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  1. Mod parent up +++++ on Sony BMG Says Ripping CDs is Stealing · · Score: 1

    Mod parent up! it's this kind of tactic that is killing the music industry. Why continue to make anything good when we can make people pay more for what they already own?

  2. Re:It might be worthwhile to keep .su active on Soviet Union TLD Owners Snub ICANN · · Score: 1

    WhoCANN say?

  3. Re:Wait for next on A Gut Check On Gutsy Gibbon · · Score: 1

    Ok, not being able to install additional packages at installation is a big deal, but calling it a "security issue" is a little silly. No ports are listening on a default Ubuntu install. It doesn't need to be "secured". It's not just that you can't install additional packages, it's also that you can't choose not to install some of the packages if you didn't want to. I think "security issue" is stretching it a bit, but I see his point.

    I don't understand how not having sudo means the attacker has to gain control of two passwords. Does that even make any sense? They only need ONE password either time, the root password, or the password for a user that has sudo privs. Read your sentence again. If sudo isn't installed, you can't run programs that require root without first logging in as root. Even more, sudo can restrict what commands a user is allowed to use, while still forcing you to use su for others (but I somewhat doubt ubuntu even does that). Without sudo, an attacker WOULD need two passwords.
  4. Re:Bad math, bad logic. on False Ad Clicks Cost Google 1 Billion Dollars A Year · · Score: 1

    Isn't that the same logic the RIAA uses?

    "Hey, you didn't pay me the $15 bloated price for that CD of music you downloaded. Sure, you thought it was crappy and never listen to it anymore anyway, but I want my $15!"

  5. Exactly. This is Slashdot. on SCO Blames Linux For Bankruptcy Filing · · Score: 1

    Where every analogy must relate to cars.

  6. Re:I don't see the need on Fork the Linux Kernel? · · Score: 1

    Someone here does not understand the difference between a kernel and an OS. I think that's especially indicated from the fact that he stated

    It's an approach that has worked in the past, most notably with Microsoft Windows NT (and later Windows 2000/XP/Vista). As the Redmond behemoth has shown, you can have your cake (robust, shared kernel architecture) and eat it (separate code bases optimized for specific runtime scenarios) too. Since when does Microsoft logic apply to Linux?
  7. Re:shocking!! on Walt Mossberg Reviews Ubuntu · · Score: 1

    bad car analogy time:

    most people don't know anything about their cars other than how to drive them. most people don't want to know anything about their cars, other than how to drive them. people shouldn't have to know anything about their cars, other than how to drive them. however people have reasonable expectations about their cars. they don't expect them to do anything more than drive. they accept that cars have spare tires because car tires go flat sometimes. when their cars get a flat, they either fix the flat, or call someone to come fix it. they accept that cars need oil changes. when the time comes, they either change the oil themselves or take it somewhere to be changed.

    all too often, people expect too much from computers when it comes to care and operation. you need to back your stuff up because sometimes things break. you need to take steps to protect yourself because sometimes people break things.

    that is not the case with computers. people often fear them or put far too much trust in them. I always disliked the car analogy, because as you stated, cars have a single use. Transportation. Even if I have a car with some newfangled bluetooth capability to allow me to steal penguins from the zoo while simultaneously tattooing 'linux' on their backsides and I didn't know how to use it, the car would still perform its primary function. You're right, people only expect cars to perform that function.

    To reverse this analogy, let's take the same analogy with a computer. The primary, sole function of a computer is... what?
    To compute?
    To help me to communicate?
    Entertainment?
    This is where I don't agree with your analogy, because these are (very summarized) purposes that a computer CAN be used for. There is no sole purpose for a PC. There is a lot of expectation because there is a lot of inherent versatility that comes with owning one. Now, don't get me wrong, I agree that no one should (yet) expect their PC to cook a meal for them, but I hardly think this is what we're arguing.

    if ubuntu or any linux project else were to focus solely on ease of use, to the exclusion of all else, people would complain about it for the same reasons that they complain about windows. they would say it's too buggy, there are too many wizards that malfunction, or something went nuts somewhere in the mix and i can't force it back to a default configuration. they would say it's too expensive or that new releases don't come out often enough. quite a few BSD types are ex-linux types for some of these reasons. No one is saying that Linux has to focus solely on ease of use (though as Ubuntu touts the phrase "it just works" is that not the idea?). There are applications of Linux in many different environments, which is one of the reasons that it is so useful.

