As I type this, I'm sitting at my office, 7pm EST, and all the rest of the employees went home hours ago. They were sent home early on the three day weekend. I will work all three days of the weekend, hoping upon hope I can afford to work "only" 5-6 hours on Sunday. I am working on what could be the largest project of my life, which has a hard (initial) deadline of mid-september.
I'm starting to go insane. Literally. I've lost touch with reality. I have a 4 month old son I rarely see. I go straight from the bed to the office to the bed. Sure, we could have started this project 6 months ago, but instead we started 6 weeks ago, because our client couldn't get their act together. And so, I work 75-80 hour work weeks to make sure there's a remote possibility this project will make its deadline.
80 hour workweeks provide more throughput than 40, no doubt, but it's definitely diminishing retuns. I can tell you that around the 11th or 12th work-hour of the day, I'm absolutely useless, but I must keep plugging on, even if it takes me 4 times as long to do something. When I worked 15 hours the night before, I am catatonic at my desk the next morning. But, the job will get done, and it will get done well. Sure, balls-to-the-wall is energizing at first. My first two 70-hour workweeks were no-doubt some of the most efficient of my life-- but now I've lost touch with reality. I can't tell you what day it is unless I look at my computer's clock! (Seriously.)
I work a salary. Every hour I stay past 40, my hourly wage plummets. The boss promised me a 2% bonus of the billing, but if I do the math, that will work out to a bonus smaller than minimum wage. (with no overtime of course)
The net effect is that when this project is done, I will be looking for other work. So make sure and point that out to your bosses. If they can't afford high-turnover, they can't afford 60+ hour workweeks.
I agree that environmental worriers can go "off the deep end" occasionally, however alternative fuel sources should be persued for one paramount reason: To get the US off the nipple of the middle east, who apparently hates us. Frankly, I would like nothing better than to tank the economy of Saudi Arabia-- the homeland of 4/5ths of the Sept. 1lth Hijackers.
Frankly, the idea of local programming is another example of technology who's time has past. Infinite channel capabilites on cable and satellite make it pretty useless. 99% of local programming is either syndicated or national network. The "Network" concept, as it relates to local affiliates is ridiculous. What do they provide that couldn't be provided nationally? Only one thing: Mediocre News. (In my area, anyway.)
Frankly, the only good model is pay-per-view. You choose the shows you want to watch, and when. Networks/Syndicators will offer one or some free episodes to get you hooked-- and so you can decide what you like. Pepsi will pay for an entire episode and their product will be featured throughout. PBS will continute to exist for free.
This doesn't necessarily mean $200 TV bills per month-- they'll probably offer some sort of Watch-Ad-get-rebate scenario. Look at the bright side-- you can bet those ads will be targeted.. (I'd rather watch technology-based ads that are for the tech savvy, rather than the idiots (dell guy) Frankly, the quality of the shows *and* the advertising will probably go up-- and don't worry, those on the true "bleeding edge" will come up with AI auto-ad watching devices.
Oh, sure, there will probably be a "retro" mode that has commercial breaks that can not be fast-forwarded (a-la DVD FBI warnings)... For those who don't like interactivity... or to "cushion" upcoming baby-boomer blue-hairs into new technology.
Local stations will be reduced to one or two (in small regions) "local news channels" that have a feed on cable/satellite. They provide this service for free, in exchange for local advertising (with no-skip commercials) or for a price.. Luckily, this will drive the "lowest common denominator news" out of business.
It will be a tough transition, but it's "whatever the market will bear," And it won't bear "free TV" but it will bear this.
Motherboard Manufacture - $30 (it's real simple & cheap) NVidia Chip - $35 (rumored $50 at launch of xBOX) Case/PS/Controller/Packaging - $30
This all equals $230. Which means they could have at least been breaking even before this price cut-- and will very soon be breaking even once again. Of course, none of this includes marketing or development costs-- but we know MS is in this for the long haul anyway.
