad's been taken over by non-English speaking saboteurs.
Selecting a language besides English gives the exact location of Santa.
When I selected Deutsch, here's what I got:
Willkommen beim NORAD-Programm zur Ortung des Weihnachtsmanns
Aktuelle Position Charleston, West Virginia, United States
Der Weihnachtsmann hält als nächstes in: Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States: 01:10
Face your daemons!
Eh.. If he's traveling at relativistic speeds in our atmosphere then Santa and reindeer are now a relativistic plasma.
Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
You're trolling, but dropping support for Linux is different than simply not supporting Linux.
The original statement was regarding the Linux universe, and Linus created the core of it.
I won't argue that there were others who came before him. That's the wonders of polytheism. You can recognize the gods and goddesses for what they've done, and respect them accordingly. You obviously understand the older gods, and respect them accordingly.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Actually many jewish people celebrate the holiday as well. Just it's not a religious holiday in any way for them any more than it is for atheists like me. It's become a general purpose holiday of giving that is often divorced from its original religious roots.
Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
You're a few hundred decades behind...
After all, I am strangely colored.
who cares? santa claus is a communist plot designed to make people think that giving is good, and it will lead to the destruction of the united states!!1!!
TechFlash: The Google-Microsoft rivalry now extends to Santa Web sites
That's one I hadn't heard before, but I'll be sure to remember it. :)
Of course, it's all a complete mangling of the meaning of Nietzsche's quote, but hey, taking a single sound bite (or quote) out of context is fun. :) I'm surprised some particular mainstream news organizations don't piece together individual words to make something to talk about. There's a conspiracy newsletter that I ended up on, that does this all the time. They'll take a single factual event, and wrap a huge conspiracy around it. I got on the list when I wrote to them to question their credentials, which were obviously bogus.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
The use of the Norad name gives this unwarranted credibility.
Tracking Santa? Credibility? Wow. Just wow.
Your "secular xmas" is an invention of pure greed devised consciously to exploit and manipulate people into spending money they dont have to raise the bottom line for wealthy commercial interests.
No one said you had to participate. Isn't freedom great?
I am sorry you were raised so immersed in a culture of lies that you dont even understand that lying to children is evil, but no need to take it out on everyone else.
Seek professional help. Please. While I respect your right to not celebrate holidays you consider groundless I think to insist that this is a "culture of lies" is taking it to the extremes a bit. Or do you rant about a "culture of lies" when someone is superstitious about Friday the 13th or dresses up at Halloween?
I personally am not a holiday person but if that's what it takes to help get someone through the day I'd say it's relatively harmless.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
so...the OSS developers are the Ancients and the proprietary software developers are the Ori? That explains the burning sensation in my rear when I use Windows. I guess that makes Miguel de Icaza to be Oma Desala...so who are the goa'uld?</stargate sg1>
That said, it is damn fun being a parent and following santa and all that.
I am not a parent, but if I ever do have a child, I don't plan on lying to him or her. Also my parents never celebrated Christmas and I never felt left out. I knew the reality about Christmas and Santa Claus since the time I knew there was such a thing.
bah, hard core atheist. really? Why teach (or allow to be taught to) your children blatant religious lies?
If we're going to whine about our tax payer dollars getting wasted by NORAD, we should just complain that they're pretending to track a fictional UFO so that precocious kids won't go on the internet and realize their parents are lying to them.
Serving up a dynamic KML file is easier than programming the Google Earth API. I won't claim that NORAD has gone out of its way to not support Linux. But they have gone out of their way, and they don't "support" Linux.
After all, I am strangely colored.
I know this may be hard, but try, just for a moment, to imagine that you are a Jewish parent who is trying to raise your children properly, and everywhere they go, from every direction, they are getting fed full of this bullshit. Still fun? Right.
Oh, it must be way different than being an atheist parent and trying to raise your children properly and everywhere they go, from every direction, they are getting fed full of religious bullshit. Guess what. It's still fun for me! Hmm.
Crap, I gotta get to bed. Santa's in Newark, NJ. Hmmm... better close the damper this year, don't want that Jersey stink in the house. I'll think up something to tell the kids....
