I read the request which was posted in the lists, which was interesting. The responses from Doug Jones, Dao Gottwald, Henrik Dvergsdal, and particularly Maciej Stachowiak were more insightful though, and from a web designers perspective these are important things to understand.
It seems a number of the responses on Slashdot with respect to this request are negative, but both the request and responses provide a meaningful first step in consolidating modern web standards, and giving proper attention to things that no longer serve a purpose.
For instance, instead of eliminating the ungodly 'blink' tag, the concept is to allow the receiving things like this, but not sending elements that are being phased out. This way nothing breaks, and the web can continue to move forward.
It is also interesting to note that one concern is to take the unique important elements from each browser, and include it in the standards, 'so it doesn't need to be reverse engineered'.
I am not familiar with the history of the clear type patents etc., but I do know that no version of Windows has ever had font-smoothing until Vista rolled around. Whereas Linux and Macintosh has used smoothed pixels for as long as I can remember.
Is this clear type, and if so -- What has changed?
I have Verizon FIOS and I have pretty much consisitently utilized bandwidth in excess of 5GB. If I were to estimate I probably use around 10GB or more monthly, and Verizon has never interrupted my service.
With respect to this being evidence of downloading movies, I would have to say that is wrong. I don't waste my time downloading movies because I have more important things to do.
Perhaps this statement exists to protect their ability to provide FIOS. One must keep in mind that another part of the Verizon FIOS service is delivery of television via the same service. You can get a package very similar to any Cable TV or satellite TV company-- just more reliable, and better quality.
In order for Verizon to be permitted to provide the TV services they had to jump through a lot of hoops both politically, and professionally. Each county they provide TV via FIOS had to be approved by the county executive, and trust me -- the cable companies fought that tooth and nail because they often have a monopoly in many areas. So perhaps Verizon had to assure the movie companies that they would do what they could to prevent downloading of copyrighted content.
This may be hard to believe, but I know Kim Jong Il. Jong (I affectionately call him 'the Jonger' and I became friends a long time ago, when we attended the same summer camp in Maine. We would go on panty raids at the girls camp across the lake, and play all sorts of pranks on the camp counselors.
Anyways, he always was quite the advocate of free speech rights, and said if he ever had the chance he would go the extra mile to fight for people's rights.
I am glad to see that he finally has had the chance to fulfill his dream, no...destiny!
Hey Jong-man, if you're reading this -- Thanks for your contribution!!
I am a long time Zend user, and I really like ZDE -- especially because it is cross platform (Linux, OSX, and Windows).
Delphi for PHP looks to be very similar (I read the announcement, but have not tested the app yet), but also has a database browser! This is particularly valuable, and truly DOES speed up development.
I will have to blow the dust of my Windows box, and try this out.:)
Conversation between old bastard RIAA guy, and Green Day:
[RIAA dude] Ok, here's the deal Green Day, we are giving you the privilege of signing an exclusive deal with us for two songs, and one ringtone. In return, we will let you keep a hefty 0.5% of all proceeds!
[Green Day] Um, are you serious?
[RIAA dude] I know! The deal IS too good to be true, but we feel you would be a valuable addition to our team. Oh yeah.. you also have to pay us 'contract' fees, and will pay our taxes for us because that's the way we do it.
[Green Day] That means we end up losing money AND paying your expenses?
[RIAA dude] hehe, yeah-- isn't that great? AND you'll be even bigger than you are now!
[Green Day] You've got to be stoned.
[RIAA dude] No, that's why we would make you do a ring tone. I was thinking something along the line of 'doo, dee dee doo dee doo wop'
[Green Day] 'doo, dee dee doo dee doo wop'? Are we really having this conversation?
[RIAA dude] Ok, tell you what. It's a big decision, and I'm sure you will agree it's a very generous offer. Oh, by the way... if you don't comply we will sue your grandmothers.
The internet has been responsible for otherwise unheard people, being able to get together collectively and voice their opinion.
Large party politics HATES this because it is a threat to their two-party system. That is why they back all efforts to squash political blogs, and online political movements by trying to have them classified as 'lobbyists'.