In any case, I wouldn't be running out to the store, just to "cost" MS some $$$. Who knows, with cuthroat deals, they may already be breaking even at $199.
I can really see this happening. Lead animators (or animator teams) are incredibly talented folks, and it takes a true gift to pull off the subtleties of human action. I thought Yoda was "the best Yoda ever" -- in all the scenes, not just those where he was kung-fu fighting.
As CGI Characters come into their own, I could see truly gifted CG Artists becoming "unknown moviestars," demanding very high salaries for their work. They could one day be the most versitile actors in hollywood-- perhaps even garnering a "best actor" type oscar category.
Don't laugh, it could happen.
From the BestBuy Website:
on
Worst Buy
·
· Score: 1
Errors on Our Site Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Best Buy reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted and whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is cancelled, BestBuy.com will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge. Individual bank policies will dictate when this amount is credited to your account.
While Best Buy takes steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of product and third-party services provided, please refer to the originator of information for details, for example the manufacturer for complete product details.
I find it a bit embarrassing that every time a corporation makes an honest mistake, many Slashdot readers begin to chant "BOYCOTT!" Just because they didn't get some goody at an exceptional loss for the company. You can ALWAYS get your money back if you order with a credit card.
When this case was began, the merge between Hughes (DirecTV) and Dish Network was not yet underway. Neither company has the ability/bandwidth to broadcast all locals (200+ markets x 4-7 channels) However, if the merge goes through, they will be able to cover 98% of the population's local channels-- and those that they can't cover are probably eligible for remote-local viewing anyway.
I would feel much stronger about it if they weren't planning to cover me in the near future (I'd love to get all major Nets over my newly-installed DTV) --but they promise I'll be able to get locals-- so is really worth so much argument? most of the programming on my locals is the same as is on the NYC or LA locals-- and I don't mind supporting my local economy at all.. (and neither should you, generally-- unless you like plummeting local economies)
go here to find out more about direcTV and local stations.
PS As far as PBS goes-- why the hell do we need local stations anyway? All of the best stuff on PBS is national-- it's a waste of taxpayer dollars to have local affiliates. National network capabilities should make them useless-- it's a huge glut of redundancy-- One PBS would be cheaper and better!
ACPI has been disabled on the last 5 or so motherboards I've seen (work computers I've built, etc..) It hasn't been much of a problem (other than incompatibilities with sucky sound blaster audigy drivers) but then again, I don't run linux.
Yes, it's required for XP-- and it was greatly encouraged for 2000 Pro-- ironically, turning ACPI off fixed a lot of problems I was having with my KT7A-RAID board.
New bios revisions of existing boards sometimes disable this, so watch out!
Some more popular motherboards have "hacks" that can add this functionality back. Try looking for an "unofficial" support forum for Soyo or whatever.
Go here for the best KT7 faq which answers all these questions for that board, but provides interesting ACPI info, as well.
I've had an MRE (and I'm not military)
on
The Future of MREs
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Our company works with the military quite a bit, and I've had an occasion to try an MRE. They're actually kind of cool. They come with their own (chemical) heat source and re-heat the foods pretty rapidly-- It uses technology similiar to those little handwarmers I use to have when I was a paperboy. As I recall, you'd boil em to "reset" em.. (I think the MRE heatsources are one-use)
In any case-- it's okay-- better than freeze dried anything-- but I still wouldn't like one of them falling on my head from the skies above-- it's not *that* delicious.
Having seen Copenhagen and Proof, I feel that the superior drama was most assuredly "Proof." However, from a techno-geek's standpoint, I can see why the submitter might enjoy Copenhagen more.
'hagen was definitely more cerebral & technical, and used physics as a metophor for ethical struggles.
Proof was a much more personal play about a woman's relationship with her father (and indeed, the world around her.) The math is simply part of the plot, not interwoven with the primary thrust. I saw both original casts, and both were phenominal, but the interaction between Mary Louise Parker and the cast was one of the most thrilling dramatic performances I've ever witnessed. She was incredible.
