Unfortunately NVIDIA's nForce has not been met with such great enthusiasm by motherboard manufacturers. The five launch partners for the nForce are still dealing with various issues in their designs in spite of the fact that NVIDIA's reference boards have been running just fine.
As a person who is eagerly awaiting the nForce to be released, I have a question... Can anyone think of why it's taking so long for the manufacturers to make a working nForce mobo when the reference mobo works just fine? Also, why are they so non-enthusiastic about this otherwise good-looking chipset?
The only two things I can think of are:
The nForce and its unique read/guess-ahead SSE cache, dual-channel memory pipes, high-speed Southbridge pipe, and DMA addressing make it difficult to build further optimized boards and drivers.
Unlike the obviously non-performance-oriented Intel 810 all-in-one, the nForce all-in-one can be made to be a cheap all-in-one solution for $500 PC's, but an alternate design can be used for high-end PC's -- thus, the motherboard manufacturers are having to make more motherboards than normal off of one chipset.
Um... like I said, these are just guesses... anyone else?
To the person who asked about the price... In Japan, the Nintendo Game Cube is 25,000 yen (at 110 yen per dollar, roughly $225)...
The "Q", coming in at $350, is a big jump... While I understand the desire to get the added feature of a DVD player, this only makes sense if you only have one TV. The moment you have/get a 2nd TV, you're far better off with a GameCube and a DVD -- seperately...
(much like the DVD player + computer argument... you can't effectively use both at the same time)
I found it amusing that Nintendo's site has an ad for the "Q"... Yeah, it's in Japanese, but check out the middle of this page...
On-sale 12/14, Retail price 39,800 yen (at 110 yen per dollar, roughly $350)
According to http://www.dvdgame.jp/product/index.html, the main feature is really the DVD player and the new looks... they are listed as:
1) Compatable with the Nintendo Game Cube
2) The timer function helps you keep track of play-time. (laf, more like helps parents keep track of kids)
3) CD, DVD playback
4) A handy remote control for CD, DVD playback
5) "ABCD" (Advanced surround, Bass plus, Cinema mode, Dialogue enhancer) features for DVD playback.
6) Dolby Digital/DTS Fiber Out
Advanced surround = 2-speaker emulation of 5.1 dolby digital
Bass plus = the ability to add a subwoofer from a dedicated subwoofer output
Cinema mode = filters put in place to not make the TV screen appear too jaggedy during DVD playback. (shrug, I never knew this was a problem)
Dialogue Enhancer - enhances the center channel on DVD audio tracks where there is no center channel present. This allows you to hear dialogue clearly, even at night, without upsetting your neighbors. (ha, quite useful in Japan..)
They have a pretty darn big picture here -- enjoy.
...but... like someone else said, their newer model is $850, not $2500 -- *and* has all the features of the more advanced Aibo II, The newer model is cheaper, but not less functional.
Sure, this is all fun and games, but the reality is that they've managed to bring the price down from $2500 to $850 in a year. Who isn't to say there'll be more features and a bigger price drop in the years to come? Heck, a few trips to the vet can easily cost $850..
While I would never replace my dog for a robotic one just yet, I'll probably eat my words in 10 years... The Aibo's in 10 years will probably have hair, be furry, cuddly, and come in various sizes... making it hard to tell if it's real or a robot...
Anyone who has lost a pet would know... When the pet dies, it's gone, but the pain isn't. Now, consider this -- what if you could get a pet that would live forever? That's tempting...
Can't afford it? Don't worry, the first one's on me...
After all, that's the business model for software, isn't it? (shareware, etc) I am not saying Microsoft is evil -- they are doing what is good business for them, and to someone who does not have money, that may *seem* evil. But... it's not. It's just the capitalist economy at work, folks...
So... I think these countries are smart... They see the large hook in the eventual future... IT doesn't have to be just Microsoft -- it can be any first-rate, high-priced software company. If you bite now, you will be hooked in and be forced to pay high license costs forever... It's a good business decision -- if you don't have money, it's much better to use free software. If you really want to make it a point, you make it a law.
