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User: stuntpope

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  1. Re:Uh, what? on Bill Gates Responds To Apple iPad · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's just an overgrown PDA.

    In other words, as asserted earlier, a netbook of the future. Netbooks were conceived and marketed for purposes befitting an overgrown PDA. Not devices to do your programming on, or write your term papers, or edit videos, do your Photoshop work on, etc. But a portable device to carry around and share your photos, movies, music, or check your email, browse the Web, without the bulk/weight penalty of a full-sized laptop. That's why they're called netbooks, not "mini laptops".

    Netbooks aren't merely cheaper, smaller, lower-performing laptops, the idea was "why carry all this around when in reality you want a device for only a small subset of the capabilities of a full laptop?" Not "people need smaller laptops with full computing capabilities."

    I see the iPad as the best expression of that type of device thus far.

  2. Re:unpossible on Students Failing Because of Poor Grammar · · Score: 1

    A good example, but I see the other point as well. Apostrophes are not only for contractions, they serve as possessive markers as well (but not for it).

    I held the dog's paw.
    I held it's paw. oops, wrong!

    Best rule for the uncertain is to read it is in places where they wrote it's to check if it's sensible.

  3. I have a bad feeling about this... on Researchers Make a Case For Learning Through Video Game Creation · · Score: 1
  4. Re:Clever girl on Designing the Computer UIs In Movies · · Score: 1

    Perhaps because a command line is the ultimate interface between human and computer that is only constrained by the number and availability of commands?

    Many times in the movies, our hero is desperately attempting to use a computer but is rebuffed by access restrictions or not knowing where the information is, so he or she starts trying alternatives (with the clock ticking down, or the bad guys knocking on the door/coming up the steps). With a command line you have freedom to try all the workarounds you can come up with.

    Counter that with using a GUI. Click "Secret Plans Accounting Application". Click menu item "Show most recent plan". Oops, there's a dialog window saying "Access Denied." Now what? Open File Explorer? IE? Computer Properties? Where's the GUI app on the host computer for "Break In"? Do you have to always carry your flash drive of hacker apps with you?

  5. Re:Yum on Scientists To Breed the Auroch From Extinction · · Score: 1

    I think you are confused with the passenger pigeon.

  6. Re:Depends... on TV Show Seeks Terminally Ill Volunteer for Mummification · · Score: 2

    And some of us watched Futurama a few times and didn't care much for it. Give me a Monty Python, Dr Who, Simpsons reference any time. Futurama? meh.

    Please don't remind me of Katz.

  7. Re:World War III - The Cyber War on Google Attackers Identified as Chinese Government · · Score: 2, Funny

    I blame the Juice, and I predict he'll get away with it again.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson

  8. Re:American youth have it easy. on US Youth Have Serious Mental Health Issues · · Score: 1

    Turkey would like to have a word with you.

  9. Re:I already see this happening on Adobe Flash To Be Top Hacker Target In 2010 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    But at least you smoke better cigarettes than he does!

  10. Re:Near-Death Experience of Saab on A Requiem For Saab · · Score: 1

    I should have clarified. I like Subarus as well as Saabs, but I don't like what GM did to cobble them together. I agree with your assessment of Subaru as pertains to rough driving conditions.

    As for an earlier response that claimed the use of Triumph and Ford engines in earlier Saabs made them "badge-engineered", then that person I suppose would consider early Lotus merely badge-engineered Fords, as they used engines and exterior parts from existing Fords. But of course, that's not what badge engineering is.

  11. Re:Near-Death Experience of Saab on A Requiem For Saab · · Score: 1

    Gad. I hated the Saabarus and what GM did.

    The quote in this story, "(SAAB) wasn't designed to be a fashion statement, it was designed to provide transportation under miserable weather conditions." tells the story of when Saab was at its best. In the GM years, at least in the US, Saab took the path of expensive Euro car. Saabs and Volvos both used to drive a bit like trucks, but they felt secure and solid. Trying to market Saabs as a Swedish BMW failed - people looking for the cachet of BMW will buy BMW.

  12. Re:Chinese? on $26 of Software Defeats American Military · · Score: 1

    TFA states the author of SkyGrabber is Russian.

  13. Leo on What Does Everyone Use For Task/Project Tracking? · · Score: 1

    Many of the responses here are good and point to good software options (some I'll be checking out), but perhaps many of the suggestions are over-kill for the OP's needs. For basic tracking and task lists, in a GTD way, I use Leo

    http://webpages.charter.net/edreamleo/front.html

    http://webpages.charter.net/edreamleo/screen-shots.html

    It runs on the desktop, requires no cumbersome setup or configuration, can be used in a minimal way to create hierarchies of tasks (ideas, etc), yet offers sophisticated features for the advanced user.

