>Because I've always preferred quality over quantity. You obviously have not.
And ACs always post quality over quantity?
If you're going to insult me, be a man about it. Use an account.
Oh, and I should mention I regularly get modded up. I know you can't handle the thought that someone else is more intelligent than you, but sorry; I can't afford your psychiatry bills this month.
>Apple introduced that ejecting floppy drive (3 1/2") back when PCs were still using 5 1/4" 360K floppy disks. Now that PC's have non-ejecting 3 1/2" drives, the Apple move looked strange.
Okay. I think I can take this one on.
LinkTo an Amiga 1000. Notice the 3.5" floppy with eject button in 1985.:-)
>Apple doesn't do any of this OEM crap now.
Agreed, with the occasional exception. But the damage is done.
>Yes, the case isn't an ATX case, but who cares
Anyone who wants to put 24 hard drives in their Mac? Not likely, but you can in the ATX world...
>On the software side they have TCP/IP, and any other "UNIX" protocol.
Yeah, but what's interesting is there was once a time when MacOS didn't come with a PPP stack. And this was well after PCs had free PPP stacks, IIRC.
>There are other computer platforms that have proprietary buses, interfaces, memory and protocols but you don't neccessarily see their users bitching every day about it.
Tis true, but then again, they aren't marketed to end users (or at least they aren't any more). I've never seen a home user with an AS/400 or a system/36.;)
>the 486sx and 386sx were crude hacks...Cyrix and other failed Intel CPU clone manufacturers...
Yeah, but they were a choice, not to mention the complete commandset for those processors was always available... Not proprietary or special (except for having forced brain damage).
All I'm trying to say is that Apple's history has hurt them beyond repair. Perhaps a renaming, and complete repackaging would get them back on their feet. I truly think if they were to release OS X for the x86, and _not_ be a bunch of whiners about hardware compatability (I am NOT going to use an OS that requires a special BIOS), they could whip Microsoft.
Apple needs to quit focusing on hardware -- it's so... 80's. Software is where it's at (and has been well before OS X). Just look at the move to software controlled hardware, like DSPs and microcontrollers. Hardware just isn't the profit margin, or the popularity margin it once was.
I might consider getting a Mac for learning purposes, but all I can afford to spend on a learning toy is the super proprietary Macs. Blech. Not to mention I don't like hardware I can't rip apart and put together again in less than a few seconds (I can just imagine having to repair the iLamp iMac -- Help, I'm in hell!).
>The PC world is still apparently scratching their collective heads trying to come up with a decent, universal floppy replacement: CDR, Zip, USB dongle or other flash media, LS120, CDs, etc.
The problem here is that in the PC world, it often seems the pace of hardware development outstripts software development. CDs couldn't boot for far too long, Zip Drives had crappy PC support, USB dongles aren't bad, but USB is just slowly becoming ubiquitous (and the damn things cost too much), LS120 never had good BIOS support (which it needed), etc. etc.
Apple's controlling of the hardware has always ensured the pace of their hardware matched the pace of their software. Which is nice for simplicity (sometimes) but isn't nice on the pocketbook, or ease/speed of repairs.
My bottom line to Jobs is: Put OS X on a normal PC and I might lay down $150 CDN for the first time ever on an OS. 'Till then, no dice. I just can't afford special hardware, and neither can my clients.
Thanks for the info. I'll no longer refer to NuBus as proprietary, then.
However, many of the other parts are proprietary, and others (including NuBus) specialty parts that only Macs can use, driving up Mac prices. (remember, I'm still talking about the past. New Macs are somewhat less specialty items, and use far fewer proprietary components.)
>Or VESA Local Bus, EISA, Microchannel, 486sx, SIPPs, Hercules, CGA, EGA, 8514a.
All of these are backwards compatible, though.
VLB and EISA support ISA cards. MCA was proprietary and died before it got off the floor like it should have. 486sx? That supported all 386 and 486 software. SIPPs, I'm told, worked fine as SIMMs if you removed the legs (not to mention I've only EVER had one mobo that used them -- they died like they should have too!). All those video standards you talk about are FULLY supported by all modern VGA controllers. Not to mention many of those controllers themselves were backwards compatible. And that they were all fully documented -- so much so they were copied successfully by numerous companies.
>Different architectures have different hardware needs and implementations.
Yes. But PCs are fully documented, and when there's already a set standard for something, they don't break compatability for that standard. The standard DIMM was 3.3v, but Apple chose to ignore the standard, costing users money and time. This goes for many of those items. Motorized eject disk drives are something I've only ever seen on a Mac. Same with localtalk and NuBus.
At least (I'm told) ISA was intended to be easy for an S100 bus designer to adapt to...
