Right, so he doesn't pay his own staff but instead pays staff at StrikeIron, Workday and Visual Sciences.
Well said sir, and isn't that outsourcing?
This reminds me of an article called 'The Submarine'--about the PR business:
One of the most surprising things I discovered during my brief business career was the existence of the PR industry, lurking like a huge, quiet submarine beneath the news. Of the stories you read in traditional media that aren't about politics, crimes, or disasters, more than half probably come from PR firms.
A good flatterer doesn't lie, but tells his victim selective truths (what a nice color your eyes are). Good PR firms use the same strategy: they give reporters stories that are true, but whose truth favors their clients.
According to that article PR firms were having trouble dealing with getting stories onto the Internet to generate buzz for their clients. I think this Slashdot story proves they're not having that trouble any longer. My supposition is--bear in mind I have no proof--that this article was bought and paid for by many of the companies mentioned in it. Notice the large, nearly irrelevant, chunk about Microsoft Sharepoint for example: it reads like a press release.
This article doesn't say anything, or contain any useful information. It doesn't even make any sense and was probably bought by a PR firm! Sort it out Zonk.
For someone who has been using it for years (I switched from IDEA a while back), it would take a lot to cause me to switch at this point. Developers end up making a pretty big investment in fine tuning an IDE for complex development environments, and there are so many little details around every corner that take time to uncover and learn.
It's probably not for you then! Having run both the big advantage of Netbeans is that it's smaller and faster than Eclipse. As someone just starting out with Java Netbeans was great because it didn't require much setup, did most of the user friendly stuff of Eclipse (code hinting), but lacked the bloat.
Certainly Eclipse provides more customisation opportunities, but not everyone needs that. Netbeans is a great 'starter' Java IDE. Personally my editor for everything textual is Vim, so that's what I'd end up with having learnt the language anyway.
SO, at that point a retailer did need a copy of the customer's credit card # for at least two months after the purchase.
That's what PAN print suppression is for. So instead of storing the whole credit card number you just store the first and last few digits, for example:
5454 xxxx xxxx 1234
Then you store the cardholder name and date of the transaction, this is enough evidence for the credit card company to verify the transaction, but not enough for an identity thief to go on a shopping spree.:)
but how do you really honestly make a website available to someone who is blind?
Google is blind. Are you aware of how many people tailor Web sites for that thing?
Software that reads to words on the screen would be woefully inaccurate since it doesn't really lend itself to telling you where those words are on the screen when you have to follow links and in the case of most websites there are a lot of words present.
I have a sneaking suspicion you've never used a screen reader, nor are you a proficient Web designer. Where the text is on the page is irrelevant, as long as the page has good structure: headings, lists, blockquotes, em tags, strong tags etc. a screen reader will be able to read it perfectly well. The Web is for communicating information, text is the best way of achieving that in most cases and where images are used all that's needed are the trivial additions of alt tags to provide a quick description of what the image contains.
Why is it my job (metaphorically speaking) to ensure those who are disabled can use my facilities?
Because most people believe the disabled have a right to equal access to services as everyone, firstly because those who use assistive technologies have no choice and secondly it's not their fault. Not only that but there's really no excuse for designing an inaccessible site, it's not difficult, in fact in most cases it's easier. Inaccessible usually means Flash/Javascript/IE only sites, which not only stops access for the disabled but for those of us who hate Flash/Javascript/Internet Explorer too, it also implies the Web designer/developer is incompetent.
There are circumstances where it's impossible to cater for people using assistive technologies: like wheelchair access to listed buildings (not uncommon in Europe) or prohibitive cost for small businesses to provide wheelchair access, I don't think Web sites are one of them though.
Think of it this way: do you use Firefox? Do you think all Web sites should work given your chosen technology? Or is it your job to somehow adapt to people who only code for Internet Explorer? Is it their fault that you don't use Internet Explorer? Frankly too bad on you. Life sucks. Now imagine someone's showing you that attitude, yet your body is setup such that you can't use anything but Firefox. If you ever go blind from looking at too much Natalie Portman smothered in hot grits I hope you remember your post.
Back on topic: the biggest problem I see for site owners is CAPTCHA as screen readers can't read the majority of CAPTCHAs out there, everyone had better make sure the system they use allows for a sound file alternative. reCAPTCHA looks like a good service, you get to encode books at the same time as fighting spammers! Personally haven't used it on a project, but did notice the sound file alternative link.
I know, don't feed the trolls, I'm sorry but someone might actually believe this idiot and it's not going to take much effort to prove them wrong.
