I've only had a handful of problems with Ubuntu, none of which are really the fault of the Ubuntu distribution. I'm pretty sure these are issues with all "desktop" Linux releases...
One big one that forced me to change from 64-bit Ubuntu to 32-bit Ubuntu was Adobe. They really need to get a clue! 64-bit processors have been in wide availability for at least a few years now, and 64-bit Linux for just about as long. I shouldn't have to run or maintain a secondary 32-bit browser just so I can watch videos on YouTube (or any of the other bazillion sites that decided to use Flash).
Installing proprietary ATI or nVidia drivers is a royal pain in the ass. Even after you do- they don't perform very well. I can usually get better 2D and 3D performance out of $39 no-name Made in China video cards than ATI or nVidia cards costing ten times as much.
DVDs- WTF! Why after all these years do we still have to become "criminals" to play DVDs on our Linux machines?
Other than these issues, which can be worked around with a small amount of effort, I don't miss Windows at all.
I'm probably echoing what others have said, but...
Monitors are cheap. Even decent-sized flat panels can be had for under $300. If you are a typical IT worker- they are probably paying you that much every 1-2 days. If having two monitors allows you to work more efficiently/effectively- then it should be easy to justify.
I used two monitors many-many years ago when I was coding. It was a lot more efficient to have my output on one screen and my code/debugging on another, than toggling back and forth. It was difficult "back in the day" because it was really only possible to get one VGA display and a monochrome or CGA display going at the same time, and in-general- only high-end CAD and video editing software, as well as some IDEs of the time supported multiple monitors. (Note: this was pre-Windows.) Eventually as computers and video advanced, and Windows came into the picture- I just stopped devoting the extra desk space to an extra monitor.
After working for many years with one monitor, I decided a couple of months ago to pull my laptop out of its dock at work and use my desktop monitor as a desktop extension. Wow- what a more efficient arrangement. I keep critical server and database monitors in windows on the desktop screen while I work on the laptop one. A quick glance keeps me updated on the status of my servers, while I can continue to work without touching my mouse. If I'm coding or doing Web site updates- I can display my results on one screen while coding/debugging on the other. I quite literally save hundreds (if not thousands) of mouse clicks and windows switches a day, which makes me a lot more productive. It also allows me to react much more quickly to problems. If I just toggle to a server monitor every once and awhile, I might miss something. If it is in my peripheral vision and I glance at it regularly- I'm much more likely to catch a problem before it worsens.
I suppose an argument could also be made that it is a healthier way to work. Fewer mouse or key clicks means less chance of repetitive strain injuries. Switching your focus from screen to screen also has to be much better for your eyes than focusing on one screen all day long.
Actually- I've been giving some thought to where the "sweet spot" would be for number of monitors. I think at least one or two more would be helpful (although they would start to dominate my desk), but I think more than that might be too much to deal with.
I'll admit to having several legitimate copies of software now that originated from old pirated copies...
It is much less expensive and often more practical to start with a pirated copy, and then buy an upgrade later on to "legitimize" it. Many years ago- I could barely afford my own computer hardware, much less software to run on it. A friend gave me copies of Windows 3.1 and an old version of Office. I eventually paid for upgrades to both (through several versions), and have legal copies of Windows and Office now. MS has gotten a lot of money from me they probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for those original "pirated" discs.
I'm willing to bet a LOT of people using insanely expensive software (from companies like Adobe/Macromedia, for example) have done the same thing.
Granted the upgrades themselves probably aren't technically legal since they weren't upgrading legal copies of the software to begin with. I somehow really doubt that MS or other software companies care at this point, since they are raking in the upgrade revenue they wouldn't otherwise be getting.
Ironically- I don't have either installed anymore- as I run Ubuntu with OpenOffice now.
This is probably mirrored by many other people, but I wanted to say I had a similar story...
I had gone through all of the RCx versions of Vista, and decided rather quickly that I hated it. Nothing but eye candy and incompatibilities that slowed my system to a crawl.
I dug out my old Windows XP disk to re-install it, and stared at for a few minutes- thinking about how much of a pain in the ass it will be to install it (yet again- since it seemed to be a quarterly deal anyway). I also remembered the service packs, the 2+ hours of update downloads (via T1), and all the other stability and security issues XP STILL has. I then said "It's time to look at Linux again." I've tried Linux on the desktop before, and have been disappointed. I use it on almost exclusively on my servers, but that is an entirely different animal.
