Finally, an idea that passes the test of reason --- independent of the question of the reality of AGW. Going green, cutting our carbon footprint, etc., all make sense either way, and there is just no reason not to do so, and every reason *to* do so. It even makes long-term economic sense (if perhaps in the short term there will be some dislocation).
I'm not qualified to say that AGW is or isn't real, though it is hard to see how our actions can be totally without consequence. What I dislike is the politicizing of the issue (yes, I know, that was inevitable). What I dislike even more is the attitude of some (certainly not all) AGW activists who use AGW to "prove" that we are "bad" people or that the US is a "bad" nation.
Let's (1) act reasonably, which means taking full precautionary measures as we cannot afford to be wrong, and (2) stick with science and not politics (fat chance, but at least I can say it).
A sensible sentiment. Use what you're comfortable with and does the job for you. If other people use something different, that's not your call, any more than your choice is their call.
I've used Linux for a very long time. Yes, it takes a little more effort to install and configure than Windows, although I would argue that the "average" user can't successfully install either one.
But in the end I'm willing to put in the effort because (1) I'm able to do so and (2) I appreciate the results. And I like what I've paid out for my O/S and all the tools and applications: nothing. I am easily a few thousand dollars ahead on each and every machine that I fully configure. (Think about the cost of proprietary office tools, project management tools, graphics tools, etc., and my estimate is not exaggerated.)
"Use what you are happy with, everything else is an illusion."
This is by far the most sensible statement in the whole discussion.
I happen to prefer Linux on either a home-built Intel-based machine, or a less expensive laptop such as Acer. So what. That's what I like, you don't have to like it, it's my business. Neither do I have to like what you use, it's your business.
I have to agree, given that most people don't really think all that much; to them "exponential change" doesn't mean much as long as they have a case of beer handy.
During a recent stint in cube-land, I did the same. I ran an actual white noise generator (your choice of freeware is available) into headphones, and made it just loud enough to wash out the noise the idiots around me made all day long, but not so loud as to cause hearing damage.
"It's also a renewable resource; you may use up your free time this week, don't worry, there will be free time next week to do what you want to do..."
This is only true for a certain number of years. Free time that is gone, is gone forever. Yes, you will have more next week... but one day, you won't have a next week.
Google Voice has worked fine for me also, with cellphone, Gizmo, and office number, with no cross interference from pre-emptive voicemail answering. Interestingly enough, I also have an incoming Skype number (a "regular" phone number also called "Skype-In"), and it does *not* play well with Google Voice. If I am not signed in to Skype, then Skype voicemail picks up immediately and kills ringing on the other phones. There seems to be no Skype option to tell it to wait a few rings, or for that matter, to even turn off voicemail.
You don't need to pay for a Skype number; get a Gizmo account. That works perfectly in conjunction with Google Voice (formerly Grand Central). Google Voice will ring your cell phone and your Gizmo SIP number simultaneously. This makes for a completely free solution (but people will have to learn to call your Google Voice number).
You can also make free domestic calls from Google Voice, via Gizmo. Google Voice will ring your Gizmo SIP number and then connect your call.
Of course, the other option, as many here have stated, is to put your phone in your pocket and be done with it.
I see XDrive goes away as well on Jan. 12, 2009. Makes you wonder why AOL bought it out in the first place.
While I don't claim I have rights in a free service for which the TOS state clearly that it can be ended at any time without nice, it is still a pain and raises in my mind the question others have: how much should we rely on free online services? The obvious answer based on experience seems to be, not at all, but what about something really big like Gmail? I use POP3 to backup my Gmail correspondence locally, but free or not and rights or no rights, if a service such as Gmail shut down it would really rock a lot of boats.
Slashdot Mirror
Finally, an idea that passes the test of reason --- independent of the question of the reality of AGW. Going green, cutting our carbon footprint, etc., all make sense either way, and there is just no reason not to do so, and every reason *to* do so. It even makes long-term economic sense (if perhaps in the short term there will be some dislocation). I'm not qualified to say that AGW is or isn't real, though it is hard to see how our actions can be totally without consequence. What I dislike is the politicizing of the issue (yes, I know, that was inevitable). What I dislike even more is the attitude of some (certainly not all) AGW activists who use AGW to "prove" that we are "bad" people or that the US is a "bad" nation. Let's (1) act reasonably, which means taking full precautionary measures as we cannot afford to be wrong, and (2) stick with science and not politics (fat chance, but at least I can say it).
A sensible sentiment. Use what you're comfortable with and does the job for you. If other people use something different, that's not your call, any more than your choice is their call. I've used Linux for a very long time. Yes, it takes a little more effort to install and configure than Windows, although I would argue that the "average" user can't successfully install either one. But in the end I'm willing to put in the effort because (1) I'm able to do so and (2) I appreciate the results. And I like what I've paid out for my O/S and all the tools and applications: nothing. I am easily a few thousand dollars ahead on each and every machine that I fully configure. (Think about the cost of proprietary office tools, project management tools, graphics tools, etc., and my estimate is not exaggerated.)
Google's quick calculator does a lot more than I ever realized before I started using it for quick one-liners.
"Use what you are happy with, everything else is an illusion." This is by far the most sensible statement in the whole discussion. I happen to prefer Linux on either a home-built Intel-based machine, or a less expensive laptop such as Acer. So what. That's what I like, you don't have to like it, it's my business. Neither do I have to like what you use, it's your business.
I have to agree, given that most people don't really think all that much; to them "exponential change" doesn't mean much as long as they have a case of beer handy.
During a recent stint in cube-land, I did the same. I ran an actual white noise generator (your choice of freeware is available) into headphones, and made it just loud enough to wash out the noise the idiots around me made all day long, but not so loud as to cause hearing damage.
I find it "interesting" that Microsoft was part of this research, and what is tested? Ubuntu rather than Windows. No agenda here, I'm sure.
"It's also a renewable resource; you may use up your free time this week, don't worry, there will be free time next week to do what you want to do..." This is only true for a certain number of years. Free time that is gone, is gone forever. Yes, you will have more next week ... but one day, you won't have a next week.
Skype is a legacy thing.
Google Voice has worked fine for me also, with cellphone, Gizmo, and office number, with no cross interference from pre-emptive voicemail answering. Interestingly enough, I also have an incoming Skype number (a "regular" phone number also called "Skype-In"), and it does *not* play well with Google Voice. If I am not signed in to Skype, then Skype voicemail picks up immediately and kills ringing on the other phones. There seems to be no Skype option to tell it to wait a few rings, or for that matter, to even turn off voicemail.
You don't need to pay for a Skype number; get a Gizmo account. That works perfectly in conjunction with Google Voice (formerly Grand Central). Google Voice will ring your cell phone and your Gizmo SIP number simultaneously. This makes for a completely free solution (but people will have to learn to call your Google Voice number). You can also make free domestic calls from Google Voice, via Gizmo. Google Voice will ring your Gizmo SIP number and then connect your call. Of course, the other option, as many here have stated, is to put your phone in your pocket and be done with it.
I see XDrive goes away as well on Jan. 12, 2009. Makes you wonder why AOL bought it out in the first place. While I don't claim I have rights in a free service for which the TOS state clearly that it can be ended at any time without nice, it is still a pain and raises in my mind the question others have: how much should we rely on free online services? The obvious answer based on experience seems to be, not at all, but what about something really big like Gmail? I use POP3 to backup my Gmail correspondence locally, but free or not and rights or no rights, if a service such as Gmail shut down it would really rock a lot of boats.