However from experience in a programming environment, many programmers put on the headphones in an attempt to tune everyone else out and concentrate. When I see the headphones I don't interrupt unless it is something really important.
It is amazing how little most of us really need to print. We print most things to PDF's, and store digitally.
For the once a month item we do actually print a laser printer was affordable to buy, works great, and operates on pennies.
Pictures look (and last?) much better on real photo paper anyway. MPix.com is amazing (among others), and even the kiosk at the local big box store (or neighborhood photo store if you are still lucky enough to have one) work decent.
The world of photo editing is one of the few areas left were there is simply no real competition on the mid to high end. There is Photoshop, and several less powerful apps. I so wanted Gimp to succeed, but the whole interface is simply a train wreck. Power users need more, and normal users will beat their brains in with a crowbar before figuring out how to run Gimp. The only reason its even alive at all, is the aforementioned lack of any competition.
Dropped our cable about 2 years ago, when the price went from $40 to $50 a month. With Netflix, Hulu, and Boxee streaming through our $50 off lease Dell, the only thing we miss is sports. May put up an antennae just to pull in the local teams in HD.
I really enjoy many British TV shows over their American counterpart. For example Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in the US is produced as a reality show, and keys in on the personality conflicts and yelling. The British version of the same show keys on what is wrong with the business and food, and shows Gordon's softer side. The difference is night and day. British movies on Netflix actually have a plot, and not the same formula movie's the US audience has to eat.
That said, would not pay money to watch the channel, but would go along with a localized ad supported version.
State run TV Stations. There is at least one person thinks this is a good idea?? Yikes!
We canceled our cable a couple years ago, and have lived quiet happily with HULU, a $9 Netflix subscription, and a $50 Craigslist post lease PC attached to our HDTV.
Hulu has always been very generous (IMO) with the number of ads in their content. I always assumed at some point they would take that up to the same level as network TV. Keep in mind networks have existed happily for many years broadcasting free with only the ad revenue.
If and when HULU goes pay (depending on content and terms) our household will most likely simply stop watching HULU.
Soon misnohmer will have to disclose what he was paid for this ad?
I hope the Droid does well, competition is needed to push this device space as a whole.. With the open platform the Android phones likely have the best chance of success.
Find the comments hilarious about the capabilities of pre iPhone so called "smart" phones. I hear them whining "but my phone can do this... and this.. and this." Give it up. the world has moved on from phones with a bunch of hardware added on by the marketing department in a manner only a true geek could make work, to truly handheld computers.
We have 4 computers in our house, 2 Macs and 2 Windows boxes. In essence, we try to find the best tool for the job at hand, whether that is PC or Mac (or something else).
Mac one: an old unit that is relegated to the kids.
Mac Two: My wifes newish Macbook Pro we travel with, and use for family pics, videos, etc..
PC one: A used dell we picked up for $50 and made into a media server feeding our HDTV netflix, Hulu, and ripped movies so our kids don't destroy the original. (and canceled our cable).
PC two: My 17", 1920x1200, dedicated video Dell Laptop I use for some PC only software. It cost $1200 refurbished, and a 17" mac is 2.5 times that, and not even possible to purchase this screen. Plus the added pain of running a vm or duel booting made a PC the best choice for this use.
MS has two SKU's for Vista, one that includes the "free" 7 voucher costs the OEM an additional $16 (approximate). So at least part of the cost is going to MS, and not simply the cost of mailing out a new DVD. The true cost of a free Windows 7 upgrade revealed
The problem is they were using the free upgrade as a means to sell hardware right before a new OS release. Most customers new the release was imminent, and would have waited. Although there is a cost to mail out the DVD's, I believe that was the cost to get the sale a month early, and therefore should not get passed onto the customer.
Apple is charging their customers in the same situation $10 for the Snow Leopard upgrade. I expected free, but paid the $10
Never again will we purchase new hardware that close to an OS update. I'm guessing we are not alone.
MS really needs to allow downloading of the latest and up to date OS ISO.
Interesting idea. Could even spec the requirements for cars to ride (i.e. max size, attachment points). New cars could have big ugly stickers on them "bullet train capable". This would make high speed rail to areas of lower population density areas, and thus poor public transportation systems, viable. Could add electrification to operate climate controls on the cars (another requirement) to eleviate the need for separate passenger compartments for short rides.