I installed Ubuntu (Edgy) and love it! It took a bit of time to work out things with my higher-end ATI graphics adapter, and it has taken some time to find some reasonable alternatives to some Windows apps, especially for playing media and (gulp) DVDs, but I'm very, very happy with it. It still isn't quite to the point where I would tell any of my less-computer-literate relatives to install it, but I feel it is getting really-really close. The only issue I could really see is most games haven't been released for Linux (and may/may not work with WINE), but I'm not a big gamer and don't really miss any of them. Actually- there is ONE thing I really do miss- iTunes. I can't see how it would be that big of a deal for Apple to port it from BSD to Linux. Fortunately I have a Mac sitting on the same desk.
I still remember (very fondly) a Novell Netware 3.x (I think it was 3.14) server we ran up until the middle of last year. It ran several key database applications for our company (in Paradox, of all things) for about 8 years, and spent the last two years of its life storing archival data. It was running on a 486-66 in a dusty little small-tower case tucked away in the corner of our server room. We threw it together from spare/retired parts one weekend after we moved into our new HQ building and realized much to our dismay that some of our database apps wouldn't run on Windows NT. To the best of my knowledge- it was never shut down (it was on an even older APC UPS that went through at least a half-dozen batteries during that time) or had to be rebooted in the 9+ years it was in service. We finally retired it last year, and had a little ceremony as we listened to it grind to a halt.
Even my Linux boxes haven't proved to be as bullet proof as this server was, although the come damn close.
Before we moved to our new HQ, we ran an enormously complex hodge-podge of Netware servers on a spider web of a 10BASE2 (thinnet) network. Coax cable still gives me nightmares. It seems so archaic now with GBit networking and rack/blade servers.:)
I'm sure this has been said a couple of hundred times by now, but I just want to add myself to the list...
I don't like Microsoft because they sell overpriced bloatware and can't play nice with others. It's that simple.
I hate them even more now as Vista and several security updates for Windows XP and Server 2003 continue to take more control away from me, as a sysadmin and user, and the users I'm responsible for. Most recently- Internet Exploder 7 completely hosed our Terminal Server implementation by overriding our Group Policies to reset the home page and default security settings. Our users couldn't get into critical Web applications, and we lost many man-hours trying to fix the problems this created.
It's bad enough when hackers/crackers can "own" someone's PC- well guess what- now it seems Microsoft is trying to. When lack of a stable Internet connection or one of probably hundreds of other glitches with Windows can completely disable someone's computer- that's a problem. Every time Microsoft patches things, it also seems more and more "3rd Party" applications stop working right. Microsoft wants to own your PC and wants you to buy ALL of your software from them, or their overpriced partners with bad or nonexistent technical support. They also essentially force people to shell out a lot of $$ on hardware and software just so they can stay with supported operating systems and software.
Lastly- I have hated them with a passion after I spent several thousand dollars and many months of studying and training to get MCSE certified (NT)- only to have my certification dropped less than a year later. Yes- I could have spent lots more $$ and time to upgrade my certification- but at that point I considered it a waste of money.
I run Windows on my corporate desktops because I have to. I run Linux at home and on almost all of my servers because I can, and I have no regrets. I've got Linux boxes that run for months and months at a time with no reboots or issues at all. I don't think I have ever seen a Windows server run for more than two weeks without needing a reboot, either due to lock-ups or other problems (which, of course, M$ blames on 3rd party applications), or because of Windows Update. And Windows' sorry-ass "Event" logger (compared to the excellent logging system in Linux) often doesn't even report what the problem is. Oh- and I am talking about very expensive high-end Dell servers, not something I cobbled together from spare parts. Although- I do have several Linux boxes I HAVE cobbled together from spare parts that probably need to be rebooted 2-3 times a year at most...
Hmm... 10 seconds load time for Amazon.com on a 1.5Mbit DSL line. That's just for the home page. Trying to do a search or actually buy something has been nothing short of agonizing ever since they added "A9". I'd hate to think of what it is like on a modem.