Look at this image: http://news.opensuse.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/yast-list_thumb.png that is YaST giving the user the option to install whatever desktop environment they like, under the cursor is XFCE whos tagline is '...and everything goes faster'. It's very lightweight, ideal for older computers and does not include any of the things you're complaining about.
Welcome to the GNU/Linux world, where you get the choice of what software to run. That's rather the point with Vista, Microsoft will force people to upgrade to it even if they have to buy a new computer to do so. My apologies if that offends your sensibilities as an MS fanboy, but I'm afraid we don't support bullying in the form of forced upgrades 'round these parts.
Bankers own the earth; take it away from them but leave them the power to create credit & with a flick of a pen they will create enough to buy it all back again. Take this power away from them & all great fortunes like mine will disappear, & they ought to disappear for this would be a happier & better world. But if you want to be slaves of bankers & pay the cost of your own slavery, continue to let bankers control money and credit.
- Lord Stamp, former Director of the Bank of England, 1940
Here's a link for 'The Moneymasters', it's an interesting watch--if a little 80's/90's
This is an area where there are some interesting conspiracy theories, however central banks and currency are complicated subjects so it's worth keeping a cool head and trying to remain objective.
This is a subject not many understand, myself included, so I remain very skeptical that the information put forth by books like The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve and films like The Money Masters is correct. What we can all take from these are some interesting questions to ask bankers and economists, it would be interesting to find out how the banking systems of the world actually work, unfortunately--judging by the Amazon reviews someone else posted--it looks like this book is not a good place to find this out.
Most people want an OS that can do 100% of what they want.
The op was talking about an OS that can do 100% of what 90% of people want. Not an OS that can do 90% of what 100% of people want, there is a difference.
Ergo, there are alternative OS' out there (GNU/Linux for one) that can work perfectly well for 90% of people.
With multiple implementations of one open standard for documents, users, businesses and governments around the world can have both choice and freedom to access their own documents, share with others and pass onto future generations.
Which is of course what Microsoft must stop at all costs. Also worth remembering is that were the shoe on the other foot, and Google had the business lockin and office suite monopoly Microsoft enjoy, they'd probably protect their proprietary formats at all costs too. So whilst Google's opinion may be aligned with most people here, do remember that they're a company whose sole aim is profit.
This looks like a fortuitous PR stunt to me, I don't doubt that Google like ODF now but we shouldn't forget that Microsoft have been known to be open when they lack market share too.
In other words, the Bible says that starlight was made in 1:14, then a little while latter, in 1:16, the actual stars were made.
So starlight was created a few billion years before the stars were? That's impossible, sounds like the writings of someone who didn't understand how the universe works. Oh wait a minute...
I love how, whenever challenged, Christians just quote from the Bible. I wouldn't believe that book for a second, it's been messed with by countless interests (not least the Roman Empire) and wasn't even peer reviewed! I'd rather read Bill Bryson's 'A Brief History of Nearly Everything', at least that draws from verifiable sources and doesn't pretend to be the be-all and end-all.
There are some extreme Creationists out there who don't want to debate the topic and just want to shut up anyone who doesn't believe
When you believe in something that is provably untrue, and flies in the face of the science that we use every day, surely shutting anyone up who doesn't believe is the only way to win the 'debate'?
Seriously, Noah had an arc? The Earth is only 6,000 years old? There are rocks in Greenland that have been shown to be over 4 billion years old. If God created the Universe 6,000 years ago how how the heck are we able to see stars (and other astronomical delights) that are over 6,000 light years away?
When it comes to a rational debate Creationism falls on its face almost immediately. The only way this lie can spread at all is if the truth is silenced: reminds me of Scientology.
Maybe to you. To me all the flaming and arguing, over a change that will not--apparently--have much of an effect upon the average user, means that the kernel developers are passionate about what they do. It means that, once the dust settles, we'll get a superior product. Maybe if the developers in Microsoft were this passionate Windows would be as good as GNU/Linux.
If you're not entertained by this you don't have to read the stories, just apt-get upgrade and enjoy the software. This is the way things work in the world of Free software, as Linus says: 'May the best code win!' If you want a kernel developed by boring, outsourced workers: choose Microsoft.
Gnumeric for me. Had a CSV file t'other day that I needed to make a funky graph out of, it had approx. 2000 data points. Both OpenOffice and KOffice balked at even importing the data, finally managed to make a graph in OpenOffice but the user experience was like wading through treacle.
