you talk about poor handwriting like it is necessarily the fault of the writer. My handwriting is some of the worst you'll ever see (and as a direct result, I am an excellent typist). Why? Well, first of all I suffer from a genetic condition that keeps me from being able to hold my hands still (they shake). It also prevents me from making small, precise motions with my hands. Now, can I write legibly if I REALLY want to? Yes, at the expense of a great deal of pain in my hands/wrist, and a LOT of time (talking about several minutes per sentence at the very least). I can hardly read my own writing sometimes.
Laptops/computers are a godsend to people like me. It allows us to take notes and communicate effectively with others as we would be unable to do if we were required to write everything out by hand.
uh huh... except, some of us actually dont like recycling. and no, its not that its a pain (which it is).
The fact is, recycling doesnt work. More energy is consumed "recylcing" stuff than it would take to make a new one.
But besides that - recycling many things produces vastly inferior products to the original (particularly with metals).
And, finally (the trollish-sounding part of my post), some of us feel it is our right to destroy the environment. I know that I do my part to destroy it bit by bit. Why? No good reason, honestly. Though if I really wanted to stretch, I'd say to give humanity a good reason to get off this rock;)
The folks at Top Gear did a test of a speed camera in the UK. They needed a car going ~140mph in order for the camera not to successfully get the picture, if I remember right.
It was made in the 80's, starred a young Val Kilmer, and was called "Real Genius"
Seriously though, thats pretty much an 80's version of what you're asking for. Bringing it up to 21st century standards, all that would have to change is some new computers and hotter girls with skimpier clothes.
I just thought I'd point out something that it seems far too many people believe and is wrong.
Everyone thinks that being a geek means you arent attractive. This is far from the truth. Many of us are quite attractive people. My fiancee is a serious geek, and she used to be a model. I'm a serious geek (even moreso than she is), and I've been recruited by modeling agencies as well.
It is entirely possible to be both geeky AND attractive.
Well, here you're going into a whole separate thing than you were before. Your main point before seemed to be: you wont be able to get them to switch from windows to linux
that's a fine point, but moot since that wasnt what was being discussed.
As for compatibility, in my experience, OO.o will generally import office stuff quite well. Every once in a while there is a problem, but not most of the time.
In response to your NEW problems with it... Well, that is where the problem is going to be. I spent quite a bit of time doing pc support at a college, so I know what you're talking about.
Fact of the matter is, sometimes you just have to say "tough". If they want to keep using their old (and now unsupported by the helpdesk) version of office, fine. Heck, the older their version is, the better compatibility it'll have with openoffice. Otherwise, they need to switch and move on.
Training could be an issue, since as I've learned, most teachers (and increasingly so as you go up to those with Masters and PhD's) are idiots - particularly in regards to technology - but the fact that you're moving a very large number of computers from a very expensive office suite to a FREE one should be able to more than offset those costs.
Well, OpenOffice runs on windows last I checked, right? And its free, right? So why exactly couldnt they just download/run it on their computers at home?
I feel the need to make one comment on what you've said.
The money goes back to the theater owners? You are sadly misinformed, my friend. The theater owners have a very difficult time staying in business, despite their outrageous prices. Why? Because nearly everything they make goes to the studios who make the movies. Theaters have to pay exorbinant sums of money to show the latest blockbuster.
I have an Atari 2600, with pong, and a projector. Back when I was in college, we used to hook the atari up to the projector all the time and play pong in 100" of glory
yea, and the new top gear is BETTER. I watch 5th gear and top gear (I'm in the states, so it requires some downloading on my part). Top gear is informative, funny, and generally just cool. Fifth gear is trying REALLY hard to be like Top Gear, but fails miserably.
My grandfather (yes, that's right, my 67 year old grandfather) just recently restored some 8mm home movies from the 50's with his computer setup at his house. I dont know the specifics of what he used to do it, but obviously if he can do it, it must be possible;)
My father has a saying "if you arent having fun, you're doing something wrong"
He lives by those words and while he has never been wealthy, he has always been happy. He also managed to raise a family, using this philosophy, so I'd say it worked out well for him.
Now me, I'm a bit more in it for the money than he is, and so I work a job I dont much like that pays me really well. I do hope that eventually I'll have a job that I like that pays well, but since that will involve starting up my own business (which may or may not be successful), that's going to be a few years off at least.