I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
Okay, we get it. You don't like what Christmas has turned into. All the commercialism, materialism, etc. Does that mean you don't support the idea of Christmas fun, happiness, and well-being. Hate the media for what they've done to Christmas, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying what it should be about, goodwill.
See those other people over there? Yes, those one standing over there that you know and see and talk to all the time. Take Christmas as a reminder to show them a little good will. Congratulations! You've celebrated the spirit of Christmas.
Also regarding the culture of lies and stuff. All things considered, I think there are some other lies in this world that could be judged to be way worse than this one. So don't just get on your soap box this time of year and rant about it, talk or do something about all the other the rest of the year too.
You have "Prime Mover" named Linus, who created for you, Linux, the one true religion. Anybody who believes in anything different is just uninformed and possibly evil. You have an explanation for why every flaw in your system is by design, and the way things should be, while every flaw in all other system is proof that yours is the only right one.
Tried that and it immediately went to the south pole and stopped. I guess I could reset the clock on my computer to 2008/7 but that would cause other problems.
Click link in summary, browser opens:
Response:
Track in Google Earth
Sorry, the Google Earth Plug-in is not supported on your browser or platform.
I use:
KMint, aka Linux Mint CE
My browser is Konqueror and thats it. I don't like and don't use fireturd.
No work in Konqi, your on the NAUGHTY LIST!
Listen up Google, YOU USE LINUX ALL OVER THE PLACE for your various operations its TIME TO 100% SUPPORT THE LINUX USERS out here. I am tired of hearing about your "supported compatible browser" BS on your sites be it gmail or anything else! I USE LINUX THAT YOUR FIRM IS BENEFITTING FROM FINANCIALLY FROM ITS EXISTENCE SO ITS TIME TO SUPPORT LINUX 100% in your products! And no I am NOT INTERESTED in your OS or browser. I have one its called Konqueror! CODE ON IT, CODE FOR IT! SCREW THE REST! I DO! Doesn't display on x,y,z browser... hmm... let me check.... nope works in my browser that I developed it on, and thats Konqueror! CLICK! I don't develop or fix for any thing other than Konqi!
1311393600 - Back to Black
The only thing I hate more than whiny bitches are whingy bitches!
(seriously, where the heck did that 'g' come from?)
For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
The gods are kind and benevolent.
Methinks you should take a closer look at pagain mythology.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
Sure, there may not be a kml file available, but my kids have thoroughly enjoyed (to the point of annoying us parents out of our mind) watching Santa travel the globe in full screen mode.
The false gods (Microsoft VAR) are all among us. Fear them not, for they hold no real power.
So say the gods. So say we all.
Actually, ascension isn't a Stargate creation. It's common among many theologies, that in death you will join your god (or gods) in their plane of existence. For the sake of keeping this simple for everyone, in Christian mythology, the good will rise (ascend) to heaven, to spend eternity with God. The riff-raff would be sent away to other less desirable places. This would be the idea of being in a dark tunnel at death, and walking towards "the light". Some theologies believe in reincarnation, which is simply spending time with God (or gods) after death, and then they will be placed in a new body to live life again. Ahh, a good old infinite loop, rather than a defined path (born new, live life, die, be with "God").
Stargate simply removed the mysticism of dying and going "somewhere", to leaving the mortal bonds to a body, and going to a higher plane of existence. They didn't remove the precise mystery of how it's done, but eluded that the ancients did understand how to do it. They just failed to leave the textbook "How To Ascend 101". :) That would make it too easy for the sake of the show. Everyone would ascend when they wanted to, rather than taking years of introspect and meditation to do it "right". Obviously, if the entire culture could ascend, they did speak of it to each other, and shared that knowledge.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Ah yes! The cowards that always have 2 cents to dispose of.
Deflector shield, dummy!
"I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
Ok you don't get it,
For a kid below the age of about 7 the world is a magical place and santa is a part of that wonder so is flying raindeer and elves.
The world for most of us is a much more mundane place even with Christianity wedging itself into our magical festival theres not much belief in elves or flying raindeer for the Christians.
It's not really christian.
It's a time for being nice to each other and if magic is real isn't that fantastic isn't the world better for magic? now tell me why you want to suck that joy out of your childrens lives?
now you can be cynical and see it all as a waste of money and exploitation of your wallet but really the look of happiness as your kids unwrap their presents, well worth it.
