Back in my day, people used to tote the original Macs around in backpacks before there was any such thing as a "laptop" and we liked it!
If you were half the man your father, err... your much older brother was you wouldn't need to customize a laptop - you would fit an LCD into an ATX case and customize to your hearts content.
Seriously, the main problem with asteroid collisions is that they hit the surface of the earth perpendicularly, or at least close to it.
Detection is fine as far as that goes, but we need to take steps at prevention.
If there was some way to tilt the earth (given early detection of an incoming asteroid), in all probability the asteroid would simply pass underneath or just above the surface.
Given that it is much harder to hit the edge of a disk than the face, catastrophe could be averted; many lives would be saved.
A problem of course, is tilting the earth in time.
Another is how? Perhaps massive migration to one end of the world to the other would move enough mass to tilt the earth. Outposts should be maintained in Alaska, Siberia, Australia, and Greenland for just such a contingency.
Perhaps research should also be directed at communicating with The Great Tortise - perhaps He could be persuaded to lean in the event...
You know, the geniuses in "Real Genius" were actually pretty mediocre. Naive to the point of idiocy, anyway. Maybe the titular "Real Genius" was that guy who entered all those no-purchase-necessary contests.
I love this, but if you're going to mod it it really should be "Redundant." I mean, who hasn't gotten this email forward at least once or twice verbatim, no less.
I guess if we're talking about "least influential," then merely stupid movies like any of the "Highlander" sequels and Star Trek V don't count by virtue of the reaction they generate from their fans/critics. Likewise, the worst fucking movie of all time, "Boxing Helena" (seriously, though - even the gratuitous sex scenes with a nude Sherilyn Fenn were unwatchable) is disqualified because it demonstrated how breach of contract and getting your ass sued off (here, Kim Bassinger) can be worth it sometimes.
Crocodile Dundee 2, however, was completely worthless. Whereas the first movie promoted/embarrassed Australia to the rest of the world, the sequel was able to do nothing but suck.
Home grown boxes with ripped codes probably will come next, but I don't think there will be enough of them to cut into sales measurably. In fact, they'll probably promote product awareness (face it, there are legions of average-Americans who barely know about DVD - they don't even know Tivo/ReplayTV exist) and consumer envy enough to generate even more sales of retail boxes.
I know there's a great temptation to throw down Star Wars references and jokes like "If you strike me down" yada yada, but please remember that Sir Alec Guinness sincerely regretted doing Star Wars.
Before the trolls go completely ape-shit I hope there's some recognition that the man deserves better than to be mocked at death and tied to a role he wanted to forget.
These small minority of Tivo owners are voiding their warranties (good news to Tivo since they won't have to fix the unit even if it would have broken on its own).
The modified units are still being used for their intended purposes.
Any quasi-illegal hacks and improvements designed by d0m357|c h4x0r5 such as making the Tivo an mp3 box can be reverse engineered later by Tivo themselves without any patent violations or R&D costs.
Back during my freshman year in college I purchased a 1983 Star Wars arcade machine. The looks from people strolling past my dorm room were classic. I had to start charging money (two plays for a quarter) just so I could get some peace. I ended up selling it, but man, those were the days.
Arcade games run from a few hundred for old classics to several grand for the latest and the greatest at various auctions. Self built emulators sound pretty cool, but it's just not the same.
Best side scroller: Sidearms Best "flight simulator": original wireframe Star Wars Best sports game and best GPA killer: Super Tecmo Bowl for NES Best game ever: Asteroids Honorable Mentions: Archon for C=64, Space Harrier, Missile Command, Outrun, Galaga, Centipede. I probably forgot a game or two....
I don't, but I sure could use some kind of boost from my p166. Hopefully, even if there's no "market for a 1GH+ right now," it will drive down the price of a 500 or 600 another notch.
2) You have obviously read almost nothing about Linux, including the documentation that came with the copy that you bought. If you had read anything, you would have known the "startx" command. I have not personally seen the Corel Linux manual, however I am sure that they have documented this command. I have read very little. And does it really matter? Corel Linux was free (or it will be if those damned rebate checks ever arrive), and I merely wanted to know what all the fuss over Linux was about; I certainly wasn't planning to Linux my primary OS (although I hadn't dismissed the idea right off, either). I wasn't expecting it to be easy, but I expected the manual to be sufficient. I did read the Corel manual; I didn't read it cover to cover, but I didn't (and still don't) find any mention of "startx" (it's probably in there, but don't count on it). Actually, there is very little command line information in the manual. Most of the info in the manual is stuff like "To minimize an Application Window, click the Minimize button on the Title Bar of the Application Window." In fact, command line stuff doesn't come up until page 289. Needless to say, I did not read that far ahead before attempting to install. Also, there are a discouraging number of errors and remnants from the outdated editions.
BTW, were you really surprised to see a SERVER OS (as you configured it) start without a graphical interface? Not at all. However, I was unhappy that this was the only configuration that would install on my desktop.
