Don't knock PBS. They have the best content of all OTA broadcast television signals. In a couple weeks I will be moving to a location where OTA television is the only option (aside from satellite). My only problem with this? GPB isn't broadcasting an HD signal yet. I should be able to get PBA, but I prefer GPB's schedule to PBA's. But, since they are both PBS stations, I will still be able to get my News Hour fix; albeit, and hour later than on GPB.
If I had any mod points I would mod your post up as informative. I just got a 360 a couple of weeks ago. I was playing Dead or Alive 4 with a friend Saturday night. We had two open slots for public players. One of the guys that joined was driving me batty and I was wishing I could mute him. I didn't know it was possible to do so. I think you have just saved my sanity in future games.
How about backing up some of your claims? In the interviews with developers that I've read they seem to fawn over the 360. I also just got a 360 and a 720p LCD TV in the past couple weeks. I have to say, Dead or Alive 4, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and Project Gotham Racing 3 look pretty damn good. NFS does lag at 720p, though. Neither of my other games do.
I mostly agree. But a lot of the people taking the courses where MathCAD is a requirement will not be going on to the higher level maths. Even then, the mathematics program here, of which I am 45 hours away from completing, is an applied degree. There is a fair amount of theory in the upper division courses, though. I've had about half of my junior/senior courses be technology heavy and the other half have zero need for a calculating device. Like this semester, I'm taking PDEs and Survey of Algebra. The first I use a fair amount of technology, my TI-89 in combination with Maple, and the other is all theory.
You have to use the calculator correctly to get any real benefit from it. If you are using it just to get the answers then, yes, you will be screwed. At my university, calculators are not allowed because we have a required laptop policy. So the math department requires MathCAD for the lower level math courses and doesn't want students using anything other than that. However, I have always used my TI-89 in class and on exams instead of MathCAD (and Maple in my upper division courses). I've never had a problem. Different universities have different policies. You shouldn't cast out your university's "no calculators" policy as the policy for all. I do agree with you that knowing how to do it all by hand is the only way to go. But once you know the methods, there is no sense in wasting time doing it by hand when technology can be of assistance.
I'll agree that Maple is more advanced than a calculator. But the CAS on the TI-89 is no joke. I can solve DEs on my calculator "by hand" much quicker than I can with Maple. In other words, no using dsolve() in Maple or desolve() on the 89.
I've also seen the TI-89 solve an equation an return a simple result whereas Maple returned something not even remotely simple.
Interesting. I gather that it supports all the functionality of the TI-89? I love my (first generation) TI-89. I took my first ODE course last semester, and PDE this semester. My school has a site license for Maple so I have access to that. I use my 89 much more than Maple. Whenever I would to try to use Maple on my exams, it just slowed me down.
I've considered getting a TI-89 Titanium just so I can use a USB cable instead of the grey GraphLink cable (yeah, I have one of those old things). But I don't think I will get one because I don't like the keyboard and form factor. The original 89 is easier to hold and the keyboard is easier to use, in my opinion. So if the answer to my first question is yes, my real question is have these things been considered? A mouse like interface is "cool" but I don't see how it will aid a student who is trying to do some quick calculations. Remember, a student has only fifty minutes to seventy-five minutes (at least, at my university [clayton.edu]). Are you guys testing that calculator under such conditions?
"It just so happens that Mac OS X's default malloc does the "switch" at 15 KB (search for LARGE_THRESHOLD) whereas Lea's allocator does it at 128 KB (search for DEFAULT_MMAP_THRESHOLD). Sekhon's 35 KB allocations fall right in the middle.
So what this means is that on Mac OS X, every 35 KB allocation is causing a round trip to the kernel for fresh pages, whereas on Windows and Linux the allocations are serviced from the application heap, without talking to the kernel at all. Similarly, every free() causes another round trip on Mac OS X, but not on Linux or Windows. None of the defragmentation benefits of using fresh pages come into play because Sekhon frees these blocks immediately after allocating them, which is, shall we say, an unusual allocation pattern."
