Wait, they don't do that. Most of the women are posing of their own free will.
Perhaps that is always true, but I doubt it given the relatively young ages of many of the female actors. In any case that is not what my statement says - the pornographic industry shows exploitive treament of women its media. That is different from stating that the pornographic industry exploits the female actors.
homicide is totally out of control in this country thanks to a 230 year old amendment that has no bearing on todays society
I don't know where you get your information, but it is really wacky. The homicide rate in the US is not 'totally out of control'. While it is high, there are other countries where it is MUCH higher. For example neighboring Mexico has a homicide rate 3 times higher than the US. If you take the complete violent death statistics the US is has a lower violent death rate than a lot of other countries.
Violent Deaths per 100,000
Estonia 70.76 Hungary 39.01 Slovenia 33.37 Finland 30.72 Brazil 25.34 Denmark 23.46 Austria 23.36 Switzerland 22.80 France 22.67 Mexico 21.74 Belgium 20.77 Portugal 18.95 United States 18.57 Japan 17.34 Sweden 17.12 Germany 17.00
So in reality there is no substantial evidence that the US is a substantially more violent society because of the presence of guns. While we have substantially more violent deaths by firearms than other countries do, there is no evidence that the actual number of violent deaths is affected by the presence of firearms. Firearms are used because they are available. If they weren't, some other method would be used, as it is in many other countries.
There have been a number of academic attempts to correlate gun ownership with violent death rates and homicides which have shown no real correlation.
This is what you get with neo-con right-wing born-again crimials running the show
A very nice neanderthal knee jerk reaction from somebody who has never actually thought about the issue.
There are some very legitimate reasons to consider pornography as socially destructive because of the exploitive treatment of women in pornographic media. It isn't just religions with puritanical views, but just about any religion that reviles pornography. It is also nearly universally condemmed by women's rights and feminist groups who go as far as to consider it as a violent attack on their psychology and a incitement to rape.
I don't think it is something that you will have a lot of luck trying to control by legal means, and doing so leads you into all sorts of dilemas. But it is a very disturbing issue any society that needs to be considered carefully in any society that purports to respect all of its citizens.
1. Has or has had liquid core. 2. No natural fusion reactions going on. 3. Big enough to have energetic fluids on surface (weather or similar fluid mechanics).
Profit = Revenue - Cost - M&A - R&D - Cost of Capital - Depr - Taxes.
I don't think we are in disagreement. A lot of businesses report profit on a pre-tax basis and an after tax basis. And my labor costs are fully adsorbed - including benefits, allocation for severence, payroll taxes, etc. Factory costs are based on real estate taxes, depreciation of equipment etc.
My main point to get across here is the difference between revenue, margin and profit.
Revenue = total amount of money the business brings in through sales. Cost (of manufacture) = cost to actually manufacture or acquire item. Includes labor, factory and raw materials. Margin = Revenue - Cost. (for most corps around 40-50% of revenue - less and you go out of business) M&A = management and sales costs. R&D = R&D Costs.
Profit = Revenue - Cost - M&A - R&D - Borrowing Costs - Other Transactions. Profit for most corps runs 5-15% of Revenues. Less and you are in big trouble.
Note Profit does not equal Revenue, Revenue - Cost or Margin. All of these are MUCH greater than Profit. Profit is the revenue the company left after paying off everybody.
Is that the best they can think of? Someody else comes up with a good idea and executes it well, and is rewarded by attracting customers. The American Way. Now that sorry sack of shit company in Redmond gets pissed because there is a company out there who is doing things right. Like the local chapter of the Mafia they don't like anyone horning in on their territory, and vow to kill the bastard.
What happened to all the 'innovation' that MS as been preaching? This surely isn't it. It iis classical monopolisti anti competitive behavior - use the cash flow from your market monopoly to crush any potential competitor. It is anit-innovation to the max.
As well, the topic of 'audio quality/fidelity' is a highly subjective topic.
True enough, but to me 'CD quality' is not a subjective thing. CD's have a specified sampling rate and sample precision. If your recording is at that rate or better you qualify. If not, you don't have CD quality.
Now you can say 'sound similar to CD-quality' etc. all you want. That opens the subjective loophole.
But I've learned my lesson regarding that plenty. With an audiophile grade system the difference between CD quality and a typical MP3 is pretty stark. And yes, CD-quality has its limitations which is why I have a few SACDs and DVD-As kicking around. And I can definitely tell the difference between them and a CD.
