The same thing has happened with a lot of small mom and pop music shops (although they have mostly quoted the internet as making them go out of business). The bummer is, it takes away some of the "real-world" sentiment and raises the prices significantly. I remember when I went to a garage sale and bought about 30 forgotten realms books for about 50 cents per book. Now days, I'd probably pay 5-10 times that on ebay (plus shipping), plus I wouldn't be able to see the condition of the book, and I'd have to hope the person I'm buying from isn't a crook. As far as the music store goes.. I can no longer pick up a dozen guitar picks and get some string replacements right before I head out to the gig (unless I drive clear accross town). I have to pre-order them. Plus, what ever happened to pulling a garth on the drum set.. or playing stairway on the $3K strat. Those days are all but gone.:(
On the other hand, you can find just about ANYTHING on ebay/amazon.com/etc. You don't have to really drive anywhere to get to it (unless you work during the day and UPS requires a signature.. how annoying). The person selling gets closer to what the item is actually worth because there is more of a market.
In a way it is more convenient but less personal. I suppose that is the way society has always been heading in the technology era we're in. We have to take the good with the bad...
My company has hired "off-shore" programmers, however we have always brought them in. You tend to get a really good rate even bringing them in (much cheaper than typical $200/hr consultants.. I think we pay around $40-80/hr for the off-shore ones), and I would wager that you would more than make up for it in the problems that would arise doing off-shore. The other thing with bringing them to where you are is, they tend to be more willing to work (what else are they going to do, hang out in the hotel?).
In terms of working with them off-shore.. You have the time-zone differences, which could be a potential headache (not sure exactly what the time difference is). Most Indians would already speak english (with decent clarity) so that usually isn't a problem.
I personally enjoy working with the Indian co-workers (off-shore or H1B's). The Indians that I have worked with have always been very productive, friendly, and don't slack off as much as their American counterparts. They almost always have better education backgrounds (due to the need for visas) but conversely have less real-world experience. Granted, I don't exactly like the idea that they are taking jobs away from Americans, but I can understand why companies will hire will hire them. Especially in this economy, where they are very excited about being able to get a position and will typically take a lower wage to work.
Is if you could somehow download new ROMS to the joystick. Perhaps even the ROMS that are out there on the internet. I wonder if someone could easily hack one of these things to do that? It'd be nice to see some hardware specs.
I wonder if these Flexible CD's will also be the same quality of regular CD's. Particularly, will they be able to last up to 80 years (IIRC, that's what consumer grade CD's can last up to).
I'm guessing since the CD is made of more flexible material (and a polymer, which is organic), so it may be able to break down easier/quicker.
>>The Soundbug transmits the sound to the flat >>surface by way of a small piece of Terfenol, >>which is a mixture of rare earth metals and >>iron. This substance is placed within an >>aluminium case, around which is wrapped a coil.
If they make a ton of these, what's that going to mean for our supply of Terfenol? I'm not an environmentalist or anything, but I'm sure people won't be happy.
Here is a cool article and picture on Terfenol. Looks like its main purpose is for damping and energy absorption. Kind of looks like gold!
I've been reading slashdot for quite some time now, and I must admit I am a little disappointed. However, I can understand where Rob is coming from. After all, there is "no such thing as a free lunch". I just really hope what makes slashdot slashdot doesn't change. Part of the reasoning I read slashdot is because of the community feel to it, and that everyone is free to state their opinion. With this new subscription service, I fear that only those with $$'s will be the ones submitting opinions. While this may actually make the submissions higher quality, it will no doubt change slashdot...
I guess we can only wait and see. I don't know if I'm going to be paying the $5/month. Especially through paypal. Isn't there some other way to contribute to slashdot other than in a financial way?
I'm guessing MS will come out with yet another version of Windows for the sub $350 PC. "Windows XP lite edition" which basically will replace the home edition. It'll probably sell for $50 or so. Either that, or it will be a subscription- for $20 a month you get to "lease" the software and use MSN.
It would be nice to see the source code for this! Anyone know how he did it? He just mentioned using Java RMI, but I'm curious how it works under the covers. He had the binaries posted but not the source.:(
With this kind of reasoning, who ISN'T guilty? You could go after Dell, Gateway, etc. because after all, you need a computer in order to pirate software... And you need electricity to power your computer.. etc.
Well, one of the reasons why I think HTTP will stay around is because it is NOT peer to peer. One of the nice things about centralizing, especially in the case of the web, is that you keep all of your business logic on that location. That means if you want to easily change things, you can do so. With P2P if you have a distributed model, you would have to worry about getting all of your changes replicated out... that could be very prone to error!
I admit http has its downfalls, but I don't think it is going away any time soon!
"Spurred by these concerns, manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Electronics and IBM have launched recycling and reuse programs in the United States and elsewhere, often charging consumers a fee of between $10 and $35. Retailers Best Buy and Staples also have conducted product take-back programs on a small scale. "
What I want to know is, what are Best Buy and Staples going to be doing with old 386 motherboards and cases? Aren't they just going to pitch the stuff? Isn't that still going to pose a threat? Anyone have links to their recylcing programs?
