Back in '91 a friend at Uni showed me an announcement on a mailing list of a minux like PC unix clone called "linux". I didn't have a PC at the time so didn't try it.
In fact it wasn't until August '94 and kernel version 1.0.13 that I started using linux. I consider myself late to the party.
Now I run ubuntu on my server, Mint on my desktop and laptop. I've been using Linux for over 20 years and cannot imagine being without it.
Why not have both? An Android tablet that also has Chrome OS on it. You plug the tablet into a dock and you have a complete operating system more suited to a desktop environment.
People are already doing it with Ubuntu, this way you get it all from a single source so have the potential for better integration.
I would love to see this on the new google tablet when it arrives.
You are correct that it states "a reasonable amount of time" and the interpretation of a reasonable amount of time is left up to the interested parties to decide. The argument that PC hardware is reasonably expected to last a minimum of 3 years is easy to establish however as that is the time period that all companies I have ever worked at have used as the depreciation period.
I would say it is reasonable to expect things like Televisions, Washing Machines, Dishwashers etc to last a minimum of 5 years.
The US creates a trailer park on the moon and ships up all their trailer trash.
Leave 'em for a few years and let natural selection work things out. Pretty soon the moon will be overrun with mutants that can shoot a stop sign with deadly accuracy from a mile away.
The case in the EU isn't really about the money. If the fine were the only issue microsoft would have paid it and said "sorry we wont do it again" before going off and doing it again.
The main issue in the EU case and the reason Microsoft is going to appeal it is control.
Making Microsoft remove media player (and who knows maybe others will happen later). Making them provide *complete* specs such that other software companies can make totally compatible products.
Those are the real issues. Efforts to control microsofts future not make them pay for wrong-doings in the past.
The best thing that could come out of the EU case is the interoperability thing. Imagine if you could choose your html renderer and it slots itself into place so perfectly that anywher IE was used before your choice of renederer gets used now.
How about an NTFS implementation for Linux with complete read/write compatibility.
How about open office reading/writing all of Office's document formats perfectly.
This is an ADSL Router with VOIP facility. You just plug an ordinary phone into it.
The dialling is a bit complicated but you can set up common numbers in the router.
It also has the problem of only being able to phone other VOIP systems but for the home worker connecting to the office (that has a VOIP exchange) it would be ideal.
I went Paris for the weekend in March and we went through Montparnasse one day and went on this travelator.
They have guys watching to stop certain people getting on, I have heard they have had to pay out for injuries to some people.
First it accelerates you to 9kph then it is exactly like a normal travelator only much faster.
I loved it.
The only problems are the acceleration and deceleration phases. It's very bumpy. You have to hold on to the rail. If they can fix those aspects these things will start appearing in airports everywhere.
I like the way that pratchett puts it when a dwarf talks about his axe. (paraphrasing)
This is the Axe of my ancestors passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes the handle gets worn and a new one is put on, after a while the head will get worn down and a new one gets put on. But it is still the axe of my ancestors.
And since he has a great big bloody axe in his hands are *you* going to argue with him.
Nor will I comment on UK Government policies on web usage, architectures etc.
This is a shame as given BillG's recent highly publicised visits to the UK trying to push MSWare into schools this would be something we want to know about.
However, If you were asked by say a commons fact finding commitee, as a government employee and expert in the field, about software in UK schools would you:
a) Recommend general usage of open source software e.g. For client and Server?
b) Recommend it for specialised areas e.g File server, Web Server, Internet Gateway?
Microsoft wants...NO demands that the restrictions be lifted so that microsoft is free to sell buggy insecure encryption software to *all* of the free world.
James (apparently *under the influence*) let forever be
Can I just be really pedantic and say Ultimate - Play the Game was the companys slogan/logo. The company was actually Ashby computers and graphics. Based near Ashby-de-la-zouch.
Slashdot Mirror
Back in '91 a friend at Uni showed me an announcement on a mailing list of a minux like PC unix clone called "linux".
I didn't have a PC at the time so didn't try it.
In fact it wasn't until August '94 and kernel version 1.0.13 that I started using linux.
I consider myself late to the party.
Now I run ubuntu on my server, Mint on my desktop and laptop.
I've been using Linux for over 20 years and cannot imagine being without it.
And lots of it
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever. "
Why not have both?
An Android tablet that also has Chrome OS on it.
You plug the tablet into a dock and you have a complete operating system more suited to a desktop environment.
People are already doing it with Ubuntu, this way you get it all from a single source so have the potential for better integration.
I would love to see this on the new google tablet when it arrives.
Wow I never knew that England was an island.
If the GDP of England was $2.2 trillion what was the GDP of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Or are you one of those people who doesn't understand the difference between England and the UK?
