Well, more than 300,000,000 people can't be wrong.:)
The US government (elected by those millions) says addictive cigarettes are a "better" addiction than marijuana by supporting their sale through taxes and preventing the sale of marijuana through laws.
>You don't own the program, you have purchased a license to use a copy of it.
>Like when you rent a video game, except on a longer term basis.
Yes, but when I rent Star Trek: First Contact at the local video shop, the next thing the cashier says (after he tells me its on TV tonite anyways) is that it is due back next week.
I've never been told at a store I need to return the software at any date in the future. I'm certain that if I were to ask if I would ever, at any point in the future, have to return the software to the store, I'd first get a blank stare, and then "No -- this isn't Microplay -- this is Future Shop. We don't rent software."
I'm also sure if I called Future Shop head office and asked them the same question they would tell me they don't rent software, they only sell it.
Take that for whatever you interpret it as, but I take it as a sale. Just like a bookstore tells you they sell books, and reminds you "This ain't no library" if you spend too long there, Future Shop is a software store that sells software (among other things).
>The nightclub doesn't tolerate such behavior when it's expressly forbidden, and shouldn't be required to by any means.
Well, apart from the fact that those acts are probably illegal (unlike selling characters online), if there were terms requiring something not illegal (I don't know -- a dress code?) and the charge was $69.99 wouldn't the patrons be entitled to a refund when ejected from the club?
This is assuming that the rules are posted inside the club, rather than outside -- just like the EULA was probably part of the installation, not printed on the box.
Its a little difficult to throw in the right to the creations of others after the dough has changed hands (Think of it like asking an architect to give up their rights on the drawings to your house after you paid them without this being mentioned).
I also hate to flame so I won't do it. I'll stick to facts. Here's one: resorting to arguments like "idiot" is the mark of an underdeveloped mind which is having trouble reasoning out a poor argument.
Putting that aside, when does copyright begin and end? Well, let's just see what the dictionary says.
To shorten the time you'd need to spend clicking, I'll quote the relevant, supporting bits:
"The legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work."
Ok, so what is an author? Here's the relevant quote for the lazy again...
"The writer of a book, article, or other text."
Now, let me requote what you replied to:
"If I ssh into my ISPs shell box (that I pay per month for) and type in a book on their hardware and their CPU cycles do they own it?"
So, are Merriam, Webster, and the lads at Oxford idiots also, or would you like to retract your statement? Your only other choice is to refute me on the point that typing is not writing, but I've already got that one looked up. Or you could tell me you replied to the wrong comment, but then I'd ask why you typed in my name?
I contend I am correct, and I challenge you to prove me wrong.
>I would say it is much more akin to the provision in apartment rental contracts that prohibits you from subletting the property without the owner's permission.
Again, I'm no lawyer, but aren't you allowed to exit a lease if you can find someone to take it over?
Sounds to me like that's what's really going on when you sell your account in the game...
>You aren't doing the same with a character, you're just making changes to a database that Mythic designed and owns the rights to.
Well, I guess this is where it gets sticky.
Isn't a filesystem nothing more than a simple database? ReiserFS would have us beleive so.
>They don't have a contract with you gautenteing service.
They sure do if you paid in full and aren't breaking the rules. Just the same way the cable co can't come out to your house and cut your cable for watching too much Seinfeld, your ISP can't cut off your shell account unless you break the rules, or you are repaid.
If they decide to change the rules they need to either wait for your current payment to expire or refund the rest.
>For that matter, they can shut down your account for any reason.
If my ISP did that without a refund I'd take their ass to small claims court and see what a judge thinks about it.
He'd probably not just refund my money, but if he was generous he might even give me punitive damages if the reason were outrageous enough (like them feeling they have the rights to something you created on your paid for CPU cycles and on your pad for section of their hard drive/database).
>If you dont' like it, vote with your dollars ad go play elsewhere.
Nahh, when a company tries to suspend the whole idea of free trade in a free society, I think its totally fair for the people harmed to revolt. They deserve not only their money back for the unused server time, but also the money back for their purchase of the game, IMHO.
Next thing you know you'll rent a hotel room for two and the owners will think they have the right to tell you that you that you and your soon to be wedded wife have to sleep separately unless you are married. This is a matter of freedom, and people need the government to tell these people that when you rent someone's hardware and create something on it that you own it, not the renters.
What's next, rental typewriters that require you to give the owners of the typewriter a copy of your manuscript?