I think the real reason many companies do it is it reduces any perceived liability. If a company releases "beta" software, they are saying up-front that it is in development and may have problems, some possibly serious. That way- if their software destroys your computer or just doesn't run right- there really isn't any recourse. The company can simply say- "Hey, it's in beta!"
As to complaints about why one has to pay for "beta" software in some cases- many companies charge for beta software in one way or another. Some, like Microsoft, force you to pay to be in special groups, like Tech-net or MSDN to get some betas, or you may need to buy another "production" version of the software to qualify for the beta.
I would think an easy solution would be to REQUIRE that a person signing up for VOIP service provide their address for 911 service before even turning on their access to the network. This was prompted because of problems with people who were too ignorant or lazy to submit this information even when prompted several times to by the provider. (Specifically- Vonage.) If the information was required prior to service activation- it wouldn't be a problem.
It will still be an issue for people who travel with their VOIP boxes, and there probably isn't a solution without going to GPS and making the whole thing more expensive than a regular POTS line.
Once again- we are looking to legislate (or at least regulate) personal responsibility.
"Several telecommunications companies, which provide both dial-up Internet access as well as faster broadband connections through cable and DSL lines, say they were not involved in writing the bill."
(Putting on best Dr. Evil snear...) Yeah... Riiiggghhht.
I don't believe for one second that the politician who introduced the bill isn't in at least one telecom or cable company's back pocket. It is Texas, after all.
If the telecom and cable companies offered good service coverage for a reasonable price, this wouldn't be necessary. Most of them have fallen WAY short of anything resembling good service or coverage, and certainly nothing affordable to many. I know people who pay over $100/mo for proprietary wireless access because they are "just outside" of a DSL or Cable service area. DSL and Cable internet service averages $40-$60/month throughout most of the country, on top of normal service charges. No wonder they want to shut out free municipal service.
Might have some chance in a room with no windows and a steel door, but painting a house or office with this would have minimal impact on war drivers, if any at all.
I have a wireless network (running very cheap, low power equipment) inside an all-steel warehouse building with steel screens and grates on the windows. I can access my wireless network reliably in a cafe down the block (brick building across the alley, roughly 1/2 block from the AP). It's also easily accessible from any of the nearby streets and parking lots. If all that steel isn't going to stop a WiFi signal- I really doubt paint with metal flakes in it will.
Really- a house or office building would have to be built from the ground up to shield RF if that's what someone really wants. Seems pointless and really "tin-foil hat" to me. I'm sure the company will get lots of paranoid people or people with disposable income to buy their paint though...
This is like suing GM because Ford parts don't work in their cars. ITunes is an Apple product, designed to work with other Apple products. There are several other choices available for pay-to-download music. They DON'T have a monopoly.
Just another example of a legal system out of control. Everyone loses but the lawyers.
No commercials (except for promoting their own stuff sometimes- like "Check out stream xxx for this!" type stuff), and as far as I can tell- no pay for play. Lots of variety, lots of station choices, no commercials, I can listen to the same station all across the country (I do a couple big road-trips a year). I love satellite radio! I can't stand the Clear Channel-ish crap that local radio in Denver (and most other major cities) has become.
I believe VW is the only car company to sell diesel vehicles in the US for several years now. I've been the proud owner of a TDI (diesel) golf for a few years. I've been laughing lately at SUVs pulling in for their almost-daily $40 fill-up. Diesel, in my area anyway, is currently 10-20 cents cheaper than regular unleaded gas, and I get almost 50MPG!
I've thought about bio-diesel, but there is only one consumer station in the Denver area, and it is about 15 miles (and 30 minutes with rush-hour traffic) out of my way. I'm hoping more stations will open up as gas prices continue to climb. Otherwise, I might start making my own as-well.
Not sure why I am responding to flamebait, but what the hell...
Windows boxes have to be rebooted after most software updates and patches. This is STILL true today with Windows XP, although not as bad as it used to be.
Linux boxes usually only have to be rebooted after kernel (read OS) upgrades. I can guarantee if you upgrade from Windows XP to whatever new thing M$ comes up with- that you will have to reboot at least a half-dozen times.
Aside from kernel upgrades, other Linux software updates don't normally require a restart of the box, and may only occasionally require restarting affected daemons.
I have to agree. This shouldn't have been modded "flaimbait", more like "insightful".