Maybe the difference is that when a proprietary standard is introduced into the PC world, it dies almost instantly, no matter how much howling and bawling IBM does. Whereas in the Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field, proprietary standards are forced down users throats until Steve Jobs' decides they suck. Not to mention the documentation thing again, as well.
>and was not unduly bothered by the constant shifing standards (XT->IDE->ATA/xxx->?, ISA->EISA->VESA->PCI->AGP, etc, competing video "standards" that weren't, etc, etc).
You know what I find interesting?
If you programmed your software to use the XT HardDisk controller (Winchester or MFM) through the BIOS as reccomended, it will still work with an ATA-133 controller.
And an original IDE drive will work on an ATA-133 controller; ISA boards fit in (and work in) EISA slots. ISA boards also fit in (and work in) VESA slots. PCI is a new beast, along with AGP, though.
And, all those competing video standards, well, interestingly enough, if they either used the BIOS, or wrote even if they wrote directly on the video card (after switching video modes) they still work on a modern GeForce 4! Yes, this includes EGA, CGA and MDA apps.
Yup. The PC is a legion of backwards compatability, and standards. That's part of what sets it apart from the Macs (oh boy, I'm going to look like a Mac hater this week. Sorry, but it just looks like the topic came up again!).
Re:so XFree86 = usage stattistics?
on
The End Of Minix?
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Ok, how about a more XFree86 example...
I once ran my Hercules adapter in a 386 SX-16/w 4 MB of RAM (720x368 IIRC). It ran one of the 3.x versions of XFree86 well enough to be far faster than the monochrome X-Term I had.
Yes, a 386 SX-16 is faster than a decent 286. By a little... And yes, the Hercules adapter didn't have the X-Terminal's resolution.
But, all in all, I think a 286/w XFree86 as an X-Terminal wouldn't be all that bad, depending on what you expect. If you just want to pop up an xterm, and some really simple Xlib/Motif based software, I think you'd be OK.
>Worse, wasting a 15+" monitor on a 286, when a pentium can be had for less than the price of a monitor?
True, this. But hey, why not! It could be fun... especially if you're not using a decent monitor... Think of the fun running the old EGA (or was it CGA) graphics someone hacked into Xfree86 once. Fun fun fun! Nothing beats the 5 second ghost pattern you'd get on those radar green screens!
Or you could always convert the CGA monitor to a TV...
>What part of FireWire, IDE, SDRAM, USB, AGP, PCI is proprietary to Apple?
I don't know.
Maybe the parts that put people off years ago, like:
5v serial ports, 5v DIMMs, NuBus, localtalk, motoroized eject disk drives, making people call FireWire 1001 different names, and other fun little stupidities?
Or maybe today's problems, like not using an ATX case, their software, or 100% of apple mainboards?
>I have 2 systems running beta and expirmental wireless and firewire drivers that have never crashed.
You're doing better than me.
When I tried the Spectrum24t experimental drivers for my Nortel Network e-mobility card it panicked and locked up my laptop solid, IIRC. I still can't find a decent driver for that card.
But I don't blame linux for that. Even Nortel doesn't support these cards, being that they are more than 4 months old.
You mean lower prices caused by piracy. Why not ask someone from China how much a legit copy of MS Office costs?
I think you'll find it 1/10th or less than our price. Piracy encourages lower prices, because the company now has competition, which they either beat, or get out of town.
>I assume you were referring to it not having been challenged on constitutional grounds yet
Nope.
>I didn't see that the DMCA is actually in the constitution
1st amendment rights make it illegal, and even after it being challened, it still seems to be law (oh well). I need say no more on this topic, I hope.
>Declaring something to be legal in a particular circumstance by no means indicates it is outlawed in all other circumstances.
Fine. By your logic, since in Canada it isn't specifically defined that the double yellow line in the middle of the road requires you not to pass (because the roads are often covered with snow, which obscures these lines) if I pass when it isn't safe to do so (ie: oncoming traffic which has to slam on its brakes, but doesn't hit me) I'm perfectly legal to do so, right?
Just because it isn't specifically outlawed doesn't make it legal, either.
Now, if individual states have decided to make guns legal, that's bully for them. But I have a problem with people misquoting the constitution as if it is what gives them the rights, as US citizens, to individually bear arms.
In your opinion, does the constitution specifically make the ownership of guns by random individuals a right, or a privlege? Because, unless you are legally entitled to it as a right specifically, it's a privlege, like a driver's license, that the government decides as to wether you get it or not.
>How does mentioning an acceptable right to bear arms constitute any idea that guns are otherwise outlawed?
I simply explained that:
"Guns are outlawed unless you are part of a well regulated Militia."