As far as I know, there is no negative to giving the average 'joe' a voice when they are competing with two good-ol boy joes (Republicans and Democrats) with millions and millioins of dollars in backing.
At the risk of being a mother hen, I must say that in this day and age all computer users should know better than to give their passwords to ANYONE.
So why would a user trust any website that asks for their password? Really, nobody should trust any one or anything that requires your password in order to participate. Why, you ask??
Because it goes against the one universal law of computing -- 'Don't give anyone your password!'
The folks who succumb to mischief as a result of this, really need to attend computing 101 or something because even my 7 year old knows this rule.:/...Class dismissed.
I know this may sound perverse, but I use commas to reflect how I speak and not how they "should" be used to form a grammatically correct sentence.
In this day and age where a high percentage of correspondence is done via computer, it becomes more and more important to accurately reflect the tone and meaning of what one types; at the cost of correct grammar.
On IRC, instant messaging, e-mail, and whatever methods that exist where one person has a 'discussion' without being able to hear the tone, inflections, and facial expressions - all we have left is using punctuation to emulate these vital components of speech.
I just installed one of the betas on my old Toshiba Satellite laptop, and everything works perfectly for me. In fact an odd finding is that I get BETTER reception with my wi-fi card than when it was running Windows XP.
My feelings on the current releases of Ubuntu is that it is getting VERY close to making Linux a potential alternative for average Windows users. The only shortcoming that still exists is that installing applications that are not distributed through Ubuntu is still confusing for 'normal' folks (ie. people who have no background with Linux). It would be nice if Linux would adapt a single universal installer for all Linux apps -- that would bring Linux a lot of people.
Anyways, keep your eyes on this release -- it is nice:D
I think instead of the blanket statement that they will submit to a subpoena, they should have narrowed it to a subpoena for an alledged violator. Anything less may open the university to full access to student and campus network server logs in a driftnet subpoena. That should be fought tooth and nail.
Unfortunately, they don't get to choose which type of subpoena they submit to. If a court ordered subpoena is issued, regardless of what they would like to share they are required to share whatever they subpoena demands (unless the university's lawyer can somehow contest the issued subpoena).
When I was at the University of Maryland, they used Macs in their computer labs.
In fact, I was amazed because I had never used a Mac before and didn't have my own computer. So when I had to use the computer lab to type up my research papers, and found a room full of these cool little computers I had to ask instructions on how to use them.
In fact, if you take a look at the Maryland school system, they use Macs solely.
I'm sure the reason boils down to the promotional programs Apple has with the school system ('Apples for Schools'), but in the end it was the right choice -- so yay!
I spent a lot of time in the military when I was younger, and had the opportunity to understand what it was like to put the body under unnatural stresses. These gloves are a great 'start', but as far as some type of an exoskeleton -- that would be more welcome.
Also products, that heat the body in colder temperatures, so you can continue to operate at full capacity.
Examples: When parachuting, the landing is quite stressful. A structured and felxible support for the legs and spine would be nice. It sucks suffering the damages after multiple jumps.
Cold weather ops - ie. working in cold weather, is pretty uncomfortable, even with the best equipment the military has available.
If I am capable of installing Linux on an existing computer that is longer capable of running Windows because it is so bulky, how can it be more expensive?
The answer is: Running Linux isn't more expensive. In fact, it is less expensive. This does not prevent people from making the flawed and misleading argument that on a corporate level it is more expensive because people need to be trained to use Linux, whereas they are already familiar with Windows.
This is a logical fallacy at best, and deliberate misdirection at worst. The fact is, there are a lot of people who are very skilled with Linux who can provide excellent support for a corporate infrasrtucture. In reality, people generally need to be trained with Windows as well. The honest truth is the cost is about the same on the support side, and less expensive when it comes to software and equipment.
I am glad that the German (and European) patent system is a little more reasonable than in America. Here, instead of rejecting it, there would be some lobbyist and a senator or two trying to push a bill to make it law, or something crazy like that.
