Not only that, but as far as I know this would require different lines (we aren't running scratched glass right now), and different switches and such to receive those new lines.
They're claiming this is 60x faster than current technology, and that it carries a terabit per second. While it's true that it may be 60x faster than technology IN PLACE, we already have optical fiber technology capable of multiple terabit connections. So considering the cost of upgrade, and the fact that existing infrastructure will need to be replaced, what exactly is novel here?
While I did RTFA, (yeah, yeah, I'm new here) it was incredibly light on detail, maybe I missed something that would make this an actual advancement?
I don't think buying Ubuntu is supporting Linux at all. It's supporting Best Buy if anything. If I want to support linux by paying I'll just donate on their website.
That's actually a very good point. Do you think the maturity of the product is what is holding Linux back from being installed on every PC in retail stores? I don't think so.
I think what is holding Linux back is the fact that Photoshop and some of my other favorite programs won't run on it without Wine or some other method, and many of my favorite games won't run on it either, and that it doesn't come pre-installed on the vast majority of PCs sold.
If donating to a Linux community would help all of those factors than that would be the first thing I'd suggest to help Linux, but right now I think it's the vendors that are holding it back, not the quality of Linux itself.
Even so, you're correct in stating that buying it from Best Buy has a dubious benefit to getting support out there, but in my opinion it's one of the first time we've been given then chance to vote with our wallets.
If you have friends or family with an older PC that aren't very technically skilled, chances are it's a Windows PC and it's infested with malware. More than likely, they have a CD burner but don't know how to use it, or their computer is so slow it won't even burn CDs. Sometimes the PC will be running Windows 98, which is a bit of a security risk these days.
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Why not have them get Ubuntu for $20 at Best Buy? The fact that you can buy it at a brick and mortar store increases it's apparent validity as an operating system, and it has open office and firefox right out of the box, so the functionality they're used to is still there.
Another point: Why not buy a copy of Ubuntu yourself to drive up support for Linux? If sales analysts see that X number of Ubuntu boxes were sold from Best Buys than it's likely we'll see more and more vendor support for linux coming out.
What is this dark fiber everyone keeps talking about?
There is a Wikipedia Article about it, and a book with the title that seems largely unrelated. We all know there are many rumors about Google Buying It.
How much is there though? What kind of fiber is it? MMF or SMF? Also, if this fiber has been unused for years, it would have to be tested to make sure it doesn't have any major breaks in the lines.
Depending on the type, location, amount, and condition of this fiber it could be a major asset... or not. I haven't been able to find any detailed information about it, I'm sure some of our Slashdot crowd working in networking must have a better idea than I?
Very Interesting, I wonder how far we could take AI integrated into programs?
What I would really like to see is more AI used to help users in a variety of fields both within the program workings itself (computer side), as well as on the design of the actual content (user side).
We already have things like predictive texting, spellcheck, grammar check, and debuggers that attempt to aid in the creation process, but how far could this be developed? After all, in most computer-related work outside of multimedia it is the user not the computer that is slowing things down.
Of course it could always end up going badly, imagine if Clippy attempted to help with EVERYTHING!
Clippy: "I see you're writing a program, would you like help including your headers?"
In my opinion, accessing an open router may not be illegal, but it can still get you in trouble depending on who owns it.
Case 1: A university has a large sign out front broadcasting it's name and anyone can enter the campus. There are places you should know you shouldn't go on campus unless you are a student or teacher, and things you know you shouldn't do.
This is analogous to having a router with SSID broadcasting that assigns IPs to anyone automatically and gives them unrestricted internet access. You shouldn't access their computers or start printing stuff on their network printer. It's still assumed that you should use the router for legal purposes and it's polite not to kill it with bittorrent.
Case 2: A public school in a rural neighborhood has a sign out front, but you need to go to the front desk and get a nametag if you aren't a student. You need to state your purpose and leave when you're done. It would be trivially easy to go in a side door, but that would get you in trouble.
This is analogous to a cafe with a sign that says "Free wifi for customers." Sure you COULD access it out in the parking lot, but the legality of it is much more in the gray area, and it's possible they could attempt to bring charges.