This is your law, and is part of your constitution. If you don't like it, sorry, you're either going to have to have another civil war, or find another country to live in (assuming you're from the US).
>You don't know any more what you are talking about than the people you are so in awe of.
You are so fucking wrong. Read the goddamn constitution. I linked to it for fucks sakes. Read it. I assume you can read -- but then again, you appear to have chosen not to read my post, so perhaps I am wrong.
The fact that the NRA only pays attention to half the sentence doesn't mean the first half doesn't exist. It does, and I doubt even 10% of all firearms owners in the US are part of a well regulated militia. That is if they are part of a militia at all!
>Misquotes, shitty logic -- what's the difference?
If you think the US constitution is fully of shitty logic, I might be inclined to agree with you. I mean, if it weren't full of shitty logic, how does the DMCA exist?
Re:so XFree86 = usage stattistics?
on
The End Of Minix?
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· Score: 3, Interesting
>Do you think my old 286 running Minix could handle X well enough to be a remote x terminal?
Not a problem. I have old NCD X-Terms which only have a 68k processor @ 10 or 12 Mhz and 1-4 MB RAM. They run X just fine. Don't expect miracles, though. Netscape takes a minute to draw...
>First the implied slight that roleplaying nerds are wasting their lives, and then (the real gem)...
Strange how people read so much into ASCII characters typed on a VDT. I suppose I have done it from time to time, though.
If I am going to take some leisure time, I prefer:
- Electronics projects
- Driving/Racing Video Games
- Golf Video Games
- Bust-A-Move
- Reading / Posting to Slashdot
- Watching TV
- Reading Magazines or Non-Fiction Books
Over RPGs. I simply don't see a lot of fun in them -- the 10 hours (or so) I played were enough to turn me off them for a very long time. I wouldn't say anyone spending a healthy amount of time on an RPG (ie: An amount of time that doesn't adversely affect your life) is someone who I frown upon, however I do think people that play RPGs until they die are foolish, and are wasting their time (especially if 86 hours is all you have left). I might find it fair to say that someone who chooses not to vary their leisure time experiences is acting a little silly, too.
>The web page says "Note that I have only tested this software with the MX-700 digital camera and Linux 2.0.27 with libc5.
You can be assured the software compiles and works like a charm on any new Linux system -- I own the MX-1200 camera, which uses the same interface, and it works great with this software (which is amazingly well written, IMHO). Maybe I should email the author and tell him to update that page...
>This link goes to an FTP page with dozens of files
True. But the README file describes what you need to do... Not to mention that anyone who is a Linux user should know which file to download, just like a Windows user knows to avoid downloading source distributions.
>The web page says, "It seems that pre7 was the most buggier pre-release ever... So time to release a bugfix/hotfix one now."
Again, be assured that mplayer is one of the higher quality pieces of software I have seen in quite a while -- in comparison to both linux and windows software. Microsoft has made far more serious errors in their web-browser that still aren't fixed.
>The web page says, "here is an additional list of required software, which are not yet widely available on CDROM distributions, you have to download and maybe compile them yourself."
Again, being able to do "./configure; make; make install" is part of being a linux user, just as being able to use "Add/Remove components" or the "System" control panel in windows is part of being a windows user. I don't think this is an unfair thing to ask people to do.
>The page you linked to is quite old, and discusses Red Hat 6.0 and KDE 1.1. Newer PDAs tend to sync via the USB, not the serial port.
There is newer software, some of it updated this month I'll best. I just got lazy. Freshmeat has an amazing amount of palm pilot software if you just search for it.
>I'm not trying to put down these projects at all. I just think you've proven the original poster's point by enumerating these alpha or beta software.
Unlike Microsoft, Linux applications do not use the User.Devel.Sub release numbering (or the now popular year release numbering). A program usually remains in beta until 100% of the expected functionality is added in Linuxland. If Microsoft were to do this, windows 3.1 would, infact, be windows 1.0, since all previous versions were really just beta versions that lacked the full functionality of a proper GUI. And how about NT? Where are the 0.x versions, not to mention 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0?
Numbers don't really matter. What really matters is: Does the software do the job intended properly?
In the case of most all the software I linked, I think the answer is yes.
>And really, Linux advocates (I am one) need to be more critical than "I've never done DV, but Kino doesn't look too hard" or just admit that you don't know.
I thought that's what I did... admit I don't know much about DV. Maybe I need to be more clear than "I've never done DV" when I admit I don't know all that much about it. Although, considering the amount of reviews I've seen of various DV software, and how much Kino and Cinerela/Broadcast 2k get mentioned, I figured they deserved an honourable mention.
>Viewsonic sell a box that let you put NTSC on a VGA display for $100, another $20 buys you a set of speakers.