As a coincidence, the young male lead in Proof was played by Ben Shenkman, who was the young rabinical guy in "Pi."
While I loved Copenhagen, and I love Robert Westenburg (one of the male leads) I felt Proof was the far superior play.
I have been waiting for two years for a rechargable color pocket pc that does MP3 & "real" games. That's everything. Those are all the "killer apps" I need for a portable (assuming 6gb+ of storage) Hell, make it a phone as well, and I'm in heaven. One device to rule them all!
Mr Snide: No, it doesn't support HDTV resolutions. Frankly, I don't feel this needs to be explained, but lest anyone be confused, 480p is not HDTV, just the weakest mode supported by HDTV. HDTV requires 1080i and 720p modes, as well as 480p.
So, No, your crappy TV doesn't support 480p, but several non-HDTV compatible tv's do. (or did)
For a more lucid descripton of the shortcomings of the gamecube's resolutions, check here.
As a Multimedia Producer who does DVD authoring, we do keep up with the sales numbers in the US.
According to this chart DVD player sales in the US are already above 22 Million, not including DVD ROM drives. Granted, some homes (including mine) have more than one. Conservatively, 15 million homes have DVD players.
Now,you totally missed the point. The point is not "legacy" DVDs. It's "next-gen" DVDs. Whatever the pundits say, Microsoft is doing a great job working on HDTV technologies. The X-box supports HDTV resolutions. The simultaneously released Game Cube does not. This new technology supports HDTV resolutions as well. This is simply a business trying to get ahead of the curve!
So, you slam Microsoft for "unscrupulous business practaces" when they release competing projects, and then slam them when they try to bring something new to the marketlpace.
"The next logical step would be for them to pay movie studios to produce Windows Media format movies that are available before or cost less than regular DVD format, that is, if they are made available in regular DVD format at all!"
Apple's already there. They have major licensing deals with movie studios to ONLY release new movie trailers in Quicktime format. It's a PITA to see these trailers if you don't want Apples newest nag-soft. (Pay for QT? Let me get this straight, I'm gonna pay so that I can have the priviledge of watching commercials? Yea!)
As far as the hardware goes, I think it's a great idea. A lower-bandwidth higher-quality codec built into chips? I salivate over the idea of DVD-Quality Video at DSL bandwidth speeds. (And you can't even begin to tell me that uber-lossy-DIVX is DVD quality.)
Geeze guys, as long as some card manufacturers make linux drivers, why complain?
... my team still holds the record for most $$ banked in one round ($42,500)... And, it should also be noted that "celebrity editions" have considerably simpler questions.
Is it wrong that I am so stoked that I shared a podium with Shatner?
DirecTVDSL provides me 650up/1.5 down for $49.99/month, with static IP, no port 80 Block (assumed, I don't run a server currently-- they say it's not..)
They said they normally promise only 256/1.5, but because I'm so close to a telco or something, I get 640 for the same price. Rad.
No, that's just in the Netherlands print... You see, in Dutch, "Sully" means 'he who uses a pitchfork in inappropriate ways upon others buttocks,' which would be inappropriate for the kids, of course.
Slashdot Mirror
that if your marklar is malfunctioning, you'll see the unhappy marklar when you boot up?
As I type this, I'm sitting at my office, 7pm EST, and all the rest of the employees went home hours ago. They were sent home early on the three day weekend. I will work all three days of the weekend, hoping upon hope I can afford to work "only" 5-6 hours on Sunday. I am working on what could be the largest project of my life, which has a hard (initial) deadline of mid-september.
I'm starting to go insane. Literally. I've lost touch with reality. I have a 4 month old son I rarely see. I go straight from the bed to the office to the bed. Sure, we could have started this project 6 months ago, but instead we started 6 weeks ago, because our client couldn't get their act together. And so, I work 75-80 hour work weeks to make sure there's a remote possibility this project will make its deadline.