I have mixed feelings. The G8 education report is really enlightening, and everyone should read it before forming an opinion.
The idea that the US spends less time in the classroom is a myth. According to the AP research, the US spends about 1146 hours in the classroom, while students in Japan, Singapore, and Tiawan that outperforme the US in math and science average about 1000. They do attend more school days, but not more classroom hours.
Our school systems are already taxed financially. Many in our area are actually lengthening the day a few minutes, so they can go LESS days. The professional staff is all basically a fixed cost for the year, but utilities and supports staff are not. My sister is on a school board, and this was a major decision for them this year.
According to the G8 report, the US spends almost DOUBLE per student than other G8 countries. All the waste is not going to the teachers, but rather the overhead. Most of my teaching friends goal is to get into school management so their salaries can double or more. Statistically the number one thing that helps students performance better is great teachers, not free laptops or technology (although they do help some, but even more with great teachers). We need to make sure the budget is making it into the classroom, with teacher pay that encourages great teachers. Teachers are not overpaid.
The idea of tenure at a taxpayer funded institution is lunacy. Teachers need higher pay, but poor teachers need fired and replaced with someone that can do the job better.
Personally I would not mind a longer school day, but not crazy about a lengthened school year. Sports and other extra curricular activities could work into the end of the school day, instead of after school. The changes would not be as drastic. The biggest drawback is funding, longer hours are not free. Without drastic changes to how schools operate (good idea, but not easy to accomplish in practice) is to raise taxes.
As a driver, cyclist, and pedestrian when possible, the "stay off the road" remarks are really short sighted.
Why do you assume there is someplace to walk besides the road? In today's "car" world many small towns (i.e. population 10k) do not even bother building sidewalks, or the ones they have are 80 years old and unsafe (nothing wheeled like bicycles or wagons can traverse the offset cracks).
In one nearby community seeing wheelchairs, baby strollers, and kids walking on a five lane 45mph road is not unusual, as the local politicians didn't bother spending the money for sidewalks when they expanded. Our town just ripped out some aging sidewalks and put grass back, leaving only the road to walk on, stating they did not have the funds to replace them. Most of the local kids (including mine) still walk to school here, so they have no choice except to walk on the streets.
Not everyone lives in a walkable community like New York.
Slashdot Mirror
The theaters get to keep very little from ticket sales, almost all of their profit is from refreshments.
Make good products, people buy them. Simple really.
Personally I find music distracting.
However from experience in a programming environment, many programmers put on the headphones in an attempt to tune everyone else out and concentrate. When I see the headphones I don't interrupt unless it is something really important.
It is amazing how little most of us really need to print. We print most things to PDF's, and store digitally.
For the once a month item we do actually print a laser printer was affordable to buy, works great, and operates on pennies.
Pictures look (and last?) much better on real photo paper anyway. MPix.com is amazing (among others), and even the kiosk at the local big box store (or neighborhood photo store if you are still lucky enough to have one) work decent.
Opt out... refuse to play their game.
For the community. I hear they have pot luck dinners every Sunday afternoon.
The world of photo editing is one of the few areas left were there is simply no real competition on the mid to high end. There is Photoshop, and several less powerful apps. I so wanted Gimp to succeed, but the whole interface is simply a train wreck. Power users need more, and normal users will beat their brains in with a crowbar before figuring out how to run Gimp. The only reason its even alive at all, is the aforementioned lack of any competition.
Why would you need a pvr with a stream?
Dropped our cable about 2 years ago, when the price went from $40 to $50 a month. With Netflix, Hulu, and Boxee streaming through our $50 off lease Dell, the only thing we miss is sports. May put up an antennae just to pull in the local teams in HD.
I really enjoy many British TV shows over their American counterpart. For example Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in the US is produced as a reality show, and keys in on the personality conflicts and yelling. The British version of the same show keys on what is wrong with the business and food, and shows Gordon's softer side. The difference is night and day. British movies on Netflix actually have a plot, and not the same formula movie's the US audience has to eat.
That said, would not pay money to watch the channel, but would go along with a localized ad supported version.
State run TV Stations. There is at least one person thinks this is a good idea?? Yikes!