There's more to it than that.
The NTSC convertor has to smooth and scale to the exact resolution of the LCD. At 15", it could be as high as 1400x1050. Next, it has to have a remote control interface. Also, they have to write software to control the TV tuner, and to control the various inputs. Then there's the V-Chip, payments to SRS, and myriads of other retarded crap they have to add (like being able to take insane static shocks).
After that $400 worth of stuff, they tack on an extra $400 for it being a niche product, just like anything else that doesn't get sold in quantity. For reference, compare the price of an XLR audio cable to an S-VHS cable. Both use the same amount of conductors (S-VHS is actually more expensive due to its shielding design), but XLR will cost you far more per foot.
I thought it was just a childish way of saying "urine".
Make that 3 people who've never played this game. And you can count me in the haven't played more than 10 hours of RPG games in my entire life crowd too...
>It has been shown through the courts that reverse engineering BIOS code is legal..
Lets see...
First off, it was Compaq.
Second off, they didn't reverse engineer it at all. They did it from a black box approach with programmers that had no PC experience whatsoever (to ensure they were 'clean'). They basically threw all the IBM manuals on how to use the BIOS (sans any actual BIOS code) at the programmers and said "Make something that reacts the same way as described in the manuals". And they did. Minus the useless BASICA, whose routines were replaced with a command to print out "No ROM BASIC found" instead.
Anyways, not a slight at you, just trying to clear it up a little.
An X-Box modchip would be legal if developed in the identical way. The problem is Microsoft isn't like IBM: They aren't fastidious over their manuals, and I doubt even 10% of that BIOS is fully documented. Therefore, "pirates" had to copy the code, and break the law, to break the protection.
>The same strategy is used to sell macrovision removal devices in the north american market without trouble from the mpaa.
And here I was thinking it was because Macrovision is analog, and therefore not covered by the DMCA. Not to mention it was cracked a solid decade prior to introduction by the Time Base Corrector, whose primary purpose (as you can read on that document) isn't to allow you to copy Macrovision protected movies.
>Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?
I know everyone assumes you should answer no to this no matter what, but that isn't always the right answer.
There's a man who's been on trial in my area for a very long time, who was an interpreter for the Nazis. He lied on his form when he entered Canada to be a citizen in the early 50's. Now that he's a few years from death, and has commited no new crimes, they're telling him he needs to be deported because he lied. One only knows if he would have gotten into Canada had he said he was a Nazi. Knowing our immigration system, I think the answer would have been a wholehearted yes.
Yes and no. Yes, they are the type of encoding used on the drive. No because they were also the common lingo (at the time) for the overly complicated name "Seagate Technology model 506 controller bus". You'd have a hard time getting a drive from a store if you said "I want a ST-506 bus drive"... But if you said "MFM drive" they would help you.
This is inline with a 5-pin mini-DIN port being called a PS/2 port, a 50-pin HD Sub-D connector being called a SCSI-2 connector, and other little fun quirks, like calling the BIOS menu in new motherboards the CMOS.
Basically, an A/D convertor records all harmonics within it's pickup range. All sounds can be represented as a set of harmonics. A square wave, for example, is a mix of all harmonics possible. So, when it is sampled, all harmonics relating to that square wave below 22.5 kHz are recorded. Since humans can only hear harmonics in that range, it sounds just like a square wave would. As the square wave reaches a higher pitch, it is likely to be recorded closer and closer to a sine wave, since most of the audible harmonics are below the threshold of hearing, and the threshold of detection by the DAC. One would say it is deformed, but guess what! Our ears hear a 20 kHz square wave as a sine wave due to the same "problems" inherent in the DAC, so everything is A-OK!
>The fallacy of his argument is that he believes the modifications to the XBox will lead to more sold. Even if that were true (which I don't think is true)
I don't know either.
What I do know, though, is there seems to be an odd coincidence of piracy and increased sales. Perhaps this has more to do with the fact that a system doesn't get hacked until it has something to offer?
Examples:
Satellite TV (C-Band to DSS), cheap, easy, all-in-one 'n automatic CD to Tape recorders, DVD, Macrovision (hacked before it even landed),
There's probably more that I'm not noticing right now...
Slashdot Mirror
>Because I've always preferred quality over quantity. You obviously have not.
And ACs always post quality over quantity?
If you're going to insult me, be a man about it. Use an account.
Oh, and I should mention I regularly get modded up. I know you can't handle the thought that someone else is more intelligent than you, but sorry; I can't afford your psychiatry bills this month.
>I steal power from BC Hydro to run my marijuana-grow-operation.
Sure there's a benefit then.
The closer to 0 kWh usage you stay, the harder it will be for them to find the "leak".
