Actually I was pleasantly surprised when I moved to an office a few weeks ago that uses CUPS [cups.org]. It really does "just work". Absolutely awesome.
Of course, I'm using a network printer. I'm not sure what the state-of-art is for personal printing
I loaded Mandrake 8, told it I had an HP842C and it just worked.
Re:Is Open Source actually working as intended?
on
Linux Office Suites
·
· Score: 2
Open Source development in office suites is not working as it stands today. Progress is slow and the results are mostly crap.
I love Abiword. Its interface is so simple and it does everything so fast. It starts way faster than *any* other word processor I've used. It's usable now, I know, I've been using it, and every week it gets better.
KOffice is coming along fine too, the development has been amazingly fast. It's still immature, but you can see it's getting there.
Open Office isn't really in play yet. Let's see what happens. It's a beefy download/install to be sure, but it built for me in one try. The startup and initial configuration segfaulted on me a few times but once I coaxed it up what I found was impressive. Attractive, functional and efficient. Mind you, at this point it's still very much developers-only.
So this lets-all-get-experience project may well get done with PHP, PostgreSQL, and FreeBSD. And when we're done we'll have experience with a bunch of non-Microsoft tools, and we may have a different answer for clients who want scaleable applications but can't (or don't want to) pay Microsoft's fees.
It's something of a shame that Storm went the way of the wind, but after I made my choice to run FreeBSD it hasn't mattered too much.
Well, there's hope, it looks like Xandros is stepping up to fill the niche: debian-based desktop Linux distro. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them bring some of the Storm team on board.
Face it, dual booting is still the best option if you want to play games.
Yeah, right, dual boot to what? I deleted all my Windows partitions ages ago after I noticed I never used them. Why should I? Dual-booting is such a pain.
I'll buy every Loki game as it comes out, thanks. As far as I'm concerned there are no other games.
I dont feel like getting into a MS monopoly argument, so I am not going to say that MS isnt a monopoly, even though I believe they are not (and that the courts will eventually agree with me).
Who the fuck cares what danheskett, anonymous astroturfer on Slashdot thinks? A federal court has already decided the issue and been upheld unanimously by the appeals court, en banc.
It wasnt brought up because its not illegal! The Sherman Act doesn't regulate free trade, it regulates monopolies trying to use its monopoly power to expand into new markets. Period. This isnt a new market. This is the preservation of an existing market.
Are you just clueless, or are you knowingly trying to spread disinformation? The Sherman act provides that the use of monopoly power either for the maintainance of a monopoly or the extension of the monopoly into a new market is illegal.
This did nothing to stop competiton, except for one specific form of it.
Ahem, SDL has very little to do with Loki actually. SDL existed before Loki was in business, and recently all of the SDL resources (mailing lists, etc) were moved off of lokigames.com and transferred to libsdl.org. If you want to credit anybody with the greatness of SDL, give the credit to Sam Latigna, the maintainer and copyright holder.
Thanks for correcting me on that. Still, Loki raised SDL's profile, contributed development and proved beyond a doubt that SDL works for first-string games.
Hey, look at the operating system configuration options: $75 off without Windows. This is the first time I've seen anybody offer that, I hope it's a trend.
Once you have filed Ch. 11, you are seeking legal protection from ceditors. So you are out of the woods for now, but no one will ever loan you money again.
That's nonsense. Think like a lender. Company screws up, takes on too much debt, wastes money, etc, company files for protection, company pays off debts in an orderly way, company emerges without debt. Now what have you got? You have management with proven workout experience. You've got a proven business model. You've got a debt-free company. This adds up to: prime lending target.
When a company emerges successfully from Chapter 11, one problem it definitely does not have is finding new credit. The real question is, will they be willing to take on so much debt again, so fast? Probably not. Once burned, twice shy.
Linux doesn't have many games for it, so if you like to play computer games, you've already got another computer that runs Windows for them, or you dual boot your Linux computer.