Then I gave Gnumeric a try, it imported the data immediately, drawing a graph using those data points was instantaneous. It's very impressive, relative to the Free software competition anyway.
Now if only the chaps who made it could be persuaded to make a full Office suite!
If you need to do any of these on a per-site basis: F12 --> Edit site preferences. Additionally you can also switch off:
GIF/SVG animation
Sound (ever come across a site with an annoying MIDI tune playing in the background?)
Java
JavaScript scripts receiving right-clicks (and some other JavaScript settings)
Referrer logging
Lots of other stuff, above is what I've found useful.
You can change these settings for one site or all sites. Now is that enough for you, or do Opera need to call this functionality 'adblock plus', 'flashblock' and 'noscript' and supply it in addon form?:-)
If I were to look, would I be likely to discover the involvement of a certain company known for pushing closed, incompatible data formats centered on it's closed operating system?
That seems to be the line being taken by the FSF but I'm not so sure. The reason the BBC is using DRM at all is because of the BBC Trust (who're under the control of the government), they are worried that if the BBC is too good it will damage the commercial competition.
I have an inkling that this has a lot to do with Rupert Murdoch's media empire and their close relationship to the Labour government. But have to admit to being biased, am not the greatest fan of Murdoch and his empire.
Perhaps you could put that accumulation of knowledge somewhere on the Intarwebs where we can all benefit from it? Call it 'Linux Compare' or something like that.:)
This topic is 12 minutes old and three post have already suggested we bury the command line; part of what makes Linux so fast, flexible and customizable is access to virtually every setting from a text editor.
Whilst I totally agree with what follows after the semi-colon in this sentence am not so sure about the part prior to it. All we're seeing is that people do not want to be forced into changing settings--am assuming, on their desktop machines--using the command line. This does not mean we should 'bury' the command line, or stop using text files to hold settings! In fact you've made my point for me:
If you are looking for a completely GUI drive *nix I would say OS X is your best bet (yes, I know you can use the CLI in OS X, but you never have to unless you so desire).
Aye, there's the rub! The user should be able to choose between a GUI configuration interface or editing a text file: everyone's a winner! Also a GUI should be able to read/write text configuration files whilst handling seperate user changes to those files gracefully.
In fact I'd spend a lot of the money on getting everyone (or as many projects as I could) to agree to a configuration file format that could easily be interpreted by an application. A one-size-fits-all library could be written to get the settings from file into memory and back again, then it would just be a matter of organising that data into a front-end that's meaningful for the user. The real joy is that with a standard file format, and library to support it, a rudimentary GUI for a new application could be created in minutes.
This is not something that needs to be changed, instead change your mindset that this is not Windows.
This is a very conservative viewpoint, why can things not change? Why can't we have the best of both worlds, with both GUI configuration tools and text files?
I also like IDE's, with context sensitive help, and class completion and all the other things they do.
Honestly not trying to flame you here, but have you tried Eclipse? Am pretty sure it does what you need: for Java anyway, it certainly has basic support (syntax highlighting etc.) for other languages like C/C++ and PHP too. If you're into.NET there's Monodevelop, which is an IDE for that.
Thread is here. Interestingly Microsoft have not deleted my comment (or the other person promoting Ubuntu on the next page). The thread has been locked and that's it.
They're either being good sports, or just haven't noticed our mentions of Ubuntu. Since Phil Liu (the MS bloke) seems to have read the thread, I'd expect the former is true.
It will work out of the box and you won't have to spend hours recompiling the kernel etc. to get it to work
Are you just horribly mis-informed, joking, trolling or shilling? The missus and I have been using GNU+Linux on our laptops, desktops and servers (2 laptops, 2 desktops, 1 home server and one dedicated web server) and have never compiled the Linux kernel. The only times I've ever bothered compiling anything is if I want cutting-edge, not-even-released-yet software, and what's wrong with that?
Funny, I was starting to think that there would be a single day on Slashdot without an anti-Microsoft story.
Here's a deal for you: when there is a single day where Microsoft don't cock things up, shill standards organsations or act as an abusive monopoly then there will be a single day on Slashdot without an anti-Microsoft story.
Microsoft frequently shill online forums, they're even attacking the venerable ISO! From this Groklaw article:
And if it were me, I'd want to know if there is any Microsoft shadow in the background. Someone placed a threatening comment on Groklaw the other day, saying someday the "darkness" behind PJ would be revealed, and to "sleep well", and because of the threatening tone, I checked the logs and the comment appears to have come from an ad agency that does a lot of work for Microsoft. So I am wondering about things I didn't think about before. I remember what happened to an innocent man's reputation in the Massachusetts ODF affair.
