Considering the fact that this device appears to be more expensive than other non-Linux-based devices that perform more or less the same task, I'd say the only reason to choose this thingy is if you need the extra configurability of Linux or better security. In both cases adding SSH to the package (maybe a floppy with PuTTY or some other free SSH terminal for Windows) would seem to make sense.
Naturally, a 56 kbps connection hardly seems a prime target, but consider the possibility of using this as a dial-in connection and/or local hub for a larger LAN (which might have other Internet access). Many organisations provide dial-up access to their network, so the idea doesn't seem too far-fetched to me.
I assume that normal/. reasoning includes the following: Linux-based => hackable => must-have. Or something like that.
Of course, for that sort of money you could get a 486 and slap Linux, a modem and a network card into it; the only real advantage with this gizmo is that you get everything in a neat, quiet little box.
It strikes me as odd that this gizmo uses telnet and WWW by default to access the configuration tools. Surely it would be possible to include something more secure such as SSH.
Of course, there shouldn't be any problem in adding SSH by yourself, but supplying it as standard would seem useful.
What surprises me most is that Adobe apparently has a Unix version of FrameMaker 6, that apparently runs on Solaris, HP-UX and AIX. Are there some mysterious Solaris/HP-UX/AIX-specific tricks in the code? One would think they needn't do much more than recompile to get a Linux version...
Half-Price Hosting's Terms of Service include the following:
4.1.5. The storage and distribution of MP3 format files via the Company network is prohibited.
By posting MP3:s on Half-Price, you are violating their rules.
If you don't read the terms of service, don't be surprised if they delete your files. ISP:s have the right to restrict what they host, but only if they make it clear what the restrictions are. If this restriction hadn't been in the terms of service, Half-Price would be a god target for legal action.
I don't wish to seem bitchy,
but if only old Ritchie
had been strangled at birth by a nurse.
And the fate that I've planned
for all Kernighan's clan,
is unprintably several times worse.
...
Part of an poem from an old mag. Can't remember which, though.
You haven't tried symlinking the relevant file in your user profile on Linux to the corresponding file on Windows? I use this to keep my mailboxes synched between Win'98 and Linux (on Netscape 4.7).
Alternatively, you could use a script to update this every time you start/stop netscape or something...
Of course, you can hook your computer up to a really big monitor/TV/projector/whatever and watch your DVDs on that. Besides, for people who don't have the space or money for a separate TV/DVD player combination and already have a computer, it makes sense to put the DVD playing system in the computer.
Furthermore, with the DVD drive in the computer, any DVD-based software is also accessible. Try using a DVD-ROM with a DVD-Video player! B-)
In most cases the extra cost of buying a DVD drive instead of a CD-ROM drive for a PC is smaller than that of buying a DVD player for a TV.
Actually, I suspect that a greater problem in the voice recognition will be that most humans speak tlhIngan Hol with a horrible Federation accent. B-)
Seriously, for the limited set of commands needed, speech recognition even without training should be OK. Note that the commands must be restricted to a small set of specific expressions for this to work well - perhaps Klingon battle language would be best (small vocabulary, few and standardised expressions, sounds cool and very realistic for commanding Klingon vessels).
Under Linux, problems like a game not being able to handle separate users seem unlikely. Even if a game doesn't support multiple users properly, you can still try keeping multiple versions of save game directories, configuration files, et.c. and juggle them to make sure every user has his own setup (shouldn't be too hard to write a script/batch file to do this - copy user files to game directory, run game, copy user files to user directory).
Errr... Actually, you can get lots of software and stuff on DVD already. For example:
Several magazines, e.g. PC Plus, have cover-mounted DVDs (or CDs if you like) with all kinds of stuff: programs, clip-art, et.c....
Encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Britannica or Microsoft Encarta fit better onto a DVD than several CDs.
Several games are available on DVD, for example Blade Runner.
In other words, there's quite a lot available on DVD already. Of course, the contents of your local stores may vary, but there's always mail/Net order and subscriptions!
