Actually, I'm not sure how you find the modchip legal. Although the EULA does prohibit you from "reverse engineering", more importantly, under the DMCA this is very clearly a circumvention device.
Sorry for the quickly typed and poorly worded and structured post. I'm in a hurry to leave so I skipped preview mode before realizing that this was quite scattered!
Unfortunately this is not a realistic philosophy. This is not elitism, rather, it's reality based on experience as a tech support and helpdesk professional (years ago - average user savvyness has improved a little). I always make a point to teach people, not just hand-hold them (the whole "give a man a fish, teach him how to fish" comes into play). However, A) Many users (especially in the American "every NOW NOW NOW" culture) don't really care and B) Many users don't have the time to care.
The following are generalizations and obviously don't apply to every single person:
Things have to be "dumbed-down" because people are comfortable being ignorant. This has nothing to do with software but with every single aspect of society. Talk to a contracter who builds houses and they'll tell you how hard it is to communicate relatively trivial concepts to their customers. Their customers just have no desire to be educated about the process. People want to be "right", and they can't humble themselves nor get the patience to gain a basic level of understanding. We have experts for a reason, and the customer need not be an expert. Again, ask a car mechanic how frustrating his job is when he has to deal with the customers.
Personally, as a software developer and designer, I want to do everything I can to make computers as DUH as possible without making them dumb. This is kind of why I really like MacOSX, because it's a reasonably userfriendly (needs some matureing) UI without sacrificing power. This is also why I _don't_ like WinXP, because it's the dumbest UI I've seen yet. Dumb in the sense that it's stupid-easy which is what MS customers want, but is not what's best for them, IMHO, becuase not only will they never learn, but things will always be inefficient due to the 800 step wizards required just to copy a file (exageration, for the anal retentive). So, I'll try to make software as intuitive and easy as possible, without making it dumb. I'm also very patient with the users of my software (interal employees) and I am always more then happy to educate someone willing to learn. However, I'm never willing to put up with impatient, arrogant people who really don't care about anything but NOW.
MS also forces you to use their TCP/IP stack, which is not modular (in the sense of what a customer can do, not in in the sense of XP embedded which is a completely different product with a totally different market). The bottom line is MS makes components for ubiquitous tasks (sending/recieving IP packets, rendering HTML, rendering graphics and sound) and they are all part of the everyday functions used by Windows customers. If you feel that MS has security problems with their TCP/IP stack, then you don't use their product. The same goes for the MSHTML DLL's.
Contrary to your opinion, you have not doubled the likelihood of system vulnerability by using two seperate browsers. Most all (if not all) browser security issues occur by visiting a site with offending code. MSHTML is not rendering the site when you are running Netscape.
But the average user doesn't have a clue as to what TweakUI is or even how to hide an icon (believe it or not). This move on MS's not only promotes competition, but it promotes their right to use integrated DHTML/Media components in their apps and third party apps.
Ya, I hate how I can't remove DLL's shared by hundreds of applications and Windows features...:-)
It simply is a convenient interface to override default applications.
This is perfect. This promotes competition by allowing the common user to replace IE as their default browser or even an OEM (pending overthrowing MS's current draconian licensing) alowing a user to make the simple choice themselves.
It's really not about the media. For example, to produce a Movie, and all of the extras that they put on (some) DVD's, I really don't mind the $18-$20 per movie price. Games and Movies last a lot longer (generally) then a CD does, so it would make sense that they cost more. Also, as someone who has produced a short-run album, I understand how much it costs to make a CD. However, in just one film shooting on a small film project (that has yet to see light, unfortunately) I can blow just as much money as a month (or more) worth of studio recording. A CD does not cost that much to make in contrast to a videogame and movie. $50 I'll spend on a really good game. $18 I'll spend on a decent movie, and $8-10 I'll spend on a decent or good CD.
This is a very good analysis. While I love developing for IE, and while we require it for support for all Internal apps, I still like Opera as a browser a lot more (from a feature standpoint).
