Having only just created and stored complex passwords for everything, I placed the data into my PDA. It crashed, and I fear I'll have to push the reset button to get it operational again. Doing that erases everything.:( Stupid Palm m130.
I realize that 90% of what you said was over-the-top sarcasm, however I use Windows XP too (in a dual-boot setup with Gentoo). I admit I rarely use Windows except when my uni requires me to write code for it.
Having said that, I do still check for Windows updates every now and then. Last time I checked (about three days ago) I had two updates. I had to reboot. I don't think I have ever had to reboot Gentoo for an update, be it for security or features. That's why I have also deployed it as a server on numerous occasions.
Recent events have shown all too well what happens when you don't do your updates. Do you mean that you didn't update your box?
I seem to recall that the Dreamcast failed primarily due to the ease of which games could be pirated. Is this correct?
I purchased my Dreamcast on EBay from the US which came with an inbuilt modchip - an unexpected suprize. I can't claim to use it to pirate any games with (although I do run Australian games on the US-version console), but I would expect that's what it was intended for.
It seems pirating on the XBox just got one step easier.
I used to be a RedHat 5.1 user. I was using Corel WordPerfect at the time, and when I upgraded to 6.something it no longer worked. Apparently a crucial package was missing from the distro and this was considered a bug by many.
Upgrading to the 7.x series, I had frequent GCC issues. I compiled most new programs myself, and the fact that the GCC included was unstable meant that doing something like recompiling my kernel wasn't going to work too easily.
Don't even get me started on RH 8 and 9. My distro of choice has changed at this stage anyway - I was using LFS / BLFS. You're right - it teaches you a lot!
Unfortunately, there were some things that it didn't teach me, and when I had a problem I was left up the creek. What was I to do when I wanted to install a program that wouldn't compile? As I started uni, I didn't have all day to figure out these sorts of issues. What I really needed was a package management system. (Note that I'm sure the documentation is more comprehensive by now.)
I toyed around with Debian for a while. I hated the installer, and couldn't understand why anyone would use it just by looking at it. Dselect / apt-get was neat, but it didn't seem anything special. From my days as a RedHat user, I opted to install everything - a huge mistake. It took forever to configure everything, and quite a number of questions were asked regarding configuring programs that I had never heard of. Even when I gave up and re-installed with careful package selection, I quickly got sick of Debian.
Enter Gentoo. It had everything that I need. Rarely do I have to figure out package conflicts (as I frequently had to with Debian). It has the efficiency of LFS - perhaps even better. Previously, I had to type in a billion commands to install a program. Often, I'd have to wait a few minutes before typing in the next command, meaning I had to be at my computer all the time to do anything.
Gentoo has package management. Type one or two commands, go to bed, and your packages are updated by the next day. And because I don't have to waste hours seeing if things compiled properly and then actually typing more comands, I can be game trying more optimized compiler settings.
Another thing - Gentoo is extreamly handy with configuring and alternating between xfree-drm, nvidia and firegl. opengl-update makes configuring this a breeze. This is the sort of thing I might have not been game to try on LFS.
Anyway, I think Gentoo is a lot less work. That's my 2 cents.
You're not the only one. I've been looking forward to reading what he has to say.
I agree that the article didn't really mention much that I didn't already know, but after reading it I'd really like to try to run a BSD kernel on Gentoo. He made it sound so easy.
I've never used BSD before (to any significant degree) but RMS made it sound extreamly easy to replace the Linux kernel with that from a BSD.
He mentioned a good point about IP, but again it's nothing that hasn't been said before.
I decided on the specifications for a server to be used by my company. Every single detail was thought out. Then some other guy talked to management after me and said 'just get a Dell' stating rubbish like 'custom built machines just can't cut it for a server' and other nonsense FUD.
When we needed a new SCSI disk, I again had suggested a certain brand and model. I knew that the specifications and quality of this particular disk was excellent for the price.
Instead, the company decided on a Dell again. They paid $200 more then they would have if they had listened to me. I asked them what brand and model they choose. They didn't know.
So they rang up and asked what they had ordered. Dell said that they won't know what they are going to send. Great. Let me just say, that for what they charge, when they are this vague (eg. SCSI 60GB HD), they would want to have bloody good support.
I see your logic, but I think it will be interesting to know it it holds out over the next 8 years.
These days where gaming (and perhaps some server/cluster stuff) isn't concerned, computers can be used for DVD playback with 5.1 surround, video editing, practically any office programs you could dream to throw at it, etc often without breaking a sweat.
