First, *I* never mentioned Linux. Or Windows. Where on earth did you get THAT from? As to what *I* use? I never mentioned it (although Windows should have been clear).
Secondly, the Sony example is very real. The camera software puts the images 6 or so levels deep into the file system. Not easy to find. It does NOT include software for red-eye reduction; not even image scaling -- as far as I can tell (this may be buried, but is certainly not 2 clicks away).
Now I do *not* use Photoshop. I am *not* a professional photographer. Yes, I have some software from Kodak that came with a scanner. It does do red-eye reduction and cropping (but not scaling, AFAIK). No real way to integrate it with the Sony stuff, anyway. The Kodak software uses a "task-based" GUI approach. Deals with "PCD" (?) files. The Sony deals with JPEG files. The computer that we use for this application is a PII 450 with 128MB. Running Windows 98SE. Worth (maybe) $80. Are you seriously suggesting that I spend hundreds on a professional application? Even spending $40 on a program for this beast would be a big deal.
Now, as to sound editing. I normalize volume, maybe add enhancements. I don't do any serious audio editing (and I don't even know what "Audacity" is).
My point was that for a lot of tasks, it may be as easy, or easier, to use a CLI interface.
As to the presentation example: pictures should be scalable, they should be small, they should be easily edited. PIC handles this for the class of illustrations that I need. "circle at (1,2); circle at (2,2); box". Dense, editable, scalable.
"I would wager that most of the non-hardcore crowd (the crowd that wouldn't know what a 'slash dot' was) hasn't even heard of any of the problems with some launch quantities."
And you would lose.
Last night (Thursday) on the drive home (5:30pm); "special interest" lead story on the All-news radio (you know, the most popular station, especially with the drive-time folk) was about Microsoft and the potential for an XBOX 360 recall due to problems. This would be Toronto, Canada; figure 2 million more people now "know" about the '360 and its issues. I don't know how many times the piece aired -- but since the station works on a 10 minute cycle, could have been 40 times. Fortunately, we were ALSO in the grip of a storm alert, which may have pre-empted a few (but also meant that there may have been more listeners for the other airings -- who knows).
"Plus there are some things that you just plain cant do in a CLI, sound, photoediting, music, word processing, designing presentations, spreadsheeting the list goes on"
Photoediting? And why not? Lets try it: "pnmhisteq photo.pnm"
Designing presentations? And why not? Lets try it: "include header; bullet list; item 1; item 2; item 3; end bullet list; wait 5 seconds; comb transition" (made up the syntax -- I use troff with pic, and output to pdf).
Spreadsheeting? And why not? Lets try it: "formula wage=hours*base; for employees compute formula" (made up syntax). Or, to get the "spreadsheet" 2D look on a terminal, try "sc" (I like sc 7.16).
I am sure the list goes on.
And now for the "GUI" challenges. The following tasks:
1 - Increase the pitch of an audio recording. Do not compress the time. (the sox example above)
2 - Increase the contrast of an image via normalization (the pnmhisteq example above).
3 - Load a spreadsheet application, and use it as a simple calculator (load time must be 1 second. otherwise, the user will go for a calculator). (the "sc" example above).
4 - Illustrations that need scaling when moving to a multi-column format. Change number of columns without changing the pictures; do they scale and reformat (use of pic). Find a word processor that supports this feature.
Now for a "new task" example. I purchased a digital camera for my wife. A Sony. It came with software, which I loaded onto her computer. When the camera is plugged into the computer, pictures are automatically downloaded to the computer. At 4MP. Which is too large to email. And, the directory is not exposed. And she can't figure out how to scale the pictures for email, or even which directory to open to find them. The tasks to accomplish are simple:
1 - download pictures from the camera 2 - categorize the pictures, eliminating duplicates 3 - scale the pictures
With the Sony GUI, these tasks (except for 1) are almost impossible. How do people deal with this? In a "CLI" (say, Unix based), 1 would be "cp", 2 would be "mv and rm" and 3 would be a picture-scale utility (jpegtopnm, pamscale, pnmtojpeg -- if using common "CLI" tools -- Netpbm). Preview of the pictures? This I grant to the GUI. Although, when using my terminal, I would build an "n-up" page of pictures, with labels, and print it. About as fast as Windows can display the thumbs.