Honestly speaking, Linux and other free software works just fine. Give 3 complete newbies 3 different boxes (Mac, Win, Linux)... I've found that they adapt just as quickly/slowly, and the bundled software on each platform works quite well for all of them. (the only time you get messed up is in opening Win stuff on other platforms, but that's really not anyone's fault but M$) Forcing free software on a country is a rather interesting tactic, but it sure seems a lot better than being locked down to an expensive license contract -- especially if I don't have money to begin with...
Two titles will keep Nintendo afloat:
- Mario
- Pokemon
...after that, indeed, who knows? Still, many of us thought Nintendo was dead after Enix's "Dragon Quest" and Square's "Final Fantasy" series left it......but it lives on...
Interactive games such as these take the gaming experience out of the TV -- great! Now... I think IR will help a ton to make this happen.
By now, most everyone knows about Dance Dance Revoultion (DDR). However, this used a press-down pad -- which worked well for the most part, but required accurate stepping/stomping quickly on the pad to get the game to work. It also required a bit of effort to get the pads to stay put, and was clumsy at times.
Now IR... There's already another dancing game called 'Para Para Paradise' (PPP) in Japan (roughly a year old) which utilizes IR beams. Instead of stepping on a pad, you swing your body and break the IR lines -- making smooth and catchy moves. (it's also by Konami -- go figure)
Unlike in DDR, where you end up stomping a lot to get the higher scores, the main emphasis in 'PPP' is to look/feel cool, and the fact that your feet dont' have to stomp means it's a low impact activity.
It's great to see more and more games utilizing IR, as this opens up the door for many more types of games that we've never seen before. Ever think you'd play a first-person volleyball game? While certainly requiring more IR beams, it's now a possibility.
Of course, all of these interaction-based games work only as well as the effort you're willing to put into it to make it a real experience for you. I must say I've committed the simulation-game sins -- playing DDR with a gamepad, and playing PPP while sitting down and waving a ruler over the IR ports... LOL.
What known source in space gives off laser beams?
on
Optical SETI
·
· Score: 1
Okay, so I got modded down for asking an honest question about the IBM CRT's and if they easily break. Sheeesh...! Well... here's another honest question that I think is very valid for this topic...
Like the subject says, what known source in space gives off laser beams? SETI searching for signals in RF and light is fairly well-known, and subsequently, those sources are well-documented. But... I honestly have never heard of anything in space giving off laser beams. I was hoping the article would at least mention an example, but it did not.
I would much rather have an unattractive LCD base than one that causes my $1500 investment to topple over. Where am I going with this? Well, while this new technology by IBM is exciting, this part worries me:
screens of any size are possible with the same depth, but building a thin vacuum panel big enough for a projection screen might not be practical.
Ack. Think, vacuum panel? Yeah... I'd like to see how that fairs against accidentally being toppled over......and don't tell me it won't happen, because it's bound to.
Having played war/tactical games all of my life, this simulation touches on the one thing that would challenge my abilities on "the field." Emotion. After all, I'm just a dude who controls his batallions with his mouse...
Anyone (dare I say), can lead a fearless army into battle and win, with some restored/saved games... But when your friends are getting their heads blown off next to you (in the simulation), and you have to deal with fear/leadership tests, it makes the simulation far more realistic, scary, and challenging.
While I wouldn't want to play such a simulation or game, I must admit it sounds like a great tool to give our soldiers a first-hand experience of real combat... It seems... only fair that they are allowed to train their emotions amidst such simulated chaos.
Of course, this isn't to say that the military didn't have any simulated battle -- just that this one allows one person to experience a fairly large-scale tactical mission without -- well, involving tons of other people.
While I must admit I wouldn't attempt to add the LED's in after the fact (because they'd have to be backlit, and well, if there is no existing backlight mechanism, it would be a pain to "squeeze" one in.)
This is just me talking from my limited experience tearing apart DSTN and TFT displays... Instead of the standard light source, I don't see why it would be difficult to chain 3-4 LED's across the screen plane.