There is plenty of time for the drudgery that most of us live with
the worlds better with santa, and a little magic
Blarney Quality Restaurant, Plants
Putting "^_^" as the end of your posts does not make you any less an asshole. Nobody cares about your hate for Christmas and the people who celebrate it. You are the guy who has to tell everyone you don't have a TV when they discuss a show they all watched at work? Just get over yourself already and grow up.
C'mon guys. Tux is a penguin. Him and Santa are quite literally polar opposites!
Well, "pagan" is a blanket term for anything not judeo-christian, typically all those "other" polytheistic religions. But yes, kind and loving isn't exactly the best way to describe most of them. :) The same can be said of the old testament "God" too. Well, unless catastrophic floods, plagues, and vengeance is "kind".
For the sake of the *nix and open source context, it is true though.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Yes, that's why it's actually been 9 years since .kml files were available
No, that's wrong. Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Christian saint famous for, among other things, leaving gifts in people's shoes/stockings.
After all, I am strangely colored.
For a kid below the age of about 7 the world is a magical place and santa is a part of that wonder so is flying raindeer and elves.
I'm 31 and the world is still a magical place. (metaphorically) Isn't life (nature) itself magical enough? And I never said imagination would be verboten.
The world for most of us is a much more mundane place even with Christianity wedging itself into our magical festival theres not much belief in elves or flying raindeer for the Christians.
I didn't know you worshiped the sun...
It's not really christian.
Like I said before, I knew the truth about Christmas when I was little, including where it came from and how it was 'christianized.'
It's a time for being nice to each other and if magic is real isn't that fantastic isn't the world better for magic? now tell me why you want to suck that joy out of your childrens lives?
Every day of the year is a great time to be nice to each other. That's how I try my best to do it. It also sounds like you wish there was something supernatural to the universe. I see that in pretty much all humanity. I wonder why...
As for the joy in childrens lives and sucking it out; Reality is never so harsh as when you just step out of Fantasy. Many people believe knowledge destroys innocence. Knowledge in fact preserves innocence. Innocence will keep you joyful.
now you can be cynical and see it all as a waste of money and exploitation of your wallet but really the look of happiness as your kids unwrap their presents, well worth it.
Actually Science and the Bible agree that money doesn't buy happiness. And where did you see me say that giving (including gifts) was wrong or bad. 364 other days to do that w/o having to lie. If I have kids, I indeed do plan on giving gifts, year round, to them. Why not try an unexpected time and unexpected gift if you want to see joy on someone's eyes.
I ask you to notice today what actually makes those around you happy. The actual items given, the association of friends and family, the action of gift-giving and gift-receiving, or Santa Claus and flying reindeer.
There is plenty of time for the drudgery that most of us live with the worlds better with santa, and a little magic
I feel for your drudgery. I really do. Maybe the drudgery is partly because all non-essential consumption largely revolves around one day of the year?* Is this world too far gone for a person to be unable to find joy in reality? Again, it's almost as if Humans needed magic or the supernatural for happiness or joy.
*Black Friday, closely connected with Christmas.
That "Christian fairy-tale" you are whining about is responsible for more joy, laughter, wonder, and good will in this world than anything else you can name.
You don't have to believe in God or Jesus Christ to appreciate the magic of Santa Claus, and what it means to millions of people with purer hearts than you or I possess. So lighten up.
And Merry Christmas.
I think I would put the near-end of slavery as an institution, the development of modern medicine, literacy, and vastly improved agricultural methods way ahead of Santa Claus (which is generally limited to a subset of European cultures, anyway.) And when the poor kid goes to school and finds out that Santa loves the rich kids more than he loves him, one can begin to criticize the Calvinist implications smuggled into the Santa Claus legend.
Santa is big in Japan as a symbol of Xmas, but Xmas in Japan isn't about kids getting gifts - it's actually more of a holiday for adults, in which couples exchange gift. It resembles the Anglo-American Valentine's Day more. Kids get gifts and money on New Year's day in Japan, and Santa's got little to do with it.
That's because the original St. Nicholas came from what in the modern day is Turkey.
Actually many jewish people celebrate the holiday as well.
