Not really baffling at all, just a case study in Cost vs. Value.
In this case, plunking down a few hundred bucks to use a simple box with free OS upgrades (that someone else works on and tests) that auto-updates nightly and has an intuitive GUI is worth it to most people.
This is also the case with PC's. Most of us reading Slashdot can build a PC, but the older we get the more we start to realize that often the hassle involved with building, tweaking, fixing conflicts, etc costs more of our valuable personal time than it is worth. Thus it is often easier to just call up Dell and let them do the work and earn the mild profit.
I bet there are plenty of people out there who could build their own cars if they wanted to...only it would take them 5 years to do it and cost 10x more in parts and personal labor. Same thing with anything we purchase: food, clothing, shelter, etc. We could grow it, sew it, or build it ourselves, but it's just more cost effective to let one person specialize in doing it well and making it for us.
I know that is going to irk a lot of people out there who fancy themselves hackers and visionaries, but it's nothing more than simple economics.
Re:You may want the data more than you think
on
Comparing the DVRs?
·
· Score: 3, Funny
You do realize that you're simply asked us to imagine a WunderProduct rather than look at something a little more concrete and currently available, right?
Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but talk and ideas won't tape next week's Simpsons Ep for me. My TiVo will.;)
I made a game too. It won't be in stores, but I blame "the man" and "the system" for that. It may not have great graphics or great gameplay, but I am still selling it.
But imagine if other industries used the same scheme?
Dodge could sue Jeep and both could settle by acknowledging each others' patents, and the one who benefits most would be Daimler Chrysler who owns both of them.
Actually, I have had a debate about that and came to the conclusion that you SHOULDN'T send back prepaid envelopes just to get back at bad companies.
Why not? Because you will hurt everyone eventually.
Not every ad mailing will be enjoyed by every receipient. But at the same time, there are occasional random mailings we all actually like to get. By mailing back prepaid envelopes empty (or full of junk), all you do is hurt the industry's profit margin. That won't mean less junk, it will mean less prepad envelopes, since that will be the easiest way for them to save money. And then you won't have prepaid envelopes for the stuff you actually want to send for.
Just throw them away or write to that giant clearinghouse to be taken off the main list.
That would be quite the genius move, but then you get into problematic insider abuse questions if you have both sides agree to such a scheme up front.
Besides, doesn't the simple act of GETTING a patent set a useful precident? It's not like most companies go out and attack a tiny company to validate every patent they receive...
For anyone that just wants the jist of the article:
"The sending side transmits these symbols until the box on the receiving end confirms that it's collected enough symbols. "
So basically, it's not much more than UDP with a single reply telling the server to stop transmitting.
Not bad, but you better have some good timeouts worked into this thing. UDP by definition is a non-replying "if it gets dropped who cares?" protocol. If the receiver's connection were to go down, wouldn't the server just get flooding all the in-between routers with packets for awhile? That's not good for traffic congestion.
Dibs on the use of the word "idiot" in this feedback section! If any of you guys use it without my express written permission (and that of Major League Baseball), you'll be hearing from my lawyers!
Slashdot Mirror
Just squinch your face up. Sure you'll have a wacky license picture, but you'll stay anonymous on the cameras...
Whoever owns the patent, wins. Even that guy who said "Let's Roll"'s family lost their right to the phrase b/c someone quickly patented it.
Moderation Totals: Flamebait=3, Redundant=1, Funny=7, Overrated=3, Underrated=2, Total=16.
Best...comment...ever.
Argh Matey, aye ben tellin' yer fer yars that this Demon Spawn was thar, but yer never believe tha pirates, do ye?
Screw it, aye thinks it be time to go kill anoth'r World Cup Seeling Champeen.
Final Fantasy 10, eh? I bet the crew that named this series never expected it to have so many sequals ;)
That's cool...we really needed another level of distraction for idiots that use cell phones in the car! Beep beep.
I want one, that way when some jerk rips off my phone, I can get a good image for the police without him realizing it.
You followed the formula. Awesome. Might want to shrink down that user rant though, it's kinda long.
Look, the answer here is simple.
"Enough" = when we can have all the goat pron right at our fingertips with no waiting.
