I've used a palm for a long time, but I've realized one thing - writing on a piece of plastic is nothing compared to writing on a good sheet of paper. For example, my signature is consistent on paper. With the electronic signature things more stores are getting, I have a problem with my signature because the tablet doesn't feel the same way as paper. It seems like too little friction or something, but it doesn't doesn't feel right.
I think probably the problem in the past with writing on screens has been inaccurate pen detection coupled with low resolution ("pixely" outut). If these two things are gone, I don't see any reason why it can't be like writing on paper with a high quality (low friction) pen.
I don't know why people think a keyboard is such a bad thing.
It's an extra piece of equipment to carry around, you have to sit down to use it adequately, and it requires two hands to operate at a reasonable speed (no chord keyboard rebuttals, please).
However, all that being said, there is nothing stopping keyboards from being integrated with tablet pc's that Microsoft is showing off. Some do have that as an option.
I can type much better than I can write
No one is saying you'd have to write EVERYTHING on a tablet PC! Read the articles about them. Go see a demo. That's not the point. The point is you CAN walk around with it like a notebook and make notes, do cool things standing up and moving around with a PC easily, then set it down on your desk and sync up with keyboard, mouse, etc.
I completely agree. Only last week I had to listen to the cheek of some idiot saying how I should have put a wheelchair ramp in so he could access my store!
Apples/Oranges. You can install another browser or operating system or use a friend's computer to access your bank website if you need to. It's a feature, not a necessity.
However, the guy in the wheel chair can't borrow someone's legs to access your facility, which could be a necessity (depending on what your facility is).
Hi, could you add the following term to your EULA?..."
Even if this would be legally binding and they went ahead and did this, what difference would it make? People would have to install the next version of Outlook with this updated EULA. And if they did that, they wouldn't be able to open an executable via email, and a popup window would appear asking for permission if this program did run and try to send email using Outlook. These two basic precautions have been available for Outlook 98/2000 for a while as an update, and are the defaults in Outlook 2002 (XP).
So I'd be happy if all Outlook users would just update their friggin software!
Considering that Best Buy was/is the first retailer to sell iPods (Target having been recently announced as the second), I'd think they'd not want to risk slighting Apple with something like this.
When Apple told Best Buy they had to buy iMacs in even colored lots, Best Buy told Apple to stick it where the rainbows don't shine.
Apple needs Best Buy.
Besides, how many Apple computers have you ever seen sold at Best Buy? It's not like Apple is losing out.
If AMD was truly fighting the MHzMyth, they wouldn't be naming their chips to comparible speeds of the Intel line
I don't think you understand the Mhz Myth. The myth states that the higher the Mhz, the faster the processor. Intel pushes this idea because their chips run at high clock rates.
If a company were going to break out of the megahertz myth, and still sell their products, how would you recommend they do that? AMD's chips run at lower clock rates than comparable P4 chips. So the MhzMyth is working against them, and they had to break out of it.
Their products still need model numbers. Why not give the model numbers some value to consumers? If I want a chip that runs as fast as the Intel P4 2.4Ghz chip, I know that I can get a XP 2400+. The benchmarks have proven this out time and again. If anything, AMD seems to be 'undercutting' their names when compared to Intel's Mhz numbers (perhaps that's why they put a + on the end).
and instead, their "AMD Athlon XP 2100+" would be "AMD Athlon XP 1800"
How exactly are you determining this arbitrary "1800" number? And what would be the point of lowering that number like that? As long as the AMD 3000+ is at least 50% faster than the AMD 2000+, I'll be completely happy with their naming scheme.
Remember that the MHzMyth is propigated by Joe Six-pack, and not the tech sector.
Yeah right, what sector do you work in?
It might not be propagated by the uber-geeks who know better, but the tech sector totally believes it.
just as AMD is trying to keep up with the Megahertz Myth with Intel in naming their new chips.