I've used both Fedora and Mandrake. I usually end up sticking with Fedora only for one reason- I've been using Red Hat for many years, so I am used to dealing with Red Hat's implementations of things. I also use Red Hat on my servers (I've had bad luck trying to implement Mandrake as a server replacement), so it is easier to just deal with one distro source (in general terms). Fedora has one big thing that I feel really hampers it for the home user, especially a newbie one- NO MP3 Support! This is rediculous when every other distribution (including Mandrakes) supports it. Sure, it isn't a big deal for an experienced user to download a an un-crippled player, but why put people through that? If Fedora wants to make any inroads into the desktop- they need to provide what most people consider really basic functionality "out of the box". I downloaded the latest Mandrake 10, and am downloading FC2 now, and I'll give them both a spin...
I think the problem is there are too many freeloaders using BT and not leaving their client up. At that point, it becomes no better than FTP. BT only works if everyone cooperates. When they do- it works extremely well.
What I find interesting is that Diebold makes probably MOST of the ATMs that people use on a regular basis, so they actually do know how to make secure and reliable machines on secure networks (at least secure and reliable enough for banks). Not sure why they have such a hard time with voting machines.
I switched to OpenOffice and Mozilla about six months ago, and almost never look back. Except for a couple of crappy Web sites that only work with Internet Exploder, I've never had a reason to use IE or MS-Office again, and have talked several co-workers into using OO and Mozilla as-well. They are faster, safer, more reliable, and in the case of Mozilla- have much better spam and pop-up control. Fortunately I've had an easier time bringing open source software in now that our IT boss has embrased Mac OS-X for our art department.
Not odd at all- they are relicensing a deprecated and almost completely worthless OS. They don't make or lose any money off of it and don't have to support it, but they get good free publicity because of this announcement.
Slashdot Mirror
Couldn't they charge the RIAA an "Administrative Fee" for tracking down the alleged offender anyway?
I've only had a handful of problems with Ubuntu, none of which are really the fault of the Ubuntu distribution. I'm pretty sure these are issues with all "desktop" Linux releases...
One big one that forced me to change from 64-bit Ubuntu to 32-bit Ubuntu was Adobe. They really need to get a clue! 64-bit processors have been in wide availability for at least a few years now, and 64-bit Linux for just about as long. I shouldn't have to run or maintain a secondary 32-bit browser just so I can watch videos on YouTube (or any of the other bazillion sites that decided to use Flash).
Installing proprietary ATI or nVidia drivers is a royal pain in the ass. Even after you do- they don't perform very well. I can usually get better 2D and 3D performance out of $39 no-name Made in China video cards than ATI or nVidia cards costing ten times as much.
DVDs- WTF! Why after all these years do we still have to become "criminals" to play DVDs on our Linux machines?
Other than these issues, which can be worked around with a small amount of effort, I don't miss Windows at all.
I'm probably echoing what others have said, but...
Monitors are cheap. Even decent-sized flat panels can be had for under $300. If you are a typical IT worker- they are probably paying you that much every 1-2 days. If having two monitors allows you to work more efficiently/effectively- then it should be easy to justify.
I used two monitors many-many years ago when I was coding. It was a lot more efficient to have my output on one screen and my code/debugging on another, than toggling back and forth. It was difficult "back in the day" because it was really only possible to get one VGA display and a monochrome or CGA display going at the same time, and in-general- only high-end CAD and video editing software, as well as some IDEs of the time supported multiple monitors. (Note: this was pre-Windows.) Eventually as computers and video advanced, and Windows came into the picture- I just stopped devoting the extra desk space to an extra monitor.
After working for many years with one monitor, I decided a couple of months ago to pull my laptop out of its dock at work and use my desktop monitor as a desktop extension. Wow- what a more efficient arrangement. I keep critical server and database monitors in windows on the desktop screen while I work on the laptop one. A quick glance keeps me updated on the status of my servers, while I can continue to work without touching my mouse. If I'm coding or doing Web site updates- I can display my results on one screen while coding/debugging on the other. I quite literally save hundreds (if not thousands) of mouse clicks and windows switches a day, which makes me a lot more productive. It also allows me to react much more quickly to problems. If I just toggle to a server monitor every once and awhile, I might miss something. If it is in my peripheral vision and I glance at it regularly- I'm much more likely to catch a problem before it worsens.
