Well... though your thoughts are well intentioned, I've been thru the IBM/HP route before. The problem with any big corporation is that they don't invest in developing something beyond what they get originally; the cost-benefit doesn't add up for them. So while a company like SuSE whose has a great track record of support development in areas requiring enhancements (because its key to their business) gets gobbled up by a bigger corporation,that focus is lost. Look at HP-UX for an example. That is not to say that all hope is lost - Open source will survive nonetheless but losing a good standard bearer like SuSE IMHO is a loss to the volunteer community. Today's so-called 'market' economies make that even more painful as companies increasingly only want to satisfy the near-term profit motive.
Now it would be cool if we could have a 900 style number which could be dedicated to telemarketting. Telemarketer calls me, the first 10 secs are $10, next 20sec at $20 etc. If they really want me as a customer they'll be ready to pay and recup their costs some other way.
OT but I agree - With all the 'cost savings' being done by major computer companies (not just compaq) I think we will all continue to see poorer designs and increasingly worse quality... make sure you have a good warranty:)
Ok I'll bite... first off, the apartment that I live in, previous two and the dorm(s) I used to live in, had a "no solicitors" rule. Second, if someone was doing that to me, I would wait for them and I'm sure that a 2 min face-to-face chat would suffice for a 'cease-and-desist' order! If all else fails, the menu has a valid address and phone that can be used for legal recourse. Are any of these options available for spam?
hmm...I don't know about that but I'm a bit rusty on my AMPS spec so I'll take your word.
Handheld cell phones are limited to somewhere around 0.6 watts. Typically, the newer digital phones (at least from about 3 years ago) would typically have max analog power near 0.5 watts. In digital mode they often can go lower, with CDMA phones transmitting lower still (in theory).
Precisely! CDMA in particular is capable of so low a transmission power that it can be pretty close to the noise floor. Plus, CDMA phones in proximity to each other don't interfere with each other vs. analog phones drive up the noise quite a bit. That was one of the reasons why the early application of CDMA was in the military - the signal could be hidden pretty effectively within the noise floor.
All that translates into both lower battery consumption, plus lower overall power disappation - which for the operators translates into more cellphones per cell site..but I digress...analog power levels are far higher than those for the digital varients - in one of my prior jobs, I used to test (digital) cellular network coverage - I can say from experience that analog power levels were consistently cranked way high. In one instance, a particular part of the city was not able to support CDMA calls but analog calls were going on just fine between a certain time each day. It turned out that there was one of those shuttle vans with a broken CB that was flooding the entire band - only analog was high enough to
compete with that interference:)
So far I haven't found much info on whether this has happened with other brands of phone, though I do know that my little flip-phone gets very hot when running in analog mode. Perhaps some slashdot readers have had a similar experience?
Yup, analog transmits its signals at full power compared to other technologies like CDMA which dynamically adjust their power based on various factors (such as the signal to noise ratio, signal strength, how other cellphones in the same area are transmitting etc).
More power for the signal requires a faster rate of discharge which translates into a more rapid chemical reaction that produces the heat in the battery. The issue with non-standard batteries (especially the cheap ones) is that they're not rated for the peak power consumption of the 'brand' phones - thus when the phone demands a surge of power for an extended period this stuff is likely to happen.
I like to walk over to people's cubes and discuss issues over the whiteboard. Granted, these are people I wish to associate with - with or without IM (which I don't use) there are some people I do avoid simply because they don't do anything themselves and disrupt my work.
I personally think the whole 'asocial' behavior thing for geeks is over rated.
I don't think we've 'arrived' anywhere. Books that are truely valuable (I'm thinking on classics such as "Unix Network Programming by the late Richard Stevens) people will always look for a good paper bound copy.
For media-hyped books (such as the Harry Potter books out there) who wants to pay the exorbitant costs to get a book that doesn't really last beyond the few weeks of hype?
Granted I don't want to dis Harry Potter or say that Unix Network Programming is remotely in the same league as Harry Potter but the comparison stands.
I remember growing up (not that long ago) that to evaluate a book, I would go ask for it at the local Library - then if it was worth owning I would buy it. I don't think this model is obsolete rather it seems that publishers use a few bad cases to (a) charge even more for books (b) encourage more waste by mass producing everything out there. (c) create a false public perception that they must 'buy' more...