Anyhow, LED lights? My very-bright CMG Infinity LED light has a 40-hour run time with one AA. I imagine 3 LED's running on a lower brightness setting with more AA's on the GBA would not be a heavy drain on the system...
The LED-based snake lights are great... Now... why in the world can a game manufacturer not use an LED-based backlighting solution for their displays? Poor backlighting is a direct cause of the manufacturers trying to save some juice -- fine -- use LED's...
Sigh. At least IBM got it right with its LED-based keyboard light for its laptops.
While some of what the article points out is interesting, and (almost) seems mathematically supported, I find it simply isn't true. It suggests that an artist's album sales are greatly affected by the amount of promotion it gets. Sure, sure, spending gobs of money on a promising album will get it on the airwaves, into people's ears, and eventually, money will be exchanged for these aluminum plates......unless, of course, I don't like what I hear.
Yet in some ways this isn't Hootie's fault- because there's evidence to suggest that the nature of record label hype had changed by the time Hootie came around. G'N'R represent the very last wave of career bands, and the pattern of promotion given Hootie was NOT the same.
Huh? I liked their first album, and purchased it. I didn't like their subsequent albums, and didn't buy it. I don't quite understand what record label hype has to do with a simple taste issue.
While I don't claim all consumers to be equally picky about what goes into their ear, the article makes out the consumer to be a mindless minion who is directly controlled by the record labels and their advertising. Sorry. Interesting math game, but I just don't see that as true.
Okay, so I joked around a bit in my other post, but... it would be nice to be able to surf the web and know that the stores and informational sites I am visiting all participate in an established privacy policy.
Right not, it seems like you're just walking on thin ice -- with the next questionable website ready to sell your information for cash. I can't say the FDAA is perfect, but I sure like the idea that I can buy vitamins without worrying about my identity being sold... so... in that sense, it's a (small) step in the right direction...
...and I suppose you could just argue that Microsoft's own sites are... er.. "already compliant"... heh..
Hmm. I think there are more sites that deserve recognition. My favorite site is Brock's LED comparison page, which I used to get a good idea before making purchases.
Having purchased a ton of flashlights myself, here are some things you should realize before making a LED light purchse. Most flashlight review sites fail to point out the disadvantages of LED lights:
Cannot focus the beam, as the reflector is inside the LED itself
Thus... the beam must be either non-focused, or too focused. Short focus LED lights have a very small range of 30 feet or so, while exceptions (like the PAL light) have such a focused beam that it is useless in close range)
The "white" light, while impressive and cool, is not that great for night-time viewing. It can ruin your night vision, and does not display contrast as well as the yellow light. (of course, no one wants to put a yellow LED in their flashlight, even if they exist, because it's not "cool")
pricey. (new technology is always pricey)
So.. my advice is to find a local outdoors retailer that has these lights, or better yet -- look for a flashlight freak like me that has these lights, borrow them, and try them out before you plonk down $20+. Personally, I find that the headlamp Tekka (from Petzl) works wonderfully for proximity lighting, and combined with a conventional Xenon lamp like the Bison, you have your long range covered as well.
Argh, I wish I hadn't posted, as you deserved to be modded up! Alas.
Well... here you go - one imaginary point from me: (Score 2: Insightful)
I totally forgot about the cost of land line installations, and calling range limitations. I now recall how my cousin complained to no end about how he can't even order pizza without going outside of his "local" call area with his land line. Another reason to use a keitai!
I would use my mobile phone a bit more, but I really don't enjoy this all-digital garble known as Cingular... Bah.
"Computer,"
(quick, high-pitched "dee-dee-doo"
"Locate the position of child 9 of 7."
(softly speaking woman's voice) "9 of 7 is currently in corridor 2, deck 6."
"Set up a level 5 force field on corridor 3 until 9 of 7 is done with his homework."
"Level 5 foce field has been set up on corridor 3."
What is it? When I visited Japan, I researched all the phone providers, their features, coverage, and people's usages... and here's my take on it:
Small island + tons of antennas = great coverage, lower-output phones, smaller phones, insanely longer battery life (1+ months), etc... which all lead to: more usage.
