I totally agree with your sentiments, but none of my (6) blackberry phones have done any better. They require charging every night. (18hr standby is the advertised life for my bold). I'm still missing the 'good old days' when I would charge my phone once per week. Try to go camping for 3 days without a solar charger. 'Just turn it off when you aren't using it???' The blackberry boot time is as bad as any.
I'll try to bring up battery performance again this year at GoogleIO, but seems like no one really cares. 'Performance' means only frame-rate, screen resolution, and clock speed. Sigh
For some subjects, absolutely. I'm still wishing, however, that our local schools' science departments would emphasize the observation/experience connection to wonderment and hypotheses. Instead, we have a (very well ranked) system that focuses heavily on standardized tests (which is probably why they are ranked so high).
I have 1/4" tape I can't read, CD's that deteriorate over time, failed hard drives, etc.. Can I trust online services (e.g., Google/Picasa)? I also have 75 year-old B/W negatives that I can hold up to a lightbulb and see - even scan. There's something else about digital that disturbs me. Unless you run a forensics lab, there is no easy way to extract bits from outdated media. A cheap scanner will happily extract content from faded 'analog' prints and film though.
I chalk the popularity of digital media up to 'easy come easy go' - or laziness as a previous poster put it. It's easier to take a digital picture (and view it), but it's also much easier to destroy.
So knowing all this, what do I have? 11,000+ photos backed up up on multiple drives, because I'm tied to Apple Aperture at the moment. A few hundred on Picasa (at lower res), some on PhotoBucket. I also have boxes (acid free) of prints and negatives.
Where can I hire a librarian to sort this stuff out?:)
Amen. I'll just add that when I asked coworkers (years ago) how they afforded the cool sports cars right after collect, it turned out they were avoiding the 401k option. To summarize: 1. don't save for retirement 2. buy a gas guzzler 3. buy a home you can't afford 4. profit!
I tried to send my original G1G1 OLPC to a Kenyan orphanage. The first thing they asked me was if they could use it to manage their financial spreadsheet - they specifically wanted Excel. They also had data access via cell phone, but the WIFI was of no interest. The Windows laptop they had fit the bill just right.
If all you want is internet access, the mobile broadband sounds nice. But you'll still need in-home connectivity (e.g., wires, lan, etc.) to do some pretty common tasks.
The keyboard alone is unusable for touch-typists. Although I haven't tried, I presume a USB keyboard would work. But who wants to carry that around. I've been tinkering with an XO for a few weeks now, and the membrane, too-small keyboard is the killer.
I just bought some kid an OLPC. I did the getonegiveone deal, and I plan to send the other one to an orphanage we support in Tanzania.
Excellent thoughts/comments in this thread. It's good to think globally. Whichever way you lean on this particular topic, I hope folks will consider taking some action.
"distributed project manager"... I've managed projects with remote developers, but I suppose with OSS projects, all of your team might be remote. Do you know of any good books or references that discuss distributed management? I'm thinking specifically about communicating and planning. I suppose the control piece is wielded by whomever handles merges. I also wonder what the largest, single OSS projects is. Linux kernel?
I'm at 70%. I imported my previous e-mail (who wants multiple accounts?), and I've got relatives who like to send photos as attachments. I get very little spam, and I don't think I get that much more e-mail than other people do.
Really? I know three astrophysicists, and none of them can fathom how a person could observe the beauty and order of the universe without considering some kind of divine presence of Creator. I've often pondered the thought that their science brought them to (or at least towards) religion.
Thank you for putting some sanity into the discussion. The fact is, software folks/engineers/whatever like tho think they/we are more 'special' than every one else, and have an especially tough time adapting to group dynamics of any kind. Give me any group of n programmers, and they will suggest n ways of doing any given task.
Oddly enough, I have my browser set to full screen as I type this (15" macbook), and my eyes are getting tired of having to walk across the screen. I just shrunk the window to something around 80 columns wide, and it's far easier to read. Among other things, the wide format makes it hard for me to keep track of which line I'm reading.
I can't answer your question directly, but NPR is invested in the roll-out of HD Radio (aka terrestrial digital via AM/FM). In fact, many NPR stations are already broadcasting "in HD" and even using the supplementary audio channel capability. This permits more than one program to be broadcast simultaniously by a single FM radio station. Some would claim that there is a terrestrial vs satellite broadcaster battle underway - a theory which might lend some credence to your theory. However, you can easily argue that satellite services are an entirely different beast than terrestrial radio.
They want $39.99/month to switch to 'digital' voice. I told the gentleman that our conversation was taking place over a VOIP line (Vonage) at a much lower rate; he spouted some ridiculous sales-speak about how that wasn't possible. Since that call, I've kinda been waiting for something like this to take place. How can they sell a service at $39 with so many other options out there?
I've encountered more than a few engineers and IT folks who think laptops are 'lab tops'. In each case, I've initially ascribed it to mispronunciation only to have my suspicions later verified by their writing/e-mail.
Broadcasters may choose to reduce the bit-rate of their primary (audio) program in order to make room for additional audio or potentially other services. (This information is readily available at ibiquity.com.) Thus, the audio quality is - as has historically been the case - largely dependent on the individual broadcaster.
As well, the topic of 'audio quality/fidelity' is a highly subjective topic. There are plenty of audiophiles who don't like CD's...
Slashdot Mirror
Tivo + 2 powered antennas. Netflix + googleTV provides most everything we can't get over the air.
I totally agree with your sentiments, but none of my (6) blackberry phones have done any better. They require charging every night. (18hr standby is the advertised life for my bold). I'm still missing the 'good old days' when I would charge my phone once per week. Try to go camping for 3 days without a solar charger. 'Just turn it off when you aren't using it???' The blackberry boot time is as bad as any.