In the old days of computers, I remember always deleting programs to make room for new ones - even when I had a current system. Today, I am using hard disks two years old and aren't even close to needing an upgrade. And most of that's MP3s (I ripped off my own CDs) anyway.
Computers no longer need 5 seconds for a menu to appear no matter how new the software is - even on a computers two or three years old. I remember things were not the same way back in the days of Windows 95.
The manager of the Google site has declaired that he currently doesn't have any intention of considering the new 64-bit CPUs because he has no need for that kind of performance from a machine - expecially at the current cost.
Looking at Gnome 2 (my current desktop so the one I can compare with best), it packs more features than the previous version and is quicker! I know that not all software works like this, but for computers showing their age this is an excellent way to be thinking. I know the MS Windows box says with each new version that it's quicker, but what they actually mean is 'more optimized for newer systems' - not 'it'll run faster on that old 500Mhz boz you're about to give to the children'.
I've never actually purchased a new computer in the last 5 years - just replaced parts when they break (such as PSUs, fans) and upgraded parts when necessary. The biggest upgrade was when I purchased a new motherboard as I had to get the RAM and CPU upgraded at the same time. I guess you could say that was like a new computer though.
The reason for this was because I needed a faster AGP slot, because I only needed a new graphics card. Look at what's happening next year though - PCI Express. Now if I had that, the MB, RAM and CPU upgrade wouldn't have been required. If that standard really lasts for 10 years (as expected) then perhaps an 8 year PC is not so insane.
That sounds really great. I too have Gentoo and XP, however I have a Radeon 8500.
I can't say with my setup there is any noticable difference between the two in speed. I expect XP is probably slightly better in my case, but have not benchmarked.
As one person commented previously, my biggest trouble comes from the mouse. It just doesn't 'feel' the same as Windows. It was definitely a different feel regardless of in-game settings. I guess I didn't spend a lot of time tweaking it though as I haven't had it working until just reciently.;)
On my video card, a Radeon 8500, I can get about 1800FPS with them (glxgears). The proprietary ATI drivers aren't fast when compared to nVidia's, although they aren't that bad. Those give me 2200FPS under otherwise the same conditions.
The only catch: UT2003 won't work with the open DRI drivers. If you don't play that, then you'll probably do OK.
This is getting slightly off-topic, however couldn't you debate that? Not everyone agrees with Futuremark since they changed their opinion about the whole issue it seems, and that benchmark was used a lot to evaluate the cards performance from the half-dozen reviews I've seen.
Regardless, the nVidia drivers are definitely faster under GNU/Linux (which is more on topic) so I guess you're right.
"The network driver provided by NVIDIA is subject to the NVIDIA software license; the license is available on the NVIDIA website, and is included in this package. By using this software, you are agreeing to the terms of the license. The rest of the software is provided under the GNU public license, which is also included in this package."
The 2.4.20 kernel patch for AGP (which is the topic of discussion) was released under the GPL.
There was a patch you had to apply to a 2.4.20 kernel which was GPL'ed for nvagp support.
Other modules included in the nForce driver set include nvnet - a proprietary networking module. I didn't mention it because it's not relevant to the topic though.
Got to admit, I was a Radeon 8500 user. With this issue at hand, I then purchased a cheap nVidia MX440. Now the issue is resolved, I'm back to my faster Radeon.
There is no doubt that they made money from this, although I'm not sure it would have been substancial. I won't be a sucker for nVidia again though (especially after the whole FutureMark issue).
nVidia drivers really are a lot better here, but I'm sticking with ATI.
With this MB under Gentoo with a Radeon 8500 64MB and fireGL I get 2200FPS in glxgears, but the same configuration using an nVidia MX440 64MB I get 2600FPS. Using otherwise exactly the same setup. The XFree86-DRM DRI driver for the Radeon gave 1800 BTW.
Now under Windows XP with MadOnion 3DMark2001SE, the Radeon kills the MX440, although I can't remember the exact scores.
nForcer users (like me:) who are on the ball know that it has been out for a while now. Unofficial support has been around for well over a week (it feels a long time when you've been waiting this long).
I own a PowerColor ATi Radeon 8500 Evil Master II MultiDisplay Edition 64MB. Using Gentoo at 1280x1024 24bit, I get about 1800FPS with glxgears with the DRI 'radeon' kernel module, and over 2200FPS with glxgears with the FireGL driver (on XFree86 3.3.0).