  14. Re:Fair Use? on Former Congressman Learns About Streisand Effect · · Score: 1
  15. Re:Probably better for her than old TSA policy on Israeli Border Police Shoot US Student's Laptop · · Score: 1

    I guess since the analogy wasn't a car one nobody on Slashdot could see it as anything other than a literal statement rather than analogy.

    Nowhere was it claimed the woman had Al Qaeda sticker on the laptop. An analogy was drawn between entering the US with possessions indicating possible support of Al Qaeda, and trying to enter Israel with a laptop that has "Fuck Star of David" photos, photos of Israel's actions in Gaza, Arabic stickers, plus she's carrying other items such as stamps from Syria, Qatar and the UAE, Palestinians in Palestine guidebook, and a map a friend had drawn with a main street in Jerusalem, the central bus station and her intended hostel.

  16. Re:Easily avoidable on Google Under Fire For Calling Their Language "Go" · · Score: 1

    "go programming", "go language", "go development", "go software", "go debugging", etc would likely return the relevant results once enough Go information accumulates online. Your queries will typically contain words that are specific to programming. Just like searching for "Python string methods" doesn't give you much about snakes.

    Just don't create a line of guitars and name it "Blues". Oops, already done (Japanese luthier)! Now that was boneheaded, I'd say. Good luck finding info on them online (and they do have an online presence).

  17. Re:Santa Cruz, California on EMI Sues Beatles Usurper Off the Net · · Score: 1

    While there are some wacky Congresscritters temporarily residing in DC, and there is the occasional muttering homeless person who could probably use anti-psychotics, DC is pretty straight-laced and not loony or California crazy. Though we did have that guy suing for millions to replace a pair of trousers.

  18. Re:Wow, that's hypocracy on Apple Takes Action Over Australian Logos · · Score: 1

    I, too, thought pumpkin - with a little round fruit inside it!

  19. Hook up opportunity on Jack Thompson Sues Facebook For $40M · · Score: 1

    Has he been introduced to Orly Taitz? I'm thinking perfect couple!

  20. Re:What's next? on 4-Winged Proto-Bird Unearthed In China; Predates Archaeopteryx · · Score: 1

    Yeah, I Grog it.

  21. Will it sell millions and millions? on Carl Sagan Sings · · Score: 1

    I can't watch it yet (at work), but I hope (and expect) it has his "whoooop..... GAAAAAAAW" whale impression.

  22. Re:From My Simpleton Point of View on Why Developers Get Fired · · Score: 1

    I agreed with his tips and have seen their usefulness in action, and the detriment of not following them.

    Bragging doesn't mean bullshitting. I worked on a team where one member was very extroverted, whereas I'm an introvert. I do my work and deliver it, but don't say much about it along the way. He was the opposite - every little feature he implemented he would point out to a passing manager or CTO (it was a very small company) and declare "hey, look at this! Isn't this cool?" He gave the impression of being enthusiastic, not pompous or a loudmouth jerk.

    And when the layoffs came, the ax fell on me and not on him.

    I've seen similar in jobs since. It helps to get noticed, and merely performing well and cranking out great work isn't always sufficient. Self-promotion and being your own advocate can make a difference. It doesn't mean becoming an insufferable blowhard, but it does mean not being content to fade into obscurity. Not doing it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get fired, but it could make the difference between getting on good projects versus being left behind to wither.

    YMMV

  23. Re:What can you actually do with 5Mil on Transforming Waste Plastic Into $10/Barrel Fuel · · Score: 1

    Could be down in SE by Blue Plains and Bolling. Or the NY Ave area. Just guessing.

  24. Re:Lol on US Fed Gov. Says All Music Downloads Are Theft · · Score: 1

    According to the material, the correct response is to say "that's stealing" when an employee says "come here to my cubicle and see this cool site that lets me download music for free."

    It does not advise shouting. That's dramatic editorializing on the submitter's part.

    The explained risks are pertinent and correct. The material does not take into account legal free music, but the main point is to protect the networks from threats due to using P2P software, plus legal liability for copyright or IP violation. In the same way that an entire company can be at financial risk if an employee is surfing porn (hostile workplace lawsuit), an organization could be placed at risk if they are lenient about their employees downloading copyrighted material.

    What you choose to do on your own time is up to you. But organizations and workplaces have bigger responsibilities to think about.

  25. Re:Dark Tan? on Microsoft Poland Photoshops Black Guy To White One · · Score: 1

    The original guy is the black guy. The retouch job put a white man's head on him just for the Polish ad.