Well, maybe I need to find out if they sent out any contracts to sign by registered priority mail then.:)
The DMCA might stand up for contractural rights to your own copyrighted material, but I find it doubtful a click license would stand for taking over the work created by someone else. Otherwise I'm sure M$ would sneak in more than a "don't create work bashing our work" clause in their license.
If I ssh into my ISPs shell box (that I pay per month for) and type in a book on their hardware and their CPU cycles do they own it?
I think a long history of legal arguments would say no.
Re:Works great if you have a clean room available
on
Clear Hard Drive Mods
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· Score: 2, Informative
A microscopic dust particle could stick to the head, especially since it usually has more grooves then the platter itself. Now the head is.01" lower to the platter, and only had 0.005" to start. The particle will slowly grind away at the surface of the platter, never mind the fact that now that head can't read anything with the metal in its way.
Or the particle could be whipped up into the air inside the drive (what with it spinning at 1000s of RPMs), and get stuck between the head and platter at some point. Griding platter again.
Normally (AFAIK) the head doesn't get badly damaged until the platter is ground up coarse enough to break it off.
I pay twice that for an always on, 1/4 of the speed satellite connection.
I'd gladly offer over $100 a month to the first high speed land based provider to offer me service in the over 128kbps range. But they won't because I live smack dab in a tri-city area of over 300,000 people (I guess having 1% of the country's population just doesn't cut it) and they don't think they can make the dough from the service.
I don't feel sorry for the cable users at all. I pay way more than you for an 8 Gb cap, service that goes out whenever it snows, and a slow as modem upload speed (since the uplink is via modem). And guess what? From what I've seen, I'm getting a great deal.
Suck it down high speed bandwidth leeches. Its about time Roger's charged you for what you're getting. You really should be paying $10 a GB like me:) Heck, you chould be paying $100/GB for expressvu high speed satellite internet (their price before they realised this is so expensive people linked to it as a joke and took it offline), so seriously, don't complain!
>But, the same thing can happen to TV now if it all goes free
I seem to recall a strange time... I think they called it the "60's" "70's" or "early 80's", I can't remember which. At that time all TV was free to anyone.
I don't recall this being seen as a serious impediment to making money, however. I'm sure there were different economic forces at play then. Like giving the people what they want and then they'll watch the ads. You know, like ads that aren't so loud you wear out the mute button, or so long you can make a pizza while you wait for them to end, or so obnoxious you turn to another station each time they advertise the latest in feminine hygiene problems? And programs that are popular, action packed, and varied, like A-Team, Airwolf, Mission Impossible, and MacGyver; in contrast to being nothing more than offensive standard grade pablum, like AllyMcBeal or [insert latest crappy sitcom ripoff where some lame ass actor comes out of the closet here] or [insert stupid show where everyone risks their life for a crappy prize] or [insert latest "real life" TV show]? I seem to recall that at this time music video station showed (gasp!) music videos! And that 2 hour movies weren't cut to 1 hour!
>Hey, who needs cable? You can just get stuff off the 'net.
Who needs cable indeed? My BUD dish picks up all sorts of commercial free wildfeeds (makes Enterprise worth watching!) 100% legally. My 40 ft. offair antenna picks up the other 50% of programming worth watching. And you legally can watch DirecTV for free in Canada, for the 1 or 2 stations that you just can't get (period -- they aren't on Canadian satellite, or Canadian satellite only offers an inferior version -- thanks CRTC!).
I haven't paid for programming in months, and I've been doing it legally. I even get the same selection of programming that most in North America enjoy, probably more (I get the Nasa channel...). Not that it matters much, because I won't be watching a big name network TV show at all this week (they put the SuperBowl on instead... I guess that is actually popular, though, so I can't complain too much about that). Maybe I'm just living in a time bubble where TV doesn't suck?
>I prefer using an actual client (local or web based), as do most people that use email.
I do too. Just when I am stuck, and I don't want to leave cookies with my password in them all over the machine (not that telnet is all that secure anyhow, but it keeps the casual hacker out of your business) connecting straight to the email server works well for me.
To each their own, however. You could always ssh into your home box and run pine there, but then you wouldn't get a GUI.:-/
Just use an older email client that tends to forget you already sent the receipt (eudora 3 comes to mind). Then send it every time you log in. The sender will very quickly remember that you shouldn't be sent mail requesting return receipt next time. Problem solved!
>My last job was developing (and doing other work with) device drivers; primarily working with Linux, Solaris, and AIX.