I like to play games, but I don't have a Windows machine[1] so the result is, I haven't played games lately. Dual-booting is not an option because I like to have things like mail, irc, browsers, etc, running all the time, I don't like it when these get interrupted and I don't like it when people can't reach me, even for a short time. So my solution to this: stop playing games. Possibly a good thing because I got more than the usual amount of work done, but the fact is, I enjoy games. A couple weeks ago I downloaded a Loki demo just out of interest - Heros of Might and Magic - had lots of fun, and realized that I really owe it to myself not to cut off this form of enjoyment. Maybe not go overboard like in the past, but just relax and play every now and then.
So ok, next thing, Loki does chapter 11 and I think "hey, it's my fault, I waited too long". Must be lots like me, maybe this is just the wakeup call we need. I'll pick up 2-3 Loki games this week. I mean, what's the downside? It will for sure help Loki in their time of need, and whatever happens, I've still got the game, right? And it's not like I can't afford it.
I guess I'll just make it a regular habit to buy whatever they come out with from now on. I mean, their titles are *great* and I don't give a rats ass how many months they've been out on Windows, because I don't run Windows. Simple.
[1]deleted the last Windows partition a few months ago after not using it for more than a year
To conclude, althought this is a tragic loss of a leading software developer, perhaps it would be a better choice to just go with the best tool for the job, instead of the best tool for your political views.
OK, you give up, I'll support Loki by buying at least 4 of their ports directly while they're in Chapter 11. Don't you worry now, not everybody has to have a spine.
I'm a Canadian, this time I can make my voice heard. Err, I mean I can help kill some trees by putting it in writing.
As has been pointed out on many occasions, snail mail is the only thing that gets through to a pol. I guess this is because the letter actually lands on their desk, they have to account for it, respond to it, file it, whatever. Then they have to think, "hey, if this insect^H^H^H^H^H person feels strongly enough to write me a letter, what might they feel like doing in the next election?"
Would somebody be so kind as to supply some addresses? --
But this is now the 2nd time Adobe has demonstrated rational thought, and worked out their differences normally without resorting to lawsuits or extreme intimidation.
I prefer to think of it as the second time in a week Adobe has stepped way across the line and gotten called on it. Looks like a pattern. --
What? You use VC++? Well of course it is going to implement strcpy() using StrCpy(), that is almost a given. Last time I checked, VC++ was not part of a standard installation of any version of Windows, and it can quite easily be added/removed at the user's convenience (well, at least as easily as any other Windows program).
This post and others like it have absolutely convinced me that:
a) Yes, this is a case of co-mingling. Otherwise, the library author would have been sure to place the function definition in a generic DLL installed by default. Because it's a compiler, right? Not an IE addon builder.
2) Microsoft employees are spending way too much of their working day trolling Slashdot.
Just remember, every post you make just gives one of us a soapbox to stand on. And, you think you're doing any good trying to sway opinion here? What a waste of effort. It's much more likely it's *you* who will be persuaded. I'm not 100% sure, but perhaps there is an interesting new trend: former Microsoft astroturfers suddenly going off the radar and later reemerging as opensourcers. Hey, it feels good when that icy little lump in there melts. --
Boy, its a good thing Microsoft would never do anything like this to make NT look more popular.
They don't have to. There are plenty of us who will speak out on it's positive merits for free.
Sure, sure. Considering that *every one* of your posts is either Pro-Microsoft or anti-Linux/Open Source, I think we know what you are. Fairly convincing evidence that Microsoft doesn't have any real grass-roots support, don't you think? --
Even if this person has a valid patent, this is one of those times where, for the good of the world, you have a moral responsibility to just let it go.
Well, more like: it shows the patent system (particularly as applied to software and the internet) is invalid, and it's time to just let it go.
When I first stated this position I found that, really, a good portion of the readers here didn't agree (usually relying on the "lone inventor" or "drugs are expensive" arguments). But now, hey, after a whole string of these really stupid claims, I think opinion is starting to come around.
KIllustrator is now known as 'Kontour' (after Adobe claimed that KIllustrator was too close to Adobe Illustrator, in case you haven't followed the news).
