I believe that you're thinking of double layer DVDs. Double sided DVDs can be played by any player (save one of those jukebox style multidisc players), you just have to flip the disc when it reaches the end of that side. It's the dual-layered (multiple layers on the same side, requires the laser to focus on different levels) discs that many older players won't play.
I think the reason that they don't do this is because there isn't a label on the top, which makes it alot harder to tell what movie you're looking at. Although the title is usually printed around the hole in the center, it's not obvious at first glance. Also, to many people, it seems that they are getting "more" if they get two DVDs rather than one Dual Layer DVD.
I actually like the double sided discs. They just look really cool:-)
Granted, this does sound more realistic than standard Text-to-Speech programs, but it pronounced several words incorrectly during my trial (including "internet"). And the breaks in speech are off. It pauses at the wrong points.
I really dont see this (at least the online demo) as being some major revolutionary advance. Its just another evolution of speech synthesis. It still has a long way to go.
I'm still waiting for the computers they have in "Star Trek". They understand even poorly phrased requests and seem to know how to route communications simply when people begin speaking.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Definitely teach them some history. That way they can understand where we came from.
Also, go into the basics of computing. Teach basic concepts about what the different parts are, how they connect, etc. I've heard many first time learners complain that courses they take jump in too quickly without teaching them the basics.
A good teaching aide might be the documentary series "Triumph of the nerds". It's a great show that shows how the computer revolution took place and how we went from the days of the big mainframe to the desktop market of today. For the internet, there is a "Triumph of the nerds 2.0" which details the internet revolution from the days before arpanet up to now. Great series, and the format is entertaining and interesting. And Robert X. Cringely does a great job narrating.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I won't add my opinions on the whole backups argument, since they've already been covered (CDs are fragile and break, and I should be allowed to make a copy for personal use). Imports are obviously legit (I'd bring up DVD region locking, but that's a whole other topic)
If imports and backups are a legitimate use for a modchip, and the modchips are made illegal, Sony should be forced to do two things.
1) Make their consoles able to play discs from all regions. Import problem solved.
2) Provide replacements for damaged games at a reasonable cost ($1.00, the cost of one CDR). Backup problem solved.
This is just to counteract my inability to use the chip for legal purposes. Not that I think making the chip illegal was right in the first place. The fact that I own the hardware and should be able to do whatever the hell I want with it should preclude the passing of this in the first place.
These two things should happen anyway, regardless of the legality of the mod chip. Why does Sony care if I import a game? I'm not pirating it, hell, I'm giving them money that they wouldn't be getting if I didn't import the game. -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
At my Maryland High school, the entire school network is run by students. There are several labs in different areas, each with its own Win2K server. Students set up these servers (as far as network setup), configured clients, setup policies and all of the other expected routines. Problems with IP conflicts (the school gets internet access through a Comcast cable modem, who has decided that they will have control over the DHCP server which assigns private IPs) have been handled by students, along with various other problems.
It's a good system, although most of the work is done by a very small group of students who have done some brown-nosing to get there. I originally wanted to be a part of this team, but I decided the hoops I had to jump through and the unfair hierarchy where unqualified students are given more power wasn't something I wanted to deal with.
This is one problem with letting students have full control. Power corrupts, and being given this power without necessarily having the maturity to handle it can cause some serious ego trips and other problems.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Re:Question: what does CIS stand for
on
CS vs CIS
·
· Score: 1
CIS - Computer Information Systems
CS - Computer Science
CS is programming and programming theory. Lots of math, and you deal with some deep concepts. You learn alot about how the innards of a system works.
CIS is (in my opinion) a more "practical" degree. You deal more with the management side of things. More system administration / maintenence / setup than CS. Think MCSE (although slightly more advanced and not so Windows specific).
CIS is more like minoring in computer science, since you will get some of the programming and concepts that can be useful in system administration, without the difficulty and deep concepts.
If any of this is wrong, please feel free to correct me. I've gotten this from friends/acquaintances who have gone through these programs, not from my own personal experience.
According to the article, there is not an ocean ON it, but under it. The ocean lies 90-120 miles under the crust, hence making it harder to detect. The Galileo craft did magnetic analysis earlier this year and picked up readings that could indicate a salt-water ocean because of its magnetic properties. Its not as simple as just looking at the moon and seeing the ocean. -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Actually, if they aren't perfect English speakers, It sounds quite different. I attended a choral festival while I was in Japan 2 months ago and it was hard to tell WHAT they were singing when they sang in English.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
In my 11th grade Pascal class, one of my Korean friends coded all his programs with variable/function/procedure names in Korean. I was trying to debug his source one day, and I thought I had gone insane.
I gave up trying to fix his code after about 45 seconds. -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I'm using Comcast@home, and run FTP an HTTP servers on my NAT box. I haven't had any problems with Comcast about this. Of course, these servers are LIGHTLY used and don't use up much bandwidth.