Unfortunately, there's a very small job market for device driver writing. I've never even once seen such a job advertised in the newspapers. I don't doubt they exist, but there are only so many device drivers that need writing (one per product with ports to each OS unless the developers royally screw up), and (AFAIK) while they are more challenging to write, they don't take nearly as long to write, which explains why you don't need the same amount of developers for that as opposed to application development.
I don't disagree that I personally can (and often do) avoid using windows, but when it's no-M$ vs. passing college, the latter always wins.
>If you cared all that much about it, you would have made different choices, rather than just complaining about how unfair life is.
I don't complain. I understand. And I did make other choices. I took EET for a couple of years before what I'm taking now. Now, if there's anything that should take you away from Microsoft products, this would be it. Well, it wasn't. They wanted us to use OrCad, and, for those who know that software, even though they made a Linux version, a lifetime subscription to Microsoft products is cheaper than an "educational" version. That's just the beginning -- Turbo C DOS drivers and all sorts. They supported Unix development whenever possible, but too many microprocessor companies would only release their devlopment tools in Windows.
Now, I put it to you: If the company you were working for asked you to develop for windows, would you quit your job? Sure seems like in these.bomb times they would have asked. I suppose you could ask them to provide you with money so you can go to college and learn device driver programming for windows, but wouldn't your life be easier at that point to play about with doing it with windows at home?
What I'm trying to get at is that perhaps where you stand things have worked well for you, and you've got the "dream job" of never having to work with microsoft products while still working in the technology field. In most places, though, if you refuse to use M$ you are refusing work. If you refuse to work, you get welfare for a few months until the government tells you to clean toilets. Of course, you'd be surprised how many toilet cleaner's timecard systems are Windows based...
Explaining a fact of life to someone who doesn't believe you is no more complaining than explaining to someone who can't stop their car properly that they need to use snow tires even after they repeatedly tell you that they've used all seasons all their life is boring.
Oh, what the hell, let me throw another monkey into the wrench: The laptop I bought just to avoid having to do all my work in a windows environment at college came with windows. I'd have gotten one from a Canadian linux-laptop dealer, but shipping and poor online pricing actually made it cheaper for me to buy it, with windows, offline.
I just figured I'd see what IT jobs I could get in my general location (without moving to another country) without windows experience, that pay a worth amount. I just checked at monster.ca for jobs in my area. 4 matches. Jobs which don't require windows experience (or that simply imply it by making one of the requirements windows software): 1. And their company has strong ties with a lot of M$ using companies, and the job is being a VP of Interactive Development. Doesn't seem like a good position to be in if you want to tell the clients "No, we don't do M$".
So, tell me, what do you reccomend? The streets, or toilet scrubbing for me?
>That's completely untrue. Only a minority of jobs, and of college programs, require you to buy Microsoft software.
If anything is untrue, you're above statement is. It is baseless.
Allow me to provide a base for you: The most common language for beginners to learn is BASIC. Visual Basic. As much as my opinions are strong, it is the most popular beginner's language. People going to college for computer programming courses don't understand programming and are beginners (or why would you sign up?). So they teach that. They also teach Access, since its a very simple way to introduce new programmers to building databases. And they teach C++ in a windows environment since the majority of C++ programming done for profit is done for windows.
These are hard facts that I'm sure I can back up with numbers. I don't like them, and I'd rather do nothing but GNU, but I have to face the facts.
>The truth of the matter is that you went to a stupid school (where they require you to use M$ products)
A stupid school would leave students unprepared for the real world. In the real world they use M$ software.
> entered a degree program (for which the aforementioned stupid school required the use of M$ products)
Sure didn't take a degree program. I am at college though -- I think they call them vocational institutes or something like that elsewhere. I really couldn't care less, though, since the job placement rate is very high for gradutes from my college.
>and then took a job (again, one where you have to use M$ products.)
My job is as an assistant systems administrator for the aforementioned college. We have to support M$ products not only because of my classes, but also because we offer courses in Office applications, and many other programs that run in a Windows enviroment.
All the servers that I know of at my college, with the exception of a single windows box, are Novell or a Unix variant. But, because my job includes real life work, I have to fix windows boxes.
As you'll see, I use windows just as much as anyone else. I'm very surprised your job never required the use of windows. I'm sure your stupid job requires the use of RPG/400, or COBOL, or something else equally inane. I don't think being a software janitor is a job anyone should aspire to be doing, though. I suppose you could be one of the very few who still have jobs programming for open source projects, but I find that unlikely.
