1.) Make your own server via spare comp, bought up internet connection. You might not need a terribly fast one if you intend to keep this strictly local, so DSL or Comcast (default subscriptions) should do.
2a.) Utilizing the trust low-tech solution of offline marketing, post flyers, pass by word of mouth in the community, etc. to those in your locale that you wish to know about your site.
2b.) Here's the catch: when you inform others of your site, tell them explicitly that your site will only be online from Hour A to Hour B (i.e. 8PM to 10PM).
They will require any of the following; login info that you provided for them, a keyword to say upon entering the chat room, a certain thread to post in on the BBS, etc. Use your imagination with this one.
3.) Repeat & vary the process, keeping your local site online only when needed or desired.
For the days that you don't want to filter access, utilize all the traditional methods of blocking outsiders out.
Not a perfect solution, but it's another tool to use rather than just whitelisting (blacklisting is less effective).
In terms of storyline, absolutely there is a sense of breaking the fourth wall.
In terms of environment of the game, this article is correct, in terms of the relationship between the game & the player(s0, but depending on the games script, walls may or may not exist.
I disagree; I think agnosticism is not the best option for the non-theist, as it would still implicitly hold the concept of 'God' as having some type of meaning. I would think, depending on which interested non-theist you're talking about, that either Ignosticism or theological non-cognitiveism would be a better option. Consider:
"Theodore Drange sees atheism and agnosticism as positions which accept "God exists" as a meaningful proposition; atheists judge it to be "false or probably false" and agnostics consider it to be inconclusive until further evidence is met. If Drange's definitions are accepted, ignostics are neither atheists nor agnostics. An atheist would say, "I don't believe God exists"; an agnostic would say, "I don't know whether or not God exists"; and an ignostic would say, "I don't know what you mean when you say, 'God exists' ". -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignosticism
I think this is too little, too late on the part of MySpace. Their site fell out of fad (in favor for Facebook, but Facebook will eventually be a fad too), and was and still has a terrible site design.
Last.Fm will be a tough competitor to face off against, especially if the same "brilliant" minds behind the MySpace site layout try to crack Last.Fm's bread & butter.
Should anyone be surprised? Wait a second, here... not just ONE, not just TWO, but... THREE?! THREE MODES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE?! Sounds like quite a bargain to me. Markup validation? NO PROBLEM! Quirks mode? WE GOT YOU COVERED. What's next? It slices, it dices?
I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself, & neither should you. I Jim Carrey-as-Riddler laughed my ass off knowing full that they would mandate that web designers would have to start using tags that they create in order for anything to be compliant or work in their precious 'browsar'.
MS is already screwing things up; the ACID2 test was just some odd aberration of 2007. I'm just going to sit back and laugh as history repeats itself.
If only Maxthon would refine the Trident engine; the Chinese would make mincemeat of IE.
Indeed, thanks for clearing that up; I haven't read up on video gaming history as of late. The fact that most Sega employees actually greatly tilts the possibility that another "Sega" console just ain't in the cards for the near future.
Now if only they could make more than one good sonic game every once in a while (haven't played Secret Rings, but my peers have said it was the best sonic game since SA2 on DC, camera issues aside).
Sega is sitting this round, and most likely, the next round out for console making. This is obvious via Sega & Nintendo's recent chummy friendship, which has developed since Sega primarily makes games nowadays (although they still do arcade hardware in Japan & USA methinks).
However, the aqquisition of Sammy made me think that they do indeed have some type of long term plans, possibly with a new console at some point, but they are probably really worried about experiencing another Saturn or Dreamcast, which wouldn't bode well financially, albeit Dreamcast was just an incomplete victory in a battle that was ahead of it's time.
You can speculate all you want, but realistically, no, Sega is not going to revive the DC, make a new one, new console, or whatever for quite some time. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they never made another console as long as the company still exists in it's current form.
Indeed, as of late, I'm finding the usual "not all browsers implement correctly", while a sympathetic & mostly true argument, tiresome and seemingly an excuse for CSS' being so difficult to work with. It wouldn't surprise me if, hypothetically, if IE were banished, and every user upgraded to either Opera, Firefox, Safari and or Swift (Swift is a new webkit browser being made to replace the just awful Safari release for windows, google it...), there would still be massive difficulties with CSS.
Of course, and I apologize for those who do not apply (it's usually the few idiots who can give a certain population a bad name), if you even go against this dogma (I found this especially true on Digg), people begin screaming at you calling you names like "MS Apologist!!#!!" and "you just don't get it".
No I do get it. I get that no matter how much kicking & screaming I do with CSS, it will always be a terribly flawed shell of a good idea gone bad, brought to us via committee who must've figured, "hey, it works in theory, that's good enough for us."