I'f you're worried about getting caught, try setting up your FTP server to run on a port other than standard FTP (21). Assuming you remember the port, you should be able to FTP all you want to your home machine and not get caught. Although I don't think they care if you're just running it for personal use... -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Nope. I think you're still limited. Regardless, adding extra IPs isn't gonna get you extra speed w/ cable, because the bandwidth is all shared at the cable node. There is X amount of bandwidth, and how much you get depends on how many people are on your node and using the internet.
You might want to reconsider paying the extra $14 bucks/month for the two extra IPs and just set up a NAT/IPmasq box. Cheaper, more secure, and easier to network your home with. I highly recommend Sygate (http://www.sybergen.com) for a Win32 NAT setup. Of course, *NIX has built in support for this... -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
From my understanding, IPmasq looks at the individual packets, while NAT (Network Address Translation) just translates network addresses (thus its name).
So IPmasq really works on a lower level than NAT. -----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Instead of paying the extra $7/month (that's what Comcast@home charges, at least) for each extra IP, why don't you set up a NAT/IPmasq machine to share access to your LAN from just one IP? It's cheaper, more secure, and your LAN file transfers won't be affected by the cable modem upload cap.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
No, that was just something that MP3 traders used to excuse their infringements. Having ANY MP3 of music you didn't pay for is illegal, regardless of how long you keep it.
Not that I think this is right. MP3 isn't the greatest music format out there (definitely not CD quality), but it has (or should have) it's place in sampling music before you buy. ----------------- Kevin Mitchell
I can remember way back when, watching ReBoot on TV before it was syndicated. I was always amazed that they did the whole show using computer animation. Looking back, its interesting to see how computer animation has progressed and become so much more advanced. ----------------- Kevin Mitchell
I don't think you need to worry about the whole "betamax" issue, since MD has been around for several years. Japan has had it for longer than we have, and incredibly popular there (I was just in Japan several weeks ago, and everyone headphones connected to an MD player coming from their bag).
I personally wouldn't buy an MD player. The only benefit I see is the small size and possibly the inexpensive (when compared to flash memory for portable MP3 players) storage medium. I think I'll stick with my CD player, and pick up an MP3/CD player when they start supporting ID3 tags. ----------------- Kevin Mitchell
Cost of a 486 with a cheap NIC, SoundBlaster 16, some RCA cables and a 50 foot Cat 5: $80.00
I'm pretty sure a 486 isn't gonna have enough power to decode mp3s. Unless you plan on having them all at 32kbps or something.
And a SoundBlaster 16 isn't exactly the highest quality sound card out there.
Even so, I have toyed with the idea of doing this in my own home, but with a slightly more powerful system. It'd be a great idea, and would definitely be a conversation peice in your living room. Pipe some visual output onto the TV (like Winamp's AVS)...pretty damn cool. ----------------- Kevin Mitchell
I'll be in Japan this summer through a sister school exchange program. I'd really like to be able to bring a digital camera with me and upload the pics onto the web or something like that (so I don't have to bring a bunch of CF cards with me). Do you think the cafes would mind someone hooking up a USB CF reader or attaching the camera itself to the computer? I'd really like to do my pics digital so I don't end up lugging a bunch of film around with me. ----------------- Kevin Mitchell
Slashdot Mirror
I think the reason that they don't do this is because there isn't a label on the top, which makes it alot harder to tell what movie you're looking at. Although the title is usually printed around the hole in the center, it's not obvious at first glance. Also, to many people, it seems that they are getting "more" if they get two DVDs rather than one Dual Layer DVD.
I actually like the double sided discs. They just look really cool :-)
I really dont see this (at least the online demo) as being some major revolutionary advance. Its just another evolution of speech synthesis. It still has a long way to go.
I'm still waiting for the computers they have in "Star Trek". They understand even poorly phrased requests and seem to know how to route communications simply when people begin speaking.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Also, go into the basics of computing. Teach basic concepts about what the different parts are, how they connect, etc. I've heard many first time learners complain that courses they take jump in too quickly without teaching them the basics.
A good teaching aide might be the documentary series "Triumph of the nerds". It's a great show that shows how the computer revolution took place and how we went from the days of the big mainframe to the desktop market of today. For the internet, there is a "Triumph of the nerds 2.0" which details the internet revolution from the days before arpanet up to now. Great series, and the format is entertaining and interesting. And Robert X. Cringely does a great job narrating.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I won't add my opinions on the whole backups argument, since they've already been covered (CDs are fragile and break, and I should be allowed to make a copy for personal use). Imports are obviously legit (I'd bring up DVD region locking, but that's a whole other topic)
If imports and backups are a legitimate use for a modchip, and the modchips are made illegal, Sony should be forced to do two things.
1) Make their consoles able to play discs from all regions. Import problem solved.