Both on the microbes themselves (who may mutate or develop into something quite different) and the containment of the microbes themselves? What happens if they escape into an uncontrolled environment (I'm thinking on the lines of the killer bees)? The problem is alternate _safe_ sources of energy not microbes to cleanup the mess. Why not put this much effort into wind/solar technology and eliminate the need for such stuff to begin with?
No kidding! I was once an MCI long distance customer and it took me 2 years to get them to stop sending me a bill for "monthly charges" for $0 of Long distance used! I called them, wrote to them explaining that I had switched my long distance (I even sent them back their 'confirmations' of my termination of service) yet the bills continued! They even threatened to send a collections agency after me... My SO made the mistake of sending them the first $4.95 on their assurance that it would stop the billing system and that they would refund it. I have yet to receive that money back. My experience with MCI has been that they mis-represent services, are negligent on following up on their faults and generally inattentive to customer complaints (much less resolving them).
My question, how long do we hear before a consumer class action suit (on such stuff) is filed? I urge all to not associate with these guys. Too late for me, save yourselves.
For me being productive and involved comes with how closely I believe in what I'm doing. If its something I'm truely interested in I'm self motivated to do it. If its something that is mandated upon me in which my creativity is suppressed, then I'm less inclined to follow it. The more the disenfranchised I am, the more disinterested I become. This is even more evident if the task is led or significantly influenced by narcassistic personalities. Their artifically induced pressure may infact serve you to neglect the very things you're interested in - leading to a vicious cycle of 'oh I'd love to do that but after I get job x done' - job x never being done because you're never motivated enough to do it.
"2. In a conspiratorial enterprise having no motive but to procure pecuniary gain for themselves, defendants deceptively and fraudulently commandeered millions of unwitting Internet users to the commercial websites of defendants customers through dissemination of tens-of-millions of deceptive Internet advertising banners that impersonated computer system"
So they're saying that Double Click was responsible for the distribution of these ads for the purpose of misleading users to the folks who paid Double Click for the advertising. By themselves, the 'messages'/'pops' aren't doing anything illegal. There is also the standard 'cease and desist' clause in there too.
You are correct that the radio ads don't data mine or spam but they do deceptively draw attention to the sound that is commonly used to alert a user of a phone call - An other example of this would be advertizing that uses Police/Fire Engine sirens to catch fradulently attract attention.
But strictly speaking you're right - I'm going off on a separate branch of deceptive adveritsing.
The ones that start out with a ring that sounds deceptively similar (if not exactly) like the popular cell phone rings out there? It confuses the heck out of me and anyone sitting with me. I wish they'd go after them too.
Well there are two major reasons why 3G hasn't taken off (atleast in the US):
* The spectrum sales were done in years when money was no issue - unfortunately the dot com bust hit and suddenly the operators who had spent all their dough getting the spectrum had none left to actually build the infrastructure. (that's not to belittle the whole other issue of a seriously fragmented spectrum range here in the US where getting enough band to support 3G is pretty difficult for large operators - and almost impossible for new entrants)
* 3G is a major step ahead as far as the wired backhaul of the cellular infrastructure is concerned. With major companies (e.g. Lucent, Motorola) still cringing from the shock of vendor financing it's upto the operators (Sprint, Verizon et al) to buy the (expensive) upgrades themselves. In this climate today that's increasingly difficult - though there is some hope with people adopting intermediatry technologies. (I believe Verizon is moving ahead steadily on that one too).
But the fundamental questions remain: Do we really need 3G? What is the compelling reason? And will it be cost effective for end users or so overpriced that no one will be able to get it?
Yup - you're correct - I guess everyone was supposed to use EAP but (as expected?) variations occurred. There's a pretty good writeup here(http://www.tisc2001.com/newsletters/44.html) that lays out the situation.
The problem now extends to the hardware realm too - our ITS dept. won't let us use any non-Cisco cards. So now I have two wireless cards one for my home network (that doesn't have LEAP) vs. one for work which is by CISCO.
I agree for another reason: I drive thru a stretch of dairy farms on my daily commutte to work and if I were asked to go and milk those stinky cows under a constant barrage of pigeon/bird droppings I would be charging an arm and a leg too:)
Well, I work for a large company. We're just getting 802.11b with Cisco's LEAP authentication fully deployed throughout the country. I doubt they will move forward (unless Cisco tells them to).
This may be slightly off topic but I think the underlying discussion is the same...