I suppose an argument could also be made that it is a healthier way to work. Fewer mouse or key clicks means less chance of repetitive strain injuries. Switching your focus from screen to screen also has to be much better for your eyes than focusing on one screen all day long.
Actually- I've been giving some thought to where the "sweet spot" would be for number of monitors. I think at least one or two more would be helpful (although they would start to dominate my desk), but I think more than that might be too much to deal with.
I'll admit to having several legitimate copies of software now that originated from old pirated copies...
It is much less expensive and often more practical to start with a pirated copy, and then buy an upgrade later on to "legitimize" it. Many years ago- I could barely afford my own computer hardware, much less software to run on it. A friend gave me copies of Windows 3.1 and an old version of Office. I eventually paid for upgrades to both (through several versions), and have legal copies of Windows and Office now. MS has gotten a lot of money from me they probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for those original "pirated" discs.
I'm willing to bet a LOT of people using insanely expensive software (from companies like Adobe/Macromedia, for example) have done the same thing.
Granted the upgrades themselves probably aren't technically legal since they weren't upgrading legal copies of the software to begin with. I somehow really doubt that MS or other software companies care at this point, since they are raking in the upgrade revenue they wouldn't otherwise be getting.
Ironically- I don't have either installed anymore- as I run Ubuntu with OpenOffice now.
Generally submarines, especially combat ones, don't "ping" anyway- it is too easy to trace their position if they do.
Also- it seems that in a war situation- these "base stations" would be pretty high on a target list...
It does sound like a very interesting idea though.
This is probably mirrored by many other people, but I wanted to say I had a similar story...
I had gone through all of the RCx versions of Vista, and decided rather quickly that I hated it. Nothing but eye candy and incompatibilities that slowed my system to a crawl.
I dug out my old Windows XP disk to re-install it, and stared at for a few minutes- thinking about how much of a pain in the ass it will be to install it (yet again- since it seemed to be a quarterly deal anyway). I also remembered the service packs, the 2+ hours of update downloads (via T1), and all the other stability and security issues XP STILL has. I then said "It's time to look at Linux again." I've tried Linux on the desktop before, and have been disappointed. I use it on almost exclusively on my servers, but that is an entirely different animal.
I installed Ubuntu (Edgy) and love it! It took a bit of time to work out things with my higher-end ATI graphics adapter, and it has taken some time to find some reasonable alternatives to some Windows apps, especially for playing media and (gulp) DVDs, but I'm very, very happy with it. It still isn't quite to the point where I would tell any of my less-computer-literate relatives to install it, but I feel it is getting really-really close. The only issue I could really see is most games haven't been released for Linux (and may/may not work with WINE), but I'm not a big gamer and don't really miss any of them. Actually- there is ONE thing I really do miss- iTunes. I can't see how it would be that big of a deal for Apple to port it from BSD to Linux. Fortunately I have a Mac sitting on the same desk.
I still remember (very fondly) a Novell Netware 3.x (I think it was 3.14) server we ran up until the middle of last year. It ran several key database applications for our company (in Paradox, of all things) for about 8 years, and spent the last two years of its life storing archival data. It was running on a 486-66 in a dusty little small-tower case tucked away in the corner of our server room. We threw it together from spare/retired parts one weekend after we moved into our new HQ building and realized much to our dismay that some of our database apps wouldn't run on Windows NT. To the best of my knowledge- it was never shut down (it was on an even older APC UPS that went through at least a half-dozen batteries during that time) or had to be rebooted in the 9+ years it was in service. We finally retired it last year, and had a little ceremony as we listened to it grind to a halt.
:)
Even my Linux boxes haven't proved to be as bullet proof as this server was, although the come damn close.
Before we moved to our new HQ, we ran an enormously complex hodge-podge of Netware servers on a spider web of a 10BASE2 (thinnet) network. Coax cable still gives me nightmares. It seems so archaic now with GBit networking and rack/blade servers.
I'm sure this has been said a couple of hundred times by now, but I just want to add myself to the list...
I don't like Microsoft because they sell overpriced bloatware and can't play nice with others. It's that simple.