2) Provide replacements for damaged games at a reasonable cost ($1.00, the cost of one CDR). Backup problem solved.
This is just to counteract my inability to use the chip for legal purposes. Not that I think making the chip illegal was right in the first place. The fact that I own the hardware and should be able to do whatever the hell I want with it should preclude the passing of this in the first place.
These two things should happen anyway, regardless of the legality of the mod chip. Why does Sony care if I import a game? I'm not pirating it, hell, I'm giving them money that they wouldn't be getting if I didn't import the game.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
At my Maryland High school, the entire school network is run by students. There are several labs in different areas, each with its own Win2K server. Students set up these servers (as far as network setup), configured clients, setup policies and all of the other expected routines. Problems with IP conflicts (the school gets internet access through a Comcast cable modem, who has decided that they will have control over the DHCP server which assigns private IPs) have been handled by students, along with various other problems.
It's a good system, although most of the work is done by a very small group of students who have done some brown-nosing to get there. I originally wanted to be a part of this team, but I decided the hoops I had to jump through and the unfair hierarchy where unqualified students are given more power wasn't something I wanted to deal with.
This is one problem with letting students have full control. Power corrupts, and being given this power without necessarily having the maturity to handle it can cause some serious ego trips and other problems.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
CS - Computer Science
CS is programming and programming theory. Lots of math, and you deal with some deep concepts. You learn alot about how the innards of a system works.
CIS is (in my opinion) a more "practical" degree. You deal more with the management side of things. More system administration / maintenence / setup than CS. Think MCSE (although slightly more advanced and not so Windows specific).
CIS is more like minoring in computer science, since you will get some of the programming and concepts that can be useful in system administration, without the difficulty and deep concepts.
If any of this is wrong, please feel free to correct me. I've gotten this from friends/acquaintances who have gone through these programs, not from my own personal experience.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
According to the article, there is not an ocean ON it, but under it. The ocean lies 90-120 miles under the crust, hence making it harder to detect. The Galileo craft did magnetic analysis earlier this year and picked up readings that could indicate a salt-water ocean because of its magnetic properties. Its not as simple as just looking at the moon and seeing the ocean.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Actually, if they aren't perfect English speakers, It sounds quite different. I attended a choral festival while I was in Japan 2 months ago and it was hard to tell WHAT they were singing when they sang in English.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I gave up trying to fix his code after about 45 seconds.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I'f you're worried about getting caught, try setting up your FTP server to run on a port other than standard FTP (21). Assuming you remember the port, you should be able to FTP all you want to your home machine and not get caught. Although I don't think they care if you're just running it for personal use...
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
You might want to reconsider paying the extra $14 bucks/month for the two extra IPs and just set up a NAT/IPmasq box. Cheaper, more secure, and easier to network your home with. I highly recommend Sygate (http://www.sybergen.com) for a Win32 NAT setup. Of course, *NIX has built in support for this...
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
So IPmasq really works on a lower level than NAT.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Instead of paying the extra $7/month (that's what Comcast@home charges, at least) for each extra IP, why don't you set up a NAT/IPmasq machine to share access to your LAN from just one IP? It's cheaper, more secure, and your LAN file transfers won't be affected by the cable modem upload cap.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I'm prety sure that brain cells are NOT frequently multiplying.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
Not that I think this is right. MP3 isn't the greatest music format out there (definitely not CD quality), but it has (or should have) it's place in sampling music before you buy.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I think you mean MPAA. RIAA is messing with Napster and digital music, and that's a whole other topic.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I can remember way back when, watching ReBoot on TV before it was syndicated. I was always amazed that they did the whole show using computer animation. Looking back, its interesting to see how computer animation has progressed and become so much more advanced.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
When I can see the name of the song I'm playing, THEN I'll buy an MP3CD player.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I personally wouldn't buy an MD player. The only benefit I see is the small size and possibly the inexpensive (when compared to flash memory for portable MP3 players) storage medium. I think I'll stick with my CD player, and pick up an MP3/CD player when they start supporting ID3 tags.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I'm pretty sure a 486 isn't gonna have enough power to decode mp3s. Unless you plan on having them all at 32kbps or something.
And a SoundBlaster 16 isn't exactly the highest quality sound card out there.
Even so, I have toyed with the idea of doing this in my own home, but with a slightly more powerful system. It'd be a great idea, and would definitely be a conversation peice in your living room. Pipe some visual output onto the TV (like Winamp's AVS)...pretty damn cool.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell
I'll be in Japan this summer through a sister school exchange program. I'd really like to be able to bring a digital camera with me and upload the pics onto the web or something like that (so I don't have to bring a bunch of CF cards with me). Do you think the cafes would mind someone hooking up a USB CF reader or attaching the camera itself to the computer? I'd really like to do my pics digital so I don't end up lugging a bunch of film around with me.
-----------------
Kevin Mitchell