I do think a GUI makes a computer more accessible, though.
Ratboy.
Re:"Several posts" on a few boards = "very" unstab
on
Xbox 360 Very Unstable
·
· Score: 1
No one claimed "NT" was unstable. But why would you think that the XBOX 360 software is based on NT?
And, its a game console... Wait for an update? Its supposed to be single-function plug it in and use it. How much more containment for testing do you need?
So, onward: bad hardware? its a contained stand-alone system. bad drivers? does this box even HAVE an OS? Anyway, all "drivers" come from a single source.
So, I would expect premium gaming hardware, with the "system" software stack from a single source, and the initial selection of games validated.
Of course the XBOX 360 claims to be able to run XBOX games, by using an virtualizer/emulator/translator. Again, I expect that this component would have a compatibility list (given that the XBOX itself was a contained system).
In any case -- I expect a very stable platform; no reference to "NT" needed.
First, the compression is the.gz (gzip), not.tar. Tar just added stuff, and made it bigger.
Second, bzip2 (bz2) whould have been preferred.
In any case, tar could have been used to CREATE the download (GNU tar has support for gzip and bzip2, typically avoiding a second step. That was probably used.
Thirdly, Unix has had self-compressing (.shar) archives since the beginning.
All right, let's take this on. Assume you are male, and you are married. Why not? If either of these are false, make them true (for purpose of discussion). Take the following statement:
"You have never beaten you wife".
Try to prove it. Either you will be able to prove the falsehood, or you are guilty of a criminal offense.
Lather, rinse, repeat. Sorry, it can't be done. If the statement "You beat your wife" were made, the person making the statement (in a libel case, the defendent) would have to prove it. It would not be your place to prove what may well be unprovable -- its opposite.
And no, we are not dealing with mathematics, although even there, you may or will end up with contradictions.
Actually, with murder, you are NOT proving the defendent killed someone. First, someone must have died. Habeus Corpus: produce the body. Next, it must be proven that the defendent killed the person. Next, it must be proven that the defendent purposefully (otherwise, "manslaughter"), by an act, (otherwise "willful negligence") caused the persons death.
The eqivalent, with libel would be to show that the defendent did not produce the libelous material, or that there was no harm in doing so.
If the material was produced, and is harmful, a charge of libel can be brought. The defendent can dispute the material (the equivalent of Habeus Corpus, if you will), the harm, or that the material is true.
Greatly simplified, but the charges veer wildly after the production of a body, or material.
And since a negative cannot be proven: if no body, no murder. if no material, no libel. Harm is subjective, and the only thing left to (typically) argue in a libel case (and this one, specifically, given that the material is STILL available on the 'net) is the truth of the material. Which must be argued by the defendent, given that the defendent has MADE the allegation.
With Libel, you *have* made a statement. The statement is a matter of public record. That FACT is not in question.
With Murder, the FACT of the Murder is in question.
With Libel, the determination of Libel is whether the statement that has been made is True. If the statement is False Libel may have occured. If the statement is True, Libel DID NOT OCCUR.
Now, with Murder, Murder must be proven. With Libel, the truth of a statement must be proven. Since a falsehood cannot be proven, the burden must fall on the plaintiff.
Ok, I get it... it's an attempt to exploit shared memory in C++.
And why is this news? Is it so difficult that nobody has done it? No, that can't be -- the shm stuff can be wrapped. This is so important that it rates a "design pattern"? Not it either -- the one illustrated isn't the best solution.
So, just what is this article? Methinks fluff. Sort of in line with "How to implement co-routines with setjmp/longjmp" thing. Or, "Restructuring data to assist processor cache residency". And "How to remove locks from performance critical MP code".
"You know, Apple doesn't tie up large sections of the industry in backwards, proprietary technology. They're cutting edge. They give back to open source projects."
All of which is wrong. Apple doesn't really contribute that much to "open source projects". In fact, the only substantive contribution that Apple has made was made accidentally. The Smalltalk folk went to work and produced "Squeak" while working at Apple. They are now at Disney, so the credit may have to be shared. Anything else? Something on the order of... Self (SUN, used for Newton), Object Pascal, original Mac OS or toolbox, reference implementation of AppleTalk, or other networking protocols, AppleCard, Math Solver... you know, something real? Not just some BSD kernel hacks, or browser hacks.