Ebills (for those who may know it by a different name) are basically automated online bills which automatically get deducted from your bank account if you choose to have them setup that way (e.g. your phone bill)
I've noticed this for quite a while now, companies wishing to automate the buying/selling process such that monetary control of an individual is completely eliminated. Worse yet, when mistakes happen, the burden of proof falls completely on the individual and the company's responsibility is non existant!
What I haven't been able to figure out is how these things schemes continue to survive (some would even say 'thrive').
No thank you to ebills and smart phones! Smart and Convinent for whom?
Slashdot Mirror
Well... though your thoughts are well intentioned, I've been thru the IBM/HP route before. The problem with any big corporation is that they don't invest in developing something beyond what they get originally; the cost-benefit doesn't add up for them. So while a company like SuSE whose has a great track record of support development in areas requiring enhancements (because its key to their business) gets gobbled up by a bigger corporation,that focus is lost. Look at HP-UX for an example.
That is not to say that all hope is lost - Open source will survive nonetheless but losing a good standard bearer like SuSE IMHO is a loss to the volunteer community. Today's so-called 'market' economies make that even more painful as companies increasingly only want to satisfy the near-term profit motive.
yeah no kidding...the picture on the website that shows the back side of the phone shows a "CDMA by Qualcomm" - Qualcomm this time?
Now it would be cool if we could have a 900 style number which could be dedicated to telemarketting. Telemarketer calls me, the first 10 secs are $10, next 20sec at $20 etc. If they really want me as a customer they'll be ready to pay and recup their costs some other way.
I now get calls at work!
Is it simply they're getting more desparate? or is it because the number pool has been reduced some?
OT but I agree - With all the 'cost savings' being done by major computer companies (not just compaq) I think we will all continue to see poorer designs and increasingly worse quality... make sure you have a good warranty :)
Ok I'll bite... first off, the apartment that I live in, previous two and the dorm(s) I used to live in, had a "no solicitors" rule. Second, if someone was doing that to me, I would wait for them and I'm sure that a 2 min face-to-face chat would suffice for a 'cease-and-desist' order! If all else fails, the menu has a valid address and phone that can be used for legal recourse. Are any of these options available for spam?
hehe- Couldn't resist: Today's userfriendly strip is perfect :)
If all the people who think a movie sucked text messaged the producers, MPAA, the sucky actors etc.
The guys I was talking to were in the Arlington Heights area.
On a conf call with some co-workers - they started losing power intermittantly just over an hour ago.
I like to walk over to people's cubes and discuss issues over the whiteboard. Granted, these are people I wish to associate with - with or without IM (which I don't use) there are some people I do avoid simply because they don't do anything themselves and disrupt my work. I personally think the whole 'asocial' behavior thing for geeks is over rated.
Ok, mods, this is not a troll...
I don't think we've 'arrived' anywhere. Books that are truely valuable (I'm thinking on classics such as "Unix Network Programming by the late Richard Stevens) people will always look for a good paper bound copy.
For media-hyped books (such as the Harry Potter books out there) who wants to pay the exorbitant costs to get a book that doesn't really last beyond the few weeks of hype?
Granted I don't want to dis Harry Potter or say that Unix Network Programming is remotely in the same league as Harry Potter but the comparison stands.
I remember growing up (not that long ago) that to evaluate a book, I would go ask for it at the local Library - then if it was worth owning I would buy it. I don't think this model is obsolete rather it seems that publishers use a few bad cases to (a) charge even more for books (b) encourage more waste by mass producing everything out there. (c) create a false public perception that they must 'buy' more...
Both on the microbes themselves (who may mutate or develop into something quite different) and the containment of the microbes themselves? What happens if they escape into an uncontrolled environment (I'm thinking on the lines of the killer bees)? The problem is alternate _safe_ sources of energy not microbes to cleanup the mess. Why not put this much effort into wind/solar technology and eliminate the need for such stuff to begin with?
No kidding! I was once an MCI long distance customer and it took me 2 years to get them to stop sending me a bill for "monthly charges" for $0 of Long distance used! I called them, wrote to them explaining that I had switched my long distance (I even sent them back their 'confirmations' of my termination of service) yet the bills continued! They even threatened to send a collections agency after me... My SO made the mistake of sending them the first $4.95 on their assurance that it would stop the billing system and that they would refund it. I have yet to receive that money back. My experience with MCI has been that they mis-represent services, are negligent on following up on their faults and generally inattentive to customer complaints (much less resolving them).
