The banner says "NameZero" in it. I don't know how that is misleading. It sure wasn't hard for me to figure out. I personally like it so that when I do occasionally type in "salshdot.org" I don't have to correct my typo. Call me lazy if you wish.
The owner of salshdot.org has said that he registered the site in good faith. He didn't put the banner there; NameZero did. He isn't even getting any money for it! So everybody (including Taco) shouldn't be getting his or her panties in a knot.
"The games developer Apogee (a.k.a. 3DRealms) even added a clause to its license agreement earlier this year that prevented negative reviews of its product!"
Apogee stated a while back that they would never sue anybody over such a thing. It's just a joke.
It's really quite sad though (those who speak English as their native language but can't use it as well as those who have English as their 2nd or 3rd language.)
I must also say that I admire anybody who has learned our language. When I went to Germany this past summer, I was stunned at the number of people who could speak English just as well as any ordinary native English-speaking person could.
Is it just me, or is this title extremely misleading? It makes it sound like *no one* may purchase them. Something like "Indianapolis prohibits Violent Video Games to Children" would be more appropriate.
Actually, the question would be "why not" instead of "why."
First, Red Hat already has their name established as being "Linux." That is, ignorant people tend to think that Linux is Red Hat. So, if you want to convince management to switch from Windows to Linux, they would probably expect for it to be the Red Hat distribution just because that's all they have heard of (most likely).
Second, they have the technical support that would be needed.
Third, they offer certification. Now any Joe Blow can hang his cert next to his MCSE and say he is certified.
"I can get an email from a friend who's all the way across the world in minutes."
Wow, minutes! Yeah, that's really instant.
"and spam free, and interoperable, and free and - well - its understood and well implemented everywhere."
Please show me where the ads are in AIM and ICQ... I know there are small ads in the URL and File transfer for ICQ, but it's not like those stay up for more than 2 seconds (literally). ICQ and AIM are pretty much a standard.
"so please tell me what I'm missing by using email as my 'instant messages'."
You're too closed minded about it, so I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to miss out, sorry. Stick to your "instant" 2 minute e-mails.
Like people learn to drive better after driving for 10 years than they do after driving for 5. It's just a poor excuse for Big Business to hike insurance rates.
If the Insurance Companies had one bit of ethics (which they don't, unfortunately) they would start everybody at the same rate and increase their rates if they have an accident. It seems like if a person hasn't had any at-fault accidents in two years that they could qualify as a safe driver.
Also, how is the increased amount males have to pay explained? That seems like that could be sex discrimination.
-It can be used by any newbie who walks up to the computer
BUT
-It can be hacked away at just like *BSD, *NIX, etc. can.
There are just too many things to go wrong under Linux right now for a newbie to handle. Sometimes I'm left to wonder what the hell it's bitching about.
In addition, the Ideal Desktop[tm] includes integrated configuration utilities or installing hardware, fonts, and the like. Sure, you got DrakeFont, then you got your RPM, then you got LinuxConf for configuring stuff, then you have RPM's for OpenLinux, then you got the RPM's for SuSe, and so forth.
And so I stand behind my comment earlier--it's just a big mess. Trying to make Linux into a Desktop OS is just like trying to turn Windows '9x into a server. They both can do it, but it just won't work around in the end.
I'm not Linux expert, but I consider myself educated enough to understand what is going on. Through my experience, I've come to realize that it is just a huge mess all glued together with.99 glue. There just aren't enough standards. Some examples would be a:
-Standard installation system for dependency checks, upgrading, installation, uninstallation, etc. I look at RPMFind.net and my head just tilts to the side in amazment. Why are there all these packages that are the same, but they're there 30 different times?! It just doesn't make sense. Another thing that would be nice would be for there to be a way for depedencies automatically downloaded, installed, and configured. There also should be central place to store what libs are installed, and what ones aren't.
-Integrated GUI. A good example of this would be BeOS. It's extremely fast, and fires up in just a few seconds. X is, well, umm...it's like an out of tune car. It'll take a while to start up, and it'll get you where you need to go, but it just isn't very efficient.
-Config files. Talk about cryptic and unorgannized. I fear the etc directory. I think the windows registry has the nice idea. I can still be as cryptic, though, but it's easy to find things when you know what you're looking for. There also should be a standard way so that you only have to learn one way and not a way for all software.
That said, I don't think Linux can overcome these problems. It's not its fault though, because IT IS NOT A DESKTOP OS!! It does a great job at being what it should (a server) but it has no place on user desktops. It lacks all the things users need to do what needs done. Right now, they have no incentive to switch from Windows.
And you're telling me this is not the case right now? I'm sorry, but you, sir, are wrong.
Little Jimmy has had his FTP server going for at least a year by now on his cable or DSL.
"Warez" FTPs are also cleary violating copyrights. Should those be taken down too? What about all IRC networks? What about Gnutella? The list goes on and on. Where is the line drawn?
Users have to agree that they will not share copyrighted materials when they use the service. Blame the users for copyright infringement, not the company.
It's like trying to put a gun on trial for killing somebody. You don't put the gun on trial, you put the user on trial.
On a side note, I don't know how in the world they are making money since there aren't even banners on the website.
The story then says that there is no official announcement on the Mandrake webpage. So, obviously, it hasn't be released, and thus this story should not have been posted yet.
There is a little difference here. Napster is free. We don't pay them to use their service. We pay the MPAA to watch DVDs. Don't bitch about terms of free services. If you don't like it, use Gnutella or something.
Slashdot Mirror
The banner says "NameZero" in it. I don't know how that is misleading. It sure wasn't hard for me to figure out. I personally like it so that when I do occasionally type in "salshdot.org" I don't have to correct my typo. Call me lazy if you wish.