It also seems hypocritical of the standards advocates to bring use even more standards when the current ones (mainly where CSS is concerned) need re-working because CSS needs re-building. Wouldn't be more of a win for standards to focus on fixing with what we have? I'd think a lot of people would thank their lucky stars if CSS was re-built from scratch or something else was brought forward to replace it (not as an additional standard, but I suppose letting CSS stick around would help the transition, but then a lot of people would complain about lag time between switching from CSS to something CSS already does but it better than CSS in all ways).
Then there's the possibility that if this were to ever occur, the replacing of CSS with a re-built version or different style sheet language, that many people would groan about how it took them forever to learn how CSS works, and would ask "why bother?". That would be like everyone learning to like poison and getting addicted to how it works, despite a remedy coming along that would initally be painful to bear, but would be much better in long run for standards, usability, & stability.
Alas, I digress. While the situation seems hopeless, there are always possibilities I suppose.
Ruby is actually one of the languages I've been trying to learn in hopes of eventually being able to take the grunt work out of HTML / CSS via HAML & SASS. Admittedly, I haven't gotten out of the "Learn To Program" book (Chris Pine; Facet of Ruby Series), mainly because of the daily grind, but dammit I wish we could write CSS the way you just did. The fact that you can use Ruby and/or other programming languages (Clever CSS, via python, looked interesting, but is probably a little beyond my novice level...) to alleviate some of CSS' problems gives me some hope, but it would be even more awesome if CSS were to be re-written with all the problems it has now in mind.
If it did, I'd imagine it would probably be a much easier way for non-programmers who have used HTML to be able to jump into the world of programming; at least, I imagine it would've been easier for me. I don't think anyone will be able to argue against CSS' syntax being an abomination, not even apologists or those who are fluent in the gibberish, and if we want the web to go forward, we should be able to eat some humble pie, go back, and re-build CSS or something else in it's stead that takes language syntax seriously.
Before I go further, I use CSS everyday I design, especially since I'm still learning all of it's annoying idiosyncrasies, mainly because (and I'm not the only one) the CSS language itself is flawed (constraints & variables being some of which CSS lacks). The idea of what CSS created for, style sheets, is great & is a step forward, but the way we have to use style sheets with CSS sometimes makes me wonder what an abortion feels like.
I admit, some days it seems to get *easier* to deal with since I actively remember the times I more or less lost my shit because the stupid code wouldn't render correctly in different browsers, so I also remember (most of the time) what to avoid, but I really don't think the full potential of style sheets will be fufilled with CSS as the way it is. Even with CSS 3 (I'm not touching HTML5; I'm one of those "wacky" people who think we should stick with what we have until it's stable enough to warrant additions; a more eloquent way of putting it has already been said: http://www.molly.com/2007/06/14/defy-the-pedantic-semantic-html5-and-xhtml-11-must-stop-for-now/ ), I just don't see the difficulties of CSS, which warrant most of the CSS books being made, being resolved anytime soon.
I know I'm not the only one who begrudgingly uses CSS (I realize they are other technologies to use instead or to supplement CSS' shortcomings, I'm currently looking into that...), and I know I'm not the only who thinks something new should be made to address what CSS fails to do. I'm not talking about HTML5, nor CSS3, and defintley not FLASH (although, personally, I think if HTML & CSS were to somehow utilize a plug-in for browsers to render shit properly, standards would be able to compete with FLASH, but I'm just rambling there).
While googling out of frustration, I came across this:
I know every single Pure-CSS zealot is going to moan & groan at me for thinking differently than them, but honestly, PSL seems like a way better idea than simply adding on to an inheritantly broken style sheet language in which books & books need to be made to tell people what hoops to jump through to get it work. I don't know, I guess that sounds stupid to too many people; often I've let that prevent me from expressing my not unreasonable doubts.
Sometimes I feel like some poor bloke who time traveled back to the Titanic but can't prevent anything due to paradox.:\
I'm sure we wouldn't mind just using Silverlight on Windows, & AIR on Mac. I'm sure no one is going to get pissed off @ furthering a duopoly, at the risk of making one of the monopolies stronger. While we are it, let's not only ensure a duopoly of Windows & Mac further exists, but let's get the jump on Linux for spoiling what some idiots seem to see as a great opportunity to make a 2 party system the norm outside typical party politics & elections.
I'm not an idiot though; the above was assuming that Linux isn't kicking ass, which, be all counts on reality's part, is kicking ass. Although, I forgot that there is Mono for Linux so perhaps I don't know jack sh*t about anything. Too bad I don't have a site to display this on, other than the comments section @/., then maybe perhaps my naive comments would be a news item too. I guess until that happens, I'm just an idiot;D.
Recently to my pleasant surprise, my host let me in on a new feature (for them) recently: optional WHOIS privacy (to your domain name registration, specifically). Even before reading all about this absolution of WHOIS,which, from the reasons provided, are sound, but I still think the overall usage of WHOIS is useful, despite the potential as a data mine, I'm glad I ordered it, as I'm just a tad bit more paranoid than the average person about internet privacy.