80 hour workweeks provide more throughput than 40, no doubt, but it's definitely diminishing retuns. I can tell you that around the 11th or 12th work-hour of the day, I'm absolutely useless, but I must keep plugging on, even if it takes me 4 times as long to do something. When I worked 15 hours the night before, I am catatonic at my desk the next morning. But, the job will get done, and it will get done well. Sure, balls-to-the-wall is energizing at first. My first two 70-hour workweeks were no-doubt some of the most efficient of my life-- but now I've lost touch with reality. I can't tell you what day it is unless I look at my computer's clock! (Seriously.)
I work a salary. Every hour I stay past 40, my hourly wage plummets. The boss promised me a 2% bonus of the billing, but if I do the math, that will work out to a bonus smaller than minimum wage. (with no overtime of course)
The net effect is that when this project is done, I will be looking for other work. So make sure and point that out to your bosses. If they can't afford high-turnover, they can't afford 60+ hour workweeks.
1) Go to Photoshop
2) Make Pixel Marking
3) Save File
4) Change file date to 01-01-1981
Bingo. Prior Art.
Wouldn't you prefer a nice game of chess?
The number one reason...that Slashdot needs an "Obvious" Tag.
Hopefully, they'll wheel Graham Chapman's urn out so he can be present for the premiere.
I'm too chicken to try overclocking it.
wait-wait--
Why did the pentium 7 cross the road?
no-
It brings life back to the AMD ThunderBIRD.
hold on!
My computer keeps locking up! I'm gonna WRING it's NECK!
or
Gizzards Inside(TM)!!!
Sheesh.
Frankly, I'm convinced that this story was concocted simply because the "funny" mod has been apparently underused in the past weeks.
I agree that environmental worriers can go "off the deep end" occasionally, however alternative fuel sources should be persued for one paramount reason: To get the US off the nipple of the middle east, who apparently hates us. Frankly, I would like nothing better than to tank the economy of Saudi Arabia-- the homeland of 4/5ths of the Sept. 1lth Hijackers.
Frankly, the idea of local programming is another example of technology who's time has past. Infinite channel capabilites on cable and satellite make it pretty useless. 99% of local programming is either syndicated or national network. The "Network" concept, as it relates to local affiliates is ridiculous. What do they provide that couldn't be provided nationally? Only one thing: Mediocre News. (In my area, anyway.)
Frankly, the only good model is pay-per-view. You choose the shows you want to watch, and when. Networks/Syndicators will offer one or some free episodes to get you hooked-- and so you can decide what you like. Pepsi will pay for an entire episode and their product will be featured throughout. PBS will continute to exist for free.
This doesn't necessarily mean $200 TV bills per month-- they'll probably offer some sort of Watch-Ad-get-rebate scenario. Look at the bright side-- you can bet those ads will be targeted.. (I'd rather watch technology-based ads that are for the tech savvy, rather than the idiots (dell guy) Frankly, the quality of the shows *and* the advertising will probably go up-- and don't worry, those on the true "bleeding edge" will come up with AI auto-ad watching devices.
Oh, sure, there will probably be a "retro" mode that has commercial breaks that can not be fast-forwarded (a-la DVD FBI warnings)... For those who don't like interactivity... or to "cushion" upcoming baby-boomer blue-hairs into new technology.
Local stations will be reduced to one or two (in small regions) "local news channels" that have a feed on cable/satellite. They provide this service for free, in exchange for local advertising (with no-skip commercials) or for a price.. Luckily, this will drive the "lowest common denominator news" out of business.
It will be a tough transition, but it's "whatever the market will bear," And it won't bear "free TV" but it will bear this.
(Proud Tivo Owner for +1 year)
I estimated the costs associated with the XBOX, and it doesn't seem like they'd be taking such a loss, using today's computer parts prices:
(I'm using a 10% discount off of Pricewatch's lowest prices-- assuming no middlemen & huge quantities.. frankly it's probably lower.)