Exactly my thoughts. I think this section of the "article" is indicative of the whole thing. Here is my summary:
Guy who writes for a Linux community web site is invited on an all expense paid trip to the Microsoft campus. He figures, "what the hell, why not?" and goes on the trip. On said trip he tries to be the biggest jerk to the PR guys he can possibly be; knowing full well that they are Public Relations and it is their job to skirt questions. Upon returning from the trip he decides to write a snide article.
"Ohhh, they have office buildings." Seriously? Did you think they work in huts? Who cares?
You don't have the Mac developers to fix-up Firefox? Do you guys even talk to the Camino team? Even if you just borrowed Keychain support from them, Firefox would be a huge improvement on the Mac.
Notice the infobox on the right side of that article. The original series aired for only eighty episodes. The original Stargate television series just aired its 200th episode. I do believe 200 is greater than 80.
I want to thank you for asking the question. I, too, am a CS->Math convert. People are always asking me what I plan to do with a degree in math. Now I have something to back up my "whatever I want" response. I really had no clue what would be available before now, but I like what I see here.
You are correct. I absolutely loathe Flash. But I am trying not to let that taint my responses to you.
1) The W3C recommendations do not preclude Flash being optional. They include the object element specifically for such technologies. The object element gracefully degrades to something the user can view, if used properly. Here is a link to the definition in the HTML 4.01 recommendation -- http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/struct/objects.html#ede f-OBJECT
2) On the Dreamengine site, click the "Heliosphere" icon (the only thing I have clicked on). It takes at least two seconds for the content to show after then menu has changed locations (I am on 3Mb/s DSL). Even if the content loaded immediately, changing the location of the menu is a very bad thing to do. The user has to reorient to the page.
Ignoring my prejudice against Flash, using Flash for content is a very bad thing. Not everyone that uses the internet can see colors, or even see at all. As far as I know, Flash completely breaks screen readers and will completely lock out those who have to use them. I really can't say that for sure because I don't use Flash.
There is the problem. You want the user to see what you see. The point of the web is to transfer information. It is possible to suggest how that information is presented, but, ultimately, the user decides how to "view" it. Fonts and moving pictures are pretty but they are distracting. I have a hard time reading unmoving text when there is something in view that is moving at all. So, your "right balance" is completely wrong for me.
Back to the original point of this thread. Those two links where the site is nothing but Flash are exactly what I was talking about. I don't feel any desire to find or read the content because it is too difficult get to. No, it isn't hard to (for me) to see the image that says something akin to "click here," click the image, and get the content. The difficulty is that I had already asked for the content. I shouldn't have to start clicking more things to get to it unless there is more content that would make sense to be on another page (like the pages of a book). And then when I do have to navigate to a new page, I should have to wait for a bunch of animations and loading screens. I should be presented with the meat of the content (readable text) while any images load. That way I get what I am looking for and the pretty stuff fills in as my connection allows.
Again, I'm not trying to attack you, but writing off validation because you don't understand its purpose is something that bugs me.
Please give us an example of Flash used well for a web site design and not some video or game. I have yet to see a site completely designed in Flash that I didn't close after a few seconds because of either 1) not being able to navigate the wretched thing or 2) not being able to access the content immediately. Waiting on some animation to play before being able to read the content tells me that the content isn't worth waiting for.
I don't mean for this post to be an assault, but put your money where your mouth is (so to speak).
Shred everything that has your name and address on it. And don't use some shitty straight cut shredder either. If you aren't using at least a cross-cut shredder, you are just wasting your time.
duplicate -- adjective |?d(y)o?pl?kit| [ attrib. ] 1 exactly like something else, esp. through having been copied : a duplicate license is issued to replace a valid license which has been lost. 2 having two corresponding or identical parts : a duplicate application form. twice as large or many; doubled : duplicate taxes on oil and gas.
If you actually _read_ the/. articles you will see that the word "duplicate" does not apply to them.