This is not to say Microsoft doesn't deserve the patent on things that they SHOULD have patents on, but let's face it -- the patent system for computer technological advances leaves a lot to be desired.
Maybe someone should patent a logical way of dealing with this:/
Man, who would have EVER guessed that a six hundred dollar game console would not sell?
Lemme think for a minute, who buys game consoles? Hmm.... no official statistics here, but it has to be that around 90% are kids under 18, and the other 10% are immature adults like myself.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but how many kids have an extra $600 to throw down on a video game?
Also hard-core gamers use a good gamin PC to really have good quality graphics - not a PrayStation.:)
It's called a JOKE, and it's not prejudice when you joke about yourself. However, ignorance is assuming you a person is prejudiced, and idiocy is not being able to interpret a joke...
Three terms for you to go back and hit the books on: 1. prejudice 2. ignorance 3. idiocy
Moderator -- this HAS to be worth one point for me simply explaining it was a joke... pleeaasse??
Enough about OOO -- Microsoft is a better product, and should be leverage to use an agreed upon standard, but who cares about Open Office. We've all tried it, and there is no sane person who can HONESTLY STATE that it compares to any version of MSO that has ever been released -- going all the way back to MSO 3.
After talking to a number of people, I think Microsoft's wish is being complied with. Many users have at one time or another installed an illegitimate copy, but later upgraded to a licensed copy.
I'm not sure what this says, but I suspect there are a lot of people who do not upgrade because an operating system is fundamentally ignored by the average user. To them, it is 'just part of the computer'
So once it's on the computer, they don't spend too much time thinking about it.
Slashdot Mirror
I read the request which was posted in the lists, which was interesting. The responses from Doug Jones, Dao Gottwald, Henrik Dvergsdal, and particularly Maciej Stachowiak were more insightful though, and from a web designers perspective these are important things to understand.
It seems a number of the responses on Slashdot with respect to this request are negative, but both the request and responses provide a meaningful first step in consolidating modern web standards, and giving proper attention to things that no longer serve a purpose.
For instance, instead of eliminating the ungodly 'blink' tag, the concept is to allow the receiving things like this, but not sending elements that are being phased out. This way nothing breaks, and the web can continue to move forward.
It is also interesting to note that one concern is to take the unique important elements from each browser, and include it in the standards, 'so it doesn't need to be reverse engineered'.
I am not familiar with the history of the clear type patents etc., but I do know that no version of Windows has ever had font-smoothing until Vista rolled around. Whereas Linux and Macintosh has used smoothed pixels for as long as I can remember.
Is this clear type, and if so -- What has changed?
I have Verizon FIOS and I have pretty much consisitently utilized bandwidth in excess of 5GB. If I were to estimate I probably use around 10GB or more monthly, and Verizon has never interrupted my service.
With respect to this being evidence of downloading movies, I would have to say that is wrong. I don't waste my time downloading movies because I have more important things to do.
Perhaps this statement exists to protect their ability to provide FIOS. One must keep in mind that another part of the Verizon FIOS service is delivery of television via the same service. You can get a package very similar to any Cable TV or satellite TV company-- just more reliable, and better quality.
In order for Verizon to be permitted to provide the TV services they had to jump through a lot of hoops both politically, and professionally. Each county they provide TV via FIOS had to be approved by the county executive, and trust me -- the cable companies fought that tooth and nail because they often have a monopoly in many areas. So perhaps Verizon had to assure the movie companies that they would do what they could to prevent downloading of copyrighted content.
This may be hard to believe, but I know Kim Jong Il. Jong (I affectionately call him 'the Jonger' and I became friends a long time ago, when we attended the same summer camp in Maine. We would go on panty raids at the girls camp across the lake, and play all sorts of pranks on the camp counselors.
Anyways, he always was quite the advocate of free speech rights, and said if he ever had the chance he would go the extra mile to fight for people's rights.
I am glad to see that he finally has had the chance to fulfill his dream, no...destiny!
Hey Jong-man, if you're reading this -- Thanks for your contribution!!