However, the internet shouldn't have any training wheels (thankfully, AOL has been dead for some time, although now we have Comcast...), and it should be common sense concerning WHOIS and it's uses, as well as the whole spamming thing (which there are plenty of tools out there to combat, such as simple.htaccess tricks made easy to come by via Google, etc. etc.). It should definitely be discussed though, but there shouldn't be any rash moves to just abandon WHOIS.
I can still visit t.a.t.u.'s offical site, and various russian fan sites & fan-listings, as well as the numerous mp3 rotation sites; grip away, Kremlin.
The more you tighten your grip, Putin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.
I am so glad I decided to snub the PS2 version (and a few other good ps2 games) and got a Wii instead. Sucks for the people who have to re-buy the same game again though:\.
I believe the tide that is turning is finally starting to make a nice public appearance; it'll be interesting to see which bands / artists follow up, as well those who cling to the old ways out of pathetic nostalgia. Let's just hope it doesn't have to get ugly; the vacuum of space is a bit chilly.
Why is suddenly everyone crapping their pants about if there will be a Halo 4 when there already is a 4th Halo game coming out in the form of Halo Wars ? From what I know about Halo 3, the game is some type of prelude or beginning of some epic battle...then you have a game called Halo Wars coming along, which will be more of an RPG in the vein of MMORPG's rather than a shooter like the first 3 games have been.
Okay, so Halo Wars is being developed by Ensemble Studios, not Bungie, but seriously, this will be more or less the 4th Halo game, and hopefully Bungie moves on to make new games.
Although, personally, I wouldn't mind them back treading a bit and remaking Marathon before officially or un-offically closing the door on development for Halo games.:D
Whenever I use that program, I always feel like a GIMP. Even though it is free, and is the PS equivalent for Linux users, more or less, the UI is terrible. Most people aren't programmers, so I find that point moot. Luckily, however, I recall a digg story indicating on a blog the GIMP team were taking in suggestions on how to improve the UI (as well as the program itself).
I want to love the GIMP, I really do, but until that changes, I can only love it like an indifferent uncle.
Actually, I could imagine offline apps being very useful for those who are still stuck with dial-up, or those who would like something to aid them in their stubborn rebellion (using dial-up again) against the cable monopoly of comcast/verizon etc... Of course, if comcast get's any worse (i.e. their backbone collapses further and speeds become DSL to ISDN like, which i'm not sure of the probability of) this would also help. Of course, we are all going to get nuked into forever winter eventually via WW3, 4, or 5, so dial-up is inevitable.
I'm sorry, I seem to quite in the ruts today D:
HTML 3 & 4! CSS? AJAX? RAILS? What is this nonsense? No no, I will take my tables with a hint of information > pretty colors, healthy servings of pure.txt FAQ's within inline Frames, non threatening bullet list navigations in side frames! Max resolutions of 800x600!
GIF over PNG's
Guestbook & counters over spamming comment parades
I am General Nitro, Son of Berners-Lee! Join me now and I will advocate for the early release of Mitnik! Web 2.0 will bow down before our glorious empire, and will be subordinates of the House Of/. !!!!!!
This Web 2.0 "hype" is largely a phantom, imo, and this Intel release re-confirms it for me. Web 2.0 only escapes the realm of vaporware in the sense that applications and uses are actually created under this hype, yet it all seems pretty shallow considering how not only more than one person on this page has admitted it ( I could easily ask a bunch of friends both living on the internet and not). The only time I seem to really notice the hype, honestly, is when calling it by the accepted name: Web 2.0 lol. While all of these things are being developed, most of it isn't being taken seriously (MySpace the most blatant example, but honestly, any site with a design like that is just going to fall flat of the finish line; would it kill them to have some negative space on that site, or maybe kill some of the seizure inducing themes who seem to really like clashing bright colors & 120 videos on one page).
I wouldn't call it all a waste; eventually the fallout of this almost imaginary Web 2.0 hype will be more useful as experience from trying to make such things work: Yahoo Pipes versus efficient knowledge of PHP, older designs that work well, manage a decent amount of both functional CSS and media and DO NOT BREAK vs. newer, unproven designs involving ad hock amounts of AJAX, CSS 2.Fail, experimental CSS 3, not entirely understood uses of Rails, etc. I mean, Pets.com failed for reasons (like many a dotcom); many of this stuff will to for similar reasons under different as well as similar circumstances.
All in all, I'm beginning to actually see, however, useful things develop amid this Web 2.0 business, mainly because it's beginning to look like it's going to start to die down soon, specifically:
Facebook being used as a portfolio (great idea, imo)
Last.fm (with the obvious exception of their similar artists suggestions, that kind of needs work)
Users, Coders/Developers working together to create alternatives to the largley failing CSS
+ WHATWG finally getting the ball rolling on updating HTML 4 to HTML 5
+ CSS Frameworks as a counter to the annoying b.s. CSS involves with margins and grids
+The prospect of using Python (CleverCSS), Pearl (HTML Mason, it's been around but yea still counts) mixed with CSS; I was even reading this interesting page on how a person rightfully pointed out the failings of CSS (and how CSS 3 will most likley continue this) and how CSS should be written: CSS 3: A Giant Serving Of FAIL
Admitelly, I'm not a programmer just yet, but I find it excellent that I can somehow get my foot in (hopefully) in learning the concepts of actual programming with stuff I already know (HTML Mason being the best as HTML is dead simple, so I'd imagine picking up on some of Perl in context would help ease the stigma of learning how to use a programming language). Web 2.0 sites , specifically about CSS 2.0, I've found for the most part useful when they are A. Not repeating the same things, which is a rare that they don't and B. Are not spouting pro-CSS only zealot B.S. about how tables only "data" when by definition, everything you put on a webpage is "data" LoL!