But anyhow, if you hate your job. Quit. Find another one. Admittedly, I WOULD suggest finding another one before quitting, but if your situation permits it then go for it.
I'm from philly originally (sadly now live in VA) and I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Y100. I've been to 4 Feztivals and a Feastival and have 4 of the sonic sessions CDs. I always looked forwarded to hearing the station when I was in the area. Good luck getting them back!
really? have you heard a lot of rock/punk bands using mandolins in their music?
I'm the first to admit that Billy Joe cant play guitar, but Tre is an EXCELLENT drummer, and mike is a decent bassist and is very talented at writing lyrics.
I cant really speak for the makeup part of your argument. But frankly, even if they are, I dont care. That's a stupid thing to base your argument on.
that Green Day CD really is very good. Admittedly, I've been a green day fan for years, but American Idiot really is a whole new thing for them. I've always really liked the fact that Green Day was willing to try really unique and unusual things.
Yea, most of the rest of the RIAA stuff produced is crap tho.
umm, I hate to break it to you, but the PS2 did NOT come out before the rest of the next gen consoles... the DreamCast did (I should know, I owned one). And, for the record, the dreamcast was a flop, which is a shame because it was a great system. The PS2 won because of a massive title base, backwards compatibility, a built in DVD player at a time when they were still fairly new, and a dead-solid system.
Slashdot Mirror
you talk about poor handwriting like it is necessarily the fault of the writer. My handwriting is some of the worst you'll ever see (and as a direct result, I am an excellent typist). Why? Well, first of all I suffer from a genetic condition that keeps me from being able to hold my hands still (they shake). It also prevents me from making small, precise motions with my hands. Now, can I write legibly if I REALLY want to? Yes, at the expense of a great deal of pain in my hands/wrist, and a LOT of time (talking about several minutes per sentence at the very least). I can hardly read my own writing sometimes.
Laptops/computers are a godsend to people like me. It allows us to take notes and communicate effectively with others as we would be unable to do if we were required to write everything out by hand.
OCR wouldnt really work to well.
I've ranted on that very topic myself.
I have to strongly disagree.
I have a miata, and have been hit by a semi (rear wheels went all the way along the drivers side of my car)
I was fine, and even the car was fairly cheap to fix ($1300 total).
The miata, while small, is MUCH safer than folks give it credit for.
uh huh...
;)
except, some of us actually dont like recycling. and no, its not that its a pain (which it is).
The fact is, recycling doesnt work. More energy is consumed "recylcing" stuff than it would take to make a new one.
But besides that - recycling many things produces vastly inferior products to the original (particularly with metals).
And, finally (the trollish-sounding part of my post), some of us feel it is our right to destroy the environment. I know that I do my part to destroy it bit by bit. Why? No good reason, honestly. Though if I really wanted to stretch, I'd say to give humanity a good reason to get off this rock
The folks at Top Gear did a test of a speed camera in the UK. They needed a car going ~140mph in order for the camera not to successfully get the picture, if I remember right.
It was made in the 80's, starred a young Val Kilmer, and was called "Real Genius"
Seriously though, thats pretty much an 80's version of what you're asking for. Bringing it up to 21st century standards, all that would have to change is some new computers and hotter girls with skimpier clothes.
I just thought I'd point out something that it seems far too many people believe and is wrong.
Everyone thinks that being a geek means you arent attractive. This is far from the truth. Many of us are quite attractive people. My fiancee is a serious geek, and she used to be a model. I'm a serious geek (even moreso than she is), and I've been recruited by modeling agencies as well.
It is entirely possible to be both geeky AND attractive.
... I thought the same thing when I first read it..
damn that game!!
whoa whoa whoa, back up!
;)
Did you just say Howard the Duck and Willow were stinkers???
You, my friend, have no sense of humor!
Those movies are great in an "Evil Dead" kind of way.
Well, here you're going into a whole separate thing than you were before. Your main point before seemed to be: you wont be able to get them to switch from windows to linux
that's a fine point, but moot since that wasnt what was being discussed.
As for compatibility, in my experience, OO.o will generally import office stuff quite well. Every once in a while there is a problem, but not most of the time.