The one good thing about this (potentially) is that your SPAM is at least more targeted... But then again, some how I think I will still be getting all those herbal viagra e-mails.
"Spammers can make $1 million a month and many are part of international crime syndicates"
Wow, $1 million in a month? That must be an awful lot of porn. I think spammers should know officially be considered the lowest life form. After all many of them are child molesters and rapists anyway.
My bulk e-mail folder on yahoo has all but tripled in the last month so things aren't getting any better. The sad thing is, even if there is a law against spam, is that really going to stop it? Is there any REAL way to get spammers to stop???
Wow, this is a major suprise. No more free versions of Star Office will probably mean less reason for your typical Joe Schmoe to use Microsoft Office. Does that mean progess for Linux on the desktop is going to come to a screeching halt? (I hope not!) Are there any other viable alternatives to Office?
"Your games sell millions of copies. Why do you care if a few people pirate your software? The sales success of a product should not exclude it from laws intended to protect intellectual property. Software piracy needs to be combated at all levels, and at Blizzard we intend to do our part to fight illegal distribution of copyrighted media. "
I think they have a good point. After all, think of all the entertainment value you will get out of a measley $50. Really it's not a bad price to pay, especially when battlenet is free.
Wouldn't it be fair use to download the TV shows? I mean, if they are beaming the signal to your TV you should be able to do with it whatever you want in theory..
By the way, do "cappers" remove the commercials when they are digitizing it? I'm gonna have to check into this...
Just curious, but why do you think it will drive the prices DOWN? I think it would drive it up. After all, if a company wants to legally make an MS compatible controller, they will have to pay the necessary licensing fees in order to have their USB controller work. Since that is the case, you may have only a few companies selling controllers- less market means more demand, which means mo money!:(
I'm guessing the prices for controllers will be higher rather than lower.
Seriously, forcing Microsoft to be "Open Source" is probably a mistake. Not only because of the precedent it sets, but more importantly because of all the new virii we will be getting once people see all the holes and back doors:)
Slashdot Mirror
The same thing has happened with a lot of small mom and pop music shops (although they have mostly quoted the internet as making them go out of business). The bummer is, it takes away some of the "real-world" sentiment and raises the prices significantly. I remember when I went to a garage sale and bought about 30 forgotten realms books for about 50 cents per book. Now days, I'd probably pay 5-10 times that on ebay (plus shipping), plus I wouldn't be able to see the condition of the book, and I'd have to hope the person I'm buying from isn't a crook. As far as the music store goes.. I can no longer pick up a dozen guitar picks and get some string replacements right before I head out to the gig (unless I drive clear accross town). I have to pre-order them. Plus, what ever happened to pulling a garth on the drum set.. or playing stairway on the $3K strat. Those days are all but gone. :(
On the other hand, you can find just about ANYTHING on ebay/amazon.com/etc. You don't have to really drive anywhere to get to it (unless you work during the day and UPS requires a signature.. how annoying). The person selling gets closer to what the item is actually worth because there is more of a market.
In a way it is more convenient but less personal. I suppose that is the way society has always been heading in the technology era we're in. We have to take the good with the bad...
Yeah.. I don't deny it. I slack off more :)
My company has hired "off-shore" programmers, however we have always brought them in. You tend to get a really good rate even bringing them in (much cheaper than typical $200/hr consultants.. I think we pay around $40-80/hr for the off-shore ones), and I would wager that you would more than make up for it in the problems that would arise doing off-shore. The other thing with bringing them to where you are is, they tend to be more willing to work (what else are they going to do, hang out in the hotel?).
In terms of working with them off-shore.. You have the time-zone differences, which could be a potential headache (not sure exactly what the time difference is). Most Indians would already speak english (with decent clarity) so that usually isn't a problem.
I personally enjoy working with the Indian co-workers (off-shore or H1B's). The Indians that I have worked with have always been very productive, friendly, and don't slack off as much as their American counterparts. They almost always have better education backgrounds (due to the need for visas) but conversely have less real-world experience. Granted, I don't exactly like the idea that they are taking jobs away from Americans, but I can understand why companies will hire will hire them. Especially in this economy, where they are very excited about being able to get a position and will typically take a lower wage to work.
Is if you could somehow download new ROMS to the joystick. Perhaps even the ROMS that are out there on the internet. I wonder if someone could easily hack one of these things to do that? It'd be nice to see some hardware specs.
Just imagine the amount of pigeon poodoo they must be having to deal with! Wonder what they're doing with all of it?
I wonder if these Flexible CD's will also be the same quality of regular CD's. Particularly, will they be able to last up to 80 years (IIRC, that's what consumer grade CD's can last up to).
I'm guessing since the CD is made of more flexible material (and a polymer, which is organic), so it may be able to break down easier/quicker.