Cutting edge? You mean they hire stylists to hide the defects in their products? Oh, its pretty, but the battery explodes... It may even cut you. Or, it doesn't actually work, and needs service... Whatever.
Tie up the industry? Sure do. Tell me how I can legally run Mac 68K software. I need a bootleg ROM. Bootleg because the machines I *can* get a ROM from are getting scarce. Oh, I can download the OS for sure, but still can't use it to run the old software. Apple has been a sort of "roach motel" for development for years. You can get in, but it is really hard to leave.
Apple: pretty, proprietary, and backwards. Microsoft hardware is generally superior (please compare Apple mouse vs. Microsoft mouse, or keyboards). Microsoft software is also (arguably) superior. At least the server isn't dog slow, and a full software stack is available from a single vendor. Not the case with Apple.
Mark this a flamebait--every time I criticize darlin' Apple it happens. I think Apple may FINALLY produce some reasonable hardware, at a reasonable price point (thinking Minis here), but it sure has taken a long time. I think the system software, and software stack supplied is usable, but is definitely a "consumer" play. I DON'T think the "iPod" is a good product for consumers. I do think the "iPod" is a GREAT product for Apple. It seems to be driving a thriving accessory market.
Sorry for the comparisions with Microsoft -- I am also a critic of Microsoft. To disclose, I hold Microsoft stock, but refuse to hold Apple stock. Just what I think...
Please read Genesis/Exodus carefully. It does say/You shall have one God/, and does ascribe Creation, but, by the time of Moses, "God" is taken as the most powerful (Moses duplicating Pharos Magis feats). God is careful to tell "his" people to not worship other Gods... Even though (reading literally) the "other Gods" are able to imbue the power to (eg.) turn staffs into snakes.
Which is a cool trick.
It does look like a rewrite of Genesis happened sometime, with a monotheist slant. Which disappears in Exodus. And then reappears.
I am a "gold" member at Blockbuster. One current release movie rented with a "favourites" free. $3 per movie. Every fifth rental is free. Which comes to $2.50 a movie.
Of course, its a pain to drive to the store... add $1 for the convenience. But, no wear and tear on rental media - subtract.30. $3.20 per movie (DVD quality).
But, I have to pay the bandwidth. 60GB costs me $40. Figure around 800MB for a movie. That means each movie costs me 53 cents to download ($40 for 75 movies).
The answer is $2.70 CDN, make it nice and round in US terms - $2.50US per movie.
Remove DRM - which means I would watch a movie (maybe) 2 times (average would be less -- I don't have that much time). Add $1 for the second viewing (note that Blockbuster has no late fees). $3.50US per movie.
Now, notice that Blockbuster was taking a cut in my rentals, which Sony (being the producer AND distributor) isn't. So, this is more profitable for Sony. $8? Good if Sony can get it.
The article gets the point of Hyperthreading... backwards.
Yes, the memory interface gets congested, so the processor takes a stall. But, instead of just leaving the ALU idle, it has another thread in reserve to schedule on it. Thus improving the utilization of the ALU subsystem.
And THAT'S the point of this "Hyperthreading" thang...
The rest? Well, if the local L1/L2 cache isn't big enough, you are going to suffer. Yes, a bigger pipe to memory would help, but you are STILL several times slower than you could be. That's why you have the cache.
"For years the open-source Linux community has been competing with Microsoft to become the dominant desktop operating system."
Opening statement. Really.
Greg doesn't get it. Linux (FOSS) *does not* compete with Microsoft (or anyone else). We do software, sure, and that's about it.
If Microsoft (or anyone else) actually feels THREATENED, they should do something about it. Improve their product? Adopt a FOSS solution? Whatever. As long as it makes money, I don't care.
But, we (FOSS) don't compete with them. It is competely ludicrous to assume that. I have put out some FOSS projects... and have received NO MONEY from them. I didn't EXPECT money. On the other hand, I am a Microsoft shareholder. I get very upset when Microsoft gives stuff away. I bought those shares for a reason -- to make me money.
What the two share is "software". Sort of like a car manufacturer vs. a kit car home builder.
I will summarize:
Microsoft's final product is money (shareholder value). FOSS final product is software. These are not the same.
