firstly the current gen ipods are incredibly cool.
massively sexier than previous generations.
They also do good video right now.
As I type one of my staff sitting behind me is using my ipod to watch a movie I ripped onto it last night (it's a slow day). It took 3 hours to convert the DVD and I had to buy it in the first place so buying the content over a USB line has some merit even for me. the other guy in the room is jealous and wants me to plug the ipod into the TV.
my "right-now" ipod will do video and audio out to a TV set, just plug the cables into the dock-port.
people who don't have computers would quite like to have this ipod. the girl sitting behind me, my parents, my girlfriend (who does have a computer and broadband but wants the ipod), the guy down the hall.
if a store front offers a content portal then the ipod desiring don't need a computer and broadband to have a sexy ipod full of content.
slashdot readers are not the target market. that doesn't mean there is no market.
and if you read cringely you'll not that even if it doesn't work apple will shift 100,000 computers to blockbuster and god knows how many ipods. not a bad result.
News reporters need to write and file copy, editors need to edit.
Events can happen anytime, but more run of the mill news tends to finish up by 6pm of a night, if the newspaper is on your step by the time you wake up you haven't missed much (given that you too need to sleep).
I read one dead-tree a day and use several news services during the day (I'm paid to be on top of events) the print copy of the Financial Review is still indispensable to me.
But that's not a cheap paper either, the eco-system is certainly changing.
Well my girlfriend this morning got an email (below)from her college informing her that Sony/BMG CD's were banned from campus computers.
I think that's taking it beyond just a slashdot thing.
Anyway if you already use adsense on your page this isn't adding anything more intrusive.
From: Matthew Sullivan Date: Nov 14, 2005 5:31 PM Subject: Using Music CDs on Campus. To:
This is a message to all staff and students,
It has been brought to our attention that there is significant risk to the security and the operation of UC computers in using Sony BMG produced CDs. For this reason, Sony BMG produced CDs in University of Canberra computers is prohibited. The reasons behind this are explained in more detail below. If you are not sure as to whether a CD is produced by Sony BMG please check the record label against the list below.
This restriction does not apply to Sony BMG CDs used in personal CD players or music systems on campus.
Portable computers, such as laptops, whether University or privately owned are prohibited from being connected to the campus network at all, if Sony BMG CDs are played in them.
Known record labels owned by Sony BMG: Arista Records BMG Classics BMG Heritage BMG International Companies Columbia Records Epic Records J Records Jive Records LaFace Records Legacy Recordings Provident Music Group RCA Records RCA Victor Group RED Distribution Relatively Entertainment RLG â.. Nashville RME (Recording Media & Energy) SONY BMG Masterworks Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sony Classical Sony Music International Sony Music Independent Labels Sony Music Nashville Sony Urban Music Sony Wonder So So, Def Records Verity Records
As part of good house keeping it is strongly advised that caution is exercised when any compact disc, email or web page prompts you with a End User License Agreement, a pop up window, or 'Security Warning' when you did not specifically request the new window or a software installation.
The reasons, in detail, for the decision to prohibit the use of Sony BMG CDs in any computer on campus are;
A Sony BMG CD inserted into a PC running Windows will attempt to install the Sony proprietary CD player software. As part of this installation the end user will have to agree to an End User License Agreement (EULA) which has no information regarding the uninstallation of the software, nor does it mention that proceeding will install stealth software (known as a rootkit) which deliberately hides running programs and the files it has installed in the same way that viruses, Trojans and hackers do.
This software will cause some versions of Windows to become immediately unbootable and require a complete reinstall of the machine to recover.
The software also has no known manufacturer created uninstall program, and should other tools (such as anti hacking tools, virus scanners etc) be used to remove the software it will render the CD drive of the machine completely inoperable.
Further analysis of the "rootkit" indicates it is extremely badly written and allows the easy exploitation of the "rootkit" by persons less skilled and therefore allows potential virus writers to hide themselves from the operating system with no technical knowledge of "rootkits". During the last 24 hours a number of anti virus vendors have announced they have examples of new viruses that are using the Sony BMG "rootkit" to hide themselves.
For the reasons above, CDs produced by Sony BMG are not to be inserted into any University of Campus computer for any reason. Further if you have inserted a Sony BMG music CD into a campus machine running the Microsoft Windows operating system you should contact the Service Desk for assistance in removal of the rootkit software. Macintosh users are not affected by this particular software, however there are reports of Macintosh aware software being installed so extreme caution should be exercised. Further announcements may be made later with regard to Macintosh computers.
because a major campaign would make it pretty hard to keep other things secret.
Plus the reavers are marauding at the fringes, where the independents were strongest, so not too much harm being done to the alliances long term interests and even a bit of help.
A bit like under-funding the levees when your opponent's supporters live on low ground.
A few months ago on the same day I read about different approaches to next generation camoflage by the Australian and US Armies.