It just irritates me that you paint the OS in such a bad light when you have not even taken the time to learn about "startx". [sic] Obviously. Personally, I don't think I did put Linux in a bad light. I recognize that Linux does many things very well. Unfortunately, they aren't all things I care about. I applaud your zealousness, but it doesn't change the fact once I got Corel Linux to install, I was underwhelmed. Obviously, not everyone cares a lot about computers (hence the popularity of AOL, etc. Insert similar rant here). I appreciate things that are made well, that are designed well, that work well - Magnaplanar speakers, rotary telephones from before they broke up AT&T, Spyderco pocketknives, the Asics Ekiden from 1990, Voyager probes. My computers don't measure up. My OSes don't measure up. I hope one day they will. Check back in a month or two to read about my adventures with Mandrake Linux, or BeOS, or BSD, or Apple, or Windows 2000, etc.
I feel obligated to get back on topic, so here goes: No, I don't think this is a hoax, but I agree they may have bitten off more than they can chew.
For all of you thinking, "Why would you want a Windoze clone?" A few thoughts.
They said their intital goal is compatability. As far as that goes, nobody is going to be interested. I mean, all y'all who are running Windows, didn't it come with your computer whether you wanted it or not, or didn't you pirate, err... borrow it?
However, if they manage to get to phase two, IMPROVING it, I'm all for it. The idea of being able to choose between many different free distributions of Windows like you can with Linux appeals to me. This of course presumes that Red Hat Windows, etc, will be stable (Hell, I'd even care less about the Blue Screen of Death if it came in different colors).
Propping Linux here is preaching to the choir, but my limited newbie experience with Linux has been underwhelming thus far. I KNOW that Linux kicks ass, but unfortunately, not at anything that I care about. I likeWord97. GIMP is still Photoshop's bitch. Corel Linux is slower than Win95 at everything (at least on my p166).
I'm not bashing Linux, and I'm not advocating Windows. Both are different, and both need work (IMHO). For me, this open Windows clone project is a great idea.
Yeah, I'm a little skeptical. And yes, I'm well aware of the fact that it worked last time. I'm just saying that it sounds nuts.
Unfortunately, even though we all ruled that egg drop thing in the 5th grade, we don't have a better suggestion.
I'm not even saying that it won't work - I'm just saying that I don't think Sir Isaac Newton or even Arthur C. Clarke would have done it this way in 2003 (man, that used to sound so futuristic).
Upon entry into the Martian atmosphere, a parachute would deploy to slow the spacecraft down, and then airbags would inflate to cushion the landing. The spacecraft would bounce about a dozen times and could roll as far a [sic] half-mile before coming to a stop. Then the airbags would deflate, the petals of the spacecraft would open, and the rover would position itself to roll onto the surface.
Seriously, though, this sounds way too much like a Rube Goldberg contraption. Okay, I'm not an engineer, but considering how much trouble NASA has had in the recent past, this scenario just doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me, Joe Taxpayer.
Still, I'm glad to see them doing something. It's depressing to think that after all this time, Mars is still such a pipe dream. As a child, I was expecting men to walk on Mars by now; I was hoping Gloria Steinem would get to bitch, "Mars needs women!"
Seriously, is this true? I skimmed the article at ZDTV and didn't see a link to any sort of confirmation. Now this story can be cited to both ZDTV and Slashdot and next who knows, but it's not any more true than if only ZDTV reported it. This sounds more like rumor than fact to me, mostly because I have difficulty believing that anything this supremely stupid would ever get off the ground, even in Dilbertesqe Corporate America. Does anyone have actual confirmation?
Why did this get moderated from Informative to Flamebait? Granted, it does contain hyperbole, and the author does admit he's ranting at bit, but the post does suggest alternatives; it's not just an anti-X blast. Instead of moderating it down, why not post a rebuttal?
Slashdot Mirror
I can't believe I actually laughed (out loud, no less) at a "Funny" Slashdot post.
Or Opera...
Pop-up ads are easily killed by an ALT-F4, Pop-Unders are more of a bitch. Thank God for www.panicware.com and www.proxomitron.org (among others)
I whole-heartedly support this. It makes it much easier on the snipers.
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If you were half the man your father, err... your much older brother was you wouldn't need to customize a laptop - you would fit an LCD into an ATX case and customize to your hearts content.
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We made our copies onto analog cassette tapes in real time and traded hissy compilations amongst ourselves and we liked it!
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stupid lameness filter....
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Seriously, the main problem with asteroid collisions is that they hit the surface of the earth perpendicularly, or at least close to it.
Detection is fine as far as that goes, but we need to take steps at prevention.
If there was some way to tilt the earth (given early detection of an incoming asteroid), in all probability the asteroid would simply pass underneath or just above the surface.
Given that it is much harder to hit the edge of a disk than the face, catastrophe could be averted; many lives would be saved.