This isn't a satisfactory result, except that I'm happy the developers aren't risking their careers/incomes by putting themselves in line of legal fire. This doesn't mean I'm happy with Adobe for laying claim to a word that used to be part of the English language. Far from it. --
I wonder if the computerized machine tool manufacturers have thought about this?
Yes, for this application the ethernet support would be an asset. But what support does the package have for analog/digitital IO? This is the be-all and end-all in industrial control. Even the lowly 68HC11 has onboard A-D.
Also don't forget, industrial control tends to be the wooden-spokes and horse-powered side of the industry. It takes absolutely ages for anything current to find its way onto the factory floor.
--
The SGI Linux system is over 3 times the cost, as you pointed out, but it took the Linux solution double the processors (16 in a clustered system, of course) to beat out the single 8-CPU Windows box by a paltry 60%.
Wow, I didn't know Linux was scaling so well to 16 way - thanks for pointing it out. Looks like Microsoft has to chase taillights here. --
Looking over the "paper" I noted some interesting things on just a quick viewing:
1)under "Performance Date" item 2 "GNU/Linux was the May 2001 performance leader in the TPC-H decision support (database) benchmark (``100Gb'' category)"
Um yes, they did, but they did it on a machine that costs $948966.00. System description It was one of the most expensive machines in the running. The number 2 machine is an Win2k / SQL Server 2000 machine for a third the price.
You want a Yugo, you buy a Yugo. I prefer my BMW.
--
Slashdot Mirror
Of course, I'm using a network printer. I'm not sure what the state-of-art is for personal printing
I loaded Mandrake 8, told it I had an HP842C and it just worked.
I love Abiword. Its interface is so simple and it does everything so fast. It starts way faster than *any* other word processor I've used. It's usable now, I know, I've been using it, and every week it gets better.
KOffice is coming along fine too, the development has been amazingly fast. It's still immature, but you can see it's getting there.
Open Office isn't really in play yet. Let's see what happens. It's a beefy download/install to be sure, but it built for me in one try. The startup and initial configuration segfaulted on me a few times but once I coaxed it up what I found was impressive. Attractive, functional and efficient. Mind you, at this point it's still very much developers-only.
Don't forget to check out Zope (Python).
Well, there's hope, it looks like Xandros is stepping up to fill the niche: debian-based desktop Linux distro. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them bring some of the Storm team on board.
Yeah, right, dual boot to what? I deleted all my Windows partitions ages ago after I noticed I never used them. Why should I? Dual-booting is such a pain.
I'll buy every Loki game as it comes out, thanks. As far as I'm concerned there are no other games.
Who the fuck cares what danheskett, anonymous astroturfer on Slashdot thinks? A federal court has already decided the issue and been upheld unanimously by the appeals court, en banc.
Are you just clueless, or are you knowingly trying to spread disinformation? The Sherman act provides that the use of monopoly power either for the maintainance of a monopoly or the extension of the monopoly into a new market is illegal.
This did nothing to stop competiton, except for one specific form of it.
That's enough. Go to jail, do not pass go.
Thanks for correcting me on that. Still, Loki raised SDL's profile, contributed development and proved beyond a doubt that SDL works for first-string games.
Hey, look at the operating system configuration options: $75 off without Windows. This is the first time I've seen anybody offer that, I hope it's a trend.
With two more ethernet ports this would make a perfect dsl router/firewall. -- Daniel
Well now, wait, surely it's due to Scott Draeker that SDL is free as in speech? I'd hope that after the workout they continue policies like that.
That's nonsense. Think like a lender. Company screws up, takes on too much debt, wastes money, etc, company files for protection, company pays off debts in an orderly way, company emerges without debt. Now what have you got? You have management with proven workout experience. You've got a proven business model. You've got a debt-free company. This adds up to: prime lending target.
When a company emerges successfully from Chapter 11, one problem it definitely does not have is finding new credit. The real question is, will they be willing to take on so much debt again, so fast? Probably not. Once burned, twice shy.