Previously, neither would work without the agpgart kernel module, so I'd be left with only 500FPS or so. Unreal Tournament 2003 is only available to ATI users on X3.3.0 with fireGL, so it couldn't be played.
I must say that I am glad the new code is released under the GPL. I'm just sorry that nVidia nForce supporters had to wait so long when the board was apparently advertised as ready for GNU/Linux.
Note that nVidia's proprietary drivers for its own video cards don't require the AGPGART driver as it has an implementation of it already built in. I was using a cheap nVidia MX440 card until this new driver (as I gave up waiting), and I can say that the nVidia proprietary driver has a very similar speed to the new GPL one, so nVidia video card users need not bother with this news.
Previously on Slashdot it was mentioned that Palm DocumentsToGo did MS Office compatibility better than PocketPC software. If this hasn't improved, other features may not matter.
Microsoft should know better by now that Office is top priority.
The government has the right to say which type of software it wants to use. If it finds open source software to be more secure or practical for whatever reason, then so be it.
It in no way limits competition. Any software vendor can still offer a solution to the government - they just have to conform to their requirements of making it open source.
I'm an Australian, and I for one would like to see this bill passed.
I remember when Grand Theft Auto came out on the PS2 here in Australia. It had a rating of MA or something on it which hadn't been approved. It turned out that the game had to be taken off the shelf because the rating was wrong, and selling it with the rating was illegal.
End users who had already purchased the game were worried that their own copies would be considered illegal, but it turned out that this wasn't the case. It was only illegal to sell / buy the copies with the incorrect rating after the announcement.
This kind of sounds similar, and if it is than SCO shouldn't have much of a case against disto companies and the like.
Slashdot Mirror
I just found that one out the hard way.
:( Stupid Palm m130.
Having only just created and stored complex passwords for everything, I placed the data into my PDA. It crashed, and I fear I'll have to push the reset button to get it operational again. Doing that erases everything.
I realize that 90% of what you said was over-the-top sarcasm, however I use Windows XP too (in a dual-boot setup with Gentoo). I admit I rarely use Windows except when my uni requires me to write code for it.
Having said that, I do still check for Windows updates every now and then. Last time I checked (about three days ago) I had two updates. I had to reboot. I don't think I have ever had to reboot Gentoo for an update, be it for security or features. That's why I have also deployed it as a server on numerous occasions.
Recent events have shown all too well what happens when you don't do your updates. Do you mean that you didn't update your box?
I seem to recall that the Dreamcast failed primarily due to the ease of which games could be pirated. Is this correct?
I purchased my Dreamcast on EBay from the US which came with an inbuilt modchip - an unexpected suprize. I can't claim to use it to pirate any games with (although I do run Australian games on the US-version console), but I would expect that's what it was intended for.
It seems pirating on the XBox just got one step easier.
I think that's more than reasonable given that MS didn't ever bother to respond.
I thought Australia was responsible for Samba and Enlightenment? Doesn't that make them good hackers too?
I used to be a RedHat 5.1 user. I was using Corel WordPerfect at the time, and when I upgraded to 6.something it no longer worked. Apparently a crucial package was missing from the distro and this was considered a bug by many.
Upgrading to the 7.x series, I had frequent GCC issues. I compiled most new programs myself, and the fact that the GCC included was unstable meant that doing something like recompiling my kernel wasn't going to work too easily.
Don't even get me started on RH 8 and 9. My distro of choice has changed at this stage anyway - I was using LFS / BLFS. You're right - it teaches you a lot!
Unfortunately, there were some things that it didn't teach me, and when I had a problem I was left up the creek. What was I to do when I wanted to install a program that wouldn't compile? As I started uni, I didn't have all day to figure out these sorts of issues. What I really needed was a package management system. (Note that I'm sure the documentation is more comprehensive by now.)
I toyed around with Debian for a while. I hated the installer, and couldn't understand why anyone would use it just by looking at it. Dselect / apt-get was neat, but it didn't seem anything special. From my days as a RedHat user, I opted to install everything - a huge mistake. It took forever to configure everything, and quite a number of questions were asked regarding configuring programs that I had never heard of. Even when I gave up and re-installed with careful package selection, I quickly got sick of Debian.