>Any of these could have been avoided, had you a desire to do so rather than whine about being 'forced' to use software you don't like.
Well, let's see:
- Burger flipping: There's a good chance at some joint the cash registers run Windows NT. Nope, won't work
- Computer repairs: Uhhh, you have to install windows. Nope.
- Computer Consulting: Most questions I've got are about windows. Nope.
- Programming: All the jobs in my newspaper require windows experience of some type. Nope.
- Bank machine repair: A surprising number of bank machines run Win NT. Nope.
- Sign repair: Nope. Most all the electronic signs out there run Win NT.
- Secretary: Nope.
- Dentist: Nope.
- Doctor: Nope.
- Car Mechanic: A lot of car repair systems run Win NT. Nope.
- Phys ed teacher: Have to receive emails, most use Win NT. Nope.
- Salesman: Sales terminals run Win NT.
- TV/VCR Repair: Sales terminals running Win NT. Not to mention the windows based diagnostics software.
- Hardware engineering: You might spend most of your time on a Unix box designing ICs, but just wait 'till the head of the company emails everyone their monthly.doc file. Will you tell them that you won't read it because you don't support M$?
Any single job you can think of will require me to use windows unless I'm lucky. And, even though I've listed many non-computer jobs, I'd prefer to stick to the field I actually enjoy working in.
The fact is I need to eat, and to ensure I can lead a life outside of leeching from the government, I have to learn and use windows. As soon as I go to college to learn windows (ie: get a certificate of computer literacy so I can get that non-computer professional job I never dreamed of) I've already paid for it, as you'll see below.
>Even if you're dead-set on pursuing a CS degree or something where you're going to have to work with Microsoft software to some degree, you can use the school resources available.
Do you think when I paid my tuition I didn't pay for the school resources?
So just by going to college and sitting down at a machine I bought into the M$ monopoly. I paid for M$ windows not indirectly, but directly. Part of the cash I plonked down was earmarked for Microsoft. I know, I work there.
>There's absolutely no excuse for paying good money for something you think is useless, unless you're just a glutton for punishment.
I think a lot of government services are useless, but when I don't pay my taxes Revenue Canada knocks on my door.
M$, the goverment registered computer software monopolist is no different.
If you are employed, and your company switches to M$, are you willing to quit?
Or, if you are self-employed, and a $1m client tells you they are switching to M$ and want your help in it, will you say no?
The fact is I'm not Gandhi, and I'm not willing to destroy myself to avoid paying Bill Gates his money. If my job requires M$, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to quit, since I know I'll never find a job not requring the use of it at some point.
Linux isn't UN*X until someone pays for the trademark.
Until then it is reaching for 100% POSIX compliance.
So no, due to that little fact (and a whopping load of others), there is no way Linus got permission to make his own version of Unix simply because he wouldn't cough up the cash for the UN*X trademark.
The story (AFAIK) basically goes that he wasn't too happy with what he saw in computing back when he was using university computers in '91. He asked digital and intel for machines on which to create a new operating system. Intel delivered first, so he started developing an operating system from scratch for the i386 that was similar to what he was used to at the university, but better for him, and (being self developed) free. When he told others (and Andy Tannenbaum (sp?) himself) he was initially laughed at until he coughed up the goods, at which point development snowballed into what is today known as Linux.
Unfortunately for Tannenbaum, he decided to keep his Minix O/S tied to his books, and therefore it has all but died. Too bad, really, since the book isn't that bad of a read, and reasonably priced (for a university level computer book) and at the time Minix was far superior to Linux.
Slashdot Mirror
>That's the stupidest thing I ever heard.
:)
Well, more than 300,000,000 people can't be wrong.
The US government (elected by those millions) says addictive cigarettes are a "better" addiction than marijuana by supporting their sale through taxes and preventing the sale of marijuana through laws.
>You don't own the program, you have purchased a license to use a copy of it.
>Like when you rent a video game, except on a longer term basis.
Yes, but when I rent Star Trek: First Contact at the local video shop, the next thing the cashier says (after he tells me its on TV tonite anyways) is that it is due back next week.
I've never been told at a store I need to return the software at any date in the future. I'm certain that if I were to ask if I would ever, at any point in the future, have to return the software to the store, I'd first get a blank stare, and then "No -- this isn't Microplay -- this is Future Shop. We don't rent software."
I'm also sure if I called Future Shop head office and asked them the same question they would tell me they don't rent software, they only sell it.