I am a long time Zend user, and I really like ZDE -- especially because it is cross platform (Linux, OSX, and Windows).
:)
Delphi for PHP looks to be very similar (I read the announcement, but have not tested the app yet), but also has a database browser! This is particularly valuable, and truly DOES speed up development.
I will have to blow the dust of my Windows box, and try this out.
Conversation between old bastard RIAA guy, and Green Day:
[RIAA dude] Ok, here's the deal Green Day, we are giving you the privilege of signing an exclusive deal with us for two songs, and one ringtone. In return, we will let you keep a hefty 0.5% of all proceeds!
[Green Day] Um, are you serious?
[RIAA dude] I know! The deal IS too good to be true, but we feel you would be a valuable addition to our team. Oh yeah.. you also have to pay us 'contract' fees, and will pay our taxes for us because that's the way we do it.
[Green Day] That means we end up losing money AND paying your expenses?
[RIAA dude] hehe, yeah-- isn't that great? AND you'll be even bigger than you are now!
[Green Day] You've got to be stoned.
[RIAA dude] No, that's why we would make you do a ring tone. I was thinking something along the line of 'doo, dee dee doo dee doo wop'
[Green Day] 'doo, dee dee doo dee doo wop'? Are we really having this conversation?
[RIAA dude] Ok, tell you what. It's a big decision, and I'm sure you will agree it's a very generous offer. Oh, by the way... if you don't comply we will sue your grandmothers.
The internet has been responsible for otherwise unheard people, being able to get together collectively and voice their opinion.
Large party politics HATES this because it is a threat to their two-party system. That is why they back all efforts to squash political blogs, and online political movements by trying to have them classified as 'lobbyists'.
As far as I know, there is no negative to giving the average 'joe' a voice when they are competing with two good-ol boy joes (Republicans and Democrats) with millions and millioins of dollars in backing.
At the risk of being a mother hen, I must say that in this day and age all computer users should know better than to give their passwords to ANYONE.
:/ ...Class dismissed.
So why would a user trust any website that asks for their password? Really, nobody should trust any one or anything that requires your password in order to participate. Why, you ask??
Because it goes against the one universal law of computing -- 'Don't give anyone your password!'
The folks who succumb to mischief as a result of this, really need to attend computing 101 or something because even my 7 year old knows this rule.
This is off-topic, but worth pointing out:
I know this may sound perverse, but I use commas to reflect how I speak and not how they "should" be used to form a grammatically correct sentence.
In this day and age where a high percentage of correspondence is done via computer, it becomes more and more important to accurately reflect the tone and meaning of what one types; at the cost of correct grammar.
On IRC, instant messaging, e-mail, and whatever methods that exist where one person has a 'discussion' without being able to hear the tone, inflections, and facial expressions - all we have left is using punctuation to emulate these vital components of speech.
I just installed one of the betas on my old Toshiba Satellite laptop, and everything works perfectly for me. In fact an odd finding is that I get BETTER reception with my wi-fi card than when it was running Windows XP.
:D
My feelings on the current releases of Ubuntu is that it is getting VERY close to making Linux a potential alternative for average Windows users. The only shortcoming that still exists is that installing applications that are not distributed through Ubuntu is still confusing for 'normal' folks (ie. people who have no background with Linux). It would be nice if Linux would adapt a single universal installer for all Linux apps -- that would bring Linux a lot of people.
Anyways, keep your eyes on this release -- it is nice
Unfortunately, they don't get to choose which type of subpoena they submit to. If a court ordered subpoena is issued, regardless of what they would like to share they are required to share whatever they subpoena demands (unless the university's lawyer can somehow contest the issued subpoena).
I'm not sure, but I think my head exploded into E8 pieces...
When I was at the University of Maryland, they used Macs in their computer labs.
In fact, I was amazed because I had never used a Mac before and didn't have my own computer. So when I had to use the computer lab to type up my research papers, and found a room full of these cool little computers I had to ask instructions on how to use them.
In fact, if you take a look at the Maryland school system, they use Macs solely.