>Apple introduced that ejecting floppy drive (3 1/2") back when PCs were still using 5 1/4" 360K floppy disks. Now that PC's have non-ejecting 3 1/2" drives, the Apple move looked strange.
:-)
;)
...Cyrix and other failed Intel CPU clone manufacturers...
Okay. I think I can take this one on.
LinkTo an Amiga 1000. Notice the 3.5" floppy with eject button in 1985.
>Apple doesn't do any of this OEM crap now.
Agreed, with the occasional exception. But the damage is done.
>Yes, the case isn't an ATX case, but who cares
Anyone who wants to put 24 hard drives in their Mac? Not likely, but you can in the ATX world...
>On the software side they have TCP/IP, and any other "UNIX" protocol.
Yeah, but what's interesting is there was once a time when MacOS didn't come with a PPP stack. And this was well after PCs had free PPP stacks, IIRC.
>There are other computer platforms that have proprietary buses, interfaces, memory and protocols but you don't neccessarily see their users bitching every day about it.
Tis true, but then again, they aren't marketed to end users (or at least they aren't any more). I've never seen a home user with an AS/400 or a system/36.
>the 486sx and 386sx were crude hacks
Yeah, but they were a choice, not to mention the complete commandset for those processors was always available... Not proprietary or special (except for having forced brain damage).
All I'm trying to say is that Apple's history has hurt them beyond repair. Perhaps a renaming, and complete repackaging would get them back on their feet. I truly think if they were to release OS X for the x86, and _not_ be a bunch of whiners about hardware compatability (I am NOT going to use an OS that requires a special BIOS), they could whip Microsoft.
Apple needs to quit focusing on hardware -- it's so... 80's. Software is where it's at (and has been well before OS X). Just look at the move to software controlled hardware, like DSPs and microcontrollers. Hardware just isn't the profit margin, or the popularity margin it once was.
I might consider getting a Mac for learning purposes, but all I can afford to spend on a learning toy is the super proprietary Macs. Blech. Not to mention I don't like hardware I can't rip apart and put together again in less than a few seconds (I can just imagine having to repair the iLamp iMac -- Help, I'm in hell!).
>The PC world is still apparently scratching their collective heads trying to come up with a decent, universal floppy replacement: CDR, Zip, USB dongle or other flash media, LS120, CDs, etc.
The problem here is that in the PC world, it often seems the pace of hardware development outstripts software development. CDs couldn't boot for far too long, Zip Drives had crappy PC support, USB dongles aren't bad, but USB is just slowly becoming ubiquitous (and the damn things cost too much), LS120 never had good BIOS support (which it needed), etc. etc.
Apple's controlling of the hardware has always ensured the pace of their hardware matched the pace of their software. Which is nice for simplicity (sometimes) but isn't nice on the pocketbook, or ease/speed of repairs.
My bottom line to Jobs is: Put OS X on a normal PC and I might lay down $150 CDN for the first time ever on an OS. 'Till then, no dice. I just can't afford special hardware, and neither can my clients.
>NuBus was an open standard developed by MIT.
Thanks for the info. I'll no longer refer to NuBus as proprietary, then.
However, many of the other parts are proprietary, and others (including NuBus) specialty parts that only Macs can use, driving up Mac prices. (remember, I'm still talking about the past. New Macs are somewhat less specialty items, and use far fewer proprietary components.)
>Or VESA Local Bus, EISA, Microchannel, 486sx, SIPPs, Hercules, CGA, EGA, 8514a.
All of these are backwards compatible, though.
VLB and EISA support ISA cards. MCA was proprietary and died before it got off the floor like it should have. 486sx? That supported all 386 and 486 software. SIPPs, I'm told, worked fine as SIMMs if you removed the legs (not to mention I've only EVER had one mobo that used them -- they died like they should have too!). All those video standards you talk about are FULLY supported by all modern VGA controllers. Not to mention many of those controllers themselves were backwards compatible. And that they were all fully documented -- so much so they were copied successfully by numerous companies.
>Different architectures have different hardware needs and implementations.
Yes. But PCs are fully documented, and when there's already a set standard for something, they don't break compatability for that standard. The standard DIMM was 3.3v, but Apple chose to ignore the standard, costing users money and time. This goes for many of those items. Motorized eject disk drives are something I've only ever seen on a Mac. Same with localtalk and NuBus.
At least (I'm told) ISA was intended to be easy for an S100 bus designer to adapt to...
Maybe the difference is that when a proprietary standard is introduced into the PC world, it dies almost instantly, no matter how much howling and bawling IBM does. Whereas in the Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field, proprietary standards are forced down users throats until Steve Jobs' decides they suck. Not to mention the documentation thing again, as well.