    The fact of the matter is, average users expectations don't lie in the many applications of Linux, just in the application of it as applied to themselves. It's the same reason an average user would never buy a "server edition" class of the Windows operating system - even just in the name, it doesn't sound like the tool suited for them.

    so, ubuntu and linux in general are making progress down to the level of the basic user. they are closer now than they have ever been. but they do so while trying to remain true to the qualities that make it preferable to the alternatives: stability, security, and hardware efficiency. I agree that Ubuntu has made a lot of progress in the field of making things easy for the user, but my whole point was that there is still a lot of progress to be made.
  8. Re:"Optional" subscription on Hellgate London Beta Signups Begin · · Score: 1

    "Sure you can play without subscribing - but you'll never get any of the good items you'll need to kick ass or even beat the game." You'll never "beat" any MMO, because they never end. They're traps designed to keep you playing until you're 30 years old, living in mummy's basement doing dungeon raids all hours of your conscious existence, and draining you of your life and wallet in the process.

    But boy, I sure can't wait for the next 4 pokemon games to come out!
  9. Re:Sansa what? on New iPod Checksum Cracked, Linux Supported · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Does anyone have any experience with installing Rockbox onto an ipod as to whether or not it would affect sound quality? I wonder if that would help resolve DRM / Itunes issues.

  10. Re:shocking!! on Walt Mossberg Reviews Ubuntu · · Score: 1

    Normally, I'm all about the end user and understanding the plight of the non-computer literate. But seriously, just about every problem he's mentioned is fixable and just a Google search away.

    Computers are not a magic, mind reading, fix everything in one click device. This guy expects everything to work out of the box perfectly and to his specs.

    Not even windows machines do that. In comparison, it takes a fair bit of configuring out of the box to even get a windows machine ready for safe internet access. Average users don't know how to configure their PCs.
    Average users don't want to know how to configure their PCs.
    Average users shouldn't have to know how to configure their PCs.
  11. Sansa what? on New iPod Checksum Cracked, Linux Supported · · Score: 2, Informative

    I bought a 6gb Sansa (the e200 series) when they came out. I loved it. Until it broke. It turns out a lot of them have a problem with the phone jack, as it's not seated correctly, and plugging in your headphones causes stress on the jack that eventually causes one or both of the channels to go out. This is what happened to mine. I now have a 6gb USB drive that I can play music to one of my ears. People buy Ipods for a reason. They're well built, and have great sound quality (after my sansa died I borrowed my g/f's Nano for a little while, and I was surprised at how great it sounded in comparison). I have never heard of anyone complaining (with regards to the Ipod) of similar issues that come with buying cheaper players (such as cheaper quality hardware) If there's anything I'll give apple, it's that they know how to make sturdy hardware.

  12. Blizzard uses it to distribute patches for World of Warcraft, and now researchers at Microsoft are indicating internet users may have to use it to help distribute online video clips But doesn't everyone already use it to distribute video clips (or films.. oops, was I not supposed to say that?)
  13. Kaguya on Japan Launches Lunar Orbiter Mission · · Score: 2, Informative

    Kaguya was also the name of a character in Okami who goes off into space in a giant bamboo stalk.

    Coincidence?

    I think not.

  14. Re:Terrorist.....who???? on Air Force Mistakenly Transports Live Nukes Across America · · Score: 1

    What do you think could be the worse story? That the warheads were, in fact, stolen by the B-52's.
  15. Re:Next article from Germany on German Physicists Claim Speed of Light Broken · · Score: 1

    I think I prefer WARP - Warp Around Righteous Places

  16. Re:WHY???? on Adobe May Launch Office Rival · · Score: 1
    Moot. If you read TFA, it's a web application that is designed to be able to run whether or not you're connected to the internet. It will be cross platform, as it runs on Flash and Flex.

    Perhaps even more important is that AIR applications are platform-agnostic. They operate almost exactly the same on both Windows and Mac platforms with only small differences, keyboard shortcuts being the most obvious. Adobe expects a Linux version of the AIR runtime to be completed in the coming months.
  17. Makes sense on Adobe May Launch Office Rival · · Score: 1

    Microsoft's trying to take out Adobe with Silverlight, so why not try and compete with Microsoft in other ways? I have no doubt that a full fledged suite of Office software from Adobe would be great.