The owner of salshdot.org has said that he registered the site in good faith. He didn't put the banner there; NameZero did. He isn't even getting any money for it! So everybody (including Taco) shouldn't be getting his or her panties in a knot.
Apogee stated a while back that they would never sue anybody over such a thing. It's just a joke.
Exactly!
It's really quite sad though (those who speak English as their native language but can't use it as well as those who have English as their 2nd or 3rd language.)
I must also say that I admire anybody who has learned our language. When I went to Germany this past summer, I was stunned at the number of people who could speak English just as well as any ordinary native English-speaking person could.
Is it just me, or is this title extremely misleading? It makes it sound like *no one* may purchase them. Something like "Indianapolis prohibits Violent Video Games to Children" would be more appropriate.
Actually, the question would be "why not" instead of "why."
First, Red Hat already has their name established as being "Linux." That is, ignorant people tend to think that Linux is Red Hat. So, if you want to convince management to switch from Windows to Linux, they would probably expect for it to be the Red Hat distribution just because that's all they have heard of (most likely).
Second, they have the technical support that would be needed.
Third, they offer certification. Now any Joe Blow can hang his cert next to his MCSE and say he is certified.
Use 99b instead of 98x. It allows for messages over 450 chars and it doesn't have the ability (AFAIK) to automatically upgrade like 2000x does.
"I can get an email from a friend who's all the way across the world in minutes."
Wow, minutes! Yeah, that's really instant.
"and spam free, and interoperable, and free and - well - its understood and well implemented everywhere."
Please show me where the ads are in AIM and ICQ... I know there are small ads in the URL and File transfer for ICQ, but it's not like those stay up for more than 2 seconds (literally). ICQ and AIM are pretty much a standard.
"so please tell me what I'm missing by using email as my 'instant messages'."
You're too closed minded about it, so I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to miss out, sorry. Stick to your "instant" 2 minute e-mails.
Like people learn to drive better after driving for 10 years than they do after driving for 5. It's just a poor excuse for Big Business to hike insurance rates.
If the Insurance Companies had one bit of ethics (which they don't, unfortunately) they would start everybody at the same rate and increase their rates if they have an accident. It seems like if a person hasn't had any at-fault accidents in two years that they could qualify as a safe driver.
Also, how is the increased amount males have to pay explained? That seems like that could be sex discrimination.
Actually, my friend, the only reason he won't win is due to arrogance and ignorance in the 18 and older population.
To me, the ideal desktop is this:
-It can be used by any newbie who walks up to the computer
BUT
-It can be hacked away at just like *BSD, *NIX, etc. can.
There are just too many things to go wrong under Linux right now for a newbie to handle. Sometimes I'm left to wonder what the hell it's bitching about.
In addition, the Ideal Desktop[tm] includes integrated configuration utilities or installing hardware, fonts, and the like. Sure, you got DrakeFont, then you got your RPM, then you got LinuxConf for configuring stuff, then you have RPM's for OpenLinux, then you got the RPM's for SuSe, and so forth.
And so I stand behind my comment earlier--it's just a big mess. Trying to make Linux into a Desktop OS is just like trying to turn Windows '9x into a server. They both can do it, but it just won't work around in the end.
Excellent post, I must say.
.99 glue. There just aren't enough standards. Some examples would be a:
I'm not Linux expert, but I consider myself educated enough to understand what is going on. Through my experience, I've come to realize that it is just a huge mess all glued together with
-Standard installation system for dependency checks, upgrading, installation, uninstallation, etc. I look at RPMFind.net and my head just tilts to the side in amazment. Why are there all these packages that are the same, but they're there 30 different times?! It just doesn't make sense. Another thing that would be nice would be for there to be a way for depedencies automatically downloaded, installed, and configured. There also should be central place to store what libs are installed, and what ones aren't.
-Integrated GUI. A good example of this would be BeOS. It's extremely fast, and fires up in just a few seconds. X is, well, umm...it's like an out of tune car. It'll take a while to start up, and it'll get you where you need to go, but it just isn't very efficient.
-Config files. Talk about cryptic and unorgannized. I fear the etc directory. I think the windows registry has the nice idea. I can still be as cryptic, though, but it's easy to find things when you know what you're looking for. There also should be a standard way so that you only have to learn one way and not a way for all software.
That said, I don't think Linux can overcome these problems. It's not its fault though, because IT IS NOT A DESKTOP OS!! It does a great job at being what it should (a server) but it has no place on user desktops. It lacks all the things users need to do what needs done. Right now, they have no incentive to switch from Windows.
And you're telling me this is not the case right now? I'm sorry, but you, sir, are wrong. Little Jimmy has had his FTP server going for at least a year by now on his cable or DSL.
"Warez" FTPs are also cleary violating copyrights. Should those be taken down too? What about all IRC networks? What about Gnutella? The list goes on and on. Where is the line drawn?
How is Naster "obviously" violating the laws?
Users have to agree that they will not share copyrighted materials when they use the service. Blame the users for copyright infringement, not the company.
It's like trying to put a gun on trial for killing somebody. You don't put the gun on trial, you put the user on trial.
On a side note, I don't know how in the world they are making money since there aren't even banners on the website.
Mandrake 7.1 Released
The story then says that there is no official announcement on the Mandrake webpage. So, obviously, it hasn't be released, and thus this story should not have been posted yet.
There is a little difference here. Napster is free. We don't pay them to use their service. We pay the MPAA to watch DVDs. Don't bitch about terms of free services. If you don't like it, use Gnutella or something.
I got these from linux.org:
LinuxPPC
Linux Pro
LinuxWare
MkLinux
Turbo Linux
Yggdrasil Linux