Please Greg, get a clue... I know you worked at Microsoft 'n stuff, and it may make it difficult to get a handle on FOSS, but I am sure you can wrap your brain around this.
Pick up a 5200FX card (for SVIDEO/DVI output) and then use the GPU to do audio and video transcode. I have been thinking about audio (MP3) transcode as a first "trial" application.
"Heftier" GPUs may be used to assist in video transcode -- but it strikes me that the choice of stream programming system is most important (to allow code to move to other GPUs, driver permitting). I think that nVidia also supports developers using the GPU (there are comments and test results generated by nVidia available on the 'web). So far, not much from ATI, so I think nVidia gets the nod...
My wife's parents wanted a computer. A few years ago I supplied one. It was a Pentium 200/MMX, 64MB, and a smallish (sub-10GB) disk.
I installed Mandrake and OpenOffice, because I didn't want to spend money on a Windows and Office license of this POS computer.
The in-laws used the machine for years -- until the hardware gave out (replaced mouse once, then the power supply gave out).
Happy enough, it worked -- EXCEPT that a neighbour who was "tech literate" and helps out his peer group didn't under this "Linux" thing and was unable to "do stuff" to the computer. Gran asked "why not Windows? so-and-so knows how to help us, it would be SO much better!".
I put Windows 98SE on the replacement (PII 350, 128MB). Difficult to get a license for it... but eventually I got one. Put on Open Office because I wasn't about to hunt down and buy an old MS Office. Windows costs as much as the hardware. (Please, no flames as to how I should have installed Windows XP -- the price would be $140 or more, and this *IS* a $50 computer).
So what happens? Worms, trojans, and crashes. My in-laws have actually requested that I put that "Linux" thing back. Maybe for Christmas...
Is Linux superior? Is Windows? I honestly don't know. They are certainly different. Windows 98SE "fit and finish" is better than Linux (Mandrake 7). On the other hand, Mandrake 7 is free (as in beer). The Linux desktop can be locked down, which is an advantage when the target user won't EVER be installing software, or "playing" with the computer. On the other hand, Windows is familiar and visiting relatives and friends can easily use the device.
Still, Gran wants her Linux back... her perception is that the "old" software was more reliable and secure.
I think that's a FINE way to distribute GPL based customized software -- charge for the customization, provide source, and let the customer DECIDE on her own whether to redistribute.
If your customer wants in on the software game, she can go ahead and try. On the other hand, this stuff isn't easy. So far, it hasn't been an issue. The customer feels a need to keep the customizations off the market; to exploit the business advantage.
In the header you have isolated... there exists an architecture specific #if. Its purpose?/NOT/ to induce the system to compile a special or different way for AMD64 vs SPARC, vs whatever.
Specifically it exists to allow module directories for MULTIPLE archictures to exist on the same bootable volume.
Now, pick another random header, and repeat.
As to asm -- there isn't much. That would be a SINGLE relevent reference (the others are to "include asm/something", comments, etc.). And even that is in a header.
It wouldn't have gotten into Solaris base otherwise.
Actually, you do have additional information -- temporal. Data can be extracted, and some of what is missing due to sampling constraints can be regenerated. It helps to buffer a lot of audio before adding it back in.
Slashdot Mirror
First, *I* never mentioned Linux. Or Windows. Where on earth did you get THAT from? As to what *I* use? I never mentioned it (although Windows should have been clear).
Secondly, the Sony example is very real. The camera software puts the images 6 or so levels deep into the file system. Not easy to find. It does NOT include software for red-eye reduction; not even image scaling -- as far as I can tell (this may be buried, but is certainly not 2 clicks away).
Now I do *not* use Photoshop. I am *not* a professional photographer. Yes, I have some software from Kodak that came with a scanner. It does do red-eye reduction and cropping (but not scaling, AFAIK). No real way to integrate it with the Sony stuff, anyway. The Kodak software uses a "task-based" GUI approach. Deals with "PCD" (?) files. The Sony deals with JPEG files. The computer that we use for this application is a PII 450 with 128MB. Running Windows 98SE. Worth (maybe) $80. Are you seriously suggesting that I spend hundreds on a professional application? Even spending $40 on a program for this beast would be a big deal.
Now, as to sound editing. I normalize volume, maybe add enhancements. I don't do any serious audio editing (and I don't even know what "Audacity" is).
