When are these companies going to learn that trying to suppress information on the internet just makes it multiply?
This is already well documented as the Streisand Effect. If I were Michael Dell, I would fire whomever sent the take-down notice. The outcome was quite predictable by anyone with half a brain (especially after the very recent AACS fiasco).
You don't even need a processor to draw pictures on the screen.
A real hacker doesn't even need a screen - they just stick their tongue on the HD15* cable and imagine what the screen looks like from the electrical pulses.
AMD and Intel exist to keep each other at bay. Consumers are the winner at the end of the day because of this relationship. Meddling with that can't be good, my gut says.
This isn't the first time socket sharing has occured
IIRC, the socket-7 issue was not that Intel *wanted* others to use the technology, but rather that their license agreements with various other manufacturers allowed the rest of the industry to use it.
The only reason that Intel is opening up their FSB this time around is because they will be forced to use HyperTransport if they *don't* open it up (a royalty-free deal, to boot).
Their already using AMD64 and with AMD's new processors showing promise, Intel are really scratching and clawing here. I don't have the knowledge to pick a bus based on merit but, from what I've read, Hypertransport is better. Can anyone with experience here chime in?
Do we want Hypertransport or Intel's bus? What about licensing?
Are they attempting a variation of the famed Chewbacca defense?
It can't be any better than the famous "Buffalo Theory" (also from Cheers):
Well you see, Norm, it's like this; a herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and the weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.
When I was recently looking, I found these guys and discovered that they are in my back yard (Troy, Michigan).
$50/month to colo 1U (or a mid tower) and that includes 1000GB of transfer. If you are going to be using more than that, then you might want to look further into the unit cost per GB.
The other day, I was in a trendy clothing store. Embarrassment aside, I could not believe all of the innovative music that they were playing. There was one particular track that I wanted to buy so I queried the sales folk as to the artist name and title. They had no idea and were not provided with any resource to fine out.
But that got me thinking: The ClearChannel monopoly on our radio stations is the source of this problem. They "pay to play" the same 40 songs all day.
I remember back in the early 90s when the FCC allowed this sort of thing (it was previously not legal for a single company to own more than a certain amount of radio stations in a given market... I don't know the exact detail but I remember the discussion). I look back on the variety of music from pre-monopolization and it really illustrates the difference.
I've always like to call that extra bloat by the name of "Circusware". When I power up a shiny new Dell, I always feel like I'm at a circus where there are all of those different games where you can win a small stuffed animal for the equivalent of $20 or $30 in game tickets.
I bought a Zune to use as a big screen TV. I had to make my own wall mount, but it was worth it. I measured the screen and it is nearly the same size as 42" monitors going for several thousand dollars.
In all seriousness, I was a bit perked by the Zune until I saw how big it actually was. I'm certainly no Microsoft fan boy, but what the heck were they thinking?
While I'm sure purists will decry anything that promises to automate the process, I think we need more tools like this.
The problem isn't that these new tools aren't useful - they are. Rather, the "purists" seem to hate it when education is made on assumptions.
For example,
Switching theory is considered the "calculus" of computer engineering. And like calculus, it is being dropped from many undergrad curriculum with the assumption that software can best manage this aspect of microprocessor and other digital design. Those who graduate without this knowledge are basically standing on a foundation of assumptions. This is the proverbial "box" outside of which one is supposed to think.
The purists are just quick to point out that one should never found their decisions on assumptions. In the GWT example, the purist will quickly point out that it is safe to use, provided that the user have the knowledge to work under the hood, when necessary. In my switching theory example, what will happen to microprocessing once we are up against the very laws of physics? This will happen in the near future and those who don't know the basics will not be able to go back to them in order to move us beyond such limitations.
Back in the '90s, when Y2K was the big worry, the FAA went to IBM for reconciliation. IBM's response?
"We'll have to replace the whole thing. There isn't anyone left who understands the entire system."
Such a beautiful idea, but with such a high chance of failure.:(
Here's a suggestion as to the solution to their problems:
Bars.