So, this would seem like the ideal time to feed them some of their own medicine. Get over to the WGA forums and do some pro GNU+Linux astroturfing. Here was my message:
I came here not because I have a problem but because the mainstream media is starting to pick up on this issue, I suspect that pressure on MS to fix the problem will tremendously increase once this hits a few news/social networking sites.
The reason I'm not having any issues? I use Ubuntu and have the pleasure of knowing my OS and computer are owned by me. Maybe a few people here should give it a try: you never know, it might work! If it doesn't, all you've wasted are a couple of hours when you couldn't use Vista anyway.
Either way, I hope these problems get fixed for you guys soon.
As long as you're polite and make a point it can only help the adoption of Free software. Show these people that we're not zealots and offer them a way out of the WGA doldrums!:)
If that's your logic, we may as well bankroll all of the country's marketing. Pay a thousand pounds a year for a licence, and the BBC can spread propaganda around the world.
It doesn't cost that much to allow people to download BBC content. That's a strawman argument and has no basis in reality.
Why should a Brit with no licence fee not be able to view content than an American with no licence fee can?
Brits who don't pay the license fee are not excluded.
Maybe you'd like to buy me some DVDs so I don't have to pay for them. It'd be good for your country's exports and tourism.
If the DVDs cost me nothing and all I had to do to distribute them is not block you from viewing them online then absolutely. No problem.
So what is this Yorkshire Tea, is that a brand or a flavour ?
It's a brand, you can get it on Amazon, there's also a 'British shop' that stocks it near here. T'was recommended to me by a tea taster!
Im a recent coffee convert, coffee is great for a hit, but tea is much more soothing and relaxing...
Agreed, coffee is good first thing in the morning to get you going. Tea is good for the afternoon, along with some nice Digestive biscuits dunked-in. It's all a matter of choosing the right tool for the job.:)
Slashdot Mirror
Well said sir, and isn't that outsourcing?
This reminds me of an article called 'The Submarine'--about the PR business:
According to that article PR firms were having trouble dealing with getting stories onto the Internet to generate buzz for their clients. I think this Slashdot story proves they're not having that trouble any longer. My supposition is--bear in mind I have no proof--that this article was bought and paid for by many of the companies mentioned in it. Notice the large, nearly irrelevant, chunk about Microsoft Sharepoint for example: it reads like a press release.
This article doesn't say anything, or contain any useful information. It doesn't even make any sense and was probably bought by a PR firm! Sort it out Zonk.
It's probably not for you then! Having run both the big advantage of Netbeans is that it's smaller and faster than Eclipse. As someone just starting out with Java Netbeans was great because it didn't require much setup, did most of the user friendly stuff of Eclipse (code hinting), but lacked the bloat.
Certainly Eclipse provides more customisation opportunities, but not everyone needs that. Netbeans is a great 'starter' Java IDE. Personally my editor for everything textual is Vim, so that's what I'd end up with having learnt the language anyway.
From the OP:
Then you posted:
GP:
Then you posted:
It didn't work because he wasn't using Gutsy. If the op got the same problem now they would have seen the fall-back GUI, not a command prompt. :)
I think Steve Ballmer already has prior art on this method.
That's what PAN print suppression is for. So instead of storing the whole credit card number you just store the first and last few digits, for example:
5454 xxxx xxxx 1234Then you store the cardholder name and date of the transaction, this is enough evidence for the credit card company to verify the transaction, but not enough for an identity thief to go on a shopping spree. :)
Google is blind. Are you aware of how many people tailor Web sites for that thing?
I have a sneaking suspicion you've never used a screen reader, nor are you a proficient Web designer. Where the text is on the page is irrelevant, as long as the page has good structure: headings, lists, blockquotes, em tags, strong tags etc. a screen reader will be able to read it perfectly well. The Web is for communicating information, text is the best way of achieving that in most cases and where images are used all that's needed are the trivial additions of alt tags to provide a quick description of what the image contains.
Because most people believe the disabled have a right to equal access to services as everyone, firstly because those who use assistive technologies have no choice and secondly it's not their fault. Not only that but there's really no excuse for designing an inaccessible site, it's not difficult, in fact in most cases it's easier. Inaccessible usually means Flash/Javascript/IE only sites, which not only stops access for the disabled but for those of us who hate Flash/Javascript/Internet Explorer too, it also implies the Web designer/developer is incompetent.