My question, how long do we hear before a consumer class action suit (on such stuff) is filed? I urge all to not associate with these guys. Too late for me, save yourselves.
For me being productive and involved comes with how closely I believe in what I'm doing. If its something I'm truely interested in I'm self motivated to do it. If its something that is mandated upon me in which my creativity is suppressed, then I'm less inclined to follow it. The more the disenfranchised I am, the more disinterested I become. This is even more evident if the task is led or significantly influenced by narcassistic personalities. Their artifically induced pressure may infact serve you to neglect the very things you're interested in - leading to a vicious cycle of 'oh I'd love to do that but after I get job x done' - job x never being done because you're never motivated enough to do it.
I believe item #2 in the pdf document states it:
:)
"2. In a conspiratorial enterprise having no motive but to procure pecuniary gain for themselves, defendants deceptively and fraudulently commandeered millions of unwitting Internet users to the commercial websites of defendants customers through dissemination of tens-of-millions of deceptive Internet advertising banners that impersonated computer system"
So they're saying that Double Click was responsible for the distribution of these ads for the purpose of misleading users to the folks who paid Double Click for the advertising. By themselves, the 'messages'/'pops' aren't doing anything illegal. There is also the standard 'cease and desist' clause in there too.
hehe - I got a chuckle out of 'diabolical' too
You are correct that the radio ads don't data mine or spam but they do deceptively draw attention to the sound that is commonly used to alert a user of a phone call - An other example of this would be advertizing that uses Police/Fire Engine sirens to catch fradulently attract attention.
:)
But strictly speaking you're right - I'm going off on a separate branch of deceptive adveritsing.
And yes I did change my ringer tune since then
The ones that start out with a ring that sounds
deceptively similar (if not exactly) like the popular cell phone rings out there? It confuses the heck out of me and anyone sitting with me. I wish they'd go after them too.
Well there are two major reasons why 3G hasn't taken off (atleast in the US):
* The spectrum sales were done in years when money was no issue - unfortunately the dot com bust hit and suddenly the operators who had spent all their dough getting the spectrum had none left to actually build the infrastructure. (that's not to belittle the whole other issue of a seriously fragmented spectrum range here in the US where getting enough band to support 3G is pretty difficult for large operators - and almost impossible for new entrants)
* 3G is a major step ahead as far as the wired backhaul of the cellular infrastructure is concerned. With major companies (e.g. Lucent, Motorola) still cringing from the shock of vendor financing it's upto the operators (Sprint, Verizon et al) to buy the (expensive) upgrades themselves. In this climate today that's increasingly difficult - though there is some hope with people adopting intermediatry technologies. (I believe Verizon is moving ahead steadily on that one too).
But the fundamental questions remain: Do we really need 3G? What is the compelling reason? And will it be cost effective for end users or so overpriced that no one will be able to get it?
Yup - you're correct - I guess everyone was supposed to use EAP but (as expected?) variations occurred. There's a pretty good writeup here(http://www.tisc2001.com/newsletters/44.html) that lays out the situation. The problem now extends to the hardware realm too - our ITS dept. won't let us use any non-Cisco cards. So now I have two wireless cards one for my home network (that doesn't have LEAP) vs. one for work which is by CISCO.
I agree for another reason: I drive thru a stretch of dairy farms on my daily commutte to work and if I were asked to go and milk those stinky cows under a constant barrage of pigeon/bird droppings I would be charging an arm and a leg too :)
Well, I work for a large company. We're just getting 802.11b with Cisco's LEAP authentication fully deployed throughout the country. I doubt they will move forward (unless Cisco tells them to).
*sigh*
This may be slightly off topic but I think the underlying discussion is the same...
Ebills (for those who may know it by a different name) are basically automated online bills which automatically get deducted from your bank account if you choose to have them setup that way (e.g. your phone bill)
I've noticed this for quite a while now, companies wishing to automate the buying/selling process such that monetary control of an individual is completely eliminated. Worse yet, when mistakes happen, the burden of proof falls completely on the individual and the company's responsibility is non existant!
What I haven't been able to figure out is how these things schemes continue to survive (some would even say 'thrive').
No thank you to ebills and smart phones! Smart and Convinent for whom?