Smarter setup of plans - billed by 10-second increments, very low monthly fees ($10-$15), caller pays the toll charge (not the phone holder), and phones sold in insane volume... which all lead to: more usage.
Equipment purchasing trends - unlike here in the States, where very few people rush out and buy the latest and greatest phones, a ton of folks in Japan rush to get the latest and greatest phone. What ends up happening is that the "latest and greatest" phones don't have to be marked up to $500-$600 for fear of selling in low volume -- for they sell in high volume anyway -- so the price is a far more reasonable $300.
Because of that, while 'brand' loyalty is high, 'model' loyalty is relatively low. You will not see someone hanging onto their Nokia 8200 series in adoration after 6-12 months of usage, whereas I can think of a handfull of friends who hang onto their Nokia 2100 series...
So.. with a lower cost of ownership, encouraged usage, sheer volume of phones sold, and all phones being affordable due to the volume, it makes sense that they keep on pumping out tons of 'cool gadgets' -- people are always buying them, and buying them in hordes...
If I was going to uproot myself and move across time zones, country borders, or even just 50-100 miles, I would REALLY appreciate it if the employer was upfront and honest me about my future with the company. I would MUCH rather be given the un/non-signing option instead of packing up and moving, only to find myself with a pink slip few months later. I think this saves their HR/Legal department some headache -- and to the employee as well... Dunno why ya'll are so angry about this......seems like a good move... it doesn't make me think of them as a wonderful company -- just a company with some rational sense.
Particularly affected are the foreign VISA employees... They have to re-apply for their worker's VISA every time they get laid off...
While this could be a great way to find out more information on the hackers' techniques, but with an open door, and potentially hundreds of hackers kicking down the door, how can they accurately track who did what, where?
Thinking back to city riots -- cars overturned, stores looted, signs destroyed... who got caught? (not a perfect analogy, but you get my drift)
There are plenty of decent sites like Geocities out there that provide sorta-web-hosting for free...
If that isn't good enough, and you want to do your own PHP/SQL stuff......well, hate to sound harsh, but it seems to make sense to me that you're on your own... for now.
Perhaps in a few years, these free web hosting services will allow such features, but until then...
Slashdot Mirror
From: AnandTech's article:
As a person who is eagerly awaiting the nForce to be released, I have a question... Can anyone think of why it's taking so long for the manufacturers to make a working nForce mobo when the reference mobo works just fine? Also, why are they so non-enthusiastic about this otherwise good-looking chipset?
The only two things I can think of are:
Um... like I said, these are just guesses... anyone else?
To the person who asked about the price... In Japan, the Nintendo Game Cube is 25,000 yen (at 110 yen per dollar, roughly $225)...
The "Q", coming in at $350, is a big jump... While I understand the desire to get the added feature of a DVD player, this only makes sense if you only have one TV. The moment you have/get a 2nd TV, you're far better off with a GameCube and a DVD -- seperately...
(much like the DVD player + computer argument... you can't effectively use both at the same time)
I found it amusing that Nintendo's site has an ad for the "Q"... Yeah, it's in Japanese, but check out the middle of this page...
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/index.html
From: http://www.dvdgame.jp:
On-sale 12/14, Retail price 39,800 yen (at 110 yen per dollar, roughly $350)
According to http://www.dvdgame.jp/product/index.html, the main feature is really the DVD player and the new looks... they are listed as:
1) Compatable with the Nintendo Game Cube
2) The timer function helps you keep track of play-time. (laf, more like helps parents keep track of kids)
3) CD, DVD playback
4) A handy remote control for CD, DVD playback
5) "ABCD" (Advanced surround, Bass plus, Cinema mode, Dialogue enhancer) features for DVD playback.
6) Dolby Digital/DTS Fiber Out
Advanced surround = 2-speaker emulation of 5.1 dolby digital
Bass plus = the ability to add a subwoofer from a dedicated subwoofer output
Cinema mode = filters put in place to not make the TV screen appear too jaggedy during DVD playback. (shrug, I never knew this was a problem)
Dialogue Enhancer - enhances the center channel on DVD audio tracks where there is no center channel present. This allows you to hear dialogue clearly, even at night, without upsetting your neighbors. (ha, quite useful in Japan..)