In response to your NEW problems with it... Well, that is where the problem is going to be. I spent quite a bit of time doing pc support at a college, so I know what you're talking about.
Fact of the matter is, sometimes you just have to say "tough". If they want to keep using their old (and now unsupported by the helpdesk) version of office, fine. Heck, the older their version is, the better compatibility it'll have with openoffice. Otherwise, they need to switch and move on.
Training could be an issue, since as I've learned, most teachers (and increasingly so as you go up to those with Masters and PhD's) are idiots - particularly in regards to technology - but the fact that you're moving a very large number of computers from a very expensive office suite to a FREE one should be able to more than offset those costs.
Well, OpenOffice runs on windows last I checked, right? And its free, right? So why exactly couldnt they just download/run it on their computers at home?
I guess I'm not seeing the problem here.
that's because PA is practically MADE of coal ;) (speaking as someone who lived in PA for 20 years).
many MANY states use oil for generating power.
I feel the need to make one comment on what you've said.
The money goes back to the theater owners? You are sadly misinformed, my friend. The theater owners have a very difficult time staying in business, despite their outrageous prices. Why? Because nearly everything they make goes to the studios who make the movies. Theaters have to pay exorbinant sums of money to show the latest blockbuster.
umm
what's to stop you from doing it?
I have an Atari 2600, with pong, and a projector. Back when I was in college, we used to hook the atari up to the projector all the time and play pong in 100" of glory
yea, and the new top gear is BETTER.
I watch 5th gear and top gear (I'm in the states, so it requires some downloading on my part). Top gear is informative, funny, and generally just cool. Fifth gear is trying REALLY hard to be like Top Gear, but fails miserably.
Thats silly though. You've just said that you cannot INDEPENDENTLY be interested in lock picking, basically.
Why does she have to be a member of a club to be interested in it?
I just want some clarification:
As a geek/tech-type, it would be OK for me to be out in public with lock picks, right?
but it wouldnt be ok for my non-tech sister to have them in public?
dont get me wrong, I'm all for special treatment for geeks, but that just seems stupid.
maybe she just is interested in locksmithing?
My grandfather (yes, that's right, my 67 year old grandfather) just recently restored some 8mm home movies from the 50's with his computer setup at his house. I dont know the specifics of what he used to do it, but obviously if he can do it, it must be possible ;)
My father has a saying "if you arent having fun, you're doing something wrong"
He lives by those words and while he has never been wealthy, he has always been happy. He also managed to raise a family, using this philosophy, so I'd say it worked out well for him.
Now me, I'm a bit more in it for the money than he is, and so I work a job I dont much like that pays me really well. I do hope that eventually I'll have a job that I like that pays well, but since that will involve starting up my own business (which may or may not be successful), that's going to be a few years off at least.
But anyhow, if you hate your job. Quit. Find another one. Admittedly, I WOULD suggest finding another one before quitting, but if your situation permits it then go for it.
Whats the point of life if not to be happy?
I'm from philly originally (sadly now live in VA) and I was very saddened to hear about the loss of Y100. I've been to 4 Feztivals and a Feastival and have 4 of the sonic sessions CDs. I always looked forwarded to hearing the station when I was in the area. Good luck getting them back!
Reading your comment, all I can think to say is that your slashdot username is VERY apt.
wow
really?
have you heard a lot of rock/punk bands using mandolins in their music?
I'm the first to admit that Billy Joe cant play guitar, but Tre is an EXCELLENT drummer, and mike is a decent bassist and is very talented at writing lyrics.
I cant really speak for the makeup part of your argument. But frankly, even if they are, I dont care. That's a stupid thing to base your argument on.
that Green Day CD really is very good. Admittedly, I've been a green day fan for years, but American Idiot really is a whole new thing for them. I've always really liked the fact that Green Day was willing to try really unique and unusual things.
Yea, most of the rest of the RIAA stuff produced is crap tho.
umm, I hate to break it to you, but the PS2 did NOT come out before the rest of the next gen consoles... the DreamCast did (I should know, I owned one). And, for the record, the dreamcast was a flop, which is a shame because it was a great system. The PS2 won because of a massive title base, backwards compatibility, a built in DVD player at a time when they were still fairly new, and a dead-solid system.
damn that chairface chippendale!
does his villainy know no bounds?