>and was not unduly bothered by the constant shifing standards (XT->IDE->ATA/xxx->?, ISA->EISA->VESA->PCI->AGP, etc, competing video "standards" that weren't, etc, etc).
You know what I find interesting?
If you programmed your software to use the XT HardDisk controller (Winchester or MFM) through the BIOS as reccomended, it will still work with an ATA-133 controller.
And an original IDE drive will work on an ATA-133 controller; ISA boards fit in (and work in) EISA slots. ISA boards also fit in (and work in) VESA slots. PCI is a new beast, along with AGP, though.
And, all those competing video standards, well, interestingly enough, if they either used the BIOS, or wrote even if they wrote directly on the video card (after switching video modes) they still work on a modern GeForce 4! Yes, this includes EGA, CGA and MDA apps.
Yup. The PC is a legion of backwards compatability, and standards. That's part of what sets it apart from the Macs (oh boy, I'm going to look like a Mac hater this week. Sorry, but it just looks like the topic came up again!).
Ok, how about a more XFree86 example...
/w 4 MB of RAM (720x368 IIRC). It ran one of the 3.x versions of XFree86 well enough to be far faster than the monochrome X-Term I had.
/w XFree86 as an X-Terminal wouldn't be all that bad, depending on what you expect. If you just want to pop up an xterm, and some really simple Xlib/Motif based software, I think you'd be OK.
I once ran my Hercules adapter in a 386 SX-16
Yes, a 386 SX-16 is faster than a decent 286. By a little... And yes, the Hercules adapter didn't have the X-Terminal's resolution.
But, all in all, I think a 286
>Worse, wasting a 15+" monitor on a 286, when a pentium can be had for less than the price of a monitor?
True, this. But hey, why not! It could be fun... especially if you're not using a decent monitor... Think of the fun running the old EGA (or was it CGA) graphics someone hacked into Xfree86 once. Fun fun fun! Nothing beats the 5 second ghost pattern you'd get on those radar green screens!
Or you could always convert the CGA monitor to a TV...
>What part of FireWire, IDE, SDRAM, USB, AGP, PCI is proprietary to Apple?
I don't know.
Maybe the parts that put people off years ago, like:
5v serial ports, 5v DIMMs, NuBus, localtalk, motoroized eject disk drives, making people call FireWire 1001 different names, and other fun little stupidities?
Or maybe today's problems, like not using an ATX case, their software, or 100% of apple mainboards?
>I have 2 systems running beta and expirmental wireless and firewire drivers that have never crashed.
You're doing better than me.
When I tried the Spectrum24t experimental drivers for my Nortel Network e-mobility card it panicked and locked up my laptop solid, IIRC. I still can't find a decent driver for that card.
But I don't blame linux for that. Even Nortel doesn't support these cards, being that they are more than 4 months old.
>Now, because of higher prices caused by piracy,
You mean lower prices caused by piracy. Why not ask someone from China how much a legit copy of MS Office costs?
I think you'll find it 1/10th or less than our price. Piracy encourages lower prices, because the company now has competition, which they either beat, or get out of town.
>I assume you were referring to it not having been challenged on constitutional grounds yet
Nope.
>I didn't see that the DMCA is actually in the constitution
1st amendment rights make it illegal, and even after it being challened, it still seems to be law (oh well). I need say no more on this topic, I hope.
>Declaring something to be legal in a particular circumstance by no means indicates it is outlawed in all other circumstances.
Fine. By your logic, since in Canada it isn't specifically defined that the double yellow line in the middle of the road requires you not to pass (because the roads are often covered with snow, which obscures these lines) if I pass when it isn't safe to do so (ie: oncoming traffic which has to slam on its brakes, but doesn't hit me) I'm perfectly legal to do so, right?
Just because it isn't specifically outlawed doesn't make it legal, either.
Now, if individual states have decided to make guns legal, that's bully for them. But I have a problem with people misquoting the constitution as if it is what gives them the rights, as US citizens, to individually bear arms.
In your opinion, does the constitution specifically make the ownership of guns by random individuals a right, or a privlege? Because, unless you are legally entitled to it as a right specifically, it's a privlege, like a driver's license, that the government decides as to wether you get it or not.
>I am running a Gateway surplus motherboard in a ATX case, and it just does the typical feep that all x86 computers since the IBM5150
Since a couple of years ago, PC users (who cared) have been able to customize the sound their BIOS makes.
Beats me why you'd want to, though. That beep just seems so... perfect to describe "The computer is booting".
>How does mentioning an acceptable right to bear arms constitute any idea that guns are otherwise outlawed?
I simply explained that:
"Guns are outlawed unless you are part of a well regulated Militia."