.. by going out for Chinese food.
They figure non-Linux users will be too stupid to figure out that the tracking is identical to last year's. If you really want to know what happened to Santa, well, the Russians know something.
Only his tendency toward a dazed stupor prevented him from screaming aloud.
Because in Soviet Russia Santa tracks you!
wait a minute... oh my god...
Ugh. Look up Saint Nicholas of Myra. The Pope recognized Saint Nick about 1000 years ago.
And did he fly through the air powered by reindeer giving out the most commercially popular gifts?
Oh that's right, you took some ancient seed on which Saint Nick possibly borrowed a name from and utterly confused him with todays mysterious gift giver.
What once was is not what is. And the OP was not complaining about the Myrian St. Nick, or if he was he should make that just a bit clearer.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
I don't see why your so disturbed by what you call lies. You would perhaps prefer to live in a world of documentaries and biographies, with no place for fiction, fantasy or imagination. That's a pretty boring place if you ask me. Most people (surely not you) that have problems with this, appear to have serious problems in telling fact from fiction, and thus feel that someone is trying to get something over on them.. that's paranoia.. paranoia will destroy ya.. Chill out, it about fantasy and imagination, and it's for kids.. you are not required to believe or participate.
waiting for ad.doubleclick.net
It's fun. It's for kids. Let's not get uptight about NORAD tracking Santa - it has a long history with cultural value.
Not everything has to be sanitized to be the least offensive. Let's not get so compulsive about the first amendment we forget to enjoy life or allow others a little elbow room to enjoy theirs.
And.. Ten minutes after midnight. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Eid al-Adha, Enjoy Rohatsu, or Good Night - whichever is your preference.
Help stamp out iliturcy.
Y'know, you could have saved yourself and everyone else a lot of time if you'd just typed,
"Bah! Humbug!"
Remember, Santa is not based on any known Earth technology. Reindeers and sleighs are mere metaphors for advanced technology. Haven't you played Tomb Raider Underworld?
He's now flying to Alaska as I write this. Hey, I can see Russia from my bedroom window!
His technology is not based on any known Earth technology. To us, he appears to be violating physics, but in reality he's fully compliant.
Remember, reindeers and sleighs are metaphors for advanced technology. Haven't you played Tomb Raider Underworld? He could be travelling in a planetary warp bubble, or time travelling (enabling him to spread out the workload over 300 days), or something.
From Wikipedia:
In 1956, a Colorado Springs-based Sears store ran an advertisement encouraging people to call Santa Claus on a special kind of telephone hotline. Due to a printing error, the phone number that was printed was the hotline that was actually for Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD). Then-Colonel Harry Shoup received the first call on Christmas Eve of 1955, from a six-year old boy who began reciting his Christmas list. Shoup then didn't find the call funny, but after asking the mother of the second caller what was happening, then realizing the mistake that had occurred, he told his staff to give Santa's position to any child who called in. Three years on, the government of the United States and Canada combined their respective national domestic air defenses into the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), but the tradition continued. Now major media outlets as well as children call in to inquire on Santa's location. NORAD relies on volunteers to help make Santa tracking possible. Many employees at Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson Air Force Base spend part of their Christmas Eve with their families and friends at NORAD's Santa Tracking Operations Center, in order to answer phones and provide Santa updates to thousands of callers. In 1997, Canadian Major Jamie Robertson took over the program and expanded it to the Web, where corporation-donated services have given the tradition global accessibility.
I don't like Linux. This doesn't make me a troll.
...and as long as Linux/ OpenOffice/ Apple continue to pretend that the 'other' OS doesn't exist, get used to it.
Happy Christmas!
I don't know why the AC was modded troll, I like Gore more than most but that was fucking hillarious.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
Dear Virginia......... http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/
I would personally like to put in an endorsement for Christmas since I have had much better luck asking for things from Santa than asking for things from the baby Jesus/God combo. I don't think baby Jesus has once answered my prayers but the whole Christmas list thing works quite well and I am a true believer.
I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
Maybe you get looked at as being insane for raving on about not wanting to take part. I know I don't get any backlash for simply explaining to people that I'm not a holiday person. They seem to accept it and move on. I could understand their amusement if I went around spouting about a "culture of lies".