Because I _WANT_ a null password for internal development machines. It's my software and I can choose to secure it the way I want to. Plus, SQL server does a fair amount of whining during setup if you have a weak/blank password. It's not like you have to dig through a bunch of settings - they prompt you multiple times.
So, it inflicts even systems, that do not have blank sa password.
Yes, via Brute Force. And guess what, if you have your SQL Server open on the Internet then it can be Brute Forced with or without a worm. The same goes for any FTP server, any Web server, and any other service that's open to the public. This has nothing to do with MS SQL server. Also, it is commonly known that brute forcing over the Internet is extremely slow and therefore does not pose much of a risk, even to relatively weak passwords.
Have you ever heard of those expensive people called "consultants"? Yes, they actually can be valuable, especially in this scenario. Companies hire Legal consultants, Accounting consultants, and Business Management consultants - especially when they do not have the expertise in house. What company would get into a legal battle without a Lawyer? What company would run an Enterprise DB without a DBA?
I'll admit that the PS controllers take minimal time to get used to. But just as FreeBSD may have a slightly higher learning curve, that doesn't necessarily mean it's less efficient or less elgeant then systems that are easy to use right away.
So, one guy from the XBox team decides to start his own company (something which was known about waaaay before the XBox was launched) and all of the suddon the XBox team isn't in it for the long run?
This rubbish is posted on every XBox story that appears on/. Most of Gord's rational is based on speculation which is based on so called "evidence". MS has not released A) How much they make per title on average, B) How much they loose on the XBox sales, and C) How much revenue it will take to profit from the XBox product.
MS is the ONLY company which has this information, and they have not released it. So everyone saying that MS is making/loosing x amound of dollars on n is full of it. The only exception is a game publisher who knows how much royalties they are paying to MS - of course that information is under NDA and can not be used to extrapolate the figures of any other game publishers.
Yes, their huuuuge, suuuuper ergonomic controller is such a mistake. Come on, stop spewing popular media FUD. People naturally resist change, and the XBox controller is a huge change from typical controllers (particularly in size). I have relatively small hands, and I find it to be an extremely comfortable controller (much more so then my Playstation). The whole "Controller is too big" hystaria reminds me of the "GameCube is for Kids" hystaria. GC releases a couple of Mario games and all of the suddon the GC is just for kids (nonsense). Same with the XBox. All of the suddon people are not used to the innovative controller (or, their hands are just too small - an exception to the rule) and now the controller "is way too big and bulky".
And apparently so is the logic in your brain. How many millions of units does MS have to sell until you see this isn't true? How many firms have to release statistics like "highest attach rate of all consoles" (==more revenue per customer)? It's amazing how religion can make one believe what they want to believe regardless of fact.
So when you are pissed that your P4 is kinda slow for the $600 you paid for it and you decide to email Intel to their Email System for Business Use and you kinda flame them a bit (cause I mean, you just spent $600 on a slow proc!!!) then they should be allowed to sue you? Wrong. If this guy was told (In a legally binding sense. Certified mail or otherwise) that he was not allwed to send emails to the company's mail systems anymore then you are right. However, Intel's servers are public and the "yard is not fenced". Finally, if 100 people run accross your (unfenced) yard and cause damage you can't do a thing unless you told them to get off and they refused.
Self-taught people (especially those who learned alone, without a mentoring environment like school) tend to be very arrogant and difficult to work with. One brilliant person can ruin a whole organization if they have a bad attitude.
Although I was initially self-taught, what if I was taught by senior level people on the job? Self-taught individuals can adapt to any technology quickly because they don't rely on someone telling us how to do things. There are also self-taught people that go to College. These are probably the best candidates because they didn't "need" formal education, it was just a nice supplement.
I also don't need school to have incredible team building skills. I'm a very cultured and socially active person. My parents are extremely educated (Multidiciplinary PHD and Double Masters respectively) and it really does rub off - maybe more then I want it to!
I think your attitude against bright programmers like John Carmack is turning away some potentially great talent from your company. However, I appreciate the fact that the vast majority of those with no degree do not have the proper math background required for certain types of software development (simulations, game engines, etc.). Whethor or not a candidate should have a college degree really does depend on the position. Just remember that many of the greatest thinkers and scientists of all time barely had the equivilent of a high school education, but were far more intellectually competent then many with a PHD.