I'll try to bring up battery performance again this year at GoogleIO, but seems like no one really cares. 'Performance' means only frame-rate, screen resolution, and clock speed. Sigh
For some subjects, absolutely. I'm still wishing, however, that our local schools' science departments would emphasize the observation/experience connection to wonderment and hypotheses. Instead, we have a (very well ranked) system that focuses heavily on standardized tests (which is probably why they are ranked so high).
Thank you for keeping that as clean as possible. I almost avoided reading the comments on this one in fear of what other fluid might be suggested.
I have 1/4" tape I can't read, CD's that deteriorate over time, failed hard drives, etc.. Can I trust online services (e.g., Google/Picasa)? I also have 75 year-old B/W negatives that I can hold up to a lightbulb and see - even scan. There's something else about digital that disturbs me. Unless you run a forensics lab, there is no easy way to extract bits from outdated media. A cheap scanner will happily extract content from faded 'analog' prints and film though.
I chalk the popularity of digital media up to 'easy come easy go' - or laziness as a previous poster put it. It's easier to take a digital picture (and view it), but it's also much easier to destroy.
So knowing all this, what do I have? 11,000+ photos backed up up on multiple drives, because I'm tied to Apple Aperture at the moment. A few hundred on Picasa (at lower res), some on PhotoBucket. I also have boxes (acid free) of prints and negatives.
Where can I hire a librarian to sort this stuff out? :)
Amen. I'll just add that when I asked coworkers (years ago) how they afforded the cool sports cars right after collect, it turned out they were avoiding the 401k option. To summarize:
1. don't save for retirement
2. buy a gas guzzler
3. buy a home you can't afford
4. profit!
I tried to send my original G1G1 OLPC to a Kenyan orphanage. The first thing they asked me was if they could use it to manage their financial spreadsheet - they specifically wanted Excel. They also had data access via cell phone, but the WIFI was of no interest. The Windows laptop they had fit the bill just right.
If all you want is internet access, the mobile broadband sounds nice. But you'll still need in-home connectivity (e.g., wires, lan, etc.) to do some pretty common tasks.
The keyboard alone is unusable for touch-typists. Although I haven't tried, I presume a USB keyboard would work. But who wants to carry that around. I've been tinkering with an XO for a few weeks now, and the membrane, too-small keyboard is the killer.
-Mike
I just bought some kid an OLPC. I did the getonegiveone deal, and I plan to send the other one to an orphanage we support in Tanzania.
Excellent thoughts/comments in this thread. It's good to think globally. Whichever way you lean on this particular topic, I hope folks will consider taking some action.
Peace.
"distributed project manager"... I've managed projects with remote developers, but I suppose with OSS projects, all of your team might be remote. Do you know of any good books or references that discuss distributed management? I'm thinking specifically about communicating and planning. I suppose the control piece is wielded by whomever handles merges. I also wonder what the largest, single OSS projects is. Linux kernel?
I'm at 70%. I imported my previous e-mail (who wants multiple accounts?), and I've got relatives who like to send photos as attachments. I get very little spam, and I don't think I get that much more e-mail than other people do.
Why do you care so much about it?
"We don't have a freaking clue how intelligence works. I think we will someday,"
Mod me offtopic, I suppose, but is that a statement of faith or science?
Really? I know three astrophysicists, and none of them can fathom how a person could observe the beauty and order of the universe without considering some kind of divine presence of Creator. I've often pondered the thought that their science brought them to (or at least towards) religion.
Is that you Mr. Gates?
ps - you make a great point, but it does look kinda like something Bill would write...
Thank you for putting some sanity into the discussion. The fact is, software folks/engineers/whatever like tho think they/we are more 'special' than every one else, and have an especially tough time adapting to group dynamics of any kind. Give me any group of n programmers, and they will suggest n ways of doing any given task.
Oddly enough, I have my browser set to full screen as I type this (15" macbook), and my eyes are getting tired of having to walk across the screen. I just shrunk the window to something around 80 columns wide, and it's far easier to read. Among other things, the wide format makes it hard for me to keep track of which line I'm reading.
Oh, what sad times are these when passersby neglect an obvious reference to the Black Knight...
"I'm invincible!"
"You're loony."
I can't answer your question directly, but NPR is invested in the roll-out of HD Radio (aka terrestrial digital via AM/FM). In fact, many NPR stations are already broadcasting "in HD" and even using the supplementary audio channel capability. This permits more than one program to be broadcast simultaniously by a single FM radio station. Some would claim that there is a terrestrial vs satellite broadcaster battle underway - a theory which might lend some credence to your theory. However, you can easily argue that satellite services are an entirely different beast than terrestrial radio.
Let him keep the computer; just make him type with both hands on the keyboard...
Yeah...I had the same thought. Then I launced bitybrowser (within YouOS) and surfed over to www.youos.com...
They want $39.99/month to switch to 'digital' voice. I told the gentleman that our conversation was taking place over a VOIP line (Vonage) at a much lower rate; he spouted some ridiculous sales-speak about how that wasn't possible. Since that call, I've kinda been waiting for something like this to take place. How can they sell a service at $39 with so many other options out there?
I've encountered more than a few engineers and IT folks who think laptops are 'lab tops'. In each case, I've initially ascribed it to mispronunciation only to have my suspicions later verified by their writing/e-mail.
(Disclaimer - I am a former iBiquity employee...)
Broadcasters may choose to reduce the bit-rate of their primary (audio) program in order to make room for additional audio or potentially other services. (This information is readily available at ibiquity.com.) Thus, the audio quality is - as has historically been the case - largely dependent on the individual broadcaster.
As well, the topic of 'audio quality/fidelity' is a highly subjective topic. There are plenty of audiophiles who don't like CD's...
Suicide by slashot. :)