The programs that install with the system installer program (whatever its name is) install to the system-wide "/Applications" directory, by default. If you specify a user's "~/Applications" directory, I don't think you have to type the root password. I'm not sure about that, though; I don't install too many programs that use that installer. The ones I do install, which use it, I don't mind them installing to the system-wide directory. Any drag-and-drop install programs I download go into my "~/Applications" directory (or a sub-directory thereof).
Also, there are some programs that install more than just what you interact with. A couple of examples: I have a USB->Serial adapter that requires a kernel extension to use. It installs with the sytem installer. Also, NeoOffice installs at least one thing that goes into a protected directory -- a Spotlight plugin. Sure, they could install the plugin to the user's local Spotlight plugin directory, but they don't.
In short, I don't mind having to use my root password to install some things. I just make sure I know what is actually being installed when I do so. That is what the password prompt is for -- to make the user question what they are doing.
Re:Switched to Monedance last March...
on
GnuCash 1.9.0 Released
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
I get the "idea." But, being F/OSS doesn't make it instantly the most awesome product available. No, Moneydance isn't that either; it is better than GnuCash, though. At least, it is better than the last version of GnuCash I used. I like free just as much as everyone else, but I like quality better.
...and haven't missed GnuCash one bit. As a personal finance manager, GnuCash sucks. Moneydance is easy to use and comes with a decent default account to get a new user started. Moneydance is well worth the minimal price tag if you need to keep track of your personal finances. If I needed to manage a small business I might re-consider GnuCash, but I'm not sure. I might look at other alternatives based on my prior experience with GnuCash.
Will I have more character slots for the Guild Wars: Factions Global Free-For-All PvP Weekend?
Character slots will remain at four. However, those with an existing PvP character slot are invited to create a new PvP character to try out the new professions: The Assassin or The Ritualist. You are also welcome to use one of the global access keys to create a second account, if you wish.
Slashdot Mirror
Don't knock PBS. They have the best content of all OTA broadcast television signals. In a couple weeks I will be moving to a location where OTA television is the only option (aside from satellite). My only problem with this? GPB isn't broadcasting an HD signal yet. I should be able to get PBA, but I prefer GPB's schedule to PBA's. But, since they are both PBS stations, I will still be able to get my News Hour fix; albeit, and hour later than on GPB.
Thank you!
If I had any mod points I would mod your post up as informative. I just got a 360 a couple of weeks ago. I was playing Dead or Alive 4 with a friend Saturday night. We had two open slots for public players. One of the guys that joined was driving me batty and I was wishing I could mute him. I didn't know it was possible to do so. I think you have just saved my sanity in future games.
How about backing up some of your claims? In the interviews with developers that I've read they seem to fawn over the 360. I also just got a 360 and a 720p LCD TV in the past couple weeks. I have to say, Dead or Alive 4, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and Project Gotham Racing 3 look pretty damn good. NFS does lag at 720p, though. Neither of my other games do.
I mostly agree. But a lot of the people taking the courses where MathCAD is a requirement will not be going on to the higher level maths. Even then, the mathematics program here, of which I am 45 hours away from completing, is an applied degree. There is a fair amount of theory in the upper division courses, though. I've had about half of my junior/senior courses be technology heavy and the other half have zero need for a calculating device. Like this semester, I'm taking PDEs and Survey of Algebra. The first I use a fair amount of technology, my TI-89 in combination with Maple, and the other is all theory.
You have to use the calculator correctly to get any real benefit from it. If you are using it just to get the answers then, yes, you will be screwed. At my university, calculators are not allowed because we have a required laptop policy. So the math department requires MathCAD for the lower level math courses and doesn't want students using anything other than that. However, I have always used my TI-89 in class and on exams instead of MathCAD (and Maple in my upper division courses). I've never had a problem. Different universities have different policies. You shouldn't cast out your university's "no calculators" policy as the policy for all. I do agree with you that knowing how to do it all by hand is the only way to go. But once you know the methods, there is no sense in wasting time doing it by hand when technology can be of assistance.
