> And as long as all externalities are paid for by the people causing them. Which rules out the ANWR, doesn't it?
You're right - it would most effect Alaskans, particularly the Inuit. Odd how most Alaskans, and north coast Inuit seem to be in favor of ANWR drilling. Oh, well. Let's just import more mid-east oil.
It improves the perception of security. That way marketing has a bullet item to use in advertising and sales presentations. On a more positive note, it's provided marketing collateral for Apple as well ("Cancel or Allow"). Too bad no one at Microsoft noticed how Linux handles authorization for administrative tasks.
> Washington does not intervene to fix the labor surplus (which is leading to massive > layoffs) in Detroit. Why should Washington intervene to fix a labor shortage?
Could it be cause politicians are paid off to do so?
I bought a Dell E521 in October. Installed Ubuntu on it (dual boot). After about five minutes, the mouse would stop working (the E521 uses a USB only mouse). You could re-plug the mouse USB connector and it would start working again - for about five minutes. Tried all sorts of things including a complete re-install. No dice. Checked the Dell and Ubuntu news groups. I was not the only person experiencing this problem and it occurred with several other distributions. Several people had contacted Dell - which provided no help (other than to say they don't support Linux). Several had returned their machines.
In January, Dell released a new firmware upgrade. The upgrade notes made no mention of the Linux problem but after I re-flashed the firmware, the problem disappeared. So, if Dell starts testing their hardware and BIOS with various Linux distros - that will be a very good thing.
> people watch and store videos and music on their computer -- sometimes simultaneously.
Sure, you can watch video with a 800 Mhz, 256 MB, Windows 2000 box. But you can't do all the real-time encryption / decryption operations required for modern DRM systems. So we're SO MUCH better off with today's faster machines and Vista.
Yeah, that's why they're called special effects. Next comes replacing the actors with CGI and synthesized voices. In many cases it will be obvious because the quality of the acting will improve.
The **AA must have forgotten to pay off the BBC. Seriously - the copyright mafiaa is out of touch (and out of control) with the rest of the US. The only reason for their success in the US is that they've been very good at buying off American politicians.
> Being unable to meet demand only means bad things for Nintendo
Well, maybe. They claim that they've ramped manufacturing up to a million a month. They've left the PS3 in the dust and they're shipping units faster than Microsoft was at the same point. They are also experiencing shortages with DS's. These are selling at three times the rate as the Wii. The company's last quarterly earnings announcement could be summarized as "We're printing money". Game makers are changing their plans to include Wii releases.
They could have anticipated the demand. But to be fair - no one else did. They could bring additional manufacturing facilities on-line. But it's not clear - given the cost and lead time, that it would currently make sense to do so. So bottom line - they're doing pretty good. I'm sure Sir Howard would gladly trade places with Iwata.
> Give Chavez 5 more years... and then wait to see what happens.
No need to wait - take a look at Bob Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Government thuggery, hyperinflation, crumbling infrastructure, and starvation. Chavez is following the exact same path. Five years from now, OSS vs. Closed Source is going to be the least of Venezuela's problems.
Don't believe me - it's starting right now. Government seizures of private property has eliminated foreign investment and credit (who's going to invest in a country that'll steal your investment). Shortages are starting to occur. Government mandated price controls are making them much worse. And the entrepreneurs and technical people are voting with their feet. Expect Chavez to react by blaming the US, by seizing greater power, and by 'cracking down' on any and all opposition.
Seriously, this is a great way to completely kill all innovation in gaming hardware. Standards are fine for industries that have matured to the point that the product is a commodity. At that point everyone can build to the standard and compete on price (or perhaps service). Fortunately, the game industry isn't close to that point. Do you want super-powered graphics, integration with high-def video content, internet based multi-player support, novel control schemes. You (the market) decides and the winners go onto to the next round.
As with the Democrats, the Republicans are made up of a coalition of different interests - not solely the religious right. There's a substantial (small-l) libertarian contingent in the party that is rarely mentioned by the press. Over the past few years, the GOP has ignored this group on a number of key issues, such as fiscal management. The left views the '06 election as an ideological mandate for liberalism. I view the '06 election as a repudiation of the GOP Congress and Bush by the small government / libertarian portion of the GOP base.
NOLF - "No One Lives Forever", a wonderful parody of the 1960's spy genre. One of the most enjoyable FPS's I've ever played. Mostly due to HUMOR being a major element of the game. However, it definitely fits the mold of 'losing for the win'.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
You proceed through a long series of misadventures - ultimately failed missions. By the end of the game it turns out that the agency had a mole who was sabotaging your missions. The agency knew about this and set you up, in order to find the mole. A final surprise awaited at the end of the credits. Overall, a GREAT game. Alas, followed by a very disappointing sequel.
Slashdot Mirror
> And as long as all externalities are paid for by the people causing them. Which rules out the ANWR, doesn't it?
You're right - it would most effect Alaskans, particularly the Inuit. Odd how most Alaskans, and north coast Inuit seem to be in favor of ANWR drilling. Oh, well. Let's just import more mid-east oil.
The RIAA's Department of Pre-Infringement sends you a letter warning that they know you were planning to infringe and demanding a settlement.
(Oops, I just infringed on the work of Philip K. Dick).
It improves the perception of security. That way marketing has a bullet item to use in advertising and sales presentations. On a more positive note, it's provided marketing collateral for Apple as well ("Cancel or Allow"). Too bad no one at Microsoft noticed how Linux handles authorization for administrative tasks.
I lost track - is this an even or odd StarTrek movie?