CMS I also find a very good consequence of Web 2.0, as it's helping me get my grounding in finally managing a comic navigation system for a future project and learning some minor but nonetheless PHP along the way. In theory, it should help keep me active, just like this whole Web 2.0 thing is really all in theory. In theory, I could easily put up my entire daily life on LiveJournal, Facebook, etc. etc. But if I sign up for those things, I do not use them any where near to the extent others may imagine others, or myself imagined, using them. Personal barriers became established, the "trendy" feeling went away, friends just keep sending the same fucking mindless bulletins via myspace, spam fills the youetube inbox, etc. etc. I
One hopes such spotlights (or prospects thereof) will help deter Google from the temptations of the dark side... I'm sure those who remember using Google when it first came out simply to find better image galleries would like to still believe in the "we're not evil" tagline;D.
You took me too literally lol; I'm not by any means sitting here with baited breathe wondering what M$ will release next, I'm just casually curious as to what might've made it to Vista when it was called Longhorn, etc. Quite the contrary, I've been having a blast learning all I can about linux after getting the dual boot to work (i waited until I got an external hd to back up stuff so I could properly mess around with an install to get it right instead of hoping Wubi works after it failed 2 or 3 times). By no means does having ubuntu make me some type of pro at anything, but I do realize that even for Xp, which is better than vista (considering they are both M$ operating system's, better is a relative term lol...), there exists many "replacements" (:insert different suggestions of linux distros, linux distro+xp dual boot, etc. etc...).
I do think that I'm taking the step in the right direction, and it's an about face to many people whom wouldnt want to bother learning anything about how to install ubuntu (which is a breeze to install in most cases) because it sounds hard, or they are lazy, whatever their reasons. I'd be more worried about the non-technical users, i.e. many a family member whom usually depend on one or two members of the house as an unoffical "admin" for computers in the household, who get all swept up in the PR hype in general, and who get ripped off by misinformation from their peers and/or customer service reps at:insert brand store name:
Besides, I'm willing to bet by the time this "7" comes out, I'll probably know enough about linux to not really care by then. Unless of course, someone makes a post like this concerning the OS after "7", of which I reply with a similar reply like yours to them, with the irony not apparent;D.
This is further proof, if most did not suspect or pondered, imo, that Vista was just released to be released (see: rushed out) due to complications in getting whatever was originally supposed to what the next OS,which "7" is supposed to be: something new, something improved (one hopes:cross fingers:). However, I've stopped bitching at Vista and got a dual-boot of Xp/Ubuntu, so I apologize for getting mildly redundant there... I will probably eat my words when the 2nd service pack comes out, as I'm sure vista will be worked out better by then, but Vista has disappointed me with it's inherent DRM and resource hungry requirements, and random reorganization of stuff compared to XP.:\.
They should, while they are at, publicly admit the existence (and perhaps promote) Windows Fundamentals For Legacy PC (essentially XP only it uses considerably less ram and resources). I recently put that baby on my old laptop (Compaq Presario; Anthlon Barton w/ 256 mb RAM) and the thing flies in comparison to the default XP install I had, and was even faster then the custom EUE XP I had installed previously (more stripped down). While it would counter intuitve for M$ to cater to such users of older pc's (therefore they forgo the purchase of more up to date pc's with Vista installed or Vista capable, whatever that means), I think it would be a smart move overall as it might convert a few people who are stuck using Windows 2k on their older laptops/desktops.
Also, for some of the remaining ignorant, general users, this might be useful in letting them know just because Vista (or more generally "the new windows") isn't working, that they need not panic and just downgrade. Some PR spin could prevent some of this from M$ admitting, gasp, a few problems with Vista;D
Hmm, after the 64 and Gamecube, and the sudden huge success of the Wii, is it a bad thing that Nintendo may be changing it's strategy? I don't think it is... but I don't think they are neglecting their roots either. It looks more like they are updating their strategy and bringing their roots with them... and from the glimpse of what the Wii is offering now, I see nothing but interesting things coming from Nintendo in the future. Hardcore gamers won't miss out on anything: they are 3 consoles out, 3 more coming up soon in the form of rumors for the next-gen (PS4? The Next Xbox? Another more powerful Wii and/or another portable in the vein of the DS? Only time will tell); the Ps3 will (hopefully) eventually prove more than enough to satisfy hardcore gamers as long as they don't lose any exclusives (MGS4, FF13...), Xbox360 is proving to very formidable in the online arena. Aside from a lot of crappy games (and every era in video gaming had it's fair share of countless bad games, even SNES), this could be a new golden age of gaming if looked at with the proper perspective. Long live video gaming, both casual & hardcore, and hell, why not everything in-between.