They have a pretty darn big picture here -- enjoy.
A test using pipes on Windows, by IBM, who pushes Linux. Heh... isn't that kinda like a test using Internet Explorer on Linux, by Microsoft?
One must wonder what "pipe" these people were testing out...
(yes, I'm just being facetious, for those of you humor-challenged)
...but... like someone else said, their newer model is $850, not $2500 -- *and* has all the features of the more advanced Aibo II, The newer model is cheaper, but not less functional.
Sure, this is all fun and games, but the reality is that they've managed to bring the price down from $2500 to $850 in a year. Who isn't to say there'll be more features and a bigger price drop in the years to come? Heck, a few trips to the vet can easily cost $850..
While I would never replace my dog for a robotic one just yet, I'll probably eat my words in 10 years... The Aibo's in 10 years will probably have hair, be furry, cuddly, and come in various sizes... making it hard to tell if it's real or a robot...
Anyone who has lost a pet would know... When the pet dies, it's gone, but the pain isn't. Now, consider this -- what if you could get a pet that would live forever? That's tempting...
One word: Cyrix
Can't afford it? Don't worry, the first one's on me...
After all, that's the business model for software, isn't it? (shareware, etc) I am not saying Microsoft is evil -- they are doing what is good business for them, and to someone who does not have money, that may *seem* evil. But... it's not. It's just the capitalist economy at work, folks...
So... I think these countries are smart... They see the large hook in the eventual future... IT doesn't have to be just Microsoft -- it can be any first-rate, high-priced software company. If you bite now, you will be hooked in and be forced to pay high license costs forever... It's a good business decision -- if you don't have money, it's much better to use free software. If you really want to make it a point, you make it a law.
Honestly speaking, Linux and other free software works just fine. Give 3 complete newbies 3 different boxes (Mac, Win, Linux)... I've found that they adapt just as quickly/slowly, and the bundled software on each platform works quite well for all of them. (the only time you get messed up is in opening Win stuff on other platforms, but that's really not anyone's fault but M$) Forcing free software on a country is a rather interesting tactic, but it sure seems a lot better than being locked down to an expensive license contract -- especially if I don't have money to begin with...
Two titles will keep Nintendo afloat:
...after that, indeed, who knows? Still, many of us thought Nintendo was dead after Enix's "Dragon Quest" and Square's "Final Fantasy" series left it... ...but it lives on...
- Mario
- Pokemon
By now, most everyone knows about Dance Dance Revoultion (DDR). However, this used a press-down pad -- which worked well for the most part, but required accurate stepping/stomping quickly on the pad to get the game to work. It also required a bit of effort to get the pads to stay put, and was clumsy at times.
Now IR... There's already another dancing game called 'Para Para Paradise' (PPP) in Japan (roughly a year old) which utilizes IR beams. Instead of stepping on a pad, you swing your body and break the IR lines -- making smooth and catchy moves. (it's also by Konami -- go figure)
Unlike in DDR, where you end up stomping a lot to get the higher scores, the main emphasis in 'PPP' is to look/feel cool, and the fact that your feet dont' have to stomp means it's a low impact activity.
It's great to see more and more games utilizing IR, as this opens up the door for many more types of games that we've never seen before. Ever think you'd play a first-person volleyball game? While certainly requiring more IR beams, it's now a possibility.
PPP is a year-old game, but it's still just as enjoyable (if not more) than DDR. Here's the main page at Konami and some screenshots
Of course, all of these interaction-based games work only as well as the effort you're willing to put into it to make it a real experience for you. I must say I've committed the simulation-game sins -- playing DDR with a gamepad, and playing PPP while sitting down and waving a ruler over the IR ports... LOL.
Okay, so I got modded down for asking an honest question about the IBM CRT's and if they easily break. Sheeesh...! Well... here's another honest question that I think is very valid for this topic...
Like the subject says, what known source in space gives off laser beams? SETI searching for signals in RF and light is fairly well-known, and subsequently, those sources are well-documented. But... I honestly have never heard of anything in space giving off laser beams. I was hoping the article would at least mention an example, but it did not.