That's right - as in "establishments that serve alcoholic beverages". All of 'em have these huge screen, high-def monitors all over the place to show sporting events. What do they use 'em for when there are no sporting events? Nothing, largely. Just filler (stick it on ESPN News or CNN and go).
These places have *paying* customers that would rather watch stupid teenagers smashing cans of WD40 with a sledgehammer. You could even install a little controller at each table so that the viewership could vote on the videos (make it simple like "thumbs up", "thumbs down" and "replay" - enough people voting for replay would cause the video to run again).
Install a kiosk for people to download the videos to mobile phones in exchange for the purchase of [INSERT FOOD OR BEVERAGE PRODUCT HERE]. A portion of the money goes back to feed the victims in said videos.
Is is just a coincidence that both Nvidia and ATI were each awarded Xbox contracts (Nvidia = Xbox, ATI = Xbox 360)? Perhaps there was some behind the scenes deals to thwart the development of FOSS graphics drivers.
With the top two graphics chip companies controlling the majority of the market, this could have happened. Perhaps the "patented code" in the drivers that prevents them from opening the source is Microsoft-owned?
I know that it will never happen, but it would be nice to bring it up just in case someone is listening.
I've often wondered this myself. What is the reward for developing open source software?
Passion fulfilled.
Right now, there are many projects that I have on the burners. They are on the burners only because I am driven to do them. Some people climb mountains - others code software. Don't ask why - the reason is the same.
Slashdot Mirror
When are these companies going to learn that trying to suppress information on the internet just makes it multiply?
This is already well documented as the Streisand Effect. If I were Michael Dell, I would fire whomever sent the take-down notice. The outcome was quite predictable by anyone with half a brain (especially after the very recent AACS fiasco).
Mmmm... Boiled Oceans!
You don't even need a processor to draw pictures on the screen.
A real hacker doesn't even need a screen - they just stick their tongue on the HD15* cable and imagine what the screen looks like from the electrical pulses.
(*) Get off of my LAWN!
Can someone clarify for the non-technical types (such as myself) what "superfast" actually means?
As a musician, I prefer Windows Vista Musician 64-bit System Builder Edition.
However, it will be well worth it.
Why?
AMD and Intel exist to keep each other at bay. Consumers are the winner at the end of the day because of this relationship. Meddling with that can't be good, my gut says.
This isn't the first time socket sharing has occured
IIRC, the socket-7 issue was not that Intel *wanted* others to use the technology, but rather that their license agreements with various other manufacturers allowed the rest of the industry to use it.
The only reason that Intel is opening up their FSB this time around is because they will be forced to use HyperTransport if they *don't* open it up (a royalty-free deal, to boot).
Their already using AMD64 and with AMD's new processors showing promise, Intel are really scratching and clawing here. I don't have the knowledge to pick a bus based on merit but, from what I've read, Hypertransport is better. Can anyone with experience here chime in?
Do we want Hypertransport or Intel's bus? What about licensing?
Are they attempting a variation of the famed Chewbacca defense?
It can't be any better than the famous "Buffalo Theory" (also from Cheers):
Well you see, Norm, it's like this; a herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and the weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.
waveform.net
When I was recently looking, I found these guys and discovered that they are in my back yard (Troy, Michigan).
$50/month to colo 1U (or a mid tower) and that includes 1000GB of transfer. If you are going to be using more than that, then you might want to look further into the unit cost per GB.
duel-3GHz
Actually, Intel hasn't yet shipped the Quattro Quad Core Core 2 Dueling Dualist Duo - that is coming later this month.
Apple is using the Core 2 Quad in this box (which lacks the swashbuckling extensions).
The other day, I was in a trendy clothing store. Embarrassment aside, I could not believe all of the innovative music that they were playing. There was one particular track that I wanted to buy so I queried the sales folk as to the artist name and title. They had no idea and were not provided with any resource to fine out.
But that got me thinking: The ClearChannel monopoly on our radio stations is the source of this problem. They "pay to play" the same 40 songs all day.
