Reading other poster's comments I have actually been surprised. I attend OSU's IT campus and not only do they go out of there way to make sure all formats are supported, They actually assume working knowledge of all 3 OS. In database classes we run Microsoft SQL so you are expected to use Windows or are provided with virtual machine licenses. In web scripting we are advised to use Ubuntu or a Linux distro, but provided with support and tutorials for Windows as well. I guess it all comes down to what the focus of the campus and college is. If you want ubiquitous Linux support you should probably lean toward a more technically inclined environment.
As a cox customer in Kansas I will be keeping a definite eye on this, but I don't feel too concerned. I know that I use up more than the average user in bandwidth, but I set up my large bandwidth uses to operate overnight when congestion is not an issue. Cox has always been pretty open about being able to talk to a real person who actually knows what they are talking about whenever I have a problem, so I am far more inclined than the regular/.er to trust them. Provided they are only traffic-shaping people who are using more than their fair share of bandwidth during times of congestion I not only am OK with it, but expect it. I will allow their previous good PR with me to give this a rose tint, but you can be sure that if it does become an issue they will both lose me and any client/personnel recommendations they are getting right now. Fortunately, Kansas has surprisingly diverse internet options in its bigger cities.
Am I the only one who thinks arrays of these could be used to power trans-oceanic relay stations leading to a more robust internet backbone. The internet could be not only made of tubes, but powered by them too.
I don't know about anyone else, but if they ever did decide to do that final fantasy 7 remake they did cutscenes for a while ago... they would win the internet.
wow... just wow.... I guess the Chinese really can copy just about anything.... for a culture that is striving for innovation and an independent economy..... I would just think that copying your rivals wouldn't be very conducive to that, but thats just me.
While I think everybody has been making good points so far, you have to remember that in the long term copy protection is actually winning. While these measures might be meant in name to stop piracy, their true value is in taking out fair use as collateral damage. The goal of DRM is not to stop piracy, but to make it difficult enough that Joe User will not be able to convert or make backups through a point and click interface. If this copy protection has done that, then it is making them money.... shame all it does is hurt the people who legitimately buy their products.
It is times like this that I wish America would switch over to a system where blank media is taxed and they don't prosecute piracy. Sure it might stretch the bottom line for the Mafiaa, but wouldn't it be beneficial to society at large? Hopefully in a decade or so it will be a big enough hot-button topic to spur actual political change. Until then keep it up RIAA... if you stop being the stereotypical evil corporation all we will have left to overthrow when the revolution comes is Microsoft:-)
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Reading other poster's comments I have actually been surprised. I attend OSU's IT campus and not only do they go out of there way to make sure all formats are supported, They actually assume working knowledge of all 3 OS. In database classes we run Microsoft SQL so you are expected to use Windows or are provided with virtual machine licenses. In web scripting we are advised to use Ubuntu or a Linux distro, but provided with support and tutorials for Windows as well. I guess it all comes down to what the focus of the campus and college is. If you want ubiquitous Linux support you should probably lean toward a more technically inclined environment.
As a cox customer in Kansas I will be keeping a definite eye on this, but I don't feel too concerned. I know that I use up more than the average user in bandwidth, but I set up my large bandwidth uses to operate overnight when congestion is not an issue. Cox has always been pretty open about being able to talk to a real person who actually knows what they are talking about whenever I have a problem, so I am far more inclined than the regular /.er to trust them. Provided they are only traffic-shaping people who are using more than their fair share of bandwidth during times of congestion I not only am OK with it, but expect it. I will allow their previous good PR with me to give this a rose tint, but you can be sure that if it does become an issue they will both lose me and any client/personnel recommendations they are getting right now. Fortunately, Kansas has surprisingly diverse internet options in its bigger cities.
Am I the only one who thinks arrays of these could be used to power trans-oceanic relay stations leading to a more robust internet backbone. The internet could be not only made of tubes, but powered by them too.
Citation needed
http://xkcd.com/285/
you are referring to the uncanny valley... the wikipedia article has some interesting references to the phenomenon.
silly man... they just paint goatse on the door... much more secure than any petty locks
I don't know about anyone else, but if they ever did decide to do that final fantasy 7 remake they did cutscenes for a while ago... they would win the internet.
wow... just wow.... I guess the Chinese really can copy just about anything.... for a culture that is striving for innovation and an independent economy..... I would just think that copying your rivals wouldn't be very conducive to that, but thats just me.
While I think everybody has been making good points so far, you have to remember that in the long term copy protection is actually winning. While these measures might be meant in name to stop piracy, their true value is in taking out fair use as collateral damage. The goal of DRM is not to stop piracy, but to make it difficult enough that Joe User will not be able to convert or make backups through a point and click interface. If this copy protection has done that, then it is making them money.... shame all it does is hurt the people who legitimately buy their products.
It is times like this that I wish America would switch over to a system where blank media is taxed and they don't prosecute piracy. Sure it might stretch the bottom line for the Mafiaa, but wouldn't it be beneficial to society at large? Hopefully in a decade or so it will be a big enough hot-button topic to spur actual political change. Until then keep it up RIAA... if you stop being the stereotypical evil corporation all we will have left to overthrow when the revolution comes is Microsoft :-)
need I say more