Anyone care to enlighten us/me?
I would much rather have an unattractive LCD base than one that causes my $1500 investment to topple over. Where am I going with this? Well, while this new technology by IBM is exciting, this part worries me:
...and don't tell me it won't happen, because it's bound to.
screens of any size are possible with the same depth, but building a thin vacuum panel big enough for a projection screen might not be practical.
Ack. Think, vacuum panel? Yeah... I'd like to see how that fairs against accidentally being toppled over...
Having played war/tactical games all of my life, this simulation touches on the one thing that would challenge my abilities on "the field." Emotion. After all, I'm just a dude who controls his batallions with his mouse...
Anyone (dare I say), can lead a fearless army into battle and win, with some restored/saved games... But when your friends are getting their heads blown off next to you (in the simulation), and you have to deal with fear/leadership tests, it makes the simulation far more realistic, scary, and challenging.
While I wouldn't want to play such a simulation or game, I must admit it sounds like a great tool to give our soldiers a first-hand experience of real combat... It seems... only fair that they are allowed to train their emotions amidst such simulated chaos.
Of course, this isn't to say that the military didn't have any simulated battle -- just that this one allows one person to experience a fairly large-scale tactical mission without -- well, involving tons of other people.
I like it.
While I must admit I wouldn't attempt to add the LED's in after the fact (because they'd have to be backlit, and well, if there is no existing backlight mechanism, it would be a pain to "squeeze" one in.)
This is just me talking from my limited experience tearing apart DSTN and TFT displays... Instead of the standard light source, I don't see why it would be difficult to chain 3-4 LED's across the screen plane.
Anyhow, LED lights? My very-bright CMG Infinity LED light has a 40-hour run time with one AA. I imagine 3 LED's running on a lower brightness setting with more AA's on the GBA would not be a heavy drain on the system...
The LED-based snake lights are great... Now... why in the world can a game manufacturer not use an LED-based backlighting solution for their displays? Poor backlighting is a direct cause of the manufacturers trying to save some juice -- fine -- use LED's...
Sigh. At least IBM got it right with its LED-based keyboard light for its laptops.
While some of what the article points out is interesting, and (almost) seems mathematically supported, I find it simply isn't true. It suggests that an artist's album sales are greatly affected by the amount of promotion it gets. Sure, sure, spending gobs of money on a promising album will get it on the airwaves, into people's ears, and eventually, money will be exchanged for these aluminum plates... ...unless, of course, I don't like what I hear.
Yet in some ways this isn't Hootie's fault- because there's evidence to suggest that the nature of record label hype had changed by the time Hootie came around. G'N'R represent the very last wave of career bands, and the pattern of promotion given Hootie was NOT the same.
Huh? I liked their first album, and purchased it. I didn't like their subsequent albums, and didn't buy it. I don't quite understand what record label hype has to do with a simple taste issue.
While I don't claim all consumers to be equally picky about what goes into their ear, the article makes out the consumer to be a mindless minion who is directly controlled by the record labels and their advertising. Sorry. Interesting math game, but I just don't see that as true.
Okay, so I joked around a bit in my other post, but... it would be nice to be able to surf the web and know that the stores and informational sites I am visiting all participate in an established privacy policy.
...and I suppose you could just argue that Microsoft's own sites are ... er.. "already compliant"... heh..
Right not, it seems like you're just walking on thin ice -- with the next questionable website ready to sell your information for cash. I can't say the FDAA is perfect, but I sure like the idea that I can buy vitamins without worrying about my identity being sold... so... in that sense, it's a (small) step in the right direction...
