Man the soliciting is CRAZY! I just had my phone line installed (Sunday) and already I have gotten 3 solicitor calls today!! And they knew me by name!!! WTF?!?! All I know is I need to be on the Do Not Call List.
IMHO, what this is, is a move by Lucas to release a sub-DVD quality transfer, and then when sales are less than stellar, point out low sales as proof that people do not want the origional versions of SW. And thus never release them agani.
While it is lining his pockets w/ money, I think the way to go is to purchase these DVDs and show him that we DO want the original release. Personally, I am going to buy them and be happy w/ them for this very reason. Sure, they are not as good as standard DVD quality. But somewhere between Laserdisc and DVD is still pretty good.
At the same time, this may also be the VERY last version of Star Wars I buy. I certainly will not buy a version that does not include the Original Theatrical Release. And George, IMHO, is now just playing us for chumps to make money.
While I agree with you that the 5 year window is a short amount of time to really see changes takes place due to Segway, I think it is enough time that we would have:
a. seen major proliferation of the device b. seen plans made by cites to accomodate them (if they are not yet implimented)
I will have to say that we certainly have NOT seen (a). I won't say (b) hasn't happened either, because my city hasn't done it, but others might have.
Overall, I think that the comment was a very silly one.
I know that this is somewhat off topic, but this is one of the first good "Ask Slashdot"s in a while. Most of the other topics have been of the "I can't think for myself or do a web search, let me ask someone who might have."
As far as this topic, this is pretty interesting. Very solid information, and if I ever want to do a similar thing, I know where to look for information.
The problem I see is lobbying for a law that requires people to license patented technology AND making the license fee expensive. Of course if I hear wrong and it's a reasonable fee, then the saw industry people are the greedy selfish ones.
From what I read, the guy was looking for nearly 10% of sales from these guys for this technology. Geez. No wonder he made enemies.
Personally, I agree, this is a case where the guy wasn't reasonable and then went and had the rules changed. IMHO, this is really no better than what some of the big companies do. It sounds like he was doing the "This is my ONLY offer" move and when they said no, he ran to the government. He should have looked to charge them a reasonable fee, and if they didn't want to go along with it, then enter some negotiations.
It reminds me of those kids, when we were younger, that would not get to play a game, sport or something, then go tell a teacher so they could force their way in. Sure they go in the game, but then were frozen out. I have a feeling that is what is going to happen here. Sure he is in the MyFirstSaw... er... Safety Saw business, but everyone is going to do all they can to now make sure he doesn't see a red cent from his invention.
Let me 3rd this statement. You are getting way ahead of yourself if you are looking to invest and spend your money. Hang on to it. As someone who had to work their way through college, you can never have too much of a cash reserve, just in case. A couple of times, I found myself in situations where I had no cash and needing money bad. Usually this accompanied a trip to the bank of Mom & Dad. But still, if I could have done it on my own, I would have.
Don't forget, with loans, you are going to come out of school with debt. Why not plan to have some cash on hand to start paying that off early? Trust me, paying that debt off should be priority #1.
Going back to point #1 - I will say that this applies to just about anyone. If you have reserve cash - hang on to it, you never know if you will need it in a snap. To many of my friends had a glob of cash from different things (insurance payoffs, VC money, loans money) and spent it too fast, and found themselves high and dry when it counted.
You raise some very good points, all of which I agree with.
I think what I have gotten out of this is the whole is a damned if they do/damned if they don't issue taken with Microsoft. Before this article came out, people blasted MS for the fact that they had such bloated and bad code. Now that MS is in the practice of trying to replace all this "bloated" code, but are now being attacked on the front that they have untested code.
IMHO, this was something that was going to come regardless of what MS choose to do. Eventually, they were going to have to get their code (be it network, kernel, etc) out of the code base and move to new code, or suffer from really bloated code that was years old.
I think this is where the whole being Beta and their Beta program comes in. So long as they have these issues fixed BEFORE their commercial software is out, I think MS is fine. Now, if they let Vista go and it still has a bulk of untested code, then there are problems. (And I get that the article does point this out in a a single paragraph, but the point is, if CNET really thought about this, then you might think they would have realized maybe the article shouldn't have been written).
True. But considering that he was caught, I don't think it would have been much more of a flag raising than he already did. Hell, at least that doesn't have a picture identified w/ it, like posting his picture on the internet did (with his cars).
I would say get LCD screens that you can mount onto buttons yourself. Since you only have to recognize touch (and not location), it would probably be much cheaper than purchasing touch LCD screens, since most of them are designed to tell you where they were touched.
I would say mount 5 buttons on the back (center and each corner) and then wait to see if the screens were "pressed" by checking all buttons. If any register a touch - then the screen was "pressed".