  18. Re:Very true.... on How Pirated Software Impacts Free Software · · Score: 1

    And why isn't anyone comparing anything with cars ? What kind of /. discussion is this anyway ? Because the Linux vs. Windows debate involves a lot of kicking and screaming, so it's more like an episode of American Chopper.
  19. Re:Very true.... on How Pirated Software Impacts Free Software · · Score: 1
    A kernel bug caused my DVD burner to make 15 or so coasters. Funny, it works fine in Windows, without any problems. I paid about $30 for that 50 disc spindle, so Linux cost me at least $9. All things aside,

    When it comes to installing, Linux is much simpler and faster (and thus cheaper). When it comes to configuration, Linux is (again) easier and faster. Software installation? No contest (try comparing MS Office with OpenOffice packages.) What distro? Does everyone on /. refer to 'Ubuntu' as 'Linux'? I've always found software installation to break my dependencies in an RPM based distro, but then again, I'm used to debian.

    I use MS Office at work. Maybe OOO has changed, but when I last used it, I had a hell of a time trying to figure out just how to put a page number on every page except the first page, when it's easy and natural to do in MS Office. It's a minor thing, but still something a grade was going to be weighed on.

    Administration headaches? What administration headaches? I go to Windows update, I click a few buttons, I'm updated. I double click a few files here, and my drivers work. Linux? Automatix/Synaptic won't check for dependencies, so it will break my system. Luckily I know how to use apt, but I have to edit 9000 text files and install shit from source because my Nvidia graphics driver isn't working, or my wireless card is incompatible with the kernel.

    I haven't had a virus, or spyware on my windows PC for years. The best anti-virus solution has always been good browsing habits. Yeah, if I use Linux, I can be dumb enough to click on a dangerous link and it (probably) won't hurt me (unless I fall for a HOW-TO that tells me to "rm -r -f /" as root).

    I don't have time to waste when an upstream bug stops me from being able to use a vital piece of my hardware.
  20. Re:BttF 2 on 3D Animations In Mid-Air Using Plasma Balls · · Score: 1

    As for Deloreans, the verdict has long been out.

  21. Re:Pact... or fiction? on Novell Proclaims 'We're Not SCO' and We Won't Sue · · Score: 1

    Now if only I had remembered to select 'Plain Old Text'...

  22. Re:Pact... or fiction? on Novell Proclaims 'We're Not SCO' and We Won't Sue · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Yeah, and someone will reverse engineer windows and call it something like Winws (Winws Is Not Windows, Stupid), and release it under the GPLv3, and new software will be written for it in GPLv3, and it will run in real Windows too, and then Microsoft will pay. 2) What? 3) If Microsoft has enough money to survive the melting Xbox360 debacle, I hardly think it will be anytime soon that Microsoft is shoved into obscurity. I mean, hell, they survived Windows ME, and I'm sure they'll survive Vista. Personally, I think there's just as much FUD out there about MS as there is about Linux. Oh, right. I'm on slashdot. Die, microsoft!

  23. mod parent up on Open Source Community's Double Standard · · Score: 1

    I would rather have a closed source project that worked perfectly than an open source product that is a work in progress. If I had any points left, I'd give them to you.
  24. Re:Sounds like a cop out to me on William Gibson Gives Up on the Future · · Score: 1

    I totally agree. Since when is "science fiction" synonymous with "attempting to tell the future"? I don't really understand what there is to "get wrong" about writing a fictional story that takes place in a fictional point in time.

  25. mod parent up +++ on World of Warcraft - Wrath of the Lich King Officially Announced · · Score: 1

    The entire game is centered around end-game because the people that they are catering to are the millions of people who WANT to endlessly grind, who are in raiding guilds that raid like a full time job, because that keeps money in their pockets. If they just decided to work on mid level content, for the few people who play casually, the hardcore players would get upset and possibly leave.

    The game is engineered to make you want to keep playing. It never ends. Why? Because 9million x $15 is a lot of money to make in a month, and they're going to keep catering to the hardcore players until the end of time.