I like Java. It helps me get stuff done. The Blackdown JDK port is excellent and Swing lets me distribute in-house apps across 4 different platforms without a problem.
But c'mon, make it a standard already!
I'm sick of the pseudo-open nature of it. If they're going to hold on to it and keep it non-open, that's their decision. If they're going to open it up to everybody, that's their decision too. But stop with this "it's open - no wait, it's not open" business. There's too much momentum behind it for it to be hijacked now (as Microsoft discovered) by any single entity - even Sun. So stop trying to be an overprotective mommy and let it out into the world.
Java has its place. Please let it go so we can get back to the business of using it.
On my PII/300 laptop with MesaGL, the framerate was unplayably slow. It looks sweet, but they're not kidding when they say hardware acceleration is required.
Oh how I wish I could try it on the SGI workstations here. *sob*
Except the 380 and 560. Just pick "standard 3 button PS/2 mouse" and they work like a charm. That fact, along with the full-sized keys (sans Windows9X keys, an added bonus!) made me pick IBM over other models of laptops.
Right after I opt for a ThinkPad, IBM says they'll ship laptops sans OS. But seeing as I never so much as saw a Windows startup screen before I wiped/repartitioned/reinstalled my Linux distribution of choice, I s'pose I'm due a refund.
The Saturn architecture was rather innovative, but programmers had a helluva time trying to get the most from a dual processor architecture. Trying to get the Dreamcast to play those old games was more trouble than it was worth, as it would've required either emulation (tricky) or additional hardware (expensive).
And as for playing old Playstation titles, Sega wouldn't open themselves to a big lawsuit by trying.
But these latest Dreamcast developments have me worried. Basically, the system was designed for easy PC ports. The development kits are Wintel based, even. There's just a bit too much Microsoft involved for my tastes.
Still, it's the games that count. The Saturn thrived on its superb Capcom fighters along with gems like the Panzer Dragoon series. But Sega, in their infinite wisdom, screwed up the 6-button layout of their pads (does the Dreamcast have only 6 buttons total now, unlike the Saturn's 8?) which was wonderful for Capcom fighters.
If the Dreamcast has an excellent Panzer Dragoon title to start with, I'll consider owning one. Otherwise I can't see what else would interest me.
I figure the full text, commented out at the end will add to my productivity immensely! But seriously, haven't we gotten out of the "more lines of code are better" mentality back in olden days? From what I can tell, American programmers aren't better or worse than other programmers all over the world, so why do we need this ridiculous metric to tell us what to do?
Now that would be news. But, of course he's not going to say that whether he believes it or not.
He's faced with a dilemma. Ignoring Linux doesn't work, but talking about it only brings publicity and that doesn't work either. The mass-marketing machine is ineffective against something that spreads by word-of-mouth. And big glossy ads spreading FUD about Linux would only bring more exposure.
This little bit of posturing is unsurprising and futile - as expected.
If today was wednesday, I'd swear it was an Onion article. What next, will the American Telephone and Telegraph company change their name to AT&T all of a sudden?
Oh, and the new logo is hideous. For a company that prides themselves on 3d graphics, that logo looks like something you'd find labeling a generic toilet paper brand.
This GNU/Linux debate is pointless and harmful. Linux has done more to advance the open software movement than anything else I can think of, but RMS seems to treat it like an enemy trying to usurp all his work.
He's not thinking of the cause, he's thinking of himself.
The fact is, Linus got the attention and he didn't - and that bugs him to no end. But I think his pride should take a backseat to what's really important. And what's really important is the advancement of truly free software in the face of tremendous adversity.
Being recognized isn't important. Doing something worth being recognized for is.
Assume, for the sake of argument, that Windows* is released under the GPL in its entirety for everyone to see and use and update as they see fit. Would you want to work on it? Would you want the task of reading millions of lines of legacy code in order to get your two cents in? I wouldn't.
When projects are open source from the beginning, it gives programmers a little seedling of code to start with, and then they can work together to shape a program into something special and maintainable and often quite portable too!
Open source code is a lot like manure. A sprinkle here and there can do wonders to make things grow. But dump too much at once and you'll just wind up with a big pile of shit.
Let's see: Solaris 2.6 along with gcc, emacs, gimp and lots of other components I can't remember off the top of my head. Therefore I must be using GNU/Solaris and just calling it plain "Solaris" is insulting.
Uh huh.
Is it just me, or does there seem to be a lot of bitterness in the top end of that interview?
Hopefully. I'm sick of telling innocent pine users "No, you can't open that.doc file because your asshole friend sent you a Word document instead of regular text. Get them to send it in some semblance of a standard format."
Maybe the next version of sendmail will have built-in filters for extracting and deleting Word documents before they reach the internet.
This guy doesn't quite realize that there are quite a number of fully open-sourced Java implementations out there. But if you want to call those implementations "Java", you'll need to pass the certification test - like the one Microsoft failed. It's a simple truth-in-advertising, and most open-sourced implementations don't bother with the test and don't pretend to be Sun-certified Java.