[Insert Pro-Linux Outcry]
[Insert Rambling Out-Of-My-Ass Reasons why Survey Can't Be Correct]
[Insert Attack on Microsoft]
[Insert Short Insult To Silly Un-learned Users Who Don't Know Better]
[Insert Reminder That Survey Can't Be True]
[Close with Name, Followed By Witty Anti-M$ Slogan, Being Sure To Substitute A Dollar Sign For The "S" Because Doing That Is Inventive And Hilarious]
Not really baffling at all, just a case study in Cost vs. Value.
In this case, plunking down a few hundred bucks to use a simple box with free OS upgrades (that someone else works on and tests) that auto-updates nightly and has an intuitive GUI is worth it to most people.
This is also the case with PC's. Most of us reading Slashdot can build a PC, but the older we get the more we start to realize that often the hassle involved with building, tweaking, fixing conflicts, etc costs more of our valuable personal time than it is worth. Thus it is often easier to just call up Dell and let them do the work and earn the mild profit.
I bet there are plenty of people out there who could build their own cars if they wanted to...only it would take them 5 years to do it and cost 10x more in parts and personal labor. Same thing with anything we purchase: food, clothing, shelter, etc. We could grow it, sew it, or build it ourselves, but it's just more cost effective to let one person specialize in doing it well and making it for us.
I know that is going to irk a lot of people out there who fancy themselves hackers and visionaries, but it's nothing more than simple economics.
You do realize that you're simply asked us to imagine a WunderProduct rather than look at something a little more concrete and currently available, right?
;)
Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but talk and ideas won't tape next week's Simpsons Ep for me. My TiVo will.
That's nothing. You should see my onboard handheld snow-writing device.
I made a game too. It won't be in stores, but I blame "the man" and "the system" for that. It may not have great graphics or great gameplay, but I am still selling it.
Did I mention that it is also revolutionary?
Hey baby, why don't you follow me downstairs to the computer room. I've got a wriggling heat sink that you need to check out.
So basically you just used Ask Slashdot to market a product or further your career.
Just kidding, everyone does that.
But imagine if other industries used the same scheme?
Dodge could sue Jeep and both could settle by acknowledging each others' patents, and the one who benefits most would be Daimler Chrysler who owns both of them.
Doesn't seem legal to me, but IANAL either.
Actually, I have had a debate about that and came to the conclusion that you SHOULDN'T send back prepaid envelopes just to get back at bad companies.
Why not? Because you will hurt everyone eventually.
Not every ad mailing will be enjoyed by every receipient. But at the same time, there are occasional random mailings we all actually like to get. By mailing back prepaid envelopes empty (or full of junk), all you do is hurt the industry's profit margin. That won't mean less junk, it will mean less prepad envelopes, since that will be the easiest way for them to save money. And then you won't have prepaid envelopes for the stuff you actually want to send for.
Just throw them away or write to that giant clearinghouse to be taken off the main list.
That would be quite the genius move, but then you get into problematic insider abuse questions if you have both sides agree to such a scheme up front.
Besides, doesn't the simple act of GETTING a patent set a useful precident? It's not like most companies go out and attack a tiny company to validate every patent they receive...
For anyone that just wants the jist of the article:
"The sending side transmits these symbols until the box on the receiving end confirms that it's collected enough symbols. "
So basically, it's not much more than UDP with a single reply telling the server to stop transmitting.
Not bad, but you better have some good timeouts worked into this thing. UDP by definition is a non-replying "if it gets dropped who cares?" protocol. If the receiver's connection were to go down, wouldn't the server just get flooding all the in-between routers with packets for awhile? That's not good for traffic congestion.
Man, that's nothing. A really good 3D Modeller can make a cheap PC using nothing more than $20 worth of clay and a few chisels.
The best part? You can usually find free Cyrix chips in most PC Repair trash bins.
Hey you, Jim Peterson!!! Do you like Christmas!!! Then check out our barely legal Ho Ho Hoes!!!!
Also play our new game: Find the bad-girl coal!!!
It would be easier to build a machine that collects and processes the sweat of the nervous investors on this project...
"Hey buddy, what time is it?"
"It's 110101000100101101000101"
"Nevermind then."
Dibs on the use of the word "idiot" in this feedback section! If any of you guys use it without my express written permission (and that of Major League Baseball), you'll be hearing from my lawyers!