This is your law, and is part of your constitution. If you don't like it, sorry, you're either going to have to have another civil war, or find another country to live in (assuming you're from the US).
>You don't know any more what you are talking about than the people you are so in awe of.
You are so fucking wrong. Read the goddamn constitution. I linked to it for fucks sakes. Read it. I assume you can read -- but then again, you appear to have chosen not to read my post, so perhaps I am wrong.
The fact that the NRA only pays attention to half the sentence doesn't mean the first half doesn't exist. It does, and I doubt even 10% of all firearms owners in the US are part of a well regulated militia. That is if they are part of a militia at all!
>Misquotes, shitty logic -- what's the difference?
If you think the US constitution is fully of shitty logic, I might be inclined to agree with you. I mean, if it weren't full of shitty logic, how does the DMCA exist?
>Do you think my old 286 running Minix could handle X well enough to be a remote x terminal?
Not a problem. I have old NCD X-Terms which only have a 68k processor @ 10 or 12 Mhz and 1-4 MB RAM. They run X just fine. Don't expect miracles, though. Netscape takes a minute to draw...
>First the implied slight that roleplaying nerds are wasting their lives, and then (the real gem)...
Strange how people read so much into ASCII characters typed on a VDT. I suppose I have done it from time to time, though.
If I am going to take some leisure time, I prefer:
- Electronics projects
- Driving/Racing Video Games
- Golf Video Games
- Bust-A-Move
- Reading / Posting to Slashdot
- Watching TV
- Reading Magazines or Non-Fiction Books
Over RPGs. I simply don't see a lot of fun in them -- the 10 hours (or so) I played were enough to turn me off them for a very long time. I wouldn't say anyone spending a healthy amount of time on an RPG (ie: An amount of time that doesn't adversely affect your life) is someone who I frown upon, however I do think people that play RPGs until they die are foolish, and are wasting their time (especially if 86 hours is all you have left). I might find it fair to say that someone who chooses not to vary their leisure time experiences is acting a little silly, too.
>Wow. The ironing is delicious
Don't have a cow, man!
>The web page says "Note that I have only tested this software with the MX-700 digital camera and Linux 2.0.27 with libc5.
You can be assured the software compiles and works like a charm on any new Linux system -- I own the MX-1200 camera, which uses the same interface, and it works great with this software (which is amazingly well written, IMHO). Maybe I should email the author and tell him to update that page...
>This link goes to an FTP page with dozens of files
True. But the README file describes what you need to do... Not to mention that anyone who is a Linux user should know which file to download, just like a Windows user knows to avoid downloading source distributions.
>The web page says, "It seems that pre7 was the most buggier pre-release ever... So time to release a bugfix/hotfix one now."
Again, be assured that mplayer is one of the higher quality pieces of software I have seen in quite a while -- in comparison to both linux and windows software. Microsoft has made far more serious errors in their web-browser that still aren't fixed.
>The web page says, "here is an additional list of required software, which are not yet widely available on CDROM distributions, you have to download and maybe compile them yourself."
Again, being able to do "./configure; make; make install" is part of being a linux user, just as being able to use "Add/Remove components" or the "System" control panel in windows is part of being a windows user. I don't think this is an unfair thing to ask people to do.
>The page you linked to is quite old, and discusses Red Hat 6.0 and KDE 1.1. Newer PDAs tend to sync via the USB, not the serial port.
There is newer software, some of it updated this month I'll best. I just got lazy. Freshmeat has an amazing amount of palm pilot software if you just search for it.
>I'm not trying to put down these projects at all. I just think you've proven the original poster's point by enumerating these alpha or beta software.
Unlike Microsoft, Linux applications do not use the User.Devel.Sub release numbering (or the now popular year release numbering). A program usually remains in beta until 100% of the expected functionality is added in Linuxland. If Microsoft were to do this, windows 3.1 would, infact, be windows 1.0, since all previous versions were really just beta versions that lacked the full functionality of a proper GUI. And how about NT? Where are the 0.x versions, not to mention 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0?
Numbers don't really matter. What really matters is: Does the software do the job intended properly?
In the case of most all the software I linked, I think the answer is yes.
>And really, Linux advocates (I am one) need to be more critical than "I've never done DV, but Kino doesn't look too hard" or just admit that you don't know.
I thought that's what I did... admit I don't know much about DV. Maybe I need to be more clear than "I've never done DV" when I admit I don't know all that much about it. Although, considering the amount of reviews I've seen of various DV software, and how much Kino and Cinerela/Broadcast 2k get mentioned, I figured they deserved an honourable mention.
>Viewsonic sell a box that let you put NTSC on a VGA display for $100, another $20 buys you a set of speakers.