I hate them even more now as Vista and several security updates for Windows XP and Server 2003 continue to take more control away from me, as a sysadmin and user, and the users I'm responsible for. Most recently- Internet Exploder 7 completely hosed our Terminal Server implementation by overriding our Group Policies to reset the home page and default security settings. Our users couldn't get into critical Web applications, and we lost many man-hours trying to fix the problems this created.
It's bad enough when hackers/crackers can "own" someone's PC- well guess what- now it seems Microsoft is trying to. When lack of a stable Internet connection or one of probably hundreds of other glitches with Windows can completely disable someone's computer- that's a problem. Every time Microsoft patches things, it also seems more and more "3rd Party" applications stop working right. Microsoft wants to own your PC and wants you to buy ALL of your software from them, or their overpriced partners with bad or nonexistent technical support. They also essentially force people to shell out a lot of $$ on hardware and software just so they can stay with supported operating systems and software.
Lastly- I have hated them with a passion after I spent several thousand dollars and many months of studying and training to get MCSE certified (NT)- only to have my certification dropped less than a year later. Yes- I could have spent lots more $$ and time to upgrade my certification- but at that point I considered it a waste of money.
I run Windows on my corporate desktops because I have to. I run Linux at home and on almost all of my servers because I can, and I have no regrets. I've got Linux boxes that run for months and months at a time with no reboots or issues at all. I don't think I have ever seen a Windows server run for more than two weeks without needing a reboot, either due to lock-ups or other problems (which, of course, M$ blames on 3rd party applications), or because of Windows Update. And Windows' sorry-ass "Event" logger (compared to the excellent logging system in Linux) often doesn't even report what the problem is. Oh- and I am talking about very expensive high-end Dell servers, not something I cobbled together from spare parts. Although- I do have several Linux boxes I HAVE cobbled together from spare parts that probably need to be rebooted 2-3 times a year at most...
Hmm... 10 seconds load time for Amazon.com on a 1.5Mbit DSL line. That's just for the home page. Trying to do a search or actually buy something has been nothing short of agonizing ever since they added "A9". I'd hate to think of what it is like on a modem.
I think the real reason many companies do it is it reduces any perceived liability. If a company releases "beta" software, they are saying up-front that it is in development and may have problems, some possibly serious. That way- if their software destroys your computer or just doesn't run right- there really isn't any recourse. The company can simply say- "Hey, it's in beta!"
As to complaints about why one has to pay for "beta" software in some cases- many companies charge for beta software in one way or another. Some, like Microsoft, force you to pay to be in special groups, like Tech-net or MSDN to get some betas, or you may need to buy another "production" version of the software to qualify for the beta.
I would think an easy solution would be to REQUIRE that a person signing up for VOIP service provide their address for 911 service before even turning on their access to the network. This was prompted because of problems with people who were too ignorant or lazy to submit this information even when prompted several times to by the provider. (Specifically- Vonage.) If the information was required prior to service activation- it wouldn't be a problem.
It will still be an issue for people who travel with their VOIP boxes, and there probably isn't a solution without going to GPS and making the whole thing more expensive than a regular POTS line.
Once again- we are looking to legislate (or at least regulate) personal responsibility.
"Several telecommunications companies, which provide both dial-up Internet access as well as faster broadband connections through cable and DSL lines, say they were not involved in writing the bill."
(Putting on best Dr. Evil snear...)
Yeah... Riiiggghhht.
I don't believe for one second that the politician who introduced the bill isn't in at least one telecom or cable company's back pocket. It is Texas, after all.
If the telecom and cable companies offered good service coverage for a reasonable price, this wouldn't be necessary. Most of them have fallen WAY short of anything resembling good service or coverage, and certainly nothing affordable to many. I know people who pay over $100/mo for proprietary wireless access because they are "just outside" of a DSL or Cable service area. DSL and Cable internet service averages $40-$60/month throughout most of the country, on top of normal service charges. No wonder they want to shut out free municipal service.
Everquest II will use it... It was designed to work with hardware not yet released, including 512MB video cards.
Might have some chance in a room with no windows and a steel door, but painting a house or office with this would have minimal impact on war drivers, if any at all.