Why, pray tell, should I give MS $300 It's $200 nowWith a few notable exceptions, all the games Microsoft has brought out for the Xbox are PC ports
Anyone can believe what they want to believe, but if you actually looked at the game library, you couldn't honestly make this statement. Also, some of the DC games like JSRF are great games, so I don't see how this is a bad thing.
I agree that I can play AOE II or Warcraft III on my PC networked already, so why would I want this on my XBox? What I can't do on my PC is sit down with 3 or 4 friends in my living room and team up against a bunch of people across the street (or even the country).
If I had limited funds, a PC is the way to go. However, consoles (including networked consoles)add a social element that is really fun.
However, those same PC games were not designed for a console. They were not designed for a console controller, and they were not designed for TV screen resolutions. Yet by most accounts, they will make up the bulk of the Xbox library.
Could you please give us some data regarding your claim? Most XBox games are games designed for a Console, not a PC. Even "PC Ports" like Ghost Recon have been redesigned to meet more of the console library. Really, can you sit down with 2-4 friends and play a fighting game like DOA3 or Mortal Kombat on your PC? These are the types of games that make up the bulk of the XBox library - games designed for the XBox or multiplatform consoles. Sure, games like AOE are kinda silly for those who have PC's already, but games like Brute Force are extremely unique and are going to be great fun online.
Ya, I guess considering that there are only 3 popular desktop OS's and Opera supports 7+ OS's that it's not available on a "wide range" of reasonable platforms. Oh well, someday they'll make Opera for my TI/86.
Slashdot Mirror
Actually, I'm not sure how you find the modchip legal. Although the EULA does prohibit you from "reverse engineering", more importantly, under the DMCA this is very clearly a circumvention device.
Sorry for the quickly typed and poorly worded and structured post. I'm in a hurry to leave so I skipped preview mode before realizing that this was quite scattered!
Unfortunately this is not a realistic philosophy. This is not elitism, rather, it's reality based on experience as a tech support and helpdesk professional (years ago - average user savvyness has improved a little). I always make a point to teach people, not just hand-hold them (the whole "give a man a fish, teach him how to fish" comes into play). However, A) Many users (especially in the American "every NOW NOW NOW" culture) don't really care and B) Many users don't have the time to care.
The following are generalizations and obviously don't apply to every single person:
Things have to be "dumbed-down" because people are comfortable being ignorant. This has nothing to do with software but with every single aspect of society. Talk to a contracter who builds houses and they'll tell you how hard it is to communicate relatively trivial concepts to their customers. Their customers just have no desire to be educated about the process. People want to be "right", and they can't humble themselves nor get the patience to gain a basic level of understanding. We have experts for a reason, and the customer need not be an expert. Again, ask a car mechanic how frustrating his job is when he has to deal with the customers.
Personally, as a software developer and designer, I want to do everything I can to make computers as DUH as possible without making them dumb. This is kind of why I really like MacOSX, because it's a reasonably userfriendly (needs some matureing) UI without sacrificing power. This is also why I _don't_ like WinXP, because it's the dumbest UI I've seen yet. Dumb in the sense that it's stupid-easy which is what MS customers want, but is not what's best for them, IMHO, becuase not only will they never learn, but things will always be inefficient due to the 800 step wizards required just to copy a file (exageration, for the anal retentive). So, I'll try to make software as intuitive and easy as possible, without making it dumb. I'm also very patient with the users of my software (interal employees) and I am always more then happy to educate someone willing to learn. However, I'm never willing to put up with impatient, arrogant people who really don't care about anything but NOW.
MS also forces you to use their TCP/IP stack, which is not modular (in the sense of what a customer can do, not in in the sense of XP embedded which is a completely different product with a totally different market). The bottom line is MS makes components for ubiquitous tasks (sending/recieving IP packets, rendering HTML, rendering graphics and sound) and they are all part of the everyday functions used by Windows customers. If you feel that MS has security problems with their TCP/IP stack, then you don't use their product. The same goes for the MSHTML DLL's.
