The organization in question uses a LOAD of PEECEEs as you put it (and some Macs thrown in for good measure) and they are familiar with CD-Rs (at least in some departments) but they are no more capable of taking data out of DB/2 on an ES9000 and getting it into a flat ASCII CSV file on CD-R than we are...seeing as we have no ES9000.
I would think that since they have the mainframe(s) and they have tools like Essbase and SAS and they have the middle-ware gateways to connect them, they could extract the data they need from one of their query tools and burn it onto CD-R. But they don't know how...and they already know how to dump it to 9-track.
We do a lot of work with state and federal governments and they still use them so we have to sometimes as well. In fact, we're working on a project right now with a state agency and the only common format they can provide us data on (that we can read) is 9-track. They have newer cartridges but we've already got the 9-track in use and don't see much point in buying a new drive to read the cartridges from their mainframes.
They've already told us that next year, however, we'll have to find a different way because they're finally retiring their 9-tracks.
I said, "Can't you just burn the data onto CD-Rs for us?"
So what do you call someone who believes a professional liar? Particularly when the professional liar is proven to be a liar, year after year after year?
If they can compress random data 100:1, why would they need two bytes? Can't they compress an eight-bit byte into a single bit? I would think at most they would need two bits...which is about what their "breakthrough" is worth.
remember, part of stability is not getting a lot of updates or patches anymore
And part of not getting a lot of updates or patches anymore is lower usage. I can't think of anyone still supplying new patches to 1.x kernels, but that is no proof of their stability.
Look, I don't use XP, so I don't know how well that "firewall" it has built-in actually works.
But really, folks, anyone who connects to the Internet NOT BEHIND A FIREWALL is playing with fire ANYWAY, regarless of OS.
Windows <insert version here> may be less secure than some alternatives but still, I'd think most folks should know by now what a firewall is and understand the importance of having one.
Oh, and BTW: a firewall is a firewall, not an app running on your desktop OS. Host-based firewalling is a nice addition to your security, but shouldn't be your only security.
I disagree. If you literally OWNED it, the copyright and all, you could do ANYTHING you wanted to with it...including license it to others under the BSD license. (eek!)
How is this informative? It's blatantly incorrect.
Linus does INDEED own a piece of the copyright to Linux. As does every contributor who hasn't signed away their ownership of the code they contribute. Just because the GPL is a "free" license, it does not grant you ownership. Read it for yourself.
Let us not forget the Windows Media Player and its related bugs. It is quite possible that many prior versions of "out of the box" installs were immediately exploitable via any number of methods.
I understand where you're coming from and agree you need to make sure your message suits your audience.
However, after reading that book I mentioned, I have to agree with Mr. Pinker's assessment that language is *supposed* to change. If it didn't, and words like "upcoming" (which used to be a pet peeve of mine) or derivative spellings of words were not allowed to become a part of the accepted language, we'd all still be speaking in some ancient tongue.
Trying to force language to adhere to the same set of rules forever is impossible. So complaining about it changing (which people have been doing for centuries) is rather pointless. So I learned to just roll with it. I always try to be as correct (according to the rules I learned in school) with my spelling and grammar as I can, but don't think less of people who do otherwise in informal settings but still take issue with mis-spellings or grammatical errors in things like resumes.
IMHO, the word "definitely" is mis-spelled SO OFTEN as "definately" that it is only a matter of time before lexicographers add it to the dictionary.
It's the psychology of paying $300 for a machine that just sits there doing nothing most of the time until you can afford to buy the new games for it.
Also, while you CAN hook up > 1 console to a TV, it may often require an a/b type switch or some "interesting" wiring that most people don't want to mess with. Not to mention two power cords and the extra space needed for two consoles.
It just seems cleaner to folks to have just the one box and if it still plays the existing games, then great.
When we got a Playstation, my son took his Sega Genesis to his Grandma's house so he'd have something to play when he was there. The TV it was hooked into already had a PICO (game system for preschoolers) and the Playstation and I wasn't gonna mess with yet another system there.
Your interpretation is one possible way to read my statement. But it is just as technically correct to speak in the present tense with an implied "have" in front of the word stopped.
As it is also correct with the ellipsis serving as a separator of two statements and indicating something ommitted. The two statements stand on their own and do not necessarily require being of the same tense.
Also, while switching tense is often taught as improper, in common language it is done with great regularity and is not in any sense improper. Partly, my point is that/. is not a forum confined to "American English" or any other specific, formal, codified system of language but is rather an informal medium much like common spoken language between friends.
Suggesting to someone that they might be taken more seriously or be viewed as more intelligent if they took the time to spell-check their posts is fine. Deriding someone for not doing so is condescending and only makes the corrector look more of an ass than the correctee.
Slashdot Mirror
I couldn't care less about the search engine going away. I just always liked the AP News Feed they had there.
I hope it will still be available. I've tried others but not found a better one. Anyone else?
The organization in question uses a LOAD of PEECEEs as you put it (and some Macs thrown in for good measure) and they are familiar with CD-Rs (at least in some departments) but they are no more capable of taking data out of DB/2 on an ES9000 and getting it into a flat ASCII CSV file on CD-R than we are...seeing as we have no ES9000.