A problem of course, is tilting the earth in time.
Another is how? Perhaps massive migration to one end of the world to the other would move enough mass to tilt the earth. Outposts should be maintained in Alaska, Siberia, Australia, and Greenland for just such a contingency.
Perhaps research should also be directed at communicating with The Great Tortise - perhaps He could be persuaded to lean in the event...
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Oh, Crap! My Karma!
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Crocodile Dundee 2, however, was completely worthless. Whereas the first movie promoted/embarrassed Australia to the rest of the world, the sequel was able to do nothing but suck.
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Before the trolls go completely ape-shit I hope there's some recognition that the man deserves better than to be mocked at death and tied to a role he wanted to forget.
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Arcade games run from a few hundred for old classics to several grand for the latest and the greatest at various auctions. Self built emulators sound pretty cool, but it's just not the same.
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Best "flight simulator": original wireframe Star Wars
Best sports game and best GPA killer: Super Tecmo Bowl for NES
Best game ever: Asteroids
Honorable Mentions: Archon for C=64, Space Harrier, Missile Command, Outrun, Galaga, Centipede.
I probably forgot a game or two....
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Yes. Yes it is.
2) You have obviously read almost nothing about Linux, including the documentation that came with the copy that you bought. If you had read anything, you would have known the "startx" command. I have not personally seen the Corel Linux manual, however I am sure that they have documented this command.
I have read very little. And does it really matter? Corel Linux was free (or it will be if those damned rebate checks ever arrive), and I merely wanted to know what all the fuss over Linux was about; I certainly wasn't planning to Linux my primary OS (although I hadn't dismissed the idea right off, either). I wasn't expecting it to be easy, but I expected the manual to be sufficient. I did read the Corel manual; I didn't read it cover to cover, but I didn't (and still don't) find any mention of "startx" (it's probably in there, but don't count on it). Actually, there is very little command line information in the manual. Most of the info in the manual is stuff like "To minimize an Application Window, click the Minimize button on the Title Bar of the Application Window." In fact, command line stuff doesn't come up until page 289. Needless to say, I did not read that far ahead before attempting to install. Also, there are a discouraging number of errors and remnants from the outdated editions.
BTW, were you really surprised to see a SERVER OS (as you configured it) start without a graphical interface?
Not at all. However, I was unhappy that this was the only configuration that would install on my desktop.
It just irritates me that you paint the OS in such a bad light when you have not even taken the time to learn about "startx". [sic]
Obviously. Personally, I don't think I did put Linux in a bad light. I recognize that Linux does many things very well. Unfortunately, they aren't all things I care about. I applaud your zealousness, but it doesn't change the fact once I got Corel Linux to install, I was underwhelmed. Obviously, not everyone cares a lot about computers (hence the popularity of AOL, etc. Insert similar rant here). I appreciate things that are made well, that are designed well, that work well - Magnaplanar speakers, rotary telephones from before they broke up AT&T, Spyderco pocketknives, the Asics Ekiden from 1990, Voyager probes. My computers don't measure up. My OSes don't measure up. I hope one day they will. Check back in a month or two to read about my adventures with Mandrake Linux, or BeOS, or BSD, or Apple, or Windows 2000, etc.
I feel obligated to get back on topic, so here goes: No, I don't think this is a hoax, but I agree they may have bitten off more than they can chew.
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They said their intital goal is compatability. As far as that goes, nobody is going to be interested. I mean, all y'all who are running Windows, didn't it come with your computer whether you wanted it or not, or didn't you pirate, err... borrow it?
However, if they manage to get to phase two, IMPROVING it, I'm all for it. The idea of being able to choose between many different free distributions of Windows like you can with Linux appeals to me. This of course presumes that Red Hat Windows, etc, will be stable (Hell, I'd even care less about the Blue Screen of Death if it came in different colors).
Propping Linux here is preaching to the choir, but my limited newbie experience with Linux has been underwhelming thus far. I KNOW that Linux kicks ass, but unfortunately, not at anything that I care about. I likeWord97. GIMP is still Photoshop's bitch. Corel Linux is slower than Win95 at everything (at least on my p166).
I'm not bashing Linux, and I'm not advocating Windows. Both are different, and both need work (IMHO). For me, this open Windows clone project is a great idea.
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Unfortunately, even though we all ruled that egg drop thing in the 5th grade, we don't have a better suggestion.
I'm not even saying that it won't work - I'm just saying that I don't think Sir Isaac Newton or even Arthur C. Clarke would have done it this way in 2003 (man, that used to sound so futuristic).
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Still, I'm glad to see them doing something. It's depressing to think that after all this time, Mars is still such a pipe dream. As a child, I was expecting men to walk on Mars by now; I was hoping Gloria Steinem would get to bitch, "Mars needs women!"
2003. Airbags. Roll a half-mile. Sigh.
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