Take that for whatever you interpret it as, but I take it as a sale. Just like a bookstore tells you they sell books, and reminds you "This ain't no library" if you spend too long there, Future Shop is a software store that sells software (among other things).
>The nightclub doesn't tolerate such behavior when it's expressly forbidden, and shouldn't be required to by any means.
Well, apart from the fact that those acts are probably illegal (unlike selling characters online), if there were terms requiring something not illegal (I don't know -- a dress code?) and the charge was $69.99 wouldn't the patrons be entitled to a refund when ejected from the club?
This is assuming that the rules are posted inside the club, rather than outside -- just like the EULA was probably part of the installation, not printed on the box.
Its a little difficult to throw in the right to the creations of others after the dough has changed hands (Think of it like asking an architect to give up their rights on the drawings to your house after you paid them without this being mentioned).
I also hate to flame so I won't do it. I'll stick to facts. Here's one: resorting to arguments like "idiot" is the mark of an underdeveloped mind which is having trouble reasoning out a poor argument.
Putting that aside, when does copyright begin and end? Well, let's just see what the dictionary says.
To shorten the time you'd need to spend clicking, I'll quote the relevant, supporting bits:
"The legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work."
Ok, so what is an author? Here's the relevant quote for the lazy again...
"The writer of a book, article, or other text."
Now, let me requote what you replied to:
"If I ssh into my ISPs shell box (that I pay per month for) and type in a book on their hardware and their CPU cycles do they own it?"
So, are Merriam, Webster, and the lads at Oxford idiots also, or would you like to retract your statement? Your only other choice is to refute me on the point that typing is not writing, but I've already got that one looked up. Or you could tell me you replied to the wrong comment, but then I'd ask why you typed in my name?
I contend I am correct, and I challenge you to prove me wrong.
>I would say it is much more akin to the provision in apartment rental contracts that prohibits you from subletting the property without the owner's permission.
Again, I'm no lawyer, but aren't you allowed to exit a lease if you can find someone to take it over?
Sounds to me like that's what's really going on when you sell your account in the game...
>You aren't doing the same with a character, you're just making changes to a database that Mythic designed and owns the rights to.
Well, I guess this is where it gets sticky.
Isn't a filesystem nothing more than a simple database? ReiserFS would have us beleive so.
>They don't have a contract with you gautenteing service.
They sure do if you paid in full and aren't breaking the rules. Just the same way the cable co can't come out to your house and cut your cable for watching too much Seinfeld, your ISP can't cut off your shell account unless you break the rules, or you are repaid.
If they decide to change the rules they need to either wait for your current payment to expire or refund the rest.
>For that matter, they can shut down your account for any reason.
If my ISP did that without a refund I'd take their ass to small claims court and see what a judge thinks about it.
He'd probably not just refund my money, but if he was generous he might even give me punitive damages if the reason were outrageous enough (like them feeling they have the rights to something you created on your paid for CPU cycles and on your pad for section of their hard drive/database).
>If you dont' like it, vote with your dollars ad go play elsewhere.
Nahh, when a company tries to suspend the whole idea of free trade in a free society, I think its totally fair for the people harmed to revolt. They deserve not only their money back for the unused server time, but also the money back for their purchase of the game, IMHO.
Next thing you know you'll rent a hotel room for two and the owners will think they have the right to tell you that you that you and your soon to be wedded wife have to sleep separately unless you are married. This is a matter of freedom, and people need the government to tell these people that when you rent someone's hardware and create something on it that you own it, not the renters.
What's next, rental typewriters that require you to give the owners of the typewriter a copy of your manuscript?
Well, maybe I need to find out if they sent out any contracts to sign by registered priority mail then. :)
The DMCA might stand up for contractural rights to your own copyrighted material, but I find it doubtful a click license would stand for taking over the work created by someone else. Otherwise I'm sure M$ would sneak in more than a "don't create work bashing our work" clause in their license.
But hey, IANAL, so I'm probably wrong.
Okay... lets think of it this way.
If I ssh into my ISPs shell box (that I pay per month for) and type in a book on their hardware and their CPU cycles do they own it?
I think a long history of legal arguments would say no.
A microscopic dust particle could stick to the head, especially since it usually has more grooves then the platter itself. Now the head is .01" lower to the platter, and only had 0.005" to start. The particle will slowly grind away at the surface of the platter, never mind the fact that now that head can't read anything with the metal in its way.