Celeron 733 - $45
(adjusted to intel's p3 estimated manu. cost of $35 + $10)
20 GB 5400HD- $50
64 MB DDR - $12
CAV DVD-ROM - $28
(now the guesswork)
Motherboard Manufacture - $30
(it's real simple & cheap)
NVidia Chip - $35
(rumored $50 at launch of xBOX)
Case/PS/Controller/Packaging - $30
This all equals $230. Which means they could have at least been breaking even before this price cut-- and will very soon be breaking even once again. Of course, none of this includes marketing or development costs-- but we know MS is in this for the long haul anyway.
In any case, I wouldn't be running out to the store, just to "cost" MS some $$$. Who knows, with cuthroat deals, they may already be breaking even at $199.
I can really see this happening. Lead animators (or animator teams) are incredibly talented folks, and it takes a true gift to pull off the subtleties of human action. I thought Yoda was "the best Yoda ever" -- in all the scenes, not just those where he was kung-fu fighting.
As CGI Characters come into their own, I could see truly gifted CG Artists becoming "unknown moviestars," demanding very high salaries for their work. They could one day be the most versitile actors in hollywood-- perhaps even garnering a "best actor" type oscar category.
Don't laugh, it could happen.
Here is the text:
Errors on Our Site
Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Best Buy reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted and whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is cancelled, BestBuy.com will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge. Individual bank policies will dictate when this amount is credited to your account.
While Best Buy takes steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of product and third-party services provided, please refer to the originator of information for details, for example the manufacturer for complete product details.
I find it a bit embarrassing that every time a corporation makes an honest mistake, many Slashdot readers begin to chant "BOYCOTT!" Just because they didn't get some goody at an exceptional loss for the company. You can ALWAYS get your money back if you order with a credit card.
When this case was began, the merge between Hughes (DirecTV) and Dish Network was not yet underway. Neither company has the ability/bandwidth to broadcast all locals (200+ markets x 4-7 channels) However, if the merge goes through, they will be able to cover 98% of the population's local channels-- and those that they can't cover are probably eligible for remote-local viewing anyway.
I would feel much stronger about it if they weren't planning to cover me in the near future (I'd love to get all major Nets over my newly-installed DTV) --but they promise I'll be able to get locals-- so is really worth so much argument? most of the programming on my locals is the same as is on the NYC or LA locals-- and I don't mind supporting my local economy at all.. (and neither should you, generally-- unless you like plummeting local economies)
go here to find out more about direcTV and local stations.
PS As far as PBS goes-- why the hell do we need local stations anyway? All of the best stuff on PBS is national-- it's a waste of taxpayer dollars to have local affiliates. National network capabilities should make them useless-- it's a huge glut of redundancy-- One PBS would be cheaper and better!
ACPI has been disabled on the last 5 or so motherboards I've seen (work computers I've built, etc..) It hasn't been much of a problem (other than incompatibilities with sucky sound blaster audigy drivers) but then again, I don't run linux.
Yes, it's required for XP-- and it was greatly encouraged for 2000 Pro-- ironically, turning ACPI off fixed a lot of problems I was having with my KT7A-RAID board.
New bios revisions of existing boards sometimes disable this, so watch out!
Some more popular motherboards have "hacks" that can add this functionality back.
Try looking for an "unofficial" support forum for Soyo or whatever.
Go here for the best KT7 faq which answers all these questions for that board, but provides interesting ACPI info, as well.
Our company works with the military quite a bit, and I've had an occasion to try an MRE. They're actually kind of cool. They come with their own (chemical) heat source and re-heat the foods pretty rapidly-- It uses technology similiar to those little handwarmers I use to have when I was a paperboy. As I recall, you'd boil em to "reset" em.. (I think the MRE heatsources are one-use)
In any case-- it's okay-- better than freeze dried anything-- but I still wouldn't like one of them falling on my head from the skies above-- it's not *that* delicious.