Ignoring the major issues between Guitar and Violin (already pointed out), remember, some people learn different ways. Some learn by just doing, and others need some formal instructions. IMHO, this piece of software really looks interesting, and if I could pick up a cheap violin, it might make me want to get back into playing.
I don't know if you guys noticed this, but the article was posted by imashoe. If you click on the name, you don't get a slashdot user page, you go to the HOME PAGE of BonaFideReviews!!! How can any stock be placed in a self linked article by the writers?
Nothing more than just an effort to boost their readership at the expense of slashdot hits. I would guess that they jumped up from 5 readers to 500k in 1 day. But this is a bogus article.
I don't know if you guys noticed this, but the article was posted by imashoe. If you click on the name, you don't get a slashdot user page, you go to the HOME PAGE of BonaFideReviews!!! How can any stock be placed in a self linked article by the writers?
Is it just me, or outside the horrible grammar and such, is this article making the mistake that Sony is ONLY the Playstation line of game consoles? If I go to Sony's web page, I see a ton of things that have little to do with gaming (directly) - Stereos, Walkmans, TVs, etc. How can these guys say that Sony is "Ailing"?
Sony has been around way too long (60 years this May 7th) for one simple launch will kill these guys. That is like saying that Itanium would kill Intel. Just short sighted reporting.
IMHO, what this is is nothing more than Just Another ailing Tech Site that is trying to bump up their hits by posting some crazy article that speculates some crazy stuff and then get it on a site that will generate some traffic. Hell, the name of the guy who reported this is a freaking LINK to that crappy sites front page.
Now that I see this - this is bogus, nothing but what I said, trying to boost readership at the expense of slashdoters.
Here is a key point of this whole thing. "If you avoid arrest." My question is this - when did parents get so over protective? I mean, the times I got into a fight as a kid my parents never though to have the kid arrested (if he beat me up). I was picked on by kids, and did my fair share of picking on kids, the answers to this were not suing to get money from people because of my anguish.
The fact is, as kids, these things happen. Actions suchs as arrests/lawsuits etc really do nothing to help the situation. In fact, I think they probably make things worse. First, they demonstrate a HORRIBLE way of dealing with problems. Second, they just give a new outlet for people to latch on. And third - they demonstrate that you really don't know how to handle things yourself.
This is just like I have heard about the Wussification of America. Doing away with dodgeball, etc. Hey look this hurts our kids, get rid of it. How about better - if you don't like getting hurt, get better at it. If you are getting beat up, learn to fight back. And if learn to roll with teasing like acting out Star Wars stuff. You did the actions, yet you can't deal with the consequences of it or not? I know that the bullying was bad, but he really set himself up for it.
Again, I am not justifying what they did, but at the same time, what the hell was he thinking about recording his play?
But are there enough freeloaders out there to threaten profitability?
I think that there clearly are, especially when you read the article. They talk about how on average only 8% of listeners are members of their local NPR stations. I mean think about that, that is huge.
Here in Austin, the local station touts around 200,000 listeners. They also talk about how they need around $800,000 semi-annually to maintain operating costs. That would come up to $4 a listener. Clearly they don't get that, because they usually come up around $50k shy of their goals. Think about that whole 8% thing, that would only be 16,000 members. Now you are looking at $50 a listener. That is a huge difference. And a big burden to put on listeners who do donate to them (if you don't donate).
Back when I worked, I did my best to donate to KUT, but now that I am back in school, I just can't do it. But I would say that as a listener to their station, I should do what I can to help them out. I am using the content, why not try to make sure that I can listen to it years into the future?
RonB
Re:Not to act like a fanboy but...
on
Learning to DJ?
·
· Score: 1
Well realize this - I was breaking down DJing to its very basic level. Playing and mixing song.
Now that being said, I know there is much more to DJing than just playing music. I know a number of DJs, more than of few of whom are not that good and can clear dance floors faster than the house lights, because exactly the reasons you listed (or not knowing them).
But the goal of my original post was just to point out what technical requirements were being targeted. And in this case, he was looking for software and/or hardware (if he is smart, the hardware is the way to go) options to being a DJ. I was just pointing out why Garage Band was not in the picture.
Who cares about the article. I just have 1 question: How many people think a background check includes a search on MySpace? I would guess zero.
RonB
Re:Not to act like a fanboy but...
on
Learning to DJ?
·
· Score: 1
I don't think that this is what he is looking for. He isn't looking to make his own music, he is looking to DJ, which, when you break it down, it just learning to mix/blend songs as you go from one song to the next. Garage Band will do that, but you are doing it to make music and tracks. Maybe something he would use in the future (when doing his own mixes), but not at the start.