I would think that since they have the mainframe(s) and they have tools like Essbase and SAS and they have the middle-ware gateways to connect them, they could extract the data they need from one of their query tools and burn it onto CD-R. But they don't know how...and they already know how to dump it to 9-track.
Is that you, Mel?
Got one. We in fact still use it <gasp!>
We do a lot of work with state and federal governments and they still use them so we have to sometimes as well. In fact, we're working on a project right now with a state agency and the only common format they can provide us data on (that we can read) is 9-track. They have newer cartridges but we've already got the 9-track in use and don't see much point in buying a new drive to read the cartridges from their mainframes.
They've already told us that next year, however, we'll have to find a different way because they're finally retiring their 9-tracks.
I said, "Can't you just burn the data onto CD-Rs for us?"
<EnglishAccent>And if you tell kids that today...they won't believe you.</EnglishAccent>
Now THAT is insightful. Too bad I used up all my mod points yesterday.
A Republican? A Democrat? Both?
sorry...I had to...yes, I know it's offtopic.
If they can compress random data 100:1, why would they need two bytes? Can't they compress an eight-bit byte into a single bit? I would think at most they would need two bits...which is about what their "breakthrough" is worth.
Or the special edition where we find out that Elrond is actually an Agent and he refers to Frodo as "Mr. Anderson..."
Well said...er, written.
I wasn't so much going off on you, I just was surprised by the mods.
I'll grant you 2.0.x series is fairly stable. In my view the amount of experience is evidence in its favor; but it's certainly not proof.
Actually, it is much simpler; it takes two easy steps:
1) boot tomsrtbt
2) fdisk
And part of not getting a lot of updates or patches anymore is lower usage. I can't think of anyone still supplying new patches to 1.x kernels, but that is no proof of their stability.
I give up...is it so the covers will fit?
Oops...too late.
Look, I don't use XP, so I don't know how well that "firewall" it has built-in actually works.
But really, folks, anyone who connects to the Internet NOT BEHIND A FIREWALL is playing with fire ANYWAY, regarless of OS.
Windows <insert version here> may be less secure than some alternatives but still, I'd think most folks should know by now what a firewall is and understand the importance of having one.
Oh, and BTW: a firewall is a firewall, not an app running on your desktop OS. Host-based firewalling is a nice addition to your security, but shouldn't be your only security.
I disagree. If you literally OWNED it, the copyright and all, you could do ANYTHING you wanted to with it...including license it to others under the BSD license. (eek!)
How is this informative? It's blatantly incorrect.
Linus does INDEED own a piece of the copyright to Linux. As does every contributor who hasn't signed away their ownership of the code they contribute. Just because the GPL is a "free" license, it does not grant you ownership. Read it for yourself.
People: think before moderating.
Let us not forget the Windows Media Player and its related bugs. It is quite possible that many prior versions of "out of the box" installs were immediately exploitable via any number of methods.
But I thought IE was a part of the OS...remember?
I understand where you're coming from and agree you need to make sure your message suits your audience.
However, after reading that book I mentioned, I have to agree with Mr. Pinker's assessment that language is *supposed* to change. If it didn't, and words like "upcoming" (which used to be a pet peeve of mine) or derivative spellings of words were not allowed to become a part of the accepted language, we'd all still be speaking in some ancient tongue.
Trying to force language to adhere to the same set of rules forever is impossible. So complaining about it changing (which people have been doing for centuries) is rather pointless. So I learned to just roll with it. I always try to be as correct (according to the rules I learned in school) with my spelling and grammar as I can, but don't think less of people who do otherwise in informal settings but still take issue with mis-spellings or grammatical errors in things like resumes.
IMHO, the word "definitely" is mis-spelled SO OFTEN as "definately" that it is only a matter of time before lexicographers add it to the dictionary.
It's the psychology of paying $300 for a machine that just sits there doing nothing most of the time until you can afford to buy the new games for it.
Also, while you CAN hook up > 1 console to a TV, it may often require an a/b type switch or some "interesting" wiring that most people don't want to mess with. Not to mention two power cords and the extra space needed for two consoles.
It just seems cleaner to folks to have just the one box and if it still plays the existing games, then great.
When we got a Playstation, my son took his Sega Genesis to his Grandma's house so he'd have something to play when he was there. The TV it was hooked into already had a PICO (game system for preschoolers) and the Playstation and I wasn't gonna mess with yet another system there.
I do in fact, but they're all taken. But a nice person like you shouldn't have any trouble finding a mate. Just buy one from Russia.
Whatever...
/. is not a forum confined to "American English" or any other specific, formal, codified system of language but is rather an informal medium much like common spoken language between friends.
Your interpretation is one possible way to read my statement. But it is just as technically correct to speak in the present tense with an implied "have" in front of the word stopped.
As it is also correct with the ellipsis serving as a separator of two statements and indicating something ommitted. The two statements stand on their own and do not necessarily require being of the same tense.
Also, while switching tense is often taught as improper, in common language it is done with great regularity and is not in any sense improper. Partly, my point is that
Suggesting to someone that they might be taken more seriously or be viewed as more intelligent if they took the time to spell-check their posts is fine. Deriding someone for not doing so is condescending and only makes the corrector look more of an ass than the correctee.