Having seen Copenhagen and Proof, I feel that the superior drama was most assuredly "Proof." However, from a techno-geek's standpoint, I can see why the submitter might enjoy Copenhagen more.
'hagen was definitely more cerebral & technical, and used physics as a metophor for ethical struggles.
Proof was a much more personal play about a woman's relationship with her father (and indeed, the world around her.) The math is simply part of the plot, not interwoven with the primary thrust. I saw both original casts, and both were phenominal, but the interaction between Mary Louise Parker and the cast was one of the most thrilling dramatic performances I've ever witnessed. She was incredible.
As a coincidence, the young male lead in Proof was played by Ben Shenkman, who was the young rabinical guy in "Pi."
While I loved Copenhagen, and I love Robert Westenburg (one of the male leads) I felt Proof was the far superior play.
I can finally watch streaming video on TV!
err. wait. That's what tv is.
I have been waiting for two years for a rechargable color pocket pc that does MP3 & "real" games. That's everything. Those are all the "killer apps" I need for a portable (assuming 6gb+ of storage) Hell, make it a phone as well, and I'm in heaven. One device to rule them all!
The world is now free for Elevator Action! For a moment, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to go into those "secret" red doors anymore!
Mr Snide: No, it doesn't support HDTV resolutions. Frankly, I don't feel this needs to be explained, but lest anyone be confused, 480p is not HDTV, just the weakest mode supported by HDTV. HDTV requires 1080i and 720p modes, as well as 480p.
So, No, your crappy TV doesn't support 480p, but several non-HDTV compatible tv's do. (or did)
For a more lucid descripton of the shortcomings of the gamecube's resolutions, check here.
As a Multimedia Producer who does DVD authoring, we do keep up with the sales numbers in the US.
According to this chart DVD player sales in the US are already above 22 Million, not including DVD ROM drives. Granted, some homes (including mine) have more than one. Conservatively, 15 million homes have DVD players.
Now,you totally missed the point. The point is not "legacy" DVDs. It's "next-gen" DVDs. Whatever the pundits say, Microsoft is doing a great job working on HDTV technologies. The X-box supports HDTV resolutions. The simultaneously released Game Cube does not. This new technology supports HDTV resolutions as well. This is simply a business trying to get ahead of the curve!
So, you slam Microsoft for "unscrupulous business practaces" when they release competing projects, and then slam them when they try to bring something new to the marketlpace.
Cory
(apparently, a microsoft apologist, today.)
more anti-microsoft pile-ons...
"The next logical step would be for them to pay movie studios to produce Windows Media format movies that are available before or cost less than regular DVD format, that is, if they are made available in regular DVD format at all!"
Apple's already there. They have major licensing deals with movie studios to ONLY release new movie trailers in Quicktime format. It's a PITA to see these trailers if you don't want Apples newest nag-soft. (Pay for QT? Let me get this straight, I'm gonna pay so that I can have the priviledge of watching commercials? Yea!)
As far as the hardware goes, I think it's a great idea. A lower-bandwidth higher-quality codec built into chips? I salivate over the idea of DVD-Quality Video at DSL bandwidth speeds. (And you can't even begin to tell me that uber-lossy-DIVX is DVD quality.)
Geeze guys, as long as some card manufacturers make linux drivers, why complain?
... my team still holds the record for most $$ banked in one round ($42,500)... And, it should also be noted that "celebrity editions" have considerably simpler questions.
Is it wrong that I am so stoked that I shared a podium with Shatner?
Cory.
DirecTVDSL provides me 650up/1.5 down for $49.99/month, with static IP, no port 80 Block (assumed, I don't run a server currently-- they say it's not..)
They said they normally promise only 256/1.5, but because I'm so close to a telco or something, I get 640 for the same price. Rad.
No, that's just in the Netherlands print... You see, in Dutch, "Sully" means 'he who uses a pitchfork in inappropriate ways upon others buttocks,' which would be inappropriate for the kids, of course.