Slashdot Mirror
Something that clearly we can't expect someone on the Ask Slashdot forum to do. Heck, he even admited as much when asking his question.
RonB
So true. No one complains when people sell their lecture notes in book stores around campuses, why the problem with this?
RonB
Man the soliciting is CRAZY! I just had my phone line installed (Sunday) and already I have gotten 3 solicitor calls today!! And they knew me by name!!! WTF?!?! All I know is I need to be on the Do Not Call List.
RonB
IMHO, what this is, is a move by Lucas to release a sub-DVD quality transfer, and then when sales are less than stellar, point out low sales as proof that people do not want the origional versions of SW. And thus never release them agani.
While it is lining his pockets w/ money, I think the way to go is to purchase these DVDs and show him that we DO want the original release. Personally, I am going to buy them and be happy w/ them for this very reason. Sure, they are not as good as standard DVD quality. But somewhere between Laserdisc and DVD is still pretty good.
At the same time, this may also be the VERY last version of Star Wars I buy. I certainly will not buy a version that does not include the Original Theatrical Release. And George, IMHO, is now just playing us for chumps to make money.
RonB
Would it be about a kid raising space oats or space wheat?
While I agree with you that the 5 year window is a short amount of time to really see changes takes place due to Segway, I think it is enough time that we would have:
a. seen major proliferation of the device
b. seen plans made by cites to accomodate them (if they are not yet implimented)
I will have to say that we certainly have NOT seen (a). I won't say (b) hasn't happened either, because my city hasn't done it, but others might have.
Overall, I think that the comment was a very silly one.
Does the banning by San Francisco count?
I know that this is somewhat off topic, but this is one of the first good "Ask Slashdot"s in a while. Most of the other topics have been of the "I can't think for myself or do a web search, let me ask someone who might have."
As far as this topic, this is pretty interesting. Very solid information, and if I ever want to do a similar thing, I know where to look for information.
RonB
From what I read, the guy was looking for nearly 10% of sales from these guys for this technology. Geez. No wonder he made enemies.
Personally, I agree, this is a case where the guy wasn't reasonable and then went and had the rules changed. IMHO, this is really no better than what some of the big companies do. It sounds like he was doing the "This is my ONLY offer" move and when they said no, he ran to the government. He should have looked to charge them a reasonable fee, and if they didn't want to go along with it, then enter some negotiations.
It reminds me of those kids, when we were younger, that would not get to play a game, sport or something, then go tell a teacher so they could force their way in. Sure they go in the game, but then were frozen out. I have a feeling that is what is going to happen here. Sure he is in the MyFirstSaw
RonB
Let me 3rd this statement. You are getting way ahead of yourself if you are looking to invest and spend your money. Hang on to it. As someone who had to work their way through college, you can never have too much of a cash reserve, just in case. A couple of times, I found myself in situations where I had no cash and needing money bad. Usually this accompanied a trip to the bank of Mom & Dad. But still, if I could have done it on my own, I would have.
Don't forget, with loans, you are going to come out of school with debt. Why not plan to have some cash on hand to start paying that off early? Trust me, paying that debt off should be priority #1.
Going back to point #1 - I will say that this applies to just about anyone. If you have reserve cash - hang on to it, you never know if you will need it in a snap. To many of my friends had a glob of cash from different things (insurance payoffs, VC money, loans money) and spent it too fast, and found themselves high and dry when it counted.
RonB
You raise some very good points, all of which I agree with.
I think what I have gotten out of this is the whole is a damned if they do/damned if they don't issue taken with Microsoft. Before this article came out, people blasted MS for the fact that they had such bloated and bad code. Now that MS is in the practice of trying to replace all this "bloated" code, but are now being attacked on the front that they have untested code.
IMHO, this was something that was going to come regardless of what MS choose to do. Eventually, they were going to have to get their code (be it network, kernel, etc) out of the code base and move to new code, or suffer from really bloated code that was years old.
I think this is where the whole being Beta and their Beta program comes in. So long as they have these issues fixed BEFORE their commercial software is out, I think MS is fine. Now, if they let Vista go and it still has a bulk of untested code, then there are problems. (And I get that the article does point this out in a a single paragraph, but the point is, if CNET really thought about this, then you might think they would have realized maybe the article shouldn't have been written).
RonB
I am pretty sure most people won't care, as long as you share.
Besides, last time I saw a cop in an arcade was never.
"Say, man, you got a joint?"
"No, not on me, man."
"It'd be a lot cooler if you did."
True. But considering that he was caught, I don't think it would have been much more of a flag raising than he already did. Hell, at least that doesn't have a picture identified w/ it, like posting his picture on the internet did (with his cars).
He is missing the point though. When it comes to consoles money is made on games, not the consoles themsesles.
Otherwise, I agree with everyone, these are big reaches.