> If you want to run Linux don't buy the Dell Dimension E521.
If you mean the USB mouse problem w. Ubuntu, Dell's Jan '07 BIOS upgrade fixes that.
As a Nintendo shareholder, you have my deepest gratitude.
> Washington does not intervene to fix the labor surplus (which is leading to massive
> layoffs) in Detroit. Why should Washington intervene to fix a labor shortage?
Could it be cause politicians are paid off to do so?
The responsible action would be to warn each site's administrator of the vulnerability. Regardless of your personal political views.
I bought a Dell E521 in October. Installed Ubuntu on it (dual boot). After about five minutes, the mouse would stop working (the E521 uses a USB only mouse). You could re-plug the mouse USB connector and it would start working again - for about five minutes. Tried all sorts of things including a complete re-install. No dice. Checked the Dell and Ubuntu news groups. I was not the only person experiencing this problem and it occurred with several other distributions. Several people had contacted Dell - which provided no help (other than to say they don't support Linux). Several had returned their machines.
In January, Dell released a new firmware upgrade. The upgrade notes made no mention of the Linux problem but after I re-flashed the firmware, the problem disappeared. So, if Dell starts testing their hardware and BIOS with various Linux distros - that will be a very good thing.
> Who wants to take bets on which console Gore is backing!
Checkers by candle light?
Just wanted to make sure I understand this:
Government spying on suspected terrorists w or w/o a warrant - BAD
Vigilante spying on suspected perverts w/o a warrant = GOOD
> people watch and store videos and music on their computer -- sometimes simultaneously.
Sure, you can watch video with a 800 Mhz, 256 MB, Windows 2000 box. But you can't do all the real-time encryption / decryption operations required for modern DRM systems. So we're SO MUCH better off with today's faster machines and Vista.
Yeah, that's why they're called special effects. Next comes replacing the actors with CGI and synthesized voices. In many cases it will be obvious because the quality of the acting will improve.
> Why doesn't the Australian government mandate the use of candles?
Or whale oil lamps
The **AA must have forgotten to pay off the BBC. Seriously - the copyright mafiaa is out of touch (and out of control) with the rest of the US. The only reason for their success in the US is that they've been very good at buying off American politicians.
Hope they're putting a big recycling effort in place for used compact fluorescent bulbs.
In Soviet Union police officers catch you ... oh, wait ...
> So is Wall Street, and that didn't stop Spitzer from going after them
Spitzer's got integrity - something in EXTREMELY short supply among politicians of either party.
> Being unable to meet demand only means bad things for Nintendo
Well, maybe. They claim that they've ramped manufacturing up to a million a month. They've left the PS3 in the dust and they're shipping units faster than Microsoft was at the same point. They are also experiencing shortages with DS's. These are selling at three times the rate as the Wii. The company's last quarterly earnings announcement could be summarized as "We're printing money". Game makers are changing their plans to include Wii releases.
They could have anticipated the demand. But to be fair - no one else did. They could bring additional manufacturing facilities on-line. But it's not clear - given the cost and lead time, that it would currently make sense to do so. So bottom line - they're doing pretty good. I'm sure Sir Howard would gladly trade places with Iwata.
> I wonder how much longer Hollywood Accounting will be allowed to continue.
That would be 'forever'. The entertainment industry is very generous in helping to provide money and celebrity support to politicians.
> Give Chavez 5 more years... and then wait to see what happens.
No need to wait - take a look at Bob Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Government thuggery, hyperinflation, crumbling infrastructure, and starvation. Chavez is following the exact same path. Five years from now, OSS vs. Closed Source is going to be the least of Venezuela's problems.
Don't believe me - it's starting right now. Government seizures of private property has eliminated foreign investment and credit (who's going to invest in a country that'll steal your investment). Shortages are starting to occur. Government mandated price controls are making them much worse. And the entrepreneurs and technical people are voting with their feet. Expect Chavez to react by blaming the US, by seizing greater power, and by 'cracking down' on any and all opposition.
I thought Microsoft already developed that! :-)
Seriously, this is a great way to completely kill all innovation in gaming hardware. Standards are fine for industries that have matured to the point that the product is a commodity. At that point everyone can build to the standard and compete on price (or perhaps service). Fortunately, the game industry isn't close to that point. Do you want super-powered graphics, integration with high-def video content, internet based multi-player support, novel control schemes. You (the market) decides and the winners go onto to the next round.
As with the Democrats, the Republicans are made up of a coalition of different interests - not solely the religious right. There's a substantial (small-l) libertarian contingent in the party that is rarely mentioned by the press. Over the past few years, the GOP has ignored this group on a number of key issues, such as fiscal management. The left views the '06 election as an ideological mandate for liberalism. I view the '06 election as a repudiation of the GOP Congress and Bush by the small government / libertarian portion of the GOP base.
NOLF - "No One Lives Forever", a wonderful parody of the 1960's spy genre. One of the most enjoyable FPS's I've ever played. Mostly due to HUMOR being a major element of the game. However, it definitely fits the mold of 'losing for the win'.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
You proceed through a long series of misadventures - ultimately failed missions. By the end of the game it turns out that the agency had a mole who was sabotaging your missions. The agency knew about this and set you up, in order to find the mole. A final surprise awaited at the end of the credits. Overall, a GREAT game. Alas, followed by a very disappointing sequel.
> winding up the Germans over the war and\or football.
You mean SOCCER. I'll never understand how anyone can get excited about a game that goes on and on and ends with a score of Zero To One.