And that 100% pure Java FUD the auther is spreading is pure bull. Anyone with a (free) JDK can build whatever Java application they want, attach it to all the native code they want, and release it to the world anytime they want. If you want to release a pure-Java app, take the test. But only the big boys bother with that, and most of us don't give a rat's ass.
Even according to Sun's pure-Java FAQ, not all good applications are pure and not all pure applications are good. It's just a label.
To make a little labeling technique out to be some terrible con is ridiculous and insulting.
Computer aestethics have been lacking for years. Boxy beige clunkers are okay for work, but when I'm at home I'd prefer something a bit more elegant. Give me some nice curves, better colors, and something that shows off my tastes a little.
I want something that looks as destinctive on the outside as my window managers and color schemes look on the inside.
Besides, computers are a lot like cars. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on one and not have it look good, or at least look different than everything else on the road. Why do you think the new VW Bug is selling like crazy? It's because it doesn't look exactly like every other car out there.
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But c'mon, make it a standard already!
I'm sick of the pseudo-open nature of it. If they're going to hold on to it and keep it non-open, that's their decision. If they're going to open it up to everybody, that's their decision too. But stop with this "it's open - no wait, it's not open" business. There's too much momentum behind it for it to be hijacked now (as Microsoft discovered) by any single entity - even Sun. So stop trying to be an overprotective mommy and let it out into the world.
Java has its place. Please let it go so we can get back to the business of using it.
Oh how I wish I could try it on the SGI workstations here. *sob*
For Linux on laptops, they're hard to beat, IMHO.
Right after I opt for a ThinkPad, IBM says they'll ship laptops sans OS. But seeing as I never so much as saw a Windows startup screen before I wiped/repartitioned/reinstalled my Linux distribution of choice, I s'pose I'm due a refund.
And as for playing old Playstation titles, Sega wouldn't open themselves to a big lawsuit by trying.
Still, it's the games that count. The Saturn thrived on its superb Capcom fighters along with gems like the Panzer Dragoon series. But Sega, in their infinite wisdom, screwed up the 6-button layout of their pads (does the Dreamcast have only 6 buttons total now, unlike the Saturn's 8?) which was wonderful for Capcom fighters.
If the Dreamcast has an excellent Panzer Dragoon title to start with, I'll consider owning one. Otherwise I can't see what else would interest me.
I figure the full text, commented out at the end will add to my productivity immensely! But seriously, haven't we gotten out of the "more lines of code are better" mentality back in olden days? From what I can tell, American programmers aren't better or worse than other programmers all over the world, so why do we need this ridiculous metric to tell us what to do?
He's faced with a dilemma. Ignoring Linux doesn't work, but talking about it only brings publicity and that doesn't work either. The mass-marketing machine is ineffective against something that spreads by word-of-mouth. And big glossy ads spreading FUD about Linux would only bring more exposure.
This little bit of posturing is unsurprising and futile - as expected.
Oh, and the new logo is hideous. For a company that prides themselves on 3d graphics, that logo looks like something you'd find labeling a generic toilet paper brand.
He's not thinking of the cause, he's thinking of himself.
The fact is, Linus got the attention and he didn't - and that bugs him to no end. But I think his pride should take a backseat to what's really important. And what's really important is the advancement of truly free software in the face of tremendous adversity.
Being recognized isn't important. Doing something worth being recognized for is.
When projects are open source from the beginning, it gives programmers a little seedling of code to start with, and then they can work together to shape a program into something special and maintainable and often quite portable too!
Open source code is a lot like manure. A sprinkle here and there can do wonders to make things grow. But dump too much at once and you'll just wind up with a big pile of shit.
Uh huh.
Is it just me, or does there seem to be a lot of bitterness in the top end of that interview?
Maybe the next version of sendmail will have built-in filters for extracting and deleting Word documents before they reach the internet.
I can hope, anyway.
And that 100% pure Java FUD the auther is spreading is pure bull. Anyone with a (free) JDK can build whatever Java application they want, attach it to all the native code they want, and release it to the world anytime they want. If you want to release a pure-Java app, take the test. But only the big boys bother with that, and most of us don't give a rat's ass.
Even according to Sun's pure-Java FAQ, not all good applications are pure and not all pure applications are good. It's just a label.
To make a little labeling technique out to be some terrible con is ridiculous and insulting.
The first production PET was shown in June and the first TRS-80s were delivered in August. Both come after the launch of the Apple ][.
Thus, Apple ][ is the first.
Source: http://web.islandnet.com/~kpols son/comphist/comp1977.htm
I want something that looks as destinctive on the outside as my window managers and color schemes look on the inside.
Besides, computers are a lot like cars. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on one and not have it look good, or at least look different than everything else on the road. Why do you think the new VW Bug is selling like crazy? It's because it doesn't look exactly like every other car out there.
Favorite show (in alphabetical order):
- Babylon 5
- Buffy
- Mystery Science Theater 3000
- Star Trek: Deep Space 9
- The X-Files
Etc. etc. and see how the poll results come in. Seems like a good idea to me.