If only Sega could come back someday with a console than finished the job what the dreamcast almost had (which was consistent success).
Slashdot Mirror
1.) Make your own server via spare comp, bought up internet connection.
You might not need a terribly fast one if you intend to keep this strictly local, so DSL or Comcast (default subscriptions) should do.
2a.) Utilizing the trust low-tech solution of offline marketing, post flyers, pass by word of mouth in the community, etc. to those in your locale that you wish to know about your site.
2b.) Here's the catch: when you inform others of your site, tell them explicitly that your site will only be online from Hour A to Hour B (i.e. 8PM to 10PM).
They will require any of the following; login info that you provided for them, a keyword to say upon entering the chat room, a certain thread to post in on the BBS, etc.
Use your imagination with this one.
3.) Repeat & vary the process, keeping your local site online only when needed or desired.
For the days that you don't want to filter access, utilize all the traditional methods of blocking outsiders out.
Not a perfect solution, but it's another tool to use rather than just whitelisting (blacklisting is less effective).
In terms of storyline, absolutely there is a sense of breaking the fourth wall. In terms of environment of the game, this article is correct, in terms of the relationship between the game & the player(s0, but depending on the games script, walls may or may not exist.
I disagree; I think agnosticism is not the best option for the non-theist, as it would still implicitly hold the concept of 'God' as having some type of meaning. I would think, depending on which interested non-theist you're talking about, that either Ignosticism or theological non-cognitiveism would be a better option. Consider:
"Theodore Drange sees atheism and agnosticism as positions which accept "God exists" as a meaningful proposition; atheists judge it to be "false or probably false" and agnostics consider it to be inconclusive until further evidence is met. If Drange's definitions are accepted, ignostics are neither atheists nor agnostics. An atheist would say, "I don't believe God exists"; an agnostic would say, "I don't know whether or not God exists"; and an ignostic would say, "I don't know what you mean when you say, 'God exists' ". -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignosticismlinks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignosticism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_noncognitivism
I think this is too little, too late on the part of MySpace. Their site fell out of fad (in favor for Facebook, but Facebook will eventually be a fad too), and was and still has a terrible site design.
Last.Fm will be a tough competitor to face off against, especially if the same "brilliant" minds behind the MySpace site layout try to crack Last.Fm's bread & butter.
Should anyone be surprised? Wait a second, here... not just ONE, not just TWO, but ... THREE?! THREE MODES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE?! Sounds like quite a bargain to me. Markup validation? NO PROBLEM! Quirks mode? WE GOT YOU COVERED. What's next? It slices, it dices?
I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself, & neither should you. I Jim Carrey-as-Riddler laughed my ass off knowing full that they would mandate that web designers would have to start using tags that they create in order for anything to be compliant or work in their precious 'browsar'.
MS is already screwing things up; the ACID2 test was just some odd aberration of 2007. I'm just going to sit back and laugh as history repeats itself.
If only Maxthon would refine the Trident engine; the Chinese would make mincemeat of IE.
Indeed, thanks for clearing that up; I haven't read up on video gaming history as of late. The fact that most Sega employees actually greatly tilts the possibility that another "Sega" console just ain't in the cards for the near future.
Now if only they could make more than one good sonic game every once in a while (haven't played Secret Rings, but my peers have said it was the best sonic game since SA2 on DC, camera issues aside).
Sega is sitting this round, and most likely, the next round out for console making. This is obvious via Sega & Nintendo's recent chummy friendship, which has developed since Sega primarily makes games nowadays (although they still do arcade hardware in Japan & USA methinks).
However, the aqquisition of Sammy made me think that they do indeed have some type of long term plans, possibly with a new console at some point, but they are probably really worried about experiencing another Saturn or Dreamcast, which wouldn't bode well financially, albeit Dreamcast was just an incomplete victory in a battle that was ahead of it's time.
You can speculate all you want, but realistically, no, Sega is not going to revive the DC, make a new one, new console, or whatever for quite some time. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they never made another console as long as the company still exists in it's current form.
Indeed, as of late, I'm finding the usual "not all browsers implement correctly", while a sympathetic & mostly true argument, tiresome and seemingly an excuse for CSS' being so difficult to work with. It wouldn't surprise me if, hypothetically, if IE were banished, and every user upgraded to either Opera, Firefox, Safari and or Swift (Swift is a new webkit browser being made to replace the just awful Safari release for windows, google it...), there would still be massive difficulties with CSS.