You are correct that it states "a reasonable amount of time" and the interpretation of a reasonable amount of time is left up to the interested parties to decide.
The argument that PC hardware is reasonably expected to last a minimum of 3 years is easy to establish however as that is the time period that all companies I have ever worked at have used as the depreciation period.
I would say it is reasonable to expect things like Televisions, Washing Machines, Dishwashers etc to last a minimum of 5 years.
Nah. Usually just older.
Oh My God!
Don't you see the real point of this.
The US creates a trailer park on the moon and ships up all their trailer trash.
Leave 'em for a few years and let natural selection work things out. Pretty soon the moon will be overrun with mutants that can shoot a stop sign with deadly accuracy from a mile away.
It Science gone mad I tell you.
The case in the EU isn't really about the money.
If the fine were the only issue microsoft would have paid it and said "sorry we wont do it again" before going off and doing it again.
The main issue in the EU case and the reason Microsoft is going to appeal it is control.
Making Microsoft remove media player (and who knows maybe others will happen later).
Making them provide *complete* specs such that other software companies can make totally compatible products.
Those are the real issues. Efforts to control microsofts future not make them pay for wrong-doings in the past.
The best thing that could come out of the EU case is the interoperability thing. Imagine if you could choose your html renderer and it slots itself into place so perfectly that anywher IE was used before your choice of renederer gets used now.
How about an NTFS implementation for Linux with complete read/write compatibility.
How about open office reading/writing all of Office's document formats perfectly.
That is what microsoft is scared of.
The dialling is a bit complicated but you can set up common numbers in the router.
It also has the problem of only being able to phone other VOIP systems but for the home worker connecting to the office (that has a VOIP exchange) it would be ideal.
Zero cost phone calls to colleagues.
I went Paris for the weekend in March and we went through Montparnasse one day and went on this travelator.
They have guys watching to stop certain people getting on, I have heard they have had to pay out for injuries to some people.
First it accelerates you to 9kph then it is exactly like a normal travelator only much faster.
I loved it.
The only problems are the acceleration and deceleration phases. It's very bumpy. You have to hold on to the rail. If they can fix those aspects these things will start appearing in airports everywhere.
I like the way that pratchett puts it when a dwarf talks about his axe. (paraphrasing)
This is the Axe of my ancestors passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes the handle gets worn and a new one is put on, after a while the head will get worn down and a new one gets put on. But it is still the axe of my ancestors.
And since he has a great big bloody axe in his hands are *you* going to argue with him.
> Think nothing is impossible? Try slamming a
> revolving door
That's easy!
Just make sure someone is coming through before you slam it.
James
Americans don't know how to make Tea!
They think that hot water is good enough. IT ISN'T!
The water has to be boiling or it just doesn't work.
When I lived in New York the apartment I was given had one of those crappy stove kettles that whistle. I haven't seen one of those since I was a kid.
I actually went to J&R and bought myself a real kettle so I could have a proper cup of tea. And don't get me started on American tea bags. Weak shit!
Every time friends came to visit they would bring boxes of PG Tips.
When I left I gave the kettle to an english friend who had just moved to Brooklyn and she was glad to have it.
Time for a cuppa.
James
The patent application was made by the GPO in 1976. It was only granted in 1989.
Nor will I comment on UK Government policies on web usage, architectures etc.
This is a shame as given BillG's recent highly publicised visits to the UK trying to push MSWare into schools this would be something we want to know about.
However, If you were asked by say a commons fact finding commitee, as a government employee and expert in the field, about software in UK schools would you:
a) Recommend general usage of open source software e.g. For client and Server?
b) Recommend it for specialised areas e.g File server, Web Server, Internet Gateway?
c) Not recommend it at all?
did any anonymous coward post a 'one has first post' comment.
That would be Prince Charles. The Queen would post "We have first post".
Microsoft wants...NO demands that the restrictions be lifted so that microsoft is free to sell buggy insecure encryption software to *all* of the free world.
James (apparently *under the influence*)
let forever be
The DOJ questioning should seem like a walk in the park.
I wonder if paxman knows a *good* definition of innovation.
Yeah I watched the vicar of dibley on Sunday as well...
The Good Life
and I am one of many people who used to hide behind the couch when the daleks came on.
All of them
Remember
The ties may bind...
... but if they are made of leather they also chafe
Can I just be really pedantic and say
Ultimate - Play the Game
was the companys slogan/logo.
The company was actually Ashby computers and
graphics. Based near Ashby-de-la-zouch.
But Rob said that they did mugs (which is true) but they can also do T-shirts.
I have the one with Tux in sunglasses and the Slashdot logo and it is very cool.
They delivered it very quickly (less than a week and I'm in the UK) and the quality is excellent.
I'm not associated with them I'm just a happy customer.