Or the particle could be whipped up into the air inside the drive (what with it spinning at 1000s of RPMs), and get stuck between the head and platter at some point. Griding platter again.
Normally (AFAIK) the head doesn't get badly damaged until the platter is ground up coarse enough to break it off.
Well, the drive isn't 7200 RPM, and its 1.2 GB.
Since he says he takes this 1.2 GB HDD to lan parties I question if he really only installs one game at a time?
It must be a joke.
I pay twice that for an always on, 1/4 of the speed satellite connection.
:) Heck, you chould be paying $100/GB for expressvu high speed satellite internet (their price before they realised this is so expensive people linked to it as a joke and took it offline), so seriously, don't complain!
I'd gladly offer over $100 a month to the first high speed land based provider to offer me service in the over 128kbps range. But they won't because I live smack dab in a tri-city area of over 300,000 people (I guess having 1% of the country's population just doesn't cut it) and they don't think they can make the dough from the service.
I don't feel sorry for the cable users at all. I pay way more than you for an 8 Gb cap, service that goes out whenever it snows, and a slow as modem upload speed (since the uplink is via modem). And guess what? From what I've seen, I'm getting a great deal.
Suck it down high speed bandwidth leeches. Its about time Roger's charged you for what you're getting. You really should be paying $10 a GB like me
>Its more like this, "You can use the phone as much as you want, you just cant run a telemarketing buisness from this phone".
Nahhh, its closer to:
"You can't run an answering machine on your phone line".
Since that's what servers are, overglorified automated request answering systems.
>But, the same thing can happen to TV now if it all goes free
I seem to recall a strange time... I think they called it the "60's" "70's" or "early 80's", I can't remember which. At that time all TV was free to anyone.
I don't recall this being seen as a serious impediment to making money, however. I'm sure there were different economic forces at play then. Like giving the people what they want and then they'll watch the ads. You know, like ads that aren't so loud you wear out the mute button, or so long you can make a pizza while you wait for them to end, or so obnoxious you turn to another station each time they advertise the latest in feminine hygiene problems? And programs that are popular, action packed, and varied, like A-Team, Airwolf, Mission Impossible, and MacGyver; in contrast to being nothing more than offensive standard grade pablum, like AllyMcBeal or [insert latest crappy sitcom ripoff where some lame ass actor comes out of the closet here] or [insert stupid show where everyone risks their life for a crappy prize] or [insert latest "real life" TV show]? I seem to recall that at this time music video station showed (gasp!) music videos! And that 2 hour movies weren't cut to 1 hour!
>Hey, who needs cable? You can just get stuff off the 'net.
Who needs cable indeed? My BUD dish picks up all sorts of commercial free wildfeeds (makes Enterprise worth watching!) 100% legally. My 40 ft. offair antenna picks up the other 50% of programming worth watching. And you legally can watch DirecTV for free in Canada, for the 1 or 2 stations that you just can't get (period -- they aren't on Canadian satellite, or Canadian satellite only offers an inferior version -- thanks CRTC!).
I haven't paid for programming in months, and I've been doing it legally. I even get the same selection of programming that most in North America enjoy, probably more (I get the Nasa channel...). Not that it matters much, because I won't be watching a big name network TV show at all this week (they put the SuperBowl on instead... I guess that is actually popular, though, so I can't complain too much about that). Maybe I'm just living in a time bubble where TV doesn't suck?
What RSI problems do I have?
>I prefer using an actual client (local or web based), as do most people that use email.
:-/
I do too. Just when I am stuck, and I don't want to leave cookies with my password in them all over the machine (not that telnet is all that secure anyhow, but it keeps the casual hacker out of your business) connecting straight to the email server works well for me.
To each their own, however. You could always ssh into your home box and run pine there, but then you wouldn't get a GUI.
Its been a long time since I've used an OS that doesn't include a telnet client.
telnet mail.xyz.com 110
user (username)
pass (password
list
retr (insert mail # here)
quit
Nice and easy. Just like (transmission ended due to trademark violation).
Just use an older email client that tends to forget you already sent the receipt (eudora 3 comes to mind). Then send it every time you log in. The sender will very quickly remember that you shouldn't be sent mail requesting return receipt next time. Problem solved!
Why not make it easier and bump the pitch of the songs up by 3 or 4%? Its not like you can notice with just your ears (usually).
Just wondering... I do this all the time on my radio show to fit in a little more.
>My last job was developing (and doing other work with) device drivers; primarily working with Linux, Solaris, and AIX.