Of course, and I apologize for those who do not apply (it's usually the few idiots who can give a certain population a bad name), if you even go against this dogma (I found this especially true on Digg), people begin screaming at you calling you names like "MS Apologist!!#!!" and "you just don't get it".
No I do get it. I get that no matter how much kicking & screaming I do with CSS, it will always be a terribly flawed shell of a good idea gone bad, brought to us via committee who must've figured, "hey, it works in theory, that's good enough for us."
It also seems hypocritical of the standards advocates to bring use even more standards when the current ones (mainly where CSS is concerned) need re-working because CSS needs re-building. Wouldn't be more of a win for standards to focus on fixing with what we have? I'd think a lot of people would thank their lucky stars if CSS was re-built from scratch or something else was brought forward to replace it (not as an additional standard, but I suppose letting CSS stick around would help the transition, but then a lot of people would complain about lag time between switching from CSS to something CSS already does but it better than CSS in all ways).
Then there's the possibility that if this were to ever occur, the replacing of CSS with a re-built version or different style sheet language, that many people would groan about how it took them forever to learn how CSS works, and would ask "why bother?". That would be like everyone learning to like poison and getting addicted to how it works, despite a remedy coming along that would initally be painful to bear, but would be much better in long run for standards, usability, & stability.
Alas, I digress. While the situation seems hopeless, there are always possibilities I suppose.
Ruby is actually one of the languages I've been trying to learn in hopes of eventually being able to take the grunt work out of HTML / CSS via HAML & SASS. Admittedly, I haven't gotten out of the "Learn To Program" book (Chris Pine; Facet of Ruby Series), mainly because of the daily grind, but dammit I wish we could write CSS the way you just did. The fact that you can use Ruby and/or other programming languages (Clever CSS, via python, looked interesting, but is probably a little beyond my novice level...) to alleviate some of CSS' problems gives me some hope, but it would be even more awesome if CSS were to be re-written with all the problems it has now in mind.
If it did, I'd imagine it would probably be a much easier way for non-programmers who have used HTML to be able to jump into the world of programming; at least, I imagine it would've been easier for me. I don't think anyone will be able to argue against CSS' syntax being an abomination, not even apologists or those who are fluent in the gibberish, and if we want the web to go forward, we should be able to eat some humble pie, go back, and re-build CSS or something else in it's stead that takes language syntax seriously.
Before I go further, I use CSS everyday I design, especially since I'm still learning all of it's annoying idiosyncrasies, mainly because (and I'm not the only one) the CSS language itself is flawed (constraints & variables being some of which CSS lacks). The idea of what CSS created for, style sheets, is great & is a step forward, but the way we have to use style sheets with CSS sometimes makes me wonder what an abortion feels like.
I admit, some days it seems to get *easier* to deal with since I actively remember the times I more or less lost my shit because the stupid code wouldn't render correctly in different browsers, so I also remember (most of the time) what to avoid, but I really don't think the full potential of style sheets will be fufilled with CSS as the way it is. Even with CSS 3 (I'm not touching HTML5; I'm one of those "wacky" people who think we should stick with what we have until it's stable enough to warrant additions; a more eloquent way of putting it has already been said: http://www.molly.com/2007/06/14/defy-the-pedantic-semantic-html5-and-xhtml-11-must-stop-for-now/ ), I just don't see the difficulties of CSS, which warrant most of the CSS books being made, being resolved anytime soon.
I know I'm not the only one who begrudgingly uses CSS (I realize they are other technologies to use instead or to supplement CSS' shortcomings, I'm currently looking into that...), and I know I'm not the only who thinks something new should be made to address what CSS fails to do. I'm not talking about HTML5, nor CSS3, and defintley not FLASH (although, personally, I think if HTML & CSS were to somehow utilize a plug-in for browsers to render shit properly, standards would be able to compete with FLASH, but I'm just rambling there).
While googling out of frustration, I came across this:
PSL (Proteus Style Sheets): http://www.cs.uwm.edu/~multimedia/papers/jucs/jucs.html
Why Current Style Sheet Standards Have Failed to Improve Document Engineering: http://www.cs.uwm.edu/~multimedia/WWW8/webEng.html
I know every single Pure-CSS zealot is going to moan & groan at me for thinking differently than them, but honestly, PSL seems like a way better idea than simply adding on to an inheritantly broken style sheet language in which books & books need to be made to tell people what hoops to jump through to get it work. I don't know, I guess that sounds stupid to too many people; often I've let that prevent me from expressing my not unreasonable doubts.
Sometimes I feel like some poor bloke who time traveled back to the Titanic but can't prevent anything due to paradox. :\
Kicking ass meaning it doesn't suck & for potential growth. But indeed, you have a point. Like I said, I know nothing.
NOTHING!
I'm sure we wouldn't mind just using Silverlight on Windows, & AIR on Mac. I'm sure no one is going to get pissed off @ furthering a duopoly, at the risk of making one of the monopolies stronger. While we are it, let's not only ensure a duopoly of Windows & Mac further exists, but let's get the jump on Linux for spoiling what some idiots seem to see as a great opportunity to make a 2 party system the norm outside typical party politics & elections.