To be frank, you look like a complete kook and I say this as a person who doesn't believe in Christmas and finds holidays a waste of time. I'm sorry, but I'm being honest.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Yes, they should do that because it would be better for you and just fuck the kids who this is really for.
You are just another selfish geek thinking the world should revolve around your wants.
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
In other words, you are complaining that NORAD has gone out of its way and not supported Linux, which is the same damned thing.
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
Christianity comes from Judaism.
Read More and more and more.
Pretty much if they use the Old and/or New Testament bibles, they fall into the category "judeo-christian".
If you're wishing me a Merry Christmas, you should already be familiar with this.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Somebody didn't get any party invites?
Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
Who cares about KML files and viewing in Google Earth?
I tracked Santa with my son last night WITH LINUX with NO problem. Non story.
Gorkman
Still, if you're going to use Wikipedia as a primary source... and suggest I go read it... perhaps rather than reading that blog I'll just share facts with you. And yes, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Jesus was a Jew, but much of Christianity's teachings are in conflict with Judaism. "Judeo-Christian" is a mealy-mouth attempt to pretend they're still of the same ilk.
The OT teachings and the NT teachings are markedly different on many topics. This is why Jews are awaiting the arrival of the Messiah, and Christians are sure he came 2000 years ago. Also Jews are more "eye for an eye" and Christians are "turn the other cheek" (except in the Eastern District of Texas, it seems).
Jewish holidays have stayed where they were for thousands of years (not even using the Gregorian calendar). Christian holidays can't quite say that. As you like Wikipedia, feel free to look up "Yuletide". Next time someone pulls out "that ol' yule' log" reflect on the fact that the Romans sublimated local holidays to superimpose their Christian holidays on them.
Ehud
P.S. I meant no offense nor disrespect... but to re-emphasize, "judeo-christian" implies that specific subpart of the two religions which are similar. There is a very small element which fits that. To take the whole set of both religions and lump them together in that form is mere political correctness, but not accurate. Also, long live Wikipedia. I contribute to it, but it should never be a primary source of information.
We go to the movies.
I bet they showed a Menorah on Hannukah
did they?
http://www.google-logos.com/category/official-google-logos
Santa's in Newark, NJ.
I hope he's careful, I have an anti-squirrel microwave laser on my roof...
Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
So Linus is more Melek Taus than some sort of polydactyl Nephelhim poser-type? I'm comfortable with that. Thanks for the clarification.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam all share a common root and share the old testament. There's more than a passing similarity between these.
Regardless, pagan (or judeo-christian), is meant to imply everything other than the above mentioned 'one-god' religions, its not meant to imply that Judaism and Christianity are the same. Pagan is usually used when referring to polytheistic religions.
Tesla was a genius. Edison however was a overrated hack who liked to torture puppies.
> Seek professional help. Please. While I respect your right to not celebrate holidays you consider groundless I think to insist that this is a "culture of lies" is taking it to the extremes a bit. Or do you rant about a "culture of lies" when someone is superstitious about Friday the 13th or dresses up at Halloween?
:).
While I'd agree that he needs to relax a bit, I agree with him on the "culture of lies" part. I mean, if you consistently lie to children, they grow up to learn "Adults lie to us", or at least "Parents lie to us", and then the parent's credibility goes out the window.
My personal approach is to allow people to do what they want, but if I'm involved in a conversation with a child, and the topic of Santa comes up, I'll disillusion them if it's relevant. At least then they know that they can trust *one* person.
All of this may have something to do with the fact that I belong to a religion of truth, rather than being eg. a dedicated Cthulhu cultist, though
All of this may have something to do with the fact that I belong to a religion of truth, rather than being eg. a dedicated Cthulhu cultist, though :).
Don't laugh it off friend. While I do respect religion I also accept that Cthulhu Cults have just as much solid evidence of their deity being among us.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Followed the link and got this message:
Track in Google Earth
In addition to tracking Santa on the NORAD Tracks Santa homepage, you can also track his flight in Google Earth. Return to this page on Christmas Eve.
Was this not true?
Oh noes, someone is going to mod you down - it will be on your permanent record!