I remember back in the early 90s when the FCC allowed this sort of thing (it was previously not legal for a single company to own more than a certain amount of radio stations in a given market... I don't know the exact detail but I remember the discussion). I look back on the variety of music from pre-monopolization and it really illustrates the difference.
But they can always blame the pirates.
And served with a side of defibrillators?
/me writes this recipe down.
HOT POCKETS!!!
Sorry about the WMV.
I've always like to call that extra bloat by the name of "Circusware". When I power up a shiny new Dell, I always feel like I'm at a circus where there are all of those different games where you can win a small stuffed animal for the equivalent of $20 or $30 in game tickets.
Seems that Apple is keeping the secrecy going... questions that I have:
- What processor?
- How much "system" RAM in the thing?
Previous Conspiracy Theory
I bought a Zune to use as a big screen TV. I had to make my own wall mount, but it was worth it. I measured the screen and it is nearly the same size as 42" monitors going for several thousand dollars.
In all seriousness, I was a bit perked by the Zune until I saw how big it actually was. I'm certainly no Microsoft fan boy, but what the heck were they thinking?
While I'm sure purists will decry anything that promises to automate the process, I think we need more tools like this.
The problem isn't that these new tools aren't useful - they are. Rather, the "purists" seem to hate it when education is made on assumptions.
For example,
Switching theory is considered the "calculus" of computer engineering. And like calculus, it is being dropped from many undergrad curriculum with the assumption that software can best manage this aspect of microprocessor and other digital design. Those who graduate without this knowledge are basically standing on a foundation of assumptions. This is the proverbial "box" outside of which one is supposed to think.
The purists are just quick to point out that one should never found their decisions on assumptions. In the GWT example, the purist will quickly point out that it is safe to use, provided that the user have the knowledge to work under the hood, when necessary. In my switching theory example, what will happen to microprocessing once we are up against the very laws of physics? This will happen in the near future and those who don't know the basics will not be able to go back to them in order to move us beyond such limitations.
Back in the '90s, when Y2K was the big worry, the FAA went to IBM for reconciliation. IBM's response?
"We'll have to replace the whole thing. There isn't anyone left who understands the entire system."
Such a beautiful idea, but with such a high chance of failure.
Here's a suggestion as to the solution to their problems:
Bars.
That's right - as in "establishments that serve alcoholic beverages". All of 'em have these huge screen, high-def monitors all over the place to show sporting events. What do they use 'em for when there are no sporting events? Nothing, largely. Just filler (stick it on ESPN News or CNN and go).
These places have *paying* customers that would rather watch stupid teenagers smashing cans of WD40 with a sledgehammer. You could even install a little controller at each table so that the viewership could vote on the videos (make it simple like "thumbs up", "thumbs down" and "replay" - enough people voting for replay would cause the video to run again).
Install a kiosk for people to download the videos to mobile phones in exchange for the purchase of [INSERT FOOD OR BEVERAGE PRODUCT HERE]. A portion of the money goes back to feed the victims in said videos.
The possibilities are endless.
Is is just a coincidence that both Nvidia and ATI were each awarded Xbox contracts (Nvidia = Xbox, ATI = Xbox 360)? Perhaps there was some behind the scenes deals to thwart the development of FOSS graphics drivers.
With the top two graphics chip companies controlling the majority of the market, this could have happened. Perhaps the "patented code" in the drivers that prevents them from opening the source is Microsoft-owned?
I know that it will never happen, but it would be nice to bring it up just in case someone is listening.
Does anyone know *specifically* what Microsoft's $348 million *actually* purchased?
I've often wondered this myself. What is the reward for developing open source software?
Passion fulfilled.
Right now, there are many projects that I have on the burners. They are on the burners only because I am driven to do them. Some people climb mountains - others code software. Don't ask why - the reason is the same.
Just a hunch.
You forgot:
"Yeah - And I'm a Chinese jet pilot."
That would be like "combining" Windows and Mac OS X to make a better operating system. It doesn't quite work that way.
That sound you hear is the thousands of Microsoft Windows programmers kicking the dirt and going back to the drawing board.