:-)
There's more to it than that.
The NTSC convertor has to smooth and scale to the exact resolution of the LCD. At 15", it could be as high as 1400x1050. Next, it has to have a remote control interface. Also, they have to write software to control the TV tuner, and to control the various inputs. Then there's the V-Chip, payments to SRS, and myriads of other retarded crap they have to add (like being able to take insane static shocks).
After that $400 worth of stuff, they tack on an extra $400 for it being a niche product, just like anything else that doesn't get sold in quantity. For reference, compare the price of an XLR audio cable to an S-VHS cable. Both use the same amount of conductors (S-VHS is actually more expensive due to its shielding design), but XLR will cost you far more per foot.
There you go.
>What the heck is all this talk about PP?
I thought it was just a childish way of saying "urine".
Make that 3 people who've never played this game. And you can count me in the haven't played more than 10 hours of RPG games in my entire life crowd too...
>It has been shown through the courts that reverse engineering BIOS code is legal..
Lets see...
First off, it was Compaq.
Second off, they didn't reverse engineer it at all. They did it from a black box approach with programmers that had no PC experience whatsoever (to ensure they were 'clean'). They basically threw all the IBM manuals on how to use the BIOS (sans any actual BIOS code) at the programmers and said "Make something that reacts the same way as described in the manuals". And they did. Minus the useless BASICA, whose routines were replaced with a command to print out "No ROM BASIC found" instead.
Anyways, not a slight at you, just trying to clear it up a little.
An X-Box modchip would be legal if developed in the identical way. The problem is Microsoft isn't like IBM: They aren't fastidious over their manuals, and I doubt even 10% of that BIOS is fully documented. Therefore, "pirates" had to copy the code, and break the law, to break the protection.
>The same strategy is used to sell macrovision removal devices in the north american market without trouble from the mpaa.
And here I was thinking it was because Macrovision is analog, and therefore not covered by the DMCA. Not to mention it was cracked a solid decade prior to introduction by the Time Base Corrector, whose primary purpose (as you can read on that document) isn't to allow you to copy Macrovision protected movies.
>Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?
I know everyone assumes you should answer no to this no matter what, but that isn't always the right answer.
There's a man who's been on trial in my area for a very long time, who was an interpreter for the Nazis. He lied on his form when he entered Canada to be a citizen in the early 50's. Now that he's a few years from death, and has commited no new crimes, they're telling him he needs to be deported because he lied. One only knows if he would have gotten into Canada had he said he was a Nazi. Knowing our immigration system, I think the answer would have been a wholehearted yes.
Fact is sometimes stranger than fiction.
>MFM and RLL are not busses.
Yes and no. Yes, they are the type of encoding used on the drive. No because they were also the common lingo (at the time) for the overly complicated name "Seagate Technology model 506 controller bus". You'd have a hard time getting a drive from a store if you said "I want a ST-506 bus drive"... But if you said "MFM drive" they would help you.
This is inline with a 5-pin mini-DIN port being called a PS/2 port, a 50-pin HD Sub-D connector being called a SCSI-2 connector, and other little fun quirks, like calling the BIOS menu in new motherboards the CMOS.
There's far more than Nyquist to digital sampling.
For fun, look up quantization and sigma delta filters on google.
Most digital audio products use one at a bare minumum.
Here's a link or two.
Basically, an A/D convertor records all harmonics within it's pickup range. All sounds can be represented as a set of harmonics. A square wave, for example, is a mix of all harmonics possible. So, when it is sampled, all harmonics relating to that square wave below 22.5 kHz are recorded. Since humans can only hear harmonics in that range, it sounds just like a square wave would. As the square wave reaches a higher pitch, it is likely to be recorded closer and closer to a sine wave, since most of the audible harmonics are below the threshold of hearing, and the threshold of detection by the DAC. One would say it is deformed, but guess what! Our ears hear a 20 kHz square wave as a sine wave due to the same "problems" inherent in the DAC, so everything is A-OK!
Or so I was told by the telecomm students...
This might explain it in more detail...
>The fallacy of his argument is that he believes the modifications to the XBox will lead to more sold. Even if that were true (which I don't think is true)
I don't know either.
What I do know, though, is there seems to be an odd coincidence of piracy and increased sales. Perhaps this has more to do with the fact that a system doesn't get hacked until it has something to offer?
Examples:
Satellite TV (C-Band to DSS), cheap, easy, all-in-one 'n automatic CD to Tape recorders, DVD, Macrovision (hacked before it even landed),
There's probably more that I'm not noticing right now...
Dear God that was funny.
I think I'll hook up my old Tandy DWP 220 for some good old wakin' up the neighbours nostalgia right about now...