I like to play games, but I don't have a Windows machine[1] so the result is, I haven't played games lately. Dual-booting is not an option because I like to have things like mail, irc, browsers, etc, running all the time, I don't like it when these get interrupted and I don't like it when people can't reach me, even for a short time. So my solution to this: stop playing games. Possibly a good thing because I got more than the usual amount of work done, but the fact is, I enjoy games. A couple weeks ago I downloaded a Loki demo just out of interest - Heros of Might and Magic - had lots of fun, and realized that I really owe it to myself not to cut off this form of enjoyment. Maybe not go overboard like in the past, but just relax and play every now and then.
So ok, next thing, Loki does chapter 11 and I think "hey, it's my fault, I waited too long". Must be lots like me, maybe this is just the wakeup call we need. I'll pick up 2-3 Loki games this week. I mean, what's the downside? It will for sure help Loki in their time of need, and whatever happens, I've still got the game, right? And it's not like I can't afford it.
I guess I'll just make it a regular habit to buy whatever they come out with from now on. I mean, their titles are *great* and I don't give a rats ass how many months they've been out on Windows, because I don't run Windows. Simple.
[1]deleted the last Windows partition a few months ago after not using it for more than a year
OK, you give up, I'll support Loki by buying at least 4 of their ports directly while they're in Chapter 11. Don't you worry now, not everybody has to have a spine.
As has been pointed out on many occasions, snail mail is the only thing that gets through to a pol. I guess this is because the letter actually lands on their desk, they have to account for it, respond to it, file it, whatever. Then they have to think, "hey, if this insect^H^H^H^H^H person feels strongly enough to write me a letter, what might they feel like doing in the next election?"
Would somebody be so kind as to supply some addresses?
--
Really. My shelves are already loaded up pretty heavily with O'Reilly books, and this gesture just makes me want to add more to my collection.
--
I prefer to think of it as the second time in a week Adobe has stepped way across the line and gotten called on it. Looks like a pattern.
--
This post and others like it have absolutely convinced me that:
Just remember, every post you make just gives one of us a soapbox to stand on. And, you think you're doing any good trying to sway opinion here? What a waste of effort. It's much more likely it's *you* who will be persuaded. I'm not 100% sure, but perhaps there is an interesting new trend: former Microsoft astroturfers suddenly going off the radar and later reemerging as opensourcers. Hey, it feels good when that icy little lump in there melts.--
Boy, its a good thing Microsoft would never do anything like this to make NT look more popular.
They don't have to. There are plenty of us who will speak out on it's positive merits for free.
Sure, sure. Considering that *every one* of your posts is either Pro-Microsoft or anti-Linux/Open Source, I think we know what you are. Fairly convincing evidence that Microsoft doesn't have any real grass-roots support, don't you think?
--
Even if this person has a valid patent, this is one of those times where, for the good of the world, you have a moral responsibility to just let it go.
Well, more like: it shows the patent system (particularly as applied to software and the internet) is invalid, and it's time to just let it go.
When I first stated this position I found that, really, a good portion of the readers here didn't agree (usually relying on the "lone inventor" or "drugs are expensive" arguments). But now, hey, after a whole string of these really stupid claims, I think opinion is starting to come around.
The next step is to take action.
--
In fact, the word "patent" didn't even show up in his reply.
--
This isn't a satisfactory result, except that I'm happy the developers aren't risking their careers/incomes by putting themselves in line of legal fire. This doesn't mean I'm happy with Adobe for laying claim to a word that used to be part of the English language. Far from it.
--
I wonder if the computerized machine tool manufacturers have thought about this?
Yes, for this application the ethernet support would be an asset. But what support does the package have for analog/digitital IO? This is the be-all and end-all in industrial control. Even the lowly 68HC11 has onboard A-D.
Also don't forget, industrial control tends to be the wooden-spokes and horse-powered side of the industry. It takes absolutely ages for anything current to find its way onto the factory floor.
--
The SGI Linux system is over 3 times the cost, as you pointed out, but it took the Linux solution double the processors (16 in a clustered system, of course) to beat out the single 8-CPU Windows box by a paltry 60%.
Wow, I didn't know Linux was scaling so well to 16 way - thanks for pointing it out. Looks like Microsoft has to chase taillights here.
--
You want a Yugo, you buy a Yugo. I prefer my BMW.
--