I have a wireless network (running very cheap, low power equipment) inside an all-steel warehouse building with steel screens and grates on the windows. I can access my wireless network reliably in a cafe down the block (brick building across the alley, roughly 1/2 block from the AP). It's also easily accessible from any of the nearby streets and parking lots. If all that steel isn't going to stop a WiFi signal- I really doubt paint with metal flakes in it will.
Really- a house or office building would have to be built from the ground up to shield RF if that's what someone really wants. Seems pointless and really "tin-foil hat" to me. I'm sure the company will get lots of paranoid people or people with disposable income to buy their paint though...
Actually, it would be more like someone suing Ford because their parts don't work in GM cars.
This is like suing GM because Ford parts don't work in their cars. ITunes is an Apple product, designed to work with other Apple products. There are several other choices available for pay-to-download music. They DON'T have a monopoly.
Just another example of a legal system out of control. Everyone loses but the lawyers.
Oops, should have probably used something other than "xxx"... :) I do believe they have at least one adult topic stream though.
No commercials (except for promoting their own stuff sometimes- like "Check out stream xxx for this!" type stuff), and as far as I can tell- no pay for play. Lots of variety, lots of station choices, no commercials, I can listen to the same station all across the country (I do a couple big road-trips a year). I love satellite radio! I can't stand the Clear Channel-ish crap that local radio in Denver (and most other major cities) has become.
I believe VW is the only car company to sell diesel vehicles in the US for several years now. I've been the proud owner of a TDI (diesel) golf for a few years. I've been laughing lately at SUVs pulling in for their almost-daily $40 fill-up. Diesel, in my area anyway, is currently 10-20 cents cheaper than regular unleaded gas, and I get almost 50MPG!
I've thought about bio-diesel, but there is only one consumer station in the Denver area, and it is about 15 miles (and 30 minutes with rush-hour traffic) out of my way. I'm hoping more stations will open up as gas prices continue to climb. Otherwise, I might start making my own as-well.
Not sure why I am responding to flamebait, but what the hell...
Windows boxes have to be rebooted after most software updates and patches. This is STILL true today with Windows XP, although not as bad as it used to be.
Linux boxes usually only have to be rebooted after kernel (read OS) upgrades. I can guarantee if you upgrade from Windows XP to whatever new thing M$ comes up with- that you will have to reboot at least a half-dozen times.
Aside from kernel upgrades, other Linux software updates don't normally require a restart of the box, and may only occasionally require restarting affected daemons.
I have to agree. This shouldn't have been modded "flaimbait", more like "insightful".
I've used both Fedora and Mandrake. I usually end up sticking with Fedora only for one reason- I've been using Red Hat for many years, so I am used to dealing with Red Hat's implementations of things. I also use Red Hat on my servers (I've had bad luck trying to implement Mandrake as a server replacement), so it is easier to just deal with one distro source (in general terms). Fedora has one big thing that I feel really hampers it for the home user, especially a newbie one- NO MP3 Support! This is rediculous when every other distribution (including Mandrakes) supports it. Sure, it isn't a big deal for an experienced user to download a an un-crippled player, but why put people through that? If Fedora wants to make any inroads into the desktop- they need to provide what most people consider really basic functionality "out of the box". I downloaded the latest Mandrake 10, and am downloading FC2 now, and I'll give them both a spin...
I think the problem is there are too many freeloaders using BT and not leaving their client up. At that point, it becomes no better than FTP. BT only works if everyone cooperates. When they do- it works extremely well.
What I find interesting is that Diebold makes probably MOST of the ATMs that people use on a regular basis, so they actually do know how to make secure and reliable machines on secure networks (at least secure and reliable enough for banks). Not sure why they have such a hard time with voting machines.
Amen!
I switched to OpenOffice and Mozilla about six months ago, and almost never look back. Except for a couple of crappy Web sites that only work with Internet Exploder, I've never had a reason to use IE or MS-Office again, and have talked several co-workers into using OO and Mozilla as-well. They are faster, safer, more reliable, and in the case of Mozilla- have much better spam and pop-up control. Fortunately I've had an easier time bringing open source software in now that our IT boss has embrased Mac OS-X for our art department.
Not odd at all- they are relicensing a deprecated and almost completely worthless OS. They don't make or lose any money off of it and don't have to support it, but they get good free publicity because of this announcement.