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Considering the fact that this device appears to be more expensive than other non-Linux-based devices that perform more or less the same task, I'd say the only reason to choose this thingy is if you need the extra configurability of Linux or better security. In both cases adding SSH to the package (maybe a floppy with PuTTY or some other free SSH terminal for Windows) would seem to make sense.
Naturally, a 56 kbps connection hardly seems a prime target, but consider the possibility of using this as a dial-in connection and/or local hub for a larger LAN (which might have other Internet access). Many organisations provide dial-up access to their network, so the idea doesn't seem too far-fetched to me.
I assume that normal /. reasoning includes the following: Linux-based => hackable => must-have. Or something like that.
Of course, for that sort of money you could get a 486 and slap Linux, a modem and a network card into it; the only real advantage with this gizmo is that you get everything in a neat, quiet little box.
It strikes me as odd that this gizmo uses telnet and WWW by default to access the configuration tools. Surely it would be possible to include something more secure such as SSH.
Of course, there shouldn't be any problem in adding SSH by yourself, but supplying it as standard would seem useful.
What surprises me most is that Adobe apparently has a Unix version of FrameMaker 6, that apparently runs on Solaris, HP-UX and AIX. Are there some mysterious Solaris/HP-UX/AIX-specific tricks in the code? One would think they needn't do much more than recompile to get a Linux version...
Half-Price Hosting's Terms of Service include the following:
4.1.5. The storage and distribution of MP3 format files via the Company network is prohibited.
By posting MP3:s on Half-Price, you are violating their rules.
If you don't read the terms of service, don't be surprised if they delete your files. ISP:s have the right to restrict what they host, but only if they make it clear what the restrictions are. If this restriction hadn't been in the terms of service, Half-Price would be a god target for legal action.
I don't wish to seem bitchy,
but if only old Ritchie
had been strangled at birth by a nurse.
And the fate that I've planned
for all Kernighan's clan,
is unprintably several times worse.
...
Part of an poem from an old mag. Can't remember which, though.
You haven't tried symlinking the relevant file in your user profile on Linux to the corresponding file on Windows? I use this to keep my mailboxes synched between Win'98 and Linux (on Netscape 4.7).
Alternatively, you could use a script to update this every time you start/stop netscape or something...
Of course, you can hook your computer up to a really big monitor/TV/projector/whatever and watch your DVDs on that. Besides, for people who don't have the space or money for a separate TV/DVD player combination and already have a computer, it makes sense to put the DVD playing system in the computer.
Furthermore, with the DVD drive in the computer, any DVD-based software is also accessible. Try using a DVD-ROM with a DVD-Video player! B-)
In most cases the extra cost of buying a DVD drive instead of a CD-ROM drive for a PC is smaller than that of buying a DVD player for a TV.
Actually, I suspect that a greater problem in the voice recognition will be that most humans speak tlhIngan Hol with a horrible Federation accent. B-)
Seriously, for the limited set of commands needed, speech recognition even without training should be OK. Note that the commands must be restricted to a small set of specific expressions for this to work well - perhaps Klingon battle language would be best (small vocabulary, few and standardised expressions, sounds cool and very realistic for commanding Klingon vessels).
Under Linux, problems like a game not being able to handle separate users seem unlikely. Even if a game doesn't support multiple users properly, you can still try keeping multiple versions of save game directories, configuration files, et.c. and juggle them to make sure every user has his own setup (shouldn't be too hard to write a script/batch file to do this - copy user files to game directory, run game, copy user files to user directory).
- Several magazines, e.g. PC Plus, have cover-mounted DVDs (or CDs if you like) with all kinds of stuff: programs, clip-art, et.c....
- Encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Britannica or Microsoft Encarta fit better onto a DVD than several CDs.
- Several games are available on DVD, for example Blade Runner.
In other words, there's quite a lot available on DVD already. Of course, the contents of your local stores may vary, but there's always mail/Net order and subscriptions!