Umm.. no. They're not. XP SP1 is no longer being distributed by MS (and hasn't for a few years), instead they ship XP SP1a, which doesn't include their JVM.
Actually yes they are still distributing MSJVM through Windows Update if you have it installed using Windows SP1.
And, btw, all of those third party products have agreements with Sun, and are using their IP.
Nope. Actually there are at least 3 clean room JVM implementations out there - Japhur, Kaffe and NewMonics. The Apache Foundation has a fourth in progress named Harmony, and GNU classpath is a fifth. I also suspect that the Eclipse incremental compiler is a clean room implementation.
Not one of these would be impacted should Sun decide to terminate all Java licenses.
This article was printed in my local paper. It took up the whole front page of Saturday's edition
All I can say is LOL.
Some sound advice to any potential "science editor" in Slashdot's future would be to start by automatically rejecting any articles originating from the canada.com domain...
Another good test would be to watch out for stories about increased gas mileage immediately after a jump in gas prices. Oh and sex organ enlargment pills.
Tell that to Microsoft, who lost the ability to use THEIR OWN IMPLEMENTATION of Java, trademarked or not.
In fact Microsoft is still distributing their incompatable 1.1.4 JVM as part of Windows XP SP1. As part of a broad technology agreement Microsoft agreed not to further develop this product. However this technology agreement gave Microsoft broad access to Sun's IP.
I think you greatly underestimate the extent to which Sun has burrowed their IP into the entire platform.
Then howcum we see implementations of JVMs from a broad variety of other sources? BEA, IBM, HP, various Open Source, Charis, and of course the Non-Java Kaffe NewMonics etc. etc.? Explain that, please.
When we will be seeing stories like "Make Money Fast" on Slashdot? Seriously, Slashdot's editors are really letting out some BS stories recently. They really need a science editor to vet these things.
Here is a list of mileage scams posted on the FTC site. Keep an eye open for these as Slashdot stories in the near future:
Devices Tested by EPA The following list categorizes various types of "gas-saving" products, explains how they're used and gives product names. Those with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of gas. All others have been found not to increase fuel economy.
Air Bleed Devices. These devices bleed air into the carburetor. They usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation line or as a replacement for idle-mixture screws.
The EPA has evaluated the following products: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R. Valve.
Vapor Bleed Devices. These devices are similar to the air bleed devices, except that induced air is bubbled through a container of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the engine compartment.
The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo Vapor Injection System.
Liquid Injection. These products add liquid into the fuel/air intake system and not directly into the combustion chamber. The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800; Waag-Injection System*.
Ignition Devices. These devices are attached to the ignition system or are used to replace original equipment or parts. The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula Ignition Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These devices heat the fuel before it enters the carburetor. Usually, the fuel is heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or electrical system. The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These magnetic devices, clamped to the outside of the fuel line or installed in the fuel line, claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.
The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet/intake air magnet].
Fuel Line Devices (metallic). Typically, these devices contain several dissimilar metals that are installed in the fuel line, supposedly causing ionization of the fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure regulator]; Moleculetor.
Mixture Enhancers (under the carburetor). These devices are mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel mixture.
The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion Catalyst System; PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.
Mixture Enhancers (others). These devices make some general modifications to the vehicle intake system.
The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer; Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter; Lamkin Fuel Meter
Of course Java is a proprietary language as well, but I get the impression that Sun are less likely to screw all the developers, at least while they are less powerfull than Microsoft.
Java is proprietary - but not sole source, That is a big difference.
You are right that something really standardized like C++ would be even better. But we don't have that.
yes, I'd rather live in a continent whose culture extends more than 300 hundred years back in history
Well, the earliest permanent European settlements in the US are now 450 years old, not 300. Aside from that minor gaff, there is also the fact that there are native American cultures in the US that go back 10,000 years, and oh yes the Europeans that settled here usually brought their own cultural heritage with them PLUS the US picks up major immigrant populations from places other than Europe meaning that there is a substantial non-European cultural heritage in the US. All that means that the US is actually much more culturally diverse than Europe. In fact it is so bad in Europe that countries there have institites that tell their populace what words can be added to their language(s), and laws to tell what names they can give their children. Talk about hidebound monocultures.
does not have a constitution that ensures the same bad politicians always stay in power
Europe does not have a constitutuion at all. Any attempts to run down a nation that is based on one widely considered to be the finest political docement ever written when you have nothing at all of your own shows how weak your position is.
and does not use freedom as an excuse to bring war to other parts of the world
Right. Talk to the French about their little adventures in Africa. And it seemed that there are several Eurpean countries in Iraq along with us right now.