RonB
I would say get LCD screens that you can mount onto buttons yourself. Since you only have to recognize touch (and not location), it would probably be much cheaper than purchasing touch LCD screens, since most of them are designed to tell you where they were touched.
I would say mount 5 buttons on the back (center and each corner) and then wait to see if the screens were "pressed" by checking all buttons. If any register a touch - then the screen was "pressed".
RonB
Yea, I gotta agree. This is funny.
Dell, you don't use AMD chips because you are afraid of Intel.
Dell, you don't sell Linux because you are affraid of MS.
You, know they are right. They are not their puppet. They are their BITCH.
RonB
Ignoring the major issues between Guitar and Violin (already pointed out), remember, some people learn different ways. Some learn by just doing, and others need some formal instructions. IMHO, this piece of software really looks interesting, and if I could pick up a cheap violin, it might make me want to get back into playing.
RonB
I don't know if you guys noticed this, but the article was posted by imashoe. If you click on the name, you don't get a slashdot user page, you go to the HOME PAGE of BonaFideReviews!!! How can any stock be placed in a self linked article by the writers?
Nothing more than just an effort to boost their readership at the expense of slashdot hits. I would guess that they jumped up from 5 readers to 500k in 1 day. But this is a bogus article.
RonB
I don't know if you guys noticed this, but the article was posted by imashoe. If you click on the name, you don't get a slashdot user page, you go to the HOME PAGE of BonaFideReviews!!! How can any stock be placed in a self linked article by the writers?
Crap if you ask me.
RonB
Is it just me, or outside the horrible grammar and such, is this article making the mistake that Sony is ONLY the Playstation line of game consoles? If I go to Sony's web page, I see a ton of things that have little to do with gaming (directly) - Stereos, Walkmans, TVs, etc. How can these guys say that Sony is "Ailing"?
Sony has been around way too long (60 years this May 7th) for one simple launch will kill these guys. That is like saying that Itanium would kill Intel. Just short sighted reporting.
IMHO, what this is is nothing more than Just Another ailing Tech Site that is trying to bump up their hits by posting some crazy article that speculates some crazy stuff and then get it on a site that will generate some traffic. Hell, the name of the guy who reported this is a freaking LINK to that crappy sites front page.
Now that I see this - this is bogus, nothing but what I said, trying to boost readership at the expense of slashdoters.
RonB
The fact is, as kids, these things happen. Actions suchs as arrests/lawsuits etc really do nothing to help the situation. In fact, I think they probably make things worse. First, they demonstrate a HORRIBLE way of dealing with problems. Second, they just give a new outlet for people to latch on. And third - they demonstrate that you really don't know how to handle things yourself.
This is just like I have heard about the Wussification of America. Doing away with dodgeball, etc. Hey look this hurts our kids, get rid of it. How about better - if you don't like getting hurt, get better at it. If you are getting beat up, learn to fight back. And if learn to roll with teasing like acting out Star Wars stuff. You did the actions, yet you can't deal with the consequences of it or not? I know that the bullying was bad, but he really set himself up for it.
Again, I am not justifying what they did, but at the same time, what the hell was he thinking about recording his play?
RonB
Here in Austin, the local station touts around 200,000 listeners. They also talk about how they need around $800,000 semi-annually to maintain operating costs. That would come up to $4 a listener. Clearly they don't get that, because they usually come up around $50k shy of their goals. Think about that whole 8% thing, that would only be 16,000 members. Now you are looking at $50 a listener. That is a huge difference. And a big burden to put on listeners who do donate to them (if you don't donate).
Back when I worked, I did my best to donate to KUT, but now that I am back in school, I just can't do it. But I would say that as a listener to their station, I should do what I can to help them out. I am using the content, why not try to make sure that I can listen to it years into the future?
RonB
Well realize this - I was breaking down DJing to its very basic level. Playing and mixing song.
Now that being said, I know there is much more to DJing than just playing music. I know a number of DJs, more than of few of whom are not that good and can clear dance floors faster than the house lights, because exactly the reasons you listed (or not knowing them).
But the goal of my original post was just to point out what technical requirements were being targeted. And in this case, he was looking for software and/or hardware (if he is smart, the hardware is the way to go) options to being a DJ. I was just pointing out why Garage Band was not in the picture.
RonB
Who cares about the article. I just have 1 question:
How many people think a background check includes a search on MySpace? I would guess zero.
RonB
I don't think that this is what he is looking for. He isn't looking to make his own music, he is looking to DJ, which, when you break it down, it just learning to mix/blend songs as you go from one song to the next. Garage Band will do that, but you are doing it to make music and tracks. Maybe something he would use in the future (when doing his own mixes), but not at the start.
RonB