Case 3: A private school in an urban area has no sign, and a large gate out front. You aren't allowed anywhere on campus without permission.
This is analogous to a wifi network with no SSID broadcasting and wep encryption enabled. It is clear that this network was not meant for your use.
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They're claiming this is 60x faster than current technology, and that it carries a terabit per second. While it's true that it may be 60x faster than technology IN PLACE, we already have optical fiber technology capable of multiple terabit connections. So considering the cost of upgrade, and the fact that existing infrastructure will need to be replaced, what exactly is novel here?
While I did RTFA, (yeah, yeah, I'm new here) it was incredibly light on detail, maybe I missed something that would make this an actual advancement?
I don't think buying Ubuntu is supporting Linux at all. It's supporting Best Buy if anything. If I want to support linux by paying I'll just donate on their website.
That's actually a very good point. Do you think the maturity of the product is what is holding Linux back from being installed on every PC in retail stores? I don't think so.
I think what is holding Linux back is the fact that Photoshop and some of my other favorite programs won't run on it without Wine or some other method, and many of my favorite games won't run on it either, and that it doesn't come pre-installed on the vast majority of PCs sold.
If donating to a Linux community would help all of those factors than that would be the first thing I'd suggest to help Linux, but right now I think it's the vendors that are holding it back, not the quality of Linux itself.
Even so, you're correct in stating that buying it from Best Buy has a dubious benefit to getting support out there, but in my opinion it's one of the first time we've been given then chance to vote with our wallets.
.
Why not have them get Ubuntu for $20 at Best Buy? The fact that you can buy it at a brick and mortar store increases it's apparent validity as an operating system, and it has open office and firefox right out of the box, so the functionality they're used to is still there.
Another point: Why not buy a copy of Ubuntu yourself to drive up support for Linux? If sales analysts see that X number of Ubuntu boxes were sold from Best Buys than it's likely we'll see more and more vendor support for linux coming out.
There is a Wikipedia Article about it, and a book with the title that seems largely unrelated. We all know there are many rumors about Google Buying It.
How much is there though? What kind of fiber is it? MMF or SMF? Also, if this fiber has been unused for years, it would have to be tested to make sure it doesn't have any major breaks in the lines.
Depending on the type, location, amount, and condition of this fiber it could be a major asset... or not. I haven't been able to find any detailed information about it, I'm sure some of our Slashdot crowd working in networking must have a better idea than I?
What I would really like to see is more AI used to help users in a variety of fields both within the program workings itself (computer side), as well as on the design of the actual content (user side).
We already have things like predictive texting, spellcheck, grammar check, and debuggers that attempt to aid in the creation process, but how far could this be developed? After all, in most computer-related work outside of multimedia it is the user not the computer that is slowing things down.
Of course it could always end up going badly, imagine if Clippy attempted to help with EVERYTHING!
Clippy: "I see you're writing a program, would you like help including your headers?"
Ugh!
Case 1: A university has a large sign out front broadcasting it's name and anyone can enter the campus. There are places you should know you shouldn't go on campus unless you are a student or teacher, and things you know you shouldn't do.
This is analogous to having a router with SSID broadcasting that assigns IPs to anyone automatically and gives them unrestricted internet access. You shouldn't access their computers or start printing stuff on their network printer. It's still assumed that you should use the router for legal purposes and it's polite not to kill it with bittorrent.
Case 2: A public school in a rural neighborhood has a sign out front, but you need to go to the front desk and get a nametag if you aren't a student. You need to state your purpose and leave when you're done. It would be trivially easy to go in a side door, but that would get you in trouble.
This is analogous to a cafe with a sign that says "Free wifi for customers." Sure you COULD access it out in the parking lot, but the legality of it is much more in the gray area, and it's possible they could attempt to bring charges.
Case 3: A private school in an urban area has no sign, and a large gate out front. You aren't allowed anywhere on campus without permission.
This is analogous to a wifi network with no SSID broadcasting and wep encryption enabled. It is clear that this network was not meant for your use.