In reality the US is very late to that game. How long has Europe been engaged in that practice? At least a thousand years.
The advantage of the metric system is simply to ensure that everyone uses the same rigorously defined units and the potential for confusion is reduced
Sure. In reality what you have done is defined a standard language for talking about physical measurements. That has benefits when talking about these measurements. Now imagine how huge the benefits of having a standard language for EVERYTHING would be. It makes the metric system look like a minor triviality.
Yes, we had a similar problem, made even worse by the fact we needed something that could scale a lot better than VB does.
The solution for us was to move to Java. Fortunately our company is growing at a resonably rapid rate so that we were able to adsorb the VB programmers who for one reason or another didn't want to move to Java into some other role.
We still have a few older customers running the old VB6 application but by end of next year they will all be moved over to Java.
I see all this.Net hype, and rapid changes/feature addtions to the language and laugh. MS is leading you down the garden path, and in 5 years MS will be coming out with.New and you will be screwed again.
Don't EVER forget that MS is a pure software company, and that means they MUST continue to sell new versions / churn their customer base to stay in business.
But if you think simplification is a Good Thing, let's see the US *finally* go metric.
It's hilarious - look at Europe with dozens of little legal systems, languages, political fiefdoms and no constitution and two world wars but goddammit WE ARE BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE METRIC.
Which would you rather have? A relatively unified nation and language or the metric system? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Slashdot Mirror
Wait, they don't do that. Most of the women are posing of their own free will.
Perhaps that is always true, but I doubt it given the relatively young ages of many of the female actors. In any case that is not what my statement says - the pornographic industry shows exploitive treament of women its media. That is different from stating that the pornographic industry exploits the female actors.
homicide is totally out of control in this country thanks to a 230 year old amendment that has no bearing on todays society
I don't know where you get your information, but it is really wacky. The homicide rate in the US is not 'totally out of control'. While it is high, there are other countries where it is MUCH higher. For example neighboring Mexico has a homicide rate 3 times higher than the US. If you take the complete violent death statistics the US is has a lower violent death rate than a lot of other countries.
Violent Deaths per 100,000
Estonia 70.76
Hungary 39.01
Slovenia 33.37
Finland 30.72
Brazil 25.34
Denmark 23.46
Austria 23.36
Switzerland 22.80
France 22.67
Mexico 21.74
Belgium 20.77
Portugal 18.95
United States 18.57
Japan 17.34
Sweden 17.12
Germany 17.00
So in reality there is no substantial evidence that the US is a substantially more violent society because of the presence of guns. While we have substantially more violent deaths by firearms than other countries do, there is no evidence that the actual number of violent deaths is affected by the presence of firearms. Firearms are used because they are available. If they weren't, some other method would be used, as it is in many other countries.
There have been a number of academic attempts to correlate gun ownership with violent death rates and homicides which have shown no real correlation.
This is what you get with neo-con right-wing born-again crimials running the show
A very nice neanderthal knee jerk reaction from somebody who has never actually thought about the issue.
There are some very legitimate reasons to consider pornography as socially destructive because of the exploitive treatment of women in pornographic media. It isn't just religions with puritanical views, but just about any religion that reviles pornography. It is also nearly universally condemmed by women's rights and feminist groups who go as far as to consider it as a violent attack on their psychology and a incitement to rape.
I don't think it is something that you will have a lot of luck trying to control by legal means, and doing so leads you into all sorts of dilemas. But it is a very disturbing issue any society that needs to be considered carefully in any society that purports to respect all of its citizens.
Why on earth would any computer company create yet another base operating system every few years.
Because they can sell 300 million copies of it for $200 a pop.
1. Has or has had liquid core.
2. No natural fusion reactions going on.
3. Big enough to have energetic fluids on surface (weather or similar fluid mechanics).
I think of two criteria here: first, a planet must be the overall center of gravity in its immediate vicinity;
I'm not sure if the Earth qualifies for that. The moon is big enough so that the overall center of gravity is outside the Earth.
I like the geology idea.
Profit = Revenue - Cost - M&A - R&D - Cost of Capital - Depr - Taxes.
I don't think we are in disagreement. A lot of businesses report profit on a pre-tax basis and an after tax basis. And my labor costs are fully adsorbed - including benefits, allocation for severence, payroll taxes, etc. Factory costs are based on real estate taxes, depreciation of equipment etc.