My point was that for a lot of tasks, it may be as easy, or easier, to use a CLI interface.
As to the presentation example: pictures should be scalable, they should be small, they should be easily edited. PIC handles this for the class of illustrations that I need. "circle at (1,2); circle at (2,2); box". Dense, editable, scalable.
Ratboy
"I would wager that most of the non-hardcore crowd (the crowd that wouldn't know what a 'slash dot' was) hasn't even heard of any of the problems with some launch quantities."
And you would lose.
Last night (Thursday) on the drive home (5:30pm); "special interest" lead story on the All-news radio (you know, the most popular station, especially with the drive-time folk) was about Microsoft and the potential for an XBOX 360 recall due to problems. This would be Toronto, Canada; figure 2 million more people now "know" about the '360 and its issues. I don't know how many times the piece aired -- but since the station works on a 10 minute cycle, could have been 40 times. Fortunately, we were ALSO in the grip of a storm alert, which may have pre-empted a few (but also meant that there may have been more listeners for the other airings -- who knows).
Ratboy
"Plus there are some things that you just plain cant do in a CLI, sound, photoediting, music, word processing, designing presentations, spreadsheeting the list goes on"
Sound? And why not? Lets try it: "sox input.au pitch 10"
Photoediting? And why not? Lets try it: "pnmhisteq photo.pnm"
Designing presentations? And why not? Lets try it: "include header; bullet list; item 1; item 2; item 3; end bullet list; wait 5 seconds; comb transition" (made up the syntax -- I use troff with pic, and output to pdf).
Spreadsheeting? And why not? Lets try it: "formula wage=hours*base; for employees compute formula" (made up syntax). Or, to get the "spreadsheet" 2D look on a terminal, try "sc" (I like sc 7.16).
I am sure the list goes on.
And now for the "GUI" challenges. The following tasks:
1 - Increase the pitch of an audio recording. Do not compress the time. (the sox example above)
2 - Increase the contrast of an image via normalization (the pnmhisteq example above).
3 - Load a spreadsheet application, and use it as a simple calculator (load time must be 1 second. otherwise, the user will go for a calculator). (the "sc" example above).
4 - Illustrations that need scaling when moving to a multi-column format. Change number of columns without changing the pictures; do they scale and reformat (use of pic). Find a word processor that supports this feature.
Now for a "new task" example. I purchased a digital camera for my wife. A Sony. It came with software, which I loaded onto her computer. When the camera is plugged into the computer, pictures are automatically downloaded to the computer. At 4MP. Which is too large to email. And, the directory is not exposed. And she can't figure out how to scale the pictures for email, or even which directory to open to find them. The tasks to accomplish are simple:
1 - download pictures from the camera
2 - categorize the pictures, eliminating duplicates
3 - scale the pictures
With the Sony GUI, these tasks (except for 1) are almost impossible. How do people deal with this? In a "CLI" (say, Unix based), 1 would be "cp", 2 would be "mv and rm" and 3 would be a picture-scale utility (jpegtopnm, pamscale, pnmtojpeg -- if using common "CLI" tools -- Netpbm). Preview of the pictures? This I grant to the GUI. Although, when using my terminal, I would build an "n-up" page of pictures, with labels, and print it. About as fast as Windows can display the thumbs.
I do think a GUI makes a computer more accessible, though.
Ratboy.
No one claimed "NT" was unstable. But why would you think that the XBOX 360 software is based on NT?
And, its a game console... Wait for an update? Its supposed to be single-function plug it in and use it. How much more containment for testing do you need?
So, onward: bad hardware? its a contained stand-alone system. bad drivers? does this box even HAVE an OS? Anyway, all "drivers" come from a single source.
So, I would expect premium gaming hardware, with the "system" software stack from a single source, and the initial selection of games validated.
Of course the XBOX 360 claims to be able to run XBOX games, by using an virtualizer/emulator/translator. Again, I expect that this component would have a compatibility list (given that the XBOX itself was a contained system).
In any case -- I expect a very stable platform; no reference to "NT" needed.
Ratboy.
Couple of points:
.gz (gzip), not .tar. Tar just added stuff, and made it bigger.
First, the compression is the
Second, bzip2 (bz2) whould have been preferred.