I'll agree that Maple is more advanced than a calculator. But the CAS on the TI-89 is no joke. I can solve DEs on my calculator "by hand" much quicker than I can with Maple. In other words, no using dsolve() in Maple or desolve() on the 89.
I've also seen the TI-89 solve an equation an return a simple result whereas Maple returned something not even remotely simple.
Interesting. I gather that it supports all the functionality of the TI-89? I love my (first generation) TI-89. I took my first ODE course last semester, and PDE this semester. My school has a site license for Maple so I have access to that. I use my 89 much more than Maple. Whenever I would to try to use Maple on my exams, it just slowed me down.
I've considered getting a TI-89 Titanium just so I can use a USB cable instead of the grey GraphLink cable (yeah, I have one of those old things). But I don't think I will get one because I don't like the keyboard and form factor. The original 89 is easier to hold and the keyboard is easier to use, in my opinion. So if the answer to my first question is yes, my real question is have these things been considered? A mouse like interface is "cool" but I don't see how it will aid a student who is trying to do some quick calculations. Remember, a student has only fifty minutes to seventy-five minutes (at least, at my university [clayton.edu]). Are you guys testing that calculator under such conditions?
Here is a little bit about how malloc works in OS X:
6 /36/
http://ridiculousfish.com/blog/archives/2006/05/1
"It just so happens that Mac OS X's default malloc does the "switch" at 15 KB (search for LARGE_THRESHOLD) whereas Lea's allocator does it at 128 KB (search for DEFAULT_MMAP_THRESHOLD). Sekhon's 35 KB allocations fall right in the middle.
So what this means is that on Mac OS X, every 35 KB allocation is causing a round trip to the kernel for fresh pages, whereas on Windows and Linux the allocations are serviced from the application heap, without talking to the kernel at all. Similarly, every free() causes another round trip on Mac OS X, but not on Linux or Windows. None of the defragmentation benefits of using fresh pages come into play because Sekhon frees these blocks immediately after allocating them, which is, shall we say, an unusual allocation pattern."
Mass hysteria.
Exactly my thoughts. I think this section of the "article" is indicative of the whole thing. Here is my summary:
Guy who writes for a Linux community web site is invited on an all expense paid trip to the Microsoft campus. He figures, "what the hell, why not?" and goes on the trip. On said trip he tries to be the biggest jerk to the PR guys he can possibly be; knowing full well that they are Public Relations and it is their job to skirt questions. Upon returning from the trip he decides to write a snide article.
"Ohhh, they have office buildings." Seriously? Did you think they work in huts? Who cares?
You don't have the Mac developers to fix-up Firefox? Do you guys even talk to the Camino team? Even if you just borrowed Keychain support from them, Firefox would be a huge improvement on the Mac.
Awesome. Too bad I don't have any mod points to mark that as hilarious.
Notice the infobox on the right side of that article. The original series aired for only eighty episodes. The original Stargate television series just aired its 200th episode. I do believe 200 is greater than 80.
I want to thank you for asking the question. I, too, am a CS->Math convert. People are always asking me what I plan to do with a degree in math. Now I have something to back up my "whatever I want" response. I really had no clue what would be available before now, but I like what I see here.
Sure, why not? http://www.xiph.org/quicktime/
You are correct. I absolutely loathe Flash. But I am trying not to let that taint my responses to you.
e f-OBJECT
1) The W3C recommendations do not preclude Flash being optional. They include the object element specifically for such technologies. The object element gracefully degrades to something the user can view, if used properly. Here is a link to the definition in the HTML 4.01 recommendation -- http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/struct/objects.html#ed
2) On the Dreamengine site, click the "Heliosphere" icon (the only thing I have clicked on). It takes at least two seconds for the content to show after then menu has changed locations (I am on 3Mb/s DSL). Even if the content loaded immediately, changing the location of the menu is a very bad thing to do. The user has to reorient to the page.