.bomb times they would have asked. I suppose you could ask them to provide you with money so you can go to college and learn device driver programming for windows, but wouldn't your life be easier at that point to play about with doing it with windows at home?
Unfortunately, there's a very small job market for device driver writing. I've never even once seen such a job advertised in the newspapers. I don't doubt they exist, but there are only so many device drivers that need writing (one per product with ports to each OS unless the developers royally screw up), and (AFAIK) while they are more challenging to write, they don't take nearly as long to write, which explains why you don't need the same amount of developers for that as opposed to application development.
I don't disagree that I personally can (and often do) avoid using windows, but when it's no-M$ vs. passing college, the latter always wins.
>If you cared all that much about it, you would have made different choices, rather than just complaining about how unfair life is.
I don't complain. I understand. And I did make other choices. I took EET for a couple of years before what I'm taking now. Now, if there's anything that should take you away from Microsoft products, this would be it. Well, it wasn't. They wanted us to use OrCad, and, for those who know that software, even though they made a Linux version, a lifetime subscription to Microsoft products is cheaper than an "educational" version. That's just the beginning -- Turbo C DOS drivers and all sorts. They supported Unix development whenever possible, but too many microprocessor companies would only release their devlopment tools in Windows.
Now, I put it to you: If the company you were working for asked you to develop for windows, would you quit your job? Sure seems like in these
What I'm trying to get at is that perhaps where you stand things have worked well for you, and you've got the "dream job" of never having to work with microsoft products while still working in the technology field. In most places, though, if you refuse to use M$ you are refusing work. If you refuse to work, you get welfare for a few months until the government tells you to clean toilets. Of course, you'd be surprised how many toilet cleaner's timecard systems are Windows based...
Explaining a fact of life to someone who doesn't believe you is no more complaining than explaining to someone who can't stop their car properly that they need to use snow tires even after they repeatedly tell you that they've used all seasons all their life is boring.
Oh, what the hell, let me throw another monkey into the wrench: The laptop I bought just to avoid having to do all my work in a windows environment at college came with windows. I'd have gotten one from a Canadian linux-laptop dealer, but shipping and poor online pricing actually made it cheaper for me to buy it, with windows, offline.
I just figured I'd see what IT jobs I could get in my general location (without moving to another country) without windows experience, that pay a worth amount. I just checked at monster.ca for jobs in my area. 4 matches. Jobs which don't require windows experience (or that simply imply it by making one of the requirements windows software): 1. And their company has strong ties with a lot of M$ using companies, and the job is being a VP of Interactive Development. Doesn't seem like a good position to be in if you want to tell the clients "No, we don't do M$".
So, tell me, what do you reccomend? The streets, or toilet scrubbing for me?
>That's completely untrue. Only a minority of jobs, and of college programs, require you to buy Microsoft software.
.doc file. Will you tell them that you won't read it because you don't support M$?
If anything is untrue, you're above statement is. It is baseless.
Allow me to provide a base for you: The most common language for beginners to learn is BASIC. Visual Basic. As much as my opinions are strong, it is the most popular beginner's language. People going to college for computer programming courses don't understand programming and are beginners (or why would you sign up?). So they teach that. They also teach Access, since its a very simple way to introduce new programmers to building databases. And they teach C++ in a windows environment since the majority of C++ programming done for profit is done for windows.
These are hard facts that I'm sure I can back up with numbers. I don't like them, and I'd rather do nothing but GNU, but I have to face the facts.
>The truth of the matter is that you went to a stupid school (where they require you to use M$ products)
A stupid school would leave students unprepared for the real world. In the real world they use M$ software.
> entered a degree program (for which the aforementioned stupid school required the use of M$ products)
Sure didn't take a degree program. I am at college though -- I think they call them vocational institutes or something like that elsewhere. I really couldn't care less, though, since the job placement rate is very high for gradutes from my college.
>and then took a job (again, one where you have to use M$ products.)
My job is as an assistant systems administrator for the aforementioned college. We have to support M$ products not only because of my classes, but also because we offer courses in Office applications, and many other programs that run in a Windows enviroment.
All the servers that I know of at my college, with the exception of a single windows box, are Novell or a Unix variant. But, because my job includes real life work, I have to fix windows boxes.
As you'll see, I use windows just as much as anyone else. I'm very surprised your job never required the use of windows. I'm sure your stupid job requires the use of RPG/400, or COBOL, or something else equally inane. I don't think being a software janitor is a job anyone should aspire to be doing, though. I suppose you could be one of the very few who still have jobs programming for open source projects, but I find that unlikely.