We canceled our cable a couple years ago, and have lived quiet happily with HULU, a $9 Netflix subscription, and a $50 Craigslist post lease PC attached to our HDTV.
Hulu has always been very generous (IMO) with the number of ads in their content. I always assumed at some point they would take that up to the same level as network TV. Keep in mind networks have existed happily for many years broadcasting free with only the ad revenue.
If and when HULU goes pay (depending on content and terms) our household will most likely simply stop watching HULU.
How does it compare to Grand Central Dispatch?
Soon misnohmer will have to disclose what he was paid for this ad?
I hope the Droid does well, competition is needed to push this device space as a whole.. With the open platform the Android phones likely have the best chance of success.
Find the comments hilarious about the capabilities of pre iPhone so called "smart" phones. I hear them whining "but my phone can do this... and this.. and this." Give it up. the world has moved on from phones with a bunch of hardware added on by the marketing department in a manner only a true geek could make work, to truly handheld computers.
Always assumed this was for accomplishments, not good intentions.
Myspace? Nobody goes there anymore... it's too popular.
The problem is they were using the free upgrade as a means to sell hardware right before a new OS release. Most customers new the release was imminent, and would have waited. Although there is a cost to mail out the DVD's, I believe that was the cost to get the sale a month early, and therefore should not get passed onto the customer.
Apple is charging their customers in the same situation $10 for the Snow Leopard upgrade. I expected free, but paid the $10
Never again will we purchase new hardware that close to an OS update. I'm guessing we are not alone.
MS really needs to allow downloading of the latest and up to date OS ISO.
Interesting idea. Could even spec the requirements for cars to ride (i.e. max size, attachment points). New cars could have big ugly stickers on them "bullet train capable". This would make high speed rail to areas of lower population density areas, and thus poor public transportation systems, viable. Could add electrification to operate climate controls on the cars (another requirement) to eleviate the need for separate passenger compartments for short rides.
The federal funding for airports comes from an airplane fuel tax, and a ticket tax, not the general fund.
Logic prevailed.
The idea that the US spends less time in the classroom is a myth. According to the AP research, the US spends about 1146 hours in the classroom, while students in Japan, Singapore, and Tiawan that outperforme the US in math and science average about 1000. They do attend more school days, but not more classroom hours.
Our school systems are already taxed financially. Many in our area are actually lengthening the day a few minutes, so they can go LESS days. The professional staff is all basically a fixed cost for the year, but utilities and supports staff are not. My sister is on a school board, and this was a major decision for them this year.
According to the G8 report, the US spends almost DOUBLE per student than other G8 countries. All the waste is not going to the teachers, but rather the overhead. Most of my teaching friends goal is to get into school management so their salaries can double or more. Statistically the number one thing that helps students performance better is great teachers, not free laptops or technology (although they do help some, but even more with great teachers). We need to make sure the budget is making it into the classroom, with teacher pay that encourages great teachers. Teachers are not overpaid.
The idea of tenure at a taxpayer funded institution is lunacy. Teachers need higher pay, but poor teachers need fired and replaced with someone that can do the job better.
Personally I would not mind a longer school day, but not crazy about a lengthened school year. Sports and other extra curricular activities could work into the end of the school day, instead of after school. The changes would not be as drastic. The biggest drawback is funding, longer hours are not free. Without drastic changes to how schools operate (good idea, but not easy to accomplish in practice) is to raise taxes.
He did his time, he should be allowed to go back to work.
Physical access = Easy to Pwn.
James Ware
Why do you assume there is someplace to walk besides the road? In today's "car" world many small towns (i.e. population 10k) do not even bother building sidewalks, or the ones they have are 80 years old and unsafe (nothing wheeled like bicycles or wagons can traverse the offset cracks).
In one nearby community seeing wheelchairs, baby strollers, and kids walking on a five lane 45mph road is not unusual, as the local politicians didn't bother spending the money for sidewalks when they expanded. Our town just ripped out some aging sidewalks and put grass back, leaving only the road to walk on, stating they did not have the funds to replace them. Most of the local kids (including mine) still walk to school here, so they have no choice except to walk on the streets. Not everyone lives in a walkable community like New York.
For out household it is easier than ever. Netflix and Hulu know exactly what we have watched and when.