Having purchased a ton of flashlights myself, here are some things you should realize before making a LED light purchse. Most flashlight review sites fail to point out the disadvantages of LED lights:
- Cannot focus the beam, as the reflector is inside the LED itself
- Thus... the beam must be either non-focused, or too focused. Short focus LED lights have a very small range of 30 feet or so, while exceptions (like the PAL light) have such a focused beam that it is useless in close range)
- The "white" light, while impressive and cool, is not that great for night-time viewing. It can ruin your night vision, and does not display contrast as well as the yellow light. (of course, no one wants to put a yellow LED in their flashlight, even if they exist, because it's not "cool")
- pricey. (new technology is always pricey)
So.. my advice is to find a local outdoors retailer that has these lights, or better yet -- look for a flashlight freak like me that has these lights, borrow them, and try them out before you plonk down $20+. Personally, I find that the headlamp Tekka (from Petzl) works wonderfully for proximity lighting, and combined with a conventional Xenon lamp like the Bison, you have your long range covered as well.Just my 2 cents.
...you think they'd want to just wipe that away for International releases? Subtitles sound appropriate...
Of course, the only exception to this might be Japan, where they have full-blown, celebrity voice actors and actresses.
Lastly... all this talk about re-rendering... Er... sounds like a lot of render time...
Argh, I wish I hadn't posted, as you deserved to be modded up! Alas.
Well... here you go - one imaginary point from me: (Score 2: Insightful)
I totally forgot about the cost of land line installations, and calling range limitations. I now recall how my cousin complained to no end about how he can't even order pizza without going outside of his "local" call area with his land line. Another reason to use a keitai!
I would use my mobile phone a bit more, but I really don't enjoy this all-digital garble known as Cingular... Bah.
"Computer,"
(quick, high-pitched "dee-dee-doo"
"Locate the position of child 9 of 7."
(softly speaking woman's voice) "9 of 7 is currently in corridor 2, deck 6."
"Set up a level 5 force field on corridor 3 until 9 of 7 is done with his homework."
"Level 5 foce field has been set up on corridor 3."
- Small island + tons of antennas = great coverage, lower-output phones, smaller phones, insanely longer battery life (1+ months), etc... which all lead to: more usage.
- Smarter setup of plans - billed by 10-second increments, very low monthly fees ($10-$15), caller pays the toll charge (not the phone holder), and phones sold in insane volume... which all lead to: more usage.
- Equipment purchasing trends - unlike here in the States, where very few people rush out and buy the latest and greatest phones, a ton of folks in Japan rush to get the latest and greatest phone. What ends up happening is that the "latest and greatest" phones don't have to be marked up to $500-$600 for fear of selling in low volume -- for they sell in high volume anyway -- so the price is a far more reasonable $300.
- Because of that, while 'brand' loyalty is high, 'model' loyalty is relatively low. You will not see someone hanging onto their Nokia 8200 series in adoration after 6-12 months of usage, whereas I can think of a handfull of friends who hang onto their Nokia 2100 series...
So.. with a lower cost of ownership, encouraged usage, sheer volume of phones sold, and all phones being affordable due to the volume, it makes sense that they keep on pumping out tons of 'cool gadgets' -- people are always buying them, and buying them in hordes...If I was going to uproot myself and move across time zones, country borders, or even just 50-100 miles, I would REALLY appreciate it if the employer was upfront and honest me about my future with the company. I would MUCH rather be given the un/non-signing option instead of packing up and moving, only to find myself with a pink slip few months later. I think this saves their HR/Legal department some headache -- and to the employee as well... Dunno why ya'll are so angry about this... ...seems like a good move... it doesn't make me think of them as a wonderful company -- just a company with some rational sense.
...but hey, that's just me.
Particularly affected are the foreign VISA employees... They have to re-apply for their worker's VISA every time they get laid off...
...until a civilian starts piloting it...
Japanese glider pilots will shiver in fear.
While this could be a great way to find out more information on the hackers' techniques, but with an open door, and potentially hundreds of hackers kicking down the door, how can they accurately track who did what, where?
Thinking back to city riots -- cars overturned, stores looted, signs destroyed... who got caught? (not a perfect analogy, but you get my drift)
There are plenty of decent sites like Geocities out there that provide sorta-web-hosting for free...
...well, hate to sound harsh, but it seems to make sense to me that you're on your own... for now.
If that isn't good enough, and you want to do your own PHP/SQL stuff...
Perhaps in a few years, these free web hosting services will allow such features, but until then...