Enter Gentoo. It had everything that I need. Rarely do I have to figure out package conflicts (as I frequently had to with Debian). It has the efficiency of LFS - perhaps even better. Previously, I had to type in a billion commands to install a program. Often, I'd have to wait a few minutes before typing in the next command, meaning I had to be at my computer all the time to do anything.
Gentoo has package management. Type one or two commands, go to bed, and your packages are updated by the next day. And because I don't have to waste hours seeing if things compiled properly and then actually typing more comands, I can be game trying more optimized compiler settings.
Another thing - Gentoo is extreamly handy with configuring and alternating between xfree-drm, nvidia and firegl. opengl-update makes configuring this a breeze. This is the sort of thing I might have not been game to try on LFS.
Anyway, I think Gentoo is a lot less work. That's my 2 cents.
You're not the only one. I've been looking forward to reading what he has to say.
I agree that the article didn't really mention much that I didn't already know, but after reading it I'd really like to try to run a BSD kernel on Gentoo. He made it sound so easy.
I've never used BSD before (to any significant degree) but RMS made it sound extreamly easy to replace the Linux kernel with that from a BSD.
He mentioned a good point about IP, but again it's nothing that hasn't been said before.
I decided on the specifications for a server to be used by my company. Every single detail was thought out. Then some other guy talked to management after me and said 'just get a Dell' stating rubbish like 'custom built machines just can't cut it for a server' and other nonsense FUD.
When we needed a new SCSI disk, I again had suggested a certain brand and model. I knew that the specifications and quality of this particular disk was excellent for the price.
Instead, the company decided on a Dell again. They paid $200 more then they would have if they had listened to me. I asked them what brand and model they choose. They didn't know.
So they rang up and asked what they had ordered. Dell said that they won't know what they are going to send. Great. Let me just say, that for what they charge, when they are this vague (eg. SCSI 60GB HD), they would want to have bloody good support.
I see your logic, but I think it will be interesting to know it it holds out over the next 8 years.
These days where gaming (and perhaps some server/cluster stuff) isn't concerned, computers can be used for DVD playback with 5.1 surround, video editing, practically any office programs you could dream to throw at it, etc often without breaking a sweat.
In the old days of computers, I remember always deleting programs to make room for new ones - even when I had a current system. Today, I am using hard disks two years old and aren't even close to needing an upgrade. And most of that's MP3s (I ripped off my own CDs) anyway.
Computers no longer need 5 seconds for a menu to appear no matter how new the software is - even on a computers two or three years old. I remember things were not the same way back in the days of Windows 95.
The manager of the Google site has declaired that he currently doesn't have any intention of considering the new 64-bit CPUs because he has no need for that kind of performance from a machine - expecially at the current cost.
Looking at Gnome 2 (my current desktop so the one I can compare with best), it packs more features than the previous version and is quicker! I know that not all software works like this, but for computers showing their age this is an excellent way to be thinking. I know the MS Windows box says with each new version that it's quicker, but what they actually mean is 'more optimized for newer systems' - not 'it'll run faster on that old 500Mhz boz you're about to give to the children'.
I've never actually purchased a new computer in the last 5 years - just replaced parts when they break (such as PSUs, fans) and upgraded parts when necessary. The biggest upgrade was when I purchased a new motherboard as I had to get the RAM and CPU upgraded at the same time. I guess you could say that was like a new computer though.
The reason for this was because I needed a faster AGP slot, because I only needed a new graphics card. Look at what's happening next year though - PCI Express. Now if I had that, the MB, RAM and CPU upgrade wouldn't have been required. If that standard really lasts for 10 years (as expected) then perhaps an 8 year PC is not so insane.
That sounds really great. I too have Gentoo and XP, however I have a Radeon 8500.
;)
I can't say with my setup there is any noticable difference between the two in speed. I expect XP is probably slightly better in my case, but have not benchmarked.
As one person commented previously, my biggest trouble comes from the mouse. It just doesn't 'feel' the same as Windows. It was definitely a different feel regardless of in-game settings. I guess I didn't spend a lot of time tweaking it though as I haven't had it working until just reciently.
I wouldn't go so far as to rule out DRI drivers.
On my video card, a Radeon 8500, I can get about 1800FPS with them (glxgears). The proprietary ATI drivers aren't fast when compared to nVidia's, although they aren't that bad. Those give me 2200FPS under otherwise the same conditions.
The only catch: UT2003 won't work with the open DRI drivers. If you don't play that, then you'll probably do OK.