Control is an illusion, order our comforting lie. From chaos, through chaos, into chaos we fly
Apparently they figured out that only Windows and Mac users still believe in Santa. The Linux users were just too damned smart.
I LOVE it :) as a pagan/buddhist/linux geek of 7 years standing I thank you for your humor!!
Oops..was I supposed to push that button?
Well, there are plenty of distros to choose from. Heck, another 3 hours on the forums and he might have it narrowed down to half a dozen or so. Then if he can just figure out what RAR is and which distro works with his processor and his NIC he'll be in business! ;-)
-B-
Ah, more FUD. Do you ever run out? LOL
Neither one of those is relevant with any modern distro (any more than your original points were). If he had something that exotic he'd have trouble getting any OS working on it, ever.
Wow, you Linux FanBoys really have no sense of humor, do ya? =)
Hey, Linux is pretty cool stuff, I'll grant you that. But other than for very specialized applications I just don't have much use for it. If you ask 6 Linux guys what distro you should run you'll get 7 different answers. That should tell you what you need to know about that.
And, I've used quite a few of them. From CentOS to Ubuntu and a couple of flavors of Red Hat and...Knoppix and I forget what else. Roughly half the time it didn't work "out of the box" and I had to break out the Google-Fu (on a Windows or Mac box of course) to figure out why. Almost always a case of needing to find and download new drivers for something, then figure out how to get them installed. Even on plain 'ole Dell or HP desktops.
I was amused recently when a professional Linux guy and I were on a job site and had to change a couple of static IP address - he on a server running CentOS and I on a workstation running...XP Pro, I think. Took me about 20 seconds. Took him about 4 minutes. I'm not sure how many conf files he had to locate and edit.
My grandfather was able to do basic stuff (check e-mail, a little web surfing, manage his checkbook in Quicken) with a Windows XP PC with virtually no experience or training. He wouldn't have grepped the first thing about a Linux box - even with one of the GUI front-ends.
Yes, Linux *IS* getting better in that regard. But it still has quite a ways to go before it's really going to challenge the two mainstream OS's (Windows and OSX) on the desktop. It's just not that easy or intuitive for people who aren't computer pros/hobbyists with the time and interest to figure it out.
-B-
Almost. But not quite.
After all, I am strangely colored.
I actually thought your response was pretty funny. I worked with some Professional Windows 'guys' at my last job. One was a professional programmer in his forties. Turned out he didn't know how file systems worked on Linux. No biggie (though he was converting some Perl scripts from Linux to Windows). Except he didn't know how to step through Windows file systems, either. I don't take this to mean Windows guys don't know anything about system administration. These particular guys were frauds. They didn't know as much as they said they did, and they were able to fool someone who didn't know anything about computers that they meet through church (my boss). The 'Linux pro' you worked with should have known about running 'netconfig' as root and then 'service network restart'.
I've worked with all kinds of 'pros' that didn't know their basic information about whatever they were supposed to be a pro about. It happens in every field, though computers seem to be somewhat more prone to scam artists than others, but that may just be my perception because I'm in that field. I don't take that to be a problem with the field as much as I see that as a basic problems with some people. Though I suppose the useless certifications that don't actually prove anything could be considered a problem with the field.
I switched from Windows to Linux about 10 years ago now. I still use Windows XP to play the occasional game, but that's all it is good for anymore. I started with Gentoo, though I had used Knoppix a bit before that. Even then there were so many things that were easier to do in Linux than Windows, and they worked so much better that I became a fanboy. Were there problems? Oh, yeah! But unlike the problems I had with Windows there were answers. You see, when I tried to run servers of various kinds in Windows before that I ran into problems. So what did I do? I searched for answers online. But most of the time, all I could find were other people with the same damn problem, and no one with a working solution. With Linux I would find other people with the same problem, but they had a solution, and surprisingly it almost always worked for me, too. And if it didn't, someone else had a solution that did. Sure, this is doing all kinds of things the average user would never need to do. But since I wanted to learn to program in something other than VB and PHP (and being rather cash poor) I had to be willing to work at it.
I still find somethings that work better on Linux than Windows, from printers to network cards, so I find it extremely funny when someone talks about things not working in Linux. I'm sure those things still exist, but I guess I'm just lucky because I run into the opposite more often than not.