In any case, tar could have been used to CREATE the download (GNU tar has support for gzip and bzip2, typically avoiding a second step. That was probably used.
Thirdly, Unix has had self-compressing (.shar) archives since the beginning.
Ratboy.
All right, let's take this on. Assume you are male, and you are married. Why not? If either of these are false, make them true (for purpose of discussion). Take the following statement:
"You have never beaten you wife".
Try to prove it. Either you will be able to prove the falsehood, or you are guilty of a criminal offense.
Lather, rinse, repeat. Sorry, it can't be done. If the statement "You beat your wife" were made, the person making the statement (in a libel case, the defendent) would have to prove it. It would not be your place to prove what may well be unprovable -- its opposite.
And no, we are not dealing with mathematics, although even there, you may or will end up with contradictions.
Ratboy.
Actually, with murder, you are NOT proving the defendent killed someone. First, someone must have died. Habeus Corpus: produce the body. Next, it must be proven that the defendent killed the person. Next, it must be proven that the defendent purposefully (otherwise, "manslaughter"), by an act, (otherwise "willful negligence") caused the persons death.
The eqivalent, with libel would be to show that the defendent did not produce the libelous material, or that there was no harm in doing so.
If the material was produced, and is harmful, a charge of libel can be brought. The defendent can dispute the material (the equivalent of Habeus Corpus, if you will), the harm, or that the material is true.
Greatly simplified, but the charges veer wildly after the production of a body, or material.
And since a negative cannot be proven: if no body, no murder. if no material, no libel. Harm is subjective, and the only thing left to (typically) argue in a libel case (and this one, specifically, given that the material is STILL available on the 'net) is the truth of the material. Which must be argued by the defendent, given that the defendent has MADE the allegation.
Ratboy.
This is Canadian Law we are talking about, not US Law.
Libel is NOT Murder.
Lets start with that.
With Libel, you *have* made a statement. The statement is a matter of public record. That FACT is not in question.
With Murder, the FACT of the Murder is in question.
With Libel, the determination of Libel is whether the statement that has been made is True. If the statement is False Libel may have occured. If the statement is True, Libel DID NOT OCCUR.
Now, with Murder, Murder must be proven. With Libel, the truth of a statement must be proven. Since a falsehood cannot be proven, the burden must fall on the plaintiff.
Simple logic.
Ratboy.
Ok, I get it... it's an attempt to exploit shared memory in C++.
And why is this news? Is it so difficult that nobody has done it? No, that can't be -- the shm stuff can be wrapped. This is so important that it rates a "design pattern"? Not it either -- the one illustrated isn't the best solution.
So, just what is this article? Methinks fluff. Sort of in line with "How to implement co-routines with setjmp/longjmp" thing. Or, "Restructuring data to assist processor cache residency". And "How to remove locks from performance critical MP code".
Except not as interesting or useful.
Ratboy.
I agree that the "Mini" shows some promise... but as to the rest?
Apple generally puts out very pretty, but crappy, hardware, and sells it for an amazing premium.
The amazing thing is that they have convince a lot of people that Apple crap == Quality.
Ratboy.
"You know, Apple doesn't tie up large sections of the industry in backwards, proprietary technology. They're cutting edge. They give back to open source projects."
All of which is wrong. Apple doesn't really contribute that much to "open source projects". In fact, the only substantive contribution that Apple has made was made accidentally. The Smalltalk folk went to work and produced "Squeak" while working at Apple. They are now at Disney, so the credit may have to be shared. Anything else? Something on the order of... Self (SUN, used for Newton), Object Pascal, original Mac OS or toolbox, reference implementation of AppleTalk, or other networking protocols, AppleCard, Math Solver... you know, something real? Not just some BSD kernel hacks, or browser hacks.
Cutting edge? You mean they hire stylists to hide the defects in their products? Oh, its pretty, but the battery explodes... It may even cut you. Or, it doesn't actually work, and needs service... Whatever.
Tie up the industry? Sure do. Tell me how I can legally run Mac 68K software. I need a bootleg ROM. Bootleg because the machines I *can* get a ROM from are getting scarce. Oh, I can download the OS for sure, but still can't use it to run the old software. Apple has been a sort of "roach motel" for development for years. You can get in, but it is really hard to leave.