Contrary to your opinion, you have not doubled the likelihood of system vulnerability by using two seperate browsers. Most all (if not all) browser security issues occur by visiting a site with offending code. MSHTML is not rendering the site when you are running Netscape.
I can already do that. Tweak UI does it.
But the average user doesn't have a clue as to what TweakUI is or even how to hide an icon (believe it or not). This move on MS's not only promotes competition, but it promotes their right to use integrated DHTML/Media components in their apps and third party apps.
You can't uninstall IE or its libraries
:-)
Ya, I hate how I can't remove DLL's shared by hundreds of applications and Windows features...
It simply is a convenient interface to override default applications.
This is perfect. This promotes competition by allowing the common user to replace IE as their default browser or even an OEM (pending overthrowing MS's current draconian licensing) alowing a user to make the simple choice themselves.
It's really not about the media. For example, to produce a Movie, and all of the extras that they put on (some) DVD's, I really don't mind the $18-$20 per movie price. Games and Movies last a lot longer (generally) then a CD does, so it would make sense that they cost more. Also, as someone who has produced a short-run album, I understand how much it costs to make a CD. However, in just one film shooting on a small film project (that has yet to see light, unfortunately) I can blow just as much money as a month (or more) worth of studio recording. A CD does not cost that much to make in contrast to a videogame and movie. $50 I'll spend on a really good game. $18 I'll spend on a decent movie, and $8-10 I'll spend on a decent or good CD.
Good post but FYI it's DeCSS which is decrypts CSS or the Content Scrambling System found on DVD's.
This is a very good analysis. While I love developing for IE, and while we require it for support for all Internal apps, I still like Opera as a browser a lot more (from a feature standpoint).
Because I _WANT_ a null password for internal development machines. It's my software and I can choose to secure it the way I want to. Plus, SQL server does a fair amount of whining during setup if you have a weak/blank password. It's not like you have to dig through a bunch of settings - they prompt you multiple times.
So, it inflicts even systems, that do not have blank sa password.
Yes, via Brute Force. And guess what, if you have your SQL Server open on the Internet then it can be Brute Forced with or without a worm. The same goes for any FTP server, any Web server, and any other service that's open to the public. This has nothing to do with MS SQL server. Also, it is commonly known that brute forcing over the Internet is extremely slow and therefore does not pose much of a risk, even to relatively weak passwords.
Have you ever heard of those expensive people called "consultants"? Yes, they actually can be valuable, especially in this scenario. Companies hire Legal consultants, Accounting consultants, and Business Management consultants - especially when they do not have the expertise in house. What company would get into a legal battle without a Lawyer? What company would run an Enterprise DB without a DBA?
Passwords May Be Weakest Link
And in other news, "The Earth May Not Be Flat".
I'll admit that the PS controllers take minimal time to get used to. But just as FreeBSD may have a slightly higher learning curve, that doesn't necessarily mean it's less efficient or less elgeant then systems that are easy to use right away.
So, one guy from the XBox team decides to start his own company (something which was known about waaaay before the XBox was launched) and all of the suddon the XBox team isn't in it for the long run?
See this. Gord is a pessimistic speculator.
This rubbish is posted on every XBox story that appears on /. Most of Gord's rational is based on speculation which is based on so called "evidence". MS has not released A) How much they make per title on average, B) How much they loose on the XBox sales, and C) How much revenue it will take to profit from the XBox product.
MS is the ONLY company which has this information, and they have not released it. So everyone saying that MS is making/loosing x amound of dollars on n is full of it. The only exception is a game publisher who knows how much royalties they are paying to MS - of course that information is under NDA and can not be used to extrapolate the figures of any other game publishers.