Seems to me like AMD is trying to break OUT OF the megahertz myth. They don't advertise the megaherts of their XP processors. Instead, they give each product a number that allows you to compare it to their prime competitor's products, as well as to their products.
And the benchmarks prove it out. I've got a XP 2000+ which is on par with the P4 2Ghz chip.
If I moved up to an XP 3000+ (when that becomes available), I would expect 50% improvement in speed, irregardless of what the megahertz on the chip is... and isn't that the point of breaking out of the mhz myth?
Isn't it about time where they have a Cringley icon? A nice little cute icon with Cringley's face?
A Cringely icon implies a Cringely category, and that will never happen at Slash "one-category-is-good-enough-for-us" Dot. I exaggerate, but have you ever noticed that Linux articles make their way into just about every category available.
"What's that, a game created solely for Linux? Why, that should go in the Games category! (Who cares that the game only applies to people interested in Linux, not games in general.)"
Why do "the analysts" feel it's imperative and so ungoldy urgent that a company like Intel must grow ALL THE TIME?
Because they want the stock value to rise ALL THE TIME, and not just when the company has their quarterly dividends.
In your scenario, you would buy stock in Intel, and it would basically never go up, but occasionally you would earn a dividend (assuming Intel gives one). You might as well invest in a bank.
Stock prices are basically linked to people's thoughts on the future of the stock. If the company appears to be growing, the stock should rise.
I love when people don't properly plan their electrical power consumption in their server rooms. I walked into some company's server room, plugged in my laptop to the rack mounted power strip, turned it on, and blew the breaker for two racks of servers.
I dunno, it sounds like they planned their power consumption PERFECTLY.
Okay...ummm...if they're blocking the frequencies normally used...how does my cell phone know to switch to a new frequency? Does my phone have the right transmitter to use a new frequency?
I was always under the impression that "roaming" mode was analogous to analog mode. When I'm using my Sprint PCS phone, and I'm not near a digital network, my phone will start roaming in analog mode. Presumably this company will block digital frequencies, and allow you to roam on their analog network?
This is exactly what is missing if Linux is going to make it to the mainstream desktop. As soon as Linux is recognized as a userfriendly, easy-to-use desktop with lots of free (as in beer) software by the average user Windows will get into real problems. Such an opening would generate a *huge* increase in the number of users and thus in the interest in supporting Linux from different companies.
Making Linux easier to install, use, and maintain would be a huge leap forward. However, the VAST majority of end-users do NOT install operating systems. Realize: they can't even install Windows XP, which continues to make installation on x86 easier than previous versions of Windows. How can you expect them to install Linux?
End-users buy computers with OSes pre-installed. That's the key.
Why do people freeze up as soon as they see a text-based installer?
If you have to ask this, you must be a *nix geek.
What's easier to peruse... a magazine with lots of pictures, or a magazine with no pictures?
Which one do you have to sit down and focus on to get an idea of what is going on, and which one can you just skim over and pick up the gist of things?
Slashdot Mirror
I've used a palm for a long time, but I've realized one thing - writing on a piece of plastic is nothing compared to writing on a good sheet of paper. For example, my signature is consistent on paper. With the electronic signature things more stores are getting, I have a problem with my signature because the tablet doesn't feel the same way as paper. It seems like too little friction or something, but it doesn't doesn't feel right.
I think probably the problem in the past with writing on screens has been inaccurate pen detection coupled with low resolution ("pixely" outut). If these two things are gone, I don't see any reason why it can't be like writing on paper with a high quality (low friction) pen.
You can't call Microsoft's stuff hype, and then make a post like this. This is hype.
Actually, if you read his post, he called Microsoft's hype inadequate, so I don't really think he was trying to use hype in a negative way.
I don't think I need to say anything more.
Correct!
Unless of course you wanted to make a point.
I don't know why people think a keyboard is such a bad thing.
It's an extra piece of equipment to carry around, you have to sit down to use it adequately, and it requires two hands to operate at a reasonable speed (no chord keyboard rebuttals, please).