Not only is your comment off-topic, I've seen it before a few days ago. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Given the massive number of replys you got before, it's obvious to me that you know better about practically all statements you made.
Please don't post this here anymore. I will ignore you from this point on, and urge others to do the same.
This is getting slightly off-topic, however couldn't you debate that? Not everyone agrees with Futuremark since they changed their opinion about the whole issue it seems, and that benchmark was used a lot to evaluate the cards performance from the half-dozen reviews I've seen.
Regardless, the nVidia drivers are definitely faster under GNU/Linux (which is more on topic) so I guess you're right.
Straight from the documentation:
"The network driver provided by NVIDIA is subject to the NVIDIA software license; the license is available on the NVIDIA website, and is included in this package. By using this software, you are agreeing to the terms of the license. The rest of the software is provided under the GNU public license, which is also included in this package."
The 2.4.20 kernel patch for AGP (which is the topic of discussion) was released under the GPL.
Some of the nForce drivers were GPL.
There was a patch you had to apply to a 2.4.20 kernel which was GPL'ed for nvagp support.
Other modules included in the nForce driver set include nvnet - a proprietary networking module. I didn't mention it because it's not relevant to the topic though.
Got to admit, I was a Radeon 8500 user. With this issue at hand, I then purchased a cheap nVidia MX440. Now the issue is resolved, I'm back to my faster Radeon.
There is no doubt that they made money from this, although I'm not sure it would have been substancial. I won't be a sucker for nVidia again though (especially after the whole FutureMark issue).
nVidia drivers really are a lot better here, but I'm sticking with ATI.
With this MB under Gentoo with a Radeon 8500 64MB and fireGL I get 2200FPS in glxgears, but the same configuration using an nVidia MX440 64MB I get 2600FPS. Using otherwise exactly the same setup. The XFree86-DRM DRI driver for the Radeon gave 1800 BTW.
Now under Windows XP with MadOnion 3DMark2001SE, the Radeon kills the MX440, although I can't remember the exact scores.
nForcer users (like me :) who are on the ball know that it has been out for a while now. Unofficial support has been around for well over a week (it feels a long time when you've been waiting this long).
I own a PowerColor ATi Radeon 8500 Evil Master II MultiDisplay Edition 64MB. Using Gentoo at 1280x1024 24bit, I get about 1800FPS with glxgears with the DRI 'radeon' kernel module, and over 2200FPS with glxgears with the FireGL driver (on XFree86 3.3.0).
Previously, neither would work without the agpgart kernel module, so I'd be left with only 500FPS or so. Unreal Tournament 2003 is only available to ATI users on X3.3.0 with fireGL, so it couldn't be played.
I must say that I am glad the new code is released under the GPL. I'm just sorry that nVidia nForce supporters had to wait so long when the board was apparently advertised as ready for GNU/Linux.
Note that nVidia's proprietary drivers for its own video cards don't require the AGPGART driver as it has an implementation of it already built in. I was using a cheap nVidia MX440 card until this new driver (as I gave up waiting), and I can say that the nVidia proprietary driver has a very similar speed to the new GPL one, so nVidia video card users need not bother with this news.
You're right. I don't think noise is much of an issue. I can speak - I own a HipZip; the loudest mp3 player on the planet!
Previously on Slashdot it was mentioned that Palm DocumentsToGo did MS Office compatibility better than PocketPC software. If this hasn't improved, other features may not matter.
Microsoft should know better by now that Office is top priority.
Thank God Gentoo has plenty of mirrors too!
"walking home after 3am"?
Down under, I've had to show ID at only 12:30am. Beat that.
The government has the right to say which type of software it wants to use. If it finds open source software to be more secure or practical for whatever reason, then so be it.
It in no way limits competition. Any software vendor can still offer a solution to the government - they just have to conform to their requirements of making it open source.
I'm an Australian, and I for one would like to see this bill passed.
I remember when Grand Theft Auto came out on the PS2 here in Australia. It had a rating of MA or something on it which hadn't been approved. It turned out that the game had to be taken off the shelf because the rating was wrong, and selling it with the rating was illegal.
End users who had already purchased the game were worried that their own copies would be considered illegal, but it turned out that this wasn't the case. It was only illegal to sell / buy the copies with the incorrect rating after the announcement.
This kind of sounds similar, and if it is than SCO shouldn't have much of a case against disto companies and the like.
Thanks for such a wonderful compiler, and all the other tools and utilities that have made the world a much better place.