>>The Soundbug transmits the sound to the flat
>>surface by way of a small piece of Terfenol,
>>which is a mixture of rare earth metals and
>>iron. This substance is placed within an
>>aluminium case, around which is wrapped a coil.
If they make a ton of these, what's that going to mean for our supply of Terfenol? I'm not an environmentalist or anything, but I'm sure people won't be happy.
Here is a cool article and picture on Terfenol. Looks like its main purpose is for damping and energy absorption. Kind of looks like gold!
I've been reading slashdot for quite some time now, and I must admit I am a little disappointed. However, I can understand where Rob is coming from. After all, there is "no such thing as a free lunch". I just really hope what makes slashdot slashdot doesn't change. Part of the reasoning I read slashdot is because of the community feel to it, and that everyone is free to state their opinion. With this new subscription service, I fear that only those with $$'s will be the ones submitting opinions. While this may actually make the submissions higher quality, it will no doubt change slashdot...
I guess we can only wait and see. I don't know if I'm going to be paying the $5/month. Especially through paypal. Isn't there some other way to contribute to slashdot other than in a financial way?
I'm guessing MS will come out with yet another version of Windows for the sub $350 PC. "Windows XP lite edition" which basically will replace the home edition. It'll probably sell for $50 or so. Either that, or it will be a subscription- for $20 a month you get to "lease" the software and use MSN.
I thought Pong was the first video game ever created.
It would be nice to see the source code for this! Anyone know how he did it? He just mentioned using Java RMI, but I'm curious how it works under the covers. He had the binaries posted but not the source. :(
Does the linux plug in have that flying windows logo pop up? :) Or is it a flying penguin maybe?
With this kind of reasoning, who ISN'T guilty? You could go after Dell, Gateway, etc. because after all, you need a computer in order to pirate software... And you need electricity to power your computer.. etc.
Well, one of the reasons why I think HTTP will stay around is because it is NOT peer to peer. One of the nice things about centralizing, especially in the case of the web, is that you keep all of your business logic on that location. That means if you want to easily change things, you can do so. With P2P if you have a distributed model, you would have to worry about getting all of your changes replicated out... that could be very prone to error!
I admit http has its downfalls, but I don't think it is going away any time soon!
According to the article-
"Spurred by these concerns, manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Electronics and IBM have launched recycling and reuse programs in the United States and elsewhere, often charging consumers a fee of between $10 and $35. Retailers Best Buy and Staples also have conducted product take-back programs on a small scale. "
What I want to know is, what are Best Buy and Staples going to be doing with old 386 motherboards and cases? Aren't they just going to pitch the stuff? Isn't that still going to pose a threat? Anyone have links to their recylcing programs?
The one good thing about this (potentially) is that your SPAM is at least more targeted... But then again, some how I think I will still be getting all those herbal viagra e-mails.
Blech!
Go Aussies! I hope this works out..
An interesting quote in the artical--
"Spammers can make $1 million a month and many are part of international crime syndicates"
Wow, $1 million in a month? That must be an awful lot of porn. I think spammers should know officially be considered the lowest life form. After all many of them are child molesters and rapists anyway.
My bulk e-mail folder on yahoo has all but tripled in the last month so things aren't getting any better. The sad thing is, even if there is a law against spam, is that really going to stop it? Is there any REAL way to get spammers to stop???
Wow, this is a major suprise. No more free versions of Star Office will probably mean less reason for your typical Joe Schmoe to use Microsoft Office. Does that mean progess for Linux on the desktop is going to come to a screeching halt? (I hope not!) Are there any other viable alternatives to Office?
From blizzard FAQ:
"Your games sell millions of copies. Why do you care if a few people pirate your software?
The sales success of a product should not exclude it from laws intended to protect intellectual property. Software piracy needs to be combated at all levels, and at Blizzard we intend to do our part to fight illegal distribution of copyrighted media. "
I think they have a good point. After all, think of all the entertainment value you will get out of a measley $50. Really it's not a bad price to pay, especially when battlenet is free.
Wouldn't it be fair use to download the TV shows? I mean, if they are beaming the signal to your TV you should be able to do with it whatever you want in theory..
By the way, do "cappers" remove the commercials when they are digitizing it? I'm gonna have to check into this...
Just curious, but why do you think it will drive the prices DOWN? I think it would drive it up. After all, if a company wants to legally make an MS compatible controller, they will have to pay the necessary licensing fees in order to have their USB controller work. Since that is the case, you may have only a few companies selling controllers- less market means more demand, which means mo money! :(
I'm guessing the prices for controllers will be higher rather than lower.
I didn't see the beowolf cluster of shoe phones anywhere!
Seriously, forcing Microsoft to be "Open Source" is probably a mistake. Not only because of the precedent it sets, but more importantly because of all the new virii we will be getting once people see all the holes and back doors :)
Why on earth do they need to raise funding through an IPO when they have all those frozen accounts to dip into?? :)
see subject :)