>Any of these could have been avoided, had you a desire to do so rather than whine about being 'forced' to use software you don't like.
Well, let's see:
- Burger flipping: There's a good chance at some joint the cash registers run Windows NT. Nope, won't work
- Computer repairs: Uhhh, you have to install windows. Nope.
- Computer Consulting: Most questions I've got are about windows. Nope.
- Programming: All the jobs in my newspaper require windows experience of some type. Nope.
- Bank machine repair: A surprising number of bank machines run Win NT. Nope.
- Sign repair: Nope. Most all the electronic signs out there run Win NT.
- Secretary: Nope.
- Dentist: Nope.
- Doctor: Nope.
- Car Mechanic: A lot of car repair systems run Win NT. Nope.
- Phys ed teacher: Have to receive emails, most use Win NT. Nope.
- Salesman: Sales terminals run Win NT.
- TV/VCR Repair: Sales terminals running Win NT. Not to mention the windows based diagnostics software.
- Hardware engineering: You might spend most of your time on a Unix box designing ICs, but just wait 'till the head of the company emails everyone their monthly
Any single job you can think of will require me to use windows unless I'm lucky. And, even though I've listed many non-computer jobs, I'd prefer to stick to the field I actually enjoy working in.
The fact is I need to eat, and to ensure I can lead a life outside of leeching from the government, I have to learn and use windows. As soon as I go to college to learn windows (ie: get a certificate of computer literacy so I can get that non-computer professional job I never dreamed of) I've already paid for it, as you'll see below.
>Even if you're dead-set on pursuing a CS degree or something where you're going to have to work with Microsoft software to some degree, you can use the school resources available.
Do you think when I paid my tuition I didn't pay for the school resources?
So just by going to college and sitting down at a machine I bought into the M$ monopoly. I paid for M$ windows not indirectly, but directly. Part of the cash I plonked down was earmarked for Microsoft. I know, I work there.
>There's absolutely no excuse for paying good money for something you think is useless, unless you're just a glutton for punishment.
I think a lot of government services are useless, but when I don't pay my taxes Revenue Canada knocks on my door.
M$, the goverment registered computer software monopolist is no different.
If you are employed, and your company switches to M$, are you willing to quit?
Or, if you are self-employed, and a $1m client tells you they are switching to M$ and want your help in it, will you say no?
The fact is I'm not Gandhi, and I'm not willing to destroy myself to avoid paying Bill Gates his money. If my job requires M$, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to quit, since I know I'll never find a job not requring the use of it at some point.
>IF IT SUX WHY DID YOU BUY IT?
Simple. If I didn't I couldn't get a job, and I couldn't pass college.
I think everyone deserves a job, don't you?
>Works for me.
:-(
How do I upgrade my account to include options for +1ing "overrated" moderated posts too? I'm missing that option.
I must still be in the old database. Oh well... Perhaps you wouldn't mind asking CmdrTaco to add that feature to my account?
Doesn't work if you surf below 0 because CmdrTaco has told us that if you surf that low you don't deserve to be able to filter out posts.
I think he's wrong (and it isn't the first time -- see my sig), but hey, I don't run the site.
Linux isn't UN*X until someone pays for the trademark.
Until then it is reaching for 100% POSIX compliance.
So no, due to that little fact (and a whopping load of others), there is no way Linus got permission to make his own version of Unix simply because he wouldn't cough up the cash for the UN*X trademark.
The story (AFAIK) basically goes that he wasn't too happy with what he saw in computing back when he was using university computers in '91. He asked digital and intel for machines on which to create a new operating system. Intel delivered first, so he started developing an operating system from scratch for the i386 that was similar to what he was used to at the university, but better for him, and (being self developed) free. When he told others (and Andy Tannenbaum (sp?) himself) he was initially laughed at until he coughed up the goods, at which point development snowballed into what is today known as Linux.
Unfortunately for Tannenbaum, he decided to keep his Minix O/S tied to his books, and therefore it has all but died. Too bad, really, since the book isn't that bad of a read, and reasonably priced (for a university level computer book) and at the time Minix was far superior to Linux.
So who's gonna put up a faraday cage around the city? I really don't think the state will be footing the bill for this.
I mean, you have to block short-waves, right? You wouldn't want those cancer causing short-waves burning out your mind, now, would you?