Apple: pretty, proprietary, and backwards. Microsoft hardware is generally superior (please compare Apple mouse vs. Microsoft mouse, or keyboards). Microsoft software is also (arguably) superior. At least the server isn't dog slow, and a full software stack is available from a single vendor. Not the case with Apple.
Mark this a flamebait--every time I criticize darlin' Apple it happens. I think Apple may FINALLY produce some reasonable hardware, at a reasonable price point (thinking Minis here), but it sure has taken a long time. I think the system software, and software stack supplied is usable, but is definitely a "consumer" play. I DON'T think the "iPod" is a good product for consumers. I do think the "iPod" is a GREAT product for Apple. It seems to be driving a thriving accessory market.
Sorry for the comparisions with Microsoft -- I am also a critic of Microsoft. To disclose, I hold Microsoft stock, but refuse to hold Apple stock. Just what I think...
Ratboy.
Um...
/You shall have one God/, and does ascribe Creation, but, by the time of Moses, "God" is taken as the most powerful (Moses duplicating Pharos Magis feats). God is careful to tell "his" people to not worship other Gods... Even though (reading literally) the "other Gods" are able to imbue the power to (eg.) turn staffs into snakes.
In a word, no.
Please read Genesis/Exodus carefully. It does say
Which is a cool trick.
It does look like a rewrite of Genesis happened sometime, with a monotheist slant. Which disappears in Exodus. And then reappears.
Ratboy.
All prices in $CDN:
.30. $3.20 per movie (DVD quality).
I am a "gold" member at Blockbuster. One current release movie rented with a "favourites" free. $3 per movie. Every fifth rental is free. Which comes to $2.50 a movie.
Of course, its a pain to drive to the store... add $1 for the convenience. But, no wear and tear on rental media - subtract
But, I have to pay the bandwidth. 60GB costs me $40. Figure around 800MB for a movie. That means each movie costs me 53 cents to download ($40 for 75 movies).
The answer is $2.70 CDN, make it nice and round in US terms - $2.50US per movie.
Remove DRM - which means I would watch a movie (maybe) 2 times (average would be less -- I don't have that much time). Add $1 for the second viewing (note that Blockbuster has no late fees). $3.50US per movie.
Now, notice that Blockbuster was taking a cut in my rentals, which Sony (being the producer AND distributor) isn't. So, this is more profitable for Sony. $8? Good if Sony can get it.
Ratboy
The article gets the point of Hyperthreading... backwards.
Yes, the memory interface gets congested, so the processor takes a stall. But, instead of just leaving the ALU idle, it has another thread in reserve to schedule on it. Thus improving the utilization of the ALU subsystem.
And THAT'S the point of this "Hyperthreading" thang...
The rest? Well, if the local L1/L2 cache isn't big enough, you are going to suffer. Yes, a bigger pipe to memory would help, but you are STILL several times slower than you could be. That's why you have the cache.
Anyway, its a balancing act.
"For years the open-source Linux community has been competing with Microsoft to become the dominant desktop operating system."
Opening statement. Really.
Greg doesn't get it. Linux (FOSS) *does not* compete with Microsoft (or anyone else). We do software, sure, and that's about it.
If Microsoft (or anyone else) actually feels THREATENED, they should do something about it. Improve their product? Adopt a FOSS solution? Whatever. As long as it makes money, I don't care.
But, we (FOSS) don't compete with them. It is competely ludicrous to assume that. I have put out some FOSS projects... and have received NO MONEY from them. I didn't EXPECT money. On the other hand, I am a Microsoft shareholder. I get very upset when Microsoft gives stuff away. I bought those shares for a reason -- to make me money.
What the two share is "software". Sort of like a car manufacturer vs. a kit car home builder.
I will summarize:
Microsoft's final product is money (shareholder value). FOSS final product is software. These are not the same.
Please Greg, get a clue... I know you worked at Microsoft 'n stuff, and it may make it difficult to get a handle on FOSS, but I am sure you can wrap your brain around this.
Ratboy.
GPU Stream programming can be done with Brook http://graphics.stanford.edu/projects/brookgpu/. Brook supports the nVidia series, so that is what you purchase.
Pick up a 5200FX card (for SVIDEO/DVI output) and then use the GPU to do audio and video transcode. I have been thinking about audio (MP3) transcode as a first "trial" application.