Ignoring my prejudice against Flash, using Flash for content is a very bad thing. Not everyone that uses the internet can see colors, or even see at all. As far as I know, Flash completely breaks screen readers and will completely lock out those who have to use them. I really can't say that for sure because I don't use Flash.
Just use the object element. It is designed, according to the specification, to do every single bit of that.
There is the problem. You want the user to see what you see. The point of the web is to transfer information. It is possible to suggest how that information is presented, but, ultimately, the user decides how to "view" it. Fonts and moving pictures are pretty but they are distracting. I have a hard time reading unmoving text when there is something in view that is moving at all. So, your "right balance" is completely wrong for me.
Back to the original point of this thread. Those two links where the site is nothing but Flash are exactly what I was talking about. I don't feel any desire to find or read the content because it is too difficult get to. No, it isn't hard to (for me) to see the image that says something akin to "click here," click the image, and get the content. The difficulty is that I had already asked for the content. I shouldn't have to start clicking more things to get to it unless there is more content that would make sense to be on another page (like the pages of a book). And then when I do have to navigate to a new page, I should have to wait for a bunch of animations and loading screens. I should be presented with the meat of the content (readable text) while any images load. That way I get what I am looking for and the pretty stuff fills in as my connection allows.
Again, I'm not trying to attack you, but writing off validation because you don't understand its purpose is something that bugs me.
Please give us an example of Flash used well for a web site design and not some video or game. I have yet to see a site completely designed in Flash that I didn't close after a few seconds because of either 1) not being able to navigate the wretched thing or 2) not being able to access the content immediately. Waiting on some animation to play before being able to read the content tells me that the content isn't worth waiting for.
I don't mean for this post to be an assault, but put your money where your mouth is (so to speak).
Oh, and embeding Flash appropriately does not cause validation to fail -- http://www.ambience.sk/flash-valid.htm
Shred everything that has your name and address on it. And don't use some shitty straight cut shredder either. If you aren't using at least a cross-cut shredder, you are just wasting your time.
duplicate -- adjective |?d(y)o?pl?kit| [ attrib. ]
/. articles you will see that the word "duplicate" does not apply to them.
1 exactly like something else, esp. through having been copied : a duplicate license is issued to replace a valid license which has been lost.
2 having two corresponding or identical parts : a duplicate application form. twice as large or many; doubled : duplicate taxes on oil and gas.
If you actually _read_ the
The programs that install with the system installer program (whatever its name is) install to the system-wide "/Applications" directory, by default. If you specify a user's "~/Applications" directory, I don't think you have to type the root password. I'm not sure about that, though; I don't install too many programs that use that installer. The ones I do install, which use it, I don't mind them installing to the system-wide directory. Any drag-and-drop install programs I download go into my "~/Applications" directory (or a sub-directory thereof).
Also, there are some programs that install more than just what you interact with. A couple of examples: I have a USB->Serial adapter that requires a kernel extension to use. It installs with the sytem installer. Also, NeoOffice installs at least one thing that goes into a protected directory -- a Spotlight plugin. Sure, they could install the plugin to the user's local Spotlight plugin directory, but they don't.
In short, I don't mind having to use my root password to install some things. I just make sure I know what is actually being installed when I do so. That is what the password prompt is for -- to make the user question what they are doing.
I get the "idea." But, being F/OSS doesn't make it instantly the most awesome product available. No, Moneydance isn't that either; it is better than GnuCash, though. At least, it is better than the last version of GnuCash I used. I like free just as much as everyone else, but I like quality better.
...and haven't missed GnuCash one bit. As a personal finance manager, GnuCash sucks. Moneydance is easy to use and comes with a decent default account to get a new user started. Moneydance is well worth the minimal price tag if you need to keep track of your personal finances. If I needed to manage a small business I might re-consider GnuCash, but I'm not sure. I might look at other alternatives based on my prior experience with GnuCash.
http://www.moneydance.com/ if you are interested.