However, all that being said, there is nothing stopping keyboards from being integrated with tablet pc's that Microsoft is showing off. Some do have that as an option.
I can type much better than I can write
No one is saying you'd have to write EVERYTHING on a tablet PC! Read the articles about them. Go see a demo. That's not the point. The point is you CAN walk around with it like a notebook and make notes, do cool things standing up and moving around with a PC easily, then set it down on your desk and sync up with keyboard, mouse, etc.
1)People get one and install Linux onto it (eleven seconds)
1b) People get handwriting recognition on their Linux version (eleven years)
since there have been enough paypal bashing for one day, how about folks kicking in a buck or two to raise some more funds for abiword
Ummm, because that would require me to setup a PayPal account?
I think I'll wait until they get a better donation service provider. What about c2it, which is run by CitiBANK (I stress the bank part).
I completely agree. Only last week I had to listen to the cheek of some idiot saying how I should have put a wheelchair ramp in so he could access my store!
Apples/Oranges. You can install another browser or operating system or use a friend's computer to access your bank website if you need to. It's a feature, not a necessity.
However, the guy in the wheel chair can't borrow someone's legs to access your facility, which could be a necessity (depending on what your facility is).
Hi, could you add the following term to your EULA?..."
Even if this would be legally binding and they went ahead and did this, what difference would it make? People would have to install the next version of Outlook with this updated EULA. And if they did that, they wouldn't be able to open an executable via email, and a popup window would appear asking for permission if this program did run and try to send email using Outlook. These two basic precautions have been available for Outlook 98/2000 for a while as an update, and are the defaults in Outlook 2002 (XP).
So I'd be happy if all Outlook users would just update their friggin software!
Some may scream that the law should enforce morality.
And we call these people "Republicans."
And if you don't get sued, hey, free kids!
You being slashdot user #4015 and most likely a real geeky guy, let me explain that making kids for free is not very difficult.
Cum to think of it, it's more difficult NOT to make free kids.
it was because he didn't like my candles (I am Catholic and Scottish).
Oh, well that makes sense.
Blog is a stupid term someone made up to sound cool.
Actually, no, what happened was everyone was calling it a 'weblog', which was naturally shortened to 'blog'.
This is just the latest in a long line of multi-syllable words shortened to single-syllable words, bro.
Considering that Best Buy was/is the first retailer to sell iPods (Target having been recently announced as the second), I'd think they'd not want to risk slighting Apple with something like this.
When Apple told Best Buy they had to buy iMacs in even colored lots, Best Buy told Apple to stick it where the rainbows don't shine.
Apple needs Best Buy.
Besides, how many Apple computers have you ever seen sold at Best Buy? It's not like Apple is losing out.
If AMD was truly fighting the MHzMyth, they wouldn't be naming their chips to comparible speeds of the Intel line
I don't think you understand the Mhz Myth. The myth states that the higher the Mhz, the faster the processor. Intel pushes this idea because their chips run at high clock rates.
If a company were going to break out of the megahertz myth, and still sell their products, how would you recommend they do that? AMD's chips run at lower clock rates than comparable P4 chips. So the MhzMyth is working against them, and they had to break out of it.
Their products still need model numbers. Why not give the model numbers some value to consumers? If I want a chip that runs as fast as the Intel P4 2.4Ghz chip, I know that I can get a XP 2400+. The benchmarks have proven this out time and again. If anything, AMD seems to be 'undercutting' their names when compared to Intel's Mhz numbers (perhaps that's why they put a + on the end).
and instead, their "AMD Athlon XP 2100+" would be "AMD Athlon XP 1800"
How exactly are you determining this arbitrary "1800" number? And what would be the point of lowering that number like that? As long as the AMD 3000+ is at least 50% faster than the AMD 2000+, I'll be completely happy with their naming scheme.
Remember that the MHzMyth is propigated by Joe Six-pack, and not the tech sector.