I'm not an idiot though; the above was assuming that Linux isn't kicking ass, which, be all counts on reality's part, is kicking ass. Although, I forgot that there is Mono for Linux so perhaps I don't know jack sh*t about anything. Too bad I don't have a site to display this on, other than the comments section @ /., then maybe perhaps my naive comments would be a news item too. I guess until that happens, I'm just an idiot ;D.
Recently to my pleasant surprise, my host let me in on a new feature (for them) recently: optional WHOIS privacy (to your domain name registration, specifically). Even before reading all about this absolution of WHOIS,which, from the reasons provided, are sound, but I still think the overall usage of WHOIS is useful, despite the potential as a data mine, I'm glad I ordered it, as I'm just a tad bit more paranoid than the average person about internet privacy.
However, the internet shouldn't have any training wheels (thankfully, AOL has been dead for some time, although now we have Comcast...), and it should be common sense concerning WHOIS and it's uses, as well as the whole spamming thing (which there are plenty of tools out there to combat, such as simple .htaccess tricks made easy to come by via Google, etc. etc.). It should definitely be discussed though, but there shouldn't be any rash moves to just abandon WHOIS.
I am so glad I decided to snub the PS2 version (and a few other good ps2 games) and got a Wii instead. Sucks for the people who have to re-buy the same game again though :\.
I believe the tide that is turning is finally starting to make a nice public appearance; it'll be interesting to see which bands / artists follow up, as well those who cling to the old ways out of pathetic nostalgia. Let's just hope it doesn't have to get ugly; the vacuum of space is a bit chilly.
Go Independents!
Okay, so Halo Wars is being developed by Ensemble Studios, not Bungie, but seriously, this will be more or less the 4th Halo game, and hopefully Bungie moves on to make new games.
Although, personally, I wouldn't mind them back treading a bit and remaking Marathon before officially or un-offically closing the door on development for Halo games. :D
I want to love the GIMP, I really do, but until that changes, I can only love it like an indifferent uncle.
Actually, I could imagine offline apps being very useful for those who are still stuck with dial-up, or those who would like something to aid them in their stubborn rebellion (using dial-up again) against the cable monopoly of comcast/verizon etc ... Of course, if comcast get's any worse (i.e. their backbone collapses further and speeds become DSL to ISDN like, which i'm not sure of the probability of) this would also help. Of course, we are all going to get nuked into forever winter eventually via WW3, 4, or 5, so dial-up is inevitable.
I'm sorry, I seem to quite in the ruts today D:
HTML 3 & 4! CSS? AJAX? RAILS? What is this nonsense? No no, I will take my tables with a hint of information > pretty colors, healthy servings of pure .txt FAQ's within inline Frames, non threatening bullet list navigations in side frames! Max resolutions of 800x600!
/. !!!!!!
GIF over PNG's Guestbook & counters over spamming comment parades
I am General Nitro, Son of Berners-Lee! Join me now and I will advocate for the early release of Mitnik! Web 2.0 will bow down before our glorious empire, and will be subordinates of the House Of
Spiteful? I report, you decide.
This Web 2.0 "hype" is largely a phantom, imo, and this Intel release re-confirms it for me. Web 2.0 only escapes the realm of vaporware in the sense that applications and uses are actually created under this hype, yet it all seems pretty shallow considering how not only more than one person on this page has admitted it ( I could easily ask a bunch of friends both living on the internet and not). The only time I seem to really notice the hype, honestly, is when calling it by the accepted name: Web 2.0 lol. While all of these things are being developed, most of it isn't being taken seriously (MySpace the most blatant example, but honestly, any site with a design like that is just going to fall flat of the finish line; would it kill them to have some negative space on that site, or maybe kill some of the seizure inducing themes who seem to really like clashing bright colors & 120 videos on one page).
I wouldn't call it all a waste; eventually the fallout of this almost imaginary Web 2.0 hype will be more useful as experience from trying to make such things work: Yahoo Pipes versus efficient knowledge of PHP, older designs that work well, manage a decent amount of both functional CSS and media and DO NOT BREAK vs. newer, unproven designs involving ad hock amounts of AJAX, CSS 2.Fail, experimental CSS 3, not entirely understood uses of Rails, etc. I mean, Pets.com failed for reasons (like many a dotcom); many of this stuff will to for similar reasons under different as well as similar circumstances.
All in all, I'm beginning to actually see, however, useful things develop amid this Web 2.0 business, mainly because it's beginning to look like it's going to start to die down soon, specifically:
Admitelly, I'm not a programmer just yet, but I find it excellent that I can somehow get my foot in (hopefully) in learning the concepts of actual programming with stuff I already know (HTML Mason being the best as HTML is dead simple, so I'd imagine picking up on some of Perl in context would help ease the stigma of learning how to use a programming language). Web 2.0 sites , specifically about CSS 2.0, I've found for the most part useful when they are A. Not repeating the same things, which is a rare that they don't and B. Are not spouting pro-CSS only zealot B.S. about how tables only "data" when by definition, everything you put on a webpage is "data" LoL!