There are circumstances where it's impossible to cater for people using assistive technologies: like wheelchair access to listed buildings (not uncommon in Europe) or prohibitive cost for small businesses to provide wheelchair access, I don't think Web sites are one of them though.
Think of it this way: do you use Firefox? Do you think all Web sites should work given your chosen technology? Or is it your job to somehow adapt to people who only code for Internet Explorer? Is it their fault that you don't use Internet Explorer? Frankly too bad on you. Life sucks. Now imagine someone's showing you that attitude, yet your body is setup such that you can't use anything but Firefox. If you ever go blind from looking at too much Natalie Portman smothered in hot grits I hope you remember your post.
Back on topic: the biggest problem I see for site owners is CAPTCHA as screen readers can't read the majority of CAPTCHAs out there, everyone had better make sure the system they use allows for a sound file alternative. reCAPTCHA looks like a good service, you get to encode books at the same time as fighting spammers! Personally haven't used it on a project, but did notice the sound file alternative link.
I know, don't feed the trolls, I'm sorry but someone might actually believe this idiot and it's not going to take much effort to prove them wrong.
Look at this image: http://news.opensuse.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/yast-list_thumb.png that is YaST giving the user the option to install whatever desktop environment they like, under the cursor is XFCE whos tagline is '...and everything goes faster'. It's very lightweight, ideal for older computers and does not include any of the things you're complaining about.
Welcome to the GNU/Linux world, where you get the choice of what software to run. That's rather the point with Vista, Microsoft will force people to upgrade to it even if they have to buy a new computer to do so. My apologies if that offends your sensibilities as an MS fanboy, but I'm afraid we don't support bullying in the form of forced upgrades 'round these parts.
- Lord Stamp, former Director of the Bank of England, 1940
Here's a link for 'The Moneymasters', it's an interesting watch--if a little 80's/90's
This is an area where there are some interesting conspiracy theories, however central banks and currency are complicated subjects so it's worth keeping a cool head and trying to remain objective.
This is a subject not many understand, myself included, so I remain very skeptical that the information put forth by books like The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve and films like The Money Masters is correct. What we can all take from these are some interesting questions to ask bankers and economists, it would be interesting to find out how the banking systems of the world actually work, unfortunately--judging by the Amazon reviews someone else posted--it looks like this book is not a good place to find this out.
The op was talking about an OS that can do 100% of what 90% of people want. Not an OS that can do 90% of what 100% of people want, there is a difference.
Ergo, there are alternative OS' out there (GNU/Linux for one) that can work perfectly well for 90% of people.
Which is of course what Microsoft must stop at all costs. Also worth remembering is that were the shoe on the other foot, and Google had the business lockin and office suite monopoly Microsoft enjoy, they'd probably protect their proprietary formats at all costs too. So whilst Google's opinion may be aligned with most people here, do remember that they're a company whose sole aim is profit.
This looks like a fortuitous PR stunt to me, I don't doubt that Google like ODF now but we shouldn't forget that Microsoft have been known to be open when they lack market share too.
So starlight was created a few billion years before the stars were? That's impossible, sounds like the writings of someone who didn't understand how the universe works. Oh wait a minute...
I love how, whenever challenged, Christians just quote from the Bible. I wouldn't believe that book for a second, it's been messed with by countless interests (not least the Roman Empire) and wasn't even peer reviewed! I'd rather read Bill Bryson's 'A Brief History of Nearly Everything', at least that draws from verifiable sources and doesn't pretend to be the be-all and end-all.
When you believe in something that is provably untrue, and flies in the face of the science that we use every day, surely shutting anyone up who doesn't believe is the only way to win the 'debate'?
Seriously, Noah had an arc? The Earth is only 6,000 years old? There are rocks in Greenland that have been shown to be over 4 billion years old. If God created the Universe 6,000 years ago how how the heck are we able to see stars (and other astronomical delights) that are over 6,000 light years away?
When it comes to a rational debate Creationism falls on its face almost immediately. The only way this lie can spread at all is if the truth is silenced: reminds me of Scientology.
Maybe to you. To me all the flaming and arguing, over a change that will not--apparently--have much of an effect upon the average user, means that the kernel developers are passionate about what they do. It means that, once the dust settles, we'll get a superior product. Maybe if the developers in Microsoft were this passionate Windows would be as good as GNU/Linux.
If you're not entertained by this you don't have to read the stories, just apt-get upgrade and enjoy the software. This is the way things work in the world of Free software, as Linus says: 'May the best code win!' If you want a kernel developed by boring, outsourced workers: choose Microsoft.