Yes, their huuuuge, suuuuper ergonomic controller is such a mistake. Come on, stop spewing popular media FUD. People naturally resist change, and the XBox controller is a huge change from typical controllers (particularly in size). I have relatively small hands, and I find it to be an extremely comfortable controller (much more so then my Playstation). The whole "Controller is too big" hystaria reminds me of the "GameCube is for Kids" hystaria. GC releases a couple of Mario games and all of the suddon the GC is just for kids (nonsense). Same with the XBox. All of the suddon people are not used to the innovative controller (or, their hands are just too small - an exception to the rule) and now the controller "is way too big and bulky".
XBox is dead.
And apparently so is the logic in your brain. How many millions of units does MS have to sell until you see this isn't true? How many firms have to release statistics like "highest attach rate of all consoles" (==more revenue per customer)? It's amazing how religion can make one believe what they want to believe regardless of fact.
So when you are pissed that your P4 is kinda slow for the $600 you paid for it and you decide to email Intel to their Email System for Business Use and you kinda flame them a bit (cause I mean, you just spent $600 on a slow proc!!!) then they should be allowed to sue you? Wrong. If this guy was told (In a legally binding sense. Certified mail or otherwise) that he was not allwed to send emails to the company's mail systems anymore then you are right. However, Intel's servers are public and the "yard is not fenced". Finally, if 100 people run accross your (unfenced) yard and cause damage you can't do a thing unless you told them to get off and they refused.
This is a little different. There are two legitimate legal issues regarding Spam, none of which conflict with this situation.
1) If you spam me and I want you to stop, you may not spam me again.
2) If you forge email headers or somehow disguise your identity, the spam should be considered illegal.
In this situation, AFAIK, it doesn't look like this person did anything like this.
Self-taught people (especially those who learned alone, without a mentoring environment like school) tend to be very arrogant and difficult to work with. One brilliant person can ruin a whole organization if they have a bad attitude.
Although I was initially self-taught, what if I was taught by senior level people on the job? Self-taught individuals can adapt to any technology quickly because they don't rely on someone telling us how to do things. There are also self-taught people that go to College. These are probably the best candidates because they didn't "need" formal education, it was just a nice supplement.
I also don't need school to have incredible team building skills. I'm a very cultured and socially active person. My parents are extremely educated (Multidiciplinary PHD and Double Masters respectively) and it really does rub off - maybe more then I want it to!
I think your attitude against bright programmers like John Carmack is turning away some potentially great talent from your company. However, I appreciate the fact that the vast majority of those with no degree do not have the proper math background required for certain types of software development (simulations, game engines, etc.). Whethor or not a candidate should have a college degree really does depend on the position. Just remember that many of the greatest thinkers and scientists of all time barely had the equivilent of a high school education, but were far more intellectually competent then many with a PHD.
Why, pray tell, should I give MS $300
It's $200 nowWith a few notable exceptions, all the games Microsoft has brought out for the Xbox are PC ports
Anyone can believe what they want to believe, but if you actually looked at the game library, you couldn't honestly make this statement. Also, some of the DC games like JSRF are great games, so I don't see how this is a bad thing.
I agree that I can play AOE II or Warcraft III on my PC networked already, so why would I want this on my XBox? What I can't do on my PC is sit down with 3 or 4 friends in my living room and team up against a bunch of people across the street (or even the country).
If I had limited funds, a PC is the way to go. However, consoles (including networked consoles)add a social element that is really fun.
However, those same PC games were not designed for a console. They were not designed for a console controller, and they were not designed for TV screen resolutions. Yet by most accounts, they will make up the bulk of the Xbox library.
Could you please give us some data regarding your claim? Most XBox games are games designed for a Console, not a PC. Even "PC Ports" like Ghost Recon have been redesigned to meet more of the console library. Really, can you sit down with 2-4 friends and play a fighting game like DOA3 or Mortal Kombat on your PC? These are the types of games that make up the bulk of the XBox library - games designed for the XBox or multiplatform consoles. Sure, games like AOE are kinda silly for those who have PC's already, but games like Brute Force are extremely unique and are going to be great fun online.
Ya, I guess considering that there are only 3 popular desktop OS's and Opera supports 7+ OS's that it's not available on a "wide range" of reasonable platforms. Oh well, someday they'll make Opera for my TI/86.