"Heftier" GPUs may be used to assist in video transcode -- but it strikes me that the choice of stream programming system is most important (to allow code to move to other GPUs, driver permitting). I think that nVidia also supports developers using the GPU (there are comments and test results generated by nVidia available on the 'web). So far, not much from ATI, so I think nVidia gets the nod...
Ratboy.
My wife's parents wanted a computer. A few years ago I supplied one. It was a Pentium 200/MMX, 64MB, and a smallish (sub-10GB) disk.
I installed Mandrake and OpenOffice, because I didn't want to spend money on a Windows and Office license of this POS computer.
The in-laws used the machine for years -- until the hardware gave out (replaced mouse once, then the power supply gave out).
Happy enough, it worked -- EXCEPT that a neighbour who was "tech literate" and helps out his peer group didn't under this "Linux" thing and was unable to "do stuff" to the computer. Gran asked "why not Windows? so-and-so knows how to help us, it would be SO much better!".
I put Windows 98SE on the replacement (PII 350, 128MB). Difficult to get a license for it... but eventually I got one. Put on Open Office because I wasn't about to hunt down and buy an old MS Office. Windows costs as much as the hardware. (Please, no flames as to how I should have installed Windows XP -- the price would be $140 or more, and this *IS* a $50 computer).
So what happens? Worms, trojans, and crashes. My in-laws have actually requested that I put that "Linux" thing back. Maybe for Christmas...
Is Linux superior? Is Windows? I honestly don't know. They are certainly different. Windows 98SE "fit and finish" is better than Linux (Mandrake 7). On the other hand, Mandrake 7 is free (as in beer). The Linux desktop can be locked down, which is an advantage when the target user won't EVER be installing software, or "playing" with the computer. On the other hand, Windows is familiar and visiting relatives and friends can easily use the device.
Still, Gran wants her Linux back... her perception is that the "old" software was more reliable and secure.
Ratboy.
Say what?
Of course CSS is copy protection. DVD readers have two paths (mandated). The media keys are NOT accessible through the unencrypted data path.
What this means is that if you copy DVD data (not via the CSS play mechanism), you DON'T get the media keys. The result is designed to be useless!
Of course it is possible to brute force the media key, which is implemented, allowing play from a data DVD copy.
But, the play mechanism that supports this is not "legal" -- it is a US DMCA violation.
If the backup you made of your DVD is useless (unless you buy another DVD) -- why bother with the backup at all?
Ratboy.
NOW we are in a "dot-boom". But we can't get much development capital, because of the "dot-bust". Triggered in part by that 2% figure.
Bizzare. The hype was accurate (30% of people will now buy stuff on the Internet), riches are to be made, but you can't do it anymore.
Ratboy.
I think that's a FINE way to distribute GPL based customized software -- charge for the customization, provide source, and let the customer DECIDE on her own whether to redistribute.
If your customer wants in on the software game, she can go ahead and try. On the other hand, this stuff isn't easy. So far, it hasn't been an issue. The customer feels a need to keep the customizations off the market; to exploit the business advantage.
Ratboy.
But you can't do such an attack on an encrypted session -- neither endpoint will divulge their private key to you.
Just to prevent this attack. Your bank DOES use an end-to-end encrypted communication, yet?
Otherwise, internet banking wouldn't work at all...
All right, I'll take the bait...
/NOT/ to induce the system to compile a special or different way for AMD64 vs SPARC, vs whatever.
In the header you have isolated... there exists an architecture specific #if. Its purpose?
Specifically it exists to allow module directories for MULTIPLE archictures to exist on the same bootable volume.
Now, pick another random header, and repeat.
As to asm -- there isn't much. That would be a SINGLE relevent reference (the others are to "include asm/something", comments, etc.). And even that is in a header.
It wouldn't have gotten into Solaris base otherwise.
Thanks for playing,
Ratboy.
You EXPECT 32/64 bit "ifdefs", and some assembly in each mentioned Solaris module?
Go read the source. Go read Linux source.
Then come back and comment.
I know this is Slashdot, but PLEASE!
Actually, you do have additional information -- temporal.
Data can be extracted, and some of what is missing due to sampling constraints can be regenerated. It helps to buffer a lot of audio before adding it back in.