Yeah right, what sector do you work in?
It might not be propagated by the uber-geeks who know better, but the tech sector totally believes it.
Are you sure about that?
just as AMD is trying to keep up with the Megahertz Myth with Intel in naming their new chips.
Seems to me like AMD is trying to break OUT OF the megahertz myth. They don't advertise the megaherts of their XP processors. Instead, they give each product a number that allows you to compare it to their prime competitor's products, as well as to their products.
And the benchmarks prove it out. I've got a XP 2000+ which is on par with the P4 2Ghz chip.
If I moved up to an XP 3000+ (when that becomes available), I would expect 50% improvement in speed, irregardless of what the megahertz on the chip is... and isn't that the point of breaking out of the mhz myth?
The next time I see a girl dealing with NP-hard algorithms and crying she can't hold up, I'll play the dirty trick...
And here I thought the rest of your story would involve the use of the pickup line, "Hey baby, wanna play with something that is very NP-Hard?!"
I diagnosed the problem myself and quit playing, but it took a few months to clear up.
Just a warning. I still play it on and off.
It's probably more fun when it's on, right?
Isn't it about time where they have a Cringley icon? A nice little cute icon with Cringley's face?
A Cringely icon implies a Cringely category, and that will never happen at Slash "one-category-is-good-enough-for-us" Dot. I exaggerate, but have you ever noticed that Linux articles make their way into just about every category available.
"What's that, a game created solely for Linux? Why, that should go in the Games category! (Who cares that the game only applies to people interested in Linux, not games in general.)"
Yes, I actually overheard Taco say that one day.
Why do "the analysts" feel it's imperative and so ungoldy urgent that a company like Intel must grow ALL THE TIME?
Because they want the stock value to rise ALL THE TIME, and not just when the company has their quarterly dividends.
In your scenario, you would buy stock in Intel, and it would basically never go up, but occasionally you would earn a dividend (assuming Intel gives one). You might as well invest in a bank.
Stock prices are basically linked to people's thoughts on the future of the stock. If the company appears to be growing, the stock should rise.
dude, slow news day
now if i could just get a bogus number for all the times i don't want to give out my cell number for fear of it being sold... ;)
Send me $10 and I'll sell you a bogus number.
Oh, what the hell, I'm feeling charitable today.
(800) 555-1212
Shhhh... keep it quiet, guys.
I love when people don't properly plan their electrical power consumption in their server rooms. I walked into some company's server room, plugged in my laptop to the rack mounted power strip, turned it on, and blew the breaker for two racks of servers.
I dunno, it sounds like they planned their power consumption PERFECTLY.
Okay...ummm...if they're blocking the frequencies normally used...how does my cell phone know to switch to a new frequency? Does my phone have the right transmitter to use a new frequency?
I was always under the impression that "roaming" mode was analogous to analog mode. When I'm using my Sprint PCS phone, and I'm not near a digital network, my phone will start roaming in analog mode. Presumably this company will block digital frequencies, and allow you to roam on their analog network?
This is exactly what is missing if Linux is going to make it to the mainstream desktop.
As soon as Linux is recognized as a userfriendly, easy-to-use desktop with lots of free (as in beer) software by the average user Windows will get into real problems. Such an opening would generate a *huge* increase in the number of users and thus in the interest in supporting Linux from different companies.
Making Linux easier to install, use, and maintain would be a huge leap forward. However, the VAST majority of end-users do NOT install operating systems. Realize: they can't even install Windows XP, which continues to make installation on x86 easier than previous versions of Windows. How can you expect them to install Linux?
End-users buy computers with OSes pre-installed. That's the key.
Why do people freeze up as soon as they see a text-based installer?
... a magazine with lots of pictures, or a magazine with no pictures?
If you have to ask this, you must be a *nix geek.
What's easier to peruse
Which one do you have to sit down and focus on to get an idea of what is going on, and which one can you just skim over and pick up the gist of things?
Now apply this to an installer.