CMS I also find a very good consequence of Web 2.0, as it's helping me get my grounding in finally managing a comic navigation system for a future project and learning some minor but nonetheless PHP along the way. In theory, it should help keep me active, just like this whole Web 2.0 thing is really all in theory. In theory, I could easily put up my entire daily life on LiveJournal, Facebook, etc. etc. But if I sign up for those things, I do not use them any where near to the extent others may imagine others, or myself imagined, using them. Personal barriers became established, the "trendy" feeling went away, friends just keep sending the same fucking mindless bulletins via myspace, spam fills the youetube inbox, etc. etc. I
One hopes such spotlights (or prospects thereof) will help deter Google from the temptations of the dark side... I'm sure those who remember using Google when it first came out simply to find better image galleries would like to still believe in the "we're not evil" tagline ;D.
You took me too literally lol; I'm not by any means sitting here with baited breathe wondering what M$ will release next, I'm just casually curious as to what might've made it to Vista when it was called Longhorn, etc. Quite the contrary, I've been having a blast learning all I can about linux after getting the dual boot to work (i waited until I got an external hd to back up stuff so I could properly mess around with an install to get it right instead of hoping Wubi works after it failed 2 or 3 times). By no means does having ubuntu make me some type of pro at anything, but I do realize that even for Xp, which is better than vista (considering they are both M$ operating system's, better is a relative term lol...), there exists many "replacements" (:insert different suggestions of linux distros, linux distro+xp dual boot, etc. etc...). I do think that I'm taking the step in the right direction, and it's an about face to many people whom wouldnt want to bother learning anything about how to install ubuntu (which is a breeze to install in most cases) because it sounds hard, or they are lazy, whatever their reasons. I'd be more worried about the non-technical users, i.e. many a family member whom usually depend on one or two members of the house as an unoffical "admin" for computers in the household, who get all swept up in the PR hype in general, and who get ripped off by misinformation from their peers and/or customer service reps at :insert brand store name:
Besides, I'm willing to bet by the time this "7" comes out, I'll probably know enough about linux to not really care by then. Unless of course, someone makes a post like this concerning the OS after "7", of which I reply with a similar reply like yours to them, with the irony not apparent ;D.
This is further proof, if most did not suspect or pondered, imo, that Vista was just released to be released (see: rushed out) due to complications in getting whatever was originally supposed to what the next OS,which "7" is supposed to be: something new, something improved (one hopes :cross fingers:). However, I've stopped bitching at Vista and got a dual-boot of Xp/Ubuntu, so I apologize for getting mildly redundant there... I will probably eat my words when the 2nd service pack comes out, as I'm sure vista will be worked out better by then, but Vista has disappointed me with it's inherent DRM and resource hungry requirements, and random reorganization of stuff compared to XP. :\.
They should, while they are at, publicly admit the existence (and perhaps promote) Windows Fundamentals For Legacy PC (essentially XP only it uses considerably less ram and resources). I recently put that baby on my old laptop (Compaq Presario; Anthlon Barton w/ 256 mb RAM) and the thing flies in comparison to the default XP install I had, and was even faster then the custom EUE XP I had installed previously (more stripped down). While it would counter intuitve for M$ to cater to such users of older pc's (therefore they forgo the purchase of more up to date pc's with Vista installed or Vista capable, whatever that means), I think it would be a smart move overall as it might convert a few people who are stuck using Windows 2k on their older laptops/desktops.
Also, for some of the remaining ignorant, general users, this might be useful in letting them know just because Vista (or more generally "the new windows") isn't working, that they need not panic and just downgrade. Some PR spin could prevent some of this from M$ admitting, gasp, a few problems with Vista ;D
Hmm, after the 64 and Gamecube, and the sudden huge success of the Wii, is it a bad thing that Nintendo may be changing it's strategy? I don't think it is... but I don't think they are neglecting their roots either. It looks more like they are updating their strategy and bringing their roots with them... and from the glimpse of what the Wii is offering now, I see nothing but interesting things coming from Nintendo in the future. Hardcore gamers won't miss out on anything: they are 3 consoles out, 3 more coming up soon in the form of rumors for the next-gen (PS4? The Next Xbox? Another more powerful Wii and/or another portable in the vein of the DS? Only time will tell); the Ps3 will (hopefully) eventually prove more than enough to satisfy hardcore gamers as long as they don't lose any exclusives (MGS4, FF13...), Xbox360 is proving to very formidable in the online arena. Aside from a lot of crappy games (and every era in video gaming had it's fair share of countless bad games, even SNES), this could be a new golden age of gaming if looked at with the proper perspective. Long live video gaming, both casual & hardcore, and hell, why not everything in-between. If only Sega could come back someday with a console than finished the job what the dreamcast almost had (which was consistent success).