The Australian DSTO (Defence Science and Technology Organisation) was very excited they'd found a way to extend their camoflage patterns into the infra-red.
The US had found a way to make their uniforms more visible under infra red. One assumes friendly fire at night was a greater fear than enemy combatants with night vision.
Slashdot Mirror
We've got an open source electronic voting system in the Australian Capital Territory, it's been used in two elections.
Details and code here.
you're not going to need super def for people who are currently using a VCR.
15 seconds on USB2 this morning for a full length feature.
about the time it'll take to pay for it.
Video stores dupe their own DVD's right now.
you mean the makers of optical disks? formats come and formats go as far as they are concerned.
firstly the current gen ipods are incredibly cool.
massively sexier than previous generations.
They also do good video right now.
As I type one of my staff sitting behind me is using my ipod to watch a movie I ripped onto it last night (it's a slow day). It took 3 hours to convert the DVD and I had to buy it in the first place so buying the content over a USB line has some merit even for me. the other guy in the room is jealous and wants me to plug the ipod into the TV.
my "right-now" ipod will do video and audio out to a TV set, just plug the cables into the dock-port.
people who don't have computers would quite like to have this ipod. the girl sitting behind me, my parents, my girlfriend (who does have a computer and broadband but wants the ipod), the guy down the hall.
if a store front offers a content portal then the ipod desiring don't need a computer and broadband to have a sexy ipod full of content.
slashdot readers are not the target market. that doesn't mean there is no market.
and if you read cringely you'll not that even if it doesn't work apple will shift 100,000 computers to blockbuster and god knows how many ipods. not a bad result.
but it could still work.
They WOULD have known if they hadn't screwed up their math when investigating the possibility.
When the math was re-checked they DID know that it wouldn't.
Like the guy in the store gives a rat's arse exactly where you are on the lisst and doesn't have better things to do with his time.
Newsmakers need to sleep,
News reporters need to write and file copy, editors need to edit.
Events can happen anytime, but more run of the mill news tends to finish up by 6pm of a night, if the newspaper is on your step by the time you wake up you haven't missed much (given that you too need to sleep).
I read one dead-tree a day and use several news services during the day (I'm paid to be on top of events) the print copy of the Financial Review is still indispensable to me.
But that's not a cheap paper either, the eco-system is certainly changing.
podcasting is the rss and the podcatchers to automatically bring the long mp3 down onto your ipod, while you sleep, when a new one appears.
I've used on-demand electric hot water systems in both the UK and Japan.
I'll grant they're a bit like being piddled on by a cat.
no javascript = no googleads.
readers who don't see ads are little better than bots.
I think that's taking it beyond just a slashdot thing.
Anyway if you already use adsense on your page this isn't adding anything more intrusive.
Month to month?
They were always sitting on a huge cash pile. (minority shareholders might have had views on the best way to spend tt though)
as alluded to, you ened the right billing address.
I tried a few months ago just to get my damn podcast included in the itunes directory
but it's all happy happy joy joy now.
this is a bit of a relief, australian podcasts can now get registered on iTunes.
Hasn't been much fun watching iTunes take off as the leading podcatcher with no australian listings.
because a major campaign would make it pretty hard to keep other things secret.
Plus the reavers are marauding at the fringes, where the independents were strongest, so not too much harm being done to the alliances long term interests and even a bit of help.
A bit like under-funding the levees when your opponent's supporters live on low ground.
Everyone I know leaves the cinema pondering how many times they'll see it again before they die.
Then we get back to the simpler task of figuring out how many times we'll see it while it's still in the cinema.
it's not as expensive as it used to be (coke that is)
and it's not like they've even examined a valid sample.
A few months ago on the same day I read about different approaches to next generation camoflage by the Australian and US Armies.
The Australian DSTO (Defence Science and Technology Organisation) was very excited they'd found a way to extend their camoflage patterns into the infra-red.
The US had found a way to make their uniforms more visible under infra red. One assumes friendly fire at night was a greater fear than enemy combatants with night vision.
but as the price of the oil rises that will change.
it's about as vulnerable as any transport for god's sake.
you keep them out of harms way whenever possible.
yes but they don't buy them by waving $500 around yelling out "anyone got a gun"
people who do that find themselves "buying" from undercover police.
if you have partience and develop contacts then of course all things are possible.
but that's not what we were talking about is it you idiot?
Criminals do, but they know their suppliers.
If you walk, unknown, into the pub waving $500 chances are the guy you end up "buying" from will be an undercover cop.
The crims will grass you up just to earn some brownie points.
Allens are a big 5 law firm in Australia, they are so far up themselves they can see their own tonsils (and I used to work for a different big fiver).
Having said that this won't stand up a minute in an industrial court unless there is a long and documented history of abuse and counselling.
So they'll either get a huge payout or be back real soon.
Everyone's a winner except the precious partners of the firm and they won't notice the spare change.