I'm sure the reason boils down to the promotional programs Apple has with the school system ('Apples for Schools'), but in the end it was the right choice -- so yay!
I spent a lot of time in the military when I was younger, and had the opportunity to understand what it was like to put the body under unnatural stresses. These gloves are a great 'start', but as far as some type of an exoskeleton -- that would be more welcome.
Also products, that heat the body in colder temperatures, so you can continue to operate at full capacity.
Examples: When parachuting, the landing is quite stressful. A structured and felxible support for the legs and spine would be nice. It sucks suffering the damages after multiple jumps.
Cold weather ops - ie. working in cold weather, is pretty uncomfortable, even with the best equipment the military has available.
So... as I said. Gloves are 'a good start'.
Wouldn't it be nice if the Supreme Court actually used RIAA's litigation expenses as the basis to repay their victim in this lawsuit?
That rumbling is actually the burrito I had for lunch!
If I am capable of installing Linux on an existing computer that is longer capable of running Windows because it is so bulky, how can it be more expensive?
The answer is: Running Linux isn't more expensive. In fact, it is less expensive. This does not prevent people from making the flawed and misleading argument that on a corporate level it is more expensive because people need to be trained to use Linux, whereas they are already familiar with Windows.
This is a logical fallacy at best, and deliberate misdirection at worst. The fact is, there are a lot of people who are very skilled with Linux who can provide excellent support for a corporate infrasrtucture. In reality, people generally need to be trained with Windows as well. The honest truth is the cost is about the same on the support side, and less expensive when it comes to software and equipment.
Of course, that's just my 2
I am glad that the German (and European) patent system is a little more reasonable than in America. Here, instead of rejecting it, there would be some lobbyist and a senator or two trying to push a bill to make it law, or something crazy like that.
:/
This is not to say Microsoft doesn't deserve the patent on things that they SHOULD have patents on, but let's face it -- the patent system for computer technological advances leaves a lot to be desired.
Maybe someone should patent a logical way of dealing with this
Man, who would have EVER guessed that a six hundred dollar game console would not sell?
:)
Lemme think for a minute, who buys game consoles? Hmm.... no official statistics here, but it has to be that around 90% are kids under 18, and the other 10% are immature adults like myself.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but how many kids have an extra $600 to throw down on a video game?
Also hard-core gamers use a good gamin PC to really have good quality graphics - not a PrayStation.
It's called a JOKE, and it's not prejudice when you joke about yourself. However, ignorance is assuming you a person is prejudiced, and idiocy is not being able to interpret a joke...
Three terms for you to go back and hit the books on:
1. prejudice
2. ignorance
3. idiocy
Moderator -- this HAS to be worth one point for me simply explaining it was a joke... pleeaasse??
If this gets people to stop saying how good Open Office is, then I welcome Microsoft with open arms.
Well....as long as they are willing, and actually manage to follow through on an open source, freely distributed item.
Am I the only one here who got a laugh out of this?
Redneck #1: (pokes computer with a stick) "dang, can't say ah evah seen one of dem der thangs b'for"
Reneck #2: (spits out chewing tobacco) "Well, ah dunno wut dat der thang is, but I rekon we oughta be shootin' it bout now"
Redneck #1: (opens beer from 6-pack holster on belt) "hmm, watchu say we take dis inta town here, and seeif summun'll know what it is?"
Reneck #2: "boy.. are you kiddin? We's the smart ones in dis heah town! I'm tellin ya'll that dis is from space. Dat's waht dis is! A space ve-hic-al"
Enough about OOO -- Microsoft is a better product, and should be leverage to use an agreed upon standard, but who cares about Open Office. We've all tried it, and there is no sane person who can HONESTLY STATE that it compares to any version of MSO that has ever been released -- going all the way back to MSO 3.
I'm not sure what this says, but I suspect there are a lot of people who do not upgrade because an operating system is fundamentally ignored by the average user. To them, it is 'just part of the computer'
So once it's on the computer, they don't spend too much time thinking about it.
Don't even get me started on natural gasses.