Gnumeric for me. Had a CSV file t'other day that I needed to make a funky graph out of, it had approx. 2000 data points. Both OpenOffice and KOffice balked at even importing the data, finally managed to make a graph in OpenOffice but the user experience was like wading through treacle.
Then I gave Gnumeric a try, it imported the data immediately, drawing a graph using those data points was instantaneous. It's very impressive, relative to the Free software competition anyway.
Now if only the chaps who made it could be persuaded to make a full Office suite!
Right-click --> Block content
F12 --> Enable plug-ins
F12 --> Enable JavaScript
If you need to do any of these on a per-site basis: F12 --> Edit site preferences. Additionally you can also switch off:
You can change these settings for one site or all sites. Now is that enough for you, or do Opera need to call this functionality 'adblock plus', 'flashblock' and 'noscript' and supply it in addon form? :-)
That seems to be the line being taken by the FSF but I'm not so sure. The reason the BBC is using DRM at all is because of the BBC Trust (who're under the control of the government), they are worried that if the BBC is too good it will damage the commercial competition.
I have an inkling that this has a lot to do with Rupert Murdoch's media empire and their close relationship to the Labour government. But have to admit to being biased, am not the greatest fan of Murdoch and his empire.
Perhaps you could put that accumulation of knowledge somewhere on the Intarwebs where we can all benefit from it? Call it 'Linux Compare' or something like that. :)
Whilst I totally agree with what follows after the semi-colon in this sentence am not so sure about the part prior to it. All we're seeing is that people do not want to be forced into changing settings--am assuming, on their desktop machines--using the command line. This does not mean we should 'bury' the command line, or stop using text files to hold settings! In fact you've made my point for me:
Aye, there's the rub! The user should be able to choose between a GUI configuration interface or editing a text file: everyone's a winner! Also a GUI should be able to read/write text configuration files whilst handling seperate user changes to those files gracefully.
In fact I'd spend a lot of the money on getting everyone (or as many projects as I could) to agree to a configuration file format that could easily be interpreted by an application. A one-size-fits-all library could be written to get the settings from file into memory and back again, then it would just be a matter of organising that data into a front-end that's meaningful for the user. The real joy is that with a standard file format, and library to support it, a rudimentary GUI for a new application could be created in minutes.
This is a very conservative viewpoint, why can things not change? Why can't we have the best of both worlds, with both GUI configuration tools and text files?
Honestly not trying to flame you here, but have you tried Eclipse? Am pretty sure it does what you need: for Java anyway, it certainly has basic support (syntax highlighting etc.) for other languages like C/C++ and PHP too. If you're into .NET there's Monodevelop, which is an IDE for that.
Thread is here. Interestingly Microsoft have not deleted my comment (or the other person promoting Ubuntu on the next page). The thread has been locked and that's it.
They're either being good sports, or just haven't noticed our mentions of Ubuntu. Since Phil Liu (the MS bloke) seems to have read the thread, I'd expect the former is true.
Are you just horribly mis-informed, joking, trolling or shilling? The missus and I have been using GNU+Linux on our laptops, desktops and servers (2 laptops, 2 desktops, 1 home server and one dedicated web server) and have never compiled the Linux kernel. The only times I've ever bothered compiling anything is if I want cutting-edge, not-even-released-yet software, and what's wrong with that?
Here's a deal for you: when there is a single day where Microsoft don't cock things up, shill standards organsations or act as an abusive monopoly then there will be a single day on Slashdot without an anti-Microsoft story.
Microsoft frequently shill online forums, they're even attacking the venerable ISO! From this Groklaw article:
So, this would seem like the ideal time to feed them some of their own medicine. Get over to the WGA forums and do some pro GNU+Linux astroturfing. Here was my message:
As long as you're polite and make a point it can only help the adoption of Free software. Show these people that we're not zealots and offer them a way out of the WGA doldrums! :)
It doesn't cost that much to allow people to download BBC content. That's a strawman argument and has no basis in reality.
Brits who don't pay the license fee are not excluded.
If the DVDs cost me nothing and all I had to do to distribute them is not block you from viewing them online then absolutely. No problem.
It's a brand, you can get it on Amazon, there's also a 'British shop' that stocks it near here. T'was recommended to me by a tea taster!
Agreed, coffee is good first thing in the morning to get you going. Tea is good for the afternoon, along with some nice Digestive biscuits dunked-in. It's all a matter of choosing the right tool for the job. :)