My main point to get across here is the difference between revenue, margin and profit.
Here is a primer on business terminology.
Revenue = total amount of money the business brings in through sales.
Cost (of manufacture) = cost to actually manufacture or acquire item. Includes labor, factory and raw materials.
Margin = Revenue - Cost. (for most corps around 40-50% of revenue - less and you go out of business)
M&A = management and sales costs.
R&D = R&D Costs.
Profit = Revenue - Cost - M&A - R&D - Borrowing Costs - Other Transactions.
Profit for most corps runs 5-15% of Revenues. Less and you are in big trouble.
Note Profit does not equal Revenue, Revenue - Cost or Margin. All of these are MUCH greater than Profit. Profit is the revenue the company left after paying off everybody.
Sith TIVO Guy: There is no show here you want to record. (Waves Hand)
Consumer: There is no show here I want to record.
Is that the best they can think of? Someody else comes up with a good idea and executes it well, and is rewarded by attracting customers. The American Way. Now that sorry sack of shit company in Redmond gets pissed because there is a company out there who is doing things right. Like the local chapter of the Mafia they don't like anyone horning in on their territory, and vow to kill the bastard.
What happened to all the 'innovation' that MS as been preaching? This surely isn't it. It iis classical monopolisti anti competitive behavior - use the cash flow from your market monopoly to crush any potential competitor. It is anit-innovation to the max.
Disgusting.
Don't forget hourly TPS reports in the correct format.
Microsoft is unveiling a major reorganization today to help get Vista out the door
That can't be good for QA. I'd say wait for SP1 before taking on this puppy.
As well, the topic of 'audio quality/fidelity' is a highly subjective topic.
True enough, but to me 'CD quality' is not a subjective thing. CD's have a specified sampling rate and sample precision. If your recording is at that rate or better you qualify. If not, you don't have CD quality.
Now you can say 'sound similar to CD-quality' etc. all you want. That opens the subjective loophole.
But I've learned my lesson regarding that plenty. With an audiophile grade system the difference between CD quality and a typical MP3 is pretty stark. And yes, CD-quality has its limitations which is why I have a few SACDs and DVD-As kicking around. And I can definitely tell the difference between them and a CD.
Well, the press release I found says 'sound similar to CD quality' whatever that means.
I suspect that if it really was CD quality they would come out and say so.
Right. But now that the security hole has been identified, watch out for exploits.
This article was printed in my local paper. It took up the whole front page of Saturday's edition
The real question is why does (-1)*(-1) = 1.
Umm.. no. They're not. XP SP1 is no longer being distributed by MS (and hasn't for a few years), instead they ship XP SP1a, which doesn't include their JVM.
Actually yes they are still distributing MSJVM through Windows Update if you have it installed using Windows SP1.
And, btw, all of those third party products have agreements with Sun, and are using their IP.
Nope. Actually there are at least 3 clean room JVM implementations out there - Japhur, Kaffe and NewMonics. The Apache Foundation has a fourth in progress named Harmony, and GNU classpath is a fifth. I also suspect that the Eclipse incremental compiler is a clean room implementation.
Not one of these would be impacted should Sun decide to terminate all Java licenses.
This article was printed in my local paper. It took up the whole front page of Saturday's edition
All I can say is LOL.
Some sound advice to any potential "science editor" in Slashdot's future would be to start by automatically rejecting any articles originating from the canada.com domain...
Another good test would be to watch out for stories about increased gas mileage immediately after a jump in gas prices. Oh and sex organ enlargment pills.
Tell that to Microsoft, who lost the ability to use THEIR OWN IMPLEMENTATION of Java, trademarked or not.
In fact Microsoft is still distributing their incompatable 1.1.4 JVM as part of Windows XP SP1. As part of a broad technology agreement Microsoft agreed not to further develop this product. However this technology agreement gave Microsoft broad access to Sun's IP.
I think you greatly underestimate the extent to which Sun has burrowed their IP into the entire platform.
Then howcum we see implementations of JVMs from a broad variety of other sources? BEA, IBM, HP, various Open Source, Charis, and of course the Non-Java Kaffe NewMonics etc. etc.? Explain that, please.
What next? Cow Magnets?
When we will be seeing stories like "Make Money Fast" on Slashdot? Seriously, Slashdot's editors are really letting out some BS stories recently. They really need a science editor to vet these things.
Here is a list of mileage scams posted on the FTC site. Keep an eye open for these as Slashdot stories in the near future:
Devices Tested by EPA
The following list categorizes various types of "gas-saving" products, explains how they're used and gives product names. Those with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of gas. All others have been found not to increase fuel economy.
Air Bleed Devices. These devices bleed air into the carburetor. They usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation line or as a replacement for idle-mixture screws.
The EPA has evaluated the following products: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R. Valve.
Vapor Bleed Devices. These devices are similar to the air bleed devices, except that induced air is bubbled through a container of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the engine compartment.
The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo Vapor Injection System.
Liquid Injection. These products add liquid into the fuel/air intake system and not directly into the combustion chamber.
The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800; Waag-Injection System*.
Ignition Devices. These devices are attached to the ignition system or are used to replace original equipment or parts.
The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula Ignition Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These devices heat the fuel before it enters the carburetor. Usually, the fuel is heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or electrical system.
The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These magnetic devices, clamped to the outside of the fuel line or installed in the fuel line, claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.
The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet/intake air magnet].
Fuel Line Devices (metallic). Typically, these devices contain several dissimilar metals that are installed in the fuel line, supposedly causing ionization of the fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure regulator]; Moleculetor.
Mixture Enhancers (under the carburetor). These devices are mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel mixture.
The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion Catalyst System; PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.
Mixture Enhancers (others). These devices make some general modifications to the vehicle intake system.
The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer; Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter; Lamkin Fuel Meter
Sun makes the only Java platform on many OS's
That doesn't seem right given that there are open source JVMs _and_ gcj.
So, even if you have your own implementation, you're limited by what Sun says you can do.
How is that? You can make any thing you want so long as you don't use the Java trademark.
If sun decides to drop Java, you can't just take their source and continue working on it, unless they release it open source.
I think you greatly misunderstand the history and licensing of Java.
Of course Java is a proprietary language as well, but I get the impression that Sun are less likely to screw all the developers, at least while they are less powerfull than Microsoft.
Java is proprietary - but not sole source, That is a big difference.
You are right that something really standardized like C++ would be even better. But we don't have that.
yes, I'd rather live in a continent whose culture extends more than 300 hundred years back in history
Well, the earliest permanent European settlements in the US are now 450 years old, not 300. Aside from that minor gaff, there is also the fact that there are native American cultures in the US that go back 10,000 years, and oh yes the Europeans that settled here usually brought their own cultural heritage with them PLUS the US picks up major immigrant populations from places other than Europe meaning that there is a substantial non-European cultural heritage in the US. All that means that the US is actually much more culturally diverse than Europe. In fact it is so bad in Europe that countries there have institites that tell their populace what words can be added to their language(s), and laws to tell what names they can give their children. Talk about hidebound monocultures.
does not have a constitution that ensures the same bad politicians always stay in power
Europe does not have a constitutuion at all. Any attempts to run down a nation that is based on one widely considered to be the finest political docement ever written when you have nothing at all of your own shows how weak your position is.
and does not use freedom as an excuse to bring war to other parts of the world
Right. Talk to the French about their little adventures in Africa. And it seemed that there are several Eurpean countries in Iraq along with us right now.
In reality the US is very late to that game. How long has Europe been engaged in that practice? At least a thousand years.
The advantage of the metric system is simply to ensure that everyone uses the same rigorously defined units and the potential for confusion is reduced
Sure. In reality what you have done is defined a standard language for talking about physical measurements. That has benefits when talking about these measurements. Now imagine how huge the benefits of having a standard language for EVERYTHING would be. It makes the metric system look like a minor triviality.
Is anyone else here in a similar situation?
.Net hype, and rapid changes/feature addtions to the language and laugh. MS is leading you down the garden path, and in 5 years MS will be coming out with .New and you will be screwed again.
Yes, we had a similar problem, made even worse by the fact we needed something that could scale a lot better than VB does.
The solution for us was to move to Java. Fortunately our company is growing at a resonably rapid rate so that we were able to adsorb the VB programmers who for one reason or another didn't want to move to Java into some other role.
We still have a few older customers running the old VB6 application but by end of next year they will all be moved over to Java.
I see all this
Don't EVER forget that MS is a pure software company, and that means they MUST continue to sell new versions / churn their customer base to stay in business.
But if you think simplification is a Good Thing, let's see the US *finally* go metric.
It's hilarious - look at Europe with dozens of little legal systems, languages, political fiefdoms and no constitution and two world wars but goddammit WE ARE BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE METRIC.
Which would you rather have? A relatively unified nation and language or the metric system? I think the answer is pretty obvious.